Communication method and apparatus

Abstract

The embodiments of the present application relate to the field of communication technology, and provide a communication method and apparatus for indicating SSBs corresponding to multiple reference signal resource sets or multiple reference signals by using restricted bits in a paging DCI or PEI. The method includes: a terminal device receives a first DCI including reference signal availability indication information from a network device; and determines whether a reference signal is transmitted based on the first DCI. The reference signal availability indication information includes one or more indication bits. Each indication bit is associated with one or more reference signal resource sets or associated with one or more SSBs. The value of the indication bit is used to determine whether a reference signal corresponding to the associated reference signal resource set is transmitted, or the value of the indication bit is used to determine whether a reference signal corresponding to the associated SSB is transmitted. The reference signal corresponding to the SSB is determined based on QCL configuration information included in the configuration information of the reference signal resource set, and the QCL configuration information is used to configure the SSB associated with the reference signal resource set.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] This application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 202111259695.1, entitled "METHOD FOR SENDING TRS FOR IDLE / INACTIVE UE," filed with the State Intellectual Property Office of China on October 28, 2021, which claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 202111308894.7, entitled "COMMUNICATION METHOD AND APPARATUS," filed with the State Intellectual Property Office of China on November 5, 2021, and which claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 202210400437.9, entitled "COMMUNICATION METHOD AND APPARATUS," filed with the State Intellectual Property Office of China on April 16, 2022, all of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

[0002] The present application relates to the field of communication technologies, and more particularly to communication methods and devices. [Background technology]

[0003] In a communication system, a network device may transmit configuration information of a reference signal in system information to a terminal device, and the terminal device may perform automatic gain control adjustment, time-frequency synchronization, and other processing based on the reference signal.

[0004] To avoid increasing the burden on network devices, the reference signal is not guaranteed to be transmitted at all times, and dynamic signaling may indicate whether the reference signal is transmitted, such as paging downlink control information (Paging DCI) or paging early indication (PEI).

[0005] To determine the transmission direction of the reference signal, a synchronization signal and physical broadcast channel block (SSB) associated with each reference signal resource set may be configured for the reference signal resource set. Because a network device may transmit SSBs in up to 64 different directions, if each SSB direction is expected to have a corresponding reference signal, 64 reference signal resource sets may need to be configured, or reference signals associated with up to 64 SSB indices may need to be configured.

[0006] However, the number of available bits in the paging DCI or PEI is limited, and how to use the restricted bits to indicate multiple reference signal resource sets or how to use the restricted bits to indicate SSBs corresponding to multiple reference signals becomes an urgent technical problem to be solved. Summary of the Invention

[0007] In consideration of this, the present application provides a communication method and apparatus for indicating SSBs corresponding to multiple reference signal resource sets or multiple reference signals by using restricted bits in a paging DCI or PEI. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] According to a first aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication method. The method may include a step in which a terminal device receives first downlink control information (DCI) from a network device and determines, based on the first DCI, whether a reference signal is to be transmitted. The first DCI includes reference signal availability indicator information, and the reference signal availability indicator information includes one or more indicator bits. Each indicator bit is associated with one or more reference signal resource sets, or each indicator bit is associated with one or more synchronization signals and physical broadcast channel blocks (SSBs). The value of the indicator bit is used to determine whether a reference signal corresponding to the associated reference signal resource set is to be transmitted, or the value of the indicator bit is used to determine whether a reference signal corresponding to the associated SSB is to be transmitted. The reference signal corresponding to the SSB is determined based on quasi-co-located QCL configuration information included in the configuration information of the reference signal resource set, and the QCL configuration information is used to configure the SSB associated with the reference signal resource set.

[0009] According to a first aspect, a terminal device may receive a first DCI including reference signal availability indicator information from a network device. Each indicator bit in the reference signal availability indicator information may be associated with one or more reference signal resource sets or one or more SSBs. Therefore, the terminal device may determine, based on the value of each indicator bit, whether a reference signal corresponding to the reference signal resource set associated with each indicator bit is transmitted or whether a reference signal corresponding to the SSB associated with each indicator bit is transmitted. The mapping relationship between the indicator bit and the reference signal resource set or SSB is clearly defined in the embodiments of the present application. This provides a feasible solution for the network device to use limited indicator bits to indicate multiple reference signal resource sets or multiple SSBs to inform the terminal device whether a corresponding reference signal is transmitted.

[0010] In one possible design, the system information received by the terminal device includes first configuration information used to configure a position of an indication bit in a first DCI associated with an SSB.

[0011] Based on this possible design, the terminal device may determine, based on the first configuration information, the position of an indicator bit in the first DCI associated with the SSB, and may determine, based on the value of the indicator bit, whether a reference signal corresponding to the SSB is transmitted.

[0012] In one possible design, the number of bits included in the reference signal availability indicator is F, where F is determined based on the first configuration information corresponding to each SSB.

[0013] Based on this possible design, the number of bits included in the reference signal availability indicator can be determined based on the first configuration information corresponding to each SSB, which provides a feasible solution for determining the number of bits included in the reference signal availability indicator.

[0014] In one possible design, the system information received by the terminal device includes second configuration information, where the second configuration information is used to configure one or more reference signal resource sets associated with the indicator bits, or the second configuration information is used to configure one or more SSBs associated with the indicator bits.

[0015] Based on this possible design, the terminal device may determine, based on the second configuration information, one or more reference signal resource sets associated with the indicator bits, and may determine, based on the value of the indicator bits, whether a reference signal corresponding to the reference signal resource set associated with the indicator bits is to be transmitted.

[0016] In one possible design, the number of bits included in the reference signal availability indication is G, where G is determined based on the number of pieces of second configuration information included in the system information.

[0017] Based on this possible design, the number of bits included in the reference signal availability indicator may be determined based on the number of second configuration information, which provides a feasible solution for determining the number of bits included in the reference signal availability indicator.

[0018] In one possible design, the system information received by the terminal device includes third configuration information, which is used to configure the number of reference signal resource sets associated with each instruction bit, or the third configuration information is used to configure the number of SSBs associated with each instruction bit.

[0019] Based on this possible design, the terminal device may determine the number of reference signal resource sets or SSBs associated with each indicator bit based on the third configuration information, determine the reference signal resource set or SSB associated with each indicator bit based on the number of reference signal resource sets or SSBs associated with each indicator bit, and determine whether a reference signal corresponding to the reference signal resource set associated with the indicator bit is transmitted based on the value of the indicator bit.

[0020] In one possible design, the configuration information of the reference signal resource set includes fourth configuration information used to configure a position of an indication bit in the first DCI associated with the reference signal resource set.

[0021] Based on this possible design, the terminal device may determine, based on the fourth configuration information, the position of an indicator bit in the first DCI associated with a reference signal resource set, and may determine, based on the value of the indicator bit, whether a reference signal corresponding to the reference signal resource set associated with the indicator bit is to be transmitted.

[0022] In one possible design, the number of bits included in the reference signal availability indication is E, where E is determined based on the fourth configuration information included in each reference signal resource set.

[0023] Based on this possible design, the number of bits included in the reference signal availability indicator may be determined based on the fourth configuration information included in each reference signal resource set, which provides a feasible solution for determining the number of bits included in the reference signal availability indicator.

[0024] In one possible design, the reference signal availability indicator includes up to N bits, where N is a positive integer. The number of reference signal resource sets associated with the first DCI is M, or the number of SSBs associated with the first DCI is M, where M is a positive integer. If N is greater than or equal to M, the number of bits in the one or more indicator bits is M, and each indicator bit corresponds one-to-one to one reference signal resource set or one-to-one to one SSB.

[0025] Based on this possible design, when N is equal to or greater than M, the indicator bits may correspond one-to-one to the reference signal resource sets or SSBs, which provides a feasible solution for configuring the association relationship between the indicator bits and the reference signal resource sets or SSBs.

[0026] In one possible design, if N is less than M, the number of bits in the one or more indicator bits is N, there are Q indicator bits among the N indicator bits, each of the Q indicator bits is associated with A reference signal resource sets or A SSBs, and each of the remaining (NQ) indicator bits among the N indicator bits is associated with B reference signal resource sets or B SSBs, where Q is the remainder when M is divided by N, A is the rounded-up result when M is divided by N, and B is the rounded-down result when M is divided by N.

[0027] In one possible design, the Q indicator bits are the first Q indicator bits in the N indicator bits or the last Q indicator bits in the N indicator bits.

[0028] Based on the above two possible designs, when N is less than M, the association relationship between the indicator bit and the reference signal resource set or SSB can be configured in the above manner, which provides a feasible solution for configuring the association relationship between the indicator bit and the reference signal resource set or SSB.

[0029] In one possible design, if N is less than M, the number of bits in the one or more indicator bits is N, and each of P indicator bits in the N indicator bits is associated with A reference signal resource sets or A SSBs, where (P*A) is less than or equal to M, ((P+1)*A) is greater than M, and A is the rounded-up result of dividing M by N.

[0030] In one possible design, if (P*A) is less than M, the (P+1)th bit of the N instruction bits is associated with (MP*A) reference signal resource sets or (MP*A) SSBs.

[0031] In one possible design, the P indicator bits are the first P indicator bits of the N indicator bits, or the P indicator bits are the last P indicator bits of the N indicator bits.

[0032] Based on the three possible designs described above, when N is less than M, the association relationship between the indicator bit and the reference signal resource set or SSB can be configured in the manner described above, which provides a feasible solution for configuring the association relationship between the indicator bit and the reference signal resource set or SSB.

[0033] In one possible design, the reference signal resource set indexes or SSB indices associated with each indication bit in the first DCI are in ascending or descending order, or the index spacing between adjacent reference signal resource sets or adjacent SSBs in the reference signal resource set indexes or SSB indices associated with each indication bit in the first DCI is equal to the number of bits of the reference signal availability indication information.

[0034] Based on this possible design, when each indicator bit corresponds to one or more reference signal resource sets or SSBs, the reference signal resource set or SSB specifically associated with each indicator bit may be determined in the two manners described above.

[0035] In one possible design, the number of SSBs associated with the first DCI is equal to a predefined number of SSBs, where the predefined number of SSBs is determined based on the frequency band and subcarrier spacing in which the SSBs are located; the number of SSBs associated with the first DCI is equal to the number of SSBs actually transmitted by the network device, where the number of SSBs actually transmitted by the network device is determined based on ssb-PositionsInBurst included in SIB1 transmitted by the network device; or the number of SSBs associated with the first DCI is equal to the number of SSBs associated with reference signals configured in the system information, where the number of SSBs associated with reference signals configured in the system information is determined based on QCL configuration information included in the configuration information of each reference signal resource set.

[0036] Based on this possible design, several possible solutions for determining the number of SSBs associated with the first DCI are provided.

[0037] In one possible design, the number of reference signal resource sets associated with the first DCI may be equal to the number of reference signal resource sets configured in the system information.

[0038] Based on this possible design, one possible solution for determining the number of reference signal resource sets associated with the first DCI is provided.

[0039] In one possible design, the first DCI is a paging DCI or a paging early notification PEI.

[0040] In one possible design, when the first DCI is a paging DCI, the terminal device further receives a second DCI from the network device, where the second DCI is a paging early notification PEI. The second DCI includes a first indication bit, the first indication bit is associated with one or more SSBs, and the first indication bit indicates whether a reference signal corresponding to the SSB associated with the first indication bit is transmitted. The one or more SSBs associated with the first indication bit are identical to the one or more SSBs associated with one indication bit included in the first DCI, and the one or more SSBs associated with the first indication bit include SSBs quasi-colocated with the second DCI.

[0041] Based on the two possible designs above, when the first DCI is a paging DCI, the terminal device may further receive a second DCI from the network device, and the terminal device may alternatively determine whether a reference signal is to be transmitted based on the second DCI.

[0042] According to a second aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication device. The communication device may implement functions performed by a terminal device according to the first aspect or a possible design of the first aspect, and the functions may be implemented by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more modules corresponding to the functions, such as a transceiver module and a processing module. The transceiver module may be configured to receive first downlink control information (DCI) from a network device. The processing module may be configured to determine whether a reference signal is to be transmitted based on the first DCI. The first DCI includes reference signal availability indicator information, and the reference signal availability indicator information includes one or more indicator bits. Each indicator bit is associated with one or more reference signal resource sets, or each indicator bit is associated with one or more synchronization signals and physical broadcast channel blocks (SSBs). The value of the indicator bit is used to determine whether a reference signal corresponding to the associated reference signal resource set is to be transmitted, or the value of the indicator bit is used to determine whether a reference signal corresponding to the associated SSB is to be transmitted. The reference signal corresponding to the SSB is determined based on quasi-co-location QCL configuration information included in the configuration information of the reference signal resource set, and the QCL configuration information is used to configure the SSB associated with the reference signal resource set.

[0043] In one possible design, the system information received by the transceiver module includes first configuration information used to configure a position of an instruction bit in a first DCI associated with an SSB.

[0044] In one possible design, the number of bits included in the reference signal availability indicator is F, where F is determined based on the first configuration information corresponding to each SSB.

[0045] In one possible design, the system information received by the transceiver module includes second configuration information, where the second configuration information is used to configure one or more reference signal resource sets associated with the instruction bits, or the second configuration information is used to configure one or more SSBs associated with the instruction bits.

[0046] In one possible design, the number of bits included in the reference signal availability indication is G, where G is determined based on the number of pieces of second configuration information included in the system information.

[0047] In one possible design, the system information received by the transceiver module includes third configuration information, where the third configuration information is used to configure the number of reference signal resource sets associated with each instruction bit, or the third configuration information is used to configure the number of SSBs associated with each instruction bit.

[0048] In one possible design, the configuration information of the reference signal resource set includes fourth configuration information used to configure a position of an indication bit in the first DCI associated with the reference signal resource set.

[0049] In one possible design, the number of bits included in the reference signal availability indication is E, where E is determined based on the fourth configuration information included in each reference signal resource set.

[0050] In one possible design, the reference signal availability indicator includes up to N bits, where N is a positive integer. The number of reference signal resource sets associated with the first DCI is M, or the number of SSBs associated with the first DCI is M, where M is a positive integer. If N is greater than or equal to M, the number of bits in the one or more indicator bits is M, and each indicator bit corresponds one-to-one to one reference signal resource set or one-to-one to one SSB.

[0051] In one possible design, if N is less than M, the number of bits in the one or more indicator bits is N, there are Q indicator bits among the N indicator bits, each of the Q indicator bits is associated with A reference signal resource sets or A SSBs, and each of the remaining (NQ) indicator bits among the N indicator bits is associated with B reference signal resource sets or B SSBs, where Q is the remainder when M is divided by N, A is the rounded-up result when M is divided by N, and B is the rounded-down result when M is divided by N.

[0052] In one possible design, the Q indicator bits are the first Q indicator bits in the N indicator bits or the last Q indicator bits in the N indicator bits.

[0053] In one possible design, if N is less than M, the number of bits in the one or more indicator bits is N, and each of P indicator bits in the N indicator bits is associated with A reference signal resource sets or A SSBs, where (P*A) is less than or equal to M, ((P+1)*A) is greater than M, and A is the rounded-up result of dividing M by N.

[0054] In one possible design, if (P*A) is less than M, the (P+1)th bit of the N instruction bits is associated with (MP*A) reference signal resource sets or (MP*A) SSBs.

[0055] In one possible design, the P indicator bits are the first P indicator bits of the N indicator bits, or the P indicator bits are the last P indicator bits of the N indicator bits.

[0056] In one possible design, the reference signal resource set indexes or SSB indices associated with each indication bit in the first DCI are in ascending or descending order, or the index spacing between adjacent reference signal resource sets or adjacent SSBs in the reference signal resource set indexes or SSB indices associated with each indication bit in the first DCI is equal to the number of bits of the reference signal availability indication information.

[0057] In one possible design, the number of SSBs associated with the first DCI is equal to a predefined number of SSBs, where the predefined number of SSBs is determined based on the frequency band and subcarrier spacing in which the SSBs are located; the number of SSBs associated with the first DCI is equal to the number of SSBs actually transmitted by the network device, where the number of SSBs actually transmitted by the network device is determined based on ssb-PositionsInBurst included in SIB1 transmitted by the network device; or the number of SSBs associated with the first DCI is equal to the number of SSBs associated with reference signals configured in the system information, where the number of SSBs associated with reference signals configured in the system information is determined based on QCL configuration information included in the configuration information of each reference signal resource set.

[0058] In one possible design, the number of reference signal resource sets associated with the first DCI may be equal to the number of reference signal resource sets configured in the system information.

[0059] In one possible design, the first DCI is a paging DCI or a paging early notification PEI.

