Cell discovery method, device, communication device, communication system, and storage medium

Abstract

The present application provides a cell discovery method, a communication device, a communication system, and a storage medium. The method comprises: a first cell sends a first signal, wherein the first signal is used for a terminal to discover the first cell, and the first cell does not send one or more of the following content: a first synchronization signal broadcast channel block (SSB), one or more first system information blocks (SIBs), and a paging message; and the first cell sends the first signal which is used for the terminal to discover the first cell, wherein the first cell is different from a conventional cell. In this way, the first cell can be conveniently discovered by the terminal and maintained in a neighbor cell relationship list, and omission of configuration for the first cell is reduced, so that the first cell can normally provide services, effective service provision of the first cell is determined, and high intelligence of neighbor cell relationship discovery in a network is achieved.

Description

Cell discovery method and device, communication device, communication system and storage medium Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to the field of communication technology, and in particular to a cell discovery method and device, a communication device, a communication system, and a storage medium. Background Art

[0002] Automatic Neighbor Relations (ANR) is a feature of the Self-Organizing Networks (SON) network. ANR automatically identifies and adds the strongest neighboring cell among missing cells, while also removing incorrect or redundant neighboring cells. This allows the network to autonomously optimize neighbor relationships.

[0003] Summary of the Invention

[0004] With the development of communication technology, there are more and more types of cells, and it is necessary to improve the method of discovering cells.

[0005] According to a first aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a method for discovering a cell is provided, wherein the method includes:

[0006] The first cell sends a first signal; wherein the first signal is used by the terminal to discover the first cell;

[0007] The first cell does not send one or more of the following:

[0008] One or more first synchronization signal broadcast channel blocks SSB;

[0009] First system information block SIB; paging message.

[0010] According to a second aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a method for discovering a cell is provided, wherein the method includes:

[0011] The terminal detects the first signal and sends first information to the second cell, wherein the first information includes at least: identification information related to the first cell discovered by the terminal;

[0012] The first cell does not send one or more of the following:

[0013] A first synchronization signal broadcast channel block SSB;

[0014] One or more first system information blocks (SIBs);

[0015] Paging message.

[0016] According to a third aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a method for discovering a cell is provided, wherein the method includes:

[0017] Receive first information; wherein the first information includes at least: identification information related to a first cell discovered by the terminal;

[0018] Updating the neighbor relationship according to the first information;

[0019] The first cell does not send one or more of the following:

[0020] A first synchronization signal broadcast channel block SSB;

[0021] One or more first system information blocks (SIBs);

[0022] Paging message.

[0023] According to a fourth aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a method for discovering a cell is provided, wherein the method includes:

[0024] The method provided by the first aspect, and / or the method provided by the second aspect, and / or the method provided by the third aspect.

[0025] According to a fifth aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a first network device is provided, comprising:

[0026] a transceiver module configured to send a first signal to a first cell; wherein the first signal is used by a terminal to discover the first cell;

[0027] The first cell does not send one or more of the following:

[0028] A first synchronization signal broadcast channel block SSB;

[0029] One or more first system information blocks (SIBs);

[0030] Paging message.

[0031] According to a sixth aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a terminal is provided, comprising:

[0032] The transceiver module is configured to send first information to the second cell when the terminal detects the first signal; wherein the first information at least includes: identification information related to the first cell discovered by the terminal;

[0033] The first cell does not send one or more of the following:

[0034] A first synchronization signal broadcast channel block SSB;

[0035] One or more first system information blocks (SIBs);

[0036] Paging message.

[0037] According to a seventh aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a second network device is provided, comprising:

[0038] The transceiver module is configured to receive first information; wherein the first information includes at least: identification information related to the first cell discovered by the terminal;

[0039] Updating the neighbor relationship according to the first information;

[0040] The first cell does not send one or more of the following:

[0041] A first synchronization signal broadcast channel block SSB;

[0042] One or more first system information blocks (SIBs);

[0043] Paging message.

[0044] According to an eighth aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a communication system is provided, wherein the communication system includes a first network device, a terminal device, and a second network device; the first network device is configured to implement the method described in any one of the first aspect of the claim, the terminal device is configured to implement the method described in any one of the second aspect, and the second network device is configured to implement the method described in any one of the third aspect of the claim.

[0045] According to a ninth aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a storage medium is provided, wherein the storage medium stores instructions, and when the instructions are executed on a communication device, the communication device executes the processing method provided by the first aspect, the second aspect or the third aspect.

[0046] According to the tenth aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a communication device is provided, wherein the communication device includes: one or more processors; wherein the processor is used to call instructions so that the communication device executes the processing method provided by the first aspect, the second aspect or the third aspect.

[0047] The technical solution provided by the embodiment of the present disclosure can facilitate the first cell to be discovered by the terminal and maintained in the neighboring cell relationship list by sending the first signal for the terminal to discover the first cell in the first cell without sending the first SSB, the first SIB and / or the paging message, so that the first cell can provide services normally, determine that the services of the first cell are effectively provided, and realize high intelligence of network neighboring cell relationship discovery.

[0048] It should be understood that the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are merely exemplary and explanatory and are not restrictive of the embodiments of the present disclosure. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0049] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments consistent with the present invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the embodiments of the present invention.

[0050] FIG1A is a schematic diagram showing an architecture of a communication system according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0051] FIG1B is a schematic diagram showing another communication network according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0052] FIG2 is an interactive schematic diagram illustrating a method for discovering a cell according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0053] FIG3 is a schematic diagram showing a flow chart of a method for discovering a cell according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0054] FIG4 is a schematic diagram showing a flow chart of a method for discovering a cell according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0055] FIG5 is a schematic diagram showing a flow chart of a method for discovering a cell according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0056] FIG6 is a schematic structural diagram of a first network device according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0057] FIG7 is a schematic structural diagram of a terminal according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0058] FIG8 is a schematic structural diagram of a second network device according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0059] FIG9a is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0060] Fig. 9b is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device according to an exemplary embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0061] Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a cell discovery method and device, a communication device, a communication system, and a storage medium.

[0062] In a first aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a method for discovering a cell, wherein the method includes:

[0063] The first cell sends a first signal; wherein the first signal is used by the terminal to discover the first cell;

[0064] The first cell does not send one or more of the following:

[0065] A first synchronization signal broadcast channel block SSB;

[0066] One or more first system information blocks (SIBs);

[0067] Paging message.

[0068] In combination with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the first cell does not send the first SSB, one or more of the first SIBs, and the paging message.

[0069] In the above embodiment, the first cell sends a first signal for the terminal to discover the first cell. The first cell is different from the conventional cell. This makes it easier for the first cell to be discovered by the terminal and maintained in the neighboring cell relationship list, reducing the possibility of missing configuration of the first cell, so that the first cell can provide services normally, ensuring that the services of the first cell are effectively provided, and realizing high intelligence of network neighboring cell relationship discovery.

[0070] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the first signal includes at least one of the following:

[0071] a second SSB, wherein a transmission period of the second SSB is longer than a transmission period of the first SSB, and / or the second SSB is distributed within a designated transmission window relative to the first SSB;

[0072] a second SIB, wherein the information content of the second SIB is less than that of the first SIB;

[0073] Channel State Information Reference Signal CSI-RS;

[0074] Tracking reference signal TRS;

[0075] Discovery signal DRS.

[0076] In the above embodiment, the first signal is different from the signal sent by the regular cell. Any of the above signals included in the first signal can facilitate the network device to flexibly select one of the above first signals to send as needed, so that the terminal can discover the first cell.

[0077] In combination with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the first signal is sent periodically.

[0078] In the above embodiment, the first signal is sent periodically, so as to ensure that the first cell can be successfully discovered at different time points.

[0079] In combination with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the first signal is periodically sent within a sending window.

[0080] In the above embodiment, the first cell periodically sends the first signal within the sending window, rather than periodically sending the first signal in the entire time domain. This can reduce the number of times the first signal is sent, reduce the energy consumption of the first cell sending the signal, and further achieve the effect of energy saving in the first cell.

[0081] In combination with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the second SIB includes: identification information related to the first cell, and / or configuration information of the second SSB.

[0082] Based on the above solution, since the transmission period of the second SSB is longer than that of the first SSB, the information content of the second SIB is less than that of the first SIB, thereby ensuring that the first cell saves power consumption and / or signaling overhead.

[0083] In combination with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the discovery signal carries identification information related to the first cell.

[0084] In the above embodiment, the terminal can send the first cell by sending a discovery signal including identification information related to the first cell. The discovery signal can be a universal discovery signal, so that the discovery signal can be reused, reducing the scheduling of other resources and reducing signaling overhead.

[0085] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the identification information related to the first cell includes at least one of the following:

[0086] a physical cell identifier (PCI) of the first cell;

[0087] a high-level cell identifier of the first cell;

[0088] The identifier of the radio access network controller RANC;

[0089] Tracking Area Code (TAC);

[0090] PLMN identifier.

[0091] In the above embodiment, the terminal can discover the first cell through any of the above identification information related to the first cell. In this way, the terminal obtains the identification information of the first cell when receiving the first signal, thereby easily realizing the discovery of the first cell.

[0092] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the first cell sending the first signal includes:

[0093] The first cell transmits the first signal on a designated frequency layer, wherein the designated frequency layer is dedicated to the first cell;

[0094] and / or,

[0095] The first cell sends the first signal carrying a first PCI of the first cell, where the first PCI is included in a PCI range dedicated to the first cell.

[0096] Since the designated frequency layer is dedicated to the first cell, any signal detected by the terminal in the designated frequency layer can be regarded as the first signal, that is, the first cell is found; or when any signal is monitored within the PCI range dedicated to the first cell, it is considered that the first signal is detected, that is, the first cell is found.

[0097] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the first cell sending the first signal includes:

[0098] The first cell sends the first signal according to a protocol agreement or first configuration information.

[0099] In the above embodiment, it is not necessary to obtain the configuration information sent by other cells, and the first signal can be sent according to the protocol. The first signal can also be sent through the first configuration information configured by other network devices, which can be selected according to needs.

