A communication method and related apparatus

Abstract

The embodiment of the application discloses a communication method, which comprises the following steps: receiving a synchronization signal block (SSB); receiving first information based on the SSB, wherein the first information is used for determining the index of a first time domain resource, and the first information is carried on a non-SSB signal; and detecting the first downlink control information (DCI) of a paging message based on the first time domain resource. The DCI for receiving the paging message needs to be timed first. Based on the above method, the problem of limited SSB bandwidth can be solved by introducing a non-SSB signal auxiliary timing and paging process, and the energy saving effect can be achieved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of communications, and more particularly to a communication method and related apparatus. Background Technology

[0002] In wireless communication systems, when the network side has downlink data transmission or communication needs for User Equipment (UE), it needs to wake up the UE, which is inactive or idle, through a paging mechanism. The specific process is as follows: The network side first broadcasts the system frame number (SFN) of the SSB to the UE via a synchronization signal block (SSB). The UE then uses the SFN to find the frame containing the paging occasion (PO) within the discontinuous reception (DRX) period, blindly checks the downlink control information (DCI) within the PO window, and receives the paging message based on the DCI content.

[0003] Currently, the Physical Broadcast Channel (PBCH) payload of the SSB has 10 bits corresponding to the SFN, supporting a maximum system frame synchronization of 10.24 seconds. However, in scenarios where energy saving is a priority, the network side uses narrowband transmission mode to send SSBs in bandwidth-constrained environments (e.g., scenarios where reduced capability (RedCap) devices share the same frequency band spectrum resources with ordinary broadband devices). This results in a decrease in the PBCH payload, making it impossible to carry the complete SFN. Therefore, how to achieve system frame timing under bandwidth constraints has become an urgent problem to be solved. Summary of the Invention

[0004] This application provides a communication method and related apparatus for enabling timing between a terminal and a network when the SFN carried by the SSB is limited.

[0005] The first aspect of this application provides a communication method applied to a first communication device. For example, the first communication device may be a communication equipment (such as a terminal device), or it may be a component applied to a communication equipment (such as a processor, circuit, chip, or chip system responsible for communication functions, including but not limited to a modem chip, a baseband chip, a system-on-chip (SoC) chip containing a modem core, or a system-in-package (SIP) chip, etc.). Alternatively, the first communication device may also be a logic module or software capable of implementing all or part of the functions of a communication equipment. The following description uses a terminal device as an example to illustrate this.

[0006] The method includes: a first communication device receiving a synchronization signal block (SSB); the first communication device receiving first information based on the SSB, the first information being used to determine the index of a first time-domain resource, the first information being carried on a non-SSB signal; and detecting first downlink control information (DCI) of a paging message based on the first time-domain resource.

[0007] In this application, before receiving a paging message, the first communication device needs to achieve time synchronization between the terminal and the network by receiving a Service Stub (SSB). Timing based on the index of the first time-domain resource carried in the SSB is a step in the time synchronization process. After receiving the SSB, the first communication device checks the integrity of the index it carries. If an incomplete index of the first time-domain resource is detected, first information is received based on the SSB. The first information is used to supplement or completely determine the index of the first time-domain resource. For example, if the complete index is 10 bits long and the SSB carries 4 bits of information, the first information is used to supplement the remaining 6 bits, or the first information is used to indicate the complete 10 bits of information.

[0008] The first communication device can determine the local timing (e.g., on which frame or symbol the signal is received or transmitted) based on the first time domain resources. Based on this, the first communication device can detect the first DCI of the paging message. The specific detection process is as follows: if the first DCI scrambled by the Paging Radio Network Temporary Identifier (P-RNTI) is detected blindly, the paging message in the Physical Downlink Shared Channel (PDSCH) is decoded according to the indication of the DCI.

[0009] For example, the first time-domain resource is the system frame where the SSB is located, and the first DCI can be detected in a way agreed upon by the protocol. For example, if the SSB is in frame x, the protocol determines that the first DCI is in frame y, and the first communication device blindly detects the first DCI starting from the time of receiving the SSB and delaying by (yx) frames.

[0010] By adopting the above method and using non-SSB signals to transmit the remaining system frame number information, the problem of limited SSB bandwidth can be addressed in energy-saving scenarios, system frame timing can be achieved, the paging procedure can work normally, and the energy-saving effect can be realized.

[0011] In a possible implementation, the SSB includes second information, and the second information and the first information are used to determine the index of the first time-domain resource.

[0012] In this application, the second information is a partial index value of the first time-domain resource carried by the SSB, the first information indicates the index value of the other part of the first time-domain resource, and by combining the first information and the second information, the first communication apparatus can obtain the complete index through splicing.

[0013] For example, if the complete index value is "0010101100", the bandwidth-limited SSB carries the 4-bit information "1100" of the last 4 bits, and the first information indicates the 6-bit information "001010" of the first 6 bits, the first communication apparatus can obtain the complete index by sequential splicing.

[0014] It can be understood that, in practical applications, in the solution where the first information indicates the remaining index value, it may indicate the first n information bits of the complete index value (where n satisfies 0<n<N, and N is the length of the index value), or the last n information bits, or information bits at any position. As long as the complete index value can be obtained based on the first information and the second information according to the agreed combination manner (such as sequential splicing), no specific limitation is imposed herein.

[0015] In a possible implementation, receiving the first information based on the SSB includes:

[0016] The first communication apparatus determines a first resource according to the SSB, and then receives the first information based on the first resource.

[0017] In this application, the first resource includes time-domain, frequency-domain and / or spatial-domain resources for receiving a signal carrying the first information. Specifically, the first resource may be indicated in a pre-agreed manner and / or in a manner indicated by the SSB.

[0018] For example, if the SSB indicates the i-th frame, the signal carrying the first information may be blindly detected after i frames from the moment of receiving the SSB in an agreed manner.

[0019] In a possible implementation, the first information is carried in a second DCI, the first information includes N bits, the N bits are determined based on a Discontinuous Reception DRX cycle, and N is a positive integer.

[0020] In this application, after receiving the SSB, the first communication device can receive the second DCI carrying the first information through the downlink control channel PDCCH. Typically, the DRX period is set to 10.24 seconds, corresponding to 1024 radio frames. The value range of this period mapped to the first time-domain resource index is 0 to 1023, requiring a total of 10 bits (i.e., 2 to the power of 10) for representation.

[0021] Optionally, the first information includes 10 bits to indicate the index of the complete first time-domain resource.

[0022] Optionally, the number of bits N of the first information can be determined by combining the DRX period and the number of index bits carried by the SSB. For example, if the total number of bits of the first time-domain resource index is 10 bits, and the SSB already carries 4 bits of index value, then the first information carried in the second DCI only needs to contain 6 bits.

[0023] In one possible implementation, the second DCI is the pre-paging indication (PEI).

[0024] The PEI is scrambled by the pre-paging temporary radio network identifier PEI-RNTI, indicating whether users in the group have received the paging. The timing of PEI transmission can be determined by combining a pre-configured PEI offset and DRX period, allowing the first communication device to monitor PEI without timing.

[0025] Specifically, the reserved field in PEI carries the first information of those N bits.

[0026] In one possible implementation, the second DCI is obtained by descrambling the first Radio Network Temporary Identifier (RNTI), which is predefined by the protocol.

[0027] Using the above method, the second DCI is an independently designed DCI for transmitting the index of the first time-domain resource, and a common RNTI is configured to scramble the second DCI. The RNTI is a protocol-predefined RNTI with a length of 16 bits, and the value of the RNTI is any one bit of the currently reserved RNTI value.

[0028] Optionally, the RNTI configured is called the System Frame Number RNTI (SFN-RNTI).

[0029] Optionally, the RNTI value for this configuration is "FFFD" in hexadecimal.

[0030] The control resource set (coreset) of the second DCI can reuse the configuration of the commonControlResourceSet in CORESET0 or SIB1. The search space can be configured separately or reuse the common search space (CSS) of other PDCCHs. The time-domain configuration can indicate the configuration offset (e.g., specifying the time-domain offset of the second DCI from the SSB), or indicate the specific time-domain resource within the time range that can be determined by the partial index values ​​carried within the SSB.

[0031] In one possible implementation, the first information is carried in a synchronization signal and / or a reference signal.

[0032] These signals can also be called sequence signals. Sequence signals have a specific sequence structure in the time domain or frequency domain and can be used to indicate specific information, namely the first information.

[0033] In one possible implementation, the first information is carried in the on / off key control OOK signal.