[0060] In one possible design, when the first DCI is a paging DCI, the transceiver module further receives a second DCI from the network device, where the second DCI is a paging early notification PEI. The second DCI includes a first indication bit, the first indication bit is associated with one or more SSBs, and the first indication bit indicates whether a reference signal corresponding to the SSB associated with the first indication bit is to be transmitted. The one or more SSBs associated with the first indication bit are identical to the one or more SSBs associated with one indication bit included in the first DCI, and the one or more SSBs associated with the first indication bit include SSBs quasi-colocated with the second DCI.

[0061] It should be noted that for specific implementation forms of the communication apparatus according to the second aspect, reference is made to the operational functions of the terminal device in the communication method according to the first aspect or any one of the possible designs of the first aspect.

[0062] According to a third aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communications device. The communications device may be a terminal device, or a chip or system-on-chip within the terminal device. The communications device may implement functions performed by the terminal device according to the aforementioned aspects or possible designs, and the functions may be implemented by hardware. In one possible design, the communications device may include a transceiver and a processor. The transceiver and processor may be configured to support the communications device to implement functions according to the first aspect or any one of the possible designs of the first aspect. For example, the transceiver may be configured to receive first downlink control information (DCI) from a network device. The processor may be configured to determine whether a reference signal is to be transmitted based on the first DCI. The first DCI includes reference signal availability indicator information, and the reference signal availability indicator information includes one or more indicator bits. Each indicator bit is associated with one or more reference signal resource sets, or each indicator bit is associated with one or more synchronization signals and physical broadcast channel blocks (SSBs). The value of the indicator bit is used to determine whether a reference signal corresponding to the associated reference signal resource set is transmitted, or the value of the indicator bit is used to determine whether a reference signal corresponding to the associated SSB is transmitted. The reference signal corresponding to the SSB is determined based on quasi-co-located QCL configuration information included in the configuration information of the reference signal resource set, and the QCL configuration information is used to configure the SSB associated with the reference signal resource set. In another possible design, the communications device may further include a memory. The memory is configured to store computer-executable instructions and data required for the communications device. When the communications device operates, the transceiver and the processor execute the computer-executable instructions stored in the memory. The communications device is enabled to perform a communications method according to the first aspect or any one of the possible designs of the first aspect.

[0063] For specific implementation forms of the communication apparatus according to the third aspect, please refer to the operation functions of the terminal device in the communication method according to the first aspect or any one of the possible designs of the first aspect.

[0064] According to a fourth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication method. The method may include a step in which a network device determines first downlink control information (DCI) and transmits the first DCI to a terminal device. The first DCI includes reference signal availability indicator information, and the reference signal availability indicator information includes one or more indicator bits. Each indicator bit is associated with one or more reference signal resource sets, or each indicator bit is associated with one or more synchronization signals and physical broadcast channel blocks (SSBs). The value of the indicator bit is used to determine whether a reference signal corresponding to the associated reference signal resource set is transmitted, or the value of the indicator bit is used to determine whether a reference signal corresponding to the associated SSB is transmitted. The reference signal corresponding to the SSB is determined based on quasi-co-located QCL configuration information included in configuration information of the reference signal resource set, and the QCL configuration information is used to configure the SSB associated with the reference signal resource set.

[0065] According to a fourth aspect, a network device may transmit a first DCI including reference signal availability indicator information to a terminal device. Each indicator bit in the reference signal availability indicator information may be associated with one or more reference signal resource sets or one or more SSBs. Therefore, the terminal device may determine, based on the value of each indicator bit, whether a reference signal corresponding to the reference signal resource set associated with each indicator bit is transmitted or whether a reference signal corresponding to the SSB associated with each indicator bit is transmitted. The mapping relationship between the indicator bit and the reference signal resource set or SSB is clearly defined in the embodiments of the present application. This provides a feasible solution for the network device to use limited indicator bits to indicate multiple reference signal resource sets or multiple SSBs to inform the terminal device whether a corresponding reference signal is transmitted.

[0066] In one possible design, the system information transmitted by the network device includes first configuration information used to configure a position of an indication bit in a first DCI associated with the SSB.

[0067] Based on this possible design, the network device may indicate a position of an indicator bit in a first DCI associated with the SSB based on the first configuration information. The terminal device may determine a position of an indicator bit in a first DCI associated with the SSB based on the first configuration information, and may determine whether a reference signal corresponding to the SSB is to be transmitted based on a value of the indicator bit.

[0068] In one possible design, the number of bits included in the reference signal availability indicator is F, where F is determined based on the first configuration information corresponding to each SSB.

[0069] Based on this possible design, the number of bits included in the reference signal availability indicator can be determined based on the first configuration information corresponding to each SSB, which provides a feasible solution for determining the number of bits included in the reference signal availability indicator.

[0070] In one possible design, the system information transmitted by the network device includes second configuration information, where the second configuration information is used to configure one or more reference signal resource sets associated with the instruction bits, or the second configuration information is used to configure one or more SSBs associated with the instruction bits.

[0071] Based on this possible design, the network device transmits second configuration information to the terminal device, so that the terminal device may determine, based on the second configuration information, one or more reference signal resource sets associated with the indicator bits, and may determine, based on the value of the indicator bits, whether to transmit a reference signal corresponding to the reference signal resource set associated with the indicator bits.

[0072] In one possible design, the number of bits included in the reference signal availability indication is G, where G is determined based on the number of pieces of second configuration information included in the system information.

[0073] Based on this possible design, the number of bits included in the reference signal availability indicator may be determined based on the number of second configuration information, which provides a feasible solution for determining the number of bits included in the reference signal availability indicator.

[0074] In one possible design, the system information transmitted by the network device includes third configuration information, which is used to configure the number of reference signal resource sets associated with each instruction bit, or the third configuration information is used to configure the number of SSBs associated with each instruction bit.

[0075] Based on this possible design, the network device transmits third configuration information to the terminal device, so that the terminal device may determine the number of reference signal resource sets or SSBs associated with each indicator bit based on the third configuration information, may determine the reference signal resource set or SSB associated with each indicator bit based on the number of reference signal resource sets or SSBs associated with each indicator bit, and may determine whether a reference signal corresponding to the reference signal resource set associated with the indicator bit is to be transmitted based on the value of the indicator bit.

[0076] In one possible design, the configuration information of the reference signal resource set includes fourth configuration information used to configure a position of an indication bit in the first DCI associated with the reference signal resource set.

[0077] Based on this possible design, the network device transmits fourth configuration information to the terminal device, so that the terminal device may determine, based on the fourth configuration information, the position of an indicator bit in the first DCI associated with a reference signal resource set, and may determine, based on the value of the indicator bit, whether a reference signal corresponding to the reference signal resource set associated with the indicator bit is to be transmitted.

[0078] In one possible design, the number of bits included in the reference signal availability indication is E, where E is determined based on the fourth configuration information included in each reference signal resource set.

[0079] Based on this possible design, the number of bits included in the reference signal availability indicator may be determined based on the fourth configuration information included in each reference signal resource set, which provides a feasible solution for determining the number of bits included in the reference signal availability indicator.

[0080] In one possible design, the reference signal availability indicator includes up to N bits, where N is a positive integer. The number of reference signal resource sets associated with the first DCI is M, or the number of SSBs associated with the first DCI is M, where M is a positive integer. If N is greater than or equal to M, the number of bits in the one or more indicator bits is M, and each indicator bit corresponds one-to-one to one reference signal resource set or one-to-one to one SSB.

[0081] Based on this possible design, when N is equal to or greater than M, the indicator bits may correspond one-to-one to the reference signal resource sets or SSBs, which provides a feasible solution for configuring the association relationship between the indicator bits and the reference signal resource sets or SSBs.

[0082] In one possible design, if N is less than M, the number of bits in the one or more indicator bits is N, there are Q indicator bits among the N indicator bits, each of the Q indicator bits is associated with A reference signal resource sets or A SSBs, and each of the remaining (NQ) indicator bits among the N indicator bits is associated with B reference signal resource sets or B SSBs, where Q is the remainder when M is divided by N, A is the rounded-up result when M is divided by N, and B is the rounded-down result when M is divided by N.

[0083] In one possible design, the Q indicator bits are the first Q indicator bits in the N indicator bits or the last Q indicator bits in the N indicator bits.

[0084] Based on the above two possible designs, when N is less than M, the association relationship between the indicator bit and the reference signal resource set or SSB can be configured in the above manner, which provides a feasible solution for configuring the association relationship between the indicator bit and the reference signal resource set or SSB.

[0085] In one possible design, if N is less than M, the number of bits in the one or more indicator bits is N, and each of P indicator bits in the N indicator bits is associated with A reference signal resource sets or A SSBs, where (P*A) is less than or equal to M, ((P+1)*A) is greater than M, and A is the rounded-up result of dividing M by N.

[0086] In one possible design, if (P*A) is less than M, the (P+1)th bit of the N instruction bits is associated with (MP*A) reference signal resource sets or (MP*A) SSBs.

[0087] In one possible design, the P indicator bits are the first P indicator bits of the N indicator bits, or the P indicator bits are the last P indicator bits of the N indicator bits.

[0088] Based on the three possible designs described above, when N is less than M, the association relationship between the indicator bit and the reference signal resource set or SSB can be configured in the manner described above, which provides a feasible solution for configuring the association relationship between the indicator bit and the reference signal resource set or SSB.

[0089] In one possible design, the reference signal resource set indexes or SSB indices associated with each indication bit in the first DCI are in ascending or descending order, or the index spacing between adjacent reference signal resource sets or adjacent SSBs in the reference signal resource set indexes or SSB indices associated with each indication bit in the first DCI is equal to the number of bits of the reference signal availability indication information.

[0090] Based on this possible design, when each indicator bit corresponds to one or more reference signal resource sets or SSBs, the reference signal resource set or SSB specifically associated with each indicator bit may be determined in the two manners described above.

[0091] In one possible design, the number of SSBs associated with the first DCI is equal to a predefined number of SSBs, where the predefined number of SSBs is determined based on the frequency band and subcarrier spacing in which the SSBs are located; the number of SSBs associated with the first DCI is equal to the number of SSBs actually transmitted by the network device, where the number of SSBs actually transmitted by the network device is determined based on ssb-PositionsInBurst included in SIB1 transmitted by the network device; or the number of SSBs associated with the first DCI is equal to the number of SSBs associated with reference signals configured in the system information, where the number of SSBs associated with reference signals configured in the system information is determined based on QCL configuration information included in the configuration information of each reference signal resource set.

[0092] Based on this possible design, several possible solutions for determining the number of SSBs associated with the first DCI are provided.

[0093] In one possible design, the number of reference signal resource sets associated with the first DCI may be equal to the number of reference signal resource sets configured in the system information.

[0094] Based on this possible design, one possible solution for determining the number of reference signal resource sets associated with the first DCI is provided.

[0095] In one possible design, the first DCI is a paging DCI or a paging early notification PEI.

[0096] In one possible design, when the first DCI is a paging DCI, the network device further transmits a second DCI to the terminal device, where the second DCI is a paging early notification PEI. The second DCI includes a first indication bit, the first indication bit is associated with one or more SSBs, and the first indication bit indicates whether a reference signal corresponding to the SSB associated with the first indication bit is to be transmitted. The one or more SSBs associated with the first indication bit are identical to the one or more SSBs associated with one indication bit included in the first DCI, and the one or more SSBs associated with the first indication bit include SSBs quasi-colocated with the second DCI.

[0097] Based on the two possible designs above, when the first DCI is a paging DCI, the terminal device may further receive a second DCI from the network device, and the terminal device may alternatively determine whether a reference signal is to be transmitted based on the second DCI.

[0098] According to a fifth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication device. The communication device may implement functions performed by a network node according to the fourth aspect or a possible design of the fourth aspect, and the functions may be implemented by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more modules corresponding to the functions, such as a processing module and a transceiver module. The processing module may be configured to determine first downlink control information (DCI). The transceiver module may be configured to transmit the first DCI to a terminal device. The first DCI includes reference signal availability indicator information, and the reference signal availability indicator information includes one or more indicator bits. Each indicator bit is associated with one or more reference signal resource sets, or each indicator bit is associated with one or more synchronization signals and physical broadcast channel blocks (SSBs). The value of the indicator bit is used to determine whether a reference signal corresponding to the associated reference signal resource set is transmitted, or the value of the indicator bit is used to determine whether a reference signal corresponding to the associated SSB is transmitted. The reference signal corresponding to the SSB is determined based on quasi-co-location QCL configuration information included in the configuration information of the reference signal resource set, and the QCL configuration information is used to configure the SSB associated with the reference signal resource set.

[0099] In one possible design, the system information transmitted by the transceiver module includes first configuration information used to configure a position of an instruction bit in a first DCI associated with the SSB.

[0100] In one possible design, the number of bits included in the reference signal availability indicator is F, where F is determined based on the first configuration information corresponding to each SSB.

[0101] In one possible design, the system information transmitted by the transceiver module includes second configuration information, where the second configuration information is used to configure one or more reference signal resource sets associated with the instruction bits, or the second configuration information is used to configure one or more SSBs associated with the instruction bits.

[0102] In one possible design, the number of bits included in the reference signal availability indication is G, where G is determined based on the number of pieces of second configuration information included in the system information.

[0103] In one possible design, the system information transmitted by the transceiver module includes third configuration information, where the third configuration information is used to configure the number of reference signal resource sets associated with each instruction bit, or the third configuration information is used to configure the number of SSBs associated with each instruction bit.

[0104] In one possible design, the configuration information of the reference signal resource set includes fourth configuration information used to configure a position of an indication bit in the first DCI associated with the reference signal resource set.

[0105] In one possible design, the number of bits included in the reference signal availability indication is E, where E is determined based on the fourth configuration information included in each reference signal resource set.

[0106] In one possible design, the reference signal availability indicator includes up to N bits, where N is a positive integer. The number of reference signal resource sets associated with the first DCI is M, or the number of SSBs associated with the first DCI is M, where M is a positive integer. If N is greater than or equal to M, the number of bits in the one or more indicator bits is M, and each indicator bit corresponds one-to-one to one reference signal resource set or one-to-one to one SSB.

[0107] In one possible design, if N is less than M, the number of bits in the one or more indicator bits is N, there are Q indicator bits among the N indicator bits, each of the Q indicator bits is associated with A reference signal resource sets or A SSBs, and each of the remaining (NQ) indicator bits among the N indicator bits is associated with B reference signal resource sets or B SSBs, where Q is the remainder when M is divided by N, A is the rounded-up result when M is divided by N, and B is the rounded-down result when M is divided by N.

[0108] In one possible design, the Q indicator bits are the first Q indicator bits in the N indicator bits or the last Q indicator bits in the N indicator bits.

[0109] In one possible design, if N is less than M, the number of bits in the one or more indicator bits is N, and each of P indicator bits in the N indicator bits is associated with A reference signal resource sets or A SSBs, where (P*A) is less than or equal to M, ((P+1)*A) is greater than M, and A is the rounded-up result of dividing M by N.

[0110] In one possible design, if (P*A) is less than M, the (P+1)th bit of the N instruction bits is associated with (MP*A) reference signal resource sets or (MP*A) SSBs.

[0111] In one possible design, the P indicator bits are the first P indicator bits of the N indicator bits, or the P indicator bits are the last P indicator bits of the N indicator bits.

[0112] In one possible design, the reference signal resource set indexes or SSB indices associated with each indication bit in the first DCI are in ascending or descending order, or the index spacing between adjacent reference signal resource sets or adjacent SSBs in the reference signal resource set indexes or SSB indices associated with each indication bit in the first DCI is equal to the number of bits of the reference signal availability indication information.

[0113] In one possible design, the number of SSBs associated with the first DCI is equal to a predefined number of SSBs, where the predefined number of SSBs is determined based on the frequency band and subcarrier spacing in which the SSBs are located; the number of SSBs associated with the first DCI is equal to the number of SSBs actually transmitted by the network device, where the number of SSBs actually transmitted by the network device is determined based on ssb-PositionsInBurst included in SIB1 transmitted by the network device; or the number of SSBs associated with the first DCI is equal to the number of SSBs associated with reference signals configured in the system information, where the number of SSBs associated with reference signals configured in the system information is determined based on QCL configuration information included in the configuration information of each reference signal resource set.

[0114] In one possible design, the number of reference signal resource sets associated with the first DCI may be equal to the number of reference signal resource sets configured in the system information.

[0115] In one possible design, the first DCI is a paging DCI or a paging early notification PEI.

[0116] In one possible design, when the first DCI is a paging DCI, the transceiver module further transmits a second DCI to the terminal device, the second DCI being a paging early notification PEI. The second DCI includes a first indication bit, the first indication bit being associated with one or more SSBs, and the first indication bit indicating whether a reference signal corresponding to the SSB associated with the first indication bit is to be transmitted. The one or more SSBs associated with the first indication bit are identical to the one or more SSBs associated with one indication bit included in the first DCI, and the one or more SSBs associated with the first indication bit include SSBs quasi-colocated with the second DCI.

