Communication method and apparatus

Abstract

A communication method and apparatus, the method comprising: a network device firstly sends a plurality of first synchronization signal blocks by means of a plurality of first beams with relatively large coverage ranges, so as to cover a whole cell, so that the number of beams covering the whole cell is reduced, and a beam scanning period is shortened. Then, an SIB1 corresponding to the plurality of first synchronization signal blocks is sent, so that a terminal device sends a first random access signal on a first random access channel opportunity (RO) indicated by the SIB1. After a first target RO receives the first random access signal from a first terminal device, a first target beam corresponding to the first terminal device having an access requirement is determined from the plurality of first beams, then the coverage range of the first target beam is scanned by means of a plurality of second beams with relatively small coverage ranges, so that the coverage range needing to be scanned is reduced on the basis that the access requirement of the terminal device is satisfied, and a beam scanning resource overhead and an access time delay of the terminal device are reduced.

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 November 24, 2023, with application number 202311591456.5 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 wireless communication technology, and in particular to a communication method and device. Background Art

[0004] Downlink synchronization is the starting point for establishing communication between terminal devices and network devices. Only after downlink synchronization can the terminal device demodulate the master information block (MIB) and system information block (SIB) broadcast by the cell and then access the network devices.

[0005] In communication systems that support beamforming technology, a single beam cannot cover the entire cell managed by a network device. Hardware limitations also prevent network devices from using multiple beams simultaneously to cover the entire cell. Therefore, network devices can currently use beam scanning to cover the entire cell. Specifically, a network device can use some beams to cover part of the cell at one time, and then use another beam to cover another part of the cell at another time. In this way, the network device can cover the entire cell at multiple times using beams in different directions.

[0006] Based on the above-mentioned beam scanning method, the network device can send synchronization signal blocks through beams in different directions at multiple times, so that the terminal device can search and measure cells based on the received synchronization signal blocks, thereby completing processes such as initial access and mobility management, and realizing communication between the network device and the terminal device.

[0007] Based on the above description, the network equipment may need a large number of beams to cover the entire cell, which leads to a long beam scanning cycle, thereby increasing the beam scanning resource overhead and the access delay of the terminal device.

[0008] Summary of the Invention

[0009] The embodiments of the present application provide a communication method and apparatus for reducing the duration of a beam scanning process of a network device, reducing beam scanning resource overhead and access delay of a terminal device.

[0010] In the first aspect, the present application proposes a communication method, which is applied to a network device and is described below using the network device as an example. The method includes:

[0011] The network device sends multiple first synchronization signal blocks through multiple first beams, and then sends the SIB1 corresponding to the multiple first synchronization signal blocks; wherein the multiple first beams correspond one to one with the multiple first synchronization signal blocks, and each first synchronization signal block contains first information for scheduling the corresponding system message block 1SIB1; the SIB1 corresponding to any first synchronization signal block is used to indicate the first random access channel opportunity RO, and the first RO indicated by the SIB1 corresponding to different first synchronization signal blocks is different; when the network device receives the first random access signal from the first terminal device at the first target RO, it determines the first target synchronization according to the first target RO. signal block, and determines the first target beam to which the first target synchronization signal block is sent among the multiple first beams; wherein the first target synchronization signal block is the first synchronization signal block corresponding to the first target SIB1 among the multiple first synchronization signal blocks, and the first target SIB1 is used to indicate the first target RO, that is, the first terminal device with access requirements in the first target beam, and then sends multiple second synchronization signal blocks through the multiple second beams corresponding to the first target beam, that is, the coverage range of the multiple second beams includes the coverage range of the first target beam; wherein the multiple second beams correspond one-to-one to the multiple second synchronization signal blocks.

[0012] In the above solution, the network device uses a combination of wide-beam scanning (i.e., a first beam with a relatively large coverage area) and narrow-beam scanning (i.e., a second beam with a relatively small coverage area) to complete beam scanning within the network device's coverage area. Specifically, the network device first uses a smaller number of wide beams to scan the entire coverage area of ​​the network device. Then, based on received random access signals, it determines which wide beam's coverage area contains a terminal device with access requirements, i.e., determines that the coverage area of ​​the wide beam is the area with access requirements. The network device then uses narrow beams to scan the area with access requirements, allowing the terminal device with access requirements to access the network device. Because the coverage area of ​​a single wide beam is larger than that of a single narrow beam, the number of wide beams required to scan the entire coverage area is much smaller than the number of narrow beams required. Therefore, compared to traditional solutions, the network device uses a shorter time to quickly complete beam scanning using wide beams, and then uses a smaller number of narrow beams to accurately scan the coverage area of ​​a specific wide beam, making the entire process less time-consuming. Obviously, this method can re-scan only the areas where there is access demand, and not re-scan other areas where there is no access demand. This can avoid the network device's invalid beam scanning of areas with no access demand, thereby reducing the network device's beam scanning resource overhead and reducing the access delay of the terminal device.

[0013] In addition, because the coverage of a beam is negatively correlated with the beam receiving gain, network equipment can ensure the beam receiving gain and improve the access success rate of terminal devices by performing precise beam scanning through a narrow beam with a smaller coverage range.

[0014] In one possible design, the network device may send the multiple first synchronization signal blocks through the multiple first beams within a first period T1; and send the multiple second synchronization signal blocks through the multiple second beams within a second period T2, where T1 is greater than T2.

[0015] In this way, the network equipment can perform wide beam scanning and narrow beam scanning with different periods. When the terminal device with access demand is not determined, the frequency of the network device scanning coverage range is reduced by using a wide beam with a larger scanning period, and the coverage range of the network device is scanned with fewer beam scans. In this way, the beam scanning resource overhead is further reduced by reducing the number of beam scans. When the terminal device with access demand is determined, the frequency of scanning the area with access demand is increased by using a narrow beam with a smaller scanning period, further reducing the access delay of the terminal device.

[0016] In one possible design, T1≥T2*(M+a), where M is the number of the plurality of second beams corresponding to the first beam, and a is an integer greater than 0. For example, a can be an integer such as 1, 2, 3, 4, ..., etc.

[0017] This design establishes a correlation between the first period T1 and the number of narrow beams corresponding to any wide beam, i.e., the first period T1 is positively correlated with the number of narrow beams corresponding to any wide beam. In some scenarios, if the number of narrow beams corresponding to any wide beam is small, this means that more wide beams are still needed to scan the network device's coverage area, meaning that the network device still needs more time to complete the scan of the network device's coverage area. By reducing the first period T1, the frequency of network device coverage scans is increased, thereby reducing the latency for terminal devices to access the network device. The number of narrow beams corresponding to any two wide beams can be the same.

[0018] In one possible design, the SIB1 corresponding to any first synchronization signal block is also used to instruct the terminal device to continue receiving the second synchronization signal block with a second period T2.

[0019] It can be understood that the SIB1 corresponding to the first synchronization signal block directly notifies the terminal device to continue searching for the second synchronization signal block sent by the subsequent network device through a narrow beam through the second period T2, and indirectly indicates that the current synchronization signal block is the first synchronization signal block, which is sent by the network device through a wide beam.

[0020] In one possible design, the network device may transmit the multiple first synchronization signal blocks through the multiple first beams within a third period T3; and the network device may also transmit the multiple second synchronization signal blocks through the multiple second beams within T3. That is, the network device may transmit the first synchronization signal blocks and the second synchronization signal blocks using the same beam scanning period.

[0021] In one possible design, the identifiers of the multiple first synchronization signal blocks are included in a first setting range, which is set for a first type of beam; the multiple first beams belong to the first type of beam.

[0022] In one possible design, the SIB1 corresponding to any first synchronization signal block also includes a first indication field, where the first indication field is used to indicate that the first synchronization signal block is sent through a first type of beam; and the multiple first beams belong to the first type of beam.

[0023] Through the above design, the network device can also directly indicate that the current synchronization signal block is the first synchronization signal block through the identifier of the first synchronization signal block or the first indication field in the SIB1 corresponding to the first synchronization signal block, which is sent down through a wide beam, thereby indirectly notifying the terminal device to continue searching for the second synchronization signal block sent by the subsequent network device through a narrow beam through the second period T2.

[0024] In one possible design, each second synchronization signal block includes second information for scheduling the corresponding SIB1. Based on this, the network device also needs to send the SIB1 corresponding to each second synchronization signal block; wherein the SIB1 corresponding to any second synchronization signal block is used to indicate the second random access channel opportunity RO, and the second ROs indicated by the SIB1s corresponding to different second synchronization signal blocks are different. In this way, when the network device receives the second random access signal from the first terminal device at the second target RO, it executes the random access procedure of the first terminal device according to the second random access signal; wherein the second target RO is indicated by the SIB1 corresponding to the second target synchronization signal block among the multiple second synchronization signal blocks.

[0025] Based on the above scheme, the first RO indicated by the SIB1 corresponding to any first synchronization signal block and the second RO indicated by the SIB1 corresponding to any second synchronization signal block do not overlap in the frequency domain or time domain. In this way, the network device can distinguish whether the received random access signal is sent by the first terminal device on the first RO or the second RO, that is, distinguish which beam the received random access signal is based on for the synchronization signal block feedback. Based on this, the network device can implement the subsequent random access process only for the second random access signal PRACH based on narrow beam feedback, and not perform the subsequent random access process on the first PRACH, that is, not demodulate the first PRACH, thereby avoiding invalid demodulation of the random access signal PRACH and reducing computing resources. Obviously, because the network device does not need to demodulate the first PRACH, it can determine the first terminal device that needs to access by detecting the energy of the first PRACH, thereby improving the efficiency of determining the area where there is access demand.

[0026] In one possible design, the SIB1 corresponding to any second synchronization signal block is also used to instruct the terminal device to subsequently receive the first synchronization signal block with the first period T1.

[0027] It can be understood that the SIB1 corresponding to the second synchronization signal block is equivalent to indicating the first period T1, which indirectly indicates that the current synchronization signal block is the second synchronization signal block, which is sent by the network device through a narrow beam, and then directly notifies the terminal device that the next time it accesses the network device, it needs to continue searching for the first synchronization signal block sent by the subsequent network device through a wide beam through the first period T1.

[0028] In one possible design, the identifiers of the multiple second synchronization signal blocks are included in a second set range, which is set for a second type of beam; and the multiple second beams belong to the second type of beam.

[0029] In one possible design, the SIB1 corresponding to any second synchronization signal block also includes a second indication field, where the second indication field is used to indicate that the second synchronization signal block is sent through a second type of beam; and the multiple second beams belong to the second type of beam.

[0030] Based on the above scheme, the network device can also directly indicate that the current synchronization signal block is the second synchronization signal block through the identifier of the second synchronization signal block or the second indication field in the SIB1 corresponding to the second synchronization signal block, which is sent down through a narrow beam, thereby indirectly notifying the terminal device that the next time it accesses the network device, it needs to continue searching for the first synchronization signal block sent by the subsequent network device through the wide beam through the first period T1.