[0034] The OOK signal represents different information states by the presence or absence of the signal (i.e., on or off), that is, "1" or "0". The OOK signal can also be regarded as a special kind of sequence signal.

[0035] Sequences typically have a generating basis, which is the underlying foundation of the sequence. For example, the Channel State Information Reference Signal (CSI-RS) uses a pseudo-random sequence R(m) based on a gold sequence, where m is the generating basis of the sequence R(m), meaning that the value of m is the first piece of information.

[0036] In one possible implementation, the first information is determined based on a first sequence, which is sent via one or more of the following:

[0037] Synchronization signal;

[0038] Reference signal; or,

[0039] OOK signal.

[0040] In one possible implementation, the index of the first time-domain resource is the system frame number.

[0041] A second aspect of this application provides a communication method applied to a second communication device. For example, the second communication device may be a communication equipment, or it may be a component applied to a communication equipment (e.g., a processor, circuit, chip, or chip system responsible for communication functions, including but not limited to modem chips, baseband chips, system-on-chip (SoC) chips containing modem cores, or system-in-package (SIP) chips, etc.). Alternatively, the second communication device may also be a logic module or software capable of implementing all or part of the functions of a communication equipment. The communication equipment corresponding to the second communication device may be a network device, a terrestrial network device (such as a first terrestrial network device or a second terrestrial network device), a terrestrial access network device, etc. The following description uses a terrestrial network device as an example of the second communication device being a terrestrial network device.

[0042] The method includes: a second communication device sending an SSB to a first communication device, the SSB being used by the first communication device to receive first information; the second communication device sending the first information to the first communication device, the first information being used to determine the index of a first time-domain resource, the first time-domain resource being used to detect a first DCI of a paging message, the first information being carried on a non-SSB signal.

[0043] In this application, before receiving a paging message, the first communication device needs to achieve time synchronization between the terminal and the network by receiving a Service Stub (SSB). Timing based on the index of the first time-domain resource carried in the SSB is a step in the time synchronization process. After receiving the SSB, the first communication device checks the integrity of the index it carries. If an incomplete index of the first time-domain resource is detected, first information is received based on the SSB. The first information is used to supplement or completely determine the index of the first time-domain resource. For example, if the complete index is 10 bits long and the SSB carries 4 bits of information, the first information is used to supplement the remaining 6 bits, or the first information is used to indicate the complete 10 bits of information.

[0044] The first communication device can determine local timing (e.g., on which frame or symbol the signal is received or transmitted) based on the first time domain resources. Based on this, the first communication device can detect the first DCI of the paging message. The specific detection process is as follows: if the first DCI scrambled by the Paging Radio Network Temporary Identifier (P-RNTI) is detected, the paging message in the Physical Downlink Shared Channel (PDSCH) is decoded according to the indication of the DCI.

[0045] For example, the first time-domain resource is the system frame where the SSB is located, and the first DCI can be detected in a way agreed upon by the protocol. For example, if the SSB is in frame x, the protocol determines that the first DCI is in frame y, and the first communication device blindly detects the first DCI starting from the time of receiving the SSB and delaying by (yx) frames.

[0046] By employing the above method, and utilizing non-SSB signals to transmit the remaining system frame number information, the problem of SSB bandwidth limitation can be addressed in energy-saving scenarios. This enables system frame timing, allowing the paging process to function normally and achieving energy-saving effects. In one possible implementation, the SSB includes second information, which, along with the first information, is used to determine the index of the first time-domain resource.

[0047] In one possible implementation, the SSB includes second information, which, along with the first information, is used to determine the index of the first time-domain resource.

[0048] In this application, the second information is a partial index value of the first time-domain resource carried by the SSB, and the first information indicates the index value of another part of the first time-domain resource. By combining the first information and the second information, the first communication device can obtain the complete index by splicing them together.

[0049] For example, if the complete index value is "0010101100", the bandwidth-limited SSB carries the last 4 bits of bit information "1100", and the first information indicates the first 6 bits of bit information "001010". The first communication device can obtain the complete index by sequentially concatenating the bits.

[0050] In one possible implementation, the first information is carried in the second DCI. The first information includes N bits, which are determined based on the discontinuous reception period, where N is a positive integer.

[0051] In this application, after receiving the SSB, the first communication device can receive the second DCI carrying the first information through the downlink control channel PDCCH. Typically, the DRX period is set to 10.24 seconds, corresponding to 1024 radio frames. The value range of this period mapped to the first time-domain resource index is 0 to 1023, requiring a total of 10 bits (i.e., 2 to the power of 10) for representation.

[0052] Optionally, the first information includes 10 bits to indicate the index of the complete first time-domain resource.

[0053] Optionally, the number of bits N of the first information can be determined by combining the DRX period and the number of index bits carried by the SSB. For example, if the total number of bits of the first time-domain resource index is 10 bits, and the SSB already carries 4 bits of index value, then the first information carried in the second DCI only needs to contain 6 bits.

[0054] In one possible implementation, the second DCI is the pre-paging indication (PEI).

[0055] The PEI is scrambled by the pre-paging temporary radio network identifier PEI-RNTI, indicating whether users in the group have received the paging. The timing of PEI transmission can be determined by combining a pre-configured PEI offset and DRX period, allowing the first communication device to monitor PEI without timing.

[0056] Specifically, the reserved field in PEI carries the first information of those N bits.

[0057] In one possible implementation, the second DCI is obtained by descrambling the first Radio Network Temporary Identifier (RNTI), which is predefined by the protocol.

[0058] Using the above method, the second DCI is an independently designed DCI for transmitting the index of the first time-domain resource, and a common RNTI is configured to scramble the second DCI. The RNTI is a protocol-predefined RNTI with a length of 16 bits, and the value of the RNTI is any one bit of the currently reserved RNTI value.

[0059] Optionally, the RNTI configured is called the System Frame Number RNTI (SFN-RNTI).

[0060] Optionally, the RNTI value for this configuration is "FFFD" in hexadecimal.

[0061] The coreset of this second DCI can reuse the configuration of the commonControlResourceSet in CORESET0 or SIB1. The search space can be configured separately or reuse the CSS of other PDCCHs. The time-domain configuration can indicate the configuration offset (e.g., specifying the time-domain offset of the second DCI from the SSB), or indicate the specific time-domain resource within the time range that can be determined by the partial index values ​​carried within the SSB.

[0062] In one possible implementation, the first information is carried in a synchronization signal and / or a reference signal.

[0063] These signals can also be called sequence signals. Sequence signals have a specific sequence structure in the time domain or frequency domain and can be used to indicate specific information, namely the first information.

[0064] In one possible implementation, the first information is carried in the on / off key control OOK signal.

[0065] The OOK signal represents different information states by the presence or absence of the signal (i.e., on or off), that is, "1" or "0". The OOK signal can also be regarded as a special kind of sequence signal.

[0066] Sequences typically have a generating basis, which is the underlying foundation of the sequence. For example, the Channel State Information Reference Signal (CSI-RS) uses a pseudo-random sequence R(m) based on a gold sequence, where m is the generating basis of the sequence R(m), meaning that the value of m is the first piece of information.

[0067] In one possible implementation, the first information is determined based on a first sequence, which is sent via one or more of the following:

[0068] Synchronization signal;

[0069] Reference signal; or,

[0070] OOK signal.

[0071] In one possible implementation, the index of the first time-domain resource is the system frame number.

[0072] A third aspect of this application provides a communication device that performs the functions described in the first aspect. For example, the communication device includes modules, units, or means corresponding to the operations involved in the first aspect. These modules, units, or means can be implemented in software, hardware, or a combination of both. For instance, the device includes a transceiver unit for receiving a synchronization signal block (SSB). The device also includes a processing unit for receiving first information based on the SSB, the first information being used to determine the index of a first time-domain resource, and the first information being carried on a non-SSB signal. The transceiver unit is further configured to detect first downlink control information (DCI) of a paging message based on the first time-domain resource.

[0073] In the third aspect of this application, the constituent modules of the communication device can also be used to execute the steps performed in various possible implementations of the first aspect and achieve the corresponding technical effects. For details, please refer to the first aspect, which will not be repeated here.

[0074] A fourth aspect of this application provides a communication device that implements the functions described in the second aspect above. For example, the communication device includes modules, units, or means corresponding to the operations involved in the second aspect. These modules, units, or means can be implemented in software, hardware, or a combination of both. For instance, the device includes a transceiver unit for transmitting a Service Stub (SSB), which is used by a first communication device to receive first information. The transceiver unit is also used to transmit the first information, which is used to determine the index of a first time-domain resource. The first time-domain resource is used to detect a first DCI (Distributed Content Query) of a paging message. The first information is carried on a non-SSB signal. Optionally, the device further includes a processing unit for determining the first information and the signal carrying the first information.

