Communication method and apparatus

Abstract

Provided in the present application are a communication method and apparatus. When in a first state, a first network device receives first indication information from a primary node of a terminal device, the first indication information being configured to indicate that the first network device is used as a secondary node of the terminal device, wherein when in the first state, the first network device is not allowed to perform data interaction with any terminal device and is not allowed to send an SSB. The first network device switches to a second state, wherein when in the second state, the first network device is allowed to perform data interaction with the terminal device and is allowed to send the SSB. It can be seen that the first state is more energy-efficient than the second state. The first network device sends to the terminal device a first SSB, which is used by the terminal device to initially access the first network device. The primary node has selected the first network device in the first state as the secondary node of the terminal device, on the basis of the trigger by the primary node, the first network device switches from the first state to the second state, and by means of the first SSB, the terminal device accesses the first network device, normally providing services for the terminal device.

Description

A communication method and device thereof

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This application claims priority to the Chinese patent application filed with the State Intellectual Property Office of the People's Republic of China on January 18, 2024, with application number 202410078610.7 and application name "A Communication Method and Device Thereof", the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference into this application. Technical Field

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

[0004] With the development of communication systems, dual connectivity (DC) technology has been proposed. Dual connectivity allows a terminal device to simultaneously connect to two network devices for uplink and downlink communications. For example, downlink data from the core network is split into two parts and sent to two network devices, which then transmit the downlink data to the terminal device. The two network devices jointly serve the terminal device, improving data transmission rates and facilitating load balancing. In a dual connectivity scenario, the two network devices connected to the terminal device are called the primary node and the secondary node, respectively. The terminal device first connects to the primary node and then adds secondary nodes based on actual needs. When a terminal device connects to any network device, the network device periodically transmits synchronization signals and physical broadcast channel blocks (SSBs). The terminal device periodically receives SSBs, enabling the terminal device to connect to the network device. Network devices begin periodically transmitting SSBs upon power-up. At night or in sparsely populated areas, when no terminal devices are within the network device's coverage area for extended periods, the continuous periodic transmission of SSBs by the network device consumes significant energy. In the dual-connection scenario in this case, how to enable the auxiliary node to provide normal services to the terminal device while taking into account the energy saving of the network equipment is an issue that needs to be considered. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The embodiments of the present application provide a communication method and apparatus thereof, which are used to enable a secondary node to provide normal services to a terminal device while taking network energy saving into consideration.

[0006] In the first aspect, the present application provides a communication method, which can be executed by a first network device, or by other devices including the functions of the first network device, or by a chip system (which can also be replaced by a chip) or other functional modules, and the chip system or functional module can realize the functions of the first network device, and the chip system or functional module is, for example, set in the first network device. Take the method executed by the first network device as an example for introduction: when the first network device is in a first state, it receives first indication information from a second network device; the second network device is the master node of the terminal device, and the first indication information is used to indicate that the first network device is used as the auxiliary node of the terminal device, and the first state is a state in which the first network device is not allowed to interact with any terminal device for data, and is not allowed to send synchronization signals and physical broadcast channel blocks SSB; the first network device switches from the first state to the second state; the second state is a state in which the first network device is allowed to interact with the terminal device for data, and is allowed to send SSB; the first network device sends a first SSB to the terminal device, and the first SSB is used for the terminal device to initially access the first network device.

[0007] In this embodiment, when the first network device is in the first state, it is not allowed to interact with any terminal device or send SSBs. When the first network device is in the second state, it is allowed to interact with the terminal device and send SSBs. The first state is more energy-efficient than the second state. The master node selects the first network device in the first state as the auxiliary node for the terminal device. The first network device switches from the first state to the second state based on the triggering of the master node and begins sending the first SSB. The first SSB enables the terminal device to initially access the first network device, allowing the first network device to provide normal services to the terminal device. When the master node is not triggered, the device remains in the first state, which can better meet the energy-saving requirements of the first network device.

[0008] In one possible implementation, the first network device starts sending the first SSB to the terminal device when monitoring reaches the starting sending time point; the method also includes: the first network device sends second indication information to the terminal device through the second network device, and the second indication information is used to indicate the starting sending time point, and the starting sending time point is used by the terminal device to determine the starting receiving time point for receiving the first SSB.

[0009] In this implementation, the first network device starts sending the first SSB at the starting sending time point, and the terminal device starts receiving the first SSB at the starting receiving time point. The starting receiving time point is determined based on the starting sending time point, and the starting sending time point and the starting receiving time point are the same or very close to each other. The first network device and the terminal device send and receive the first SSB at the same or almost the same time point, which can avoid the energy consumption of the first network device caused by the first network device sending the first SSB too early and the terminal device receiving the first SSB too late. It can also avoid the energy consumption of the terminal device caused by the first network device sending the first SSB too late and the terminal device starting to monitor the first SSB too early. Energy saving of the network device and the terminal device can be further achieved through the constraints of the starting sending time point and the starting receiving time point. Furthermore, in this implementation, the first network device determines the starting sending time point and passes it to the terminal device through the master node.

[0010] In one possible implementation, the second indication information is used to indicate the starting sending time point specifically: the second indication information is used to indicate the index of the starting sending time point; or, the second indication information is used to indicate the time length, wherein the starting sending time point is obtained by adding the time length to the first reference time point determined by the first network device.