[0031] In a second aspect, an embodiment of the present application proposes a communication method, which is applied to a terminal device and is described below using a first terminal device as an example. The method includes:

[0032] A first terminal device receives a first target synchronization signal block from a network device; wherein the first target synchronization signal block includes first target information for scheduling a first target system message block SIB1; thereby, the first target SIB1 from the network device is received based on the first target synchronization signal block. It can be understood that the first terminal device is a device with access requirements, and because the first target SIB1 is used to indicate a first target RO, the first terminal device can send a first random access signal on the first target RO; thus, the first terminal device will subsequently continue to receive a second synchronization signal block from the network device.

[0033] In one possible design, the first terminal device may receive a first target synchronization signal block from the network device with a first period T1; and receive a second target synchronization signal block from the network device with a second period T2; wherein T1 is greater than T2.

[0034] In one possible design, because the first target SIB1 is also used to instruct the terminal device to continue receiving the second synchronization signal block with a second period T2, the first terminal device can receive the second target synchronization signal block from the network device with the second period T2 according to the indication of the first target SIB1; wherein the second target synchronization signal block is the second synchronization signal block received by the first terminal device.

[0035] In one possible design, the first terminal device can determine that the first target synchronization signal is sent through the first type of beam when it is determined that the identifier of the first target synchronization signal block is within a first set range; wherein the first set range is set for the first type of beam; and then determine the synchronization signal block receiving period T2 corresponding to the second type of beam; and then receive the second target synchronization signal block from the network device with a second period T2; wherein the coverage range of a single beam in the second type of beam is smaller than the coverage range of a single beam in the first type of beam, and the second target synchronization signal block is sent through the second type of beam.

[0036] In one possible design, the first terminal device can determine that the first target synchronization signal is sent through the first type of beam based on the first indication field contained in the first target SIB1; and then determine the synchronization signal block receiving period T2 corresponding to the second type of beam; and then receive the second target synchronization signal block from the network device with the second period T2; wherein the coverage range of a single beam in the second type of beam is smaller than the coverage range of a single beam in the first type of beam, and the second target synchronization signal block is sent through the second type of beam.

[0037] In this way, the first terminal device can continue to search for the second synchronization signal block sent by the network device through the second beam with a smaller second period T2 through the above three design methods, thereby reducing the access delay of the first terminal device.

[0038] In one possible design, because the second target synchronization signal block contains second target information for scheduling the second target SIB1, the first terminal device can receive the second target SIB1 from the network device based on the second target synchronization signal block; and then send a second random access signal on the second target RO based on the second target SIB1 used to indicate the second target RO; wherein the first target RO and the second target RO do not overlap in the frequency domain or time domain.

[0039] In one possible design, because the second target SIB1 is also used to indicate that the terminal device subsequently receives the synchronization signal block with the first period T1; therefore, after receiving the second target synchronization signal block from the network device, the first terminal device can receive the first synchronization signal block from the network device with the first period T1 according to the indication of the second target SIB1.

[0040] In one possible design, after receiving the second target synchronization signal block from the network device, the first terminal device can also determine that the second target synchronization signal is sent through the second type of beam when it determines that the identifier of the second target synchronization signal block is within a second set range, and then determine the synchronization signal block receiving period T1 corresponding to the first type of beam, and then receive the first synchronization signal block from the network device with the first period T1; wherein the second set range is set for the second type of beam; the coverage range of a single beam in the second type of beam is smaller than the coverage range of a single beam in the first type of beam.

[0041] In one possible design, after receiving the second target synchronization signal block from the network device, the first terminal device can also determine, based on the second indication field contained in the second target SIB1, that the second target synchronization signal is sent through the second type of beam, and then determine the synchronization signal block receiving period T1 corresponding to the first type of beam, and then receive the first synchronization signal block from the network device with the first period T1; wherein the coverage range of a single beam in the second type of beam is smaller than the coverage range of a single beam in the first type of beam.

[0042] It can be understood that the technical effects that can be achieved in the second aspect can refer to the description of the technical effects that can be achieved in the first aspect mentioned above.

[0043] In a third aspect, the present application provides a communication device comprising a unit for executing each step of the first or second aspect. Optionally, the communication device may include a communication unit and a processing unit; the communication unit is configured to receive and send data, and the processing unit is configured to execute the method provided in the first or second aspect.

[0044] In a fourth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication device comprising a transceiver and a processor; wherein the transceiver is configured to receive and transmit signals; and the processor is configured to execute program instructions, causing the communication device to perform the method provided in the first or second aspect. Optionally, the communication device further comprises a memory. The memory is configured to store program instructions; the processor can read the program instructions in the memory, causing the communication device to perform the method provided in the first or second aspect.

[0045] In a fifth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication device comprising at least one processing element and at least one storage element, wherein the at least one storage element is used to store programs and data, and the at least one processing element is used to execute the method provided in the first or second aspect above.

[0046] In a sixth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication system, comprising: a network device for executing the above-mentioned first aspect and a terminal device for executing the above-mentioned second aspect.

[0047] In a seventh aspect, an embodiment of the present application further provides a computer program product that, when executed on a computer, causes the computer to execute the method provided in the first or second aspect. Optionally, the computer may be a communication device such as a terminal device or a network device.

[0048] In an eighth aspect, embodiments of the present application provide a computer-readable storage medium storing program code. When the program code is executed on a computer, the computer executes the method provided in the first or second aspect. Optionally, the computer may be a communication device such as a network device or a terminal device.

[0049] In a ninth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a chip, which is coupled to a memory and is used to read and execute program instructions stored in the memory to implement the method provided in the first or second aspect above.

[0050] In a tenth aspect, embodiments of the present application further provide a chip system, comprising a processor configured to support a computer device in implementing the method provided in any of the above aspects. In one possible design, the chip system further comprises a memory configured to store the necessary programs and data for the computer device. The chip system may be composed of a chip alone, or may include a chip and other discrete components.

[0051] Based on the implementations provided in the above aspects, the embodiments of the present application can be further combined to provide more implementations.

[0052] The technical effects that can be achieved in any of the third to tenth aspects mentioned above can be referred to the description of the technical effects that can be achieved in the first and / or second aspects mentioned above, and the repetitions will not be discussed here. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0053] FIG1a is a schematic diagram of a terminal device accessing a network device in a transparent payload scenario applicable to an embodiment of the present application;

[0054] FIG1b is a schematic diagram of a terminal device accessing a network device in a regenerative payload scenario applicable to an embodiment of the present application;

[0055] FIG2 is a schematic diagram of an SSB applicable to an embodiment of the present application;

[0056] FIG3 is a schematic diagram of a beam scanning method applicable to an embodiment of the present application;

[0057] FIG4 is a schematic diagram of the position of an SSB in the time domain applicable to an embodiment of the present application;

[0058] FIG5 is a schematic diagram of a satellite scan applicable to an embodiment of the present application;

[0059] FIG6 a is a schematic diagram of a system architecture applicable to an embodiment of the present application;

[0060] FIG6 b is a schematic diagram of a system architecture applicable to an embodiment of the present application;

[0061] FIG7 is a flow chart of a communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0062] FIG8a is a schematic diagram of the coverage of a single first beam provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0063] FIG8 b is a schematic diagram of the coverage of a single second beam provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0064] FIG9 is a flow chart of a communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0065] FIG10 is a schematic diagram of beam scanning corresponding to an implementation method 1 provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0066] FIG11 is a schematic diagram of beam scanning corresponding to an implementation method 2 provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0067] FIG12 is a schematic diagram of beam scanning corresponding to an implementation method 3 provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0068] FIG13 is a structural diagram of a communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0069] FIG14 is a structural diagram of a communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0070] The technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application will be described clearly and completely below in conjunction with the drawings in the embodiments of the present application. The terms used in the following embodiments are only for the purpose of describing specific embodiments and are not intended to be limiting of the present application. As used in the specification and appended claims of the present application, the singular expressions "one", "a", "said", "above", "the" and "this" are intended to also include expressions such as "one or more", unless there is a clear contrary indication in the context. It should also be understood that in the embodiments of the present application, "one or more" refers to one, two or more; "and / or" describes the association relationship of associated objects, indicating that three relationships may exist; for example, A and / or B can mean: A exists alone, A and B exist at the same time, and B exists alone, where A and B can be singular or plural. The character " / " generally indicates that the related objects before and after are in an "or" relationship.

[0071] References to "one embodiment" or "some embodiments" in this specification mean that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in conjunction with that embodiment is included in one or more embodiments of the present application. Thus, phrases such as "in one embodiment," "in some embodiments," "in other embodiments," and "in yet other embodiments" appearing in various places in this specification do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, but rather mean "one or more but not all embodiments," unless otherwise specifically emphasized. The terms "including," "comprising," "having," and variations thereof mean "including but not limited to," unless otherwise specifically emphasized.

[0072] The "multiple" involved in the embodiments of the present application means greater than or equal to two. It should be noted that in the description of the embodiments of the present application, the words "first" and "second" are only used for the purpose of distinguishing the description and cannot be understood as indicating or implying relative importance or order.

[0073] In order to better explain the communication method provided in the embodiment of the present application, the concepts and terms involved in the embodiment of the present application are first briefly explained.

[0074] 1) NTN, proposed in contrast to traditional terrestrial networks, refers to networks established using non-terrestrial communication technologies. It can include, but is not limited to, networks that use spectrum resources on communication platforms such as satellite platforms, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), or high altitude platform stations (HAPS) to provide communication services.

[0075] For example, NTN may include, but is not limited to, satellite systems, UAV communication systems, and HAPS systems. Satellite systems can be categorized into geostationary orbit (GEO) satellite systems, medium Earth orbit (MEO) satellite systems, and low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite systems, depending on the altitude of the satellites above the Earth's surface (i.e., satellite orbit altitude).

[0076] Compared to terrestrial communication networks, NTN offers wider coverage, lower path loss, greater latency, higher speed, and lower cost. With increasing interest in NTN research, the Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) has also conducted standardization research on NTN, committed to supplementing or enhancing the communication performance of mobile communication systems through NTN construction. For example, 3GPP began researching satellite-ground integration and related solutions in Release 14 (R14).

[0077] 2) Terminal equipment: A device that provides voice and / or data connectivity to users and can access network devices through a wireless interface. Terminal equipment can also be referred to as user equipment (UE), mobile station (MS), or mobile terminal (MT). In this application, terminal equipment can be fixed or mobile, and this application does not limit this.

[0078] 3) Network equipment, which is an entity with wireless transceiver capabilities on the network side of a communication system. In the embodiments of the present application, network equipment may include, but is not limited to: a base station, a base station carried on a satellite (referred to as a satellite base station), a transmission receiving point (TRP) or distributed unit (DU) carried on a satellite, a satellite ground station (referred to as a ground station) in a satellite system, a balloon station, an unmanned aerial vehicle station, etc.

[0079] 4) 5th-generation mobile communication technology (5G) is a new generation of broadband mobile communication technology with the characteristics of high speed, low latency and large connection.