[0075] In the fourth aspect of this application, the constituent modules of the communication device can also be used to perform the steps executed in various possible implementations of the second aspect and achieve the corresponding technical effects. For details, please refer to the second aspect, which will not be repeated here.

[0076] A fifth aspect of this application provides a communication device including at least one processor coupled to a memory; the memory is used to store a program or instructions; the at least one processor is used to execute the program or instructions to cause the device to implement the method described in any possible implementation of any of the first to second aspects. Optionally, the communication device may include the memory.

[0077] The sixth aspect of this application provides a communication device including at least one logic circuit and an input / output interface; the logic circuit is used to perform the method as described in any one of the possible implementations of the first to second aspects described above.

[0078] The seventh aspect of this application provides a communication system, which includes the first communication device and the second communication device described above.

[0079] An eighth aspect of this application provides a computer-readable storage medium for storing one or more computer-executable instructions, which, when executed by a processor, perform the method as described in any possible implementation of any of the first to second aspects described above.

[0080] The ninth aspect of this application provides a computer program product (or computer program) that, when executed by a processor, performs the method described in any possible implementation of any of the first to second aspects described above.

[0081] The tenth aspect of this application provides a chip or chip system including at least one processor for supporting a communication device in implementing the methods described in any possible implementation of any of the first to second aspects. For example, the chip may be a baseband chip, a modem chip, a SoC chip (such as an SoC chip containing a modem core), a SIP chip, or a communication module, etc.

[0082] In one possible design, the chip or chip system may further include a memory for storing program instructions and data necessary for the communication device. The chip system may be composed of chips or may include chips and other discrete devices. Optionally, the chip system may also include interface circuitry that provides program instructions and / or data to the at least one processor.

[0083] The technical effects of any of the design methods in aspects three through ten can be found in the technical effects of the different design methods in aspects one through two above, and will not be repeated here. Attached Figure Description

[0084] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application, the accompanying drawings used in the description of the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the accompanying drawings described below are only some embodiments of this application. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0085] Figure 1 This is a diagram of the ground network architecture in the embodiments of this application;

[0086] Figure 2 This is a diagram illustrating the paging process.

[0087] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of a bandwidth-limited SSB.

[0088] Figure 4 A flowchart illustrating a communication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0089] Figure 5 Another flowchart illustrating the communication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0090] Figure 6 A schematic diagram of the time-domain resource configuration of the PEI provided in this application;

[0091] Figure 7 Another flowchart illustrating the communication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0092] Figure 8This is a schematic diagram of time-domain resource configuration provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0093] Figure 9 Another flowchart illustrating the communication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0094] Figure 10 Another flowchart illustrating the communication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0095] Figure 11 This application provides a schematic diagram of time-frequency resource configuration in an embodiment of the present application.

[0096] Figure 12 This is a schematic diagram of one embodiment of the communication device in this application;

[0097] Figure 13 This is a schematic diagram of another embodiment of the communication device in this application;

[0098] Figure 14 This is a schematic diagram of another embodiment of the communication device in this application;

[0099] Figure 15 This is a schematic diagram of another embodiment of the communication device in this application. Detailed Implementation

[0100] First, some terms used in the embodiments of this application will be explained to facilitate understanding by those skilled in the art.

[0101] (1) The terms "system" and "network" in the embodiments of this application can be used interchangeably. "Multiple" refers to two or more. "And / or" describes the relationship between related objects, indicating that there can be three relationships. For example, A and / or B can mean: A exists alone, A and B exist simultaneously, or B exists alone, where A and B can be singular or plural. The character " / " generally indicates that the related objects before and after are in an "or" relationship. "At least one of the following" or similar expressions refer to any combination of these items, including any combination of single or plural items. For example, "at least one of A, B and C" includes A, B, C, AB, AC, BC or ABC. And, unless otherwise specified, the ordinal numbers such as "first" and "second" mentioned in the embodiments of this application are used to distinguish multiple objects and are not used to limit the order, sequence, priority or importance of multiple objects.

[0102] (2) In the embodiments of this application, "send" and "receive" indicate the direction of signal transmission. For example, "send information to XX" can be understood as the destination of the information being XX, which may include sending directly through the air interface or sending indirectly through the air interface by other units or modules. "Receive information from YY" can be understood as the source of the information being YY, which may include receiving directly from YY through the air interface or receiving indirectly from YY through the air interface by other units or modules. "Send" can also be understood as the "output" of the chip interface, and "receive" can also be understood as the "input" of the chip interface.

[0103] In other words, sending and receiving can occur between devices, such as between network devices and terminal devices, or within a device, such as between components, modules, chips, software modules, or hardware modules within the device via buses, wiring, or interfaces.

[0104] It is understandable that information may undergo necessary processing, such as encoding and modulation, between the source and destination, but the destination can understand the valid information from the source. Similar statements in this application can be interpreted in a similar way and will not be elaborated further.

[0105] (3) In the embodiments of this application, "instruction" may include direct instruction and indirect instruction, as well as explicit instruction and implicit instruction. The information indicated by a certain piece of information (as described below, the instruction information) is called the information to be instructed. In the specific implementation process, there are many ways to indicate the information to be instructed, such as, but not limited to, directly indicating the information to be instructed, such as the information to be instructed itself or its index. It can also indirectly indicate the information to be instructed by indicating other information, where there is an association between the other information and the information to be instructed; or it can only indicate a part of the information to be instructed, while the other parts of the information to be instructed are known or pre-agreed upon. For example, the instruction can be implemented by using a pre-agreed (e.g., protocol predefined) arrangement of various information, thereby reducing the instruction overhead to a certain extent. This application does not limit the specific method of instruction. It is understood that for the sender of the instruction information, the instruction information can be used to indicate the information to be instructed, and for the receiver of the instruction information, the instruction information can be used to determine the information to be instructed.

[0106] (4) Configuration and Pre-configuration: In this application, both configuration and pre-configuration are used. Configuration refers to the network device / server sending configuration information or parameter values ​​to the terminal device via messages or signaling, so that the terminal device can determine the communication parameters or resources for transmission based on these values ​​or information. Pre-configuration is similar to configuration; it can be parameter information or parameter values ​​pre-negotiated between the network device / server and the terminal device, parameter information or parameter values ​​specified by standard protocols for use by the base station / network device or terminal device, or parameter information or parameter values ​​pre-stored in the base station / server or terminal device. This application does not limit this.

[0107] In this application, unless otherwise specified, the same or similar parts between the various embodiments can be referred to each other. In the various embodiments of this application, and the various methods / designs / implementations within each embodiment, unless otherwise specified or logically conflicting, the terminology and / or descriptions between different embodiments and between the various methods / designs / implementations within each embodiment are consistent and can be mutually referenced. The technical features in different embodiments and the various methods / designs / implementations within each embodiment can be combined to form new embodiments, methods, or implementations based on their inherent logical relationships. The following descriptions of the embodiments of this application do not constitute a limitation on the scope of protection of this application.

[0108] First, a brief description of the network architecture on which the communication method in the embodiments of this application is based:

[0109] Please see Figure 1 , Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of one possible, non-limiting system. For example... Figure 1 As shown, the communication system 1000 includes a radio access network (RAN) 100, a core network (CN) 200, and an Internet 300. RAN 100 includes at least one RAN node (e.g., ...). Figure 1 110a and 110b (collectively referred to as 110) and at least one terminal (such as Figure 1 RAN 100, denoted as RAN 120a-120j, is collectively referred to as RAN 120. RAN 100 may also include other RAN nodes, such as wireless relay equipment and / or wireless backhaul equipment. Figure 1 (Not shown in the image). Terminal 120 is connected to RAN node 110 wirelessly. RAN node 110 is connected to core network 200 wirelessly or via wired connection. The core network equipment in core network 200 and RAN node 110 in RAN 100 can be different physical devices, or they can be the same physical device integrating core network logical functions and radio access network logical functions.

[0110] RAN 100 can be a cellular system related to the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP), such as a 4G, 5G, or future mobile communication system. RAN 100 can also be an open-radio access network (ORAN), a cloud-radio access network (CRAN), or a wireless fidelity (WiFi) system. RAN 100 can also be a communication system that integrates two or more of the above systems.