[0100] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the first configuration information is used to determine at least one of the following:

[0101] Sending cycle;

[0102] Send window;

[0103] Offset amount.

[0104] In the above embodiments, different configuration information is provided, and configuration can be performed as needed.

[0105] In a second aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a method for discovering a cell, wherein the method includes:

[0106] The terminal detects the first signal and sends first information to the second cell, wherein the first information includes at least: identification information related to the first cell discovered by the terminal;

[0107] The first cell does not send one or more of the following:

[0108] A first synchronization signal broadcast channel block SSB;

[0109] One or more first system information blocks (SIBs);

[0110] Paging message.

[0111] In a third aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a method for discovering a cell, wherein the method includes:

[0112] Receive first information; wherein the first information includes at least: identification information related to a first cell discovered by the terminal;

[0113] Updating the neighbor relationship according to the first information;

[0114] The first cell does not send one or more of the following:

[0115] A first synchronization signal broadcast channel block SSB;

[0116] One or more first system information blocks (SIBs);

[0117] Paging message.

[0118] In a fourth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a method for discovering a cell, wherein the method includes:

[0119] The method provided by the first aspect, and / or the method provided by the second aspect, and / or the method provided by the third aspect.

[0120] In a fifth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a first network device, comprising:

[0121] a transceiver module configured to send a first signal to a first cell; wherein the first signal is used by a terminal to discover the first cell;

[0122] The first cell does not send one or more of the following:

[0123] A first synchronization signal broadcast channel block SSB;

[0124] One or more first system information blocks (SIBs);

[0125] Paging message.

[0126] In a sixth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a terminal, comprising:

[0127] The transceiver module is configured to send first information to the second cell when the terminal detects the first signal; wherein the first information at least includes: identification information related to the first cell discovered by the terminal;

[0128] The first cell does not send one or more of the following:

[0129] A first synchronization signal broadcast channel block SSB;

[0130] One or more first system information blocks (SIBs);

[0131] Paging message.

[0132] In a seventh aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a second network device, comprising:

[0133] The transceiver module is configured to receive first information; wherein the first information includes at least: identification information related to the first cell discovered by the terminal;

[0134] Updating the neighbor relationship according to the first information;

[0135] The first cell does not send one or more of the following:

[0136] A first synchronization signal broadcast channel block SSB;

[0137] One or more first system information blocks (SIBs);

[0138] Paging message.

[0139] In an eighth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a communication system, wherein the communication system includes a first network device, a terminal, and a second network device, the first network device is configured to implement the discovery method described in the optional implementation manner of the first aspect, the terminal device is configured to implement the discovery method described in the optional implementation manner of the second aspect, and the second network device is configured to implement the discovery method described in the optional implementation manner of the third aspect.

[0140] In a ninth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a communication device, the communication device comprising:

[0141] one or more processors;

[0142] The processor is used to call instructions to enable the communication device to execute the processing method described in the optional implementation manner of the first aspect, the second aspect, or the third aspect.

[0143] In the tenth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a storage medium, wherein the storage medium stores instructions, which, when the instructions are executed on a communication device, enable the communication device to execute the processing method described in the optional implementation of the first aspect, the second aspect, or the third aspect.

[0144] In an eleventh aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a program product, which, when executed by a communication device, enables the communication device to execute the processing method described in the optional implementation manner of the first aspect, the second aspect, or the third aspect.

[0145] In a twelfth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a computer program, which, when executed on a computer, enables the computer to execute the processing method described in the optional implementation manner of the first aspect, the second aspect, or the third aspect.

[0146] It is understandable that the above-mentioned network devices, terminals, communication devices, communication systems, storage media, program products, and computer programs are all used to execute the methods provided in the embodiments of the present disclosure. Therefore, the beneficial effects that can be achieved can refer to the beneficial effects of the corresponding methods and will not be repeated here.

[0147] The present disclosure provides a method and device for cell discovery, a communication device, a communication system, and a storage medium. In some embodiments, the terms "communication method" and "cell discovery method" are interchangeable, the terms "information indicating device" and "information processing device" and "information transmission device" are interchangeable, and the terms "communication system" and "information processing system" are interchangeable.

[0148] The embodiments of the present disclosure are not exhaustive and are merely illustrative of some embodiments, and are not intended to be a specific limitation on the scope of protection of the present disclosure. In the absence of contradiction, each step in a certain embodiment can be implemented as an independent embodiment, and the steps can be arbitrarily combined. For example, a solution after removing some steps in a certain embodiment can also be implemented as an independent embodiment, and the order of the steps in a certain embodiment can be arbitrarily exchanged. In addition, the optional implementation methods in a certain embodiment can be arbitrarily combined; in addition, the embodiments can be arbitrarily combined. For example, some or all steps of different embodiments can be arbitrarily combined, and a certain embodiment can be arbitrarily combined with the optional implementation methods of other embodiments.

[0149] In each embodiment of the present disclosure, unless otherwise specified or provided for by logic, the terms and / or descriptions between the embodiments are consistent and can be referenced by each other. The technical features in different embodiments can be combined to form a new embodiment based on their inherent logical relationships.

[0150] The terms used in the embodiments of the present disclosure are only for the purpose of describing specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the present disclosure.

[0151] In the embodiments of the present disclosure, unless otherwise specified, elements expressed in the singular, such as "a", "an", "the", "above", "said", "the", "the", etc., may mean "one and only one", or "one or more", "at least one", etc. For example, when using articles such as "a", "an", "the" in English in translation, the noun following the article may be understood as a singular expression or a plural expression.

[0152] In the embodiments of the present disclosure, “plurality” refers to two or more.

[0153] In some embodiments, the terms "at least one," "one or more," "a plurality of," "multiple," etc. may be used interchangeably.

[0154] In some embodiments, descriptions such as "at least one of A and B," "A and / or B," "in one case A, in another case B," or "in one case A, in another case B" may include the following technical solutions depending on the situation: in some embodiments, A (A is executed independently of B); in some embodiments, B (B is executed independently of A); in some embodiments, execution is selected from A and B (A and B are selectively executed); and in some embodiments, A and B (both A and B are executed). The same applies when there are more branches such as A, B, and C.

[0155] In some embodiments, "A or B" and other descriptions may include the following technical solutions depending on the situation: in some embodiments, A (A is executed independently of B); in some embodiments, B (B is executed independently of A); in some embodiments, execution is selected from A and B (A and B are selectively executed). The above is also applicable when there are more branches such as A, B, C, etc.

[0156] The prefixes such as "first" and "second" in the embodiments of the present disclosure are only used to distinguish different description objects and do not constitute any restriction on the position, order, priority, quantity or content of the description objects. For the statement of the description object, please refer to the description in the context of the claims or embodiments, and no unnecessary restriction should be constituted due to the use of prefixes. For example, if the description object is a "field", the ordinal number before the "field" in the "first field" and the "second field" does not limit the position or order between the "fields". "First" and "second" do not limit whether the "fields" they modify are in the same message, nor do they limit the order of the "first field" and the "second field". For another example, if the description object is a "level", the ordinal number before the "level" in the "first level" and the "second level" does not limit the priority between the "levels". For another example, the number of description objects is not limited by the ordinal number and can be one or more. Taking "first device" as an example, the number of "devices" can be one or more. In addition, the objects modified by different prefixes can be the same or different. For example, if the description object is "device", then the "first device" and the "second device" can be the same device or different devices, and their types can be the same or different. For another example, if the description object is "information", then the "first reference signal" and the "second information" can be the same information or different information, and their contents can be the same or different.

[0157] In some embodiments, “including A,” “comprising A,” “used to indicate A,” and “carrying A” can be interpreted as directly carrying A or indirectly indicating A.

[0158] In some embodiments, terms such as "...", "determine...", "in the case of...", "at the time of...", "when...", "if...", "if...", etc. can be used interchangeably.

[0159] In some embodiments, terms such as "greater than", "greater than or equal to", "not less than", "more than", "more than or equal to", "not less than", "higher than", "higher than or equal to", "not less than", and "above" can be replaced with each other, and terms such as "less than", "less than or equal to", "not greater than", "less than", "less than or equal to", "not more than", "lower than", "lower than or equal to", "not higher than", and "below" can be replaced with each other.

[0160] In some embodiments, devices, etc. can be interpreted as physical or virtual, and their names are not limited to the names recorded in the embodiments. Terms such as "device", "equipment", "device", "circuit", "network element", "node", "function", "unit", "section", "system", "network", "chip", "chip system", "entity", and "subject" can be used interchangeably.

[0161] In some embodiments, "network" can be interpreted as devices included in the network (eg, access network equipment, core network equipment, etc.).

[0162] In some embodiments, the terms "access network device (AN device)", "radio access network device (RAN device)", "base station (BS)", "radio base station" "fixed station", "node", "access point", "transmission point (TP)", "reception point (RP)", "transmission / reception point (TRP)", "panel", "antenna panel", "antenna array", "cell", "macro cell", "small cell", "femto cell", "pico cell", "sector", "cell group", "serving cell", "carrier", "component carrier", "bandwidth part (BWP)" and the like may be used interchangeably.

[0163] In some embodiments, the terms "terminal", "terminal device", "user equipment (UE)", "user terminal", "mobile station (MS)", "mobile terminal (MT)", subscriber station, mobile unit, subscriber unit, wireless unit, remote unit, mobile device, wireless device, wireless communication device, remote device, mobile subscriber station, access terminal, mobile terminal, wireless terminal, remote terminal, handset, user agent, mobile client, client, etc. can be used interchangeably.

[0164] In some embodiments, the access network device, the core network device, or the network device can be replaced by a terminal. For example, the various embodiments of the present disclosure can also be applied to a structure in which the communication between the access network device, the core network device, or the network device and the terminal is replaced by communication between multiple terminals (for example, device-to-device (D2D), vehicle-to-everything (V2X), etc.). In this case, it is also possible to set the structure in which the terminal has all or part of the functions of the access network device. In addition, terms such as "uplink" and "downlink" can also be replaced by terms corresponding to communication between terminals (for example, "side"). For example, uplink channels, downlink channels, etc. can be replaced by side channels, and uplinks, downlinks, etc. can be replaced by side links.