[0117] It should be noted that for specific implementation forms of the communication device according to the fifth aspect, reference is made to the operational functions of the network node in the communication method according to the fourth aspect or any one of the possible designs of the fourth aspect.

[0118] According to a sixth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communications device. The communications device may be a network node, a chip within the network node, or a system-on-chip. The communications device may implement functions performed by the network node according to the aforementioned aspects or possible designs, and the functions may be implemented by hardware. In one possible design, the communications device may include a transceiver and a processor. The transceiver and processor may be configured to support the communications device to implement functions according to the fourth aspect or any one of the possible designs of the fourth aspect. For example, the processor may be configured to determine first downlink control information (DCI). The transceiver may be configured to transmit the first DCI to a terminal device. The first DCI includes reference signal availability indicator information, and the reference signal availability indicator information includes one or more indicator bits. Each indicator bit is associated with one or more reference signal resource sets, or each indicator bit is associated with one or more synchronization signals and physical broadcast channel blocks (SSBs). The value of the indicator bit is used to determine whether a reference signal corresponding to the associated reference signal resource set is transmitted, or the value of the indicator bit is used to determine whether a reference signal corresponding to the associated SSB is transmitted. The reference signal corresponding to the SSB is determined based on quasi-co-located QCL configuration information included in the configuration information of the reference signal resource set, and the QCL configuration information is used to configure the SSB associated with the reference signal resource set. In another possible design, the communications device may further include a memory. The memory is configured to store computer-executable instructions and data required for the communications device. When the communications device operates, the transceiver and the processor execute the computer-executable instructions stored in the memory. The communications device is enabled to perform a communications method according to the fourth aspect or any one of the possible designs of the fourth aspect.

[0119] For specific implementation forms of the communication device according to the sixth aspect, please refer to the operational functions of the network node in the communication method according to the fourth aspect or any one of the possible designs of the fourth aspect.

[0120] According to a seventh aspect, there is provided a communication device. The communication device includes one or more processors. The one or more processors are configured to execute computer programs or instructions. When the one or more processors execute the computer programs or instructions, the communication device is enabled to perform a communication method according to the first aspect or any one of possible designs of the first aspect, or a communication method according to the fourth aspect or any one of possible designs of the fourth aspect.

[0121] In one possible design, the communication device further includes one or more memories, coupled to the one or more processors, configured to store the aforementioned computer programs or instructions. In one possible implementation, the memory is located external to the communication device. In another possible implementation, the memory is located internal to the communication device. In embodiments of the present application, the processor and the memory may alternatively be integrated into one component. In other words, the processor and the memory may alternatively be integrated. In one possible implementation, the communication device further includes a transceiver. The transceiver is configured to receive and / or transmit information.

[0122] In one possible design, the communication device further includes one or more communication interfaces, the one or more communication interfaces coupled to the one or more processors, and the one or more communication interfaces configured to communicate with modules other than the communication device.

[0123] According to an eighth aspect, a communications device is provided. The communications device includes an input / output interface and a logic circuit. The input / output interface is configured to input and / or output information. The logic circuit is configured to perform a communications method according to the first aspect or any one of possible designs thereof, or a communications method according to the fourth aspect or any one of possible designs thereof, and to perform processing and / or generate information based on the information. The information includes a first DCI including reference signal availability indication information, the reference signal availability indication information including one or more indication bits. Each indication bit is associated with one or more reference signal resource sets, or each indication bit is associated with one or more synchronization signals and physical broadcast channel blocks (SSBs). The value of the indication bit is used to determine whether a reference signal corresponding to the associated reference signal resource set is transmitted, or the value of the indication bit is used to determine whether a reference signal corresponding to the associated SSB is transmitted. The reference signal corresponding to the SSB is determined based on quasi-co-located QCL configuration information included in the configuration information of the reference signal resource set, and the QCL configuration information is used to configure the SSB associated with the reference signal resource set.

[0124] According to a ninth aspect, there is provided a computer-readable storage medium, the computer-readable storage medium storing computer instructions or programs, which, when executed on a computer, enable the computer to perform a communication method according to the first aspect or any one of its possible designs, or a communication method according to the fourth aspect or any one of its possible designs.

[0125] According to a tenth aspect, there is provided a computer program product comprising computer instructions which, when run on a computer, enable the computer to perform a communication method according to the first aspect or any one of its possible designs, or a communication method according to the fourth aspect or any one of its possible designs.

[0126] According to an eleventh aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a computer program, which, when run on a computer, enables the computer to perform a communication method according to the first aspect or any one of its possible designs, or a communication method according to the fourth aspect or any one of its possible designs.

[0127] According to a twelfth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a chip, coupled to a memory, configured to read and execute program instructions stored in the memory to perform a communication method according to the first aspect or any one of possible designs of the first aspect, or a communication method according to the fourth aspect or any one of possible designs of the fourth aspect.

[0128] For the technical effects provided by any of the design methods of the seventh to twelfth aspects, please refer to the technical effects provided by any possible design of the first aspect, or refer to the technical effects provided by any possible design of the fourth aspect.

[0129] According to a thirteenth aspect, there is provided a communication system including a communication device according to any one of the second and third aspects, or a communication device according to any one of the fifth and sixth aspects. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0130] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a frame structure of a paging occasion according to an embodiment of the present application; [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a frame structure of a paging occasion according to an embodiment of the present application; [Figure 3] 1 is a schematic diagram of a communication system according to an embodiment of the present application; [Figure 4] 1 is a schematic diagram of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present application; [Figure 5] 1 is a flowchart of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present application. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of system information according to an embodiment of the present application; [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of system information according to an embodiment of the present application; [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of system information according to an embodiment of the present application; [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of system information according to an embodiment of the present application; [Figure 10] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of system information according to an embodiment of the present application; [Figure 11] 1 is a flowchart of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present application. [Figure 12] FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a terminal device according to an embodiment of the present application; [Figure 13] FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a network device according to an embodiment of the present application. [Figure 14] 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present application; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0131] Before the embodiments of the present application are described, technical terms in the embodiments of the present application will be explained.

[0132] Reference signal (RS): In long term evolution (LTE) and new radio (NR) communication systems, a reference signal may be used for multiple purposes, for example, by a terminal device to perform automatic gain control (AGC) adjustment, time-frequency synchronization, beam measurements, and radio resource management (RRM) measurements.

[0133] In an LTE communication system, the cell-level reference signal may be a cell-specific reference signal (CRS), which is present in each downlink subframe.

[0134] In an NR communication system, to reduce resource overhead in network devices and avoid the introduction of excessive cell-level reference signals, it is finally determined that cell-level reference signals are transmitted in synchronization signal and PBCH blocks (SSBs). Each SSB may include a primary synchronization signal (PSS) and a secondary synchronization signal (SSS).

[0135] Unconnected states: may include an idle state and an inactive state.

[0136] When the terminal device is in a disconnected state, the terminal device may periodically receive paging. Before receiving the paging, the terminal device needs to perform processes such as AGC adjustment and time-frequency synchronization in advance based on the reference signal transmitted by the network device to ensure that the reception performance of the paging is sufficiently good.

[0137] For example, as shown in FIG. 1, in an LTE communication system, each subframe has a CRS, so the terminal device needs to wake up in advance for a very short time (e.g., 2 ms) to complete processes such as AGC adjustment and time-frequency synchronization using the CRS, and receives paging at a paging occasion (PO). In an NR communication system, the SSB period may be long. Therefore, when the terminal device needs one SSB to complete AGC adjustment and time-frequency synchronization, in extreme cases, the terminal device may need to wake up in advance for a long time (e.g., 20 ms) to complete processes such as AGC adjustment and time-frequency synchronization based on the received SSB. When the terminal device needs multiple SSBs to complete AGC adjustment and time-frequency synchronization, the terminal device wakes up in advance for a longer time (e.g., 40 ms or 60 ms). However, in this case, the terminal device wakes up in advance for a long time, which shortens the sleep time of the terminal device and causes waste of power consumption.

[0138] To solve the problem of wasted power consumption caused by SSB design in an NR communication system, a network device may transmit some reference signals (the reference signals may also be called assistance reference signals (RSs)) to terminal devices based on system information. If the location of the reference signals is close enough to the PO, the problem of wasted power consumption caused by SSB design can be solved. Note that the reference signals are mainly configured for terminal devices in a non-connected state, and the type of the reference signal may be a tracking reference signal (TRS).

[0139] A network device may include reference signal configuration information in a system information block (SIB). Specifically, a network device may configure multiple reference signal resource sets, each of which may include multiple resources. An SSB associated with each reference signal resource set may be configured with respect to the reference signal resource set to determine reception parameters of the reference signal (e.g., the delay spread of the reference signal, the Doppler frequency shift of the reference signal, the filter parameters used when the reference signal is transmitted, and the transmission direction of the reference signal). device If the network device is deployed in frequency range 2 (FR2), i.e., 24.25 GHz to 52.6 GHz, the network device may transmit up to 64 SSBs (in other words, the SSB index may range from 0 to 63) in one period (i.e., one SSB burst set). The transmission directions of the SSBs may be the same or different. If a reference signal is expected to correspond to each SSB direction, 64 reference signal resource sets may need to be configured. Depending on the structure of the TRS, each reference signal resource set may include two or four resources.

[0140] However, to avoid increasing the burden on network devices, it is not guaranteed that reference signals can always be transmitted. For example, after a network device broadcasts configuration information for several reference signals, the reference signals corresponding to the configuration information may be transmitted occasionally or may change frequently. However, in general, system information transmitted by a network device does not change very frequently. If a terminal device is notified of whether a reference signal is transmitted by changing the system information (e.g., a specific reference signal in the system information indicates that the reference signal is no longer transmitted), the terminal device may not be notified in time. Dynamic signaling may indicate whether a reference signal is transmitted, so that the terminal device can be dynamically notified of whether a reference signal is transmitted.

[0141] Informing a terminal device whether a reference signal is transmitted may alternatively be described as informing a terminal device of the availability of a reference signal. If a reference signal is transmitted, the reference signal is available. If a reference signal is not transmitted, the reference signal is unavailable. Alternatively, informing a terminal device whether a reference signal is transmitted may also be described as informing a terminal device whether a reference signal is present. If a reference signal is transmitted, the reference signal is present. If a reference signal is not transmitted, the reference signal is absent.

[0142] For example, the dynamic signaling may be signaling such as paging downlink control information (Paging DCI) or paging early indication (PEI).

[0143] A paging DCI is a DCI used to schedule a paging message. The paging message may be included in a paging physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH). In this case, the paging DCI schedules the paging PDSCH. Specifically, the paging message may include an identifier (UE ID) of the paged terminal device. In a 5G NR system, the UE ID may be 5G-S-TMSI. Each terminal device may support a "receive paging" function. Therefore, a network device may use the paging DCI to indicate to the terminal device whether a reference signal is to be transmitted.

[0144] The PEI is indication information transmitted before a PO, and the indication information may indicate whether a paging message will be transmitted in the corresponding PO. Optionally, the PEI may also be referred to as an early paging indication (EPI), an early indication of paging, an advanced paging indication, or another name, as is not limited herein. The PEI may alternatively be a DCI. A network device may use the PEI to indicate to a terminal device whether a reference signal will be transmitted, and a terminal device that supports the PEI may determine whether a reference signal will be transmitted after receiving the PEI.

[0145] For example, as shown in FIG. 2, the position of the paging DCI and the paging message is called a PO. When the paging DCI indicates whether a reference signal is transmitted, the availability of a reference signal before the PO of the next paging cycle is generally indicated, as shown in FIG. 2(a). When the PEI indicates whether a reference signal is transmitted, the PEI may indicate the availability of a reference signal before the PO of the current paging cycle (i.e., the PO corresponding to the PEI), or may indicate the availability of a supporting reference signal before the PO of the next paging cycle, as shown in FIG. 2(b). In addition, because both terminal devices that support the PEI and terminal devices that do not support the PEI may exist in a network, both the PEI and the paging DCI may be used in one cell to indicate whether a reference signal is transmitted, as shown in FIG. 2(b).

[0146] However, since the number of available bits in the paging DCI or PEI is limited, how to use the restricted bits to indicate multiple reference signal resource sets or how to use the restricted bits to indicate SSBs corresponding to multiple reference signals becomes an urgent technical problem to be solved.

[0147] To solve this problem, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication method. In this method, a terminal device may receive a first DCI from a network device, the first DCI including reference signal availability indication information, and determine whether a reference signal is to be transmitted based on the first DCI. The reference signal availability indication information includes one or more indication bits. Each indication bit is associated with one or more reference signal resource sets or one or more SSBs. The value of the indication bit is used to determine whether a reference signal corresponding to the associated reference signal resource set is to be transmitted, or the value of the indication bit is used to determine whether a reference signal corresponding to the associated SSB is to be transmitted. The reference signal corresponding to the SSB is determined based on quasi-co-located QCL configuration information included in the configuration information of the reference signal resource set, and the QCL configuration information is used to configure the SSB associated with the reference signal resource set.

[0148] In an embodiment of the present application, a network device may transmit a first DCI including reference signal availability indication information to a terminal device. Each indication bit in the reference signal availability indication information may be associated with one or more reference signal resource sets or one or more SSBs. Therefore, the terminal device may determine, based on the value of each indication bit, whether a reference signal corresponding to the reference signal resource set associated with each indication bit is transmitted or whether a reference signal corresponding to the SSB associated with each indication bit is transmitted. The mapping relationship between the indication bit and the reference signal resource set or SSB is clearly defined in the embodiment of the present application. This provides a feasible solution for the network device to use limited indication bits to indicate multiple reference signal resource sets or multiple SSBs to inform the terminal device whether a corresponding reference signal is transmitted.

[0149] Hereinafter, implementations of the present application will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings of this specification.

[0150] The communication method provided in the embodiments of the present application may be applied to any communication system. The communication system may be a third generation partnership project (3GPP®) communication system, such as an LTE communication system, a fifth generation (5G) mobile communication system, an NR communication system, or a new wireless vehicle-to-everything (NR V2X) system. The communication method may also be applied to an LTE and 5G hybrid networking system, a device-to-device (D2D) communication system, a machine-to-machine (M2M) communication system, an Internet of Things (IoT) communication system, or another next-generation communication system, or may be a non-3GPP communication system. This is not limited thereto.

[0151] The communication method provided in the embodiments of the present application may be applied to various communication scenarios, for example, the communication method may be applied to one or more of the following communication scenarios: enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB), ultra reliable low latency communication (URLLC), machine type communication (MTC), massive machine type communications (mMTC), D2D, V2X, and IoT.

[0152] In the following, FIG. 3 is used as an example to describe the communication system provided in one embodiment of the present application.

[0153] 3 is a schematic diagram of a communication system according to an embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG. 3, the communication system may include a network device and a terminal device.

[0154] The terminal device in FIG. 3 may be located within the beam / cell coverage of the network device. The terminal device may perform air interface communication with the network device using an uplink (UL) or a downlink (DL). For example, the terminal device may receive information such as system information, paging DCI, PEI, and reference signals transmitted by the network device. In another example, the terminal device may transmit uplink data to the network device in the UL direction using a physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH), and the network device may transmit downlink data to the terminal device in the DL direction using a physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH).

[0155] The terminal device in FIG. 3 may be a terminal device that supports a new air interface, may access a communication system via the air interface, and may initiate services such as calls or Internet access. The terminal device may also be referred to as user equipment (UE), a mobile station (MS), a mobile terminal (MT), or the like. Specifically, the terminal device in FIG. 3 may be a mobile phone, a tablet computer, or a computer with wireless transceiver functionality. Alternatively, the terminal device may be a virtual reality (VR) terminal, an augmented reality (AR) terminal, a wireless terminal in industrial control, a wireless terminal in autonomous driving, a wireless terminal in telemedicine, a wireless terminal in a smart grid, a wireless terminal in a smart city, a wireless terminal in a smart home, an in-vehicle terminal, a vehicle with vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communication capability, an intelligent connected vehicle, an unmanned aerial vehicle with unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV-to-UAV, U2U) communication capability, or the like. This is not limited thereto.

[0156] 3 may be any device having a radio transceiver function, and is primarily configured to implement functions such as radio physical control functions, resource scheduling and radio resource management, radio access control and mobility management functions, and to provide reliable radio transmission protocols, data encryption protocols, etc. For example, the network device may transmit information such as system information, paging DCI, PEI, and reference signals to the terminal device.