[0111] RAN node 110, sometimes also referred to as access network equipment, RAN entity, or access node, constitutes part of the communication system and assists terminals in achieving wireless access. Multiple RAN nodes 110 in the communication system 1000 can be of the same type or different types. In some scenarios, the roles of RAN node 110 and terminal 120 are relative, for example... Figure 1 Network element 120i can be a helicopter or a drone, and it can be configured as a mobile base station. For terminals 120j that access RAN 100 through network element 120i, network element 120i is a base station; however, for base station 110a, network element 120i is a terminal. RAN node 110 and terminal 120 are sometimes referred to as communication devices, for example... Figure 1 Network elements 110a and 110b can be understood as communication devices with base station functions, while network elements 120a-120j can be understood as communication devices with terminal functions.

[0112] In one possible scenario, access network equipment includes, but is not limited to: evolved Node B (eNodeB), radio network controller (RNC), Node B (NB), base station (BS), base station controller (BSC), base transceiver station (BTS), home base station (e.g., home evolved NodeB, or home Node B, HNB), baseband unit (BBU), access point (AP) in wireless fidelity (WIFI) system, macro base station, micro base station, wireless relay node, donor node, radio controller in CRAN scenario, wireless backhaul node, transmission point (TP), or transmission and reception point (TRP), etc., and can also be access network equipment in 5G mobile communication system. For example, a next-generation NodeB (gNB), TRP, or TP in a new radio (NR) system; or one or a group of antenna panels (including multiple antenna panels) of a base station in a 5G mobile communication system; or, access network equipment can also be network nodes constituting a gNB or transmission point. Examples include centralized units (CU), distributed units (DU), centralized unit control planes (CU-CP), centralized unit user planes (CU-UP), or radio units (RU), etc. CUs and DUs can be separate or included in the same network element, such as a BBU. RUs can be included in radio equipment or radio units, such as in a remote radio unit (RRU), an active antenna unit (AAU), or a remote radio head (RRH). Alternatively, access network equipment can also be servers, wearable devices, vehicles, or in-vehicle equipment, etc. For example, the access network equipment in V2X technology can be a roadside unit (RSU).It should be understood that the aforementioned TRP can be a device or module located on the network side of the aforementioned communication system and possessing corresponding communication functions. The TRP typically contains a communication module, circuit, or chip that performs the corresponding communication functions. The TRP can also be configured with program instructions for the corresponding communication functions.

[0113] It should be noted that CU (or CU-CP and CU-UP), DU, or RU may have different names in different systems, but those skilled in the art will understand their meaning. For example, in an open radio access network (ORAN) system, CU can also be called an open centralized unit (O-CU) or an open CU, DU can also be called an open-distributed unit (O-DU), CU-CP can also be called an open-centralized unit control plane (O-CU-CP), CU-UP can also be called an open-centralized unit user plane (O-CU-UP), and RU can also be called an open radio unit (O-RU). This application does not impose any specific limitations. Any of the units CU, 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.

[0114] The architecture of the CU and DU of the access network equipment is described below. An access network equipment includes at least one CU and at least one DU. Optionally, the access network equipment may also include at least one RU.

[0115] The following description uses an access network device consisting of one CU and one DU as an example. The CU has some core network functions and can include CU-CP and CU-UP. The CU and DU can be configured according to the protocol layer functions of the wireless network they implement. For example, the CU may be configured to implement the functions of the Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP) layer and above (e.g., RRC and / or SDAP layers). The DU may be configured to implement the functions of protocol layers below the PDCP layer (e.g., RLC, MAC, and / or physical (PHY) layers). Alternatively, the CU may be configured to implement the functions of protocol layers above the PDCP layer (e.g., RRC and / or SDAP layers), and the DU may be configured to implement the functions of protocol layers below the PDCP layer (e.g., RLC, MAC, and / or PHY layers).

[0116] When a CU includes CU-CP and CU-UP, CU-CP is used to implement the control plane functions of the CU, and CU-UP is used to implement the user plane functions of the CU. For example, when a CU is configured to implement the functions of the PDCP layer, RRC layer, and SDAP layer, CU-CP is used to implement the RRC layer functions and the control plane functions of the PDCP layer, and CU-UP is used to implement the SDAP layer functions and the user plane functions of the PDCP layer.

[0117] The CU-CP can interact with network elements in the core network used to implement control plane functions. These network elements can be access and mobility management functions (AMFs). AMFs are responsible for mobility management in the mobile network, such as terminal device location updates, terminal device registration with the network, and terminal device handover.

[0118] CU-UP can interact with network elements in the core network used to implement user plane functions. These network elements, such as the user plane function (UPF) in a 5G system, are responsible for forwarding and receiving data in terminal devices.

[0119] The above CU and DU configurations are merely examples; the functions of the CU and DU can be configured as needed. For instance, the CU or DU can be configured to have more protocol layer functions, or only some protocol layer processing functions. For example, some RLC layer functions and protocol layer functions above the RLC layer can be placed in the CU, while the remaining RLC layer functions and protocol layer functions below the RLC layer can be placed in the DU. Furthermore, the functions of the CU or DU can be divided according to service type or other system requirements. For example, based on latency, functions that require low latency can be placed in the DU, while functions that do not require low latency can be placed in the CU.

[0120] DU and RU can cooperate to implement the functions of the PHY layer. A DU can be connected to one or more RUs. The functions of DU and RU can be configured in various ways depending on the design. For example, a DU can be configured to implement baseband functions, and an RU can be configured to implement mid-RF functions. Another example is that a DU can be configured to implement higher-level functions in the PHY layer, and an RU can be configured to implement lower-level functions in the PHY layer, or to implement both lower-level and RF functions. Higher-level functions in the physical layer can include a portion of the physical layer's functions that are closer to the MAC layer, while lower-level functions in the physical layer can include another portion of the physical layer's functions that are closer to the mid-RF side.

[0121] It should be noted that the access network equipment can be a device or apparatus with a chip, or a device or apparatus with integrated circuits, or a chip, chip system, module, or control unit in the aforementioned device or apparatus; this application does not impose any specific limitation. It should also be noted that in this application, the term "access network equipment" can refer to the access network equipment itself, or to the chip, functional module, or integrated circuit within the access network equipment that performs the method provided in this application; this application does not impose any specific limitation.

[0122] A terminal can be a device or module that accesses the aforementioned communication system and has corresponding communication functions. A terminal can also be called a terminal device, user equipment (UE), mobile station, mobile terminal, etc. Terminals 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), virtual reality, augmented reality, industrial control, autonomous driving, telemedicine, smart grids, smart homes, smart offices, smart wearables, intelligent transportation, smart cities, etc. Terminals can be mobile phones, tablets, computers with wireless transceiver capabilities, wearable devices, vehicles, drones, helicopters, airplanes, ships, robots, robotic arms, smart home devices, transportation vehicles with wireless communication capabilities, communication modules, etc. The embodiments of this application do not limit the device form of the terminal. Terminals typically contain communication modules, circuits, or chips that perform corresponding communication functions. Terminals can also be configured with program instructions for performing corresponding communication functions.

[0123] Furthermore, the embodiments of this application can also be applied to other future communication technologies. The network architecture and service scenarios described in this application are for the purpose of more clearly illustrating the technical solutions of this application, and do not constitute a limitation on the technical solutions provided in this application. As those skilled in the art will understand, with the evolution of network architecture and the emergence of new service scenarios, the technical solutions provided in this application are also applicable to similar technical problems.

[0124] 5G NR defines three radio resource control (RRC) states: connected (RRC_CONNECTED), idle (RRC_IDLE), and inactive (RRC_INACTIVE). When a UE in the idle or inactive state receives a paging message, a random access procedure is required to restore the RRC connection.

[0125] like Figure 2 As shown in the example, the traditional paging-random access procedure requires the SSB to obtain synchronization and system information resources, including the following process.

[0126] Step 1. The network device sends a synchronization signal block (SSB) to the terminal device.

[0127] The SSB includes the primary synchronization signal (PSS), secondary synchronization signal (SSS), and physical broadcast channel (PBCH). The PSS and SSS provide synchronization information, enabling the UE to obtain the physical cell identifier. The PBCH carries the master information block (MIB), which includes information such as the system frame number (SFN) and control resource set 0 (CORESET0) configuration. The SFN is used to implement radio frame timing (its value ranges from 0 to 1023, corresponding to a 10.24-second DRX period), and its length is 10 bits (2 to the power of 10). CORESET0 defines the time-frequency resources for the UE to monitor the physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) to decode and schedule the downlink control information (DCI) of system information block (SIB) 1. SIB1 provides key parameters for cell access (such as cell information, random access timing (RO) resource configuration information, etc.).

[0128] Step 2. The network device sends a paging message to the terminal device.