[0165] In some embodiments, the terminal may be replaced by an access network device, a core network device, or a network device. In this case, the access network device, the core network device, or the network device may have a structure that has all or part of the functions of the terminal.

[0166] In some embodiments, obtaining data, information, etc. may comply with the laws and regulations of the country where the data is obtained.

[0167] In some embodiments, data, information, etc. may be obtained with the user's consent.

[0168] In addition, each element, each row, or each column in the table of the embodiment of the present disclosure can be implemented as an independent embodiment, and the combination of any elements, any rows, and any columns can also be implemented as an independent embodiment.

[0169] FIG1A is a schematic diagram showing the architecture of a communication system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0170] As shown in FIG1A , a communication system 100 includes a terminal 101 and a network device 102 . The network device 102 may include an access network device.

[0171] In some embodiments, the terminal 101 includes, for example, a mobile phone, a wearable device, an Internet of Things device, a car with communication function, a smart car, a tablet computer, a computer with wireless transceiver function, a virtual reality (VR) terminal device, an augmented reality (AR) terminal device, a wireless terminal device in industrial control, a wireless terminal device in self-driving, a wireless terminal device in remote medical surgery, a wireless terminal device in a smart grid, a wireless terminal device in transportation safety, a wireless terminal device in a smart city, and at least one of a wireless terminal device in a smart home, but is not limited thereto.

[0172] In some embodiments, the network device 102 can be, for example, a node or device that accesses the terminal to a wireless network. The access network device may include an evolved NodeB (eNB), a next generation evolved NodeB (ng-eNB), a next generation NodeB (gNB), a node B (NB), a home node B (HNB), a home evolved nodeB (HeNB), a wireless backhaul device, a radio network controller (RNC), a base station controller (BSC), a base transceiver station (BTS), a base band unit (BBU), a mobile switching center, a base station in a 6G communication system, an open base station (Open RAN), a cloud base station (Cloud RAN), a base station in other communication systems, and at least one of an access node in a Wi-Fi system, but is not limited thereto.

[0173] In some embodiments, the technical solution of the present disclosure can be applied to the Open RAN architecture. In this case, the interfaces between or within the access network devices involved in the embodiments of the present disclosure can be transformed into internal interfaces of the Open RAN, and the processes and information interactions between these internal interfaces can be implemented through software or programs.

[0174] In some embodiments, the access network device can be composed of a centralized unit (CU) and a distributed unit (DU), where the CU can also be called a control unit. The CU-DU structure can be used to split the protocol layer of the access network device, with the functions of some protocol layers centrally controlled by the CU, and the functions of the remaining part or all of the protocol layers distributed in the DU, which is centrally controlled by the CU, but is not limited to this.

[0175] In some embodiments, the communication system 100 further includes a core network device, which may be a single device including a first network element, a second network element, etc., or a plurality of devices or a device group, each including all or part of the first network element, the second network element, etc. The network element may be virtual or physical. The core network may include, for example, at least one of an evolved packet core (EPC), a 5G core network (5GCN), and a next generation core (NGC).

[0176] It can be understood that the communication system described in the embodiment of the present disclosure is for the purpose of more clearly illustrating the technical solution of the embodiment of the present disclosure, and does not constitute a limitation on the technical solution provided by the embodiment of the present disclosure. Ordinary technicians in this field can know that with the evolution of the system architecture and the emergence of new business scenarios, the technical solution provided by the embodiment of the present disclosure is also applicable to similar technical problems.

[0177] The following embodiments of the present disclosure may be applied to the communication system 100 shown in FIG1A , or a portion thereof, but are not limited thereto. The entities shown in FIG1A are illustrative only. The communication system may include all or part of the entities shown in FIG1A , or may include other entities other than those shown in FIG1A . The number and form of the entities may be arbitrary. The connection relationship between the entities is illustrative only. The entities may be connected or disconnected, and the connection may be in any manner, including direct or indirect, wired or wireless.

[0178] The embodiments of the present disclosure can be applied to Long Term Evolution (LTE), LTE-Advanced (LTE-A), LTE-Beyond (LTE-B), SUPER 3G, IMT-Advanced, 4th generation mobile communication system (4G), 5th generation mobile communication system (5G), 5G new radio (NR), future radio access (FRA), new radio access technology (RAT), new radio (NR), new radio access (NX), future generation radio access (FX), Global System for Mobile communications (GSM (registered trademark)), CDMA2000, Ultra Mobile Broadband (UMB), IEEE 802.11 (Wi-Fi (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.16 (WiMAX (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.20, Ultra-WideBand (UWB), Bluetooth (registered trademark), Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN) networks, Device-to-Device (D2D) systems, Machine-to-Machine (M2M) systems, Internet of Things (IoT) systems, Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X), systems utilizing other communication methods, and next-generation systems based on and extending these methods. Furthermore, multiple systems may be combined (for example, a combination of LTE or LTE-A with 5G).

[0179] With the development of network technology, the demand for speed, latency, high-speed mobility and energy efficiency is getting higher and higher, and future services will have higher diversity and complexity.

[0180] With the fifth generation of mobile communication technology (5 thWith the emergence of 5G (First Generation Mobile Communication Technology), 5G base stations consume four times more energy than Long Term Evolution (LTE) base stations. Therefore, network energy conservation is a key measure for operators to reduce the cost of operating 5G systems. 5G application scenarios include enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB), ultra-reliable low-latency communications (URLLC), and massive machine-type communications (mMTC).

[0181] eMBB aims to provide users with access to multimedia content, services, and data, and demand for it is growing rapidly. However, since eMBB can be deployed in diverse scenarios, such as indoors, in urban areas, and in rural areas, its capabilities and requirements vary significantly. Therefore, it's not possible to generalize and requires detailed analysis based on specific deployment scenarios.

[0182] Typical applications of URLLC include industrial automation, power automation, remote medical operations (surgery), and traffic safety.

[0183] Typical features of mMTC include: high connection density, small data volume, latency-insensitive services, low module cost and long service life.

[0184] To save energy for RRC_CONNECTED terminals, a wake-up signal (WUS) is introduced. An offset preceding the duration of connected discontinuous reception (C-DRX) in the connected state defines the duration for sending the WUS, during which the WUS signal, i.e., DCI 2-6, is sent. The signal is scrambled with a Power Saving Radio Network Temporary Identity (PS-RNTI) to indicate whether the terminal should wake up to monitor the Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH) during the next UE C-DRX duration.

[0185] To save energy in idle or inactive (RRC_IDLE / INACTIVE) states, a paging wake-up signal (Paging WUS) is introduced. This WUS, also known as the Paging Early Indication (PEI), is sent at a certain time before P0 to indicate whether the terminal is monitoring paging scheduling information at that P0 time. The PEI is DCI 2-7, scrambled by the Paging Early Indication Radio Network Temporary Identity (PEI-RNTI).

[0186] To reduce network energy consumption, when the network enters Network Energy Saving (NES) mode, cells periodically perform discontinuous transmission (DTX) and / or discontinuous reception (DRX) at regular intervals. Conventional cells can send and receive Master Information Block (MIB), System Information Block (SIB), paging messages, and Random Access Channel (RACH). The four supported NES functions are as follows:

[0187] A cell that does not send synchronization signal broadcast blocks (SSB-less Scell);

[0188] Cell discontinuous reception and / or discontinuous transmission;

[0189] Antenna port adaptation;

[0190] Physical downlink shared channel variable speed power adaptation (PDSCH transmission power adaptation).

[0191] Refer to Figure 1B, which is a schematic diagram of network communications. In the network energy-saving SI phase, the concept of cells that do not send synchronization signal broadcast channel blocks or system information blocks (SSB / SIB1-less) is proposed. SSB / SIB1-less cells do not send SSBs, SIB1s, other SIBs, or paging messages, but can initiate a random access channel process to SSB / SIB1-less cells. SSB / SIB1-less cells do not send synchronization signal broadcast channel blocks (SSBs). System information blocks (SIB1s) are broadcast and configured through an associated cell.

[0192] Automatic Neighbor Relations (ANRANR) is a self-organizing network (SON) feature. ANR automatically identifies and adds the strongest neighboring cell among missing cells, while also removing incorrect or redundant neighboring cells, enabling the network to autonomously optimize neighbor relations.

[0193] In the New Radio (NR), normal cells, including Stand Alone (SA) cells and Non-Stand Alone (NAS) cells, can be maintained and added to the neighboring cell relationship table. SA cells have normal transmission of SSB, SIB1, and other SIBs. NAS only transmits SSB and SIB1 with reduced content. The purpose is to obtain the cell identification during the ANR process and determine the missing configuration. If it is missed, it is added to the neighboring cell relationship table. For SSB / SIB1-less cells, there is no SSB and SIB1, so the terminal cannot detect the missed SSB / SIB1-less cell through ordinary measurement.

[0194] FIG2 is an interactive diagram of a cell discovery method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG2 , the embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a cell discovery method for a communication system 100, the method comprising:

[0195] S2101: Obtain first configuration information.

[0196] In some embodiments, the first configuration information is used for the first cell to send a first signal.

[0197] In some embodiments, the first cell obtains first configuration information.

[0198] In some embodiments, the first cell receives first configuration information provided by an operation administration and maintenance (OAM) device.

[0199] In some embodiments, the first cell determines the first configuration information according to a protocol agreement.

[0200] In some embodiments, the first configuration information is used to determine at least one of the following:

[0201] Sending cycle;

[0202] Send window;

[0203] Offset amount.

[0204] The first configuration information may configure a sending period, a sending window, and an offset, and the offset may be used at least to determine a start time for sending the first signal.

[0205] S2102: Send second configuration information.