[0157] The network device in Figure 3 may be a device supporting wired access or a device supporting wireless access. For example, the network device may be an access network (AN) / radio access network (RAN) device, and the AN / RAN device includes multiple 5G-AN / 5G-RAN nodes. The 5G-AN / 5G-RAN node may be an access point (AP), a node B (NB), an enhanced node B (eNB), a next-generation node B (NR node B (gNB), a transmission reception point (TRP), a transmission point (TP), another access node, etc.

[0158] In a specific implementation, as shown in Fig. 3, for example, each terminal device or each network device may use the configuration structure shown in Fig. 4 or may include the components shown in Fig. 4. Fig. 4 is a schematic configuration diagram of a communication device 400 according to an embodiment of the present application. The communication device 400 may be a terminal device, a chip or system-on-chip in a terminal device, a network device, or a chip or system-on-chip in a network device. As shown in Fig. 4, the communication device 400 includes a processor 401, a transceiver 402, and a communication line 403.

[0159] Additionally, the communications device 400 may include a memory 404. The processor 401, the memory 404, and the transceiver 402 may be connected through a communications line 403.

[0160] The processor 401 may be a central processing unit (CPU), a general-purpose processor, a network processor (NP), a digital signal processor (DSP), a microprocessor, a microcontroller, a programmable logic device (PLD), or any combination thereof. Alternatively, the processor 401 may be another device having processing capabilities, such as a circuit, a component, or a software module, without limitation.

[0161] The transceiver 402 is configured to communicate with another device or another communication network. The other communication network may be an Ethernet, a radio access network (RAN), or a wireless local area network (WLAN), etc. The transceiver 402 may be a module, a circuit, a transceiver, or any device capable of implementing communications.

[0162] The communication line 403 is configured to transmit information between components included in the communication device 400 .

[0163] The memory 404 is configured to store instructions, which may be a computer program.

[0164] Memory 404 may be, without limitation, read-only memory (ROM) or another type of static storage device capable of storing static information and / or instructions, random access memory (RAM) or another type of dynamic storage device capable of storing information and / or instructions, electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM) or other compact disc storage, optical disc storage (including compressed optical discs, laser discs, optical discs, digital universal optical discs, Blu-ray discs, etc.), magnetic disc storage media or another magnetic storage device, etc.

[0165] It should be noted that the memory 404 may be separate from the processor 401 or may be integrated into the processor 401. The memory 404 may be configured to store instructions, program codes, some data, etc. The memory 404 may be located inside the communication device 400 or outside the communication device 400. This is not limited thereto. The processor 401 is configured to execute instructions stored in the memory 404 to implement the communication methods provided in the following embodiments of the present application.

[0166] In one example, processor 401 may include one or more CPUs, for example, CPU0 and CPU1 of FIG.

[0167] In one optional implementation, the communication device 400 includes multiple processors. For example, the communication device 400 may further include a processor 407 in addition to the processor 401 of FIG.

[0168] In one optional implementation, the communication apparatus 400 further includes an output device 405 and an input device 406. For example, the input device 406 is a keyboard, a mouse, a microphone, a joystick, or another device, and the output device 405 is a display, a speaker, or another device.

[0169] It should be noted that the communications device 400 may be a desktop computer, a portable computer, a network server, a mobile phone, a tablet computer, a wireless terminal, an embedded device, a chip system, or a device having a structure similar to that of Figure 4. Additionally, the configuration structure shown in Figure 4 does not constitute a limitation on the communications device. In addition to the components shown in Figure 4, the communications device may include more or fewer components than those shown in the figure, or some components may be combined, or a different component arrangement may be used.

[0170] In embodiments of the present application, a chip system may include a chip, or may include a chip and other discrete components.

[0171] In addition, operations, terms, etc. in the embodiments of the present application may be cross-referenced. This is not limiting. In the embodiments of the present application, names of messages exchanged between devices, names of parameters in messages, etc. are merely examples. Other names may be used instead in specific implementations. This is not limiting.

[0172] With reference to the communication system shown in FIG. 3 , a communication method provided in one embodiment of the present application will be described below with reference to FIG. 5 . The terminal device may be any terminal device in the communication system shown in FIG. 3 , and the network device may be any network device in the communication system shown in FIG. 3 . The terminal device and network device described in the following embodiments may have the components shown in FIG. 4 . The processing performed by a single executing entity (terminal device or network device) shown in the embodiments of the present application may also be divided into processing performed by multiple executing entities, and these executing entities may be logically and / or physically separated. For example, the processing performed by the network device may be divided into processing performed by at least one of a central unit (CU), a distributed unit (DU), and a radio unit (RU). This is not limited thereto.

[0173] 5 is a flowchart of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG. 5, the method may include the following steps:

[0174] Step 501: A network device sends a first DCI to a terminal device.

[0175] Step 502: The terminal device determines, based on the first DCI, whether a reference signal is transmitted.

[0176] The first DCI may include reference signal availability indication information, and the reference signal availability indication information may include one or more indication bits. Each indication bit may be associated with one or more reference signal resource sets, or each indication bit may be associated with one or more SSBs. The value of the indication bit may be used to determine whether a reference signal corresponding to the associated reference signal resource set is transmitted, or the value of the indication bit may be used to determine whether a reference signal corresponding to the associated SSB is transmitted. The reference signal corresponding to the SSB may be determined based on quasi co-location (QCL) configuration information included in configuration information of the reference signal resource set, and the QCL configuration information may be used to configure the SSB associated with the reference signal resource set.

[0177] The first DCI may be a paging DCI or a PEI.

[0178] A network device may transmit system information to a terminal device. The system information may be divided into a master information block (MIB) and multiple SIBs. The network device may configure configuration information of a reference signal resource set set in the SIB (which may also be referred to as SIB-X).

[0179] For example, as shown in FIG. 6, SIB-X may include configuration information of M reference signal resource sets, where M is a positive integer, i.e., configuration information of reference signal resource set 0, configuration information of reference signal resource set 1, ..., and configuration information of reference signal resource set M-1. The configuration information of each reference signal resource set may include K parameters of the reference signal resource set, where K is a positive integer. Specifically, the configuration information of each reference signal resource set may include reference signal resource set parameter 0, reference signal resource set parameter 1, ..., and reference signal resource set parameter K-1. The configuration information of each reference signal resource set may alternatively include configuration information of L reference signal resources. Specifically, the configuration information of each reference signal resource set may alternatively include configuration information of reference signal resource 0, configuration information of reference signal resource 1, ..., and configuration information of reference signal resource L-1. The configuration information of each reference signal resource may further include one or more parameters of the reference signal resources. The value of L may be two or four, in other words, each reference signal resource set may include two or four reference signal resources.

[0180] For example, the parameters of the reference signal resource set are an SSB index associated with a reference signal resource set, which may also be described as QCL configuration information; a first OFDM symbol in the time domain (firstOFDM-SymbolInTimeDomain) used to determine one or more symbols occupied by a reference signal in the slot; a frequency domain allocation (FDA) used to determine one or more resource elements (REs) occupied by each of the RBs occupied by the reference signal; a starting resource block (RB) and the number of occupied RBs (startingRB and nrofRB) used to determine the RB or RBs occupied by the reference signal; A power control offset SS (powerControlOffsetSS) used to determine the transmit power of the reference signal; and The periodicity and offset (periodicityAndOffset) used to determine the slot or slots occupied by the reference signal may include one or more of:

[0181] For example, the parameters of the reference signal resource may include a scrambling ID that is used to determine the sequence generation parameters of the reference signal.

[0182] In a first possible design, the system information transmitted by the network device to the terminal device includes first configuration information. The first configuration information may be used to configure a position of an indicator bit in a first DCI associated with an SSB. The terminal device determines the position of the indicator bit in the first DCI associated with the SSB based on the first configuration information, and determines whether to transmit a reference signal corresponding to the SSB based on the value of the indicator bit associated with the SSB. The reference signal corresponding to the SSB is specifically a reference signal corresponding to a reference signal resource set corresponding to the SSB.

[0183] For example, as shown in FIG. 7, the system information may be SIB-X, which may include one or more first configuration information. Each of the first configuration information may be used to configure the position of the indicator bit in the first DCI associated with one SSB. For example, the number of SSBs associated with the first DCI is M. SIB-X may include first configuration information 0, first configuration information 1, ..., and first configuration information M-1. The first configuration information 0 may be used to configure the position of the indicator bit in the first DCI associated with the first SSB, the first configuration information 1 may be used to configure the position of the indicator bit in the first DCI associated with the second SSB, ..., the first configuration information M-1 may be used to configure the position of the indicator bit in the first DCI associated with the (M-1)th SSB.

[0184] One or more pieces of first configuration information may be present in the SIB-X in the form of a list. Specifically, a first configuration information list (which may be, for example, associatedIndicationBitForSSB-List) may be configured in the SIB-X, and the first configuration information list may include M pieces of first configuration information, each indicating the position of an indication bit in the first DCI, associated with the M SSBs. Each piece of first configuration information may be named associatedIndicationBitForSSB, and the value range of the first configuration information may be {firstBit, secondBit, ...}. For example, when there are a maximum of six indication bits, the value range of the first configuration information may be {firstBit, secondBit, thirdBit, fourthBit, fifthBit, sixthBit}, or in other words, the first configuration information may be one of firstBit, secondBit, thirdBit, fourthBit, fifthBit, or sixthBit.

[0185] It should be noted that when the first configuration information is firstBit, it indicates that the indicator bit corresponding to the first configuration information is the first indicator bit in the first DCI, when the first configuration information is secondBit, it indicates that the indicator bit corresponding to the first configuration information is the second indicator bit in the first DCI; ...; when the first configuration information is sixthBit, it indicates that the indicator bit corresponding to the first configuration information is the sixth indicator bit in the first DCI.

[0186] The number M of SSBs associated with the first DCI may be a predefined number of SSBs, which may be determined based on the frequency band in which the SSBs are located and the subcarrier spacing. The frequency band in which the SSBs are located may alternatively be understood as the frequency band in which the carrier is located.

[0187] For example, if the subcarrier spacing is 15 kHz and the carrier frequency is 3 GHz or less, the maximum number of predefined SSBs may be 4. If the subcarrier spacing is 15 kHz and the carrier frequency is greater than 3 GHz, the maximum number of predefined SSBs may be 8. If the subcarrier spacing is 30 kHz and the carrier frequency is 3 GHz or less, the maximum number of predefined SSBs may be 4. If the subcarrier spacing is 30 kHz and the carrier frequency is greater than 3 GHz, the maximum number of predefined SSBs may be 8. If the subcarrier spacing is 120 kHz and the carrier frequency is within FR2, the maximum number of predefined SSBs may be 64. If the subcarrier spacing is 240 kHz and the carrier frequency is within FR2, the maximum number of predefined SSBs may be 64.

[0188] Alternatively, the number M of SSBs associated with the first DCI may be equal to the number of SSBs actually transmitted by the network device, which may be determined based on ssb-PositionsInBurst included in SIB1 transmitted by the network device, which is used to configure the positions of the SSBs actually transmitted in a predefined SSB transmission pattern determined based on the frequency band in which the carrier is located and the subcarrier spacing.

[0189] Alternatively, the number M of SSBs associated with the first DCI may be equal to the number of SSBs configured in the system information and associated with the reference signal, and the number of SSBs configured in the system information and associated with the reference signal may be determined based on QCL configuration information included in the configuration information of each reference signal resource set. For example, all reference signal resource sets included in the system information (e.g., SIB-X) may be traversed, the number of SSBs associated with each reference signal resource set may be determined based on the QCL configuration information, and the SSBs associated with each reference signal resource set are recorded. Finally, the number of recorded SSBs counted is the value of M.

[0190] In a first possible design, the number of bits included in the reference signal availability indication may be F, and F may be determined based on first configuration information corresponding to an SSB associated with the first DCI. The first configuration information being used to configure the position of the indication bit in the first DCI associated with the SSB may alternatively be described as follows: The first configuration information is used to configure which of all indication bits of the reference signal availability indication is the indication bit associated with the SSB.

[0191] The number of bits F included in the reference signal availability indication information may be determined based on the total number of information bits corresponding to each of the first configuration information.

[0192] For example, SIB-X includes M pieces of first configuration information. It is assumed that the total number of information bits corresponding to the M pieces of first configuration information is 4, and the number of bits F included in the reference signal availability indicator is 4. The first configuration information can be used to configure which of the four indicator bits of the reference signal availability indicator is the indicator bit associated with the SSB.

[0193] Based on the value of the first configuration information, it may be determined which of the four indication bits of the reference signal availability indication information is the indication bit associated with the SSB.

[0194] For example, the number of bits F included in the reference signal availability indicator is 4. The first configuration information may be 2 bits. The value of the first configuration information may be set to 00 (or set to firstBit) to indicate that the first configuration information is used to configure the indicator bit associated with the SSB to be the first indicator bit of the four indicator bits of the reference signal availability indicator. The value of the first configuration information may be set to 01 (or set to secondBit) to indicate that the first configuration information is used to configure the indicator bit associated with the SSB to be the second indicator bit of the four indicator bits of the reference signal availability indicator. The value of the first configuration information may be set to 10 (or set to thirdBit) to indicate that the first configuration information is used to configure the indicator bit associated with the SSB to be the third indicator bit of the four indicator bits of the reference signal availability indicator. The value of the first configuration information may be set to 11 (or set to fourthBit) to indicate that the first configuration information is used to configure the indicator bit associated with the SSB to be the fourth indicator bit of the four indicator bits of the reference signal availability indicator.

[0195] In another example, the upper limit of the number of bits F included in the reference signal availability indication is 6 (e.g., the value range of associatedIndicationBitForSSB is {firstBit, secondBit, thirdBit, fourthBit, fifthBit, sixthBit}). The first configuration information may be 3 bits. The value of the first configuration information may be set to 000 (or set to firstBit) to indicate that the first configuration information is used to configure the indication bit associated with the SSB to be the first indication bit of the six indication bits of the reference signal availability indication. The value of the first configuration information may be set to 001 (or set to secondBit) to indicate that the first configuration information is used to configure the indication bit associated with the SSB to be the second indication bit of the six indication bits of the reference signal availability indication. The value of the first configuration information may be set to 010 (or set to thirdBit) to indicate that the first configuration information is used to configure the indication bit associated with the SSB to be the third indication bit of the six indication bits of the reference signal availability indication. The value of the first configuration information is set to 011 (or set to fourthBit) to indicate that the first configuration information is used to configure that the indicator bit associated with the SSB is the fourth indicator bit of the six indicator bits of the reference signal availability indicator. When the M pieces of first configuration information included in the SIB-X are traversed, it is found that the value of any of the first configuration information is either {000, 001, 010, 011} (or {firstBit, secondBit, thirdBit, fourthBit}). The actual value of the number of bits F included in the reference signal availability indicator is 4.

[0196] In yet another example, the number of bits F included in the reference signal availability indicator is 6. The first configuration information may be 3 bits. The value of the first configuration information may be set to 000 (or set to firstBit) to indicate that the first configuration information is used to configure the indicator bit associated with the SSB to be the first indicator bit of the six indicator bits of the reference signal availability indicator. The value of the first configuration information may be set to 001 (or set to 002) to indicate that the first configuration information is used to configure the indicator bit associated with the SSB to be the second indicator bit of the six indicator bits of the reference signal availability indicator. secondBit The value of the first configuration information is set to 010 (or set to thirdBit) to indicate that the first configuration information is used to configure the indicator bit associated with the SSB to be the third indicator bit of the six indicator bits of the reference signal availability indicator information. The value of the first configuration information is set to 011 (or set to fourthBit) to indicate that the first configuration information is used to configure the indicator bit associated with the SSB to be the fourth indicator bit of the six indicator bits of the reference signal availability indicator information. The value of the first configuration information is set to 100 (or set to fifthBit) to indicate that the first configuration information is used to configure the indicator bit associated with the SSB to be the fifth indicator bit of the six indicator bits of the reference signal availability indicator information. The value of the first configuration information is set to 010 (or set to thirdBit) to indicate that the first configuration information is used to configure the indicator bit associated with the SSB to be the fifth indicator bit of the six indicator bits of the reference signal availability indicator information. 6 It is set to 101 (or set to sixthBit) to indicate that the first configuration information is used to configure the sixth of the six instruction bits.

[0197] The value of the indicator bit may be set to 0 to indicate that a reference signal corresponding to the SSB associated with the indicator bit is not transmitted, and the value of the indicator bit may be set to 1 to indicate that a reference signal corresponding to the SSB associated with the indicator bit is transmitted. Alternatively, the value of the indicator bit may be set to 1 to indicate that a reference signal corresponding to the SSB associated with the indicator bit is not transmitted, and the value of the indicator bit may be set to 0 to indicate that a reference signal corresponding to the SSB associated with the indicator bit is transmitted. This is not a limitation.