[0080] 5) Inter-satellite links (ISLs), also known as intersatellite links or cross-links, refer to the communication links between satellites. In an ISL, each satellite acts as a node in a space network, enabling communication signals to be transmitted along the optimal path, thereby forming a global communications network.

[0081] 6) Radio frequency (RF), also known as radio frequency current, is the abbreviation for a high-frequency alternating electromagnetic wave. It represents the electromagnetic frequency that can be radiated into space, such as the frequency range of 300kHz to 300GHz.

[0082] 7) Master Information Block (MIB): used to transmit basic information required by the system through PBCH, such as downlink system bandwidth, resource indication, system frame number, frequency, number of antennas, etc.

[0083] 8) System Information Block (SIB): A data block that records system information, including SIB1, SIB2, SIB3, etc. SIB1 contains parameters for terminal devices to access the cell and scheduling information of other SIB types.

[0084] 9) Synchronization signal block, which is sent periodically by network equipment and used by terminal equipment to achieve time and frequency synchronization with network equipment during cell search.

[0085] In a first embodiment, the synchronization signal block includes a primary synchronization signal (PSS) and a secondary synchronization signal (SSS). In this case, the synchronization signal block can be referred to as a synchronization signal block, or SSB for short.

[0086] In the second implementation, the synchronization signal block includes not only the PSS and SSS but also the physical broadcast channel (PBCH), such as the synchronization signal block defined in the 5G mobile communication system (i.e., the new radio (NR) system). In this case, the synchronization signal block can be referred to as a synchronization signal broadcast channel block (SS / PBCH block, or SS / PBCH block).

[0087] Third implementation: Based on the structures of the synchronization signal blocks provided in the two preceding embodiments, in this implementation, synchronization signal blocks can be divided into two categories: By default, the synchronization signal block includes the PSS, SSS, and PBCH. In special cases, the synchronization signal block includes the PSS and SSS but does not include the PBCH. In this case, the synchronization signal block can also be referred to as the default synchronization signal block.

[0088] In some descriptions of the embodiments of the present application, the synchronization signal block is recorded as SSB as an example for illustration, but it does not constitute any limitation on the format or structure of the synchronization signal block.

[0089] 10) Primary synchronization signal (PSS): A signal specific to the physical layer that helps terminal devices obtain radio frame boundaries.

[0090] 11) Secondary synchronization signal (SSS), another physical layer-specific signal used to help terminal devices obtain subframe boundaries.

[0091] 12) Physical broadcast channel (PBCH): A physical channel used to broadcast system information, such as cell ID and system bandwidth. It carries the main system information block (MIB), which contains information such as the system frame number, cell barred, and SIB parameter set. Terminal devices use this information to obtain the remaining system information broadcast by the network.

[0092] 13) Demodulation reference signal (DMRS) is used for uplink and downlink data demodulation. Demodulation converts analog signals transmitted on communication lines into digital signals to obtain the transmitted information.

[0093] 14) Resource block (RB): A resource block consists of all time domain symbols (such as OFDM symbols) and 12 subcarriers in a time slot.

[0094] 15) Resource element (RE): The basic unit for resource mapping at the physical layer. It consists of a time-domain symbol and a subcarrier. The time-domain symbol is the smallest resource granularity in the time domain, and the subcarrier is the smallest resource granularity in the frequency domain.

[0095] 16) Physical cell identifier (PCI), used to distinguish wireless signals from different cells and ensure that there is no duplicate physical cell identifier within the coverage area of ​​related cells.

[0096] 17) Random access channel occasion (RACH occasion, RO) indicates the time domain resources and frequency domain resources occupied by a random access signal.

[0097] 18) Physical Random Access Channel (PRACH) is the access channel used by a terminal device when it first initiates a call. After receiving the FPACH response message, the terminal device sends an RRC Connection Request message on the PRACH channel according to the information indicated by the Node B to establish an RRC connection.

[0098] The following describes the method for a terminal device to access a network device in the NTN scenario to which this application is applicable, combining the above terms:

[0099] The NTN network can achieve wide-area seamless coverage and can be used in scenarios such as global coverage (such as remote areas and ocean-going vessels), emergency rescue (such as disaster monitoring and emergency communications), the Internet of Everything, and high-speed mobility (such as high-speed rail and airplanes). In the NTN, there are transparent payload scenarios and regenerative payload scenarios. Referring to Figures 1a and 1b, Figure 1a is a schematic diagram of a terminal device accessing a network device in a transparent payload scenario applicable to an embodiment of the present application, and Figure 1b is a schematic diagram of a terminal device accessing a network device in a regenerative payload scenario applicable to an embodiment of the present application. The network device is a satellite (or a UAS platform, etc.); there can be one or more gateways, which are used to connect the satellite and the ground network and are responsible for transferring network information such as telephones, switching networks, cellular communication networks, and mobile satellite communication networks; the feeder link is the wireless link between the gateway and the satellite; the satellite's coverage includes terminal devices, which can be user equipment (UE), and each beam of the satellite has a corresponding beam footprint; the service link is the wireless link between the UE and the satellite. Furthermore, the transparent payload scenario is a payload that changes the frequency carrier of the uplink RF signal and filters and amplifies it before downlink transmission. This payload only has a RF processing unit and does not have baseband demodulation, decoding, and other processing. In the regenerative payload scenario, the first satellite and the second satellite are connected via an inter-satellite link (ISL) to transform and amplify the uplink RF signal before downlink transmission. Signal transformation refers to digital processing, which can include demodulation, decoding, re-encoding, remodulation and / or filtering, which is equivalent to having all or part of the base station functions (such as gNB) on the satellite (or UAS platform).

[0100] In a communication system (such as any of the above scenarios of NTN), downlink synchronization serves as the starting point for the terminal device to access the network device. Only after downlink synchronization can the terminal device demodulate the MIB and SIB broadcast by the cell, and then access the network device to achieve communication between the network device and the terminal device. For example, the terminal device can be synchronized through the synchronization signal block in NR (i.e., 5G wireless network). Taking the synchronization signal block denoted as SS / PBCH block as an example, Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of a synchronization signal block applicable to an embodiment of the present application, and each SS / PBCH block contains PSS, SSS and PBCH. Among them, each SS / PBCH block occupies 4 consecutive symbols (symbol number) in the time domain and occupies 20 RBs (i.e., 240 subcarrier numbers) in the frequency domain.

[0101] As shown in Figure 2, PSS is the primary synchronization sequence, which occupies the first symbol in the SS / PBCH block and occupies 127 subcarriers. The first signal that the terminal device searches for when entering NR is PSS. After the terminal device detects PSS, it synchronizes to the PSS period.

[0102] SSS is a secondary synchronization sequence, which occupies the third symbol in the SS / PBCH block and occupies 127 subcarriers. After detecting PSS, the terminal device determines the sending timing of SSS and determines the physical cell identifier PCI of the cell by detecting SSS.

[0103] The PBCH is the physical broadcast channel, occupying the second and fourth symbols of the SS / PBCH block and 48 subcarriers on either end of the third symbol, for a total of 576 REs. The REs occupied by the PBCH are called the Master Information Block (MIB). The PBCH primarily carries the Master Information Block (MIB). The MIB carries essential information, including cell barcodes, downlink bandwidth parameters, system frame number (SFN), synchronization signal block identifier (SSB ID), and SIB parameter sets. The MIB carries information related to the scheduling of SIB1 messages, PDCCH configuration, and PDSCH decoding. After receiving the MIB, terminal devices use the parameters in the MIB to demodulate and decode SIB1. SIB1 carries cell access information and scheduling information for other SIBs. It also includes paging configuration information. The MIB carries information broadcast to the PBCH, while SIB information is carried on the PDSCH.

[0104] It can be understood that Figure 2 is a schematic diagram taking the SS / PBCH block as an example, but the embodiments of the present application do not impose any restrictions on the format or structure of other synchronization signal blocks. Based on this, the following description is taken as an example of a synchronization signal block denoted as SSB. In some embodiments, SSB can be sent through a beam in a communication system that supports beamforming technology. However, a single beam is difficult to cover the entire cell managed by the network device. At the same time, due to hardware limitations, the network device generally cannot send multiple beams covering the entire cell at the same time. Therefore, the communication system introduces a method of covering the entire cell through beam scanning, that is, the network device can cover part of the cell through part of the beam at a certain moment, and then cover another part of the cell through another part of the beam at another moment. Referring to Figure 3, the network device sends a beam in a certain direction at a certain moment, and covers the entire cell by sending beams in different directions at multiple moments. Specifically, the base station covers the entire cell through beam 0 (used to send SSB#0), beam 1 (used to send SSB#1),..., beam N-1 (used to send SSB#N-1) and beam N (used to send SSB#N). It can be seen that the directions of any two beams are different, and the SSB indexes corresponding to the two SSBs sent through any two beams are also different.

[0105] Based on Figure 3, the terminal device can continuously search and measure cells based on SSB while moving, select the appropriate beam, and thus complete processes such as initial access and mobility management.

[0106] It can be understood that each cell will periodically send multiple SSBs through multiple beams in the time domain, and each SSB in the period has a unique identifier / index, namely, the SSB index; in the frequency domain, the SSBs of each cell are configured with the same frequency domain position. For example, in the communication system, the transmission time of SSB is carried out in units of half a frame (duration is 5ms) and is sent within a preset SSB period. See Figure 4. In each SSB period, multiple SSBs (i.e., one SSB Burst) are sent within 5ms. Furthermore, SSB only supports single-port transmission. Each SSB corresponds to an SSB index, and each SSB corresponds to a beam in a different direction. The SSB index will be encapsulated into the SSB and sent down with the beam. The terminal device can determine the corresponding SSB index after parsing the SSB. It can be understood that the SSB period can be 5ms, 10ms, 20ms, 40ms, 80ms, or 160ms. The SSB period will be indicated in SIB1, but the terminal device will search for the SSB according to the default period when searching for the initial cell.

[0107] Based on the above description, it can be seen that terminal devices can access network equipment through SSB. However, one of the characteristics of NTN is its large coverage area. Therefore, in order to cover the entire cell it manages, network equipment needs to use more beams to meet the requirements. Figure 5 shows an example of satellite scanning; the satellite's orbital altitude is 600km, the scanning angle is 52.3°, and the elevation angle of the terminal device is 30°. In this way, the satellite's signal coverage radius is approximately 850km, and the area covered by the satellite's signal is approximately 2.27 million square kilometers (i.e., the area of ​​the large circle in Figure 5). Taking the S-band as an example, the coverage radius of a single satellite beam is 25km, and the coverage area of ​​the sub-satellite point is approximately 2,000 square kilometers (i.e., the area with the filled small circle in Figure 5). Therefore, 1,135 beams are required to achieve full coverage of 2.27 million square kilometers. Based on this, assuming a 20ms SSB period, that is, 8 SSBs are sent through 8 beams every 20ms, it is calculated that it takes about 2840ms for the satellite to achieve full coverage of 2.27 million square kilometers. Therefore, the number of beams required for network equipment to achieve full coverage is large, resulting in large resource overhead for beam scanning and long access delay for terminal equipment.

