Communication method and communication apparatus

Abstract

The application provides a communication method and a communication device example. The method informs a terminal device of a period of second information of a second network device by a first network device, the second information including SSB and / or other system information blocks, so that the terminal device can accurately obtain the period of the second information of the second network device, and when the terminal device accesses the second network device, the terminal device can search according to the actual period of the second information of the second network device, thereby reducing access delay.

Description

Technical Field

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

[0002] With the development of communication technology, network devices typically support multiple synchronization signal block (SSB) cycles in certain scenarios. For example, in non-terrestrial network (NTN) systems, extending the SSB cycle allows for the activation of multiple beams multiple times to ensure normal communication within the coverage area, even with limited satellite power. For instance, in traditional cell search, the user equipment (UE) assumes an SSB transmission period of 20ms. An extended SSB cycle could be 80ms and / or 640ms. The network device (satellite) transmits data based on the extended SSB cycle of 80ms and / or 640ms, and the UE performs blind SSB detection according to the extended SSB cycle of 80ms and / or 640ms.

[0003] When multiple SSB cycles are introduced, if the UE cannot accurately know the SSB cycle in which the network device sends the SSB, in order to find the SSB, the UE can only search according to the maximum SSB cycle supported by the network; otherwise, it may miss the SSB of that cell. This method of searching according to the maximum SSB cycle will result in a large access delay. Summary of the Invention

[0004] This application provides a communication method and communication device that can accurately obtain the period of second information to reduce access delay.

[0005] Firstly, some embodiments of this application provide a positioning method. This method can be executed by a terminal device, or by a component (such as a circuit, chip, or chip system) configured in the terminal device, or by a logic module or software capable of implementing all or part of the functions of the terminal device. This application does not limit this. The following description uses a terminal device as an example. The method includes:

[0006] The system receives first information sent by a first network device, the first information being used to indicate a first period for a second network device to send second information, the second network device supporting one or more candidate periods, the candidate periods being used to send the second information, the first period belonging to one or more candidate periods, the first network device including network devices providing services to terminal devices, and the second network device including candidate network devices capable of providing services to terminal devices; and detects the second information sent by the second network device based on the first period.

[0007] By using the above method, the first network device informs the terminal device of the first cycle of the second network device, enabling the terminal device to accurately obtain the first cycle of the second network device. Thus, when the terminal device accesses the second network device, it can perform a search according to the actual first cycle of the second network device, obtaining the second information more accurately and faster, thereby reducing access latency.

[0008] Secondly, some embodiments of this application provide a positioning method. This method can be executed by a first network device, or by a component (such as a circuit, chip, or chip system) configured in the first network device, or by a logic module or software capable of implementing all or part of the functions of the first network device. This application does not limit this. The following description uses a first network device as an example. The method includes:

[0009] The system receives third information sent by a second network device, the third information indicating the first cycle used by the second network device to send the second information. The second network device supports one or more candidate cycles, the candidate cycles being used to send the second information. The first cycle belongs to one or more candidate cycles. The first network device includes network devices that provide services to terminal devices, and the second network device includes candidate network devices that can provide services to terminal devices. The system then sends first information to the terminal device, the first information being determined by the third information.

[0010] The second aspect is the implementation on the first network device side, which corresponds to the first aspect. The explanations, supplements, and descriptions of the beneficial effects of the first aspect also apply to the second aspect, and will not be repeated here.

[0011] Thirdly, some embodiments of this application provide a positioning method. This method can be executed by a second network device, or by a component (such as a circuit, chip, or chip system) configured in the second network device, or by a logic module or software capable of implementing all or part of the functions of the second network device. This application does not limit this. The following description uses a second network device as an example. The method includes:

[0012] A third message is sent to a first network device, the third message being used to instruct a second network device to use a first cycle for sending the second message. The second network device supports one or more candidate cycles, the candidate cycles being used to send the second message. The first cycle belongs to one or more candidate cycles. The first network device includes network devices that provide services to terminal devices, and the second network device includes candidate network devices that can provide services to terminal devices. The second message is sent based on the first cycle.

[0013] The third aspect is the implementation on the second network device side, which corresponds to the first aspect. The explanations, supplements, and descriptions of the beneficial effects of the first aspect also apply to the third aspect, and will not be repeated here.

[0014] Fourthly, this application provides a communication device including a transceiver module. The transceiver module is used to receive first information sent by a first network device, the first information indicating a first period used by a second network device to send second information, the second network device supporting one or more candidate periods for sending the second information, the first period belonging to one or more candidate periods, the first network device including network devices providing services to terminal devices, and the second network device including candidate network devices capable of providing services to terminal devices; based on the first period, the second information sent by the second network device is detected.

[0015] Fifthly, this application provides a communication device including a transceiver module. The transceiver module is used to send third information to a first network device, the third information indicating a first period used by a second network device to send second information. The second network device supports one or more candidate periods for sending the second information. The first period belongs to one or more candidate periods. The first network device includes network devices that provide services to terminal devices, and the second network device includes candidate network devices capable of providing services to terminal devices. The second information is sent based on the first period.

[0016] Sixthly, this application provides a communication device including a transceiver module. The transceiver module is used to send third information to a first network device, the third information indicating a first period used by a second network device to send second information. The second network device supports one or more candidate periods for sending the second information, the first period belonging to one or more candidate periods. The first network device includes network devices providing services to terminal devices, and the second network device includes candidate network devices capable of providing services to terminal devices. The second information is sent based on the first period.

[0017] The fourth, fifth, and sixth aspects are the implementations on the device side corresponding to the first, second, and third aspects. The explanations, supplements, and descriptions of the beneficial effects of the first, second, and third aspects also apply to the fourth, fifth, and sixth aspects, and will not be repeated here.

[0018] In a seventh aspect, this application provides a communication device including a processor coupled to a memory, which can be used to execute instructions or data in the memory to implement the method in any possible implementation of the first aspect described above. Optionally, the communication device further includes a memory. Optionally, the communication device further includes a communication interface, and the processor is coupled to the communication interface.

[0019] In one implementation, the communication interface may be a transceiver, or an input / output interface.

[0020] In another implementation, the communication device is a chip configured in a terminal device. When the communication device is a chip configured in a terminal device, the communication interface can be an input / output interface.

[0021] Eighthly, this application provides a communication device including a processor coupled to a memory, which can be used to execute instructions or data in the memory to implement the method in any possible implementation of the second aspect above. Optionally, the communication device further includes a memory. Optionally, the communication device further includes a communication interface, and the processor is coupled to the communication interface.

[0022] In one implementation, the communication interface may be a transceiver, or an input / output interface.

[0023] In another implementation, the communication device is a chip configured in a base station / satellite. When the communication device is a chip configured in a base station / satellite, the communication interface can be an input / output interface.

[0024] Ninthly, this application provides a communication device including a processor coupled to a memory, which can be used to execute instructions or data in the memory to implement the method in any possible implementation of the third aspect above. Optionally, the communication device further includes a memory. Optionally, the communication device further includes a communication interface, and the processor is coupled to the communication interface.

[0025] In one implementation, the communication interface may be a transceiver, or an input / output interface.

[0026] In another implementation, the communication device is a chip configured in a base station / satellite. When the communication device is a chip configured in a base station / satellite, the communication interface can be an input / output interface.

[0027] In a tenth aspect, a processor is provided, comprising: an input circuit, an output circuit, and a processing circuit. The processing circuit is configured to receive signals through the input circuit and transmit signals through the output circuit, causing the processor to execute a method in any possible implementation of any aspect.

[0028] In specific implementation, the processor can be one or more chips, the input circuit can be input pins, the output circuit can be output pins, and the processing circuit can be transistors, gate circuits, flip-flops, and various logic circuits. The input signal received by the input circuit can be received and input by, for example, but not limited to, a receiver, and the signal output by the output circuit can be, for example, but not limited to, output to and transmitted by a transmitter. Furthermore, the input circuit and the output circuit can be the same circuit, which is used as both the input circuit and the output circuit at different times. This application does not limit the specific implementation of the processor and various circuits.

[0029] Eleventhly, a communication device is provided, including a processor and a memory. The processor is used to read instructions stored in the memory, receive signals via a receiver, and transmit signals via a transmitter to execute the method in any possible implementation of any of the preceding aspects.

[0030] Optionally, the processor may be one or more, and the memory may be one or more.

[0031] In a twelfth aspect, a computer program product is provided, the computer program product comprising: a computer program (also referred to as code or instructions) that, when the computer program is run, causes a computer to perform a method in any possible implementation of any of the above aspects.

[0032] In a thirteenth aspect, a computer-readable storage medium is provided that stores a computer program (also referred to as code or instructions) that, when run on a computer, causes the computer to perform the methods in any possible implementation of any of the preceding aspects.

[0033] In a fourteenth aspect, embodiments of this application provide a chip system including one or more processors for calling and executing instructions stored in memory, causing the methods in any of the above aspects or possible implementations to be performed. The chip system may be composed of chips or may include chips and other discrete devices.

[0034] The chip system may include input circuits or interfaces for transmitting information or data, and output circuits or interfaces for receiving information or data.

[0035] In a fifteenth aspect, a communication system is provided, including the aforementioned terminal device, first network device, and second network device. Optionally, the communication system may further include other devices that communicate with the terminal device and / or network device. Attached Figure Description

[0036] Figure 1A schematic diagram of a communication system architecture provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0037] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of an NTN system architecture provided in this application embodiment;

[0038] Figure 3A A schematic diagram of an SSB burst set provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0039] Figure 3B A schematic diagram of an SSB cycle and SSB burst set is provided for an embodiment of this application;

[0040] Figure 4 A schematic diagram of an extended SSB cycle and SSB burst set is provided for embodiments of this application;

[0041] Figure 5 A schematic diagram of a multi-SSB cycle provided for an embodiment of this application;

[0042] Figure 6 A flowchart illustrating a communication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0043] Figure 7A This is a schematic diagram of a communication method scenario provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0044] Figure 7B This is a schematic diagram illustrating another communication method scenario provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0045] Figure 7C This is a schematic diagram illustrating another communication method scenario provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0046] Figure 7D This is a schematic diagram illustrating another communication method scenario provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0047] Figure 8 A flowchart illustrating another communication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0048] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0049] Figure 10 This is a schematic diagram of another communication device provided in an embodiment of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0050] The technical solutions of the embodiments of this application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the description of the embodiments of this application, unless otherwise stated, " / " means "or," for example, A / B can mean A or B; "and / or" in the text is merely a description of the relationship between related objects, indicating that three relationships can exist. For example, A and / or B can represent: A existing alone, A and B existing simultaneously, and B existing alone. Furthermore, in the description of the embodiments of this application, "multiple" refers to two or more than two.