[0198] Based on the above-described first possible design, when an SSB has multiple reference signal resource sets, the configuration signaling overhead can be reduced by using the above-described first possible design. For example, 128 reference signal resource sets are configured, and each SSB corresponds to two reference signal resource sets. It is assumed that each piece of first configuration information includes three bits. 64 pieces of first configuration information require 3*64=192 bits. If the number of SSBs associated with the first DCI is determined based on the ssb-PositionsInBurst in SIB1 and is equal to the number of SSBs actually transmitted by the network device, or equal to the number of SSBs associated based on the TRS configuration, the total number of bits for each piece of first configuration information can be further reduced.

[0199] It should be noted that in the above description of the first configuration information, the first configuration information is understood to correspond to one SSB, in other words, each of the first configuration information is used to configure the position of the indicator bit in the first DCI associated with one SSB. Alternatively, the first configuration information may be understood to correspond to all SSBs, in other words, the first configuration information is associated with all SSBs and is used to configure the position of the indicator bit in the first DCI. It will be understood that one first configuration information corresponding to all SSBs is essentially equivalent to multiple first configuration information corresponding to one SSB.

[0200] In a second possible design, the system information transmitted by the network device to the terminal device includes second configuration information. The second configuration information is used to configure one or more reference signal resource sets (associated resource set indexes) associated with the indicator bits, or the second configuration information is used to configure one or more SSBs (associated SSB-indexes) associated with the indicator bits. The terminal device determines a reference signal resource set associated with each indicator bit based on the second configuration information, and determines whether a reference signal corresponding to the reference signal resource set associated with the indicator bit is to be transmitted based on the value of the indicator information. Alternatively, the terminal device determines an SSB associated with each indicator bit based on the second configuration information, and determines whether a reference signal corresponding to the SSB associated with the indicator bit is to be transmitted based on the value of the indicator information. The reference signal corresponding to the SSB is specifically a reference signal corresponding to the reference signal resource set corresponding to the SSB.

[0201] For example, as shown in FIG. 8, the system information may be SIB-X, and SIB-X may include one or more pieces of second configuration information. Each piece of second configuration information may be used to configure one or more reference signal resource sets associated with one indicator bit, or each piece of second configuration information may be used to configure one or more SSBs associated with one indicator bit. For example, the number of bits included in the reference signal availability indicator is G, where G is a positive integer. SIB-X may include second configuration information 0, second configuration information 1, ..., and second configuration information G-1. The second configuration information 0 may be used to configure one or more reference signal resource sets associated with the first indicator bit or one or more SSBs associated with the first indicator bit; the second configuration information 1 may be used to configure one or more reference signal resource sets associated with the second indicator bit or one or more SSBs associated with the second indicator bit; ...; the second configuration information G-1 may be used to configure one or more reference signal resource sets associated with the Gth indicator bit or one or more SSBs associated with the Gth indicator bit.

[0202] Each piece of second configuration information may be named associatedResourceSetForIndicationBit or associatedSSB-ForIndicationBit. For example, the second configuration information may be set in the form of a bitmap, i.e., each value of associatedResourceSetForIndicationBit or associatedSSB-ForIndicationBit is a bitmap. The length of the bitmap may be determined based on the number of reference signal resource sets associated with the first DCI or the number of SSBs associated with the first DCI.

[0203] Specifically, when the second configuration information is used to configure one or more reference signal resource sets associated with one indicator bit, the length of the bitmap may be determined based on the number of reference signal resource sets associated with the first DCI. When the second configuration information is used to configure one or more SSBs associated with one indicator bit, the length of the bitmap may be determined based on the number of SSBs associated with the first DCI.

[0204] The number of SSBs associated with the first DCI may be a predefined number of SSBs, which may be determined based on the frequency band in which the SSBs are located and the subcarrier spacing. The frequency band in which the SSBs are located may alternatively be understood as the frequency band in which the carrier is located.

[0205] For example, if the subcarrier spacing is 15 kHz and the carrier frequency is 3 GHz or less, the maximum number of predefined SSBs may be 4 to indicate four SSBs, and the bitmap for the second configuration information may be 4 bits. If the subcarrier spacing is 15 kHz and the carrier frequency is greater than 3 GHz, the maximum number of predefined SSBs may be 8 to indicate eight SSBs, and the bitmap for the second configuration information may be 8 bits. If the subcarrier spacing is 30 kHz and the carrier frequency is 3 GHz or less, the maximum number of predefined SSBs may be 4 to indicate four SSBs, and the bitmap for the second configuration information may be 4 bits. If the subcarrier spacing is 30 kHz and the carrier frequency is greater than 3 GHz, the maximum number of predefined SSBs may be 8 to indicate eight SSBs, and the bitmap for the second configuration information may be 8 bits. If the subcarrier spacing is 120 kHz and the carrier frequency is within FR2, the maximum number of predefined SSBs may be 64 to indicate 64 SSBs, and the bitmap for the second configuration information may be 64 bits. When the subcarrier spacing is 240 kHz and the carrier frequency is within FR2, the maximum number of predefined SSBs may be 64, and the bitmap of the second configuration information may be 64 bits to indicate 64 SSBs.

[0206] Alternatively, the number of SSBs associated with the first DCI may be equal to the number of SSBs actually transmitted by the network device, and the number of SSBs actually transmitted by the network device may be determined based on the ssb-PositionsInBurst included in the SIB1 transmitted by the network device. The ssb-PositionsInBurst is used to configure the positions of the SSBs actually transmitted in a predefined SSB transmission pattern determined based on the frequency band in which the carrier is located and the subcarrier spacing. For example, if the number of SSBs actually transmitted by the network device is determined to be 20 based on the ssb-PositionsInBurst, the bitmap of the second configuration information may be 20 bits to indicate 20 SSBs.

[0207] Alternatively, the number of SSBs associated with the first DCI may be equal to the number of SSBs configured in the system information and associated with the reference signal, and the number of SSBs configured in the system information and associated with the reference signal may be determined based on the QCL configuration information included in the configuration information of each reference signal resource set. For example, all reference signal resource sets included in the system information (e.g., SIB-X) may be traversed, the number of SSBs associated with each reference signal resource set may be determined based on the QCL configuration information, and the SSBs associated with each reference signal resource set are recorded. Finally, the number of recorded SSBs is counted. In this case, for example, if the number of associated SSBs is determined to be 4 based on the configuration information of each reference signal resource set, the bitmap of the second configuration information may be 4 bits.

[0208] The number of reference signal resource sets associated with the first DCI may be equal to the number of reference signal resource sets configured in the system information.

[0209] For example, if the number of reference signal resource sets configured in the system information is 64, the bitmap of the second configuration information may be 64 bits to indicate the 64 reference signal resource sets. Alternatively, an upper limit on the number of reference signal resource sets configured in the system information may be predefined. Based on the upper limit, the length of the bitmap of the second configuration information, for example, the upper limit is 128, and the bitmap of the second configuration information may be 128 bits to indicate the 128 reference signal resource sets.

[0210] It should be noted that a bit in the bitmap of the second configuration information may be set to 0 to indicate that the reference signal resource set corresponding to the bit is associated with the instruction bit corresponding to the second configuration information, and a bit in the bitmap of the second configuration information may be set to 1 to indicate that the reference signal resource set corresponding to the bit is not associated with the instruction bit corresponding to the second configuration information. Alternatively, a bit in the bitmap of the second configuration information may be set to 1 to indicate that the reference signal resource set corresponding to the bit is associated with the instruction bit corresponding to the second configuration information, and a bit in the bitmap of the second configuration information may be set to 0 to indicate that the reference signal resource set corresponding to the bit is not associated with the instruction bit corresponding to the second configuration information. This is not limited thereto.

[0211] Alternatively, a bit in the bitmap of the second configuration information may be set to 0 to indicate that the corresponding SSB is associated with the indicator bit corresponding to the second configuration information, and a bit in the bitmap of the second configuration information may be set to 1 to indicate that the corresponding SSB is not associated with the indicator bit corresponding to the second configuration information. Alternatively, a bit in the bitmap of the second configuration information may be set to 1 to indicate that the corresponding SSB is associated with the indicator bit corresponding to the second configuration information, and a bit in the bitmap of the second configuration information may be set to 0 to indicate that the corresponding SSB is not associated with the indicator bit corresponding to the second configuration information. This is not limited to this.

[0212] In another example, the second configuration information may be configured in the form of a starting and length indicator value (SLIV), in other words, the value of each of associatedResourceSetForIndicationBit or associatedSSB-ForIndicationBit is an SLIV. In this case, each indication bit is associated with one or more consecutive reference signal resource sets or one or more consecutive SSBs. For example, in the case of an indication bit, the starting index value of the reference signal resource set associated with the indication bit may be configured to be 5 using the SLIV, and the index value length is 10. In this case, the indication bit is associated with reference signal resource set 5 to reference signal resource set 14. In another example, in the case of an indication bit, the starting index value of the SSB associated with the indication bit may be configured to be 16 using the SLIV, and the index value length is 8. In this case, the indication bit is SSB16 to SSB23 is associated with.

[0213] In a second possible design, the number of bits included in the reference signal availability indication information may be G, and G may be determined based on the number of pieces of second configuration information included in the system information.

[0214] For example, the number of second configuration information included in the system information configured by the network device for the terminal device may be 4, and the number of bits included in the reference signal availability indication information may be 4. For example, the number of second configuration information included in the system information configured by the network device for the terminal device may be 6, and the number of bits included in the reference signal availability indication information may be 6.

[0215] The value of the indicator bit may be set to 0 to indicate that a reference signal corresponding to the reference signal resource set associated with the indicator bit is not transmitted, and the value of the indicator bit may be set to 1 to indicate that a reference signal corresponding to the reference signal resource set associated with the indicator bit is transmitted. Alternatively, the value of the indicator bit may be set to 1 to indicate that a reference signal corresponding to the reference signal resource set associated with the indicator bit is not transmitted, and the value of the indicator bit may be set to 0 to indicate that a reference signal corresponding to the reference signal resource set associated with the indicator bit is transmitted. This is not a limitation.

[0216] Alternatively, the value of the indicator bit may be set to 0 to indicate that a reference signal corresponding to the SSB associated with the indicator bit is not transmitted, and the value of the indicator bit may be set to 1 to indicate that a reference signal corresponding to the SSB associated with the indicator bit is transmitted. Alternatively, the value of the indicator bit may be set to 1 to indicate that a reference signal corresponding to the SSB associated with the indicator bit is not transmitted, and the value of the indicator bit may be set to 0 to indicate that a reference signal corresponding to the SSB associated with the indicator bit is transmitted. This is not a limitation.

[0217] It should be noted that in the above description of the second configuration information, the second configuration information is understood to correspond to one instruction bit, in other words, each of the second configuration information is used to configure one or more reference signal resource sets associated with one instruction bit, or to configure one or more SSBs associated with one instruction bit. Alternatively, the second configuration information may be understood to correspond to all instruction bits, in other words, the second configuration information is used to configure one or more reference signal resource sets associated with all instruction bits, or to configure one or more SSBs associated with all instruction bits. It will be understood that one piece of second configuration information corresponding to all instruction bits is essentially equivalent to multiple pieces of second configuration information corresponding to one instruction bit.

[0218] In a third possible design, the configuration information of the reference signal resource set in the system information transmitted by the network device to the terminal device may include fourth configuration information. The fourth configuration information may be used to configure the position of an indicator bit in the first DCI associated with the reference signal resource set. The terminal device determines the position of the indicator bit in the first DCI associated with the reference signal resource set based on the fourth configuration information, and determines whether to transmit a reference signal corresponding to the reference signal resource set based on the value of the indicator bit associated with the reference signal resource set. Each piece of the fourth configuration information may be named associatedIndicationBit, and the value range of the fourth configuration information may be {firstBit, secondBit, ...}. For example, when there are a maximum of six indicator bits, the value range may be {firstBit, secondBit, thirdBit, fourthBit, fifthBit, sixthBit}. In other words, the fourth configuration information may be one of firstBit, secondBit, thirdBit, fourthBit, fifthBit, or sixthBit.

[0219] It should be noted that when the fourth configuration information is firstBit, it indicates that the indicator bit corresponding to the fourth configuration information is the first indicator bit in the first DCI, when the fourth configuration information is secondBit, it indicates that the indicator bit corresponding to the fourth configuration information is the second indicator bit in the first DCI;...; when the fourth configuration information is sixthBit, it indicates that the indicator bit corresponding to the fourth configuration information is the sixth indicator bit in the first DCI.

[0220] For example, as shown in FIG. 9 , the system information may be SIB-X, which may include configuration information of one or more reference signal resource sets. The configuration information of each reference signal resource set may include one fourth configuration information, which may be used to configure the position of the indicator bit in a first DCI associated with the reference signal resource set. For example, the number of reference signal resource sets associated with the first DCI is M. The configuration information of the M reference signal resource sets in SIB-X may include fourth configuration information 0, fourth configuration information 1, ..., and fourth configuration information M-1. The fourth configuration information 0 may be used to configure the position of the indicator bit in the first DCI associated with reference signal resource set 0, the fourth configuration information 1 may be used to configure the position of the indicator bit in the first DCI associated with reference signal resource set 1, ..., the fourth configuration information M-1 may be used to configure the position of the indicator bit in the first DCI associated with reference signal resource set M-1.

[0221] The number of reference signal resource sets associated with the first DCI may be equal to the number of reference signal resource sets configured in the system information.

[0222] In a third possible design, the number of bits included in the reference signal availability indication information may be E, and E may be determined based on fourth configuration information corresponding to the reference signal resource set associated with the first DCI. The fourth configuration information being used to configure the position of the indication bit in the first DCI associated with the reference signal resource set may alternatively be described as follows: The fourth configuration information is used to configure which of all indication bits of the reference signal availability indication information is the indication bit associated with the reference signal resource set.

[0223] The number of bits E included in the reference signal availability indication information may be determined based on the total number of information bits corresponding to each of the fourth configuration information.

[0224] For example, the SIB-X includes M pieces of fourth configuration information, and the total number of information bits corresponding to the M pieces of fourth configuration information is 4, and the number of bits included in the reference signal availability indicator is 1. E is assumed to be 4. The fourth configuration information may be used to configure which of the four indication bits of the reference signal availability indication information is the indication bit associated with the reference signal resource set.

[0225] Based on the value of the fourth configuration information, it may be determined which of the four indication bits of the reference signal availability indication information is an indication bit associated with a reference signal resource set.

[0226] For example, the number of bits E included in the reference signal availability indication information is 4. The fourth configuration information may be 2 bits. The value of the fourth configuration information may be set to 00 (or set to firstBit) to indicate that the fourth configuration information is used to configure that the indication bit associated with the reference signal resource set is the first indication bit of the four indication bits of the reference signal availability indication information. The value of the fourth configuration information may be set to 01 (or set to secondBit) to indicate that the fourth configuration information is used to configure that the indication bit associated with the reference signal resource set is the second indication bit of the four indication bits of the reference signal availability indication information. The value of the fourth configuration information may be set to 10 (or set to thirdBit) to indicate that the fourth configuration information is used to configure that the indication bit associated with the reference signal resource set is the third indication bit of the four indication bits of the reference signal availability indication information. The value of the fourth configuration information may be set to 11 (or set to fourthBit) to indicate that the fourth configuration information is used to configure that the indication bit associated with the reference signal resource set is the fourth indication bit of the four indication bits of the reference signal availability indication information.

[0227] In another example, the upper limit of the number of bits E included in the reference signal availability indication information is 6 (e.g., the value range of associatedIndicationBit is {firstBit, secondBit, thirdBit, fourthBit, fifthBit, sixthBit}). The fourth configuration information may be 3 bits. The value of the fourth configuration information is Reference Signal Resource Set The value of the fourth configuration information may be set to 000 (or may be set to firstBit) to indicate that the fourth configuration information is used to configure the indicator bit associated with is the first indicator bit of the six indicator bits of the reference signal availability indicator information. Reference Signal Resource Setis set to 001 (or set to secondBit) to indicate that the fourth configuration information is used to configure that the indicator bit associated with is the second indicator bit of the six indicator bits of the reference signal availability indicator information. Reference Signal Resource Set is set to 010 (or set to thirdBit) to indicate that the fourth configuration information is used to configure that the indicator bit associated with is the third indicator bit of the six indicator bits of the reference signal availability indicator information. Reference Signal Resource Set is set to 011 (or set to fourthBit) to indicate that the fourth configuration information is used to configure that the indicator bit associated with is the fourth indicator bit of the six indicator bits of the reference signal availability indicator. When the M pieces of fourth configuration information included in SIB-X are traversed, it is found that the value of any of the fourth configuration information is either {000, 001, 010, 011} (or {firstBit, secondBit, thirdBit, fourthBit}). The actual value of the number of bits E included in the reference signal availability indicator is 4.