[0206] In some embodiments, the second cell sends the second configuration information.

[0207] In some embodiments, the second cell broadcasts, multicasts, or unicasts the second configuration information.

[0208] In some embodiments, the second cell sends second configuration information to the terminal.

[0209] In some embodiments, the second configuration information is used for the terminal to detect the first signal, thereby enabling the terminal to send the first signal to the first cell.

[0210] In some embodiments, the method further includes: receiving second configuration information.

[0211] In some embodiments, the terminal receives second configuration information.

[0212] In some embodiments, the terminal receives second configuration information sent by the second cell.

[0213] In some embodiments, the second cell may include the terminal's current serving cell.

[0214] In some embodiments, the second configuration information sent by the second cell may be configured by an Operation Administration and Maintenance (OAM) device.

[0215] In some embodiments, the terminal receives or determines the second configuration information.

[0216] In some embodiments, the terminal receives second configuration information sent by the second cell.

[0217] In some embodiments, the second cell sends a first SSB, one or more first SIBs, and a paging message.

[0218] In some embodiments, the second cell may be a regular cell. Exemplarily, the regular cell sends the first SSB, the first SIB and / or the paging message.

[0219] In other embodiments, the second cell and the first cell may belong to the same type of cell, that is, the second cell does not send the first SSB, the first SIB and / or the paging message. That is, the second cell may be a regular cell or an SSB / SIBx-less cell different from the first cell.

[0220] In some embodiments, the first cell and the second cell have overlapping coverage.

[0221] In some embodiments, the coverage of the first cell and the second cell are adjacent.

[0222] In some embodiments, the second cell and the first cell are neighboring cells.

[0223] In some embodiments, the second configuration information includes one of the following:

[0224] The first cell sends configuration information of a second SSB, wherein a transmission period of the second SSB is longer than a transmission period of the first SSB, and / or the second SSB is distributed within a designated transmission window relative to the first SSB;

[0225] The first cell sends configuration information of a second SIB, wherein the information content of the second SIB is less than that of the first SIB;

[0226] Configuration information of sending a discovery signal DRS by the first cell;

[0227] Configuration information of sending a channel state information reference signal CSI-RS by the first cell;

[0228] The first cell sends configuration information of a tracking reference signal TRS;

[0229] Frequency information, indicating a designated frequency layer used by the first cell;

[0230] PCI information, indicating the PCI used by the first cell.

[0231] In some embodiments, the configuration information of the second SIB may be used by the first cell to send the time-frequency domain location information, transmission period, transmission density and other related information of the second SIB.

[0232] In some implementations, the DRS configuration information may be used for the first cell to transmit the DRS. For example, the DRX configuration information may include information such as the time-frequency domain location information, the transmission period, and the transmission frequency of the DRX.

[0233] In some embodiments, the CSI-RS configuration information may be used for the first cell CSI-RS. Exemplarily, the CSI-RS configuration information includes information such as the time-frequency domain location information, transmission period, and transmission frequency of the CSI-RS.

[0234] In some embodiments, the configuration information of the TRS may be used for the first cell to send the TRS. Exemplarily, the configuration information of the TRS may include information such as time-frequency domain location information, a sending period, and a sending frequency for sending the TRS.

[0235] In some embodiments, the PCI information may indicate a PCI range used by the first cell.

[0236] In some embodiments, the PCI information may indicate a list of PCIs used by the first cell.

[0237] Exemplarily, the PCI information indicates a start PCI and / or an end PCI of a PCI range.

[0238] In this embodiment, any one or more of the above information can be used as the second configuration information and can be used to detect the first signal. The relevant second configuration information is configured as needed to facilitate the terminal to discover the first cell.

[0239] In some embodiments, the first cell sends configuration information of the second SSB, including the sending period, sending window and / or frequency layer of the second SSB.

[0240] In some embodiments, the first cell sends configuration information of the second SIB, including information content of the second SIB.

[0241] In some embodiments, a radio resource control (RRC) release message sent by the second cell is received, wherein the RRC release message carries the second configuration information.

[0242] In some embodiments, the terminal receives a radio resource control RRC release message sent by the second cell.

[0243] In some embodiments, a system message sent by the second cell is received, wherein the system message carries the second configuration information.

[0244] In some embodiments, the terminal receives a system message sent by the second cell.

[0245] In some embodiments, the terminal includes an idle terminal and an inactive terminal, and the idle terminal and the inactive terminal receive a radio resource control RRC release message sent by the second cell, or receive a system message sent by the second cell.

[0246] S2103, sending a first signal.

[0247] In some embodiments, the first signal is used by the terminal to discover the first cell.

[0248] In some embodiments, the first cell does not send one or more of the following:

[0249] A first synchronization signal broadcast channel block SSB;

[0250] One or more first system information blocks (SIBs);

[0251] Paging message.

[0252] In some embodiments, the first cell does not send the first SSB, one or more of the first SIBs, and the paging message.

[0253] This embodiment defines the difference between the first cell and the regular cell, so as to distinguish the first cell from other cells.

[0254] In some embodiments, the first SSB includes at least one of the following:

[0255] Master synchronization signal;

[0256] Auxiliary synchronization signal;

[0257] Physical broadcast channel.

[0258] In some embodiments, the first SIB includes a first SIBx, and the first SIBx may be a conventional SIB1, SIB2, SIB3, SIB4, SIB8, SIB9, or SIB10, and the value of x may be a positive integer.

[0259] In some embodiments, the paging message includes:

[0260] Paging messages initiated by the access network and paging messages initiated by the core network.

[0261] In some embodiments, the first system information block SIB is a first SIB1.

[0262] In some embodiments, the first cell sends the first signal.

[0263] In some embodiments, the access network device of the first cell sends the first signal in the first cell.

[0264] In some embodiments, the first signal is sent by broadcasting in the first cell.

[0265] In some embodiments, the first cell is an SSB / SIB1-less cell.

[0266] In some embodiments, the first signal includes at least one of the following:

[0267] a second SSB, wherein a transmission period of the second SSB is longer than a transmission period of the first SSB, and / or the second SSB is distributed within a designated transmission window relative to the first SSB;

[0268] a second SIB, wherein the information content of the second SIB is less than that of the first SIB;

[0269] Channel State Information-Reference Signal (CSI-RS);

[0270] Tracking Reference Signal (TRS);

[0271] Discovery Reference Signal (DRS).

[0272] Any of the above information included in the first signal can be used by the terminal to discover the first cell.

[0273] This embodiment defines the difference between the first SSB and the second SSB, and the difference between the first SIB and the second SIB, thereby defining the difference between the first signal sent by the first cell and the signals sent by other cells, which facilitates the discovery of the first cell.

[0274] The sending period of the second SSB is longer, so the frequency of sending the second SSB can be reduced, thereby reducing the sending power consumption and achieving the purpose of energy saving.

[0275] In some embodiments, the discovery signal is used for discovery of the first cell.

[0276] In some embodiments, the discovery signal is dedicated to discovery of the first cell.

[0277] In some embodiments, the discovery signal carries identification information related to the first cell.

[0278] In some embodiments, the first signal is not limited to the above examples and may be a service signal of the first cell. For example, the first cell is configured on a specific frequency layer and transmits the first signal on the specific frequency layer. If the terminal monitors any signal on the specific frequency layer, it may be considered to have monitored the first signal, thereby enabling the terminal to discover the first cell.

[0279] In some embodiments, the identification information related to the first cell includes at least one of the following: an ID of the first cell;

[0280] a physical cell identifier (PCI) of the first cell;

[0281] a high-level cell identifier of the first cell;

[0282] The identifier of the radio access network controller RANC;

[0283] Tracking Area Code (TAC);

[0284] Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN) identifier.

[0285] In the above embodiment, after receiving any one of the above identification information, the terminal can obtain the identification information of the first cell, which facilitates discovery of the first cell.

[0286] In some embodiments, the PCI may be used for physical layer transmission of the first cell.

[0287] In some embodiments, a high-layer cell identifier may be used for high-layer transmission of the first cell. The high-layer here may include any transmission layer above the physical layer. Exemplarily, the high-layer cell identifier may be simply referred to as a cell identifier.

[0288] In some embodiments, a tracking reference signal, which is used to track and compensate for time offset and frequency offset to ensure accuracy of downlink data reception, is multiplexed for discovery of the first cell.

[0289] In some embodiments, a channel state information reference signal, used for acquiring channel state information, beam management, and frequency and time tracking, is multiplexed for discovery of the first cell.

[0290] By multiplexing CSI-RS, TRS, and DRS, signaling overhead is reduced.

[0291] In some embodiments, the first signal further includes a service signal and / or a reference signal different from the first SSB, the first SIB, and the paging message.

[0292] In some embodiments, the traffic signal comprises a measurement signal.

[0293] In some embodiments, the second SIB includes: identification information related to the first cell.

[0294] In some embodiments, the second SIB includes: configuration information of the second SSB.

[0295] In some embodiments, the first signal is sent periodically, for example, the first cell periodically sends the first signal.

[0296] In some embodiments, the first signal is periodically sent within a sending window. For example, the first cell periodically sends the first signal within the sending window.

[0297] By periodically sending the first signal, the first cell can be discovered by the terminal at different time points.

[0298] In some embodiments, the first cell sending the first signal includes:

[0299] The first cell sends the first signal on a designated frequency layer, where the designated frequency layer is dedicated to the first cell.

[0300] By sending the first signal on the designated frequency layer, the terminal can easily receive the first signal on the designated frequency layer. The first signal on the designated frequency layer is the signal sent by the first cell, which is used by the terminal to discover the first cell. In this way, the terminal can discover the first cell by receiving the signal on the designated frequency layer.

[0301] In some embodiments, the first cell sending the first signal includes:

[0302] The first cell sends the first signal carrying the first PCI of the first cell, where the first PCI is included in a PCI range dedicated to the first cell.

[0303] The first PCI can facilitate the terminal to find the first cell after receiving the first PCI, and can also facilitate the terminal to find the first cell after receiving a PIC within the PCI range of the first cell.