[0129] The terminal device uses the paging radio network temporary identity (P-RNTI) to blindly detect DCI1_0 in the search space of the paging occasion (PO) window of the PDCCH, obtains the time and frequency resources of the physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH), and thus reads the paging content.

[0130] Step 3. The terminal device and network device initiate a random access procedure. The random access procedure includes:

[0131] 1. The terminal device initiates random access.

[0132] The terminal device determines the RO resource it uses based on the SSB index and RO resource configuration information, and sends a physical random access channel (PRACH) on the RO resource associated with the SSB to initiate a random access request.

[0133] 2. Network response.

[0134] After receiving the above PRACH, the network device sends a response message to the terminal device.

[0135] In one possible implementation, the network device can send a random access response (RAR) to the terminal device, and schedule the terminal device to send message 3 (Msg3) in the random access process on the corresponding time-frequency resources to initiate a radio resource control (RRC) setup request. After receiving Msg3, the network device sends message 4 (Msg4) in the random access process to the terminal device to perform RRC setup.

[0136] 3. Connection complete

[0137] The UE receives the response information (such as Msg4 mentioned above), completes the initial access, and restores the RRC connection.

[0138] In traditional 5G NR systems, the PBCH in the SSB carries the complete SFN (10 bits) for terminal system frame timing. However, in scenarios where energy efficiency is a priority, the network side uses narrowband transmission mode to send the SSB in bandwidth-constrained environments. This mode reduces the load capacity of the PBCH, making it unable to fully carry the 10-bit SFN information.

[0139] like Figure 3 The diagram illustrates a narrowband SSB. Taking a 3MHz bandwidth as an example, the SSB occupies 4 orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) symbols in the time domain and maps to only 12 resource blocks (RBs) in the frequency domain. In contrast, conventional bandwidth configurations typically cover 20 RBs in the frequency domain. Due to the bandwidth-limited SSB, the SFN (Short Format Number) changes from 10 bits to less than 10 bits, for example, becoming 6 bits or 4 bits.

[0140] For example, if the complete System Frame Number (SFN) information bits are "0010101100", it indicates that the current system frame number is frame 172. If the SSB only carries the last 4 bits of the SFN, i.e., "1100", it can only represent 12 frames. This makes it difficult for the terminal device to uniquely determine its current radio frame position within the DRX cycle, thus affecting the timing accuracy of the terminal and the network.

[0141] Based on this, this application provides a communication method that proposes to use other signals to carry the SFN when the SFN carried by the SSB is limited, so as to achieve timing between the terminal and the network.

[0142] Please see Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of an implementation of the communication method provided in this application, which includes the following steps.

[0143] It should be understood that the following description uses different communication devices as examples to illustrate the method, but this application does not limit the execution subject of the interaction. For example, the first communication device can be a terminal device, or a component applicable to a terminal device (e.g., a chip, baseband chip, modem chip, SoC chip containing a modem core, SIP chip, communication module, chip system, processor, logic module, or software, etc.). For example, the second communication device can be a network device, or a component applicable to a network device (e.g., a chip, baseband chip, modem chip, SoC chip containing a modem core, SIP chip, communication module, chip system, processor, logic module, or software, etc.).

[0144] As an example, the first communication device may be a terminal device or a component applicable to a terminal device.

[0145] As an example, the second communication device can be a network device or a component that can be applied to a network device.

[0146] 401. The second communication device sends a synchronization signal block (SSB) to the first communication device; correspondingly, the first communication device receives the SSB.

[0147] 402. The second communication device sends first information to the first communication device, the first information being used to determine the index of the first time domain resource, the first information being carried on a non-SSB signal; correspondingly, the first communication device receives the first information.

[0148] After receiving the SSB, the first communication device checks the integrity of the index of the first time-domain resource carried therein. If the index is found to be incomplete, the first information is received based on the SSB.

[0149] For example, if the full index is 10 bits long, the SSB may only carry 4 or 6 bits of information.

[0150] In this application, the index of the first time-domain resource is the system frame number SFN, and the first information indicates the information bits of the SFN.

[0151] Optionally, the first information may indicate information bits of a complete SFN. For example, the aforementioned complete SFN information bits are "0010101100", and the first information indicates "0010101100".

[0152] Optionally, the SSB includes second information, and the second information is a part of the SFN carried by the SSB. Correspondingly, the first information may indicate the remaining information bits of the SFN. For example, the SSB carries the last 4 bits of the SFN, that is, "1100", and the first information indicates the first 6 bits of the SFN, that is, "001010". By combining the first information and the second information, the first communication apparatus obtains the complete SFN by concatenating in sequence.

[0153] It can be understood that, in practical applications, in the solution where the first information indicates the remaining SFN, the first information may indicate the first n information bits of the complete SFN (where n satisfies 0<n<N, and N is the length of the SFN), or the last n information bits, or information bits at any positions. As long as the complete SFN can be obtained based on the first information and the second information according to an agreed combination manner (for example, concatenation in sequence), no specific limitation is imposed herein.

[0154] In this application, the first communication apparatus receives a signal carrying the first information based on the SSB. The first communication apparatus determines a first resource based on the SSB, where the first resource includes time domain, frequency domain and / or spatial domain resources for receiving the signal carrying the first information. Specifically, the first resource may be indicated in a pre-agreed manner and / or in a manner indicated by the SSB. In the following, with reference to different signal types (signals for carrying the SFN), specific implementations of determining the first resource based on the SSB are described.

[0155] In an application scenario where the bandwidth of the transmitted SSB is constrained, this application proposes three types of non-SSB signals to carry the SFN, which are described respectively in the following.

[0156] First, the DCI carrying the SFN is sent through a PDCCH.

[0157] In this solution, the first information is carried in the DCI, and the first information includes N bits, where the N bits are determined based on a DRX cycle, and N is a positive integer.

[0158] Optionally, the N bits are determined based on the DRX cycle and the number of bits of the SFN carried by the SSB. For example, a DRX cycle of 10.24 seconds corresponds to 1024 frames, the total number of bits of the SFN is 10 bits, and the SSB carries 4 bits of the SFN, in which case N is 6.

[0159] In one possible implementation, the transmitted DCI can be a paging early indication (PEI), i.e., the SFN is transmitted by multiplexing the PEI. The current PEI design is DCI format 2_7, which is scrambled by the radio network temporary identifier (PEI-RNTI) of the paging early indication to indicate whether users in the group have received paging.

[0160] The PEI payload consists of three parts, including:

[0161] (1) "paging indication field" is used to indicate the number of POs associated with PEI (indication field is Npei_po) and the PO-Subgroup combination that needs to be monitored (indication field is Npo_sg), that is, which POs associated with UEs need to be monitored.

[0162] (2) "TRS availability indication" is used to indicate whether the tracking reference signal (TRS) resource is available.

[0163] (3) "Reserved bits" is a reserved field used to fill the PEI length to align with the upper layer's indicated payload length. The total number of PEI payloads is dynamically configured by the higher layer signaling (RRC or SIB).

[0164] In conjunction with the existing PEI structure, this application proposes to embed SFN information into "reserved bits".

[0165] For example, the SFN in "reserved bits" can be a complete 10-bit SFN, or it can be the remaining SFN bits other than the SFN bit information carried by the SSB.

[0166] like Figure 5 As shown, the second communication device sends a PEI carrying an SFN after sending the SSB.

[0167] When the UE is uncertain about the SFN, the transmission occasion of the PEI can be determined by the frame-level offset and symbol-level offset of the PEI.

[0168] For example, the process of determining the PEI transmission time can be referred to Figure 6As shown in the example, when frame-level offset = 3 and symbol-level offset = 5, it means that the UE searches for the SSB in 3 radio frames before the start of the DRX cycle; after the UE successfully finds the SSB and completes the timing, it obtains the reference point. At this time, the PEI's receiving position is located 5 symbols backward from the reference point.

[0169] The frame-level offset value is derived from the `pei-FrameOffset-r17` field in the `PEI-Config-r17` cell of the SIB's `DownlinkConfigCommonSIB`; while the symbol-level offset value is derived from the `firstPDCCH-MonitoringOccasionOfPEI-O-r17` field in the `pei-ConfigBWP-r17` cell of the SIB's `PDCCH-ConfigCommon`. It's important to note that `pei-ConfigBWP-r17` is configured using a sequence, thus supporting the configuration of multiple different PEI transmission times (e.g., ...). Figure 6 (PEI1 and PEI2 in the text).

[0170] Therefore, the first communication device can complete the reception of PEI even without knowing the SFN, thereby adding the remaining system frame bits to the reserved bits or separately designed bits, directly as a supplement to the SFN carried by the SSB.