[0228] In yet another example, the number of bits E included in the reference signal availability indication information is 6. The fourth configuration information may be 3 bits. The value of the fourth configuration information may be set to 000 (or set to firstBit) to indicate that the fourth configuration information is used to configure that the indication bit associated with the reference signal resource set is the first indication bit of the six indication bits of the reference signal availability indication information. The value of the fourth configuration information may be set to 001 (or set to secondBit) to indicate that the fourth configuration information is used to configure that the indication bit associated with the reference signal resource set is the second indication bit of the six indication bits of the reference signal availability indication information. The value of the fourth configuration information may be set to 010 (or set to thirdBit) to indicate that the fourth configuration information is used to configure that the indication bit associated with the reference signal resource set is the third indication bit of the six indication bits of the reference signal availability indication information. The value of the fourth configuration information may be set to 011 (or set to fourthBit) to indicate that the fourth configuration information is used to configure that the indication bit associated with the reference signal resource set is the fourth indication bit of the six indication bits of the reference signal availability indication information. The value of the fourth configuration information is set to 100 (or set to fifthBit) to indicate that the fourth configuration information is used to configure that the indication bit associated with the reference signal resource set is the fifth indication bit of six indication bits of the reference signal availability indication information. The value of the fourth configuration information is set to 101 (or set to sixthBit) to indicate that the fourth configuration information is used to configure that the indication bit associated with the reference signal resource set is the sixth indication bit of four indication bits of the reference signal availability indication information.

[0229] The value of the indicator bit may be set to 0 to indicate that a reference signal corresponding to the reference signal resource set associated with the indicator bit is not transmitted, and the value of the indicator bit may be set to 1 to indicate that a reference signal corresponding to the reference signal resource set associated with the indicator bit is transmitted. Alternatively, the value of the indicator bit may be set to 1 to indicate that a reference signal corresponding to the reference signal resource set associated with the indicator bit is not transmitted, and the value of the indicator bit may be set to 0 to indicate that a reference signal corresponding to the reference signal resource set associated with the indicator bit is transmitted. This is not a limitation.

[0230] For example, 128 reference signal resource sets are configured based on the third possible design described above. Each of the fourth configuration information is assumed to include 3 bits. The 128 fourth configuration information requires 3*128=384 bits.

[0231] It should be noted that in the above description of the fourth configuration information, the fourth configuration information is understood to correspond to one reference signal resource set, in other words, each piece of fourth configuration information is used to configure the position of the indicator bit in the first DCI associated with one reference signal resource set. Alternatively, the fourth configuration information may be understood to correspond to all reference signal resource sets, in other words, the fourth configuration information is associated with all reference signal resource sets and is used to configure the position of the indicator bit in the first DCI. It will be understood that one piece of fourth configuration information corresponding to all reference signal resource sets is essentially equivalent to multiple pieces of fourth configuration information corresponding to one reference signal resource set.

[0232] In a fourth possible design, the system information transmitted by the network device to the terminal device may include third configuration information, which may be used to configure the number of reference signal resource sets associated with each instruction bit, or the third configuration information may be used to configure the number of SSBs associated with each instruction bit.

[0233] When the third configuration information is used to configure the number of reference signal resource sets associated with each indicator bit, the terminal device may determine the number of reference signal resource sets associated with each indicator bit based on the third configuration information, may determine the reference signal resource set associated with each indicator bit based on the number of reference signal resource sets associated with each indicator bit, and may determine whether a reference signal corresponding to the reference signal resource set associated with the indicator bit is to be transmitted based on the value of the indicator bit.

[0234] Alternatively, when the third configuration information is used to configure the number of SSBs associated with each indicator bit, the terminal device may determine the number of SSBs associated with each indicator bit based on the third configuration information, may determine the SSBs associated with each indicator bit based on the number of SSBs associated with each indicator bit, and may determine whether a reference signal corresponding to the SSB associated with the indicator bit is to be transmitted based on the value of the indicator bit.

[0235] For example, as shown in Figure 10, the system information may be SIB-X, and the SIB-X may include third configuration information, which may be used to configure the number of reference signal resource sets associated with each indicator bit, or the third configuration information may be used to configure the number of SSBs associated with each indicator bit.

[0236] In a fourth possible design, the reference signal availability indication may include up to N bits, where N is a positive integer, and the number of reference signal resource sets associated with the first DCI is M, or the number of SSBs associated with the first DCI is M, where M is a positive integer.

[0237] The number M of SSBs associated with the first DCI may be a predefined number of SSBs, which may be determined based on the frequency band in which the SSBs are located and the subcarrier spacing. The frequency band in which the SSBs are located may alternatively be understood as the frequency band in which the carrier is located.

[0238] For example, if the subcarrier spacing is 15 kHz and the carrier frequency is 3 GHz or less, the maximum number of predefined SSBs may be 4. If the subcarrier spacing is 15 kHz and the carrier frequency is greater than 3 GHz, the maximum number of predefined SSBs may be 8. If the subcarrier spacing is 30 kHz and the carrier frequency is 3 GHz or less, the maximum number of predefined SSBs may be 4. If the subcarrier spacing is 30 kHz and the carrier frequency is greater than 3 GHz, the maximum number of predefined SSBs may be 8. If the subcarrier spacing is 120 kHz and the carrier frequency is within FR2, the maximum number of predefined SSBs may be 64. If the subcarrier spacing is 240 kHz and the carrier frequency is within FR2, the maximum number of predefined SSBs may be 64.

[0239] Alternatively, the number M of SSBs associated with the first DCI may be equal to the number of SSBs actually transmitted by the network device, which may be determined based on ssb-PositionsInBurst included in SIB1 transmitted by the network device, which is used to configure the positions of the SSBs actually transmitted in a predefined SSB transmission pattern determined based on the frequency band in which the carrier is located and the subcarrier spacing.

[0240] Alternatively, the number M of SSBs associated with the first DCI may be equal to the number of SSBs configured in the system information and associated with the reference signal, and the number of SSBs configured in the system information and associated with the reference signal may be determined based on QCL configuration information included in the configuration information of each reference signal resource set. For example, all reference signal resource sets included in the system information (e.g., SIB-X) may be traversed, the number of SSBs associated with each reference signal resource set may be determined based on the QCL configuration information, and the SSBs associated with each reference signal resource set are recorded. Finally, the number of recorded SSBs counted is the value of M.

[0241] The number M of reference signal resource sets associated with the first DCI may be equal to the number of reference signal resource sets configured in the system information.

[0242] When the number of reference signal resource sets associated with each indicator bit or the number of SSBs associated with each indicator bit is configured as K in the third configuration information, the number of bits in the one or more indicator bits is

number

[0243] Case 1: When K is equal to 1, the number of bits in one or more indicator bits may be M, where M=N, and each indicator bit may correspond one-to-one to one reference signal resource set, or each indicator bit may correspond one-to-one to one SSB.

[0244] For example, the reference signal resource set index or SSB index associated with each indication bit in the first DCI may be in ascending or descending order.

[0245] For example, the number of reference signal resource sets associated with the first DCI is 6, and the number K of reference signal resource sets associated with each indicator bit is configured as 1 in the third configuration information. The number of indicator bits is 6. The reference signal resource set indices associated with the indicator bits in the first DCI are assumed to be in ascending order. The first indicator bit is associated with the reference signal resource set with the smallest index, the second indicator bit is associated with the reference signal resource set with the second smallest index, and the rest can be deduced by analogy. The sixth indicator bit is associated with the reference signal resource set with the largest index. The reference signal resource set indices associated with the indicator bits in the first DCI are assumed to be in descending order. The first indicator bit is associated with the reference signal resource set with the largest index, the second indicator bit is associated with the reference signal resource set with the second largest index, and the rest can be deduced by analogy. The sixth indicator bit is associated with the reference signal resource set with the smallest index.

[0246] In another example, the number of SSBs associated with the first DCI is 4, and the number of SSBs associated with each instruction bit is SSB The number K is configured as 1 in the third configuration information. The number of indicator bits is 4. The SSB indices associated with the indicator bits in the first DCI are assumed to be in ascending order. The first indicator bit is associated with the SSB with the smallest index, the second indicator bit is associated with the SSB with the second smallest index, and the rest can be deduced by analogy. The fourth indicator bit is associated with the SSB with the largest index. The SSB indices associated with the indicator bits in the first DCI are assumed to be in descending order. The first indicator bit is associated with the SSB with the largest index, the second indicator bit is associated with the SSB with the second largest index, and the rest can be deduced by analogy. The fourth indicator bit is associated with the SSB with the smallest index.

[0247] Case 2: If K is greater than 1, N is less than M, there are Q indicator bits among the N indicator bits, each of the Q indicator bits is associated with A reference signal resource sets or A SSBs, and each of the remaining (NQ) indicator bits among the N indicator bits is associated with B reference signal resource sets or B SSBs. Q is the remainder when M is divided by N, i.e., Q=M%N. A is the rounded up result of dividing M by N, i.e.,

number

number

[0248] For example, the number of reference signal resource sets or SSBs associated with the first DCI is 40, and the number K of reference signal resource sets associated with each indicator bit is configured as 7 in the third configuration information. The number of indicator bits is 6. Q=40%6=4,

number

number

[0249] It should be noted that the Q indicator bits may be the first Q indicator bits in the N indicator bits or the last Q indicator bits in the N indicator bits, but this is not limited thereto.

[0250] The reference signal resource set index or SSB index associated with each indication bit in the first DCI may be in ascending or descending order.

[0251] For example, the number of reference signal resource sets associated with the first DCI is 64, and the number K of reference signal resource sets associated with each indication bit is configured as 11 in the third configuration information. The reference signal availability indication information may include 6 bits, where 4 indication bits are associated with 11 reference signal resource sets or SSBs, and 2 indication bits are associated with 10 reference signal resource sets or SSBs.

[0252] If the reference signal resource set index or SSB index associated with each instruction bit in the first DCI is in ascending order, with earlier instruction bits associated with more reference signal resource sets or SSBs and later instruction bits associated with fewer reference signal resource sets or SSBs, then the reference signal resource set index or SSB index (resource set index / SSB index) associated with the firstBit is from 0 to 10, the reference signal resource set index or SSB index associated with the secondBit is from 11 to 21, the reference signal resource set index or SSB index associated with the thirdBit is from 22 to 32, the reference signal resource set index or SSB index associated with the fourthBit is from 33 to 43, the reference signal resource set index or SSB index associated with the fifthBit is from 44 to 53, and the reference signal resource set index or SSB index associated with the sixthBit is from 54 to 63.

[0253] Please note that the indicator bit corresponding to firstBit is the first indicator bit in the first DCI, the indicator bit corresponding to secondBit is the second indicator bit in the first DCI; ...; the indicator bit corresponding to sixthBit is the sixth indicator bit in the first DCI.

[0254] If the reference signal resource set index or SSB index associated with each instruction bit in the first DCI is in ascending order, with earlier instruction bits associated with fewer reference signal resource sets or SSBs and later instruction bits associated with more reference signal resource sets or SSBs, then the reference signal resource set index or SSB index associated with the firstBit is 0 to 9, the reference signal resource set index or SSB index associated with the secondBit is 10 to 19, the reference signal resource set index or SSB index associated with the thirdBit is 20 to 30, the reference signal resource set index or SSB index associated with the fourthBit is 31 to 41, the reference signal resource set index or SSB index associated with the fifthBit is 42 to 52, and the reference signal resource set index or SSB index associated with the sixthBit is 53 to 63.

[0255] If the reference signal resource set index or SSB index associated with each instruction bit in the first DCI is in descending order, with earlier instruction bits associated with more reference signal resource sets or SSBs and later instruction bits associated with fewer reference signal resource sets or SSBs, then the reference signal resource set index or SSB index associated with the firstBit is 53 to 63, the reference signal resource set index or SSB index associated with the secondBit is 42 to 52, the reference signal resource set index or SSB index associated with the thirdBit is 31 to 41, the reference signal resource set index or SSB index associated with the fourthBit is 20 to 30, the reference signal resource set index or SSB index associated with the fifthBit is 10 to 19, and the reference signal resource set index or SSB index associated with the sixthBit is 0 to 9.

[0256] If the reference signal resource set index or SSB index associated with each indicator bit in the first DCI is in descending order, with earlier indicator bits associated with fewer reference signal resource sets or SSBs and later indicator bits associated with more reference signal resource sets or SSBs, the reference signal resource set index or SSB index associated with the firstBit is 54 to 63, the reference signal resource set index or SSB index associated with the secondBit is 44 to 53, the reference signal resource set index or SSB index associated with the thirdBit is 33 to 43, the reference signal resource set index or SSB index associated with the fourthBit is 22 to 32, the reference signal resource set index or SSB index associated with the fifthBit is 11 to 21, and the reference signal resource set index or SSB index associated with the sixthBit is 0 to 10.

[0257] Note that in some cases, not all SSBs may be configured with associated reference signals. For example, the value of M may be determined based on the number of SSBs associated with all reference signals configured in SIB-X. For example, the network device may configure 32 reference signal resource sets, each associated with SSBs #0 to #15 and SSBs #48 to #63. Assume N=6. If ascending SSB indexes are used correspondingly, the forward indicator bits are associated with more SSBs and the backward indicator bits are associated with fewer SSBs, so that the SSB indexes associated with the first bit are 0 to 5, the SSB indexes associated with the second bit are 6 to 11, the SSB indexes associated with the third bit are 12 to 15 and 48, the SSB indexes associated with the fourth bit are 49 to 53, and the SSB indexes associated with the fifth bit are 54 to 58. sixthBit The associated SSB index is 59 to 63.

[0258] Alternatively, in the reference signal resource set index or SSB index associated with each indication bit in the first DCI, the index spacing between adjacent reference signal resource sets or adjacent SSBs is equal to the number of bits of the reference signal availability indication information.

[0259] For example, K is equal to 6 and M is equal to 36 (it is assumed that the reference signal resource set index or SSB index is from 0 to 35). N is equal to 6, in other words, there are 6 designation bits, and each designation bit can be associated with 6 reference signal resource sets or 6 SSBs. In this case, if the reference signal resource set indexes or SSB indices associated with each instruction bit in the first DCI are in ascending order, the reference signal resource set indexes or SSB indices associated with the firstBit are equal to {0, 6, 12, 18, 24, 30}, the reference signal resource set indexes or SSB indices associated with the secondBit are equal to {1, 7, 13, 19, 25, 31}, the reference signal resource set indexes or SSB indices associated with the thirdBit are equal to {2, 8, 14, 20, 26, 32}, the reference signal resource set indexes or SSB indices associated with the fourthBit are equal to {3, 9, 15, 21, 27, 33}, the reference signal resource set indexes or SSB indices associated with the fifthBit are equal to {4, 10, 16, 22, 28, 34}, and the reference signal resource set indexes or SSB indices associated with the sixthBit are equal to {5, 11, 17, 23, 29, 35}.

[0260] Case 3: If K is greater than 1, N is less than M, and the number of bits in one or more indicator bits is

number

number

[0261] For example, the number of reference signal resource sets or SSBs associated with the first DCI is 8, and the number K of reference signal resource sets associated with each indicator bit is configured as 2 in the third configuration information. The number of indicator bits is 4. Each indicator bit is associated with two reference signal resource sets or two SSBs.

[0262] In another example, the number of reference signal resource sets or SSBs associated with the first DCI is 10, and the number K of reference signal resource sets associated with each indicator bit is configured as 2 in the third configuration information. The number of indicator bits is 5. Each indicator bit is associated with two reference signal resource sets or two SSBs.

[0263] If (P*A) is less than M, the (P+1)th bit of the N instruction bits is associated with (MP*A) reference signal resource sets or (MP*A) SSBs.

[0264] For example, the number of reference signal resource sets or SSBs associated with the first DCI is 11, and the number K of reference signal resource sets associated with each indicator bit is configured as 2 in the third configuration information. The number of indicator bits is 6. P=5, MP*A=1. Specifically, each of the five indicator bits within the six bits is associated with two reference signal resource sets or two SSBs, and the remaining one bit is associated with one reference signal resource set or one SSB.

[0265] The reference signal resource set index or SSB index associated with each instruction bit in the first DCI may be in ascending or descending order. For details, please refer to the relevant description of Case 2 above. Details will not be described again.

[0266] Alternatively, in the reference signal resource set index or SSB index associated with each indication bit in the first DCI, the index interval between adjacent reference signal resource sets or adjacent SSBs is equal to the number of bits of the reference signal availability indication information. For an explanation, please refer to the relevant explanation of Case 2 above. The details will not be described again.