[0304] In some embodiments, the first cell transmits the first signal on a designated frequency layer, wherein the designated frequency layer is dedicated to the first cell.

[0305] In some embodiments, the first cell sends the first signal carrying a first PCI of the first cell, wherein the first PCI is included in a PCI range dedicated to the first cell.

[0306] If the first cell is configured with an exclusive frequency layer and / or PCI, then any reference signal and / or service signal detected by the terminal in the exclusive frequency layer belongs to the first signal. Alternatively, when the terminal detects any signal of a PCI within the PCI range exclusive to the first cell, it can be considered that the first signal is detected, that is, the first cell is discovered.

[0307] In some embodiments, the first cell sends the first signal according to a protocol, which may include a network transmission protocol and a signaling protocol.

[0308] There is no need to obtain configuration information of other cells or devices, and the first information can be sent through protocol agreement.

[0309] In some embodiments, the first cell sends the first signal according to first configuration information.

[0310] In some embodiments, the first configuration information may be configured by an Operation Administration and Maintenance (OAM) device.

[0311] In some embodiments, the first configuration information is used to determine at least one of the following:

[0312] Sending cycle;

[0313] Send window;

[0314] Offset amount.

[0315] The first configuration information may configure a sending period, a sending window, and an offset, and the offset may be used at least to determine a start time for sending the first signal;

[0316] PCI information, indicating the PCI used by the first cell.

[0317] S2104: Detect the first signal.

[0318] In some embodiments, the terminal detects the first signal.

[0319] In some embodiments, the terminal detects the first signal according to the second configuration information.

[0320] In some embodiments, the first signal is detected according to the transmission period of the second SSB sent by the first cell.

[0321] In some embodiments, the first signal is detected based on information content of a second SIB sent by the first cell.

[0322] In some embodiments, the first signal is detected based on a discovery signal DRS.

[0323] In some embodiments, the first signal is detected based on a channel state information reference signal.

[0324] In some embodiments, the first signal is detected based on a tracking reference signal.

[0325] In some embodiments, the first signal is detected based on frequency information of information transmitted by the first cell.

[0326] In some embodiments, the first signal is detected according to frequency layers.

[0327] In some embodiments, the first signal is detected based on PCI information.

[0328] In some embodiments, the first signal is detected based on PCI information within a PCI range.

[0329] In some embodiments, the terminal detects the first signal, indicating that the terminal has discovered the first cell.

[0330] S2105: Send the first message.

[0331] In some embodiments, the terminal sends the first information.

[0332] In some embodiments, the terminal sends the first information after detecting the first signal.

[0333] In some embodiments, upon detecting the first signal, the terminal sends the first information to the second cell.

[0334] In some embodiments, the first information includes at least: identification information related to the first cell discovered by the terminal.

[0335] In some embodiments, the identification information related to the first cell includes at least one of the following:

[0336] a physical cell identifier (PCI) of the first cell;

[0337] a high-level cell identifier of the first cell;

[0338] The identifier of the radio access network controller RANC;

[0339] Tracking Area Code (TAC);

[0340] PLMN identifier.

[0341] After detecting any one or more identification information related to the first cell, it can be sent to the second cell as information that the terminal has discovered the first cell. This makes it easier for the second cell to add the first cell to the neighboring cell relationship list, so that the first cell can provide services normally.

[0342] In some embodiments, after detecting the first signal, the terminal obtains identification information related to the first cell according to the first signal.

[0343] In some embodiments, the second configuration information is used to send the first information to the second cell.

[0344] The second configuration information is configuration information for sending the first information, and can configure the sending method of the first information.

[0345] In some embodiments, the first signal is detected and the first information is sent to the second cell according to the second configuration information.

[0346] S2106: Update neighboring cell relations.

[0347] In some embodiments, the second cell updates neighbor relations.

[0348] In some embodiments, the neighbor relationship of the second cell is updated according to the first information.

[0349] In one embodiment, it further includes:

[0350] A first message is received.

[0351] In some embodiments, the first information is received before updating the neighbor relation.

[0352] In some embodiments, the second cell receives the first information.

[0353] In some embodiments, the second cell receives the first information sent by the terminal.

[0354] S2107: Send second information to the second cell.

[0355] In some embodiments, the second information may include a measurement result of a reference signal and / or third configuration information.

[0356] In some embodiments, the terminal sends a measurement result of a reference signal of the second cell to the second cell.

[0357] In some embodiments, the second cell is a current serving cell or a resident serving cell of the terminal, and the measurement result of the reference signal includes: a reference signal receiving power (RSRP) and a reference signal receiving quality (RSRQ) of the second cell.

[0358] In some embodiments, the second information further includes: identification information of the terminal's current serving cell, which may include at least one or more of the following:

[0359] Physical cell identifier PCI of the current serving cell;

[0360] The frequency of the current serving cell;

[0361] The cell ID of the current serving cell.

[0362] In some embodiments, the terminal sends third configuration information of the first cell to the second cell.

[0363] In some embodiments, the third configuration information includes at least one of the following:

[0364] configuration information of the second SSB sent by the first cell;

[0365] The cell type of the first cell.

[0366] In some embodiments, the configuration information of the second SSB sent by the first cell includes the sending period, sending window and / or offset of the second SSB.

[0367] In some embodiments, the cell type of the first cell may include a primary cell, a secondary cell, or a primary-secondary cell, etc.

[0368] In some embodiments, S2102 to S2107 can be implemented as independent embodiments, and S2101 is a default step. The first cell can send the first signal according to the protocol agreement and does not need to receive the first configuration information. Therefore, S2101 can be omitted.

[0369] In some embodiments, S2102 to S2107 can be implemented as independent embodiments. S2101 and S2102 are default steps. The first cell can send the first signal according to the protocol and does not need to receive the first configuration information. Therefore, S2101 can be omitted. The terminal can detect the first signal according to the protocol and does not need the second configuration information. Therefore, S2102 can be omitted.

[0370] In some embodiments, S2103 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, and S2102 to S2107 are default steps. The first cell can send a first signal to facilitate the terminal to discover the existence of the first cell. However, in some cases, there may be no terminal within the coverage of the first cell. Therefore, S2102 to S2107 can be omitted.

[0371] In some embodiments, S2102 is a default step, S2101, S2103 to S2107 are implemented as independent embodiments, and other steps are optional. For example, the terminal may discover the first cell according to a protocol without receiving configuration information.

[0372] In some embodiments, S2101, S2102, S2105, and S2106 are default steps, S2103, S2104 to S2107 are implemented as independent embodiments, and other steps are optional steps. For example, the first cell sends a first signal according to the first configuration information, and the terminal can detect the first signal according to the protocol agreement to discover the first cell without receiving the second configuration information. If the terminal does not find the first cell, in this case, it is not necessary to send the first information to the second cell, that is, S2105 is omitted. Since the second cell does not receive the first information, S2106 for updating the neighboring cell relationship can be omitted. However, the terminal can send the measurement result of the reference signal of the second cell to the second cell.

[0373] In some embodiments, S2102 and S2105 to S2107 may be default steps, and S2103 and S2104 may be implemented as independent embodiments. In some cases, although the first cell transmits the first signal, the terminal may not detect the first signal according to the protocol. Thus, the terminal cannot detect the first cell and does not send information to the second cell. S2105 to S2107 are executed after the first signal is detected, so S2102 and S2105 to S2107 may be omitted.

[0374] In some embodiments, S2107 can be used as a default step, and S2101 to S2106 can be implemented as independent embodiments. The neighbor relationship is updated in the second cell according to the first information, thereby realizing network update and optimization. The terminal does not need to send the second information, so S2107 can be omitted.

[0375] It is worth noting that there is no specific order between S2107 and step S2105. S2105 may be executed first and then S2107, or S2107 may be executed first and then S2105, or S2105 and S2107 may be executed at the same time.

[0376] The terms signal, signaling, report, configuration, indication, instruction, command, channel, parameter, field and data are used interchangeably.

[0377] FIG3 is a schematic diagram of a method for discovering a cell according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG3 , the embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a method for discovering a cell, which is used for a first cell and includes:

[0378] S3101: Obtain first configuration information.

[0379] In some embodiments, the first configuration information may be configured by an Operation Administration and Maintenance (OAM) device.

[0380] In some embodiments, the first configuration information is configured according to a core network device.

[0381] In other embodiments, the first configuration information is determined according to a protocol agreement.

[0382] For details of the first configuration information, please refer to the relevant part of the embodiment corresponding to FIG2 , which will not be repeated here.

[0383] S3102: Send a first signal. For a description of the first signal, please refer to the relevant part of the embodiment corresponding to FIG2 , which will not be repeated here.

[0384] Refer to the content of S2103 in Figure 2.

[0385] In some embodiments, S3101 may be used as a default step, and S3102 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, and may not require obtaining the first configuration information, and may send the first signal according to the protocol agreement.

[0386] FIG4 is a schematic diagram of a method for discovering a cell according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG4 , the embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a method for discovering a cell, which is used for a terminal device and includes:

[0387] S4101: Acquire second configuration information. Please refer to the content of S2102 in Figure 2.

[0388] S4102: Detecting a first signal. For a description of detecting the first signal, please refer to S2104 in FIG. 2 .

[0389] S4103: Sending the first information. For the description of sending the first information, please refer to the content of S2105 in FIG. 2 .

[0390] S4104: Sending second information to the second cell. Please refer to the content of S2107 in Figure 2.

[0391] In some embodiments, S4201 to S4203 may be implemented as independent embodiments, and S4204 is a default step. The second cell updates the neighbor relationship based on the first information, thereby achieving network update and optimization. The terminal does not need to send the second information, so S4204 may be omitted.

[0392] In some embodiments, S4102 and S4103 can be implemented as independent embodiments, with S4101 and S4104 being default steps. Without receiving the second configuration information, the terminal can detect the first signal according to the protocol, so S4101 can be omitted. After the second cell updates its neighbor relationship based on the first information, the network has been updated and optimized, and the terminal does not need to send the second information, so S4104 can be omitted.

