Communication method and apparatus

Abstract

A communication method and apparatus. The method comprises: a first apparatus detecting at least one SSB, wherein each of the at least one SSB comprises a first signal and at least two reference signals; and the first apparatus sending on an RO a random access signal generated on the basis of a preamble, wherein the RO and the preamble are determined on the basis of the at least one SSB. By means of the method, when a first apparatus sends a random access signal, both a first signal and at least two reference signals are taken into consideration, thereby improving the precision of channel information indicated by the random access signal.

Description

Communication method and device

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This application claims priority to the Chinese patent application filed with the State Intellectual Property Office of China on October 31, 2023, with application number 202311438835.0 and application name “A Communication Method and Device”, the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference into this application. Technical Field

[0003] The present application relates to the field of communication technology, and in particular to a communication method and device. Background Art

[0004] Currently, terminals can perform initial access based on beams. For example, within a synchronization signal and physical broadcast channel (PBCH) block (SSB) period, the access network device can send multiple SSBs, and different SSBs can be sent using different beams. The terminal can select the random access channel (RACH) occasion (RO) and preamble corresponding to the best-quality SSB to send a random access signal (e.g., a RACH signal). The access network device can then determine the beam corresponding to the best-quality SSB based on the RO and preamble, and use the beam to communicate with the terminal.

[0005] However, the number of SSBs is limited, and the accuracy of channel information determined through the SSBs is limited.

[0006] Summary of the Invention

[0007] The present application provides a communication method and apparatus for improving the accuracy of channel information determined through SSB.

[0008] In a first aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication method, which can be applied to a first device. The first device can be a terminal or a module in the terminal (such as a circuit, chip, chip system, or processor), and can also be a logical node, logic module, or software that can implement all or part of the terminal functions. The method may include: the first device detects at least one SSB, each SSB in the at least one SSB includes a first signal and at least two reference signals. The first device sends a random access signal generated based on a preamble on an RO, where the RO and the preamble are determined based on at least one SSB.

[0009] Through this method, when sending a random access signal, the first device not only considers the first signal but also considers at least two reference signals, thereby improving the accuracy of the channel information indicated by the random access signal.

[0010] In one possible design, the RO and the preamble belong to one of multiple subsets included in the first set. A correspondence exists between the multiple subsets and at least one SSB, where different subsets in the multiple subsets correspond to different first signals and / or different reference signals. With this design, a correspondence exists between the subset to which the RO and the preamble belong and at least one SSB. Thus, the first apparatus can quickly determine the RO and preamble used to transmit the random access signal based on this correspondence.

[0011] In one possible design, the RO and the preamble are determined based on at least one SSB and a corresponding relationship. With this design, the first device can quickly determine the RO and preamble used to send the random access signal based on the corresponding relationship.

[0012] In one possible design, the multiple subsets include a first subset, corresponding to a first signal in a first SSB of at least one SSB. In this design, since the first subset may correspond to the first signal in a first SSB of at least one SSB, the RO and preamble in the first subset may be used to indicate the first signal. Thus, when the first SSB is the SSB containing the first signal with the best signal quality among the at least one SSB, and the signal quality of at least two reference signals in the first SSB is greater than or equal to a first threshold, the RO and preamble used to transmit the random access signal may belong to the first subset. Since the signal quality of at least two reference signals in the first SSB is greater than or equal to the first threshold, the signal quality of at least two reference signals in the first SSB detected by the first device is good. This design is applicable to situations where the first device moves quickly or has a large spatial angular spread. For example, the beam width corresponding to the first signal in the first SSB is larger than the beam width corresponding to the reference signal. The beam corresponding to the first signal in the first SSB may be indicated by an identity (ID) of the first signal in the first SSB, and the beam corresponding to the reference signal may be indicated by the reference signal ID. When the first device is moving at a high speed or the spatial angle is wide, the first and second devices communicate using a wider beam corresponding to the first signal in the first SSB. This avoids frequent beam changes between the first and second devices, thereby improving communication quality. In this application, being greater than or equal to the first threshold may also refer to satisfying a preset condition.

[0013] In one possible design, the multiple subsets include a second subset, and the second subset corresponds to the first signal, the first reference signal, and the second reference signal in a first SSB of at least one SSB. In this design, because the second subset may correspond to the first signal, the first reference signal, and the second reference signal in the first SSB of at least one SSB, the RO and preamble in the second subset may be used to indicate the first reference signal and the second reference signal. Thus, when the first SSB is the SSB that contains the first signal with the best signal quality among the at least one SSB, and the signal quality of the multiple reference signals in the first SSB is greater than or equal to a first threshold, if the multiple reference signals correspond one-to-one to multiple spatially contiguous beams, the RO and preamble used to transmit the random access signal may belong to the second subset.

[0014] In one possible design, the multiple subsets include a third subset, and the third subset corresponds to one or more reference signals in a first SSB of at least one SSB. In this design, since the third subset may correspond to one or more reference signals in a first SSB of at least one SSB, the RO and preamble in the third subset may be used to indicate the one or more reference signals. Thus, if the first SSB is the SSB that contains the first signal with the best signal quality among the at least one SSB, and the signal quality of the one or more reference signals in the first SSB is greater than or equal to a first threshold, the RO and preamble used to send the random access signal may belong to the third subset. In other words, the RO and preamble used to send the random access signal correspond to the one or more reference signals. In this way, the RO and preamble used to send the random access signal can indicate the channel quality within the beam scanning range of the one or more reference signals, thereby improving the accuracy of the channel information.

[0015] In one possible design, the subset is determined based on the signal qualities of the first signal and at least two reference signals in at least one SSB, and a corresponding relationship. With this design, when selecting an RO and preamble for transmitting a random access signal, the first device considers not only the signal quality of the first signal but also the signal quality of the at least two reference signals, thereby improving the accuracy of the channel information indicated by the random access signal.

[0016] In one possible design, the first signal uses a first precoding, and each of the at least two reference signals uses a second precoding different from the first precoding, and the second precoding used by each of the at least two reference signals is different. In at least one SSB, the precoding used by the first signal in different SSBs is different, and the precoding used by at least two reference signals in different SSBs is also different. When the precoding used by the signals is different, the beams used to transmit the signals are also different. Therefore, with this design, the first signal and the at least two reference signals are transmitted via different beams. The first device can determine the channel quality of multiple beams based on the first signal and the at least two reference signals, thereby improving the accuracy of the channel information.

[0017] In one possible design, the sum of the beam scanning ranges of at least two reference signals is part or all of the beam scanning range of the first signal. With this design, the first device can determine the channel quality within the beam scanning range of each reference signal based on the at least two reference signals. Because the sum of the beam scanning ranges of at least two reference signals is part or all of the beam scanning range of the first signal, the beam scanning range of each reference signal is smaller than the beam scanning range of the first signal. In this way, the first device can not only obtain the overall channel quality within the beam scanning range of the first signal based on the first signal, but also obtain the local channel quality within the beam scanning range of the first signal based on each reference signal, thereby improving the accuracy of the obtained channel information.

[0018] In one possible design, the first signal includes at least one of the following: PSS, SSS, or PBCH.

[0019] In a second aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication method, which can be applied to a second device. The second device can be an access network device or a module in the access network device (such as a circuit, chip, chip system, or processor). It can also be a logical node, logical module, or software that can implement all or part of the functions of the access network device. The method may include: the second device sends at least one SSB, each SSB in the at least one SSB includes a first signal and at least two reference signals. The second device receives a random access signal generated based on a preamble on an RO, where the RO and the preamble are determined based on at least one SSB.

[0020] In one possible design, the RO and the preamble code belong to a subset of multiple subsets included in the first set, and there is a correspondence between the multiple subsets and at least one SSB, and the correspondence includes: different subsets in the multiple subsets correspond to different first signals and / or different reference signals respectively.

[0021] In one possible design, the RO and the preamble are determined based on at least one SSB and a corresponding relationship.

[0022] In one possible design, the multiple subsets include a first subset, and the first subset corresponds to a first signal in a first SSB in at least one SSB.

[0023] In one possible design, the multiple subsets include a second subset corresponding to the first signal, the first reference signal, and the second reference signal in a first SSB in at least one SSB.

[0024] In one possible design, the multiple subsets include a third subset, which corresponds to one or more reference signals in a first SSB in at least one SSB.

[0025] In one possible design, the subset is determined based on the signal qualities of the first signal in at least one SSB and at least two reference signals, and a corresponding relationship.

[0026] In one possible design, the first signal uses a first precoding, each of the at least two reference signals uses a second precoding different from the first precoding, and the second precoding used by each of the at least two reference signals is different.

[0027] In one possible design, the sum of the beam scanning ranges of at least two reference signals is part or all of the beam scanning range of the first signal.

[0028] In one possible design, the first signal includes at least one of the following: PSS, SSS, or PBCH.

[0029] In a third aspect, the present application provides a communication device, which may be a terminal or a module in a terminal (such as a circuit, chip, chip system or processor), or a logical node, logic module or software that can implement all or part of the terminal functions. The communication device has the function of implementing the first aspect above. For example, the communication device includes a module or unit or means corresponding to the operation involved in the first aspect above, and the module or unit or means may be implemented by software, or by hardware, or the corresponding software may be implemented by hardware.

[0030] In one possible design, the communication device includes a processing unit and an interface unit. The interface unit can be used to send and receive signals to enable communication between the communication device and other devices; the processing unit can be used to perform certain internal operations of the communication device. The functions performed by the processing unit and the interface unit can correspond to the operations described in the first aspect above.

[0031] In one possible design, the communication device includes a processor, which can be coupled to a memory. The memory can store the necessary computer programs or instructions for implementing the functions of the first aspect. The processor can execute the computer programs or instructions stored in the memory. When the computer programs or instructions are executed, the communication device implements the method of any possible design of the first aspect.

[0032] In one possible design, the communication device includes a processor and a memory, where the memory may store the necessary computer programs or instructions for implementing the functions of the first aspect. The processor may execute the computer program or instructions stored in the memory. When the computer program or instructions are executed, the communication device implements the method of any possible design of the first aspect.