[0051] It should be understood that the terms "first," "second," etc., in the specification, claims, and 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.

[0052] In this application, the reference to "embodiment" means that a specific 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 in this application can be combined with other embodiments.

[0053] To better understand the embodiments of this application, the system architecture involved in the embodiments of this application will be described first below:

[0054] For example, such as Figure 1 As shown, Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the architecture of a wireless communication system provided in an embodiment of this application. (See also...) Figure 1 The network elements involved in this system architecture mainly include: terminal devices, core network devices, and one or more access network devices (only two are shown). In some embodiments, the wireless communication system can consist of multiple cells, each containing one or more access network devices, which provide communication services to multiple terminal devices. In the wireless communication system, multiple terminal devices can communicate with each other. The terminal devices are located within the coverage area of ​​one or more cells (carriers) provided by the access network devices; that is, the cells serving the terminal devices can be one or more. Terminal devices in the wireless communication system can perform cell handover, that is, switch from the currently accessed cell to other cells, such as switching to a cell that can provide better service to the terminal device.

[0055] The network equipment in this application can be network-side equipment such as access network equipment and core network equipment. Access network equipment is sometimes also called access node. Access network equipment has wireless transceiver capabilities and is used to communicate with terminals. Access network equipment includes, but is not limited to, base stations, evolved NodeBs (eNodeBs), transmission reception points (TRPs) in the above-mentioned communication systems, next-generation NodeBs (gNBs) in 5G mobile communication systems, access network equipment or modules of access network equipment in open RAN (ORAN) systems, satellites in NTN communication systems, base stations in future mobile communication systems, or access nodes in WiFi systems. Access network equipment can also be modules or units that can implement some of the functions of a base station. Access network equipment can be macro base stations, micro base stations, or indoor stations, relay nodes or donor nodes, or wireless controllers in cloud radioaccess network (CRAN) scenarios. Optionally, access network equipment can also be servers, wearable devices, or vehicle-mounted equipment, etc. For example, the access network equipment in vehicle-to-everything (V2X) technology can be a roadside unit (RSU). Multiple access network devices in a communication system can be base stations of the same type or different types. Base stations can communicate with terminals directly or via relay stations. Terminals can communicate with multiple base stations using different access technologies. The embodiments of this application do not limit the specific technology or device form used in the access network equipment. In this application, the access network equipment is referred to as a network device.

[0056] Core network equipment refers to the equipment in the core network (CN) that provides service support for terminal equipment. Examples of core network equipment include: Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF) entities, Session Management Function (SMF) entities, User Plane Function (UPF) entities, etc., which will not be listed here. The AMF entity is responsible for terminal access management and mobility management; the SMF entity is responsible for session management, such as user session establishment; and the UPF entity can be a user plane functional entity, primarily responsible for connecting to external networks. It should be noted that in this application, entities can also be referred to as network elements or functional entities. For example, an AMF entity can also be called an AMF network element or an AMF functional entity. Similarly, an SMF entity can also be called an SMF network element or an SMF functional entity, etc.

[0057] In this application, the means for implementing the functions of a network device can be a network device itself, or a means capable of supporting the network device in implementing those functions, such as a processor, circuit, chip, or chip system. This means can be installed in or connected to the network device. In the technical solutions provided in this application, the example of a network device being used to implement the functions of a network device is used to describe the technical solutions provided in this application.

[0058] The terminal device in this application can be a wireless terminal device capable of receiving network device scheduling and instruction information. The wireless terminal device can be a device providing voice and / or data connectivity to a user, a handheld device with wireless connectivity, or other processing devices connected to a wireless modem. For example, the terminal device can communicate with one or more core networks or the Internet via a radio access network (RAN). The terminal device can also be referred to as a terminal, user equipment (UE), mobile station, mobile terminal, etc. Terminal devices can be widely used in various scenarios, such as device-to-device (D2D), vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication, machine-type communication (MTC), Internet of Things (IoT), ultra-reliable low-latency communication (URLLC), virtual reality, augmented reality, industrial control, autonomous driving, telemedicine, smart grids, smart furniture, smart offices, smart wearables, smart transportation, smart cities, or satellite communication, etc. The terminal can be a mobile phone, tablet computer, computer with wireless transceiver capabilities, wearable device, vehicle, aircraft (such as drone, helicopter, airplane), hot air balloon, ship, robot, robotic arm, or smart home device, etc. The embodiments of this application do not limit the form of the terminal device.

[0059] In this application, the apparatus for implementing the functions of a terminal device can be the terminal device itself, or any apparatus capable of supporting the terminal device in implementing those functions, such as a processor, circuit, chip, or chip system. This apparatus can be installed in or connected to the terminal device. In the technical solutions provided in this application, the example of a terminal device being used to implement the functions of a terminal device is used to describe the technical solutions provided in this application.

[0060] Access network devices and / or terminals can be fixed or mobile. They can be deployed on land, including indoors or outdoors, handheld or vehicle-mounted; on water; or in the air on aircraft, balloons, and satellites. This application does not limit the application scenarios of the access network devices and terminals. Access network devices and terminal devices can be deployed in the same or different scenarios; for example, both can be deployed on land; or the access network device can be deployed on land, and the terminal device on water, etc., and so on.

[0061] In practical applications, multiple network devices can collaborate to assist terminals in achieving wireless access, with different network devices each implementing a portion of the base station's functions. For example, network devices can be central units (CUs), distributed units (DUs), CU-control plane (CPs), CU-user plane (UPs), or radio units (RUs), etc. CUs and DUs can be set up separately or included in the same network element, such as a baseband unit (BBU). RUs can be included in radio frequency equipment or radio frequency units, such as remote radio units (RRUs), active antenna units (AAUs), or remote radio heads (RRHs).

[0062] In different systems, CU (or CU-CP and CU-UP), DU, or RU may have different names, but those skilled in the art will understand their meaning. For example, in an ORAN system, CU can also be called O-CU (Open CU), DU can also be called O-DU, CU-CP can also be called O-CU-CP, CU-UP can also be called O-CU-UP, and RU can also be called O-RU. Any of the units among CU (or CU-CP, CU-UP), DU, and RU in this application can be implemented through software modules, hardware modules, or a combination of software and hardware modules. CU (or CU-CP and CU-UP), DU, and RU can implement different protocol layer functions.

[0063] Communication between base stations and terminals, between base stations, and between terminals can be conducted using licensed spectrum, unlicensed spectrum, or both simultaneously. Communication can be conducted using spectrum below 6 GHz, spectrum above 6 GHz, or both simultaneously. The embodiments of this application do not limit the spectrum resources used for wireless communication.

[0064] Optional, Figure 1 The two access network devices in the diagram can be different devices. For example, the access network device on the left is a gNB, and the access network device on the right is a satellite. Alternatively, the access network device on the left is a satellite, and the access network device on the right is a gNB.

[0065] or Figure 1The two access network devices in the diagram can be the same device; for example, the access network device on the left is a gNB, and the access network device on the right is a gNB. Alternatively, the access network device on the left can be a satellite, and the access network device on the right can be a satellite.

[0066] Optional, Figure 1 Two access network devices can communicate with each other using licensed spectrum, unlicensed spectrum, or both simultaneously.

[0067] In one possible embodiment, this application relates to a first network device and a second network device as follows: Figure 1 The access network equipment in the system. The first network device can be the network device currently providing services to the terminal device, and the second network device can be a network device capable of providing services to the terminal device.

[0068] Optionally, the first network device and the second network device may be physically adjacent network devices.

[0069] Optionally, the coverage areas of the first network device and the second network device are adjacent, or the coverage areas of the first network device and the second network device partially overlap.

[0070] Optionally, the first network device and the second network device can be of different types. For example, the first network device may be an NTN system network device, and the second network device may be a TN system network device. It should be noted that the embodiments of this application can also be applied to situations where the first network device and the second network device are of the same type.

[0071] As mentioned above, the technical solution of this application can be applied to NTN, or scenarios where NTN is integrated with terrestrial networks (TN). NTN refers to a network or network segment that uses onboard radio frequency from satellites. For example, Figure 2 A schematic diagram of four system architectures for NTN is shown.

[0072] 1. In Figure 2 In a transparent satellite architecture as shown in Figure 2-1, the radio access network (RAN) may include remote radio units (RRUs) and base stations (such as...). Figure 2(gNB). The RRU can include a satellite and an NTN gateway. The satellite is used for radio frequency filtering and frequency conversion and amplification to ensure that the waveform signal repeated by the payload remains unchanged. That is, the satellite mainly acts as a Layer 1 (L1) relay device to regenerate physical layer signals (i.e., radio frequency filtering, frequency conversion and amplification processing), without other higher protocol layers. The NTN gateway supports all functions of forwarding new radio Uu (NR Uu) interface signals. The NR Uu interface is the interface between the terminal device and the base station in the protocol. For example, the network device in the embodiments of this application can be Figure 2 The base station in 2-1.

[0073] 2. In Figure 2 In the regenerative satellite architecture without inter-satellite link shown in Figure 2-2, the RAN includes satellites and NTN gateways. The satellite acts as a base station, possessing the processing functions of a base station; that is, the functions of a base station are deployed on the satellite. The NTN gateway is a transport network layer node and supports the corresponding transport protocols. The satellite and NTN gateway are connected via a satellite radio interface (SRI), with the NG interface carried over the SRI, responsible for higher-level information transmission. The NG interface serves as the interface between the 5G base station and the 5G core network, primarily exchanging core network signaling such as NAS, as well as user service data. For example, the network device in this embodiment could be... Figure 2 Satellite 2-2.