[0171] For example, the system frame number and the corresponding frame bits can be added to the protocol for PEI, such as adding "-Remaining SFN-6bits".

[0172] In one possible implementation, the transmitted DCI could be a DCI primarily used for transmitting SFN. It can also be understood as a PDCCH designed for systems where a PEI configuration does not exist. For example... Figure 7 As shown, after receiving the SSB, the UE decodes the corresponding DCI. This DCI can carry the remaining SFN of the SSB, or it can carry the complete SFN. Hereafter, the DCI carrying the SFN will be referred to as SFN-DCI.

[0173] Specifically, a common RNTI needs to be configured to scramble the SFN-DCI. This RNTI is a predefined RNTI of the protocol, with a length of 16 bits, and its value is any one bit from the currently reserved RNTI values. The pre-configured RNTIs in the protocol are shown in Table 1 below:

[0174] RNTI type hexadecimal Decimal SI-RNTI FFFF 65535 P-RNTI FFFE 65534 Other RNTI 0001-FFEF 00000-65519 Retain RNTI FFF0-FFFD 65520-65533

[0175] Table 1

[0176] Optionally, the RNTI configured is called the System Frame Number RNTI (SFN-RNTI).

[0177] Optionally, the RNTI value for this configuration is "FFFD" in hexadecimal.

[0178] In one possible implementation, the control resource set (coreset) of SFN-DCI can reuse the configuration of commonControlResourceSet in CORESET0 or SIB1, and the search space can be configured separately or reuse the CSS of other PDCCHs.

[0179] For example, reusing the SIB1 search space would be more appropriate in principle for Type2-CSS.

[0180] Specifically, the search space is configured with parameters such as monitoringSlotPeriodicityAndOffset, Duration, monitoringSymbolsWithinSlot, and controlResourceSetId based on the signaling format. The signaling format of the search space is shown below:

[0181]

[0182] Please see Figure 8 There are two methods for configuring time-domain resources for SFN-DCI: Figure 8 Examples 1 and 2 are shown in the text.

[0183] Example 1: Specify the time-domain offset of the DCI from the SSB by configuring the offset.

[0184] For example, a frame-level offset can be specified in the SIB, such as frame offset = 2. Alternatively, other levels of temporal offsets (slot-level or symbol-level) can be used.

[0185] Example 2: Specify a frame within a short period, including smaller time units, based on the range that can be determined by the SFN (e.g., a 4-bit SFN) carried within the SSB.

[0186] For example, the SFN value carried in the SSB (received in frame 0) is “0101”, indicating that the DCI is received at frame offset 5 (i.e., in frame 5) of frame 0.

[0187] Second, send sequence signals.

[0188] Sequence signals include synchronization signals (SS) and reference signals (RS). For example... Figure 9 As shown, after receiving the SSB, the UE receives sequence signals, which have a specific sequence structure in the time or frequency domain and can be used to carry SFN information. That is, the first information used to indicate the SFN is determined based on the form of the sequence.

[0189] To transmit the first information using a sequence signal, the mapping relationship between the SFN and the sequence must first be determined. Sequences typically have a generator basis, which is the underlying foundation of the sequence. For example, the Channel State Information Reference Signal (CSI-RS) uses a pseudo-random sequence R(m) based on a gold sequence, where m is the generator basis of sequence R(m), meaning the value of m represents the first information.

[0190] The method for calculating the mapping between the generation base and the frame number can be specified in the protocol, or it can be specified in tabular form. The mapping relationship between SFN and generation base is shown in Table 2 below:

[0191] SFN Generate base sequence 000000 0 000001 1 000010 2 ... ...

[0192] Table 2

[0193] The mapped SFN can be a remaining SFN (e.g., 6 bits) or a complete SFN (e.g., 10 bits), and the sequence used can be an M sequence, a gold sequence, a ZC sequence, or other sequences, without any specific restrictions here.

[0194] The following describes the possible configuration methods for time-domain and frequency-domain resources used to receive sequence signals:

[0195] (1) Time-domain resources

[0196] Optionally, resource sets can be configured periodically. The configuration of resource sets includes: period, time domain start symbol, occupied time domain resources (e.g., 2 slots), and time domain intervals within the occupied time domain resources.

[0197] Optionally, you can also specify the offset from the SSB, or the specific resources within the range that the frame number within the SSB can determine. For details, please refer to the above. Figure 8Example 2 shows the way time-domain resources are configured in SFN-DCI.

[0198] (2) Frequency domain resources

[0199] Optionally, a center frequency or multiple frequency points can be specified. The indication method can include the offset of the SSB center frequency or directly indicate the frequency point number.

[0200] Optionally, the frequency domain units occupied can be indicated, such as 3RB.

[0201] The parameters indicating the time and frequency above can be agreed upon by protocol or directly indicated (e.g., through system messages, MAC CE, RRC signaling, etc.), or different configuration methods can be indicated in tabular form, as shown in Table 3 below:

[0202] Configuration method Frequency point (synchronization grid) offset Time Domain Resource Set A 0 0 B 10 1 ... ... ...

[0203] Table 3

[0204] In configuration mode A, the frequency offset (synchronization grid) of the time-frequency resources used by the sequence signal is 0, and the time-domain resource set is 0; in configuration mode B, the frequency offset (synchronization grid) of the time-frequency resources used by the sequence signal is 10, and the time-domain resource set is 1. Configuration is indicated by either configuration mode A or configuration mode B.

[0205] It is understandable that in practical applications, the configuration methods may include more configurations, which are not limited here.

[0206] Third, send the on-off keying (OOK) signal.

[0207] like Figure 10 As shown, after receiving the SSB, the UE receives the OOK signal. The OOK signal represents different information states by its presence or absence (i.e., on or off), that is, "1" or "0", thereby realizing the transmission of SFN. The OOK signal can also be regarded as a special sequence signal.

[0208] For the configuration of time-frequency resources for OOK signals, several bits of information can be detected by energy detection within a single time-frequency resource, or they can be detected together within multiple time-frequency resources. One OFDM symbol can typically transmit 2 bits of information.

[0209] The following describes the possible configuration methods for time-domain and frequency-domain resources used to receive OOK signals:

[0210] (1) Time-domain resources

[0211] Optionally, resource sets can be configured periodically. The configuration of resource sets includes: period, time domain start symbol, occupied time domain resources (e.g., 2 slots), and time domain intervals within the occupied time domain resources.

[0212] Optionally, you can also specify the offset from the SSB, or the specific resources within the range that the frame number within the SSB can determine. For details, please refer to the above. Figure 8 Example 2 shows the way time-domain resources are configured in SFN-DCI.

[0213] Optionally, a temporal pattern can also be indicated (e.g., which symbols occupy a time slot).

[0214] (2) Frequency domain resources

[0215] Optionally, an offset in the frequency domain can be indicated.

[0216] Optionally, the frequency domain units occupied can be indicated.

[0217] Optionally, a frequency domain mode can be indicated. For example, mode 1 can be configured, which indicates that three spaced subcarriers occupy the frequency domain, with a distance of two subcarriers between each two configured subcarriers.

[0218] like Figure 11 As shown, the OOK signal can be configured to be continuous or discontinuous in time and frequency. For example... Figure 11 The configuration to the left of the solid line utilizes two consecutive time-domain resources (symbols) under the same frequency domain resource (RE) to configure the OOK signal; or... Figure 11 The configuration to the right of the solid line uses two frequency domain resources (REs) with an interval under the same time domain resource (symbol) to configure the OOK signal.

[0219] In one possible implementation, the remaining SFN (i.e., the first information) can be transmitted using a multi-signal splitting method, for example, dividing the SFN into two parts, which are carried by a synchronization signal and an OOK signal respectively. Specific SFN splitting schemes and signal allocation methods can be implemented with reference to the aforementioned configuration rules, and are not limited here.

[0220] 403. The first communication device detects the downlink control information (DCI) of the paging message based on the first time domain resource.

[0221] The first communication device determines the SFN based on the first information, and, in conjunction with the PO of the paging message, monitors the DCI of the paging message (e.g., Figure 5 , Figure 7 , Figure 9 or Figure 10 Paging DCI in (the context of the DCI).

[0222] In one possible implementation, Figure 4 The method shown also includes:

[0223] 404. The second communication device sends a paging message DCI to the first communication device; correspondingly, the first communication device receives the paging message DCI.