[0108] In related technologies, network equipment reduces resource overhead and access latency by increasing the beamwidth of each beam, that is, increasing the coverage of each beam. For example, based on Figure 5, assuming that each beam is expanded 8 times, the network equipment requires approximately 142 beams to achieve full coverage of 2.27 million square kilometers, which takes approximately 355ms. However, after the beamwidth is increased, the receiving gain of the beam main lobe is sacrificed, resulting in a decrease in the receiving gain of the beam, which can easily lead to insufficient uplink PRACH signal link budget. As a result, the network equipment cannot correctly demodulate the RACH signal, ultimately causing the terminal device to fail to access the network device.

[0109] Therefore, the present application provides a method for a terminal device to access a network device, which is used to reduce the beam scanning period of the network device to achieve full coverage, reduce the beam scanning resource overhead and the access delay of the terminal device, and at the same time ensure the receiving gain of the beam.

[0110] Figure 6a is a schematic diagram of a system architecture applicable to an embodiment of the present application, which system architecture includes a network device 610 and a terminal device 620; wherein, the network device 610 is used to send a synchronization signal block and the SIB1 corresponding to the synchronization signal block, receive a random access signal sent by the terminal device 620 on the RO indicated by the SIB1 corresponding to the synchronization signal block, and then demodulate the random access signal, and execute a random access process according to the demodulated random access signal, thereby accessing the terminal device 620.

[0111] The terminal device 620 is used to receive the synchronization signal block from the network device 610, then receive the SIB1 corresponding to the synchronization signal block according to the synchronization signal block, and then send a random access signal on the RO indicated by the SIB1 corresponding to the synchronization signal block.

[0112] Continuing to take the NTN scenario as an example, for example, referring to FIG6b , in the NTN scenario, the network device 610 includes devices 610a, 610b, and 610c, and the terminal device 620 includes devices 620a, 620b, 620c, 620d, 620e, 620f, and 620g.

[0113] It is understood that the network device may be an access network device, such as a base station, a Node B, an evolved Node B (eNodeB or eNB), a transmission reception point (TRP), a next generation Node B (gNB) in a fifth generation (5G) mobile communication system, an access network device in an open radio access network (O-RAN or open RAN), a base station in a future mobile communication system, or an access node in a wireless fidelity (WiFi) system. The network device may also be a module or unit that performs part of the functions of a base station, such as a central unit (CU), a distributed unit (DU), a central unit control plane (CU-CP) module, or a central unit user plane (CU-UP) module. For example, the network device can be a satellite (610a in Figure 6b), a macro base station (610b in Figure 6b), a micro base station or an indoor station (610c in Figure 6b), a relay node or a donor node, etc. This application does not limit the specific technology and specific device form used by the network device. In addition, any two network devices can be connected to each other via wired or wireless means.

[0114] Terminal devices include, but are not limited to, UE, mobile station (MS), and mobile terminal (MT). Terminal devices can be used for communication in at least one of the following scenarios: eMBB, ultra-reliable low-latency communication (URLLC), mMTC, device-to-device (D2D), vehicle-to-everything (V2X), machine-type communication (MTC), Internet of Things (IoT), virtual reality, augmented reality, industrial control, autonomous driving, telemedicine, smart grid, smart furniture, smart office, smart wearables, smart transportation, or smart city. For example, the terminal device may be a mobile phone (620a, 620d, 620f in FIG6b), a tablet computer, a computer with wireless transceiver function (620g in FIG6b), a wearable device, a vehicle (620b in FIG6b), a drone, a helicopter, an airplane (620c in FIG6b), a ship, a robot, a robotic arm, or a smart home device (620e in FIG6b), etc. This application does not limit the specific technology and specific device form used by the terminal device.

[0115] The structures shown in Figures 6a and 6b above are only examples and are not limited in the embodiments of the present application. It is understood that the above technical solution can be applied to various communication systems, such as: long term evolution (LTE) systems, 5G systems or new radio (NR), non-terrestrial networks (NTN) and future communication systems, and the present application does not limit this.

[0116] Based on the above description, FIG7 is a flow chart of a communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG7 , the flow includes:

[0117] S710: The network device sends multiple first synchronization signal blocks via multiple first beams. A first terminal device located within the coverage area of ​​the network device receives a first target synchronization signal block from the network device.

[0118] In an embodiment of the present application, the network device scans the coverage of the network device through multiple first beams, that is, sends multiple first synchronization signal blocks to the coverage of the network device through multiple first beams. A first terminal device (a terminal device with access requirements) is located within the coverage of a first beam, so the first terminal device can receive the first target synchronization signal block sent through the first beam, that is, the first target synchronization signal block is one of the multiple first synchronization signal blocks sent by the network device.

[0119] Multiple first beams correspond one-to-one to multiple first synchronization signal blocks, and each first synchronization signal block contains the first information for scheduling the corresponding system message block 1 SIB1. For example, assuming that the number of first beams is 8 (such as the beam identifiers of the first beams are #0, #1, ..., #6, #7 respectively), the first synchronization signal blocks SSB sent by the network device are also 8 (such as the indexes of the first SSBs are 0, 1, ..., 6, 7 respectively), assuming that beam #0 corresponds to the first SSB with index 0, beam #1 corresponds to the first SSB with index 1, and so on. Among them, each first synchronization signal block contains the first information for scheduling the corresponding SIB1 (for example, the MIB in the first synchronization signal block, or the information carried on the PBCH in the first synchronization signal). For example, each first SSB contains the corresponding MIB, and the corresponding MIB carries the scheduling message of SIB1 (that is, the first information for scheduling SIB1), which is used to instruct the terminal device to continue demodulating and decoding SIB1 after receiving SIB1 using the scheduling message of SIB1.

[0120] S720: The network device sends multiple SIB1s corresponding to the first synchronization signal blocks. The first terminal device receives the first target SIB1 from the network device according to the received first target synchronization signal block; the first target SIB1 is used to indicate the first target RO.

[0121] In an embodiment of the present application, the SIB1 corresponding to any first synchronization signal block is used to indicate a first random access channel opportunity RO, and the first ROs indicated by the SIB1s corresponding to different first synchronization signal blocks are different. Exemplarily, the first ROs indicated by the SIB1s corresponding to any two first synchronization signal blocks are different in the time domain or frequency domain, so that after receiving the SIB1 corresponding to the first synchronization signal block, the terminal device sends the first random access signal PRACH on the first RO indicated by the SIB1.

[0122] S730: The first terminal device sends a first random access signal on the first target RO. The network device receives the first random access signal from the first terminal device on the first target RO.

[0123] In an embodiment of the present application, before the first terminal device sends the first random access signal on the first target RO, it can first search for the first synchronization signal block according to a preset period, and after searching for a certain first synchronization signal block, receive the first synchronization signal block, that is, the first synchronization signal block is equivalent to the first target synchronization signal block. Then, according to the first information (that is, the first target information) for scheduling SIB1 contained in the first target synchronization signal block, the SIB1 corresponding to the first target synchronization signal block is received, that is, the SIB1 is the first target SIB1. Then, the first random access signal is sent on the first target RO indicated by the first target SIB1. Obviously, the first target synchronization signal block is a synchronization signal block received by the first terminal device among multiple first synchronization signal blocks sent by the network device, and the first target RO is the RO indicated by the first target SIB1 corresponding to the first target synchronization signal block.

[0124] S740: The network device determines a first target synchronization signal block, and determines a first target beam to send the first target synchronization signal block among multiple first beams.

[0125] In this embodiment of the present application, the network device detects signal energy on the first RO corresponding to each SIB1 and selects the first RO whose signal energy meets a preset condition as the first target RO. It is understood that the signal energy on a first RO meeting the preset condition indicates that the first terminal device has sent a first random access signal on that first RO. The network device can then determine the first target RO corresponding to the first random access signal sent by the first terminal device, then determine the corresponding first target SIB1 based on the first target RO, and then determine the first target synchronization signal block based on the first target SIB1. In this embodiment of the present application, because the first random access signal is only used to identify terminal devices with access requirements, the network device can determine whether the first random access signal is present on the first RO by detecting the signal energy on the first RO, and thus determine the presence of a first terminal device with access requirements, without having to demodulate the first random access signal on the first RO, thereby avoiding ineffective demodulation and reducing resource overhead. It is understood that the network device can distinguish between the first random access signal on the first RO and the second random access signal on the second RO, thereby triggering the process of scanning through multiple second beams only when it is determined that the energy of the first random access signal is present on the first RO.

[0126] Obviously, the coverage of the first target beam represents the coverage area with access requirements. The network device uses the first target beam to determine the coverage area that needs to be re-scanned using the second beam from the entire coverage area of ​​the network device, rather than scanning the entire coverage area of ​​the network device using the second beam. This reduces the coverage area that needs to be re-scanned.

[0127] S750: The network device sends multiple second synchronization signal blocks via multiple second beams. A first terminal device located within the coverage of the first target beam receives the second target synchronization signal blocks from the network device.

[0128] In an embodiment of the present application, the network device scans the coverage of the first target beam through multiple second beams, that is, sends multiple second synchronization signal blocks to the coverage of the first target beam through multiple second beams, so that the coverage with access requirements is scanned by the second beam to meet the needs of the terminal device to access the network device. Based on this, the first terminal device with access requirements is located within the coverage of the first target beam, and therefore, the first terminal device can receive the second target synchronization signal block sent through the second beam, that is, the second target synchronization signal block is the second synchronization signal block received by the first terminal device among the multiple second synchronization signal blocks sent by the network device. It can be understood that the multiple second beams correspond one to one to the multiple second synchronization signal blocks; the coverage of the multiple second beams includes the coverage of the first target beam.

[0129] Exemplarily, each first beam corresponds to multiple second beams, and the coverage of the multiple second beams corresponding to each first beam is greater than or equal to the coverage of the corresponding first target beam. Exemplarily, referring to Figures 8a and 8b, Figure 8a is a schematic diagram of the coverage of a single first beam exemplarily provided in an embodiment of the present application, and Figure 8b is a schematic diagram of the coverage of a single second beam exemplarily provided in an embodiment of the present application. It can be seen that the coverage of the first beam (the filled area in Figure 8a) is equivalent to the coverage of 4 second beams (the filled area in Figure 8b). For example, the first target beam is beam #1, and beam #1 corresponds to 4 second beams (the beam identifiers of the second beams are #8, #9, #10, and #11 respectively), and the coverage of the 4 second beams corresponding to beam #1 is equal to the coverage of beam #1. That is to say, the coverage range of any second beam is smaller than the coverage range of any first beam. Based on this, for the convenience of description, the first beam is referred to as a wide beam (first type of beam) and the second beam is referred to as a narrow beam (second type of beam).