[0033] In one possible design, the communication device includes a processor and an interface circuit, wherein the processor is used to communicate with other devices through the interface circuit and execute the method in any possible design of the first aspect above.

[0034] In a fourth aspect, the present application provides a communication device, which may be an access network device or a module in the access network device (such as a circuit, chip, chip system or processor), and may also be a logical node, logic module or software that can implement all or part of the functions of the access network device. The communication device has the function of implementing the second aspect above. For example, the communication device includes a module or unit or means corresponding to the operation involved in the second aspect above, and the module or unit or means may be implemented by software, or by hardware, or the corresponding software implementation may be executed by hardware.

[0035] In one possible design, the communication device includes a processing unit and an interface unit. The interface unit can be used to send and receive signals to enable communication between the communication device and other devices; the processing unit can be used to perform certain internal operations of the communication device. The functions performed by the processing unit and the interface unit can correspond to the operations described in the second aspect above.

[0036] In one possible design, the communication device includes a processor, which can be coupled to a memory. The memory can store the necessary computer programs or instructions for implementing the functions of the second aspect. The processor can execute the computer programs or instructions stored in the memory. When the computer programs or instructions are executed, the communication device implements the method of any possible design of the second aspect.

[0037] In one possible design, the communication device includes a processor and a memory, and the memory may store the necessary computer programs or instructions for implementing the functions involved in the second aspect. The processor may execute the computer program or instructions stored in the memory. When the computer program or instructions are executed, the communication device implements the method in any possible design of the second aspect.

[0038] In one possible design, the communication device includes a processor and an interface circuit, wherein the processor is used to communicate with other devices through the interface circuit and execute the method in any possible design of the second aspect above.

[0039] It can be understood that in the third aspect or the fourth aspect above, the processor can be implemented by hardware or by software. When implemented by hardware, the processor can be a logic circuit, an integrated circuit, etc.; when implemented by software, the processor can be a general-purpose processor, which is implemented by reading the software code stored in the memory. In addition, the above processors can be one or more, and the memories can be one or more. The memory can be integrated with the processor, or the memory and the processor can be set separately. In the specific implementation process, the memory can be integrated with the processor on the same chip, or can be set on different chips respectively. The embodiment of the present application does not limit the type of memory and the setting method of the memory and the processor.

[0040] In a fifth aspect, the present application provides a communication system, which may include the communication device described in the third aspect and the communication device described in the fourth aspect. For example, the communication system includes a terminal and an access network device; wherein the terminal is configured to execute the communication method provided in the first aspect, and the access network device is configured to execute the communication method provided in the second aspect.

[0041] In a sixth aspect, the present application provides a computer-readable storage medium, which stores a computer program or instruction. When the computer program or instruction is executed, the method in any possible design of any aspect of the first to second aspects above is implemented.

[0042] In a seventh aspect, the present application provides a computer program product, which includes a computer program code. When the computer program code is executed, the method in any possible design of any aspect of the first to second aspects mentioned above is implemented.

[0043] In an eighth aspect, the present application provides a chip for reading a computer program stored in a memory to execute a method in any possible design of any one of the first to second aspects above.

[0044] The technical effects that can be achieved in any of the second to eighth aspects mentioned above can refer to the description of the technical effects that can be achieved in any possible design in any of the first aspects mentioned above, and the repetitions will not be discussed. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0045] FIG1 is an architecture diagram of a communication system provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0046] FIG2 is a schematic diagram of an SSB provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0047] FIG3 is a flow chart of a communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0048] FIG4 is a schematic diagram of a reference signal port provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0049] FIG5 is a schematic diagram of another SSB provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0050] FIG6 is a schematic diagram of the beam scanning range of the first signal and at least two reference signals provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0051] FIG7 is a flow chart of another communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0052] FIG8 is a structural diagram of a communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0053] FIG9 is a structural diagram of another communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0054] The technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application will be described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in the embodiments of the present application. The technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application can be applied to various communication systems, such as universal mobile telecommunications system (UMTS), wireless local area network (WLAN), wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi) system, fourth generation (4G) mobile communication system (such as long term evolution (LTE) system), fifth generation (5G) mobile communication system (such as new radio (NR) system), and future evolved communication systems (such as sixth generation (6G) mobile communication system).

[0055] This application will present various aspects, embodiments, or features in the context of systems that may include multiple devices, components, modules, etc. It should be understood and appreciated that each system may include additional devices, components, modules, etc., and / or may not include all of the devices, components, modules, etc. discussed in conjunction with the figures. Furthermore, combinations of these aspects may also be used.

[0056] To facilitate understanding of the embodiments of the present application, Figure 1 shows a possible, non-limiting system diagram. As shown in Figure 1, a communication system 10 includes a radio access network (RAN) 100 and a core network (CN) 200. Optionally, the communication system 10 may also include the Internet 300.

[0057] The RAN 100 includes at least one RAN node (e.g., 110a and 110b in FIG. 1 , collectively referred to as 110) and at least one terminal (e.g., 120a-120j in FIG. 1 , collectively referred to as 120). The RAN 100 may also include other RAN nodes, such as wireless relay equipment and / or wireless backhaul equipment (not shown in FIG. 1 ). The terminal 120 is wirelessly connected to the RAN node 110. The RAN node 110 is wirelessly or wiredly connected to the core network 200. The core network equipment in the core network 200 and the RAN node 110 in the RAN 100 may be separate physical devices, or they may be a single physical device that integrates core network logical functions and radio access network logical functions.

[0058] The RAN 100 may be a cellular system related to the Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP), such as a 4G or 5G mobile communication system, or a future-oriented evolutionary system (such as a 6G mobile communication system). The RAN 100 may also be an open access network (O-RAN or ORAN), a cloud radio access network (CRAN), or a WiFi system. The RAN 100 may also be a communication system that integrates two or more of the above systems.

[0059] The RAN node 110, sometimes also referred to as a RAN entity or access node, constitutes part of the communication system and facilitates wireless access for terminals. Multiple RAN nodes 110 in the communication system 10 can be of the same type or different types. In some scenarios, the roles of the RAN node 110 and the terminal 120 are relative. For example, the network element 120i in Figure 1 can be a helicopter or drone, which can be configured as a mobile base station. For terminals 120j accessing the RAN 100 via network element 120i, network element 120i is a base station; however, for base station 110a, network element 120i is a terminal. The RAN node 110 and the terminal 120 are sometimes referred to as communication devices. For example, network elements 110a and 110b in Figure 1 can be understood as communication devices with base station functionality, and network elements 120a-120j can be understood as communication devices with terminal functionality.

[0060] The RAN node can also be expressed in different ways, such as access network equipment. Unless otherwise specified in this application, the access network equipment is used to express it.

[0061] In one possible scenario, the access network device may be a base station, an evolved NodeB (eNodeB), an access point (AP), a transmission reception point (TRP), a next generation NodeB (gNB), a next generation base station in a 6G mobile communication system, a base station in a future mobile communication system, or an access node in a WiFi system, etc. The access network device may be a macro base station (such as 110a in Figure 1), a micro base station or an indoor station (such as 110b in Figure 1), a relay node or a donor node, or a wireless controller in a CRAN scenario. Optionally, the access network device may also be a server, a wearable device, a vehicle or an on-board device, etc. For example, the access network device in the vehicle to everything (V2X) technology may be a road side unit (RSU). All or part of the functions of the access network device in this application may also be implemented by software functions running on hardware, or by virtualization functions instantiated on a platform (such as a cloud platform). The access network device in this application may also be a logical node, a logical module or software that can implement all or part of the functions of the access network device.

[0062] In another possible scenario, multiple access network devices collaborate to assist the terminal in achieving wireless access, and different access network devices respectively implement part of the functions of the base station. For example, the access network device can be a centralized unit (CU), a distributed unit (DU), a CU-control plane (CP), a CU-user plane (UP), or a radio unit (RU). The CU and DU can be set separately, or they can be included in the same network element, such as a baseband unit (BBU). The RU can be included in a radio frequency device or radio frequency unit, such as a remote radio unit (RRU), an active antenna unit (AAU), or a remote radio head (RRH).

[0063] In different systems, CU (or CU-CP and CU-UP), DU or RU may also have different names, but those skilled in the art can understand their meanings. For example, in the ORAN system, CU may also be called open CU (open CU, O-CU), DU may also be called open DU (open DU, O-DU), CU-CP may also be called open CU-CP (open CU-CP, O-CU-CP), CU-UP may also be called open CU-UP (open CU-UP, O-CU-UP), and RU may also be called open RU (open RU, O-RU). Any unit of CU (or CU-CP, CU-UP), DU and RU in this application can be implemented by a software module, a hardware module, or a combination of a software module and a hardware module.

[0064] A terminal may also be referred to as a terminal device, user equipment (UE), mobile station, mobile terminal, etc. Terminals can be widely used in various scenarios, such as device-to-device (D2D), vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication, machine-type communication (MTC), Internet of Things (IOT), virtual reality, augmented reality, industrial control, autonomous driving, telemedicine, smart grid, smart furniture, smart office, smart wearable, smart transportation, smart city, etc. A terminal may be a mobile phone, tablet computer, computer with wireless transceiver function, wearable device, vehicle, drone, helicopter, airplane, ship, robot, robotic arm, smart home device, etc. The embodiments of the present application do not limit the device form of the terminal.

[0065] In the following text of this application, "sending information to a device (such as a terminal)" can be understood as the destination of the information being the device, and can include sending information to the device directly or indirectly. "Receiving information from a device (such as a terminal)" or "receiving information from a device (such as a terminal)" can be understood as the source of the information being the device, and can include receiving information from the device directly or indirectly. The information may be processed as necessary between the source and destination of the information, such as format changes, but the destination can understand the valid information from the source. Similar expressions in this application can be understood similarly and will not be repeated here.