[0074] 3. In Figure 2 In a regenerative satellite architecture with inter-satellite links, as shown in Figures 2-3, and... Figure 2 Similar to 2-2, the difference is that multiple satellites can be connected via the Xn interface. The Xn interface is carried over the SRI (Xn over SRI). The Xn interface is the interface between base stations, mainly used for signaling interactions such as handover. For example, the network device in this embodiment can be... Figure 2 Satellites in 2-3.

[0075] 4. In Figure 2 In a regenerative satellite architecture with distributed unit (DU) processing capabilities for base stations, as shown in Figures 2-4, the satellite acts as a DU within the base station, jointly performing base station functions with the central unit (CU). An NTN gateway exists between the DU on the satellite and the CU on the ground. The NTN gateway is a transport network layer node that supports the corresponding transport protocols. The satellite and the NTN gateway are connected via an F1 interface, which is carried over the SRI (F1 over SRI). For example, the network device in this embodiment could be... Figure 2 gNB-DU and gNB-CU in 2-4.

[0076] In this application, the satellite may be, for example, a geostationary Earth orbit satellite, a medium Earth orbit (MEO) satellite in a non-geostationary earth orbit (NGEO), a low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite, a high-altitude platform station (HAPS), etc.

[0077] To facilitate understanding of the embodiments of this application, the terminology used in this application will be briefly explained first. Optionally, the explanation of some terms may also refer to the explanations in the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) standard protocol.

[0078] I. System Messages

[0079] System information consists of messages sent by network devices that contain information needed for terminal device initialization, as well as other functional / characteristic information. For example, system information can be categorized into minimum system information and other system information. Among these:

[0080] The minimum system information can consist of a master information block (MIB) and SIB1, also known as the remaining minimum SI (RMSI). The MIB is periodically broadcast on the broadcast channel (BCH). SIB1 is periodically broadcast on the downlink shared channel (DL-SCH) or sent to terminal devices in the connected state of radio resource control (RRC) via dedicated signaling.

[0081] Other system information consists of other SIBs, such as SIB2 to SIB25. These other SIBs are broadcast periodically on the DL-SCH, or on demand. For example, a network device will only broadcast a SIB if a terminal device in RRC idle (RRC_IDLE) or RRC inactive (RRC_INACTIVE) state requests it; otherwise, it will not send the SIB. Alternatively, other SIBs can be sent to terminals in RRC connected state via dedicated signaling.

[0082] In different systems, system information may have different specific settings. Besides MIB and SIB1, the minimum system information can also include other SIBs, and similarly, other system information can also have other SIBs. This application does not limit the specific minimum system information and other system information to include any particular SIBs.

[0083] The basic process for a terminal device to obtain system information in the RRC idle state or RRC inactive state is as follows: the terminal first obtains the MIB, then obtains SIB1 based on the scheduling information in the MIB, and then obtains other SIBs based on the scheduling information in SIB1.

[0084] II. Non-terrestrial networks

[0085] The solutions described in this application can be applied to NTN. NTN, or Non-Terrestrial Network, is a general term for networks involving flying objects. NTN includes HAPS, satellite communication networks, and air-to-ground networks. Key value scenarios for NTN mainly include areas with poor land coverage, maritime communication, public safety needs, inter-aircraft communication, and railways, aiming to provide users with mobile broadband services.

[0086] HAPS is carried out on airborne platforms, such as airplanes, balloons, and airships. HAPS uses high-altitude platform stations as mobile communication access network equipment (such as base stations), providing mobile services using the same frequency bands as terrestrial mobile networks.

[0087] Satellite communication networks rely on onboard platforms, primarily including low Earth orbit (LEO), medium Earth orbit (MEO), and geostationary earth orbit (GEO) satellites. Based on the relationship between the satellites and access network equipment, they can be divided into two architectures. The system architecture of this NTN system can be found above. Figure 2 The descriptions in the document are not repeated here.

[0088] III. SSB

[0089] 5G NR covers the entire cell's service area using beam sweeping. Beam sweeping refers to transmitting physical channels or reference signals using beams from different directions at different times.

[0090] Several SSBs form an SSB burst set, which is transmitted periodically. A cell typically needs to transmit multiple SSBs to complete one beam scan so that the synchronization signal covers the entire service area of ​​the cell. The SSBs required to complete one beam scan constitute an SSB burst set. For example... Figure 3A As shown, an SSB burst set contains 8 SSBs, and a single beam scan requires the synchronization signals of these 8 SSBs to cover the entire service area of ​​the cell.

[0091] The transmission period of an SSB burst set is called the SSB period, such as Figure 3B As shown, one SSB cycle carries one SSB burst set, which contains 8 SSBs. The transmitter sends the SSB burst set according to the SSB cycle, and the receiver performs blind detection during the SSB cycle to obtain the SSB burst set.

[0092] IV. Extended SSB Cycle

[0093] Satellites, a crucial component of NTN communications, operate in space and are powered by solar panels. This dictates that satellite energy is finite, and network coverage can only be achieved using limited stored energy during communication. Compared to terrestrial TN networks, the coverage area of ​​a single satellite is far greater than that of a single terrestrial base station. Each satellite needs to provide thousands of beams to cover its coverage area. Activating satellite beams under power constraints requires extending the SSB cycle, thus necessitating the introduction of one or more additional extended SSB cycles.

[0094] For example, in traditional cell (TN cell) search, the user equipment (UE) assumes an SSB transmission period of 20ms. One 20ms SSB period carries one SSB burst set, assuming this burst set contains 8 SSBs. However, NTN cells may require up to 256 active beams, necessitating an extended SSB period to carry more SSBs within a single period. For instance, extending the SSB period to 640ms... Figure 4 As shown, assuming a 20ms SSB cycle contains 8 SSBs, a 640ms SSB cycle contains 8*(620 / 20) = 256 SSBs.

[0095] The transmitting end (e.g., the base station) transmits SSBs based on the extended SSB period, that is, according to the 640ms SSB period, while the receiving end (e.g., the UE) performs blind detection within the 640ms SSB period.

[0096] In scenarios involving extended SSB periods, a network device can support one or more SSB periods. For example, the network device can send SSBs with an SSB period of 80ms or 640ms. If the UE cannot accurately know the SSB period during which the network device sends SSBs, in order to find an SSB, the UE can only search using the maximum SSB period supported by the network.

[0097] This method of searching based on the maximum SSB period can lead to significant access latency. For example, ... Figure 5 As shown, the UE starts searching for SSBs from GSCN1. If it doesn't find one in GSCN1, it searches in GSCN2. If it still doesn't find one in GSCN2, it searches in GSCN3, and so on. The network equipment (satellite) supports SSB cycles of 80ms and 640ms. In practice, the network equipment (satellite) sends SSBs on the global synchronization channel number GSCN5 with an 80ms SSB cycle. If the UE performs a single-cycle search on a single GSCN with an 80ms SSB cycle, it only takes 400ms to find an SSB. However, searching with a 640ms SSB cycle (the maximum supported SSB cycle) takes 3200ms, resulting in an access delay of 2800ms.

[0098] To reduce access latency, this application provides a communication method in which a first network device informs a terminal device of the SSB cycle of a second network device, enabling the terminal device to accurately obtain the SSB cycle of the second network device. As a result, when the terminal device accesses the second network device, it can perform a search according to the actual SSB cycle of the second network device, thereby reducing access latency.

[0099] It should be understood that the technical terms used in this application are for illustrative purposes only and not as limiting. For example, as technology evolves, technical terms may also change, and other technical terms that have the same technical meaning should also apply to this application.

[0100] In view of this, a communication method provided by the embodiments of this application will be further described in detail below. The solution provided by this application will be explained in detail below with reference to the corresponding flowcharts. It is understood that the illustrative flowcharts provided in this application mainly use different devices (e.g., terminal devices, network devices) as examples of the execution subjects of the interaction to illustrate the method, but this application does not limit the execution subjects of the interaction. For example, the devices (e.g., terminal devices, network devices) in the illustrative flowcharts can also be chips, chip systems, or processors that support the implementation of the method on the device, or logic modules or software that can implement all or part of the functions of the device.

[0101] As a general statement, the message or signaling interactions involved in the interaction process of this application embodiment can be standard messages or signaling or newly introduced messages or signaling. This application embodiment does not make specific limitations on this.

[0102] Please see Figure 6 As shown, Figure 6 This is a flowchart illustrating a communication method provided in this application. Figure 6 In the corresponding embodiment, the second information is an SSB (System Substance), and the first period is the SSB period. For ease of description, SSB will be used to refer to the second information, and the first SSB period will be used to refer to the first period in the following description. It should be noted that the second information can also be other system information, such as an SIB message, and the first period will be the period of that other system information, such as the period corresponding to the SIB message. The case where the second information is other system information can be deduced by analogy from the case where the second information is an SSB, and will not be elaborated here.

[0103] Figure 6 In a corresponding embodiment, the communication method includes the following steps: steps 601 and 603. This communication method can be applied to the above-mentioned... Figure 2 The communication system shown mainly includes terminal equipment, a first network device, and a second network device. Figure 6 In the illustrated embodiment, the first network device is a TN network device, and the second network device is an NTN network device. Wherein:

[0104] 601. The NTN network device sends third information to the TN network device, the third information being used to instruct the NTN network device to use the first synchronization signal block SSB period for transmitting the SSB. The NTN network device supports one or more candidate periods, the candidate periods being used to transmit the SSB. The first SSB period belongs to one or more candidate periods. The TN network device includes network devices that provide services to terminal devices, and the NTN network device includes candidate network devices that can provide services to terminal devices.