[0130] Each second synchronization signal block contains second information for scheduling the corresponding SIB1 (for example, the MIB in the second synchronization signal block, or information carried on the PBCH in the second synchronization signal).

[0131] In an embodiment of the present application, the first terminal device can access the network device through the second synchronization signal block sent by the network device using a narrow beam. Referring to Figure 9, the access process includes:

[0132] S910: The network device sends multiple SIB1s corresponding to second synchronization signal blocks. The first terminal device receives a second target SIB1 from the network device based on the second target synchronization signal block received in S750. The second target SIB1 is used to indicate a second target RO. The first target RO and the second target RO do not overlap in the frequency domain or time domain.

[0133] Optionally, in an embodiment of the present application, the SIB1 corresponding to any second synchronization signal block is used to indicate a second random access channel opportunity RO, and the second ROs indicated by the SIB1s corresponding to different second synchronization signal blocks are different. Exemplarily, the first ROs indicated by the SIB1s corresponding to any two second synchronization signal blocks are different in the time domain or the frequency domain, so that after receiving the SIB1 corresponding to the second synchronization signal block, the terminal device sends a second random access signal PRACH on the second RO indicated by the SIB1.

[0134] S920: The first terminal device sends a second random access signal on the second target RO. The network device receives the second random access signal from the first terminal device on the second target RO.

[0135] In an embodiment of the present application, before the first terminal device sends the second random access signal on the second target RO, it searches for the second synchronization signal block, wherein the MIB in each second synchronization signal block contains the second information of the second SIB1 corresponding to the scheduling. After searching for a certain second synchronization signal block, the second synchronization signal block (i.e., the second target synchronization signal block) is received. Then the first terminal device receives the SIB1 corresponding to the second target synchronization signal block (i.e., the second target SIB1) according to the second information of the SIB1 contained in the second target synchronization signal block (i.e., the second target information), and then the first terminal device sends the second random access signal on the second target RO indicated by the second target SIB1. Obviously, the second target synchronization signal block is a synchronization signal block received by the first terminal device among the multiple second synchronization signal blocks sent by the network device, and the second target RO is the RO indicated by the second target SIB1 corresponding to the second target synchronization signal block.

[0136] S930: The network device executes the random access process of the first terminal device according to the second random access signal.

[0137] In an embodiment of the present application, the network device receives the second random access signal on the second target RO, then demodulates the second random access signal, and then performs a subsequent random access procedure based on the demodulated second random access signal. It is understood that the subsequent random access procedure may include the network device sending a random access response message, the first terminal device sending an uplink message on the allocated uplink resource after receiving the random access response message, the first terminal device sending an RRC connection request to the network device, and the first terminal device receiving an RRC connection establishment completion message. The subsequent access procedure is not limited herein.

[0138] In addition, based on the description of Figures 7 and 9 above, any first RO and any second RO do not overlap in the frequency domain or time domain, so that the network device can distinguish between the first random access signal PRACH sent on the first RO and the second random access signal PRACH sent on the second RO, thereby preventing the first terminal device from mistakenly judging that the second random access signal sent on the second RO is the first random access signal sent on the first RO due to problems such as delay in sending the random access signal.

[0139] The following further describes the communication between the first terminal device and the network device in combination with implementation methods 1 to 3.

[0140] Implementation method 1:

[0141] In implementation 1, the network device may perform wide-beam scanning and narrow-beam scanning at different periods. That is, in steps S710 and S750, the period for transmitting multiple first synchronization signal blocks via multiple wide beams is different from the period for transmitting multiple second synchronization signal blocks via multiple narrow beams. For example, the network device transmits multiple first synchronization signal blocks via multiple wide beams during a first period T1, and transmits multiple second synchronization signal blocks via multiple narrow beams during a second period T2, where T1 is greater than T2.

[0142] In some embodiments, the first period T1 is positively correlated with the number of narrow beams corresponding to the wide beam, such as T1>T2*M, where M is the number of multiple narrow beams corresponding to the wide beam. In an embodiment of the present application, T1≥T2*(M+a), where a is an integer greater than 0. For example, the number M of multiple narrow beams corresponding to each wide beam is 8 and a is 1, that is, the coverage range of each wide beam is 8 times the coverage range of each narrow beam. In other words, the coverage range of each narrow beam is smaller than the coverage range of each wide beam. Assuming that the second period T2 is 20ms, the first period T1 is 180ms, which is equivalent to the SSB period of multiple first synchronization signal blocks being 180ms and the SSB period of multiple second synchronization signal blocks being 20ms. It can also be understood that the network device uses the first period T1 (180ms) to scan and cover a certain area through multiple wide beams; and uses the second period T2 (20ms) to scan the coverage range of the corresponding wide beam through multiple narrow beams.

[0143] After sending multiple first synchronization signal blocks through a wide beam, the network device sends multiple SIB1s corresponding to the first synchronization signal blocks. Exemplarily, the transmission period of the SIB1s corresponding to the multiple first synchronization signal blocks can be the fourth period T4 (such as 20ms, 80ms, etc.), and the transmission period of the SIB1 is not limited here. Optionally, because the MIB of each first synchronization signal block contains the first information of the first SIB1 corresponding to the scheduling, the first information of each first SIB1 is used to demodulate and decode the corresponding first SIB1, and each first SIB1 is used to indicate the corresponding first RO, so after the first terminal device receives the first synchronization signal block (that is, the first target synchronization signal block) corresponding to a certain wide beam (that is, the first target beam), it receives the first SIB1 (that is, the first target SIB1) corresponding to the first target synchronization signal block according to the first target synchronization signal block, and then demodulates and decodes the first target SIB1, and sends a first random access signal (hereinafter referred to as the first PRACH for ease of description) on the first RO indicated by the first target SIB1.

[0144] Before receiving the first synchronization signal block, the first terminal device may search for the first synchronization signal block at a preset period, which may be the first period T1 or another period. Optionally, each first SIB1 may also be used to instruct the terminal device to continue receiving the second synchronization signal block at a second period T2. Therefore, after receiving the first synchronization signal block, the first terminal device will continue searching for the second synchronization signal block at the second period T2.

[0145] In some embodiments, the multiple second synchronization signal blocks corresponding to the multiple narrow beams can be semi-static resources that require triggering conditions. For example, when the network device determines that there is a first terminal device with access requirements within the coverage range of at least one wide beam, it triggers the multiple narrow beams corresponding to the wide beam, and then sends multiple second synchronization signal blocks through the multiple narrow beams.

[0146] For ease of description, the first synchronization signal block is referred to as the first SSB, and the second synchronization signal block is referred to as the second SSB. Referring to Figure 10, if the network device detects the energy of the first PRACH on the first RO#1 indicated by SIB1#1, it determines the first SSB#1 corresponding to SIB1#1, thereby determining the first terminal device with access requirements within the coverage range of the wide beam#1 corresponding to the first SSB#1, and then uses multiple narrow beams corresponding to wide beam#1 to scan the coverage range of wide beam#1 in 20ms.

[0147] It can be understood that if the network device does not detect signal energy on any first RO, it means that no terminal device sends the first PRACH on any first RO, that is, there is currently no first terminal device with access demand, and the narrow beam is not triggered.

[0148] Based on the above description of the first SSB. Similarly, after receiving the second SSB (i.e., the second target synchronization signal block) corresponding to a narrow beam (i.e., the second target beam), the first terminal device receives the second SIB1 (i.e., the second target SIB1) corresponding to the second SSB according to the second SSB, and then demodulates and decodes the second target SIB1, and sends a second random access signal (hereinafter referred to as the second PRACH for ease of description) on the second RO (i.e., the second target RO) indicated by the second target SIB1. Optionally, each second SIB1 is also used to instruct the terminal device to continue receiving the first SSB with a first period T1. Therefore, after receiving the second SSB, the first terminal device can continue to search for the first SSB according to the first period T1.

[0149] It can be understood that the network device directly instructs the first terminal device to continue to receive SSB at different periods through the first SIB and the second SIB, and enables the first terminal device to indirectly distinguish whether the current scanning is wide beam scanning or narrow beam scanning.

[0150] After the network device receives the second PRACH from the first terminal device at the second target RO, it demodulates the second PRACH and then executes the random access process of the first terminal device according to the demodulated second random access signal. For example, in Figure 10, the network device receives the second PRACH on the second RO corresponding to multiple narrow beams (including narrow beam #0 and narrow beam #1 corresponding to wide beam #1). It can be understood that the wide beam and the narrow beam are scanned independently, that is, the network device will periodically scan through the wide beam with a first period T1, and the narrow beam will only be scanned through the narrow beam with a second period T2 after it is triggered.

[0151] In summary, it is assumed that the network device needs to fully scan the coverage range of the network device through 8 wide beams or 64 narrow beams, that is, the coverage range of each wide beam is equivalent to the coverage range of 8 narrow beams. In the traditional solution, in order to ensure the reception gain of the beam, the network device needs to scan the entire coverage range with 64 narrow beams. In implementation method 1, if there is only a first terminal device with access requirements within the coverage range of 2 wide beams, the network device needs to first scan the entire coverage range with 8 wide beams, and then scan the coverage range of the 2 wide beams with access requirements with 16 narrow beams. It can be seen that the traditional solution requires the use of 64 beams, while implementation method 1 only requires the use of 24 beams. Therefore, the network device can reduce the beam scanning overhead by 62.5% by fully scanning the coverage range through implementation method 1. In addition, the narrow beam can ensure the beam reception gain, ensure the accuracy of random access of terminal devices, and avoid invalid scanning of the wide beams corresponding to terminal devices that do not have access requirements through narrow beams, further reducing the beam scanning overhead.

[0152] Implementation 2:

[0153] In implementation method 2, the network device can perform wide beam scanning and narrow beam scanning with the same period, that is, the period of sending multiple first synchronization signal blocks through multiple wide beams is the same as the period of sending multiple second synchronization signal blocks through multiple narrow beams. Exemplarily, the network device sends multiple first synchronization signal blocks through multiple wide beams within the third period T3; and sends multiple second synchronization signal blocks through multiple narrow beams within the third period T3. In some embodiments, the third period T3 may be the same as the second period T2, and the first period T1 is a preset period for the terminal device to search for the first synchronization signal block. Based on the above implementation method 1 as an example, the third period T3 is 20ms, the first period T1 is 180ms, and the coverage range of each wide beam is 8 times the coverage range of each narrow beam, that is, the SSB period of multiple first synchronization signal blocks is 20ms, and the SSB period of multiple second synchronization signal blocks is also 20ms. It can also be understood that the network device scans the coverage of the network device using multiple wide beams in the third period T3 (20ms), and scans the coverage of the corresponding wide beams using multiple narrow beams in the third period T3 (20ms). Similarly, the network device can send SIB1s corresponding to multiple first synchronization signal blocks within the third period T3.