[0066] The communication system and business scenarios described in the embodiments of the present application are intended to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application, and do not constitute a limitation on the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of the present application. A person skilled in the art will appreciate that, with the evolution of network architecture and the emergence of new business scenarios, the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of the present application are also applicable to similar technical problems.

[0067] The following first explains the relevant terms involved in the embodiments of the present application. It should be noted that these explanations are intended to make the embodiments of the present application easier to understand and should not be regarded as limiting the scope of protection claimed by this application.

[0068] (1)SSB:

[0069] Currently, SSBs can include synchronization signals and PBCH. Synchronization signals can be used by terminals for downlink synchronization and to obtain cell IDs. Downlink synchronization can include frequency and time synchronization. PBCH can be used by terminals to obtain information about the cell they are connected to.

[0070] For example, as shown in Figure 2, the SSB may include a primary synchronisation signal (PSS), a secondary synchronisation signal (SSS) and PBCH. Among them, PSS and SSS are both synchronization signals. PSS can be used to transmit the cell number, and SSS can be used to transmit the cell group number. The cell number and the cell group number together determine the multiple physical cell identities (PCIs) in the communication system. Once the terminal successfully searches for the PSS and SSS, it will know the PCI corresponding to the SSB. PBCH can be used to transmit the main information block (MIB). The MIB can include the system frame number and the subcarrier spacing for initial access, etc. The terminal can access the cell based on the MIB, etc.

[0071] (2) The units of time domain resources and frequency domain resources:

[0072] In this application, the unit of time domain resources may be a time unit. For example, the time unit may be, but is not limited to, a subframe, a slot, a symbol, a second (s), or a millisecond (ms). The symbol may be a time domain symbol (e.g., an orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) symbol). The following description uses the symbol as an example of the time domain resource unit.

[0073] In the present application, the unit of frequency domain resources may be RE, resource block (RB) or resource block group (RBG), etc. The following description will be made by taking the unit of time domain resources as RE as an example.

[0074] (3) Frequency range (FR) 1 and FR2:

[0075] FR1 and FR2 are two frequency ranges in NR. FR1 is the sub-6 GHz frequency band, and for example, the FR1 frequency range may include 450 MHz to 6 GHz. FR2 is the frequency band above 6 GHz, and for example, the FR2 frequency range may include 24 GHz to 52 GHz.

[0076] (4) Signal quality:

[0077] In the present application, signal quality may be signal strength. Parameters used to reflect or represent the signal strength may include, but are not limited to, at least one of the following: reference signal receiving power (RSRP), reference signal receiving quality (RSRQ), or received signal strength indication (RSSI).

[0078] (5) Initial access:

[0079] A terminal can perform initial access when it is powered on or enters a new cell. The initial access process may include: the terminal detecting the SSB, achieving downlink synchronization based on the SSB, and obtaining cell information. The terminal can then perform random access, establish a connection with the cell, and achieve uplink synchronization.

[0080] (6) In the present application, “greater than or equal to the first threshold” can be replaced by “satisfying a preset condition”.

[0081] Currently, an access network device can send multiple SSBs within a single SSB cycle, with different SSBs transmitted using different beams to achieve beam scanning. The terminal can select the RO and preamble corresponding to the best-quality SSB to send a random access signal (e.g., a RACH signal). The access network device can then determine the beam corresponding to the best-quality SSB based on the RO and preamble, and use that beam to communicate with the terminal during subsequent random access procedures.

[0082] However, the number of SSBs is limited, and the accuracy of the channel information determined based on them is limited. For example, FR1 supports 8 SSBs, and FR2 supports up to 64 SSBs. To cover the entire cell, the beam used to transmit each SSB has a large coverage area. Therefore, the channel information determined based on each SSB is the channel information for the beam transmitting that SSB, and its accuracy is limited. As the number of antennas in a terminal and / or access network device increases, and the number of supported beams increases, the terminal and access network device cannot obtain channel information for beams with smaller coverage areas based on the SSBs.

[0083] In view of this, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication method. Figure 3 is a flow chart corresponding to the communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application. In Figure 3, the method is illustrated by taking the first device and the second device as the execution subjects of the interaction diagram as an example, but the present application does not limit the execution subjects of the interaction diagram. For example, the first device can be a terminal, or a module applied to the terminal, such as a circuit, chip, chip system or processor, or a logical node, logical module or software that can realize all or part of the terminal functions; the second device can also be an access network device, or a module applied to the access network device, such as a circuit, chip, chip system or processor, or a logical node, logical module or software that can realize all or part of the access network device functions. As shown in Figure 3, the method includes:

[0084] S301: The second device sends at least one SSB; accordingly, the first device detects at least one SSB.

[0085] Each SSB in the at least one SSB includes a first signal and at least two reference signals. SSB a is any SSB in the at least one SSB, and SSB a is used as an example for description below.

[0086] 1. First signal:

[0087] In some possible implementations, in SSB a, the first signal may include at least one of the following: a PSS, an SSS, or a PBCH. For example, the first signal may be the SSB shown in FIG2 . For another example, the first signal may include one or both of the PSS, SSS, or PBCH shown in FIG2 .

[0088] 2. At least two reference signals:

[0089] Exemplarily, any one of the at least two reference signals may be a channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS), or a new reference signal, and the name of the new reference signal is, for example, an initial access reference signal.

[0090] In some possible ways, in SSB a, any two reference signals of the at least two reference signals are orthogonal. Exemplarily, as shown in FIG4 , the at least two reference signals include reference signals 1 to 8, which can be divided into four groups of reference signal sets orthogonal in the frequency domain. The four reference signal sets are: reference signal set 1, including reference signals 1 to 2; reference signal set 2, including reference signals 3 to 4; reference signal set 3, including reference signals 5 to 6; reference signal set 4, including reference signals 7 to 8. When two reference signals belong to different reference signal sets, the two reference signals are orthogonal in the frequency domain. For example, reference signal 1 in reference signal set 1 and reference signal 3 in reference signal 2 are orthogonal in the frequency domain. When two reference signals belong to the same reference signal set, the two reference signals can be orthogonal in the code domain. For example, reference signals 1 and 2 can use mask sequences (+1+1) and (+1-1), respectively.

[0091] 3. Relationship between the first signal and at least two reference signals:

[0092] Exemplarily, in SSB a, the relationship between the first signal and the at least two reference signals may include at least one of relationships 1 to 3.

[0093] Relationship 1: The resources occupied by the first signal in SSB a may be different from the resources occupied by at least two reference signals in SSB a.

[0094] Relationship 1 can be implemented in multiple ways, for example, way a1 and / or way a2.

[0095] Mode a1: The first time domain resources occupied by the first signal in SSB a may be different from the second time domain resources occupied by at least two reference signals in SSB a.

[0096] In some examples, the first time domain resource and the second time domain resource may be adjacent in the time domain. For example, the first signal in SSB a includes the PSS, SSS, and PBCH. The first time domain resource occupied by the first signal in SSB a is the first four symbols in Figure 5. The second time domain resource occupied by the at least two reference signals in SSB a is the fifth symbol in Figure 5. For another example, the first signal in SSB a includes the PBCH, and the first time domain resource occupied by the first signal in SSB a is the second to fourth symbols in Figure 5. The second time domain resource occupied by the at least two reference signals in SSB a is the fifth symbol in Figure 5.

[0097] In some other examples, the first time domain resource and the second time domain resource may not be adjacent in the time domain. For example, the first signal in SSB a includes PSS, SSS and PBCH. The first time domain resources occupied by the first signal in SSB a are symbols 0 to 3. The second time domain resources occupied by at least two reference signals in SSB a are symbol 5. For another example, the first signal in SSB a includes SSS, and the first time domain resource occupied by the first signal in SSB a may be symbol 2. The second time domain resource occupied by at least two reference signals in SSB a is symbol 5. The time interval between the first time domain resource and the second time domain resource may be pre-set, for example, pre-defined by a protocol, or pre-stored in the factory configuration of the first device and / or the second device, or pre-stored in the subscriber identity module (SIM) card of the first device; alternatively, the time interval between the first time domain resource and the second time domain resource may also be determined by the first device or the second device, and this application does not impose any restrictions on this.

[0098] It should be understood that in mode a1, the frequency domain resources occupied by the first signal in SSB a and the frequency domain resources occupied by at least two reference signals in SSB a may be the same or different. For the specific content of the difference between the frequency domain resources occupied by the first signal in SSB a and the frequency domain resources occupied by at least two reference signals in SSB a, please refer to mode a2 below, which will not be expanded here.

[0099] Through this method, in each SSB of at least one SSB, the time domain resources occupied by at least two reference signals are different from the time domain resources occupied by the first signal. In this way, the first signal and the at least two reference signals are time-division orthogonal and do not interfere with each other, thereby improving the precision and accuracy of the channel information determined according to the SSB.

[0100] Mode a2: The first frequency domain resources occupied by the first signal in SSB a may be different from the second frequency domain resources occupied by at least two reference signals in SSB a.

[0101] In some examples, the first frequency domain resources and the second frequency domain resources may be adjacent in the frequency domain. For example, the first frequency domain resources occupied by the first signal in SSB a are RBs 0 to 20, and the second frequency domain resources occupied by at least two reference signals in SSB a are RBs 21 to 22. In other examples, the first frequency domain resources and the second frequency domain resources may not be adjacent in the frequency domain. For example, the first frequency domain resources occupied by the first signal in SSB a are RBs 7 to 13, and the second frequency domain resources occupied by at least two reference signals in SSB a are RBs 21 to 22.

[0102] It should be understood that in mode a2, the time domain resources occupied by the first signal in SSB a and the time domain resources occupied by at least two reference signals in SSB a may be the same or different. For the specific content of the difference between the time domain resources occupied by the first signal in SSB a and the time domain resources occupied by at least two reference signals in SSB a, please refer to the above mode a1 and will not be repeated here.