[0224] Specifically, the first communication device detects the DCI of the paging message on the PDCCH monitoring occasion (MO) corresponding to the PO. The DCI is in Format 1_0 format. If a P-RNTI scrambled DCI is detected, the paging message in the PDSCH is decoded according to the DCI indication (e.g., Figure 5 , Figure 7 , Figure 9 or Figure 10 Paging in (the context of the text).

[0225] By using the above methods and utilizing the three non-SSB signals to transmit the remaining system frame number information, the problem of limited SSB bandwidth can be effectively addressed in energy-saving scenarios, system frame timing can be achieved, the paging process can function normally, and energy-saving effects can be realized.

[0226] Please see Figure 12 This application provides a communication device 1200, which can realize the functions of the communication device in the above method embodiments (e.g., the communication device is a terminal device or a network device), and therefore can also achieve the beneficial effects of the above method embodiments. In this application embodiment, the communication device 1200 can be a communication device, or it can be an integrated circuit or component inside the communication device, such as a chip.

[0227] In one possible implementation, when the device 1200 is used to perform the aforementioned Figure 4 When the method executed by the first communication device in the relevant embodiments is implemented, the device 1200 includes a transceiver unit 1202; the transceiver unit 1202 is used to receive a synchronization signal block (SSB); the device 1200 also includes a processing unit 1201, the processing unit 1201 is used to receive first information based on the SSB, the first information is used to determine the index of a first time domain resource, the first information is carried on a non-SSB signal; the transceiver unit 1202 is also used to detect the first downlink control information (DCI) of the paging message based on the first time domain resource.

[0228] In one possible implementation, when the device 1200 is used to perform the aforementioned Figure 4When the method executed by the second communication device in the related embodiments is implemented, the device 1200 includes a transceiver unit 1202; the transceiver unit 1202 is used to transmit an SSB, which is used by the first communication device to receive first information; the transceiver unit 1202 is also used to transmit the first information, which is used to determine the index of a first time-domain resource, which is used to detect a first DCI of a paging message, and the first information is carried on a non-SSB signal. Optionally, the device 1200 further includes a processing unit 1201, which is used to determine the first information and the signal carrying the first information.

[0229] The transceiver unit 1201 may include a transmitting unit and a receiving unit, which are used to perform transmitting and receiving respectively.

[0230] It should be noted that the information execution process of the unit of the above-mentioned communication device 1200 can be specifically described in the method embodiment shown above in this application, and will not be repeated here.

[0231] Please see Figure 13 This is another schematic structural diagram of the communication device 1300 provided in this application. The communication device 1300 includes a logic circuit 1301 and an input / output interface 1302. The communication device 1300 can be a chip or an integrated circuit.

[0232] in, Figure 12 The transceiver unit 1202 shown can be a communication interface, which can be... Figure 13 The input / output interface 1302 may include an input interface and an output interface. Alternatively, the communication interface may also be a transceiver circuit, which may include an input interface circuit and an output interface circuit.

[0233] Optionally, the input / output interface 1302 is used to receive a synchronization signal block (SSB); the logic circuit 1301 is used to receive first information based on the SSB, the first information being used to determine the index of a first time-domain resource, the first information being carried on a non-SSB signal; the input / output interface 1302 is also used to detect the first downlink control information (DCI) of a paging message based on the first time-domain resource.

[0234] Optionally, the input / output interface 1302 is used to send an SSB, which is used by the first communication device to receive first information; the input / output interface 1302 is also used to send the first information, which is used to determine the index of a first time-domain resource, which is used to detect the first DCI of the paging message, and the first information is carried on a non-SSB signal. Optionally, the logic circuit 1301 is used to determine the first information and the signal carrying the first information.

[0235] The logic circuit 1301 and the input / output interface 1302 can also perform other steps executed by the network device in any embodiment and achieve corresponding beneficial effects, which will not be elaborated here.

[0236] In one possible implementation, Figure 12 The processing unit 1201 shown can be Figure 13 The logic circuit 1301 in the middle.

[0237] Optionally, the logic circuit 1301 can be a processing device, the functions of which can be partially or entirely implemented in software.

[0238] Optionally, the processing apparatus may include a memory and a processor, wherein the memory is used to store a computer program, and the processor reads and executes the computer program stored in the memory to perform the corresponding processing and / or steps in any of the method embodiments.

[0239] Optionally, the processing device may consist of only a processor. A memory for storing computer programs is located outside the processing device, and the processor is connected to the memory via circuitry / wires to read and execute the computer programs stored in the memory. The memory and processor may be integrated together or physically independent of each other.

[0240] Optionally, the processing device may be one or more chips, or one or more integrated circuits. For example, the processing device may be one or more field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), system on-chips (SoCs), central processors (CPUs), network processors (NPs), digital signal processors (DSPs), microcontroller units (MCUs), programmable logic devices (PLDs), or other integrated chips, or any combination of the above chips or processors.

[0241] Please see Figure 14 The communication device 1400 mentioned in the above embodiments provided for the purposes of this application can specifically be a communication device that serves as a network device in the above embodiments. Figure 14The communication device shown in the example is implemented through a network device (or a component within a network device).

[0242] The present invention provides a possible logical structure diagram of the communication device 1400, which may include, but is not limited to, at least one processor 1401 and a communication port 1402.

[0243] in, Figure 12 The transceiver unit 1202 shown can be a communication interface, which can be... Figure 14 The communication port 1402 may include an input interface and an output interface. Alternatively, the communication port 1402 may also be a transceiver circuit, which may include an input interface circuit and an output interface circuit.

[0244] Further optionally, the device may also include at least one of a memory 1403 and a bus 1404. In embodiments of this application, the at least one processor 1401 is used to control the operation of the communication device 1400.

[0245] Furthermore, the processor 1401 can be a central processing unit, a general-purpose processor, a digital signal processor, an application-specific integrated circuit, a field-programmable gate array, or other programmable logic devices, transistor logic devices, hardware components, or any combination thereof. It can implement or execute the various exemplary logic blocks, modules, and circuits described in conjunction with the disclosure of this application. The processor can also be a combination that implements computing functions, such as a combination of one or more microprocessors, a combination of a digital signal processor and a microprocessor, etc. Those skilled in the art will clearly understand that, for the sake of convenience and brevity, the specific working processes of the systems, devices, and units described above can be referred to the corresponding processes in the foregoing method embodiments, and will not be repeated here.

[0246] It should be noted that, Figure 14 The communication device 1400 shown can be used to implement the steps implemented by the network device in the aforementioned method embodiments, and to achieve the corresponding technical effects of the network device. Figure 14 The specific implementation of the communication device shown can be referred to the description in the foregoing method embodiments, and will not be repeated here.

[0247] Please see Figure 15 The above-described embodiment of the present application provides a structural schematic diagram of the communication device 1500. Specifically, the communication device 1500 can be a network device as described in the above embodiment. Figure 15 The communication device illustrated is implemented through a network device (or a component within a network device), the structure of which can be referenced. Figure 15 The structure shown.

[0248] The communication device 1500 includes at least one processor 1511 and at least one network interface 1514. Optionally, the communication device further includes at least one memory 1512, at least one transceiver 1513, and one or more antennas 1515. The processor 1511, memory 1512, transceiver 1513, and network interface 1514 are connected, for example, via a bus. In this embodiment, the connection may include various interfaces, transmission lines, or buses, etc., and this embodiment is not limited thereto. The antenna 1515 is connected to the transceiver 1513. The network interface 1514 enables the communication device to communicate with other communication devices through a communication link. For example, the network interface 1514 may include a network interface between the communication device and core network equipment, such as an S1 interface; the network interface may also include a network interface between the communication device and other communication devices (e.g., other network devices or core network equipment), such as an X2 or Xn interface.

[0249] in, Figure 12 The transceiver unit 1202 shown can be a communication interface, which can be... Figure 15 The network interface 1514 may include an input interface and an output interface. Alternatively, the network interface 1514 may also be a transceiver circuit, which may include input interface circuitry and output interface circuitry.

[0250] The processor 1511 is primarily used to process communication protocols and communication data, control the entire communication device, execute software programs, and process data from the software programs, for example, to support the communication device in performing the actions described in the embodiments. The communication device may include a baseband processor and a central processing unit. The baseband processor is primarily used to process communication protocols and communication data, while the central processing unit is primarily used to control the entire terminal device, execute software programs, and process data from the software programs. Figure 15 The processor 1511 can integrate the functions of a baseband processor and a central processing unit. Those skilled in the art will understand that the baseband processor and the central processing unit can also be independent processors interconnected via technologies such as buses. Those skilled in the art will understand that a terminal device can include multiple baseband processors to adapt to different network standards, and a terminal device can include multiple central processing units to enhance its processing capabilities. The various components of the terminal device can be connected via various buses. The baseband processor can also be described as a baseband processing circuit or a baseband processing chip. The central processing unit can also be described as a central processing circuit or a central processing chip. The function of processing communication protocols and communication data can be built into the processor or stored in memory as a software program, with the processor executing the software program to implement the baseband processing function.