[0154] Based on the description of the above implementation method 1, the first terminal device searches for the first SSB with a first period T1 (180ms). After receiving the first SSB (i.e., the first target synchronization signal block) corresponding to a wide beam (i.e., the first target beam), it receives the first SIB1 (i.e., the first target SIB1) corresponding to the first target synchronization signal block according to the first target synchronization signal block, and then demodulates and decodes the first target SIB1, and sends the first PRACH on the first RO (i.e., the first target RO) indicated by the first target SIB1.

[0155] In some embodiments, the identifier (SSB index) of each first SSB is different, and the identifiers of multiple first SSBs are included in a first setting range. The first setting range is set for the first type of beam, and multiple wide beams belong to the first type of beam. For example, the first setting range is 0-7, and the identifiers (SSB index) of multiple first SSBs are first SSB#0, first SSB#1, ..., first SSB#6, and first SSB#7. Then, after the first terminal device receives the first target synchronization signal block, when it determines that the identifier of the first target synchronization signal block is within the first setting range, it determines that the first target synchronization signal is sent through the first type of beam, and then determines that the synchronization signal block receiving period T2=20ms corresponding to the second type of beam, and then continues to receive the second SSB with the second period T2, that is, after receiving the first SSB, the first terminal device will continue to search for the second SSB according to the second period T2. Based on the above description, it can be understood that the coverage range of a single beam in the second type of beam (i.e., a single narrow beam) is smaller than the coverage range of a single beam in the first type of beam (i.e., a single wide beam).

[0156] Referring to Figure 11, if the network device detects the energy of the first PRACH on the first RO#2 indicated by SIB1#2, it determines the first SSB#2 corresponding to SIB1#2, thereby determining the first terminal device with access requirements within the coverage of the wide beam#2 corresponding to the first SSB#2, and then calls multiple narrow beams corresponding to wide beam#2 to scan the coverage of wide beam#2 in 20ms. Exemplarily, there is a preset association between the wide beam and the narrow beam, that is, when the wide beam is scanning, the narrow beam is not scanned; when the narrow beam is scanning, the wide beam is not scanned.

[0157] Optionally, after receiving the second SSB (i.e., the second target synchronization signal block) corresponding to a narrow beam (i.e., the second target beam), the first terminal device receives the second SIB1 (i.e., the second target SIB1) corresponding to the second target synchronization signal block according to the second target synchronization signal block, and then demodulates and decodes the second target SIB1, and sends a second PRACH on the second RO (i.e., the second target RO) indicated by the second target SIB1.

[0158] Based on the above description of the first SSB. Similarly, the identifier (SSB index) of each second SSB is different, and the identifiers of multiple second SSBs are included in the second setting range. The second setting range is set for the second type of beam, and multiple narrow beams belong to the second type of beam. For example, the second setting range is 8-15, and the identifiers (SSB index) of multiple second SSBs are the first SSB#8, the first SSB#9, ..., the first SSB#14, and the first SSB#15. Then, after the first terminal device receives the second target synchronization signal block, when it determines that the identifier of the second target synchronization signal block is within the second setting range, it determines that the second target synchronization signal is sent through the second type of beam. The first terminal device then determines the synchronization signal block reception period T1 corresponding to the first type of beam, and then continues to search for the first SSB with the first period T1. It can be understood that the network device indirectly instructs the first terminal device to continue to receive SSBs with different periods in the future through the SSB index, and enables the first terminal device to directly distinguish whether it is currently a wide beam scan or a narrow beam scan.

[0159] Exemplarily, after the network device receives the second PRACH from the first terminal device at the second target RO, it demodulates the second PRACH and then performs the random access process of the first terminal device according to the demodulated second random access signal. For example, in Figure 11, the network device receives the second PRACH on the second RO corresponding to multiple narrow beams (including narrow beam #0 and narrow beam #1 corresponding to wide beam #2).

[0160] In summary, in implementation method 2, the network device can adjust the third period T3 according to the number of first terminal devices with access requirements. For example, when the number of first terminal devices with access requirements is large, the third period T3 is reduced; if the number of first terminal devices with access requirements is small, the third period T3 is increased, thereby reducing the access delay of the terminal device.

[0161] In addition, assume that the network device needs to completely scan the coverage area of ​​the network device through 8 wide beams or 64 narrow beams, and the scanning period of the wide beam and the scanning period of the narrow beam are both T3 (20ms). In the traditional solution, in order to ensure the receiving gain of the beam, the network device scans the entire coverage area with 64 narrow beams, and the scanning time is 20ms× 6 8 4 =160ms. In implementation 2, if there is only a first terminal device with access requirements within the coverage of two wide beams, the network device needs to first scan the entire coverage area with eight wide beams, and then scan the coverage area of ​​the two wide beams with access requirements with 16 narrow beams, and then determine the scanning time as It can be seen that by implementing method 2 to scan the entire coverage range, the network equipment can reduce the beam scanning time and the access delay of the terminal device by 62.5%, greatly improving the efficiency of fully scanning the coverage range and reducing the beam scanning overhead and the access delay of the terminal device.

[0162] Implementation 3:

[0163] In implementation method 3, the network device can perform wide beam scanning and narrow beam scanning with the same period. As described in implementation method 2 above, the network device uses multiple wide beams to scan the coverage of the network device with a third period T3 (20ms), and uses multiple narrow beams to scan the corresponding coverage of the wide beam with a third period T3 (20ms).

[0164] Exemplarily, the first terminal device searches for the first SSB with a first period (180ms), and after receiving the first SSB (i.e., the first target synchronization signal block) corresponding to a wide beam (i.e., the first target beam), receives the first SIB1 (i.e., the first target SIB1) corresponding to the first target synchronization signal block according to the first target synchronization signal block, and then demodulates and decodes the first target SIB1, and sends the first PRACH on the first RO (i.e., the first target RO) indicated by the first target SIB1.

[0165] In some embodiments, the SIB1 corresponding to any first SSB further includes a first indication field, and the first indication field is used to indicate that the first SSB is sent through a first type of beam, and multiple wide beams belong to the first type of beam. For example, the value of the first indication field widebeamindication is 0. After receiving the first target synchronization signal block, the first terminal device can determine that the first target synchronization signal is sent through the first type of beam based on the first indication field contained in the first target SIB1 corresponding to the first target synchronization signal block, and then determine that the synchronization signal block receiving period T2 = 20ms corresponding to the second type of beam, and then the first terminal device can continue to receive the second SSB at 20ms. That is, after receiving the first SSB, the first terminal device will continue to search for the second SSB according to the second period T2. Based on the above description, it can be understood that the coverage range of a single beam in the second type of beam (i.e., a single narrow beam) is smaller than the coverage range of a single beam in the first type of beam (i.e., a single wide beam).

[0166] Referring to Figure 12, if the network device detects the energy of the first PRACH on the first RO#3 indicated by SIB1#3, it determines the first SSB#3 corresponding to SIB1#3, thereby determining the first terminal device with access requirements within the coverage of wide beam#3 corresponding to the first SSB#3, and then calls multiple narrow beams corresponding to wide beam#3 to scan the coverage of wide beam#3 in 20ms. For example, there is a preset association between the wide beam and the narrow beam, that is, when the wide beam is scanning, the narrow beam is not scanned; when the narrow beam is scanning, the wide beam is not scanned.

[0167] Optionally, after receiving the second synchronization signal block (i.e., the second target synchronization signal block) corresponding to a narrow beam (i.e., the second target beam), the first terminal device receives the second SIB1 (i.e., the second target SIB1) corresponding to the second target synchronization signal block according to the second target synchronization signal block, and then demodulates and decodes the second target SIB1, and sends a second PRACH on the second RO (i.e., the second target RO) indicated by the second target SIB1.

[0168] Based on the above description of the first SSB. Similarly, the SIB1 corresponding to any second SSB also includes a second indication field, and the second indication field is used to indicate that the second SSB is sent through a second type of beam, and multiple narrow beams belong to the second type of beam. For example, the value of the second indication field widebeamindication is 1. After receiving the second target synchronization signal block, the first terminal device can determine that the second target synchronization signal is sent through the second type of beam based on the second indication field contained in the second target SIB1 corresponding to the second target synchronization signal block; and then determine that the first SSB receiving period T1 corresponding to the first type of beam is 180ms, and then the first terminal device can continue to search for the first SSB at 180ms. It can be understood that the network device directly instructs the first terminal device to continue to receive SSBs with different periods in the future through the first indication field and the second indication field, and enables the first terminal device to indirectly distinguish whether the current wide beam scan is or is a narrow beam scan.

[0169] Exemplarily, after the network device receives the second PRACH from the first terminal device at the second target RO, it demodulates the second PRACH and then performs the random access process of the first terminal device according to the demodulated second random access signal. For example, in Figure 12, the network device receives the second PRACH on the second RO corresponding to multiple narrow beams (including narrow beam #0 and narrow beam #1 corresponding to wide beam #3).

[0170] In Implementation 3, the network device can adjust the third period T3 based on the number of first terminal devices with access requests. For example, if the number of first terminal devices with access requests is large, the third period T3 can be reduced; if the number of first terminal devices with access requests is small, the third period T3 can be increased, thereby reducing the access delay of the terminal devices. In addition, based on the calculations in Implementation 2 above, the network device can reduce the beam scanning overhead and terminal device access delay by 62.5% when the coverage area is fully scanned by the network device, greatly improving the efficiency of the full coverage area and reducing the beam scanning overhead and terminal device access delay.

[0171] In summary, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication method. In this method, the network device first scans the coverage range of the entire network device through a small number of wide beams with a large coverage range, thereby reducing the number of beams required to scan the entire coverage range and the beam scanning overhead, reducing the time required to scan the entire coverage range and the access delay of the terminal device. Then, by detecting the first PRACH energy on the first RO, the area of ​​the first terminal device with access requirements is determined, thereby reducing the range of re-scanning; and then the area is scanned through a large number of narrow beams with a small coverage range to ensure the access network accuracy of the terminal device, and avoid invalid scanning of the area of ​​the first terminal device without access requirements, thereby reducing the scanning overhead. In addition, by distinguishing the ROs corresponding to the wide beam and the narrow beam, the energy of the first PRACH is only detected on the first RO, but the first PRACH is not demodulated on the first RO, thereby reducing the demodulation calculation overhead.

[0172] It should also be noted that each step involved in the above embodiments or examples can be performed by a corresponding device, or by a module, chip, processor, or chip system within the device, and the embodiments of the present application do not limit this. The above embodiments are only described as being performed by a corresponding device. In addition, the specific implementation methods or examples in the above embodiments do not limit the solutions provided in the embodiments of the present application.

[0173] It should be noted that in each of the above embodiments, some steps may be selected for implementation, and the order of the steps in the diagrams may be adjusted for implementation, and this application does not limit this. It should be understood that executing some of the steps in the diagrams, adjusting the order of the steps, or combining them for specific implementation all fall within the scope of protection of this application.

[0174] It is understandable that in order to implement the functions in the above embodiments, the various devices involved in the above embodiments include hardware structures and / or software modules corresponding to the execution of each function. It should be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that, in combination with the units and method steps of the various examples described in the embodiments disclosed in this application, the present application can be implemented in the form of hardware or a combination of hardware and computer software. Whether a function is executed in the form of hardware or computer software driving hardware depends on the specific application scenario and design constraints of the technical solution.