[0105] In one possible embodiment, the interaction between the NTN network device and the TN network device can be performed through the core network; for example, the NTN network device sends third information to the TN network device through the core network. Alternatively, the NTN network device and the TN network device can interact directly; for example, the NTN network device sends a third message to the TN network device through the Xn interface. This application does not limit the form of interaction between the NTN network device and the TN network device.

[0106] Optionally, the communication system may include multiple NTN network devices.

[0107] Optionally, the same NTN network device can have one or more first SSB cycles, meaning that at the same time, an NTN network device can send SSBs according to different first SSB cycles. Specifically, the first SSB cycle applicable to an NTN network device may differ in different scenarios; for example, an NTN network device may use different first SSB cycles at different frequency points.

[0108] In one possible embodiment, the third information includes the value of the first SSB period used by the NTN network device to send the SSB. For example, the first information includes 80ms, which is the specific value of the SSB period used by the NTN network device to send the SSB.

[0109] Optionally, the third information may also include other information, such as frequency information, coverage area information, public land mobile network (PLMN), and / or NTN system. See section 603 below for details. The other information included in this third information is used to indicate the scenarios to which multiple first SSB cycles apply.

[0110] 602. The TN network device sends first information to the terminal device, which is determined by third information. Accordingly, the terminal device receives the first information sent by the TN network device.

[0111] Optionally, the first information is carried in the system message of the TN network device.

[0112] Optionally, the system message can be one or more of the following: SIB19, newly introduced SIB, MIB message, SSB, etc. The system broadcast message can also be other messages, and this application does not limit them.

[0113] Optionally, the first and third information can be the same or different. Both the first and third information are used to indicate the first SSB cycle used by the second network device to send the SSB.

[0114] Optionally, when the TN network device identifies that the terminal device is at the edge of the coverage area corresponding to the TN network device, the TN network device sends first information to the terminal device.

[0115] Alternatively, when a terminal device determines that it is at the edge of the coverage area of ​​a TN network device, it sends an SSB request to the TN network device to obtain first information.

[0116] Alternatively, when a TN network device receives third information from an NTN network device, it sends first information to the terminal device.

[0117] It should be noted that this application does not restrict the circumstances under which the first network device sends the first information to the terminal device.

[0118] 603. The NTN network device sends an SSB based on the first SSB cycle. Correspondingly, the terminal device detects the SSB sent by the NTN network device based on the first SSB cycle.

[0119] Optionally, "detection" in this application may also mean "search" or "receive," etc.

[0120] Optionally, the terminal device performs blind detection on the SSB sent by the NTN network device based on the first SSB cycle.

[0121] Optionally, the NTN network device uses different first SSB periods in different scenarios, and sends SSBs according to different scenarios. Correspondingly, the terminal device also needs to use different SSB periods to receive the SSBs sent by the NTN network device in different scenarios. To enable the terminal device to flexibly use the appropriate first SSB period for reception in different scenarios, the first information, in addition to indicating the value of the SSB period, also needs to indicate different information. The following explains each case separately:

[0122] (1) The first information is also used to indicate one or more of the following: frequency point, frequency range or bandwidth band to which the first SSB period applies.

[0123] Optionally, a frequency range can correspond to multiple frequency points, and a band can also correspond to multiple frequency points. For example, frequency range 1 corresponds to frequency points 1, 2, and 3; frequency range 2 corresponds to frequency points 4, 5, and 6. Or band1 corresponds to frequency points 1, 2, and 3; band2 corresponds to frequency points 4, 5, and 6.

[0124] Optionally, a frequency point can correspond to one GSCN, a band can correspond to multiple GSCNs, and a frequency range can correspond to multiple GSCNs. For example, frequency range 1 corresponds to GSCN1, GSCN2, and GSCN3; frequency range 2 corresponds to GSCN4, GSCN5, and GSCN6.

[0125] In one possible embodiment, the relationship between the frequency information (for ease of description, frequency point, frequency range, or bandwidth band are collectively referred to as frequency information) and the first SSB cycle is indicated by first information. That is, the first information includes the following information: the first SSB cycle of the NTN network device, multiple frequency information, and the correspondence between the multiple frequency information and the multiple first SSB cycles of the NTN network device.

[0126] In this case (1), the NTN network device sends an SSB according to the frequency information and the first SSB cycle. Correspondingly, the terminal device receives the SSB sent by the NTN network device according to the frequency information and the first SSB cycle.

[0127] Optionally, the NTN network device transmits an SSB using the first SSB cycle applicable to that frequency information. Correspondingly, the terminal device receives an SSB transmitted by the second network device using the first SSB cycle applicable to that frequency information.

[0128] Optionally, the terminal device may receive SSBs from the NTN network device according to different SSB cycles on different frequency information. Similarly, the NTN network device may also send SSBs according to different SSB cycles on different frequency information.

[0129] It should be noted that the SSB period can be the same for different frequency information. That is to say, the terminal device can receive the SSB of the NTN network device according to the same SSB period on different frequency information. Similarly, the NTN network device can send SSB according to the same SSB period on different frequency information.

[0130] Optionally, the terminal device receives the SSB sent by the NTN network device according to the frequency point and the first SSB cycle.

[0131] For example, the first information includes: frequency point 1—80ms, frequency point 3—80ms, frequency point 5—80ms, frequency point 2—640ms, frequency point 4—640ms, and frequency point 6—640ms. The terminal device receives the SSB of the NTN network device on frequencies 1, 3, and 5 with an SSB period of 80ms; the terminal device receives the SSB of the NTN network device on frequencies 2, 4, and 6 with an SSB period of 640ms.

[0132] Optionally, the terminal device receives the SSB sent by the NTN network device according to the frequency range and the first SSB cycle.

[0133] For example, assume that frequency range 1 corresponds to frequency points 1, 2, and 3, and frequency range 2 corresponds to frequency points 4, 5, and 6. The first information includes: frequency range 1—80ms (indicating that the SSB period applicable to the NTN network device in frequency range 1 is 80ms), and frequency range 2—640ms. The terminal device receives the SSB of the NTN network device in frequency range 1 with an SSB period of 80ms; the terminal device receives the SSB of the NTN network device in frequency range 2 with an SSB period of 640ms.

[0134] Optionally, the terminal device receives the SSBs sent by the NTN network device according to the band and the first SSB period. The band can correspond to multiple frequency points. The way the terminal device receives the SSBs sent by the NTN network device according to the band and the first SSB period is the same as the way it receives the SSBs sent by the NTN network device according to the frequency range and the first SSB period described above, and will not be described in detail here.

[0135] In one possible embodiment, the first information further includes frequency indication information, which is used to indicate frequency resources related to the second information.

[0136] (2) The first information is also used to indicate the coverage area to which the first SSB cycle applies.

[0137] Optionally, the coverage area information is used to indicate multiple coverage areas within an NTN network device. For example, an NTN network device may have two sub-coverage areas, sub-coverage area 1 and sub-coverage area 2. This first information is also used to indicate the first SSB period corresponding to sub-coverage area 1 and the first SSB period corresponding to sub-coverage area 2.

[0138] For example, such as Figure 7A As shown, Figure 7A In (a) / (b), the coverage area corresponding to the NTN network device includes two parts: sub-coverage area 1 and sub-coverage area 2. Figure 7AIn the NTN network equipment coverage area, the area outside sub-coverage area 1 is referred to as sub-coverage area 2.

[0139] Optionally, the coverage information for this area is related to the cell or beam configuration. That is, different coverage area information can be configured with different SSB period values.

[0140] Optionally, after receiving the first information, the terminal device determines the value of the SSB period based on its current coverage area and coverage area information. Alternatively, after receiving the first information, the terminal device determines the applicable first SSB period based on its current coverage area and coverage area information.

[0141] In this scenario (2), the NTN network device sends an SSB according to the coverage area information and the first SSB cycle. Correspondingly, the terminal device receives the SSB sent by the NTN network device according to the coverage area information and the first SSB cycle.

[0142] Optionally, the NTN network device may use different first SSB cycles in different coverage areas, and the NTN network device may send SSBs according to different first SSB cycles in different coverage areas. Accordingly, the terminal device may receive SSBs from the NTN network device according to different SSB cycles in different coverage areas.

[0143] It should be noted that the SSB period applicable to different coverage area information can be the same, and NTN network devices send SSBs according to the same first SSB period in different coverage area information. Correspondingly, terminal devices can receive SSBs from NTN network devices according to the same SSB period in different coverage area information.

[0144] For example, such as Figure 7A As shown, assuming the coverage area corresponding to the NTN network device includes sub-coverage area 1 and sub-coverage area 2, the first information indicates the following: Sub-coverage area 1—80ms (indicating that the SSB period applicable to the NTN network device in sub-coverage area 1 is 80ms), sub-coverage area 2—640ms. Figure 7A As shown in (a), when a terminal device moves from the coverage area of ​​the TN network device to sub-coverage area 2, if the terminal device recognizes itself as being in sub-coverage area 2, then the terminal device receives the SSB of the NTN network device according to a 640ms SSB cycle; Figure 7A As shown in (b), when a terminal device moves from the coverage area of ​​a TN network device to sub-coverage area 1, if the terminal device recognizes that it is in sub-coverage area 1, the terminal device receives the SSB of the NTN network device according to an 80ms SSB cycle.

[0145] Furthermore, in one possible embodiment, the first information further includes frequency indication information, which is used to indicate the frequency resources related to the second information. Specifically, the frequency indication information can be the GSCN or GSCN range where the SSB of the NTN network device is located, wherein the GSCN where the SSB is located includes a frequency where the center frequency of the SSB is the same as the frequency corresponding to the GSCN.

[0146] Optionally, the terminal device receives the SSB sent by the NTN network device according to the coverage area information, the first SSB cycle, and the frequency point information where the SSB is located. Further, the terminal device determines the currently used SSB cycle according to the coverage area information; the terminal device receives the SSB sent by the NTN network device at the frequency point location corresponding to the SSB frequency point information according to the currently used SSB cycle.