[0393] In some embodiments, S4101, S4102 and S4104 can be implemented as independent embodiments, and S4103 is the default step. The terminal can obtain the second configuration information and then detect the first signal without detecting the first signal according to the protocol agreement. When the first signal cannot be detected, the first information will not be sent, so S4103 can be omitted.

[0394] In some embodiments, S4102 and S4104 can be implemented as independent embodiments, and S4101 and S4103 are default steps. The terminal detects the first signal according to the protocol agreement, and does not send the first information to the second cell if the first signal is not detected, so S4101 and S4103 can be omitted.

[0395] In some embodiments, S4102 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, and S4101, S4103, and S4104 are default steps. When the terminal detects the first signal according to the protocol, if the terminal does not detect the first signal, the first information is no longer sent, so S4101 and S4103 can be omitted. In this case, the terminal may not send the second information to the second cell, so S4104 can also be omitted.

[0396] FIG5 is a schematic diagram of a method for discovering a cell according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG5 , the embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a method for discovering a cell, which is used for a second cell, and the method includes:

[0397] S5101: Sending second configuration information. Please refer to the content of S2102 in Figure 2.

[0398] S5102: Receive first information. Please refer to the content of S2105 in Figure 2.

[0399] S5103: Update neighboring cell relations. Please refer to the content of S2106 in Figure 2.

[0400] S5104: Receive second information. Please refer to the content of S2107 in Figure 2.

[0401] In some embodiments, S5101 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, and S5102 to S5104 are default steps. When the terminal detects the first signal according to the second configuration information, the second cell needs to send the second configuration information to the terminal. If the terminal does not detect the first signal and does not find the first cell, the terminal may not send the first information and / or the second information, and therefore S5102 to S5104 may be omitted.

[0402] In some embodiments, S5102 and S5103 can be implemented as independent embodiments, and S5101 and S5104 are default steps. When the terminal detects the first signal according to the protocol agreement and detects the first signal, it sends the first information to the second cell and no longer sends the second information, so S4101 and S4103 can be omitted.

[0403] In some embodiments, S5101 and S5104 can be implemented as independent embodiments, and S5102 and S5103 are default steps. When the terminal detects the first signal according to the second configuration information and does not detect the first signal, it does not send the first information to the second cell. The second cell can omit updating the neighbor relationship. However, the terminal can send the second information to the second cell, and the second cell can receive the second information, so S4101 and S4103 can be omitted.

[0404] In some embodiments, S5104 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, and S5101 to S5103 are default steps. The terminal detects the first signal according to the protocol, and if the first signal is not detected, it does not send the first information to the second cell. The second cell can omit updating the neighbor relationship. However, the terminal can send the second information to the second cell, and the second cell can receive the second information. Therefore, S5101 to S5103 can be omitted.

[0405] An embodiment of the present disclosure provides a method for discovering an SSB / SIB1-less cell, which may specifically include: a first cell sending a first signal for a terminal device UE to discover the first cell (SSB / SIB1-less cell).

[0406] The first signal may include a reference signal.

[0407] A reference signal is sent based on the first configuration information.

[0408] Sending a reference signal includes:

[0409] The reference signal is sent according to a protocol agreement or network configuration information. The network configuration information is used to configure at least one period, and / or a window length, and / or an offset. The first configuration information includes network configuration information. Based on the period, window length, and / or offset, the terminal performs measurements to detect missing SSB / SIB1-less cells.

[0410] In some embodiments, within the window or period:

[0411] The SSB / SIB1-less cell sends SSB / SIB1, where the SIB1 is a SIB1 with reduced content and may include cell identification related information, such as SSB configuration information, cell ID information, RANC, TAC and / or PLMN information.

[0412] This window is the aforementioned sending window.

[0413] In some embodiments, within the window or period: the SSB / SIB1-less cell sends a discovery signal DRS.

[0414] The DRS may be used to identify the cell, for example, carrying information such as a cell identification.

[0415] In some embodiments, the SSB / SIB1-less cell sends information for assisting the UE in discovering SSB / SIB1-less cell measurements.

[0416] In some embodiments, at least one frequency layer is configured based on protocol agreement or other network configurations, and the at least one frequency layer is used to deploy SSB / SIB1-less cells.

[0417] In some embodiments, at least one reserved PCI or PCI range based on protocol agreement or other network configuration may be used exclusively for SSB / SIB1-less cells. That is, the at least one PCI is used to deploy SSB / SIB1-less cells.

[0418] In some embodiments, the terminal that discovers the SSB / SIB1-less cell may be an idle state (RRC_IDLE) UE, an inactive state (RRC_INACTIVE) UE, or a connected state (RRC_CONNECTED) UE.

[0419] In some embodiments, RRC_IDLE / INACTIVE UEs may be provided with RRC dedicated signaling, or system broadcast information of other cells, or configuration information for discovering SSB / SIB1-less cells.

[0420] The configuration information for discovering SSB / SIB1-less cells may include: a frequency list, a PCI list or a PCI range, and an indication of discovering SSB / SIB1-less cells.

[0421] In some embodiments, for an RRC_CONNECTED UE, cell identity related information of a designated cell is obtained based on network side configuration.

[0422] The UE reports the discovered SSB / SIB1-less cell, and the report includes the following information: configuration information of the SSB / SIB1-less cell, reference signal received power RSRP of the current serving cell or the resident serving cell, reference signal received quality (RSRQ) measurement and / or identification information of the serving cell (such as PCI and frequency, cell ID, etc.).

[0423] This embodiment provides a method in which a SSB / SIB1-less cell is discovered and maintained in a neighbor relationship list through long-period SSB / SIB1 or discovery signal transmission, or assists the UE in identifying the SSB / SIB1-less cell by reserving a PCI or reserving a separate frequency layer. This enables the SSB / SIB1-less cell to autonomously optimize deployment and provide services to the terminal normally, thereby reducing the power consumption cost and network deployment cost in the operator's network operating costs. At the same time, the deployment of SSB / SIB1-less cells makes network deployment more flexible, because SSB / SIB1-less cells do not change network coverage, they only provide data services and expand system capacity, so SSB / SIB1-less cells can be quickly deployed, quickly used, flexibly deployed, and enabled on demand, that is, "plug and play", thereby improving the flexibility and timeliness of network deployment.

[0424] The embodiments of the present disclosure also provide an apparatus for implementing any of the above methods. For example, an apparatus is provided, comprising units or modules for implementing each step performed by a terminal in any of the above methods. For another example, another apparatus is provided, comprising units or modules for implementing each step performed by a network device (e.g., an access network device or a core network device) in any of the above methods.

[0425] It should be understood that the division of the various units or modules in the above devices is merely a division of logical functions. In actual implementation, they may be fully or partially integrated into a physical entity, or they may be physically separated. In addition, the units or modules in the device may be implemented in the form of a processor calling software: for example, the device includes a processor, the processor is connected to a memory, and the memory stores instructions. The processor calls the instructions stored in the memory to implement any of the above methods or implement the functions of the various units or modules of the above devices, wherein the processor is, for example, a general-purpose processor, such as a central processing unit (CPU) or a microprocessor, and the memory is a memory within the device or a memory outside the device. Alternatively, the units or modules in the device can be implemented in the form of hardware circuits, and the functions of some or all of the units or modules can be realized by designing the hardware circuits. The above-mentioned hardware circuits can be understood as one or more processors; for example, in one implementation, the above-mentioned hardware circuit is an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), which realizes the functions of some or all of the above units or modules by designing the logical relationship of the components in the circuit; for example, in another implementation, the above-mentioned hardware circuit can be realized by a programmable logic device (PLD). Taking a field programmable gate array (FPGA) as an example, it can include a large number of logic gate circuits, and the connection relationship between the logic gate circuits is configured by configuring the configuration file, thereby realizing the functions of some or all of the above units or modules. All units or modules of the above devices can be realized in the form of software called by the processor, or in the form of hardware circuits, or in part by the form of software called by the processor, and the rest by hardware circuits.

[0426] In the embodiments of the present disclosure, a processor is a circuit with signal processing capabilities. In one implementation, the processor can be a circuit with instruction reading and execution capabilities, such as a central processing unit (CPU), a microprocessor, a graphics processing unit (GPU) (which can be understood as a microprocessor), or a digital signal processor (DSP). In another implementation, the processor can implement certain functions through the logical relationship of a hardware circuit. The logical relationship of the above-mentioned hardware circuit is fixed or reconfigurable. For example, the processor is a hardware circuit implemented by an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) or a programmable logic device (PLD), such as an FPGA. In a reconfigurable hardware circuit, the process of the processor loading a configuration document to implement the hardware circuit configuration can be understood as the process of the processor loading instructions to implement the functions of some or all of the above units or modules. In addition, it can also be a hardware circuit designed for artificial intelligence, which can be understood as an ASIC, such as a neural network processing unit (NPU), a tensor processing unit (TPU), a deep learning processing unit (DPU), etc.

[0427] FIG6 is a schematic structural diagram of a first network device provided in an embodiment of the present disclosure, wherein the network device includes:

[0428] The transceiver module 601 is configured to send a first signal to a first cell; wherein the first signal is used by a terminal to discover the first cell;

[0429] The first cell does not send one or more of the following:

[0430] A first synchronization signal broadcast channel block SSB;

[0431] One or more first system information blocks SIB; paging message.

[0432] Optionally, the first cell does not send the first SSB, one or more of the first SIBs, and the paging message.

[0433] Optionally, the first signal includes at least one of the following:

[0434] a second SSB, wherein a transmission period of the second SSB is longer than a transmission period of the first SSB, and / or the second SSB is distributed within a designated transmission window relative to the first SSB;

[0435] a second SIB, wherein the information content of the second SIB is less than that of the first SIB;

[0436] Channel State Information Reference Signal CSI-RS;

[0437] Tracking reference signal TRS;

[0438] Discovery signal DRS.