[0103] Through this method, in each SSB of at least one SSB, the frequency domain resources occupied by at least two reference signals are different from the frequency domain resources occupied by the first signal. In this way, the first signal and the at least two reference signals are frequency-division orthogonal and do not interfere with each other, thereby improving the precision and accuracy of the channel information determined according to the SSB.

[0104] Relationship 2: The sum of the beam scanning ranges of at least two reference signals is part or all of the beam scanning range of the first signal.

[0105] Optionally, the beam scanning range of a certain signal may be the coverage range of the beam that transmits the signal. For example, as shown in FIG6 , the first signal is transmitted via beam 1, and the beam scanning range of the first signal may be the coverage range of beam 1. The at least two reference signals include reference signals 1 to 3. Reference signal 1 is transmitted via beam 2, and the beam scanning range of reference signal 1 may be the coverage range of beam 2; reference signal 2 is transmitted via beam 3, and the beam scanning range of reference signal 2 may be the coverage range of beam 3; reference signal 3 is transmitted via beam 4, and the beam scanning range of reference signal 3 may be the coverage range of beam 4. The sum of the coverage ranges of beams 2 to 4 may be part or all of the coverage range of beam 1.

[0106] Through this method, the first device can determine the channel quality within the beam scanning range of each reference signal based on at least two reference signals. Because the sum of the beam scanning ranges of the at least two reference signals is part or all of the beam scanning range of the first signal, the beam scanning range of each reference signal is smaller than the beam scanning range of the first signal. In this way, the first device can not only obtain the overall channel quality within the beam scanning range of the first signal based on the first signal, but also obtain the channel quality of a local area within the beam scanning range of the first signal based on each reference signal, thereby improving the accuracy of the obtained channel information.

[0107] Relationship 3: The first signal uses a first precoding, each of the at least two reference signals uses a second precoding different from the first precoding, and the second precoding used by each of the at least two reference signals is different.

[0108] Exemplarily, the first signal uses first precoding 1. The at least two reference signals include reference signals 1 and 2. Reference signal 1 uses second precoding 1, and reference signal 2 uses second precoding 2. The first precoding 1, the second precoding 1, and the second precoding 2 are different.

[0109] When signals use different precoding, the beams used to transmit the signals are also different. Therefore, with this method, the first signal and at least two reference signals are transmitted via different beams. The first device can determine the channel quality of multiple beams based on the first signal and at least two reference signals, thereby improving the accuracy of the channel information.

[0110] Optionally, when the number of SSBs in at least one SSB is greater than 2, different SSBs may be transmitted using different beams. The number of at least two reference signals in different SSBs may be the same or different. For example, the at least one SSB includes SSB 1 and SSB 2. The number of at least two reference signals in SSB 1 and SSB 2 is both 2; alternatively, the number of at least two reference signals in SSB 1 is 2, and the number of at least two reference signals in SSB 2 is 3.

[0111] S302: The first device sends a random access signal generated according to a preamble code on the RO; correspondingly, the second device receives the random access signal generated according to the preamble code on the RO.

[0112] The RO and the preamble are determined according to at least one SSB. For example, the RO and the preamble are determined by the first device according to at least one SSB; that is, the first device may determine the RO and the preamble according to at least one SSB.

[0113] In some possible implementations, the RO and the preamble belong to a subset (hereinafter referred to as Subset 1) of the multiple subsets included in the first set. The first set may be a set consisting of all available ROs and available preambles, and each subset of the multiple subsets included in the first set may include at least one available RO and at least one available preamble. The available ROs may be all ROs configured by the second device for the first device, and the available preambles may be all preambles configured by the second device for the first device. Thus, when a random access signal is to be transmitted, the first device may select a subset from the first set and use the ROs and preambles in that subset to transmit the random access signal. The first set is described below by way of example. For example, the first set may include the ROs and preambles in each row of Tables 1-1, 2-1, and 3-1 below. For another example, the first set may include the ROs and preambles in each row of Tables 1-2, 2-2, and 3-2 below. For another example, the first set may include the ROs and preambles in each row of Tables 1-3, 2-3, and 3-3 below.

[0114] There is a correspondence 1 between the multiple subsets and at least one SSB. The correspondence 1 may include: different subsets among the multiple subsets correspond to different first signals and / or different reference signals. In this case, the RO and the preamble code may be determined based on at least one SSB and the correspondence 1. Specifically, the first device may determine subset 1 from the multiple subsets based on at least one SSB and the correspondence 1, and then select the RO and the preamble code from subset 1. The correspondence 1 may be pre-configured, for example, pre-defined by a protocol, or pre-stored in the factory configuration of the first device and / or the second device, or pre-stored in the SIM card of the first device and / or the second device; or, the correspondence 1 may be determined by the first device or the second device.

[0115] Optionally, subset 1 is determined based on the signal quality of the first signal in at least one SSB and at least two reference signals, and correspondence 1. The specific content of the determination will be described in methods b1 to b3 below and will not be expanded here.

[0116] The above-mentioned multiple subsets can be implemented in multiple ways, for example, at least one of way b1, way b2 or way b3.

[0117] Mode b1: The multiple subsets include a first subset, wherein the first subset corresponds to a first signal in a first SSB in at least one SSB.

[0118] Optionally, the first subset includes N ROs and M preambles, and a combination of any RO in the N ROs and any preamble in the M preambles may correspond to a first signal in a first SSB in at least one SSB, where N and M are positive integers.

[0119] In some examples, the first subset includes an RO and a preamble. For example, as shown in Table 1-1, if the first subset includes an RO with an index of 0 and a preamble with an index of 1, and the first SSB is SSB 1, then the combination of the RO with an index of 0 and the preamble with an index of 1 corresponds to the first signal in SSB 1.

[0120] Table 1-1

[0121] In other examples, the first subset includes one RO and multiple preambles. For example, as shown in Table 1-2, if the first subset includes an RO with an index of 0 and preambles with indexes 1 to 2, and the first SSB is SSB 1, then the combination of the RO with an index of 0 and any preamble from indexes 1 to 2 corresponds to the first signal in SSB 1. For example, the combination of the RO with an index of 0 and the preamble with an index of 1 corresponds to the first signal in SSB 1.

[0122] Table 1-2

[0123] In some further examples, the first subset includes multiple ROs and multiple preambles. For example, as shown in Table 1-3, if the first subset includes ROs indexed from 0 to 1 and preambles indexed from 1 to 64, and the first SSB is SSB 1, then the combination of any RO from the ROs indexed from 0 to 1 and any preamble from the preambles indexed from 1 to 64 corresponds to the first signal in SSB 1. For example, the combination of the RO indexed from 0 and the preamble indexed from 3 corresponds to the first signal in SSB 1.

[0124] Table 1-3

[0125] Optionally, the first subset corresponds to the beam corresponding to the first signal in the first SSB. The beam corresponding to the first signal in the first SSB is, for example, a beam used to transmit the first signal in the first SSB. For example, as shown in Tables 1-1 to 1-3, if the first SSB is SSB 1, the first subset corresponds to the beam corresponding to the first signal in SSB 1.

[0126] In some possible embodiments, when the first SSB is an SSB that includes the first signal with the best signal quality among at least one SSB, and the signal quality of at least two reference signals in the first SSB is greater than or equal to a first threshold, subset 1 is the first subset. The first threshold may be pre-configured, for example, pre-defined by a protocol, or pre-stored in the factory configuration of the first device, or pre-stored in the SIM card of the first device; or, the first threshold may be determined by the first device, or notified to the first device after the second device determines it. In this way, the first device may select an RO and a preamble from the first subset to send a random access signal. After receiving the random access signal, the second device may determine the beam corresponding to the first signal in the first SSB based on the RO and preamble used to send the random access signal. In a subsequent random access process, the second device may use the beam corresponding to the first signal in the first SSB to communicate with the first device.

[0127] For example, the correspondence between the first subset and the first signal in the first SSB of at least one SSB is shown in Table 1-1. If SSB 1 is an SSB that contains the first signal with the best signal quality in at least one SSB, and the signal quality of at least two reference signals in SSB 1 is greater than or equal to the first threshold, then subset 1 is the first subset including the RO with index 0 and the preamble with index 1. The first device can select the RO with index 0 and the preamble with index 1 in subset 1 to send a random access signal. After receiving the random access signal, the second device can determine the beam corresponding to the first signal of SSB 1 based on the RO with index 0 and the preamble with index 1. In the subsequent random access process, the second device can use the beam corresponding to the first signal of SSB 1 to communicate with the first device.

[0128] For example, the correspondence between the first subset and the first signal in the first SSB in at least one SSB is shown in Table 1-2. If SSB 1 is an SSB containing the first signal with the best signal quality in at least one SSB, and the signal quality of at least two reference signals in SSB 1 is greater than or equal to the first threshold, then subset 1 is the first subset including the RO with index 0 and the preambles with indexes 1 to 2. The first device can select the RO with index 0 in subset 1 and any one of the preambles with indexes 1 to 2 to send a random access signal. The following is an example in which the first device selects the RO with index 0 and the preamble with index 2 in subset 1 to send a random access signal. After receiving the random access signal, the second device can determine the beam corresponding to the first signal of SSB 1 based on the RO with index 0 and the preamble with index 2. In the subsequent random access process, the second device can use the beam corresponding to the first signal of SSB 1 to communicate with the first device.

[0129] For another example, the correspondence between the first subset and the first signal in the first SSB in at least one SSB is shown in Table 1-3. If SSB 1 is an SSB containing the first signal with the best signal quality in at least one SSB, and the signal quality of at least two reference signals in SSB 1 is greater than or equal to the first threshold, then subset 1 is the first subset including ROs indexed from 0 to 1 and preambles indexed from 1 to 64. The first device can select any RO among the ROs indexed from 0 to 1 in subset 1 and any preamble among the preambles indexed from 1 to 64 to send a random access signal. The following is an example in which the first device selects the RO indexed from 0 and the preamble indexed from 3 in subset 1 to send a random access signal. After receiving the random access signal, the second device can determine the beam corresponding to the first signal of SSB 1 based on the RO indexed from 0 and the preamble indexed from 3. In the subsequent random access process, the second device can use the beam corresponding to the first signal of SSB 1 to communicate with the first device.