[0147] For example, suppose the first information indicates the following: Sub-coverage area 1—80ms—GSCN1 (indicating that the SSB period applicable to the NTN network device in sub-coverage area 1 is 80ms, and the SSB under sub-coverage area 1 exists on GSCN1), Sub-coverage area 2—640ms—GSCN4. Wherein, GSCN1 and GSCN4 are the frequency information of the SSB. Figure 7A As shown in (a), if the terminal device identifies itself as being in sub-coverage area 2, the terminal device will detect SSB in GSCN4 according to an SSB cycle of 640ms. Figure 7A As shown in (b), if the terminal device recognizes that it is in sub-coverage area 1, the terminal device detects the SSB cycle in GSCN1 according to the SSB cycle of 80ms.

[0148] For example, suppose the first information is used to indicate the following: Sub-coverage area 1—80ms—GSCN1 to GSCN2, Sub-coverage area 2—640ms—GSCN4 to GSCN6. Wherein, GSCN1 to GSCN2 and GSCN4 to GSCN6 are the frequency points where the SSB is located. Figure 7A As shown in (a), if the terminal device identifies itself as being in sub-coverage area 2, the terminal device will detect SSBs in GSCN1 to GSCN2 according to an SSB cycle of 640ms. Figure 7A As shown in (b), if the terminal device recognizes that it is in sub-coverage area 1, the terminal device detects the SSB cycle in GSCN4 to GSCN6 according to the SSB cycle of 80ms.

[0149] By configuring the frequency information of the SSB to the terminal device, the terminal device can detect the SSB of the second terminal device without blindly detecting on each GSCN in the frequency range (specifically, detecting SSB one by one starting from GSCN1). Instead, it can directly detect the SSB in the GSCN indicated by the first information, thereby accelerating the downlink DL synchronization process and reducing access latency.

[0150] In one possible embodiment, the terminal device may detect SSBs using a combination of (1) and (2). For example, this could be in the case where NTN network devices transmit SSBs at different frequencies in different sub-coverage areas using different SSB periods.

[0151] In this case, the first information is used to indicate the coverage area information to which the first SSB period applies, the frequency information to which the first SSB period applies, and the first SSB period. Specifically, the terminal device receives the SSB sent by the NTN network device according to the coverage area information, the first SSB period, and the frequency information to which the first SSB period applies.

[0152] Optionally, NTN network devices can transmit SSBs at different frequencies within a sub-coverage area according to different first SSB cycles. Correspondingly, terminal devices can also receive SSBs from NTN network devices at different frequencies within a sub-coverage area according to different first SSB cycles.

[0153] For example, suppose the first information is used to indicate the following: Sub-coverage area 1: Frequency 1, Frequency 2, Frequency 3—20ms (meaning that the SSB period applicable to the NTN network device on Frequency 1, Frequency 2, and Frequency 6 in sub-coverage area 1 is 20ms), Frequency 4, Frequency 5, Frequency 6—80ms; Sub-coverage area 2: Frequency 1, Frequency 2, Frequency 3—80ms, Frequency 4, Frequency 5, Frequency 6—640ms.

[0154] like Figure 7A As shown in (a), if the terminal device identifies itself as being in sub-coverage area 2, the terminal device detects the SSB of the NTN network device every 20ms on frequency points 1, 2, and 3, and every 80ms on frequency points 4, 5, and 6. If the terminal device identifies itself as being in sub-coverage area 1, the terminal device detects the SSB of the NTN network device every 80ms on frequency points 1, 2, and 3, and every 640ms on frequency points 4, 5, and 6.

[0155] (3) The first information is also used to indicate a first public land mobile network (PLMN) and / or a first NTN system to which one or more candidate periods apply, wherein the first PLMN belongs to at least one PLMN, the first NTN system belongs to at least one NTN system, and at least one PLMN and / or at least one NTN corresponds to one or more candidate periods, and the first PLMN and / or the first NTN system is used to determine the first period.

[0156] Optionally, a Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN) and / or NTN system may include one or more network devices. For example, an NTN system may include one or more satellites.

[0157] Optionally, different PLMNs correspond to different NTN systems, and the first SSB cycle for different PLMNs can be different or the same.

[0158] Optionally, the NTN system includes, but is not limited to, the following systems: NTN system Starlink and NTN system StarNet.

[0159] Optionally, different PLMNs can be associated with different NTN systems. For example, PLMN1 can be associated with the NTN system Starlink, and PLMN2 can be associated with the NTN system StarNet. The NTN system Starlink and the NTN system StarNet are two different NTN systems.

[0160] Optionally, the association between PLMN and NTN systems can depend on the operator or the region. For terminal devices, they can determine the corresponding PLMN and the associated NTN system based on the operator providing services to them. Alternatively, the terminal device can determine the associated NTN system based on the PLMN to which it has a contract.

[0161] For example, such as Figure 7B As shown, Figure 7B The communication systems shown in (a), (b), and (c) include two NTN systems: NTN Starlink and NTN StarNet. The network equipment corresponding to both NTN Starlink and NTN StarNet is referred to as NTN network equipment. TN network equipment can be either PLMN1 or PLMN2. That is, the TN network subscribed to by the terminal equipment can be either PLMN1 or PLMN2.

[0162] Assuming the terminal device is subscribed to PLMN1, and PLMN1 cooperates with the NTN system Starlink, then the terminal device will preferentially connect to the NTN system Starlink after leaving the coverage area of ​​the first network. Similarly, if the terminal device is subscribed to PLMN2, and PLMN2 cooperates with the NTN system StarNet, then the terminal device will preferentially connect to the NTN system StarNet after leaving the coverage area of ​​the first network.

[0163] For example, the first information is used to indicate the following: PLMN1—80ms (indicating that the SSB period applicable to PLMN1 is 80ms), PLMN2—640ms. The terminal device can determine the corresponding first SSB period based on its subscribed TN network.

[0164] In this case (3), the terminal device receives the SSB sent by the NTN network device based on the PLMN and / or NTN system and the first SSB cycle.

[0165] Optionally, the terminal device determines the corresponding first SSB cycle based on the contracted PLMN.

[0166] For example, suppose the first information is used to indicate the following: PLMN1—80ms, PLMN2—640ms. Figure 7B As shown, Figure 7B In case (a), that is, the terminal device moves from the coverage area of ​​the TN network device to the coverage area of ​​the NTN system Starlink, the PLMN subscribed by the terminal device is PLMN1, which cooperates with the NTN system Starlink, and the terminal device receives the SSB sent by the NTN system Starlink every 80ms. Figure 7B In case (b), that is, the terminal device moves from the coverage area of ​​the TN network device to the coverage area of ​​the NTN system star network, the PLMN subscribed by the terminal device is PLMN2, which cooperates with the NTN system star network, and the terminal device receives the SSB sent by the NTN system star network every 640ms.

[0167] For example, suppose the first information is used to indicate the following: NTN system Starlink—80ms, NTN system StarNet—640ms. Figure 7B As shown, Figure 7B In case (a), the terminal device subscribes to PLMN1, which cooperates with the NTN system Starlink (this cooperation relationship can be determined by the terminal device itself, or it can be notified to the terminal device in advance by the TN network device, and this application does not impose any restrictions), and the terminal device receives the SSB sent by the NTN system Starlink every 80ms. Figure 7B In case (b), the terminal device is contracted with PLMN2, which cooperates with the NTN system StarNet. The terminal device receives SSBs sent by the NTN system StarLink every 640ms.

[0168] It should be noted that the embodiments of this application also apply to situations where there is overlap between the coverage areas of the NTN system starlink and the NTN system star network, such as... Figure 7BAs shown in case (c) in the embodiments of this application, the relationship between the coverage area of ​​the NTN system starlink and the coverage area of ​​the NTN system star network is not limited. The determination of the first SSB cycle depends on the movement of the terminal device, that is, the change of the position of the terminal device.

[0169] Furthermore, in one possible embodiment, the first information further includes frequency indication information, which is used to indicate the frequency resources related to the second information. Specifically, the frequency indication information can be the GSCN or GSCN range where the SSB of the NTN network device is located, wherein the GSCN where the SSB is located includes a frequency where the center frequency of the SSB is the same as the frequency corresponding to the GSCN.

[0170] Optionally, the terminal device receives the SSB sent by the NTN network device according to the PLMN and / or NTN system, the first SSB cycle, and the frequency information of the SSB. Further, the terminal device determines the currently used SSB cycle according to the PLMN and / or NTN system; the terminal device receives the SSB sent by the NTN network device at the frequency position corresponding to the SSB frequency information according to the currently used SSB cycle. For details, please refer to the description in situation (2) above; this application will not repeat it here.

[0171] In one possible embodiment, the terminal device can detect SSBs by a combination of (2) and (3). For example, in the following situation: there are multiple sub-coverage areas in the coverage area corresponding to the NTN system starlink, and the SSBs sent by the NTN system starlink in different sub-coverage areas use different SSB periods.

[0172] In this case, the first information is used to indicate the PLMN and / or NTN system, the coverage area information to which the first SSB period applies, and the first SSB period. Specifically, the terminal device determines the corresponding SSB period according to the PLMN and / or NTN system; the terminal device then determines the SSB period to be used based on the determined corresponding SSB period and the coverage area information associated with the first SSB period; the terminal device receives the SSB sent by the NTN network device based on the determined SSB period to be used.

[0173] For example, suppose the first information is used to indicate the following information: PLMN1 (assuming PLMN1 cooperates with the NTN system Starlink): sub-coverage area 1—20ms, sub-coverage area 2—80ms; PLMN2 (assuming PLMN2 cooperates with the NTN system StarNet): sub-coverage area 1—80ms, sub-coverage area 2—640ms.

[0174] like Figure 7CAs shown in case (a), if the PLMN subscribed to by the terminal device is PLMN1, and the terminal device identifies itself as being in sub-coverage area 1 corresponding to the NTN system starlink, then the terminal device detects the SSB of the NTN network device according to the SSB cycle of 20ms.

[0175] like Figure 7C As shown in case (b), if the PLMN subscribed to by the terminal device is PLMN1, and the terminal device identifies itself as being in the sub-coverage area 2 corresponding to the NTN system starlink, then the terminal device detects the SSB of the NTN network device according to the SSB cycle of 80ms.