[0175] It can be understood that the above-mentioned network architecture and application scenarios described in the embodiments of the present application are intended to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention, and do not constitute a limitation on the technical solutions provided by the embodiments of the present invention. Ordinary technicians in this field can know that with the evolution of network architecture and the emergence of new services, the technical solutions provided by the embodiments of the present invention are also applicable to similar technical problems.

[0176] It should be noted that the "steps" in the embodiments of this application are merely illustrative and serve as a method of expression for a better understanding of the embodiments. They do not constitute a substantial limitation on the execution of the solutions of this application. For example, the "steps" can also be understood as "features." Furthermore, the steps do not constitute any limitation on the execution order of the solutions of this application. Any changes to the order of steps, or any operations such as step merging or splitting that do not affect the implementation of the overall solution, resulting in new technical solutions, are also within the scope of this application.

[0177] Based on the same technical concept, this application also provides a communication device that can be applied to the communication system shown in Figures 6a and 6b. The communication device is used to implement the methods provided in the above embodiments and can be applied to the network devices or terminal devices involved in the above embodiments. Referring to Figure 13, the communication device 1300 includes a communication unit 1301 and a processing unit 1302.

[0178] The communication unit 1301 is used to receive and send data, and supports the communication device 1300 to communicate with other devices.

[0179] The processing unit 1302 is used to control and manage the actions of the communication device 1300 and execute the steps performed by the network device or terminal device in the communication methods provided in the above embodiments or examples.

[0180] Optionally, the communication device 1300 further includes a storage unit for storing program code and / or data of the communication device 1300 .

[0181] The communication unit 1301 may be referred to as an input / output unit, a transceiver unit, etc., and may be a transceiver or a communication interface; the processing unit 1302 may be a processor. When the communication device 1300 is a module (e.g., a chip) in a communication device, the communication unit 1301 may be an input / output interface, an input / output circuit, or an input / output pin, etc., and may also be referred to as an interface, a communication interface, or an interface circuit; the processing unit 1302 may be a processor, a processing circuit, or a logic circuit, etc.

[0182] In one embodiment, the communication device 1300 may be applied to the network devices of the embodiments shown in Figures 7 and 9. The processing unit 1302 is configured to:

[0183] According to the communication unit 1301, multiple first synchronization signal blocks are sent through multiple first beams; wherein the multiple first beams correspond one-to-one to the multiple first synchronization signal blocks, and each first synchronization signal block includes first information for scheduling a corresponding system message block 1 SIB1; sending SIB1s corresponding to the multiple first synchronization signal blocks, where the SIB1 corresponding to any first synchronization signal block is used to indicate a first random access channel opportunity RO, and the first ROs indicated by SIB1s corresponding to different first synchronization signal blocks are different; and receiving a first random access signal from a first terminal device at a first target RO;

[0184] Determine a first target synchronization signal block, and determine a first target beam in the multiple first beams to send the first target synchronization signal block; wherein the first target synchronization signal block is a first synchronization signal block corresponding to a first target SIB1 in the multiple first synchronization signal blocks, and the first target SIB1 is used to indicate the first target RO;

[0185] According to the communication unit 1301, multiple second synchronization signal blocks are sent through multiple second beams; wherein the multiple second beams correspond one-to-one to the multiple second synchronization signal blocks; and the coverage range of the multiple second beams includes the coverage range of the first target beam.

[0186] Optionally, the processing unit 1302 is specifically configured to:

[0187] According to the communication unit 1301, within the first period T1, the multiple first synchronization signal blocks are sent through the multiple first beams; within the second period T2, the multiple second synchronization signal blocks are sent through the multiple second beams, wherein T1 is greater than T2.

[0188] Optionally, T1≥T2*(M+a), where M is the number of the multiple second beams, and a is an integer greater than 0.

[0189] Optionally, the SIB1 corresponding to any first synchronization signal block is also used to instruct the terminal device to continue receiving the second synchronization signal block with a second period T2.

[0190] Optionally, the processing unit 1302 is specifically configured to:

[0191] According to the communication unit 1301, within the third period T3, the multiple first synchronization signal blocks are sent through the multiple first beams; within T3, the multiple second synchronization signal blocks are sent through the multiple second beams.

[0192] Optionally, the identifiers of the multiple first synchronization signal blocks are included in a first setting range, and the first setting range is set for a first type of beam; the multiple first beams belong to the first type of beam.

[0193] Optionally, the SIB1 corresponding to any first synchronization signal block also includes a first indication field, where the first indication field is used to indicate that the first synchronization signal block is sent through a first type of beam; and the multiple first beams belong to the first type of beam.

[0194] Optionally, each second synchronization signal block includes second information for scheduling a corresponding SIB1;

[0195] The processing unit 1302 is further configured to:

[0196] The SIB1s corresponding to the multiple second synchronization signal blocks are sent according to the communication unit 1301; wherein, the SIB1 corresponding to any second synchronization signal block is used to indicate the second random access channel opportunity RO, and the second ROs indicated by the SIB1s corresponding to different second synchronization signal blocks are different; any first RO and any second RO do not overlap in the frequency domain or the time domain; the second random access signal from the first terminal device is received at the second target RO; wherein, the second target RO is indicated by the SIB1 corresponding to the second target synchronization signal block in the multiple second synchronization signal blocks.

[0197] Execute a random access procedure of the first terminal device according to the second random access signal.

[0198] Optionally, the SIB1 corresponding to any second synchronization signal block is also used to instruct the terminal device to subsequently receive the first synchronization signal block with the first period T1.

[0199] Optionally, the identifiers of the multiple second synchronization signal blocks are included in a second setting range, and the second setting range is set for a second type of beam; the multiple second beams belong to the second type of beam.

[0200] Optionally, the SIB1 corresponding to any second synchronization signal block also includes a second indication field, where the second indication field is used to indicate that the second synchronization signal block is sent through a second type of beam; and the multiple second beams belong to the second type of beam.

[0201] In one embodiment, the communication device 1300 may be applied to the first terminal device in the embodiments shown in Figures 7 and 9. The processing unit 1302 is configured to:

[0202] A first target synchronization signal block is received from a network device through the communication unit 1301; wherein the first target synchronization signal block includes first target information for scheduling a first target system message block SIB1; according to the first target synchronization signal block, the first target SIB1 is received from the network device; the first target SIB1 is used to indicate a first target RO; a first random access signal is sent on the first target RO; and a second target synchronization signal block is received from the network device.

[0203] Optionally, the processing unit 1302 is specifically configured to:

[0204] The communication unit 1301 receives a first target synchronization signal block from the network device with a first period T1; and receives a second target synchronization signal block from the network device with a second period T2; wherein T1 is greater than T2.

[0205] Optionally, the first target SIB1 is further used to instruct the first terminal device to continue receiving the second target synchronization signal block with a second period T2;

[0206] The processing unit 1302 is specifically configured to:

[0207] Through the communication unit 1301, according to the instruction of the first target SIB1, the second target synchronization signal block is received from the network device with the second period T2.

[0208] Optionally, the processing unit 1302 is specifically configured to:

[0209] When it is determined by the communication unit 1301 that the identifier of the first target synchronization signal block is within the first set range, it is determined that the first target synchronization signal is sent through the first type of beam; the synchronization signal block receiving period T2 corresponding to the second type of beam is determined; and the second target synchronization signal block from the network device is received with the second period T2; wherein the coverage range of a single beam in the second type of beam is smaller than the coverage range of a single beam in the first type of beam, the first set range is set for the first type of beam, and the second target synchronization signal block is sent through the second type of beam.

[0210] Optionally, the processing unit 1302 is specifically configured to:

[0211] Through the communication unit 1301, according to the first indication field included in the first target SIB1, it is determined that the first target synchronization signal is sent through the first type of beam; the synchronization signal block receiving period T2 corresponding to the second type of beam is determined; the second target synchronization signal block from the network device is received with the second period T2; wherein the coverage range of a single beam in the second type of beam is smaller than the coverage range of a single beam in the first type of beam; and the second target synchronization signal block is sent through the second type of beam.

[0212] Optionally, the second target synchronization signal block includes second target information for scheduling a second target SIB1;

[0213] The processing unit 1302 is further configured to:

[0214] Through the communication unit 1301, according to the second target synchronization signal block, the second target SIB1 is received from the network device; a second random access signal is sent on the second target RO; wherein the second target SIB1 is used to indicate the second target RO; the first target RO and the second target RO do not overlap in the frequency domain or time domain.

[0215] Optionally, the second target SIB1 is further used to instruct the terminal device to subsequently receive synchronization signal blocks with a first period T1;

[0216] The processing unit 1302 is further configured to:

[0217] Through the communication unit 1301, according to the instruction of the second target SIB1, the first synchronization signal block from the network device is received in the first period T1.

[0218] Optionally, the processing unit 1302 is further configured to:

[0219] When it is determined by the communication unit 1301 that the identifier of the second target synchronization signal block is within the second set range, it is determined that the second target synchronization signal is sent through the second type of beam; the synchronization signal block receiving period T1 corresponding to the first type of beam is determined; the first synchronization signal block from the network device is received with the first period T1; wherein the second set range is set for the second type of beam; the coverage range of a single beam in the second type of beam is smaller than the coverage range of a single beam in the first type of beam.

[0220] Optionally, the processing unit 1302 is further configured to:

[0221] Through the communication unit 1301, according to the second indication field included in the second target SIB1, it is determined that the second target synchronization signal is sent through the second type of beam; the synchronization signal block receiving period T1 corresponding to the first type of beam is determined; the first synchronization signal block from the network device is received with the first period T1; wherein the coverage range of a single beam in the second type of beam is smaller than the coverage range of a single beam in the first type of beam.

[0222] It should be noted that the division of modules in the embodiments of the present application is illustrative and is merely a logical functional division. In actual implementation, other division methods may be used. Furthermore, the functional units in the various embodiments of the present application may be integrated into a single processing unit, or may exist physically separately, or two or more units may be integrated into a single unit. The aforementioned integrated units may be implemented in the form of hardware or software functional units.

[0223] If the 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 is essentially 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, and the computer software product is stored in a storage medium, including a number of 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.

[0224] Based on the above embodiments, embodiments of the present application further provide a communication device, which may be a network device or a terminal device in the communication system shown in Figures 6a and 6b. The communication device can implement the methods in the above embodiments and has the functionality of communication apparatus 1300. Referring to Figure 14, the communication device 1400 includes a transceiver 1401, a processor 1402, and a memory 1403. The transceiver 1401, the processor 1402, and the memory 1403 are interconnected.

[0225] Optionally, the transceiver 1401, the processor 1402, and the memory 1403 are interconnected via a bus 1404. The bus 1404 may be a peripheral component interconnect (PCI) bus or an extended industry standard architecture (EISA) bus. The bus may be classified as an address bus, a data bus, a control bus, etc. For ease of illustration, FIG14 shows only one thick line, but this does not mean that there is only one bus or only one type of bus.