[0130] According to this method, when the first SSB is the SSB containing the first signal with the best signal quality among at least one SSB, and the signal quality of at least two reference signals in the first SSB is greater than or equal to a first threshold, subset 1 corresponds to the first signal in the first SSB. During subsequent random access, the first and second devices may communicate using the beam corresponding to the first signal in SSB 1. Because the signal quality of at least two reference signals in the first SSB is greater than or equal to the first threshold, the signal quality of at least two reference signals in the first SSB detected by the first device is excellent. This method is suitable for situations where the first device is moving rapidly or has a large spatial angular spread. For example, the width of the beam corresponding to the first signal in the first SSB is greater than the width of the beam corresponding to the reference signal. The beam corresponding to the first signal in the first SSB can be indicated by the ID of the first signal in the first SSB, and the beam corresponding to the reference signal can be indicated by the ID of the reference signal. When the first device is moving rapidly or has a large spatial angular spread, the first and second devices communicate using the wider beam corresponding to the first signal in the first SSB. This avoids frequent beam changes between the first and second devices and improves communication quality.

[0131] Mode b2: The multiple subsets include a second subset, which corresponds to the first signal, the first reference signal, and the second reference signal in the first SSB in at least one SSB.

[0132] Optionally, the second subset includes O ROs and P preambles, and a combination of any one of the O ROs and any one of the P preambles may correspond to a first signal, a first reference signal, and a second reference signal in a first SSB of at least one SSB, where O and P are positive integers.

[0133] In some examples, the second subset includes an RO and a preamble. For example, as shown in Table 2-1, if the second subset includes an RO with an index of 0 and a preamble with an index of 3, the first SSB is SSB 1, the first reference signal is reference signal 1-1 in SSB 1, and the second reference signal is reference signal 1-3 in SSB 1, then the combination of the RO with an index of 0 and the preamble with an index of 3 corresponds to the first signal, reference signal 1-1, and reference signal 1-3 in SSB 1.

[0134] Table 2-1

[0135] In other examples, the second subset includes one RO and multiple preambles. For example, as shown in Table 2-2, if the second subset includes an RO with an index of 0 and preambles with indexes 5 to 6, the first SSB is SSB 1, the first reference signal is reference signal 1-1 in SSB 1, and the second reference signal is reference signal 1-3 in SSB 1, then the combination of the RO with an index of 0 and any preamble from indexes 5 to 6 corresponds to the first signal, reference signal 1-1, and reference signals 1-3 in SSB 1. For example, the combination of the RO with an index of 0 and the preamble with an index of 4 corresponds to the first signal, reference signal 1-1, and reference signals 1-3 in SSB 1.

[0136] Table 2-2

[0137] In some other examples, the second subset includes multiple ROs and multiple preambles. For example, as shown in Table 2-3, if the second subset includes ROs indexed from 4 to 5 and preambles indexed from 1 to 64, the first SSB is SSB 1, the first reference signal is reference signal 1-1 in SSB 1, and the second reference signal is reference signal 1-3 in SSB 1, then the combination of any RO from ROs indexed from 4 to 5 and any preamble from preambles indexed from 1 to 64 corresponds to the first signal, reference signal 1-1, and reference signal 1-3 in SSB 1. For example, the combination of an RO indexed from 4 and a preamble indexed from 3 corresponds to the first signal, reference signal 1-1, and reference signal 1-3 in SSB 1.

[0138] Table 2-3

[0139] Optionally, the second subset corresponds to beams corresponding to multiple reference signals, where the beam corresponding to each reference signal in the multiple reference signals is, for example, the beam used to transmit the reference signal. The multiple reference signals correspond one-to-one to multiple spatially continuous beams, and the first reference signal and the second reference signal correspond to beams at both ends of the multiple beams, respectively. Therefore, the multiple beams can also be referred to as beams corresponding to the first reference signal to the second reference signal. Exemplarily, the multiple reference signals include reference signal 1-1, reference signal 1-2, and reference signal 1-3; the multiple beams include beam 2, beam 3, and beam 4 shown in FIG6 ; reference signal 1-1 corresponds to beam 2, reference signal 1-2 corresponds to beam 3, and reference signal 1-3 corresponds to beam 4. The first reference signal and the second reference signal are reference signal 1-1 and reference signal 1-3, respectively. The second subset corresponds to beams 2 to 4.

[0140] In some possible methods, when the first SSB is an SSB that contains the first signal with the best signal quality among at least one SSB, and the signal quality of multiple reference signals in the first SSB is greater than or equal to the first threshold, subset 1 is the second subset. The multiple reference signals correspond one-to-one to multiple spatially continuous beams, and the first reference signal and the second reference signal correspond to beams at both ends of the multiple beams, respectively. The specific content of the first threshold can refer to method b1 and will not be repeated here. In this way, the first device can select an RO and a preamble from the second subset to send a random access signal. Accordingly, after receiving the random access signal, the second device can determine the beam corresponding to the first reference signal to the second reference signal based on the RO and preamble used to send the random access signal. In the subsequent random access process, the second device can use one or more beams among the beams corresponding to the first reference signal to the second reference signal to communicate with the first device.

[0141] For example, the correspondence between the second subset and the first signal, the first reference signal, and the second reference signal in the first SSB of at least one SSB is shown in Table 2-1. If SSB 1 is the SSB that contains the first signal with the best signal quality in at least one SSB, and the signal quality of reference signals 1-1 to 1-3 in SSB 1 is greater than or equal to the first threshold, then subset 1 is the second subset including the RO with index 0 and the preamble with index 3. The first device can select the RO with index 0 and the preamble with index 3 in subset 1 to send a random access signal. After receiving the random access signal, the second device can determine the beams corresponding to reference signals 1-1 to 1-3 based on the RO with index 0 and the preamble with index 3. In the subsequent random access process, the second device can use one or more beams of the beams corresponding to reference signals 1-1 to 1-3 to communicate with the first device.

[0142] For example, the correspondence between the second subset and the first signal, the first reference signal, and the second reference signal in the first SSB of at least one SSB is shown in Table 2-2. If SSB 1 is the SSB that contains the first signal with the best signal quality in at least one SSB, and the signal quality of reference signals 1-1 to 1-3 in SSB 1 is greater than or equal to the first threshold, then subset 1 is the second subset including the RO with an index of 0 and the preambles with indexes 5 to 6. The first device can select any one of the RO with an index of 0 and the preambles with indexes 5 to 6 in subset 1 to send a random access signal. The following is an example of the first device selecting the RO with an index of 0 and the preamble with an index of 5 in subset 1 to send a random access signal. After receiving the random access signal, the second device can determine the beams corresponding to reference signals 1-1 to 1-3 based on the RO with an index of 0 and the preamble with an index of 5. In the subsequent random access process, the second device can use one or more beams of the beams corresponding to reference signals 1-1 to 1-3 to communicate with the first device.

[0143] For another example, the correspondence between the second subset and the first signal, first reference signal, and second reference signal in the first SSB of at least one SSB is shown in Table 2-3. If SSB 1 is the SSB that contains the first signal with the best signal quality among at least one SSB, and the signal quality of reference signals 1-1 to 1-3 in SSB 1 is greater than or equal to the first threshold, then subset 1 is the second subset including ROs indexed from 4 to 5 and preambles indexed from 1 to 64. The first device can select any RO from the ROs indexed from 4 to 5 and any preamble from the preambles indexed from 1 to 64 in subset 1 to send a random access signal. The following example illustrates the first device selecting the RO indexed from 4 and the preamble indexed from 3 in subset 1 to send a random access signal. After receiving the random access signal, the second device can determine the beams corresponding to reference signals 1-1 to 1-3 based on the RO indexed from 4 and the preamble indexed from 3. In the subsequent random access process, the second device can use one or more beams corresponding to reference signals 1-1 to 1-3 to communicate with the first device.

[0144] Through this method, when the first SSB is an SSB that contains the first signal with the best signal quality among at least one SSB, and the signal quality of multiple reference signals in the first SSB is greater than or equal to a first threshold, if the multiple reference signals correspond one-to-one to multiple spatially continuous beams, then the RO and preamble code used to send the random access signal only need to correspond to the first reference signal and the second reference signal in the multiple reference signals, and do not need to correspond to each reference signal in the multiple reference signals. In this way, the first device and / or the second device does not need to store the correspondence between the RO and preamble code used to send the random access signal and each reference signal in the multiple reference signals, thereby saving storage resources.

[0145] Furthermore, in this method, if the signal quality of multiple reference signals in the first SSB is greater than or equal to a first threshold, the channel quality of the beams corresponding to the multiple reference signals is high, making this method suitable for situations where the spatial angular spread of the first device is relatively concentrated. For example, the beam width corresponding to the first signal in the first SSB is larger than the beam width corresponding to the reference signal. When the spatial angular spread of the first device is relatively concentrated, the first and second devices communicate using the narrower beam corresponding to the reference signal, thereby improving communication quality.

[0146] Mode b3: The multiple subsets include a third subset, which corresponds to one or more reference signals in the first SSB in the at least one SSB.

[0147] Optionally, the third subset includes Q ROs and U preambles, and a combination of any RO in the Q ROs and any preamble in the U preambles may correspond to one or more reference signals in a first SSB in the at least one SSB, where Q and U are positive integers.

[0148] In some examples, the third subset includes an RO and a preamble. For example, as shown in Table 3-1, if the third subset includes an RO with an index of 1 and a preamble with an index of 1, and one or more reference signals in the first SSB are reference signal 1-1 in SSB 1, then the combination of the RO with an index of 1 and the preamble with an index of 1 corresponds to reference signal 1-1. For another example, as shown in Table 3-1, if the third subset includes an RO with an index of 1 and a preamble with an index of 4, and one or more reference signals in the first SSB are reference signals 1-1 and 1-2 in SSB 1, then the combination of the RO with an index of 1 and the preamble with an index of 4 corresponds to reference signals 1-1 and 1-2.