[0176] like Figure 7C As shown in case (c), if the PLMN subscribed to by the terminal device is PLMN2, and the terminal device identifies itself as being in the sub-coverage area 1 corresponding to the NTN system star network, then the terminal device detects the SSB of the NTN network device according to the SSB cycle of 80ms.

[0177] like Figure 7C As shown in case (d), if the PLMN subscribed to by the terminal device is PLMN2, and the terminal device identifies itself as being in the sub-coverage area 2 corresponding to the NTN system star network, then the terminal device detects the SSB of the NTN network device according to the SSB cycle of 640ms.

[0178] In one possible embodiment, the terminal device can detect SSBs by a combination of (1) and (3). For example, consider the following situation: NTN network devices transmit SSBs at different frequencies in different NTN systems using different SSB periods.

[0179] In this case, the first information is used to indicate the PLMN, and / or NTN system, the frequency information applicable to the first SSB cycle, and the first SSB cycle.

[0180] For example, suppose the first information indicates the following: PLMN1: Frequency points 1, 2, and 3 – 20ms; Frequency points 4, 5, and 6 – 80ms; PLMN2: Frequency points 1, 2, and 3 – 80ms; Frequency points 4, 5, and 6 – 640ms. If the terminal device is subscribed to PLMN1, the terminal device will detect the SSB of the NTN network device on Frequency points 1, 2, and 3 at a SSB period of 20ms; and on Frequency points 4, 5, and 6 at a SSB period of 80ms. If the terminal device is subscribed to PLMN2, the terminal device will detect the SSB of the NTN network device on Frequency points 1, 2, and 3 at a SSB period of 80ms; and on Frequency points 4, 5, and 6 at a SSB period of 640ms.

[0181] In one possible embodiment, the terminal device can detect SSBs by a combination of (1), (2), and (3). For example, consider the following situation: there are multiple sub-coverage areas in the coverage area corresponding to the NTN system starlink, and the SSBs transmitted at different frequencies in different sub-coverage areas corresponding to the NTN system starlink use different SSB periods.

[0182] In this case, the first information is used to indicate the PLMN and / or NTN system, the coverage area information to which the first SSB cycle applies, the frequency information to which the first SSB cycle applies, and the first SSB cycle. For details, please refer to the combination of (1) and (2) above, and the combination of (2) and (3), which will not be elaborated here.

[0183] In one possible embodiment, when the NTN system cooperating with the PLMN subscribed to by the terminal device cannot be accessed, the terminal device receives the SSB of other NTN systems according to the SSB cycle of other NTN systems indicated in the first information.

[0184] For example, assume the PLMN subscribed to by the terminal device is PLMN2, and the NTN system that PLMN2 cooperates with is NTN System StarNet. The first information is used to indicate the following: PLMN1 (cooperating NTN system is NTN System Starlink) - 80ms, PLMN2 - 640ms. If the terminal device cannot access the NTN System StarNet according to the 640ms SSB cycle, the terminal device receives the NTN System StarLink SSB according to the 80ms SSB cycle and attempts to access the NTN System StarLink to obtain emergency services.

[0185] In one possible embodiment, the terminal device determines whether the first SSB period is valid based on its current location information, and / or time information, and / or PLMN, and / or NTN system; if the first SSB period is invalid, the terminal device receives the SSB sent by the NTN network device based on the largest candidate SSB period among the multiple SSBs supported by the NTN network device.

[0186] Optionally, the terminal device can obtain time information via GPS timing or via ephemeris time.

[0187] Optionally, the terminal device determines whether the first SSB cycle is valid based on the current time information. Specifically, the terminal device determines whether the first SSB cycle is valid based on the current time information and a time threshold. This time threshold can be carried in the first information or can be preset in the terminal device.

[0188] For example, assuming the time threshold is 24 hours, if the terminal device determines that the acquisition time of the first SSB cycle exceeds 24 hours, it considers the first SSB cycle to be invalid.

[0189] Optionally, the terminal device determines the validity of the first SSB cycle based on its current location information and / or PLMN and / or NTN system. Specifically, if the terminal device's current location information is not within the valid range of the PLMN indicated by the first information, the first SSB cycle expires, and / or the coverage area corresponding to the NTN system is not included, the first SSB cycle is determined to be invalid. Alternatively, if the coverage area corresponding to the PLMN and / or NTN system indicated by the first information does not include the terminal device's current location information, the first SSB cycle is determined to be invalid.

[0190] For example, such as Figure 7D As shown, assuming that at the first moment, the terminal device is at the edge of the coverage area corresponding to the TN network device, and is about to leave the coverage area, the TN network device sends the first information to the terminal device, which includes the following information: Coverage Area 1 (coverage area corresponding to NTN network device 1) - 80ms, Coverage Area 2 (coverage area corresponding to NTN network device 2) - 640ms. At the second moment, the terminal device shuts down, leaves the coverage area corresponding to the TN network device, and restarts in the coverage area corresponding to NTN network device 3 (coverage area 3). At this time, the terminal device finds that its current location is neither in coverage area 1 nor coverage area 2, but in the new coverage area 3. In order to ensure that it can receive the SSB of NTN network device 3, the terminal device receives the SSB sent by NTN network device according to the maximum SSB period supported by NTN network device 3.

[0191] Optionally, the maximum SSB period supported by all NTN network devices is fixed, and the maximum SSB period supported by all NTN network devices is pre-configured for the terminal devices, or the maximum SSB period supported by NTN network devices is defined in the protocol.

[0192] The above Figure 6 The illustrated embodiment uses a TN network device as the first network device and an NTN network device as the second network device. It addresses a scenario where a network device moves from the edge of the coverage area of ​​a TN network device to the coverage area of ​​an NTN network device. In practical applications, the following scenario also exists: a network device moves from the edge of the coverage area of ​​an NTN network device to the coverage area of ​​a TN network device. The communication method provided in this application can be applied to this scenario.

[0193] Figure 8 In the corresponding embodiment, the second information is an SSB (System Substance), and the first period is the SSB period. For ease of description, SSB will be used to refer to the second information, and the first SSB period will be used to refer to the first period in the following description. It should be noted that the second information can also be other system information, such as an SIB message, and the first period will be the period of that other system information, such as the period corresponding to the SIB message. The case where the second information is other system information can be deduced by analogy from the case where the second information is an SSB, and will not be elaborated here.

[0194] Please see Figure 8 As shown, Figure 8 A flowchart illustrating another communication method provided in this application is shown, comprising the following steps: steps 801-803. This communication method can also be applied to the above-mentioned... Figure 2 The communication system shown mainly includes terminal equipment, a first network device, and a second network device. Figure 8 In the illustrated embodiment, the first network device is an NTN network device, and the second network device is a TN network device. Wherein:

[0195] 801. The TN network device sends third information to the NTN network device, the third information being used to instruct the TN network device to use the first synchronization signal block SSB period for transmitting SSB. The TN network device supports one or more candidate periods, the candidate periods being used to transmit SSB. The first SSB period belongs to one or more candidate periods. The NTN network device includes network devices that provide services to terminal devices, and the TN network device includes candidate network devices that can provide services to terminal devices.

[0196] Optionally, the communication system may include multiple TN network devices.

[0197] Optionally, the same TN network device can have multiple first SSB cycles, meaning that at the same time, a TN network device can send SSBs according to different first SSB cycles.

[0198] 802. The NTN network device sends first information to the terminal device, which is determined by third information. Accordingly, the terminal device receives the first information sent by the NTN network device.

[0199] The details of step 802 can be found in the description of step 602 above, and will not be repeated here.

[0200] 803. The TN network device sends an SSB based on the first SSB cycle. Correspondingly, the terminal device receives the SSB sent by the TN network device based on the first SSB cycle.

[0201] Optionally, the terminal device performs blind detection on the SSB sent by the TN network device based on the first SSB cycle.

[0202] Optionally, TN network devices may use different first SSB periods in different scenarios, and TN network devices may use different first SSB periods to send SSBs depending on the scenario. Correspondingly, terminal devices also need to use different SSB periods to receive SSBs sent by TN network devices in different scenarios. To enable terminal devices to flexibly use the appropriate first SSB period for reception in different scenarios, the first information, in addition to indicating the value of the SSB period, also needs to indicate different information. The following explains each case separately:

[0203] (1) The first information is also used to indicate one or more of the following: frequency point, frequency range or bandwidth band to which the first SSB period applies.

[0204] (2) The first information is also used to indicate the coverage area to which the first SSB cycle applies.

[0205] Optionally, this coverage area information is used to indicate information corresponding to sub-coverage areas of the TN system.

[0206] (3) The first information is also used to indicate a first public land mobile network (PLMN) and / or a first NTN system to which one or more candidate periods apply, wherein the first PLMN belongs to at least one PLMN, the first NTN system belongs to at least one NTN system, and at least one PLMN and / or at least one NTN corresponds to one or more candidate periods, and the first PLMN and / or the first NTN system is used to determine the first period.

[0207] For cases (1), (2), and (3), please refer to the above. Figure 6The descriptions of the three situations in the text are consistent with... Figure 6 The three situations differ in that, in Figure 8 In the corresponding embodiments, the first information indicated in cases (1), (2) and (3) is related to the TN system, that is, the coverage area information related to the TN system.

[0208] It should be noted that situations (1), (2), and (3) can be combined. For example, situation (1) and situation (3) can be combined for the following situation: TN network devices transmit SSBs at different frequencies in different TN systems using different SSB periods. The first information is used to indicate the PLMN, and / or NTN system, the frequency information associated with the first SSB period, and the first SSB period. See also the above for details. Figure 6 The descriptions of the three scenarios are provided in the previous document. This application will not repeat them here.

[0209] The above Figure 6 and Figure 8 The communication methods described above all assume that the terminal device receives the corresponding SSB according to the first SSB period after determining it. However, in some special cases, the terminal device may not have obtained the first SSB period, or the obtained SSB period may be invalid. The following section addresses this situation:

[0210] In one possible embodiment, if the first information is not received, the terminal device receives the second information sent by the second network device based on the maximum candidate period of multiple second information supported by the second network device.