[0267] In a fourth possible design, the value of the indicator bit may be set to 0 to indicate that a reference signal corresponding to the reference signal resource set associated with the indicator bit is not transmitted, and the value of the indicator bit may be set to 1 to indicate that a reference signal corresponding to the reference signal resource set associated with the indicator bit is transmitted. Alternatively, the value of the indicator bit may be set to 1 to indicate that a reference signal corresponding to the reference signal resource set associated with the indicator bit is not transmitted, and the value of the indicator bit may be set to 0 to indicate that a reference signal corresponding to the reference signal resource set associated with the indicator bit is transmitted. This is not a limitation.

[0268] In a fifth possible design, an association relationship between the indicator bit in the first DCI and the reference signal resource set or SSB may be predefined. The terminal device may determine the association relationship between the indicator bit in the first DCI and the reference signal resource set or SSB based on a predefined rule, and may determine, based on the value of the indicator bit, whether a reference signal corresponding to the reference signal resource set is to be transmitted or an SSB associated with the indicator bit is to be transmitted.

[0269] The reference signal availability indication may include up to N bits, where N is a positive integer. The number of reference signal resource sets associated with the first DCI is M, or the number of SSBs associated with the first DCI is M, where M is a positive integer.

[0270] Maximum number of bits included in the reference signal availability indicator numberN may be predefined or may be configured by the network device, and is not limited thereto.

[0271] The number M of SSBs associated with the first DCI may be a predefined number of SSBs, which may be determined based on the frequency band in which the SSBs are located and the subcarrier spacing. The frequency band in which the SSBs are located may alternatively be understood as the frequency band in which the carrier is located.

[0272] For example, if the subcarrier spacing is 15 kHz and the carrier frequency is 3 GHz or less, the maximum number of predefined SSBs may be 4. If the subcarrier spacing is 15 kHz and the carrier frequency is greater than 3 GHz, the maximum number of predefined SSBs may be 8. If the subcarrier spacing is 30 kHz and the carrier frequency is 3 GHz or less, the maximum number of predefined SSBs may be 4. If the subcarrier spacing is 30 kHz and the carrier frequency is greater than 3 GHz, the maximum number of predefined SSBs may be 8. If the subcarrier spacing is 120 kHz and the carrier frequency is within FR2, the maximum number of predefined SSBs may be 64. If the subcarrier spacing is 240 kHz and the carrier frequency is within FR2, the maximum number of predefined SSBs may be 64.

[0273] Alternatively, the number M of SSBs associated with the first DCI may be equal to the number of SSBs actually transmitted by the network device, which may be determined based on ssb-PositionsInBurst included in SIB1 transmitted by the network device, which is used to configure the positions of the SSBs actually transmitted in a predefined SSB transmission pattern determined based on the frequency band in which the carrier is located and the subcarrier spacing.

[0274] Alternatively, the number M of SSBs associated with the first DCI may be equal to the number of SSBs configured in the system information and associated with the reference signal, and the number of SSBs configured in the system information and associated with the reference signal may be determined based on QCL configuration information included in the configuration information of each reference signal resource set. For example, all reference signal resource sets included in the system information (e.g., SIB-X) may be traversed, the number of SSBs associated with each reference signal resource set may be determined based on the QCL configuration information, and the SSBs associated with each reference signal resource set are recorded. Finally, the number of recorded SSBs counted is the value of M.

[0275] The number M of reference signal resource sets associated with the first DCI may be equal to the number of reference signal resource sets configured in the system information.

[0276] Case 1: When N is greater than or equal to M, the number of bits in the one or more indicator bits may be M, and each indicator bit may correspond one-to-one to one reference signal resource set, or each indicator bit may correspond one-to-one to one SSB.

[0277] For example, the reference signal resource set index or SSB index associated with each indication bit in the first DCI may be in ascending or descending order.

[0278] For example, the reference signal availability indicator may include up to 6 bits, and the number of reference signal resource sets associated with the first DCI is 6. The number of indicator bits is 6. The reference signal resource set indices associated with the indicator bits in the first DCI are assumed to be in ascending order. The first indicator bit is associated with the reference signal resource set with the smallest index, the second indicator bit is associated with the reference signal resource set with the second smallest index, and the rest can be deduced by analogy. The sixth indicator bit is associated with the reference signal resource set with the largest index. The reference signal resource set indices associated with the indicator bits in the first DCI are assumed to be in descending order. The first indicator bit is associated with the reference signal resource set with the largest index, the second indicator bit is associated with the reference signal resource set with the second largest index, and the rest can be deduced by analogy. The sixth indicator bit is associated with the reference signal resource set with the smallest index.

[0279] In another example, the reference signal availability indicator may include up to 6 bits, and the number of SSBs associated with the first DCI is 4. The number of indicator bits is 4. The SSB indexes associated with each indicator bit in the first DCI are assumed to be in ascending order. The first indicator bit is associated with the SSB with the smallest index, the second indicator bit is associated with the SSB with the second smallest index, and the rest can be deduced by analogy. The fourth indicator bit is associated with the SSB with the largest index. The SSB indexes associated with each indicator bit in the first DCI are assumed to be in descending order. The first indicator bit is associated with the SSB with the largest index, the second indicator bit is associated with the SSB with the second largest index, and the rest can be deduced by analogy. The fourth indicator bit is associated with the SSB with the smallest index.

[0280] Case 2: If N is less than M, the number of bits in the one or more indicator bits is N, there are Q indicator bits among the N indicator bits, each of the Q indicator bits is associated with A reference signal resource sets or A SSBs, and each of the remaining (NQ) indicator bits among the N indicator bits is associated with B reference signal resource sets or B SSBs. Q is the remainder when M is divided by N, i.e., Q=M%N. A is the rounded-up result of dividing M by N, i.e.,

number

number

[0281] For example, the reference signal availability indication may include up to 6 bits, and the number of reference signal resource sets or SSBs associated with the first DCI is 40. The number of indication bits is 6. Q=40%6=4,

number

number

[0282] It should be noted that the Q indicator bits may be the first Q indicator bits in the N indicator bits or the last Q indicator bits in the N indicator bits, but this is not limited thereto.

[0283] The reference signal resource set index or SSB index associated with each indication bit in the first DCI may be in ascending or descending order.

[0284] For example, the reference signal availability indication information may include up to 6 bits, and the number of reference signal resource sets associated with the first DCI is 64. Based on the above related description of Q, it may be determined that the number of indication bits is 6. With 6 indication bits, 4 indication bits are associated with 11 reference signal resource sets or SSBs, and 2 indication bits are associated with 10 reference signal resource sets or SSBs.

[0285] If the reference signal resource set index or SSB index associated with each instruction bit in the first DCI is in ascending order, with earlier instruction bits associated with more reference signal resource sets or SSBs and later instruction bits associated with fewer reference signal resource sets or SSBs, then the reference signal resource set index or SSB index (resource set index / SSB index) associated with the firstBit is from 0 to 10, the reference signal resource set index or SSB index associated with the secondBit is from 11 to 21, the reference signal resource set index or SSB index associated with the thirdBit is from 22 to 32, the reference signal resource set index or SSB index associated with the fourthBit is from 33 to 43, the reference signal resource set index or SSB index associated with the fifthBit is from 44 to 53, and the reference signal resource set index or SSB index associated with the sixthBit is from 54 to 63.

[0286] Please note that the indicator bit corresponding to firstBit is the first indicator bit in the first DCI, the indicator bit corresponding to secondBit is the second indicator bit in the first DCI; ...; the indicator bit corresponding to sixthBit is the sixth indicator bit in the first DCI.

[0287] If the reference signal resource set index or SSB index associated with each instruction bit in the first DCI is in ascending order, with earlier instruction bits associated with fewer reference signal resource sets or SSBs and later instruction bits associated with more reference signal resource sets or SSBs, then the reference signal resource set index or SSB index associated with the firstBit is 0 to 9, the reference signal resource set index or SSB index associated with the secondBit is 10 to 19, the reference signal resource set index or SSB index associated with the thirdBit is 20 to 30, the reference signal resource set index or SSB index associated with the fourthBit is 31 to 41, the reference signal resource set index or SSB index associated with the fifthBit is 42 to 52, and the reference signal resource set index or SSB index associated with the sixthBit is 53 to 63.

[0288] If the reference signal resource set index or SSB index associated with each instruction bit in the first DCI is in descending order, with earlier instruction bits associated with more reference signal resource sets or SSBs and later instruction bits associated with fewer reference signal resource sets or SSBs, then the reference signal resource set index or SSB index associated with the firstBit is 53 to 63, the reference signal resource set index or SSB index associated with the secondBit is 42 to 52, the reference signal resource set index or SSB index associated with the thirdBit is 31 to 41, the reference signal resource set index or SSB index associated with the fourthBit is 20 to 30, the reference signal resource set index or SSB index associated with the fifthBit is 10 to 19, and the reference signal resource set index or SSB index associated with the sixthBit is 0 to 9.

[0289] If the reference signal resource set index or SSB index associated with each indicator bit in the first DCI is in descending order, with earlier indicator bits associated with fewer reference signal resource sets or SSBs and later indicator bits associated with more reference signal resource sets or SSBs, the reference signal resource set index or SSB index associated with the firstBit is 54 to 63, the reference signal resource set index or SSB index associated with the secondBit is 44 to 53, the reference signal resource set index or SSB index associated with the thirdBit is 33 to 43, the reference signal resource set index or SSB index associated with the fourthBit is 22 to 32, the reference signal resource set index or SSB index associated with the fifthBit is 11 to 21, and the reference signal resource set index or SSB index associated with the sixthBit is 0 to 10.

[0290] Note that in some cases, not all SSBs may be configured with associated reference signals. For example, the value of M may be determined based on the number of SSBs associated with all reference signals configured in SIB-X. For example, the network device may configure 32 reference signal resource sets, each associated with SSBs #0 to #15 and SSBs #48 to #63. Assume N=6. If ascending SSB indexes are used correspondingly, the forward indicator bits are associated with more SSBs and the backward indicator bits are associated with fewer SSBs, so that the SSB indexes associated with the first bit are 0 to 5, the SSB indexes associated with the second bit are 6 to 11, the SSB indexes associated with the third bit are 12 to 15 and 48, the SSB indexes associated with the fourth bit are 49 to 53, and the SSB indexes associated with the fifth bit are 54 to 58. sixthBit The associated SSB index is 59 to 63.

[0291] Alternatively, in the reference signal resource set index or SSB index associated with each indication bit in the first DCI, the index spacing between adjacent reference signal resource sets or adjacent SSBs is equal to the number of bits of the reference signal availability indication information.

[0292] For example, N is equal to 6 and M is equal to 36 (assuming the reference signal resource set index or SSB index is from 0 to 35). Each indication bit may be associated with 6 reference signal resource sets or 6 SSBs. In this case, if the reference signal resource set indexes or SSB indices associated with each instruction bit in the first DCI are in ascending order, the reference signal resource set indexes or SSB indices associated with the firstBit are equal to {0, 6, 12, 18, 24, 30}, the reference signal resource set indexes or SSB indices associated with the secondBit are equal to {1, 7, 13, 19, 25, 31}, the reference signal resource set indexes or SSB indices associated with the thirdBit are equal to {2, 8, 14, 20, 26, 32}, the reference signal resource set indexes or SSB indices associated with the fourthBit are equal to {3, 9, 15, 21, 27, 33}, the reference signal resource set indexes or SSB indices associated with the fifthBit are equal to {4, 10, 16, 22, 28, 34}, and the reference signal resource set indexes or SSB indices associated with the sixthBit are equal to {5, 11, 17, 23, 29, 35}.

[0293] Case 3: When N is less than M, the number of bits in the one or more indicator bits may be N, and each of P indicator bits in the N indicator bits is associated with A reference signal resource sets or A SSBs. (P*A) is less than or equal to M, and ((P+1)*A) is greater than M, and A is the rounded-up result of dividing M by N, i.e.,

number

[0294] For example, the reference signal availability indication information may include up to 6 bits, and the number of reference signal resource sets or SSBs associated with the first DCI is 8. The number of indication bits is 6.

number

[0295] In another example, the reference signal availability indicator may include up to 6 bits, and the number of reference signal resource sets or SSBs associated with the first DCI is 10. The number of indicator bits is 6.

number

[0296] If (P*A) is less than M, the (P+1)th bit of the N instruction bits is associated with (MP*A) reference signal resource sets or (MP*A) SSBs.

[0297] For example, the reference signal availability indication information may include up to 6 bits, and the number of reference signal resource sets or SSBs associated with the first DCI is 11. The number of indication bits is 6.

number

[0298] It should be noted that when the (P+1)th bit does not exist, the P indicator bits are the first P indicator bits of the N indicator bits, or the P indicator bits are the last P indicator bits of the N indicator bits. When the (P+1)th bit exists, the P indicator bits are the first P indicator bits of the P+1 indicator bits, or the P indicator bits are the last P indicator bits of the P+1 indicator bits. This is not limited.

[0299] The reference signal resource set index or SSB index associated with each instruction bit in the first DCI may be in ascending or descending order. For details, please refer to the relevant description of Case 2 above. Details will not be described again.

[0300] Alternatively, in the reference signal resource set index or SSB index associated with each indication bit in the first DCI, the index interval between adjacent reference signal resource sets or adjacent SSBs is equal to the number of bits of the reference signal availability indication information. For an explanation, please refer to the relevant explanation of Case 2 above. The details will not be described again.

[0301] In a fifth possible design, the value of the indicator bit may be set to 0 to indicate that a reference signal corresponding to the reference signal resource set associated with the indicator bit is not transmitted, and the value of the indicator bit may be set to 1 to indicate that a reference signal corresponding to the reference signal resource set associated with the indicator bit is transmitted. Alternatively, the value of the indicator bit may be set to 1 to indicate that a reference signal corresponding to the reference signal resource set associated with the indicator bit is not transmitted, and the value of the indicator bit may be set to 0 to indicate that a reference signal corresponding to the reference signal resource set associated with the indicator bit is transmitted. This is not a limitation.

[0302] Based on the method shown in FIG. 5, a network device may transmit a first DCI including reference signal availability indication information to a terminal device. Each indication bit in the reference signal availability indication information may be associated with one or more reference signal resource sets or one or more SSBs. Therefore, the terminal device may determine, based on the value of each indication bit, whether a reference signal corresponding to the reference signal resource set associated with each indication bit is transmitted or whether a reference signal corresponding to the SSB associated with each indication bit is transmitted. The mapping relationship between the indication bit and the reference signal resource set or SSB is clearly defined in the embodiments of the present application. This provides a feasible solution for the network device to use limited indication bits to indicate multiple reference signal resource sets or multiple SSBs to inform the terminal device whether a corresponding reference signal is transmitted.

[0303] Based on the method shown in FIG. 5, as shown in FIG. 11, when the first DCI is a first paging DCI, the communication method provided in the embodiment of the present application may further include the following steps 503 and 504.

[0304] Step 503: The network device sends a second DCI to the terminal device.

[0305] The second DCI may be a PEI. The second DCI may include a first instruction bit, the first instruction bit being associated with one or more SSBs, and the first instruction bit indicating whether a reference signal corresponding to the SSB associated with the first instruction bit is transmitted. The one or more SSBs associated with the first instruction bit are identical to the one or more SSBs associated with one instruction bit included in the first DCI, and the one or more SSBs associated with the first instruction bit include SSBs quasi-colocated with the second DCI.

[0306] The monitoring location of a PEI may include multiple monitoring occasions (MOs), and different MOs may correspond to different SSB indices, or the transmission direction of a PEI on one MO may be described as the same as the transmission direction or transmission parameters of the SSB associated with the PEI.

[0307] For example, the first DCI is a paging DCI, for example, in the paging DCI, the reference signal resource set index or SSB index associated with the firstBit is 0 to 10, the reference signal resource set index or SSB index associated with the secondBit is 11 to 21, the reference signal resource set index or SSB index associated with the thirdBit is 22 to 32, the reference signal resource set index or SSB index associated with the fourthBit is 33 to 43, and the reference signal resource set index or SSB index associated with the fifthBit is 44 to 53; sixthBit The reference signal resource set index or SSB index associated with the first indicator bit included in the PEI is 54 to 63. For an MO corresponding to SSB index=0, the reference signal resource set index or SSB index associated with the first indicator bit included in the PEI is 0 to 10 (in other words, the first indicator bit is the same as the firstBit in the paging DCI). For an MO corresponding to SSB index=22, the reference signal resource set index or SSB index associated with the first indicator bit included in the PEI is 22 to 32 (in other words, the first indicator bit is the same as the thirdBit in the paging DCI).

[0308] The indication bit corresponding to firstBit is the first indication bit in the paging DCI, the indication bit corresponding to secondBit is the second indication bit in the paging DCI; ...; the indication bit corresponding to fourthBit is the fourth indication bit in the paging DCI.

[0309] Therefore, step 503 may alternatively be understood as the first indication bit included in the PEI being one of the indication bits included in the paging DCI, specifically the indication bit associated with the SSB index associated with the MO of the current PEI.