[0149] Table 3-1

[0150] In some other examples, the third subset includes one RO and multiple preambles. For example, as shown in Table 3-2, if the third subset includes an RO with an index of 1 and preambles with indices 1 to 2, and one or more reference signals in the first SSB are reference signal 1-1 in SSB 1, then the combination of the RO with an index of 1 and any preamble from indexes 1 to 2 corresponds to reference signal 1-1. For another example, as shown in Table 3-2, the third subset includes an RO with an index of 1 and preambles with indices 7 to 8, and one or more reference signals in the first SSB are reference signals 1-1 and 1-2 in SSB 1, then the combination of the RO with an index of 1 and any preamble from indexes 7 to 8 corresponds to reference signals 1-1 and 1-2.

[0151] Table 3-2

[0152] In some other examples, the third subset includes multiple ROs and multiple preambles. For example, as shown in Table 3-3, if the third subset includes ROs indexed from 12 to 13 and preambles indexed from 1 to 64, and one or more reference signals in the first SSB are reference signal 1-1 in SSB 1, then the combination of any RO from the ROs indexed from 12 to 13 and any preamble from the preambles indexed from 1 to 64 corresponds to reference signal 1-1. For another example, as shown in Table 3-3, the third subset includes ROs indexed from 18 to 19 and preambles indexed from 1 to 64, and one or more reference signals in the first SSB are reference signals 1-1 and 1-2 in SSB 1, then the combination of any RO from the ROs indexed from 18 to 19 and any preamble from the preambles indexed from 1 to 64 corresponds to reference signals 1-1 and 1-2.

[0153] Table 3-3

[0154] Optionally, the third subset corresponds to beams corresponding to one or more reference signals in the first SSB, where the beam corresponding to each reference signal is, for example, a beam used to transmit the reference signal. For example, as shown in Tables 3-1 to 3-3, if the one or more reference signals are reference signal 1-1, the third subset corresponds to the beam corresponding to reference signal 1-1.

[0155] In some possible methods, when the first SSB is an SSB that contains the first signal with the best signal quality among at least one SSB, and the signal quality of one or more reference signals in the first SSB is greater than or equal to the first threshold, subset 1 is the third subset. The specific content of the first threshold can refer to method b1 and will not be repeated here. In this way, the first device can select an RO and a preamble from the third subset to send a random access signal. Accordingly, after receiving the random access signal, the second device can determine the beam corresponding to one or more reference signals in the first SSB based on the RO and preamble used to send the random access signal. In the subsequent random access process, the second device can use the beam corresponding to one or more reference signals in the first SSB to communicate with the first device.

[0156] For example, the correspondence between the first subset and one or more reference signals in the first SSB of at least one SSB is shown in Table 3-1. If SSB 1 is an SSB that contains the first signal with the best signal quality in at least one SSB, and the signal quality of the reference signal 1-1 in SSB 1 is greater than or equal to the first threshold, then subset 1 is a third subset including an RO with an index of 1 and a preamble with an index of 1. The first device may select the RO with an index of 1 and the preamble with an index of 1 in subset 1 to send a random access signal. After receiving the random access signal, the second device may determine the beam corresponding to the reference signal 1-1 based on the RO with an index of 1 and the preamble with an index of 1. In the subsequent random access process, the second device may use the beam corresponding to the reference signal 1-1 to communicate with the first device.

[0157] For example, the correspondence between the first subset and one or more reference signals in the first SSB in at least one SSB is shown in Table 3-2. If SSB 1 is an SSB containing the first signal with the best signal quality in at least one SSB, and the signal quality of the reference signal 1-1 in SSB 1 is greater than or equal to the first threshold, then subset 1 is a third subset including an RO with an index of 1 and preambles with indexes from 1 to 2. The first device may select any one of the RO with an index of 1 and the preambles with indexes from 1 to 2 in subset 1 to send a random access signal. The following is an example of the first device selecting an RO with an index of 1 and a preamble with an index of 2 to send a random access signal. After receiving the random access signal, the second device may determine the beam corresponding to the reference signal 1-1 based on the RO with an index of 1 and the preamble with an index of 2. In the subsequent random access process, the second device may use the beam corresponding to the reference signal 1-1 to communicate with the first device.

[0158] For another example, the correspondence between the first subset and one or more reference signals in the first SSB of at least one SSB is shown in Table 3-3. If SSB 1 is the SSB that contains the first signal with the best signal quality in at least one SSB, and the signal quality of reference signals 1-1 and 1-2 in SSB 1 is greater than or equal to the first threshold, then subset 1 is a third subset including ROs indexed from 18 to 19 and preambles indexed from 1 to 64. The first device can select any RO from the ROs indexed from 18 to 19 in subset 1 and any preamble from the preambles indexed from 1 to 64 to send a random access signal. The following is an example of the first device selecting the RO with index 18 and the preamble with index 3 to send a random access signal. After receiving the random access signal, the second device can determine the beams corresponding to reference signals 1-1 and 1-2 based on the RO with index 18 and the preamble with index 3. In the subsequent random access process, the second device can use one or more beams corresponding to reference signals 1-1 and 1-2 to communicate with the first device.

[0159] With this method, when the first SSB is the SSB that includes the first signal with the best signal quality among at least one SSB, and the signal quality of one or more reference signals in the first SSB is greater than or equal to a first threshold, the RO and preamble used to transmit the random access signal correspond to the one or more reference signals. In this way, the RO and preamble used to transmit the random access signal can indicate the channel quality within the beam scanning range of the one or more reference signals, thereby improving the accuracy of the channel information.

[0160] Furthermore, in this method, if the signal quality of one or more reference signals in the first SSB is greater than or equal to a first threshold, the channel quality of the beams corresponding to the one or more reference signals is excellent, making this method suitable for situations where the spatial angular spread of the first device is relatively concentrated. For example, the width of the beam corresponding to the first signal in the first SSB is larger than the width of the beam corresponding to the reference signal. When the spatial angular spread of the first device is relatively concentrated, the first and second devices communicate using the narrower beam corresponding to the reference signal, thereby improving communication quality.

[0161] Through the method shown in FIG3 , when sending a random access signal, the first device considers not only the first signal but also at least two reference signals, thereby improving the accuracy of the channel information indicated by the random access signal.

[0162] An embodiment of the present application provides another communication method. Figure 7 is a flow chart corresponding to the communication method provided by an embodiment of the present application. In Figure 7, the method is illustrated by taking the first device and the second device as the execution subjects of the interaction diagram as an example, but the present application does not limit the execution subjects of the interaction diagram. For example, the first device can be a terminal, or a module applied to the terminal, such as a circuit, chip, chip system or processor, or a logical node, logical module or software that can realize all or part of the terminal functions; the second device can also be an access network device, or a module applied to the access network device, such as a circuit, chip, chip system or processor, or a logical node, logical module or software that can realize all or part of the access network device functions. As shown in Figure 7, the method includes:

[0163] S701: The second device sends at least one SSB; accordingly, the first device detects at least one SSB.

[0164] Any one of the at least one SSB may include a PSS, an SSS, and a PBCH. For example, any one of the at least one SSB may be the SSB shown in FIG2 .

[0165] S702: The second device sends at least one set of reference signals; accordingly, the first device detects the at least one set of reference signals.

[0166] Each reference signal group in the at least one reference signal group may include at least two reference signals. Specific contents of the at least two reference signals in each reference signal group may refer to the description of the at least two reference signals in S301 and will not be repeated here.

[0167] At least one SSB and at least one group of reference signals may have a one-to-one correspondence. For example, the at least one SSB includes SSB 1 to SSB 3, and the at least one group of reference signals includes reference signals in groups 1 to 3, with SSB 1 corresponding to the first group of reference signals, SSB 2 corresponding to the second group of reference signals, and SSB 3 corresponding to the third group of reference signals.

[0168] SSB b is any SSB in at least one SSB, and SSB b corresponds to a first reference signal in at least one reference signal group. There may be various relationships between SSB b and the first reference signal group. For example, the relationship between SSB b and the first reference signal group may refer to the description of "Relationship between the First Signal and the At least Two Reference Signals" in S301. The first signal in SSB a is replaced with SSB b, and the at least two reference signals in SSB a are replaced with the first reference signal group corresponding to SSB b. If the first signal exists alone, the first signal is replaced with SSB b. This description is omitted here.

[0169] This application does not limit the execution order of S701 and S702.

[0170] S703: The first device sends a random access signal generated according to the preamble code on the RO; correspondingly, the second device receives the random access signal generated according to the preamble code on the RO.

[0171] The RO and the preamble are determined based on at least one SSB and at least one set of reference signals. For example, the RO and the preamble are determined by the first device based on at least one SSB and at least one set of reference signals; that is, the first device may determine the RO and the preamble based on at least one SSB and at least one set of reference signals.

[0172] In some possible embodiments, the RO and the preamble belong to a subset (hereinafter referred to as subset 2) of the multiple subsets included in the first set. For the specific content of the first set, please refer to the description of the first set in S302 and will not be repeated here. There is a corresponding relationship 2 between the multiple subsets and at least one SSB and / or at least one group of reference signals. The corresponding relationship 2 may include: different subsets in the multiple subsets correspond to different SSBs and / or different reference signals. In this case, the RO and the preamble may be determined based on at least one SSB, at least one group of reference signals and the corresponding relationship 2. For example, the RO and the preamble may be determined by the first device based on at least one SSB, at least one group of reference signals and the corresponding relationship 2. Specifically, the first device may determine subset 2 from multiple subsets based on at least one SSB, at least one group of reference signals and the corresponding relationship 2, and then select the RO and the preamble from subset 2. Among them, the corresponding relationship 2 can be pre-configured, for example, pre-defined by the protocol, or pre-stored in the factory configuration of the first device and / or the second device, or pre-stored in the SIM card of the first device and / or the second device; or, the corresponding relationship 2 can be determined by the first device or the second device.