[0211] Optionally, if the terminal device does not receive the first information sent by the first network device within the coverage area of ​​the first network device, the terminal device enters the coverage area of ​​the second network device, and the terminal device receives the SSB sent by the second network device based on the maximum candidate SSB period supported by the second network device.

[0212] For example, the terminal device is powered off when it is within the coverage area of ​​the first network device and before receiving the first information sent by the first network device; the terminal device is powered on when it is within the coverage area of ​​the second network device, and the terminal device receives the SSB sent by the second network device based on the maximum candidate SSB period supported by the second network device.

[0213] In one possible embodiment, if the terminal device fails to receive the second information due to a timeout based on the first period, the second information sent by the second network device is received based on the maximum candidate period of multiple second information supported by the second network device.

[0214] In one possible embodiment, the terminal device determines whether the first SSB cycle is valid based on its current location information and the PLMN and / or NTN system; if the first SSB cycle is invalid, the terminal device receives the SSB sent by the NTN network device based on the maximum SSB cycle supported by the NTN network device. This embodiment can refer to the above. Figure 6 The description in case (3) is not limited herein.

[0215] Figure 9 This is a schematic block diagram of a communication device provided in an embodiment of this application. Figure 9 As shown, the communication device 900 may include a communication module 910. The communication module 910 can implement corresponding communication functions, which can be internal communication functions of the communication device 900 or communication functions between the communication device 900 and other devices. Optionally, the communication module 910 may also be referred to as a communication interface or transceiver module. Optionally, the communication device 900 further includes a processing module 920. The processing module 920 can implement corresponding processing functions.

[0216] Optionally, the communication device 900 further includes a storage module, which can be used to store instructions and / or data; the processing module 920 can read the instructions and / or data in the storage module so that the communication device 900 can implement the aforementioned method embodiments.

[0217] In one possible design, the communication device 900 may correspond to the terminal device in the above method embodiments, or a component (such as a circuit, chip, or chip system) configured in the terminal device. The communication device 900 can be used to perform the steps or processes performed by the terminal device in any of the above method embodiments.

[0218] For example, the communication module 910 is used to receive first information sent by a first network device, the first information being used to indicate a first period used by a second network device to send second information, the second network device supporting one or more candidate periods, the candidate periods being used to send the second information, the first period belonging to one or more candidate periods, the first network device including network devices providing services to terminal devices, and the second network device including candidate network devices capable of providing services to terminal devices; based on the first period, the second information sent by the second network device is detected.

[0219] In one possible implementation, the second information could be SSB and / or other system information.

[0220] In one possible implementation, the first information is also used to indicate one or more of the following: frequency point, frequency range, or bandwidth to which the first cycle applies.

[0221] In one possible implementation, the first information is also used to indicate information about the coverage area to which the first cycle applies.

[0222] In one possible implementation, the first information is further used to indicate a first public land mobile network (PLMN) and / or a first NTN system to which one or more candidate periods apply, wherein the first PLMN belongs to at least one PLMN, the first NTN system belongs to at least one NTN system, and at least one PLMN and / or at least one NTN corresponds to one or more candidate periods, and the first PLMN and / or the first NTN system is used to determine the first period.

[0223] In one possible implementation, the processing module 920 is used to determine whether the first cycle is valid based on at least one of the current location information, time information, PLMN, and NTN system; and the communication module 910 is used to detect the second information sent by the second network device based on the largest candidate cycle among multiple candidate cycles supported by the second network device if the first cycle is invalid.

[0224] In one possible implementation, the first information is carried in a system message of the first network device.

[0225] In one possible implementation, the first network device is a terrestrial TN network device and the second network device is a non-terrestrial NTN network device, or the first network device is an NTN network device and the second network device is a TN network device.

[0226] In one possible implementation, the communication module 910 is used to receive the second information sent by the second network device based on the maximum candidate period of multiple second information supported by the second network device, in the absence of receiving the first information.

[0227] In one possible implementation, the communication module 910 is used to detect the second information sent by the second network device based on the largest candidate period among multiple candidate periods supported by the second network device if the reception of the second information fails to time out based on the first period.

[0228] In one possible implementation, the first information is also used to indicate frequency domain resources associated with the second information.

[0229] In one possible design, the communication device 900 may correspond to the first network device in the above method embodiments, or to a component (such as a circuit, chip, or chip system) configured in the first network device. The communication device 900 can be used to perform the steps or processes performed by the first network device in any of the above method embodiments.

[0230] For example, the communication module 910 is used to receive third information sent by the second network device, the third information being used to indicate the first cycle used by the second network device to send the second information, the second network device supporting one or more candidate cycles, the candidate cycles being used to send the second information, the first cycle belonging to one or more candidate cycles, the first network device including network devices providing services to terminal devices, the second network device including candidate network devices capable of providing services to terminal devices; and sending the first information to the terminal device, the first information being determined by the third information.

[0231] In one possible implementation, the second information could be SSB and / or other system information.

[0232] In one possible implementation, the first information is also used to indicate one or more of the following applicable to the first cycle: frequency point, frequency range, or bandwidth band.

[0233] In one possible implementation, the first information is also used to indicate information about the coverage area to which the first cycle applies.

[0234] In one possible implementation, the first information is further used to indicate a first public land mobile network (PLMN) and / or a first NTN system to which one or more candidate periods apply, wherein the first PLMN belongs to at least one PLMN, the first NTN system belongs to at least one NTN system, and at least one PLMN and / or at least one NTN corresponds to one or more candidate periods, and the first PLMN and / or the first NTN system is used to determine the first period.

[0235] In one possible implementation, the first information is carried in a system message of the first network device.

[0236] In one possible implementation, the first network device is a terrestrial TN network device and the second network device is a non-terrestrial NTN network device, or the first network device is an NTN network device and the second network device is a TN network device.

[0237] In one possible implementation, the first information further includes frequency indication information, which is also used to indicate frequency domain resources associated with the second information.

[0238] In one possible design, the communication device 900 may correspond to the second network device in the above method embodiments, or to a component (such as a circuit, chip, or chip system) configured in the second network device. The communication device 900 may be used to perform the steps or processes performed by the second network device in any of the above method embodiments.

[0239] For example, the communication module 910 is used to send third information to the first network device, the third information being used to instruct the second network device to use a first cycle to send the second information, the second network device supporting one or more candidate cycles, the candidate cycles being used to send the second information, the first cycle belonging to one or more candidate cycles, the first network device including network devices that provide services to terminal devices, and the second network device including candidate network devices that can provide services to terminal devices; based on the first cycle, the second information is sent.

[0240] In one possible implementation, the second information can be SSB and / or other system information.

[0241] In one possible implementation, the first information is also used to indicate one or more of the following applicable to the first cycle: frequency point, frequency range, or bandwidth band.

[0242] In one possible implementation, the third information is also used to indicate information about the coverage area to which the first cycle applies.

[0243] In one possible implementation, the third information is also used to indicate a first public land mobile network (PLMN) and / or a first NTN system to which one or more candidate periods apply, wherein the first PLMN belongs to at least one PLMN, the first NTN system belongs to at least one NTN system, and at least one PLMN and / or at least one NTN corresponds to one or more candidate periods, and the first PLMN and / or the first NTN system is used to determine the first period.

[0244] In one possible implementation, the first network device is a terrestrial TN network device and the second network device is a non-terrestrial NTN network device, or the first network device is an NTN network device and the second network device is a TN network device.

[0245] In one possible implementation, the third information is also used to indicate frequency domain resources associated with the second information.

[0246] Figure 10 This is another schematic block diagram of the communication device 1000 provided in the embodiments of this application. The communication device 1000 may be a terminal device, a first network device, or a second network device implementing the above-described methods, including chips, chip systems, or processors. The communication device 1000 can be used to implement the methods described in the above-described method embodiments; for details, please refer to the descriptions in the above-described method embodiments.

[0247] like Figure 10As shown, the communication device 1000 may include one or more processors 1010, which may also be referred to as processing units or processing modules, and can implement certain control functions. The processor 1010 may be a general-purpose processor or a dedicated processor, such as a baseband processor or a central processing unit. The baseband processor can be used to process communication protocols and communication data, while the central processing unit can be used to control the communication device 1000 (e.g., a base station, baseband chip, user, user chip), execute software programs, and process data from the software programs.

[0248] In an alternative design, the processor 1010 may also store instructions and / or data that can be executed by the processor 1010 to cause the communication device 1000 to perform the methods described in the above method embodiments.

[0249] In another alternative design, the communication device 1000 may include a communication interface 1020 for implementing receiving and transmitting functions. For example, the communication interface 1020 may be a transceiver circuit, interface, interface circuit, or transceiver. The transceiver circuit, interface, interface circuit, or transceiver for implementing receiving and transmitting functions may be separate or integrated. The aforementioned transceiver circuit, interface, interface circuit, or transceiver may be used for reading and writing code / data, or it may be used for transmitting or relaying signals.

[0250] Optionally, the communication device 1000 may include one or more memories 1030, which may store instructions that can be executed on the processor 1010, causing the communication device 1000 to perform the methods described in the above method embodiments. Optionally, the memories 1030 may also store data. Optionally, the processor 1010 may also store instructions and / or data. The processor 1010 and the memories 1030 may be provided separately or integrated together.

[0251] It should be understood that, in one possible design, the steps in the method embodiments provided in this application can be implemented by integrated logic circuits in the processor's hardware or by instructions in software form. The steps of the methods disclosed in the embodiments of this application can be directly implemented by a hardware processor, or implemented by a combination of hardware and software modules in the processor. The software modules can reside in random access memory, flash memory, read-only memory, programmable read-only memory, electrically erasable programmable memory, registers, or other mature storage media in the art. This storage medium is located in memory, and the processor reads information from the memory and, in conjunction with its hardware, completes the steps of the above method. To avoid repetition, detailed descriptions are not provided here.