[0310] Step 504: The terminal device determines, based on the second DCI, whether a reference signal is transmitted.

[0311] The terminal device may determine, based on the value of the first indication bit in the second DCI, whether a reference signal corresponding to a reference signal resource set or SSB associated with the first indication bit is transmitted.

[0312] For example, the value of the first indicator bit may be set to 0 to indicate that a reference signal corresponding to the reference signal resource set or SSB associated with the first indicator bit is not transmitted, and the value of the first indicator bit may be set to 1 to indicate that a reference signal corresponding to the reference signal resource set or SSB associated with the first indicator bit is transmitted. Alternatively, the value of the first indicator bit may be set to 1 to indicate that a reference signal corresponding to the reference signal resource set or SSB associated with the first indicator bit is not transmitted, and the value of the first indicator bit may be set to 0 to indicate that a reference signal corresponding to the reference signal resource set or SSB associated with the first indicator bit is transmitted. This is not limited thereto.

[0313] The solutions provided in the embodiments of the present application have been described above primarily in terms of interactions between devices. It should be understood that, to implement the aforementioned functions, each device includes a corresponding hardware structure and / or a corresponding software module for performing each function. In combination with the examples described in the embodiments disclosed herein, those skilled in the art will readily recognize that the algorithms and steps can be implemented by hardware or a combination of hardware and computer software. Whether the functions are performed by hardware or hardware driven by computer software depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Those skilled in the art may use various methods to implement the functions described for each specific application, but such implementation should not be considered to exceed the scope of the present application.

[0314] In the embodiments of the present application, each device may be divided into functional modules based on the above-described exemplary method. For example, the functional modules may be divided according to their functions, or two or more functions may be integrated into one processing module. The integrated modules may be implemented in the form of hardware or software functional modules. Note that in the embodiments of the present application, the module division is used as an example and is merely a logical functional division. In actual implementation, other division methods may be used.

[0315] FIG. 12 illustrates a terminal device in which functional modules are obtained by division based on their corresponding functions. The terminal device 120 may include a transceiver module 1201 and a processing module 1202. For example, the terminal device 120 may be a terminal device itself, a chip used in a terminal device, or another combined component or part having the functionality of a terminal device. When the terminal device 120 is a terminal device, the transceiver module 1201 may be a transceiver, which may include an antenna, a radio frequency circuit, etc., and the processing module 1202 may be a processor (or processing circuit), such as a baseband processor, which may include one or more CPUs. When the terminal device 120 is a component having the functionality of a terminal device, the transceiver module 1201 may be a radio frequency unit, and the processing module 1202 may be a processor (or processing circuit), such as a baseband processor. When the terminal device 120 is a chip system, the transceiver module 1201 may be an input / output interface of the chip (e.g., a baseband chip), and the processing module 1202 may be a processor (or processing circuit) or logic circuit of the chip system, and may include one or more central processing units. It should be understood that the transceiver module 1201 in the embodiments of the present application may be implemented by a transceiver or transceiver-related circuit components, and the processing module 1202 may be implemented by a processor or processor-related circuit components (also referred to as a processing circuit).

[0316] For example, transceiver module 1201 may be configured to perform all transmission and reception operations performed by the terminal device in the embodiments shown in Figures 5 through 11 and / or may be configured to support other processes of the techniques described herein. Processing module 1202 may be configured to perform all operations performed by the terminal device in the embodiments shown in Figures 5 through 11 other than transmission and reception operations and / or may be configured to support other processes of the techniques described herein.

[0317] The transceiver module 1201 is configured to receive first downlink control information from a network device.

[0318] The processing module 1202 is configured to determine, based on the first DCI, whether a reference signal is transmitted.

[0319] The first DCI includes reference signal availability indicator information, and the reference signal availability indicator information includes one or more indicator bits. Each indicator bit is associated with one or more reference signal resource sets, or each indicator bit is associated with one or more synchronization signal and physical broadcast channel blocks (SSBs). The value of the indicator bit is used to determine whether a reference signal corresponding to the associated reference signal resource set is transmitted, or the value of the indicator bit is used to determine whether a reference signal corresponding to the associated SSB is transmitted. The reference signal corresponding to the SSB is determined based on quasi-co-located QCL configuration information included in the configuration information of the reference signal resource set, and the QCL configuration information is used to configure the SSB associated with the reference signal resource set.

[0320] In yet another possible implementation form, the transceiver module 1201 in FIG. 12 may be replaced by a transceiver, and the functions of the transceiver module 1201 may be integrated into the transceiver. The processing module 1202 may be replaced by a processor, and the functions of the processing module 1202 may be integrated into the processor. Furthermore, the terminal device 120 shown in FIG. 12 may further include a memory. When the transceiver module 1201 is replaced by a transceiver and the processing module 1202 is replaced by a processor, the terminal device 120 in the embodiment of the present application may be the communication device shown in FIG.

[0321] Alternatively, when the transceiver module 1201 is replaced with a transceiver and the processing module 1202 is replaced with a processor, the terminal device 120 in the embodiment of the present application may alternatively be the communication apparatus 140 shown in Figure 14. The processor may be a logic circuit 1401, and the transceiver may be an input / output interface 1402. Furthermore, the communication apparatus 140 shown in Figure 14 may further include a memory 1403.

[0322] FIG. 13 illustrates a network device in which each functional module is obtained by division based on the corresponding function. The network device 130 may include a processing module 1301 and a transceiver module 1302. For example, the network device 130 may be a network device, a chip used in a network device, or another combined device, component, etc. having the functionality of the aforementioned network device. When the network device 130 is a network device, the processing module 1301 may be a processor (or processing circuit), such as a baseband processor, which may include one or more CPUs, and the transceiver module 1302 may be a transceiver, which may include an antenna, a radio frequency circuit, etc. When the network device 130 is a component having the functionality of a network device, the processing module 1301 may be a processor (or processing circuit), such as a baseband processor, and the transceiver module 1302 may be a radio frequency unit. When the network device 130 is a chip system, the processing module 1301 may be a processor (or processing circuit) or logic circuit of the chip system and may include one or more central processing modules, and the transceiver module 1302 may be an input / output interface of the chip (e.g., a baseband chip). It should be understood that in embodiments of the present application, the processing module 1301 may be implemented by a processor or processor-related circuitry (also referred to as a processing circuit), and the transceiver module 1302 may be implemented by a transceiver or transceiver-related circuitry.

[0323] For example, processing module 1301 may be configured to perform all operations other than transmit and receive operations performed by the network device in the embodiments shown in Figures 5 through 11 and / or may be configured to support other processes of the techniques described herein. Transceiver module 1302 may be configured to perform all transmit and receive operations performed by the network device in the embodiments shown in Figures 5 through 11 and / or may be configured to support other processes of the techniques described herein.

[0324] The processing module 1301 is configured to determine a first DCI.

[0325] The transceiver module 1302 is configured to transmit the first DCI to the terminal device.

[0326] The first DCI includes reference signal availability indicator information, and the reference signal availability indicator information includes one or more indicator bits. Each indicator bit is associated with one or more reference signal resource sets, or each indicator bit is associated with one or more synchronization signal and physical broadcast channel blocks (SSBs). The value of the indicator bit is used to determine whether a reference signal corresponding to the associated reference signal resource set is transmitted, or the value of the indicator bit is used to determine whether a reference signal corresponding to the associated SSB is transmitted. The reference signal corresponding to the SSB is determined based on quasi-co-located QCL configuration information included in the configuration information of the reference signal resource set, and the QCL configuration information is used to configure the SSB associated with the reference signal resource set.

[0327] In yet another possible implementation form, the processing module 1301 in FIG. 13 may be replaced by a processor, or the functions of the processing module 1301 may be integrated into the processor. The transceiver module 1302 may be replaced by a transceiver, or the functions of the transceiver module 1302 may be integrated into the transceiver. Furthermore, the network device 130 shown in FIG. 13 may further include a memory. When the processing module 1301 is replaced by a processor and the transceiver module 1302 is replaced by a transceiver, the network device 130 in the embodiment of the present application may be the communication device shown in FIG. 4.

[0328] Alternatively, when the processing module 1301 is replaced with a processor and the transceiver module 1302 is replaced with a transceiver, the network device 130 in the embodiment of the present application may alternatively be the communication device 140 shown in FIG. 14. The processor may be a logic circuit 1401, and the transceiver may be an input / output interface 1402. Furthermore, the communication device 140 shown in FIG. 14 may further include a memory 1403.

[0329] The embodiments of the present application further provide a computer-readable storage medium. All or part of the procedures in the aforementioned method embodiments may be implemented by a computer program that instructs associated hardware. The program may be stored in the aforementioned computer-readable storage medium. When the program is executed, the procedures of the aforementioned method embodiments may be performed. The computer-readable storage medium may be an internal storage unit in the terminal in any one of the aforementioned embodiments (including the data transmitting end and / or the data receiving end), such as a hard disk or memory of the terminal. Alternatively, the computer-readable storage medium may be an external storage device of the terminal, such as a plug-in hard disk, a smart memory card (SMC), a secure digital (SD) card, or a flash card configured on the terminal. Furthermore, the computer-readable storage medium may further include both an internal storage unit and an external storage device of the terminal. The computer-readable storage medium is configured to store the computer program as well as other programs and data required for the terminal. The computer-readable storage medium may further be configured to temporarily store output data or data to be output.

[0330] It should be noted that in the specification, claims, and accompanying drawings of this application, terms such as "first," "second," etc. are intended to distinguish between different objects and do not indicate a particular order. Additionally, the terms "comprise," "have," or other variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusions. For example, a process, method, system, product, or device that includes a series of steps or units is not limited to the listed steps or units, but optionally includes additional steps or units that are not listed, or optionally includes additional steps or units that are specific to the process, method, product, or device.

[0331] In this application, "at least one (item)" means one or more, "multiple" means two or more, and "at least two (items)" means two, three, or more. Furthermore, "and / or" is used to describe an association relationship between related objects and indicates that a three-way relationship is possible. For example, "A and / or B" can indicate that only A is present, only B is present, or both A and B are present, where A and B may be singular or plural. The symbol " / " generally indicates an "or" relationship between related objects. Also, "at least one of the following items" or similar expressions refers to any combination of those items, including any combination of one item or multiple items. For example, "at least one of a, b, or c" can represent a, b, c, "a and b," "a and c," "b and c," or "a, b, and c," where a, b, and c may be singular or plural.

[0332] Based on the above description of the implementation form, those skilled in the art can clearly understand that for convenience and simple description, the above division into functional modules is only used as an example for explanation. In actual application, the above functions can be allocated to different functional modules for implementation based on requirements, that is, the internal structure of the device is divided into various functional modules to implement all or part of the above functions.

[0333] In the embodiments provided in this application, it should be understood that the disclosed devices and methods may be implemented in other manners. For example, the described device embodiments are merely examples. For example, the division into modules or units is merely a logical division of function, and other divisions may be used in actual implementation. For example, multiple units or components may be combined or integrated into another device, or some features may be omitted or not implemented. In addition, the shown or discussed mutual couplings or direct couplings or communication connections may be implemented through some interfaces. Indirect couplings or communication connections between devices or units may be implemented in electronic, mechanical, or other forms.

[0334] Units described as separate parts may or may not be physically separate, and parts shown as units may be one or more physical units, located in one place or distributed in different locations. Some or all of the units may be selected based on actual requirements to achieve the objectives of the solutions in the embodiments.

[0335] In addition, the functional units in the embodiments of the present application may be integrated into one processing unit, or each unit may exist physically alone, or two or more units may be integrated into one unit. The integrated unit may be implemented in the form of hardware or in the form of a software functional unit.

[0336] When the integrated unit is implemented in the form of a software functional unit and sold or used as an independent product, the integrated unit may be stored in a readable storage medium. Based on this understanding, the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application, or the portions contributing to the prior art, or all or part of the technical solutions, may be essentially implemented in the form of a software product. The software product is stored in a storage medium and includes several instructions for instructing a device or processor (which may be a single-chip microcomputer, a chip, etc.) to perform all or part of the steps of the methods described in the embodiments of the present application. The aforementioned storage medium includes any medium capable of storing program code, such as a USB flash drive, a removable hard disk, a ROM, a RAM, a magnetic disk, or an optical disk. [Explanation of symbols]

[0337] 120 Terminal Devices 130 Network Devices 140 Communication equipment 401 processor 402 Transceiver 403 Communication Lines 404 Memory 405 Output Device 406 Input Devices 407 processor 501 steps 502 steps 503 steps 504 steps 1201 Transceiver Module 1202 Processing Module 1301 Processing Module 1302 Transceiver Module 1401 Logic Circuit 1402 Input / Output Interface 1403 memory

Claims

1. 1. A communication method comprising: receiving first downlink control information (DCI), the first DCI including reference signal availability indicator information, the reference signal availability indicator information including one or more indication bits; each indication bit is associated with one or more reference signal resource sets; the value of the indication bit is used to determine whether a reference signal corresponding to the associated reference signal resource set is transmitted; the association of the indication bit with the reference signal resource set is based on configuration information of the reference signal resource set; the configuration information indicating which indication bits are associated with each reference signal resource set. Steps and determining whether the reference signal is to be transmitted based on the first DCI; A method comprising:

2. The number of bits included in the reference signal availability indicator information is E, and E is determined based on the configuration information included in each reference signal resource set. The method of claim 1.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of obtaining the configuration information of the reference signal resource set.

4. the number of reference signal resource sets associated with the first DCI is equal to the number of reference signal resource sets configured in system information; The method of claim 1.

5. The first DCI is a paging DCI or a paging early notification PEI; The method of claim 1.

6. 1. A communication method comprising: determining first downlink control information DCI; transmitting the first DCI, wherein the first DCI includes a reference signal availability indicator, and the reference signal availability indicator includes one or more indication bits; each indication bit is associated with one or more reference signal resource sets; the value of the indication bit is used to determine whether a reference signal corresponding to the associated reference signal resource set is transmitted; the association of the indication bit with the reference signal resource set is based on configuration information of the reference signal resource set; the configuration information indicating which indication bits are associated with each reference signal resource set. Steps and A method comprising:

7. The number of bits included in the reference signal availability indicator information is E, and E is determined based on the configuration information included in each reference signal resource set. The method of claim 6.

8. The method of claim 6, further comprising determining the configuration information of the reference signal resource set.

9. the number of reference signal resource sets associated with the first DCI is equal to the number of reference signal resource sets configured in system information; The method of claim 6.

10. The first DCI is a paging DCI or a paging early notification PEI; The method of claim 6.

11. a transceiver module configured to receive first downlink control information (DCI), the first DCI including reference signal availability indication information, the reference signal availability indication information including one or more indication bits; each indication bit is associated with one or more reference signal resource sets; the value of the indication bit is used to determine whether a reference signal corresponding to the associated reference signal resource set is transmitted; the association of the indication bit with the reference signal resource set is based on configuration information of the reference signal resource set; the configuration information indicating which indication bits are associated with each reference signal resource set. a transceiver module; a processing module configured to determine whether the reference signal is to be transmitted based on the first DCI; A communication device comprising:

12. a processing module configured to determine first downlink control information DCI; a transceiver module configured to transmit the first DCI, the first DCI including a reference signal availability indication, the reference signal availability indication including one or more indication bits; each indication bit is associated with one or more reference signal resource sets; the value of the indication bit is used to determine whether a reference signal corresponding to the associated reference signal resource set is transmitted; the association of the indication bit with the reference signal resource set is based on configuration information of the reference signal resource set; the configuration information indicating which indication bits are associated with each reference signal resource set. Transceiver module and A communication device comprising:

13. A communication device configured to execute computer programs or instructions, enabling the communication device to perform the communication method according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

14. A communication device configured to execute a computer program or instructions, enabling the communication device to perform a communication method according to any one of claims 6 to 10.

15. 6. A computer-readable storage medium storing computer instructions or programs, the computer instructions or programs being executed on a computer to enable the computer to perform the communication method of any one of claims 1 to 5.

16. 11. A computer-readable storage medium storing computer instructions or programs, the computer instructions or programs being executed on a computer to enable the computer to perform the communication method of any one of claims 6 to 10.

17. 6. A computer program comprising computer instructions, the computer program comprising some or all of the computer instructions being executed on a computer to enable the computer to carry out the communication method according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

18. 11. A computer program comprising computer instructions, the computer program being capable of carrying out the communication method according to any one of claims 6 to 10, when some or all of the computer instructions are executed on a computer.

19. A chip coupled to a memory and configured to read and execute program instructions stored in the memory to perform the communication method described in any one of claims 1 to 5.

20. A chip, the chip being coupled to a memory and configured to read and execute program instructions stored in the memory to perform the communication method described in any one of claims 6 to 10.

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