[0173] Optionally, subset 2 is determined based on the signal quality of at least one SSB and at least one group of reference signals, and correspondence relationship 2. The determination method can refer to the method for determining subset 1 in S302, except that the first signal in at least one SSB is replaced by at least one SSB, the first signal in SSB m is replaced by SSB m, at least two reference signals in SSB m are replaced by a group of reference signals corresponding to SSB m, the reference signal in SSB m is replaced by a reference signal corresponding to SSB m, and one or more reference signals in SSB m are replaced by one or more reference signals corresponding to SSB m, and SSB m includes at least one of the following: SSB 1, SSB 2 or the first SSB; "the SSB containing the first signal with the best signal quality in at least one SSB" is replaced by "the SSB with the best signal quality in at least one SSB", which is not repeated here.

[0174] The above-mentioned multiple subsets can be implemented in multiple ways, for example, at least one of way c1, way c2 or way c3.

[0175] Mode c1: the multiple subsets include a fourth subset, and the fourth subset corresponds to a first SSB in the at least one SSB.

[0176] Mode c2: the plurality of subsets include a fifth subset, where the fifth subset corresponds to a first SSB in the at least one SSB, and a first reference signal and a second reference signal in a group of reference signals corresponding to the first SSB.

[0177] Mode c3: The multiple subsets include a sixth subset, which corresponds to one or more reference signals in a group of reference signals corresponding to a first SSB in at least one SSB.

[0178] The specific contents of mode c1 to mode c3 may refer to mode b1 to mode b3 respectively, except that the first signal in at least one SSB is replaced by at least one SSB, the first signal in SSB m is replaced by SSB m, at least two reference signals in SSB m are replaced by a group of reference signals corresponding to SSB m, the reference signal in SSB m is replaced by a reference signal corresponding to SSB m, and one or more reference signals in SSB m are replaced by one or more reference signals corresponding to SSB m, and SSB m includes at least one of the following: SSB 1, SSB 2 or the first SSB; and “the SSB containing the first signal with the best signal quality in at least one SSB” is replaced by “the SSB with the best signal quality in at least one SSB”, which will not be repeated here.

[0179] Through the method shown in FIG. 7 , when sending a random access signal, the first device not only considers at least one SSB but also considers at least one set of reference signals, thereby improving the accuracy of the channel information indicated by the random access signal.

[0180] Based on the same technical concept as the above-mentioned method embodiment, the embodiment of the present application provides a corresponding communication device, which can be used to perform the functions of the relevant steps in the above-mentioned method embodiment. This function can be implemented by hardware, can be implemented by software, or can be implemented by hardware executing the corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more modules corresponding to the above-mentioned functions. The communication device can be a terminal, or can be a module in a terminal (such as a circuit or a chip), or can be a logical node, logical module or software that can implement all or part of the functions of a terminal or access network device; or the communication device can be an access network device or a module in an access network device (such as a circuit or a chip), or can be a logical node, logical module or software that can implement all or part of the functions of an access network device.

[0181] In a possible implementation, the structure of the communication device provided in the embodiment of the present application is shown in FIG8 , and includes an interface unit 801 and a processing unit 802. The functions of each unit in the communication device 800 are introduced below.

[0182] The interface unit 801 is used to input and / or output information. Input information can be replaced by receiving information, and output information can be replaced by sending information. When outputting information, the interface unit 801 can output information to other devices outside the communication device 800, or it can output information to other units in the communication device 800. In some embodiments, the interface unit 801 can be implemented by at least one of a physical interface, a communication module, a communication interface, and an input / output interface. In other embodiments, the interface unit 801 can be implemented by an interface circuit, for example, a mobile communication module. The mobile communication module may include one or more of at least one antenna, at least one filter, a switch, a power amplifier, a low noise amplifier (LNA), etc.

[0183] The processing unit 802 can be used to support the communication device 800 in performing the processing actions in the above-mentioned method embodiment. The processing unit 802 can be implemented by one or more processors. For example, the processor can be a central processing unit (CPU), or other general-purpose processors, digital signal processors (DSP), application-specific integrated circuits (ASIC), field programmable gate arrays (FPGA), or other programmable logic devices, transistor logic devices, hardware components, or any combination thereof. The general-purpose processor can be a microprocessor or any conventional processor.

[0184] In one embodiment, the communication device 800 is applied to the first device in the embodiment of the present application shown in Figure 3. The specific functions of the processing unit 802 in this embodiment are introduced below.

[0185] The processing unit 802 is used to: detect at least one SSB, each SSB in the at least one SSB includes a first signal and at least two reference signals; and send a random access signal generated according to a preamble code on the RO through the interface unit 801, where the RO and the preamble code are determined based on the at least one SSB.

[0186] In another embodiment, the communication device 800 is applied to the second device in the embodiment of the present application shown in Figure 3. The specific functions of the processing unit 802 in this embodiment are introduced below.

[0187] The processing unit 802 is used to: send at least one SSB through the interface unit 801, where each SSB in the at least one SSB includes a first signal and at least two reference signals; receive a random access signal generated according to a preamble code on the RO through the interface unit 801, where the RO and the preamble code are determined based on the at least one SSB.

[0188] In yet another embodiment, the communication device 800 is applied to the first device in the embodiment of the present application shown in Figure 7. The specific functions of the processing unit 802 in this embodiment are introduced below.

[0189] The processing unit 802 is used to: detect at least one SSB; detect at least one group of reference signals, where each group of reference signals in the at least one group of reference signals may include at least two reference signals, and at least one SSB corresponds to at least one group of reference signals in a one-to-one correspondence; and send a random access signal generated according to a preamble code on an RO through the interface unit 801, where the RO and the preamble code are determined based on at least one SSB and at least one group of reference signals.

[0190] In yet another embodiment, the communication device 800 is applied to the second device in the embodiment of the present application shown in Figure 7. The specific functions of the processing unit 802 in this embodiment are introduced below.

[0191] The processing unit 802 is configured to: send at least one SSB through the interface unit 801; send at least one group of reference signals through the interface unit 801, where each group of reference signals may include at least two reference signals, and at least one SSB corresponds to at least one group of reference signals in a one-to-one correspondence; and receive a random access signal generated based on a preamble code on an RO through the interface unit 801, where the RO and the preamble code are determined based on at least one SSB and at least one group of reference signals.

[0192] A more detailed description of the processing unit 802 and the interface unit 801 can be directly obtained by referring to the relevant descriptions in the method embodiments shown in Figures 3 and 7, and will not be repeated here.

[0193] It should be noted that the division of modules in the above embodiments of the present application is illustrative and is only a logical functional division. In actual implementation, there may be other division methods. In addition, the functional units in the various embodiments of the present application may be integrated into a processing unit, or may exist separately physically, or two or more units may be integrated into a single unit. The above-mentioned integrated units may be implemented in the form of hardware or in the form of software functional units.

[0194] If the above-mentioned integrated unit is implemented in the form of a software functional unit and sold or used as an independent product, it can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. Based on this understanding, the technical solution of the present application, or the part that contributes to the prior art, or all or part of the technical solution can be embodied in the form of a software product, which is stored in a storage medium and includes several instructions for enabling a computer device (which can be a personal computer, server, or network device, etc.) or a processor to execute all or part of the steps of the method described in each embodiment of the present application. The aforementioned storage medium includes various media that can store program codes, such as a USB flash drive, a mobile hard disk, a read-only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), a magnetic disk or an optical disk.

[0195] In one possible implementation, the communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application is shown in FIG9 . The communication device 900 includes a processor 902. Optionally, the communication device 900 also includes an interface circuit 901 and a memory 903. The interface circuit 901, the processor 902, and the memory 903 are coupled to each other.

[0196] Optionally, the interface circuit 901, the processor 902, and the memory 903 are coupled to each other via a bus 909. Bus 909 may be a Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) bus or an Extended Industry Standard Architecture (EISA) bus. Buses can be classified as address buses, data buses, control buses, and the like. For ease of illustration, FIG9 shows only one thick line, but this does not indicate that there is only one bus or only one type of bus.

[0197] Interface circuit 901 is used to input and / or output information. Inputting information can be replaced by receiving information, and outputting information can be replaced by sending information. When outputting information, interface circuit 901 can output information to other devices outside of communication device 900, or to other units within communication device 900. Exemplarily, interface circuit 901 can be implemented via at least one of a physical interface, a communication module, a communication interface, an input / output interface, and a mobile communication module. The mobile communication module may include one or more of at least one antenna, at least one filter, a switch, a power amplifier, an LNA, and the like.

[0198] Processor 902 can be used to support communication device 900 in executing the processing actions in the above-described method embodiments. When communication device 900 is used to implement the above-described method embodiments, processor 902 can also be used to implement the functions of processing unit 802. Processor 902 can be a CPU, other general-purpose processors, DSPs, ASICs, FPGAs, other programmable logic devices, transistor logic devices, hardware components, or any combination thereof. A general-purpose processor can be a microprocessor or any conventional processor.

[0199] In one embodiment, the communication device 900 is applied to the first device in the embodiment of the present application shown in Figure 3. The specific functions of the processor 902 in this embodiment are described below.

[0200] The processor 902 is configured to: detect at least one SSB, each of the at least one SSB including a first signal and at least two reference signals; and send a random access signal generated based on a preamble code on an RO through an interface circuit 901, where the RO and the preamble code are determined based on the at least one SSB.

[0201] In another embodiment, the communication device 900 is applied to the second device in the embodiment of the present application shown in Figure 3. The specific functions of the processor 902 in this embodiment are introduced below.

[0202] The processor 902 is configured to: send at least one SSB through the interface circuit 901, where each SSB in the at least one SSB includes a first signal and at least two reference signals; and receive a random access signal generated based on a preamble code on an RO through the interface circuit 901, where the RO and the preamble code are determined based on the at least one SSB.

[0203] In yet another embodiment, the communication device 900 is applied to the first device in the embodiment of the present application shown in Figure 7. The specific functions of the processor 902 in this embodiment are described below.