[0439] Optionally, the first signal is sent periodically.

[0440] Optionally, the first signal is sent periodically within a sending window.

[0441] Optionally, the second SIB includes: identification information related to the first cell, and / or configuration information of the second SSB.

[0442] Optionally, the discovery signal carries identification information related to the first cell.

[0443] Optionally, the identification information related to the first cell includes at least one of the following:

[0444] a physical cell identifier (PCI) of the first cell;

[0445] a high-level cell identifier of the first cell;

[0446] The identifier of the radio access network controller RANC;

[0447] Tracking Area Code (TAC);

[0448] PLMN identifier.

[0449] Optionally, the transceiver module 601 is configured to send the first signal on a designated frequency layer, wherein the designated frequency layer is dedicated to the first cell.

[0450] Optionally, the transceiver module 601 is configured to send the first signal carrying a first PCI of a first cell, wherein the first PCI is included in a PCI range dedicated to the first cell.

[0451] Optionally, the transceiver module 601 is configured to send the first signal in the first cell according to a protocol agreement or first configuration information.

[0452] Optionally, the first configuration information is used to determine at least one of the following:

[0453] Sending cycle;

[0454] Send window;

[0455] Offset amount.

[0456] FIG7 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a terminal device provided in an embodiment of the present disclosure, wherein the terminal device includes:

[0457] The transceiver module 701 is configured to send first information to the second cell when the terminal detects the first signal, wherein the first information at least includes: identification information related to the first cell discovered by the terminal;

[0458] The first cell does not send one or more of the following:

[0459] A first synchronization signal broadcast channel block SSB;

[0460] One or more first system information blocks (SIBs);

[0461] Paging message.

[0462] Optionally, the first cell does not send the first SSB, one or more of the first SIBs, and the paging message.

[0463] Optionally, the second cell sends one or more of the following:

[0464] A first synchronization signal broadcast channel block SSB;

[0465] One or more first system information blocks (SIBs);

[0466] Paging message.

[0467] Optionally, the identification information related to the first cell includes at least one of the following:

[0468] a physical cell identifier (PCI) of the first cell;

[0469] a high-level cell identifier of the first cell;

[0470] The identifier of the radio access network controller RANC;

[0471] Tracking Area Code (TAC);

[0472] PLMN identifier.

[0473] Optionally, the transceiver module 701 is configured to receive second configuration information sent by a second cell; wherein the second configuration information is used by the terminal to discover the first cell.

[0474] Optionally, the transceiver module 701 is configured to determine the second configuration information according to a protocol agreement;

[0475] The second configuration information is used by the terminal to discover the first cell.

[0476] Optionally, the transceiver module 701 is configured to detect the first signal according to the second configuration information.

[0477] Optionally, the transceiver module 701 is configured to detect the first signal and send the first information to the second cell according to the second configuration information.

[0478] Optionally, the second configuration information includes one of the following:

[0479] The first cell sends configuration information of a second SSB, wherein a transmission period of the second SSB is longer than a transmission period of the first SSB, and / or the second SSB is distributed within a designated transmission window relative to the first SSB;

[0480] The first cell sends configuration information of a second SIB, wherein the information content of the second SIB is less than that of the first SIB;

[0481] Configuration information of sending a discovery signal DRS by the first cell;

[0482] Configuration information of sending a channel state information reference signal CSI-RS by the first cell;

[0483] The first cell sends configuration information of a tracking reference signal TRS;

[0484] Frequency information, indicating a designated frequency layer used by the first cell;

[0485] PCI information, indicating the PCI used by the first cell.

[0486] Optionally, the transceiver module 701 is configured to receive a radio resource control RRC release message sent by the second cell, wherein the RRC release message carries the second configuration information.

[0487] Optionally, the transceiver module 701 is configured to receive a system message sent by the second cell, where the system message carries the second configuration information.

[0488] Optionally, the transceiver module 701 is configured to send a measurement result of a reference signal of the second cell to the second cell.

[0489] Optionally, the transceiver module 701 is configured to send third configuration information of the first cell to the second cell.

[0490] Optionally, the third configuration information includes at least one of the following:

[0491] configuration information of the second SSB sent by the first cell;

[0492] The cell type of the first cell.

[0493] FIG8 is a schematic structural diagram of a second network device provided in an embodiment of the present disclosure, wherein the second network device includes:

[0494] The transceiver module 801 is configured to receive first information in the second cell; wherein the first information at least includes: identification information related to the first cell discovered by the terminal;

[0495] Updating the neighbor relationship according to the first information;

[0496] The first cell does not send one or more of the following:

[0497] A first synchronization signal broadcast channel block SSB;

[0498] One or more first system information blocks (SIBs);

[0499] Paging message.

[0500] Optionally, the first cell does not send the first SSB, one or more of the first SIBs, and the paging message.

[0501] Optionally, the second cell sends one or more of the following:

[0502] the first SSB;

[0503] one or more of the first SIBs;

[0504] The paging message.

[0505] Optionally, the identification information related to the first cell includes at least one of the following:

[0506] a physical cell identifier (PCI) of the first cell;

[0507] a high-level cell identifier of the first cell;

[0508] The identifier of the radio access network controller RANC;

[0509] Tracking Area Code (TAC);

[0510] PLMN identifier.

[0511] Optionally, the transceiver module 801 is configured to send second configuration information; wherein, the second configuration information is used by the terminal to discover the first cell.

[0512] Optionally, the second configuration information includes one of the following:

[0513] The first cell sends configuration information of a second SSB, wherein a transmission period of the second SSB is longer than a transmission period of the first SSB, and / or the second SSB is distributed within a designated transmission window relative to the first SSB;

[0514] The first cell sends configuration information of a second SIB, wherein the information content of the second SIB is less than that of the first SIB;

[0515] Configuration information of sending a discovery signal DRS by the first cell;

[0516] Configuration information of sending a channel state information reference signal CSI-RS by the first cell;

[0517] The first cell sends configuration information of a tracking reference signal TRS;

[0518] Frequency information, indicating a designated frequency layer used by the first cell;

[0519] PCI information, indicating the PCI used by the first cell.

[0520] Optionally, the transceiver module 801 is configured to send a radio resource control RRC release message, wherein the RRC release message carries the second configuration information;

[0521] or,

[0522] The system message sent carries the second configuration information.

[0523] Optionally, the transceiver module 801 is configured to receive second information; wherein the second information includes: a measurement result of a reference signal of the second cell and / or third configuration information.

[0524] Optionally, the third configuration information includes at least one of the following:

[0525] configuration information of the second SSB sent by the first cell;

[0526] Cell type of the first cell

[0527] Figure 9a is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device 8100 provided in an embodiment of the present disclosure. Communication device 8100 can be a network device (e.g., an access network device or a core network device), a terminal (e.g., a user device), a chip, a chip system, or a processor that supports a network device in implementing any of the above methods, or a chip, a chip system, or a processor that supports a terminal in implementing any of the above communication methods. Communication device 8100 can be used to implement the communication methods described in the above method embodiments. For details, please refer to the description of the above method embodiments.

[0528] As shown in Figure 9a, the communication device 8100 includes one or more processors 8101. The processor 8101 can be a general-purpose processor or a dedicated processor, for example, a baseband processor or a central processing unit. The baseband processor can be used to process communication protocols and communication data, and the central processing unit can be used to control the communication device (such as a base station, baseband chip, terminal device, terminal device chip, DU or CU, etc.), execute programs, and process program data. The processor 8101 is used to call instructions to enable the communication device 8100 to execute any of the above communication methods.

[0529] In some embodiments, the communication device 8100 further includes one or more memories 8102 for storing instructions. Optionally, all or part of the memories 8102 may be located outside the communication device 8100.

[0530] In some embodiments, the communication device 8100 further includes one or more transceivers 8103. When the communication device 8100 includes one or more transceivers 8103, the communication steps such as sending and receiving in the above method are performed by the transceiver 8103, and the other steps are performed by the processor 8101.

[0531] In some embodiments, a transceiver may include a receiver and a transmitter, which may be separate or integrated. Optionally, the terms transceiver, transceiver unit, transceiver, and transceiver circuit may be used interchangeably; the terms transmitter, transmitting unit, transmitter, and transmitting circuit may be used interchangeably; and the terms receiver, receiving unit, receiver, and receiving circuit may be used interchangeably.

[0532] Optionally, the communication device 8100 further includes one or more interface circuits 8104, which are connected to the memory 8102. The interface circuits 8104 can be used to receive signals from the memory 8102 or other devices, and can be used to send signals to the memory 8102 or other devices. For example, the interface circuits 8104 can read instructions stored in the memory 8102 and send the instructions to the processor 8101.

[0533] The communication device 8100 described in the above embodiment may be a network device or a terminal, but the scope of the communication device 8100 described in the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and the structure of the communication device 8100 may not be limited by FIG. 9a. The communication device may be an independent device or may be part of a larger device. For example, the communication device may be: (1) an independent integrated circuit IC, or a chip, or a chip system or subsystem; (2) a collection of one or more ICs, optionally, the above IC collection may also include a storage component for storing data or programs; (3) an ASIC, such as a modem; (4) a module that can be embedded in other devices; (5) a receiver, a terminal device, an intelligent terminal device, a cellular phone, a wireless device, a handheld device, a mobile unit, an in-vehicle device, a network device, a cloud device, an artificial intelligence device, etc.; (6) others, etc.

[0534] FIG9 b is a schematic diagram of the structure of the chip 8200 provided in an embodiment of the present disclosure. If the communication device 8100 can be a chip or a chip system, please refer to the schematic diagram of the structure of the chip 8200 shown in FIG9 b , but the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0535] The chip 8200 includes one or more processors 8201 , and the processor 8201 is used to call instructions so that the chip 8200 executes any of the above communication methods.