[0252] In one implementation, the communication device 1000 may correspond to the terminal device in the above method embodiments and may be used to execute the various steps and / or processes executed by the terminal device in the above method embodiments. The processor 1010 may be used to execute instructions stored in the memory 1030, and when the processor 1010 executes the instructions stored in the memory, the processor 1010 is used to execute the various steps and / or processes of the above method embodiments corresponding to the terminal device.

[0253] In another implementation, the communication device 1000 may correspond to the first network device in the above method embodiments and may be used to execute the various steps and / or processes executed by the network device in the above method embodiments. The processor 1010 may be used to execute instructions stored in the memory 1030, and when the processor 1010 executes the instructions stored in the memory, the processor 1010 is used to execute the various steps and / or processes of the above method embodiments corresponding to the network device.

[0254] In another implementation, the communication device 1000 may correspond to the second network device in the above method embodiments, and may be used to execute the various steps and / or processes executed by the network device in the above method embodiments. The processor 1010 may be used to execute instructions stored in the memory 1030, and when the processor 1010 executes the instructions stored in the memory, the processor 1010 is used to execute the various steps and / or processes of the above method embodiments corresponding to the network device.

[0255] It should be understood that the aforementioned processing device can be one or more chips. For example, the processing device can be a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a system-on-chip (SoC), a central processor unit (CPU), a network processor (NP), a digital signal processor (DSP), a microcontroller unit (MCU), a programmable logic device (PLD), or other integrated chips.

[0256] It is understood that the memory in the embodiments of this application can be volatile memory or non-volatile memory, or may include both volatile and non-volatile memory. The non-volatile memory can be read-only memory (ROM), programmable read-only memory (PROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), or flash memory. The volatile memory can be random access memory (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), synchronous linked dynamic random access memory (SLDRAM), and direct rambus RAM (DR RAM). It should be noted that the memory used in the systems and methods described herein is intended to include, but is not limited to, these and any other suitable types of memory.

[0257] According to the method provided in the embodiments of this application, this application also provides a chip system, which includes one or more processors for calling and executing instructions stored in memory, thereby causing the method described in the embodiments of this application to be executed. The chip system may be composed of chips or may include chips and other discrete devices.

[0258] The chip system may include input circuits or interfaces for transmitting information or data, and output circuits or interfaces for receiving information or data.

[0259] According to the method provided in the embodiments of this application, this application also provides a communication system, which includes the aforementioned first network device, second network device, and terminal device.

[0260] According to the method provided in the embodiments of this application, this application also provides a computer program product, which includes: computer program code, which, when run on a computer, causes the computer to execute the various steps or processes executed by the first network device, the second network device, and the terminal device in any of the foregoing method embodiments.

[0261] According to the method provided in the embodiments of this application, this application also provides a computer-readable storage medium storing program code. When the program code is run on a computer, it causes the computer to execute the various steps or processes executed by the first network device, the second network device, and the terminal device in any of the foregoing method embodiments.

[0262] The computer-readable storage medium may be the aforementioned volatile memory or non-volatile memory, or it may include both volatile memory and non-volatile memory.

[0263] In the embodiments of this application, the terms and English abbreviations are exemplary examples given for ease of description and should not be construed as limiting the application in any way. This application does not preclude the possibility of defining other terms that can achieve the same or similar functions in existing or future agreements.

[0264] In the above embodiments, implementation can be achieved, in whole or in part, through software, hardware, firmware, or any combination thereof. When implemented in software, it can be implemented, in whole or in part, as a computer program product. The computer program product includes one or more computer instructions. When these computer instructions are loaded and executed on a computer, all or part of the processes or functions described in the embodiments of this application are generated.

[0265] In the several embodiments provided in this application, it should be understood that the disclosed systems, apparatuses, and methods can be implemented in other ways. For example, the apparatus embodiments described above are merely illustrative; for instance, the division of units is only a logical functional division, and in actual implementation, there may be other division methods. For example, multiple units or components may be combined or integrated into another system, or some features may be ignored or not executed. Furthermore, the coupling or direct coupling or communication connection shown or discussed may be through some interfaces; the indirect coupling or communication connection between apparatuses or units may be electrical, mechanical, or other forms.

[0266] It should be understood that in the various embodiments of this application, the sequence number of each process 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.

[0267] In summary, the above description is merely a preferred embodiment of the technical solution of this application and is not intended to limit the scope of protection of this application. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of this application should be included within the scope of protection of this application.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that, The method includes: The system receives first information sent by a first network device, the first information being used to indicate a first period used by a second network device to send second information, the second network device supporting one or more candidate periods, the candidate periods being used to send the second information, the first period belonging to the one or more candidate periods, the first network device including a network device providing services to a terminal device, and the second network device including a candidate network device capable of providing services to the terminal device; Based on the first cycle, the second information sent by the second network device is detected.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The second information may be SSB and / or other system information.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The first information is also used to indicate one or more of the following: frequency point, frequency range, or bandwidth to which the first period applies.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that, The first information is also used to indicate information about the coverage area to which the first cycle applies.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1-4, characterized in that, The first information is also used to indicate the first public land mobile network (PLMN) and / or the first NTN system to which the one or more candidate periods apply, wherein the first PLMN belongs to at least one PLMN, the first NTN system belongs to at least one NTN system, the at least one PLMN and / or the at least one NTN corresponds to the one or more candidate periods, and the first PLMN and / or the first NTN system is used to determine the first period.

6. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that, After receiving the first information sent by the first network device, the method further includes: Based on at least one of the current location information, time information, the PLMN, and the non-terrestrial network NTN system, determine whether the first cycle is valid; If the first period is invalid, the second information sent by the second network device is detected based on the largest candidate period among multiple candidate periods supported by the second network device.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1-6, characterized in that, The first information is carried in the system message of the first network device.

8. The method according to any one of claims 1-7, characterized in that, The first network device is a terrestrial TN network device, and the second network device is an NTN network device, or the first network device is an NTN network device and the second network device is a TN network device.

9. The method according to any one of claims 1-8, characterized in that, The method further includes: In the absence of receiving the first information, the second information sent by the second network device is detected based on the maximum candidate period of multiple second information supported by the second network device.

10. The method according to any one of claims 1-9, characterized in that, The method further includes: If receiving the second information fails to time out based on the first period, the second information sent by the second network device is detected based on the largest candidate period among multiple candidate periods supported by the second network device.

11. The method according to any one of claims 1-10, characterized in that, The first information is also used to indicate frequency domain resources related to the second information.

12. A communication method, characterized in that, The method includes: The system receives third information sent by a second network device, the third information being used to indicate a first period used by the second network device to send the second information, the second network device supporting one or more candidate periods, the candidate periods being used to send the second information, the first period belonging to the one or more candidate periods, the first network device including a network device providing services to a terminal device, and the second network device including candidate network devices capable of providing services to the terminal device; The first information is sent to the terminal device, and the first information is determined by the third information.

13. The method according to claim 12, characterized in that, The second information may be SSB and / or other system information.

14. The method according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that, The first information is also used to indicate one or more of the following: frequency point, frequency range, or bandwidth to which the first period applies.

15. The method according to any one of claims 12-14, characterized in that, The first information is also used to indicate information about the coverage area to which the first cycle applies.

16. The method according to any one of claims 12-15, characterized in that, The first information is also used to indicate the first public land mobile network (PLMN) and / or the first NTN system to which the one or more candidate periods apply, wherein the first PLMN belongs to at least one PLMN, the first NTN system belongs to at least one NTN system, the at least one PLMN and / or the at least one NTN corresponds to the one or more candidate periods, and the first PLMN and / or the first NTN system is used to determine the first period.

17. The method according to any one of claims 12-16, characterized in that, The first information is carried in the system message of the first network device.

18. The method according to any one of claims 12-17, characterized in that, The first network device is a TN network device and the second network device is an NTN network device, or the first network device is an NTN network device and the second network device is a TN network device.

19. The method according to any one of claims 12-18, characterized in that, The first information is also used to indicate frequency domain resources related to the second information.

20. A communication method, characterized in that, The method includes: A third message is sent to a first network device, the third message being used to indicate a first period used by a second network device to send the second message, the second network device supporting one or more candidate periods, the candidate periods being used to send the second message, the first period belonging to the one or more candidate periods, the first network device including a network device providing services to a terminal device, and the second network device including candidate network devices capable of providing services to the terminal device; Based on the first cycle, the second information is sent.

21. The method according to claim 20, characterized in that, The second information may be SSB and / or other system information.

22. The method according to claim 20 or 21, characterized in that, The third information is also used to indicate one or more of the following: frequency point, frequency range, or bandwidth to which the first period applies.

23. The method according to any one of claims 20-22, characterized in that, The third information is also used to indicate information about the coverage area to which the first period applies.

24. The method according to any one of claims 20-23, characterized in that, The first information is also used to indicate the first public land mobile network (PLMN) and / or the first NTN system to which the one or more candidate periods apply, wherein the first PLMN belongs to at least one PLMN, the first NTN system belongs to at least one NTN system, the at least one PLMN and / or the at least one NTN corresponds to the one or more candidate periods, and the first PLMN and / or the first NTN system is used to determine the first period.

25. The method according to any one of claims 20-24, characterized in that, The first network device is a TN network device and the second network device is an NTN network device, or the first network device is an NTN network device and the second network device is a TN network device.

26. The method according to any one of claims 20-25, characterized in that, The third information is also used to indicate frequency domain resources related to the second information.

27. A communication device, characterized in that, Includes units for performing the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 26.

28. A communication device, characterized in that, It includes a processor coupled to a memory, which can be used to execute instructions or data in the memory to implement the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 26.

29. A chip, characterized in that, The device includes a processor and an interface, wherein the processor and the interface are coupled; the interface is used to receive or output signals, and the processor is used to execute code instructions to cause the method of any one of claims 1 to 26 to be performed.

30. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, The computer-readable storage medium stores computer-executable instructions, which, when invoked, cause the computer to perform the method described in any one of claims 1 to 26.

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