[0226] The transceiver 1401 is used to receive and send signals to achieve communication with other devices.

[0227] The functions of the processor 1402 can be referred to the description in the above embodiments and will not be repeated here.

[0228] The processor 1402 may be a central processing unit (CPU), a network processor (NP), or a combination of a CPU and an NP. The processor 1402 may further include a hardware chip. The hardware chip may be an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a programmable logic device (PLD), or a combination thereof. The PLD may be a complex programmable logic device (CPLD), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), a generic array logic (GAL), or any combination thereof. When implementing the above functions, the processor 1402 may be implemented through hardware, or may also execute corresponding software implementations through hardware. The steps of the method disclosed in the above embodiments of the present application may be directly executed by the processor 1402, or executed by a combination of hardware and software modules in the processor 1402.

[0229] The memory 1403 is used to store program instructions, data, etc. Specifically, the program instructions may include program code, which includes computer operation instructions. The memory 1403 may include volatile memory, such as random access memory (RAM); it may also include non-volatile memory, such as at least one disk memory, hard disk drive (HDD), or solid state drive (SSD). The memory 1403 can also be any other medium that can be used to carry or store program code in the form of instructions or data structures and can be accessed by a computer, and this application does not limit this. The processor 1402 executes the program instructions stored in the memory 1403 to implement the above functions, thereby implementing the method provided in the above embodiment.

[0230] Based on the above embodiments, an embodiment of the present application also provides a communication system, which includes a terminal device and a network device, wherein the terminal device is used to implement the steps performed by the terminal device in the method provided in the above embodiments, and the network device is used to implement the steps performed by the network device in the method provided in the above embodiments.

[0231] Based on the above embodiments, the embodiments of the present application further provide a computer program product, which includes a computer program; when the computer program runs on a computer, the computer executes the method provided in the above embodiments.

[0232] 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.

[0233] Optionally, the above-mentioned computer may include, but is not limited to, communication devices such as terminal devices and network devices.

[0234] 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.

[0235] Based on the above embodiments, the embodiments of the present application further provide a chip, which is used to read a computer program stored in a memory to implement the method provided in the above embodiments. Optionally, the chip may include a processor, which is coupled to the memory and is used to read the computer program stored in the memory to implement the method provided in the above embodiments. Optionally, the chip may also include components such as a memory, a communication interface, and a power supply module. The memory is used to store computer programs; the communication interface is used to receive and send data; and the power supply unit is used to power the processor.

[0236] Based on the above embodiments, embodiments of the present application provide a chip system that includes a processor for supporting a computer device in implementing the functions of the terminal device described 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.

[0237] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the embodiments of the present application can be provided as methods, systems, or computer program products. Therefore, the present application can adopt the form of a complete hardware embodiment, a complete software embodiment, or an embodiment in combination with software and hardware. Moreover, the present application can adopt the form of a computer program product implemented on one or more computer-usable storage media (including but not limited to magnetic disk storage, optical storage, etc.) that contain computer-usable program code.

[0238] 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.

[0239] 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.

[0240] 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.

[0241] 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: Applied to network equipment, including: Sending a plurality of first synchronization signal blocks through a plurality of first beams; the plurality of first beams correspond one-to-one to the plurality of first synchronization signal blocks, and each first synchronization signal block includes first information for scheduling a corresponding system message block 1 SIB1; Sending SIB1s corresponding to the multiple first synchronization signal blocks, where the SIB1s corresponding to any one of the first synchronization signal blocks are used to indicate a first random access channel opportunity RO, and the first ROs indicated by the SIB1s corresponding to different first synchronization signal blocks are different; receiving, at the first target RO, a first random access signal from a first terminal device; Determine a first target synchronization signal block, and determine a first target beam for sending the first target synchronization signal block among the multiple first beams; the first target synchronization signal block is a first synchronization signal block corresponding to a first target SIB1 among the multiple first synchronization signal blocks, and the first target SIB1 is used to indicate the first target RO; Multiple second synchronization signal blocks are sent through multiple second beams; the multiple second beams correspond one-to-one to the multiple second synchronization signal blocks; and the coverage range of the multiple second beams includes the coverage range of the first target beam.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that Sending a plurality of first synchronization signal blocks through a plurality of first beams includes: In a first period T1, sending the plurality of first synchronization signal blocks through the plurality of first beams; Sending a plurality of second synchronization signal blocks through a plurality of second beams includes: In a second period T2, the multiple second synchronization signal blocks are sent through the multiple second beams, where T1 is greater than T2.

3. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that T1≥T2*(M+a), where M is the number of the plurality of second beams, and a is an integer greater than 0.

4. The method according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that: The SIB1 corresponding to any first synchronization signal block is also used to instruct the terminal device to continue receiving the second synchronization signal block with a second period T2.

5. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that: Sending a plurality of first synchronization signal blocks through a plurality of first beams includes: In a third period T3, sending the plurality of first synchronization signal blocks through the plurality of first beams; Sending a plurality of second synchronization signal blocks through a plurality of second beams includes: In T3, the multiple second synchronization signal blocks are sent through the multiple second beams.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that: The identifiers of the multiple first synchronization signal blocks are included in a first setting range, and the first setting range is set for a first type of beam; the multiple first beams belong to the first type of beam.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that: The SIB1 corresponding to any first synchronization signal block also includes a first indication field, where the first indication field is used to indicate that the first synchronization signal block is sent through a first type of beam; and the multiple first beams belong to the first type of beam.

8. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that: Each second synchronization signal block includes second information for scheduling the corresponding SIB1; the method further includes: Sending SIB1s corresponding to the multiple second synchronization signal blocks, where the SIB1s corresponding to any second synchronization signal block are used to indicate a second random access channel opportunity RO, and the second ROs indicated by SIB1s corresponding to different second synchronization signal blocks are different; and any first RO does not overlap with any second RO in the frequency domain or the time domain; A second random access signal is received from the first terminal device at the second target RO, and a random access procedure of the first terminal device is executed according to the second random access signal; wherein the second target RO is indicated by SIB1 corresponding to the second target synchronization signal block among the multiple second synchronization signal blocks.

9. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that The SIB1 corresponding to any second synchronization signal block is also used to instruct the terminal device to subsequently receive the first synchronization signal block with the first period T1.

10. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that The identifiers of the multiple second synchronization signal blocks are included in a second setting range, and the second setting range is set for the second type of beam; the multiple second beams belong to the second type of beam.

11. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that The SIB1 corresponding to any second synchronization signal block also includes a second indication field, and the second indication field is used to indicate that the second synchronization signal block is sent through a second type of beam; and the multiple second beams belong to the second type of beam.

12. A communication method, characterized in that: Applied to the first terminal device, including: Receive a first target synchronization signal block from a network device; wherein the first target synchronization signal block includes first target information for scheduling a first target system message block SIB1; According to the first target synchronization signal block, receiving the first target SIB1 from the network device; the first target SIB1 is used to indicate a first target RO; Sending a first random access signal on the first target RO; A second target synchronization signal block is received from the network device.

13. The method according to claim 12, characterized in that Receiving a first target synchronization signal block from a network device, comprising: Receiving a first target synchronization signal block from the network device with a first period T1; Receiving a second target synchronization signal block from the network device, comprising: A second target synchronization signal block is received from the network device with a second period T2; wherein T1 is greater than T2.

14. The method according to claim 13, characterized in that The first target SIB1 is also used to instruct the terminal device to continue receiving the second synchronization signal block with a second period T2; Receiving a second synchronization signal block from the network device with a second period T2, comprising: According to the indication of the first target SIB1, a second target synchronization signal block is received from the network device with the second period T2.

15. The method according to claim 13, characterized in that Receiving a second target synchronization signal block from the network device with a second period T2, comprising: When the identifier of the first target synchronization signal block is within a first set range, it is determined that the first target synchronization signal is sent through a first type of beam; the first set range is set for the first type of beam; Determine a synchronization signal block receiving period T2 corresponding to the second type of beam; the coverage range of a single beam in the second type of beam is smaller than the coverage range of a single beam in the first type of beam; A second target synchronization signal block is received from the network device with a second period T2; wherein the second target synchronization signal block is sent through the second type of beam.

16. The method according to claim 13, characterized in that Receiving a second target synchronization signal block from the network device with a second period T2, comprising: Determining, according to a first indication field included in the first target SIB1, that the first target synchronization signal is sent through a first type of beam; Determine a synchronization signal block receiving period T2 corresponding to the second type of beam; the coverage range of a single beam in the second type of beam is smaller than the coverage range of a single beam in the first type of beam; A second target synchronization signal block is received from the network device with a second period T2; wherein the second target synchronization signal block is sent through the second type of beam.

17. The method according to any one of claims 12 to 16, characterized in that: The second target synchronization signal block includes second target information for scheduling a second target SIB1; The method further comprises: According to the second target synchronization signal block, receiving the second target SIB1 from the network device; the second target SIB1 is used to indicate a second target RO; the first target RO and the second target RO do not overlap in the frequency domain or the time domain; A second random access signal is sent on the second target RO.

18. The method according to claim 17, characterized in that The second target SIB1 is also used to instruct the terminal device to subsequently receive the first synchronization signal block with the first period T1; After receiving a second target synchronization signal block from the network device, the method further includes: According to the instruction of the second target SIB1, a first synchronization signal block is received from the network device with the first period T1.

19. The method according to claim 17, characterized in that After receiving a second target synchronization signal block from the network device, the method further includes: When the identifier of the second target synchronization signal block is within a second set range, it is determined that the second target synchronization signal is sent through a second type of beam; the second set range is set for the second type of beam; Determine a synchronization signal block receiving period T1 corresponding to the first type of beam; the coverage range of a single beam in the second type of beam is smaller than the coverage range of a single beam in the first type of beam; A first synchronization signal block is received from the network device at the first period T1.

20. The method according to claim 17, characterized in that After receiving a second target synchronization signal block from the network device, the method further includes: Determining, according to a second indication field included in the second target SIB1, that the second target synchronization signal is sent through a second type of beam; Determine a synchronization signal block receiving period T1 corresponding to the first type of beam; the coverage range of a single beam in the second type of beam is smaller than the coverage range of a single beam in the first type of beam; A first synchronization signal block is received from the network device at the first period T1.

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

22. A communication device, characterized in that: include: transceiver, used to receive and send signals; A processor, configured to execute program instructions so that the communication device executes the method according to any one of claims 1 to 20.

23. A communication system, characterized in that: include: A network device for executing any one of claims 1-11, and a first terminal device for executing any one of claims 12-20.

24. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that: The computer-readable storage medium stores a computer program, and when the computer program is executed on a computer, the computer is enabled to execute the method according to any one of claims 1 to 20.

25. A chip, characterized in that: The chip is coupled to a memory and is used to read and execute program instructions stored in the memory to implement the method according to any one of claims 1 to 20.

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