[0251] The memory is primarily used to store software programs and data. The memory 1512 can exist independently or be connected to the processor 1511. Optionally, the memory 1512 can be integrated with the processor 1511, for example, integrated within a single chip. The memory 1512 can store program code that executes the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application, and its execution is controlled by the processor 1511. The various types of computer program code being executed can also be considered as drivers for the processor 1511.

[0252] Figure 15 Only one memory and one processor are shown. In actual terminal devices, there may be multiple processors and multiple memories. Memory can also be called storage medium or storage device, etc. Memory can be a storage element on the same chip as the processor, i.e., an on-chip storage element, or it can be a separate storage element; this application does not limit this.

[0253] Transceiver 1513 can be used to support the reception or transmission of radio frequency (RF) signals between a communication device and a terminal. Transceiver 1513 can be connected to antenna 1515. Transceiver 1513 includes a transmitter Tx and a receiver Rx. Specifically, one or more antennas 1515 can receive RF signals. The receiver Rx of transceiver 1513 is used to receive the RF signals from the antennas, convert the RF signals into digital baseband signals or digital intermediate frequency (IF) signals, and provide the digital baseband signals or IF signals to processor 1511 so that processor 1511 can perform further processing on the digital baseband signals or IF signals, such as demodulation and decoding. In addition, the transmitter Tx in transceiver 1513 is also used to receive modulated digital baseband signals or IF signals from processor 1511, convert the modulated digital baseband signals or IF signals into RF signals, and transmit the RF signals through one or more antennas 1515. Specifically, the receiver Rx can selectively perform one or more stages of downmixing and analog-to-digital conversion on the radio frequency signal to obtain a digital baseband signal or a digital intermediate frequency (IF) signal. The order of these downmixing and IF conversion processes is adjustable. The transmitter Tx can selectively perform one or more stages of upmixing and digital-to-analog conversion on the modulated digital baseband signal or digital IF signal to obtain a radio frequency signal. The order of these upmixing and IF conversion processes is also adjustable. The digital baseband signal and the digital IF signal can be collectively referred to as digital signals.

[0254] The transceiver 1513 can also be called a transceiver unit, transceiver, transceiver device, etc. Optionally, the device in the transceiver unit that performs the receiving function can be regarded as the receiving unit, and the device in the transceiver unit that performs the transmitting function can be regarded as the transmitting unit. That is, the transceiver unit includes a receiving unit and a transmitting unit. The receiving unit can also be called a receiver, input port, receiving circuit, etc., and the transmitting unit can be called a transmitter, transmitter, or transmitting circuit, etc.

[0255] It should be noted that, Figure 15 The communication device 1500 shown can be used to implement the steps implemented by the network device in the aforementioned method embodiments, and to achieve the corresponding technical effects of the network device. Figure 15 The specific implementation of the communication device 1500 shown can be referred to the description in the foregoing method embodiments, and will not be repeated here.

[0256] This application also provides a computer-readable storage medium for storing one or more computer-executable instructions. When the computer-executable instructions are executed by a processor, the processor performs the method described in the possible implementations of the terminal device and network device in the foregoing embodiments.

[0257] This application also provides a computer program product (or computer program) that, when executed by a processor, executes the methods described above for possible implementations of terminal devices and network devices.

[0258] This application also provides a chip system including at least one processor for supporting a communication device in implementing the functions involved in the possible implementations of the communication device described above. Optionally, the chip system further includes an interface circuit that provides program instructions and / or data to the at least one processor. In one possible design, the chip system may further include a memory for storing the program instructions and data necessary for the communication device. The chip system may be composed of chips or may include chips and other discrete devices, wherein the communication device may specifically be the terminal device and network device in the aforementioned method embodiments.

[0259] This application also provides a communication system, which includes the terminal device and network device in any of the above embodiments.

[0260] 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 an indirect coupling or communication connection between apparatuses or units through some interfaces, and may be electrical, mechanical, or other forms.

[0261] The units described as separate components may or may not be physically separate. The components shown as units may or may not be physical units; that is, they may be located in one place or distributed across multiple network units. Some or all of the units can be selected to achieve the purpose of this embodiment according to actual needs.

[0262] Furthermore, the functional units in the various embodiments of this application can be integrated into one processing unit, or each unit can exist physically separately, or two or more units can be integrated into one unit. The integrated unit can be implemented in hardware or as a software functional unit. If the integrated unit is implemented as a software functional unit and sold or used as an independent product, it can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. Based on this understanding, the technical solution of this application, in essence, or the part that contributes, or all or part of the technical solution, can be embodied in the form of a software product. This computer software product is stored in a storage medium and includes several instructions to cause a computer device (which may be a personal computer, server, or network device, etc.) to execute all or part of the steps of the methods described in the various embodiments of this application. The aforementioned storage medium includes various media capable of storing program code, such as USB flash drives, portable hard drives, read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), magnetic disks, or optical disks.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that, include: Receive synchronization signal block (SSB); The SSB receives first information, which is used to determine the index of the first time domain resource. The first information is carried on a non-SSB signal. The first downlink control information (DCI) is detected based on the first time-domain resource detection paging message.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The SSB includes second information, which, together with the first information, is used to determine the index of the first time-domain resource.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The receiving of the first information based on the SSB includes: The first resource is determined based on the SSB; The first information is received based on the first resource.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that, The first information is carried in the second DCI. The first information includes N bits, which are determined based on the non-continuous reception period, where N is a positive integer.

5. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that, The second DCI is the Pre-Paging Indication (PEI).

6. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that, The second DCI is obtained by descrambling the first Radio Network Temporary Identifier (RNTI), which is predefined by the protocol.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1-6, characterized in that, The first information is carried in the synchronization signal and / or reference signal.

8. The method according to any one of claims 1-7, characterized in that, The first information is carried in the on / off key control OOK signal.

9. The method according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that, The first information is determined based on a first sequence, which is sent via one or more of the following: The synchronization signal; The reference signal; or, The OOK signal.

10. The method according to any one of claims 1-9, characterized in that, The index of the first time-domain resource is the system frame number.

11. A communication method, characterized in that, include: Send an SSB, the SSB being used by the first communication device to receive first information; The first information is sent, which is used to determine the index of the first time domain resource, which is used to detect the first DCI of the paging message, and the first information is carried on a non-SSB signal.

12. The method according to claim 11, characterized in that, The SSB includes second information, which, together with the first information, is used to determine the index of the first time-domain resource.

13. The method according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that, The first information is carried in the second DCI. The first information includes N bits, which are determined based on the non-continuous reception period, where N is a positive integer.

14. The method according to claim 13, characterized in that, The second DCI is the Pre-Paging Indication (PEI).

15. The method according to claim 13, characterized in that, The second DCI is obtained by descrambling the first Radio Network Temporary Identifier (RNTI), which is predefined by the protocol.

16. The method according to any one of claims 11-15, characterized in that, The first information is carried in the synchronization signal and / or reference signal.

17. The method according to any one of claims 11-16, characterized in that, The first information is carried in the on / off key control OOK signal.

18. The method according to claim 16 or 17, characterized in that, The first information is determined based on a first sequence, which is sent via one or more of the following: The synchronization signal; The reference signal; or, The OOK signal.

19. The method according to any one of claims 11-18, characterized in that, The index of the first time-domain resource is the system frame number.

20. A communication device, characterized in that, Includes modules or units for performing the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 10.

21. A communication device, characterized in that, Includes modules or units for performing the method as described in any one of claims 11 to 19.

22. A communication device, characterized in that, include: A processor for executing a program that causes the communication device to perform the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 10.

23. A communication device, characterized in that, include: A processor for executing a program that causes the communication device to perform the method as described in any one of claims 11 to 19.

24. A communication system, characterized in that, include: A communication device for performing any of the methods described in steps 1 to 10, and a communication device for performing any of the methods described in claims 11 to 19.

25. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, Includes instructions that, when executed on a computer, cause the computer to perform the method as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 10, or cause the computer to perform the method as claimed in any one of claims 11 to 19.

26. A computer program product containing instructions, characterized in that, When it is run on a computer, it causes the computer to perform the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 10, or causes the computer to perform the method as described in any one of claims 11 to 19.

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