[0536] In some embodiments, chip 8200 further includes one or more interface circuits 8202, which are connected to memory 8203. Interface circuit 8202 can be used to receive signals from memory 8203 or other devices, and can be used to send signals to memory 8203 or other devices. For example, interface circuit 8202 can read instructions stored in memory 8203 and send the instructions to processor 8201. Optionally, the terms interface circuit, interface, transceiver pin, and transceiver are interchangeable.

[0537] In some embodiments, the chip 8200 further includes one or more memories 8203 for storing instructions. Alternatively, all or part of the memories 8203 may be outside the chip 8200.

[0538] The present disclosure also provides a storage medium having instructions stored thereon, which, when executed on the communication device 8100, causes the communication device 8100 to execute any of the above methods. Optionally, the storage medium is an electronic storage medium. Optionally, the storage medium is a computer-readable storage medium, but may also be a storage medium readable by other devices. Optionally, the storage medium may be a non-transitory storage medium, but may also be a transient storage medium.

[0539] The present disclosure further provides a program product, which, when executed by the communication device 8100, enables the communication device 8100 to perform any of the above communication methods. Optionally, the program product is a computer program product.

[0540] The present disclosure also provides a computer program, which, when executed on a computer, enables the computer to execute any one of the above communication methods.

[0541] Other embodiments of the present invention will readily occur to those skilled in the art after considering the specification and practicing the invention disclosed herein. This disclosure is intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the invention that follow from the general principles of the invention and include common knowledge or customary techniques in the art not disclosed herein. The description and examples are to be considered as exemplary only, with the true scope and spirit of the invention being indicated by the following claims.

[0542] It should be understood that the present invention is not limited to the exact construction described above and shown in the drawings, and that various modifications and changes may be made without departing from the scope thereof. The scope of the present invention is limited only by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A method for discovering a cell, wherein: The method comprises: The first cell sends a first signal; wherein the first signal is used by the terminal to discover the first cell; The first cell does not send one or more of the following: A first synchronization signal broadcast channel block SSB; One or more first system information blocks SIB; Paging message.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein: The first cell does not send the first SSB, one or more of the first SIBs, and the paging message.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein: The first signal includes at least one of the following: A second SSB, wherein a transmission period of the second SSB is longer than a transmission period of the first SSB, and / or the second SSB is distributed within a specified transmission window relative to the first SSB; a second SIB, wherein the information content of the second SIB is less than that of the first SIB; Channel state information reference signal CSI-RS; Tracking reference signal TRS; Discovery signal DRS.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: The first signal is sent periodically.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein: The first signal is sent periodically within a sending window.

6. The method according to claim 3, wherein: The second SIB includes: identification information related to the first cell, and / or configuration information of the second SSB.

7. The method according to claim 3, wherein: The discovery signal carries identification information related to the first cell.

8. The method according to claim 6 or 7, wherein: The identification information related to the first cell includes at least one of the following: A physical cell identifier PCI of the first cell; a high-level cell identifier of the first cell; The identifier of the radio access network controller RANC; Tracking area code TAC; PLMN identifier.

9. The method according to claim 1, wherein: The first cell sending a first signal includes: The first cell sends the first signal on a designated frequency layer, wherein the designated frequency layer is dedicated to the first cell; and / or, The first cell sends the first signal carrying a first PCI of the first cell, wherein the first PCI is included in a PCI range dedicated to the first cell.

10. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein: The first cell sending a first signal includes: The first cell sends the first signal according to a protocol agreement or first configuration information.

11. The method according to claim 10, wherein: The first configuration information is used to determine at least one of the following: Sending cycle; Send window; Offset amount.

12. A method for discovering a cell, wherein: The method comprises: The terminal detects the first signal and sends first information to the second cell, wherein the first information at least includes: identification information related to the first cell discovered by the terminal; The first cell does not send one or more of the following: A first synchronization signal broadcast channel block SSB; One or more first system information blocks SIB; Paging message.

13. The method according to claim 12, wherein: The first cell does not send the first SSB, one or more of the first SIBs, and the paging message.

14. The method according to claim 12 or 13, wherein: The second cell sends one or more of the following: the first SSB; one or more of said first SIBs; The paging message.

15. The method according to any one of claims 12 to 14, wherein: The identification information related to the first cell includes at least one of the following: A physical cell identifier PCI of the first cell; a high-level cell identifier of the first cell; The identifier of the radio access network controller RANC; Tracking area code TAC; PLMN identifier.

16. The method according to any one of claims 12 to 15, wherein: The method further comprises: receiving second configuration information sent by the second cell; or, Determine the second configuration information according to the protocol; The second configuration information is used by the terminal to discover the first cell.

17. The method according to claim 16, wherein: The method further comprises: The first signal is detected according to the second configuration information.

18. The method according to any one of claims 12 to 17, wherein: The detecting the first signal and sending the first information to the second cell includes: The first signal is detected, and the first information is sent to the second cell according to the second configuration information.

19. The method according to claim 16 or 17, wherein: The second configuration information includes one of the following: The first cell sends configuration information of a second SSB, wherein a sending period of the second SSB is longer than a sending period of the first SSB, and / or the second SSB is distributed within a designated sending window relative to the first SSB; The first cell sends configuration information of a second SIB, wherein the information content of the second SIB is less than that of the first SIB; Configuration information of sending a discovery signal DRS by the first cell; The first cell sends configuration information of a channel state information reference signal CSI-RS; The first cell sends configuration information of a tracking reference signal TRS; frequency information, indicating a specified frequency layer used by the first cell; PCI information, indicating the PCI used by the first cell.

20. The method according to claim 16, 17 or 19, wherein: The receiving second configuration information sent by the second cell includes: receiving a radio resource control (RRC) release message sent by the second cell, wherein the RRC release message carries the second configuration information; or, Receive a system message sent by the second cell, where the system message carries the second configuration information.

21. The method according to any one of claims 12 to 20, wherein: The method further comprises: Sending second information to the second cell; The second information includes: a measurement result of a reference signal of the second cell and / or third configuration information.

22. The method according to claim 21, wherein: The third configuration information includes at least one of the following: configuration information of a second SSB sent by the first cell; The cell type of the first cell.

23. A method for discovering a cell, wherein: The method comprises: The second cell receives the first information; wherein the first information at least includes: identification information related to the first cell discovered by the terminal; Updating the neighbor relationship according to the first information; The first cell does not send one or more of the following: A first synchronization signal broadcast channel block SSB; One or more first system information blocks SIB; Paging message.

24. The method according to claim 23, wherein: The first cell does not send the first SSB, one or more of the first SIBs, and the paging message.

25. The method according to claim 23 or 24, wherein: The second cell sends one or more of the following: the first SSB; one or more of said first SIBs; The paging message.

26. The method according to any one of claims 23 to 25, wherein: The identification information related to the first cell includes at least one of the following: A physical cell identifier PCI of the first cell; a high-level cell identifier of the first cell; The identifier of the radio access network controller RANC; Tracking area code TAC; PLMN identifier.

27. The method according to any one of claims 23 to 26, wherein: The method further comprises: Send second configuration information; wherein, the second configuration information is used by the terminal to discover the first cell.

28. The method according to claim 27, wherein: The second configuration information includes one of the following: The first cell sends configuration information of a second SSB, wherein a sending period of the second SSB is longer than a sending period of the first SSB, and / or the second SSB is distributed within a designated sending window relative to the first SSB; The first cell sends configuration information of a second SIB, wherein the information content of the second SIB is less than that of the first SIB; Configuration information of sending a discovery signal DRS by the first cell; The first cell sends configuration information of a channel state information reference signal CSI-RS; The first cell sends configuration information of a tracking reference signal TRS; frequency information, indicating a specified frequency layer used by the first cell; PCI information, indicating the PCI used by the first cell.

29. The method according to claim 27 or 28, wherein: The sending of the second configuration information comprises: A radio resource control RRC release message sent, wherein the RRC release message carries the second configuration information; or, The system message sent includes the second configuration information.

30. The method according to any one of claims 23 to 29, wherein: The method further comprises: Receive second information; wherein the second information includes: a measurement result of a reference signal of the second cell and / or third configuration information.

31. The method according to claim 30, wherein: The third configuration information includes at least one of the following: configuration information of a second SSB sent by the first cell; The cell type of the first cell.

32. A method for discovering a cell, wherein: The method comprises: The method according to any one of claims 1 to 10; and / or, The method according to any one of claims 11 to 19; and / or, The method according to any one of claims 23 to 31.

33. A first network device, wherein: include: The transceiver module is configured to send a first signal to the first cell; wherein the first signal is used by the terminal to discover the first cell; The first cell does not send one or more of the following: A first synchronization signal broadcast channel block SSB; One or more first system information blocks SIB; Paging message.

34. A terminal, wherein: include: The transceiver module is configured to send first information to the second cell when the terminal detects the first signal; wherein the first information at least includes: identification information related to the first cell discovered by the terminal; The first cell does not send one or more of the following: A first synchronization signal broadcast channel block SSB; One or more first system information blocks SIB; Paging message.

35. A second network device, wherein: include: The transceiver module is configured to receive first information; wherein the first information at least includes: identification information related to the first cell discovered by the terminal; Updating the neighbor relationship according to the first information; The first cell does not send one or more of the following: A first synchronization signal broadcast channel block SSB; One or more first system information blocks SIB; Paging message.

36. A communication system, wherein: The processing system includes a first network device, a terminal, and a second network device; the first network device is configured to implement the method described in any one of claims 1 to 11, the terminal is configured to implement the method described in any one of claims 12 to 22, and the second network device is configured to implement the method described in any one of claims 23 to 31.

37. A communication device, wherein: The communication device comprises: one or more processors; The processor is used to call instructions so that the communication device executes the processing method described in any one of claims 1 to 11, any one of claims 12 to 22, any one of claims 23 to 31 and claim 32.

38. A storage medium, wherein: The storage medium stores instructions, and when the instructions are executed on the communication device, the communication device executes the processing method described in any one of claims 1 to 11, any one of claims 12 to 22, any one of claims 23 to 31 and claim 32.

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