[0204] Processor 902 is configured to: detect at least one SSB; detect at least one group of reference signals, where each group of reference signals may include at least two reference signals, and at least one SSB corresponds to at least one group of reference signals in a one-to-one correspondence; and send a random access signal generated based on a preamble code on an RO through an interface circuit 901, where the RO and the preamble code are determined based on at least one SSB and at least one group of reference signals.

[0205] In yet another embodiment, the communication device 900 is applied to the second device in the embodiment of the present application shown in Figure 7. The specific functions of the processor 902 in this embodiment are described below.

[0206] Processor 902 is configured to: send at least one SSB through interface circuit 901; send at least one group of reference signals through interface circuit 901, where each group of reference signals may include at least two reference signals, and at least one SSB corresponds to at least one group of reference signals in a one-to-one correspondence; and receive a random access signal generated based on a preamble code on an RO through interface circuit 901, where the RO and the preamble code are determined based on at least one SSB and at least one group of reference signals.

[0207] The specific functions of the processor 902 can refer to the description of the communication method provided in the above embodiments and examples of the present application, as well as the specific functional description of the communication device 800 in the embodiment of the present application shown in Figure 8, and will not be repeated here.

[0208] The memory 903 is used to store program instructions and / or data, etc. Specifically, the program instructions may include program code, which includes computer operation instructions. The memory 903 may include RAM, and may also include non-volatile memory (non-volatile memory), such as at least one disk storage. The processor 902 executes the program instructions stored in the memory 903 and uses the data stored in the memory 903 to implement the above functions, thereby realizing the communication method provided in the above embodiment of the present application. The memory 903 can be integrated with the processor 902, or it can be a memory outside the communication device.

[0209] It will be appreciated that the memory 903 in FIG. 9 of the present application may be a volatile memory or a non-volatile memory, or may include both volatile and non-volatile memories. Among them, the non-volatile memory may be a ROM, a programmable read-only memory (PROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), or a flash memory. The volatile memory may be a RAM, which is used as an external cache. By way of example but not limitation, many forms of RAM are available, such as static random access memory (SRAM), dynamic random access memory (DRAM), synchronous dynamic random access memory (SDRAM), double data rate synchronous dynamic random access memory (DDR SDRAM), enhanced synchronous dynamic random access memory (ESDRAM), synchronous link dynamic random access memory (SLDRAM), and direct rambus RAM (DR RAM). It should be noted that memory of the systems and methods described herein is intended to comprise, but not be limited to, these and any other suitable types of memory.

[0210] Based on the above embodiments, an embodiment of the present application further provides a computer program product including computer-executable instructions. When the computer program product is run, the method provided in the above embodiments is executed.

[0211] Based on the above embodiments, an embodiment of the present application further provides a computer-readable storage medium, in which a computer program is stored. When the computer program is executed by a computer, the computer executes the method provided in the above embodiments.

[0212] The storage medium may be any available medium that can be accessed by a computer. By way of example and not limitation, computer-readable media may include RAM, ROM, EEPROM, CD-ROM or other optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage media or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium that can be used to carry or store desired program code in the form of instructions or data structures and can be accessed by a computer.

[0213] Based on the above embodiments, an embodiment of the present application further provides a chip, which is used to read a computer program stored in a memory to implement the method provided in the above embodiments.

[0214] Based on the above embodiments, embodiments of the present application provide a chip system, which includes a processor for supporting a computer device to implement the functions involved in each device in the above embodiments. In one possible design, the chip system also includes a memory for storing the necessary programs and data for the computer device. The chip system can be composed of a chip or can include a chip and other discrete devices.

[0215] In the various embodiments of the present application, unless otherwise specified or there is a logical conflict, the terms and / or descriptions between different embodiments are consistent and can be referenced by each other. The technical features in different embodiments can be combined to form new embodiments according to their inherent logical relationships.

[0216] The present application is described with reference to the flowcharts and / or block diagrams of the methods, devices (systems), and computer program products according to the present application. It should be understood that each flow and / or box in the flow chart and / or block diagram, as well as the combination of the flow chart and / or box in the flow chart and / or block diagram, can be implemented by computer program instructions. These computer program instructions can be provided to a processor of a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, an embedded processor, or other programmable data processing device to produce a machine, so that the instructions executed by the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing device produce a device for implementing the functions specified in one or more flow charts and / or one or more boxes in the block diagram.

[0217] These computer program instructions may also be stored in a computer-readable memory that can direct a computer or other programmable data processing device to operate in a specific manner, so that the instructions stored in the computer-readable memory produce a product including an instruction device that implements the functions specified in one or more processes in the flowchart and / or one or more boxes in the block diagram.

[0218] These computer program instructions can also be loaded onto a computer or other programmable data processing device so that a series of operating steps are executed on the computer or other programmable device to produce a computer-implemented process, so that the instructions executed on the computer or other programmable device provide steps for implementing the functions specified in one or more processes in the flowchart and / or one or more boxes in the block diagram.

[0219] In this application, "at least one" means one or more, and "more than one" means two or more. "And / or" describes the relationship between related objects, indicating that three possible relationships exist. For example, "A and / or B" can mean: A exists alone, A and B exist simultaneously, and B exists alone, where A and B can be singular or plural. In the text description of this application, the character " / " generally indicates that the related objects are in an "or" relationship.

[0220] It is understood that the various numbers used in the embodiments of this application are merely for ease of description and are not intended to limit the scope of the embodiments of this application. The order of the sequence numbers of the above-mentioned processes does not necessarily imply a specific order of execution; the order of execution of the processes should be determined by their functions and inherent logic.

[0221] Obviously, those skilled in the art may make various changes and modifications to the present application without departing from the scope of the present application. Thus, if these modifications and variations of the present application fall within the scope of the claims of the present application and their equivalents, the present application is intended to include these modifications and variations.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that: include: Detecting at least one synchronization signal and a physical broadcast channel (PBCH) block (SSB), each SSB in the at least one SSB comprising a first signal and at least two reference signals; A random access signal generated according to a preamble is sent on a random access channel opportunity RO, wherein the RO and the preamble are determined according to the at least one SSB.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The RO and the preamble code belong to a subset of multiple subsets included in the first set, and there is a corresponding relationship between the multiple subsets and the at least one SSB, and the corresponding relationship includes: different subsets among the multiple subsets correspond to different first signals and / or different reference signals respectively.

3. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that The RO and the preamble are determined according to the at least one SSB and the corresponding relationship.

4. The method according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that The plurality of subsets include a first subset corresponding to a first signal in a first SSB in the at least one SSB.

5. The method according to any one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that: The plurality of subsets include a second subset corresponding to a first signal, a first reference signal, and a second reference signal in a first SSB of the at least one SSB.

6. The method according to any one of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that The multiple subsets include a third subset, which corresponds to one or more reference signals in a first SSB in the at least one SSB.

7. The method according to any one of claims 2 to 6, characterized in that: A subset among the multiple subsets is determined based on the signal qualities of the first signal and at least two reference signals in the at least one SSB, and the corresponding relationship.

8. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that The first signal uses a first precoding, each of the at least two reference signals uses a second precoding different from the first precoding, and the second precoding used by each of the at least two reference signals is different.

9. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that The sum of the beam scanning ranges of the at least two reference signals is part or all of the beam scanning range of the first signal.

10. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that: The first signal includes at least one of the following: a primary synchronization signal PSS, a secondary synchronization signal SSS, or a PBCH.

11. A communication method, characterized in that: include: Sending at least one synchronization signal and a physical broadcast channel (PBCH) block SSB, each SSB in the at least one SSB comprising a first signal and at least two reference signals; A random access signal generated according to a preamble is received at a random access channel opportunity RO, wherein the RO and the preamble are determined according to the at least one SSB.

12. The method according to claim 11, characterized in that The RO and the preamble code belong to a subset of multiple subsets included in the first set, and there is a corresponding relationship between the multiple subsets and the at least one SSB, and the corresponding relationship includes: different subsets among the multiple subsets correspond to different first signals and / or different reference signals respectively.

13. The method according to claim 12, characterized in that The RO and the preamble are determined according to the at least one SSB and the corresponding relationship.

14. The method according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that The plurality of subsets include a first subset corresponding to a first signal in a first SSB in the at least one SSB.

15. The method according to any one of claims 12 to 14, characterized in that The plurality of subsets include a second subset corresponding to a first signal, a first reference signal, and a second reference signal in a first SSB of the at least one SSB.

16. The method according to any one of claims 12 to 15, characterized in that The multiple subsets include a third subset, which corresponds to one or more reference signals in a first SSB in the at least one SSB.

17. The method according to any one of claims 12 to 16, characterized in that A subset among the multiple subsets is determined based on the signal qualities of the first signal and at least two reference signals in the at least one SSB, and the corresponding relationship.

18. The method according to any one of claims 11 to 17, characterized in that The first signal uses a first precoding, each of the at least two reference signals uses a second precoding different from the first precoding, and the second precoding used by each of the at least two reference signals is different.

19. The method according to any one of claims 11 to 18, characterized in that The sum of the beam scanning ranges of the at least two reference signals is part or all of the beam scanning range of the first signal.

20. The method according to any one of claims 11 to 19, characterized in that The first signal includes at least one of the following: a primary synchronization signal PSS, a secondary synchronization signal SSS, or a PBCH.

21. A communication device, characterized in that: include: An interface unit for receiving and sending information; A processing unit, configured to execute the method according to any one of claims 1 to 20 through the interface unit.

22. A communication device, characterized in that: The method comprises a processor configured to execute the method according to any one of claims 1 to 20.

23. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that: The computer-readable storage medium stores a computer program or instructions. When the computer program or instructions are executed by the communication device, the method according to any one of claims 1 to 20 is implemented.

24. A computer program product, characterized in that The computer program product comprises: a computer program code, and when the computer program code is executed, the method according to any one of claims 1 to 20 is implemented.

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