[0011] In this implementation, the start sending time point is indicated by an index, which is simple and clear, and has low signaling overhead.

[0012] In one possible implementation, the first reference time point is determined based on any one of the following: the time point of sending the second indication information, the time point of receiving the first indication information, and the time point of indicating to the second network device that it agrees to use the first network device as a secondary node of the terminal device.

[0013] In one possible implementation, the first network device starts sending the first SSB to the terminal device when monitoring reaches the starting sending time point; the method also includes: receiving third indication information from the second network device, and the third indication information is used to indicate the starting sending time point.

[0014] In this implementation, the first network device starts sending the first SSB at the starting sending time point, and the terminal device starts receiving the first SSB at the starting receiving time point. The starting receiving time point is determined based on the starting sending time point, and the starting sending time point and the starting receiving time point are the same or very close. The first network device and the terminal device send and receive the first SSB at the same or almost the same time point, which can avoid the energy consumption of the first network device caused by the first network device sending the first SSB too early and the terminal device receiving the first SSB too late. It can also avoid the energy consumption of the terminal device caused by the first network device sending the first SSB too late and the terminal device starting to monitor the first SSB too early. Energy saving of the network device and the terminal device can be further achieved through the constraints of the starting sending time point and the starting receiving time point. Furthermore, in this implementation, the second network device (master node) determines the starting sending time point and notifies the first network device.

[0015] In one possible implementation, the third indication information is used to indicate the starting sending time point specifically: the third indication information is used to indicate the index of the first starting sending time point; or, the third indication information is used to indicate the time length, wherein the starting sending time point is obtained by adding the time length to the first reference time point determined by the first network device.

[0016] In this implementation, the start sending time point is indicated by an index, which is simple and clear, and has low signaling overhead.

[0017] In one possible implementation, the first reference time point is determined based on any one of the following: the time point of receiving the third indication information, the time point of receiving the first indication information, and the time point of indicating to the second network device that the first network device is agreed to be used as a secondary node of the terminal device.

[0018] In one possible implementation, the first network device sends a first SSB to the terminal device based on a first period; the method also includes: the first network device receives fourth indication information from the terminal device; wherein the fourth indication information is used to indicate sending a second SSB based on a second period, and the second period is greater than the first period; the first network device sends the second SSB to the terminal device based on the second period.

[0019] In this implementation, the period of the first SSB is shorter than that of the second SSB. The terminal device can shorten the time of accessing the first network device based on the first SSB compared to accessing the first network device based on the second SSB. This will also increase the time that the first network device is in the first state, which can further reduce the energy consumption of the first network device and obtain energy-saving gains. The first network device switches from sending the first SSB to sending the second SSB, which can ensure the validity of the network function associated with the second SSB in the first network device. It can also access the first network device based on the second SSB when the terminal device fails to access the first network device based on the first SSB, thereby avoiding the situation where the terminal device cannot access the first network device after failing to access the first network device based on the first SSB. The first network device switches from sending the first SSB to sending the second SSB according to the instruction of the terminal device, which can better meet the business needs of the terminal device.

[0020] In the second aspect, the present application provides a communication method, which can be executed by a second network device, or by other devices including the functions of the second network device, or by a chip system (which can also be replaced by a chip) or other functional modules, which can realize the functions of the second network device, and the chip system or functional module is, for example, set in the second network device. Take the method being executed by the second network device as an example for introduction: the second network device sends a first indication message to the first network device in a first state; wherein the second network device is the main node of the terminal device, and the first indication message is used to indicate that the first network device is used as the auxiliary node of the terminal device, and the first state is a state in which the first network device is not allowed to interact with any terminal device for data, and is not allowed to send synchronization signals and physical broadcast channel blocks SSB; the second network device sends a fifth indication message to the terminal device; wherein the fifth indication message is used to indicate that the first network device is used as the auxiliary node of the terminal device.

[0021] In this embodiment, when the first network device is in the first state, it is not allowed to interact with any terminal device or send SSBs. When the first network device is in the second state, it is allowed to interact with the terminal device and send SSBs. The first state is more energy-efficient than the second state. The master node selects the first network device in the first state as the auxiliary node for the terminal device. The first network device switches from the first state to the second state based on the triggering of the master node and begins sending the first SSB. The first SSB enables the terminal device to initially access the first network device, allowing the first network device to provide normal services to the terminal device. When the master node is not triggered, the device remains in the first state, which can better meet the energy-saving requirements of the first network device.

[0022] In a possible implementation, it also includes: the second network device sends the second indication information from the first network device to the terminal device, the second indication information is used to indicate the starting sending time point of the first SSB sent by the first network device, and the starting sending time point is used by the terminal device to determine the starting receiving time point of receiving the first SSB.

[0023] In this implementation, the first network device starts sending the first SSB at the starting sending time point, and the terminal device starts receiving the first SSB at the starting receiving time point. The starting receiving time point is determined based on the starting sending time point, and the starting sending time point and the starting receiving time point are the same or very close to each other. The first network device and the terminal device send and receive the first SSB at the same or almost the same time point, which can avoid the energy consumption of the first network device caused by the first network device sending the first SSB too early and the terminal device receiving the first SSB too late. It can also avoid the energy consumption of the terminal device caused by the first network device sending the first SSB too late and the terminal device starting to monitor the first SSB too early. Energy saving of the network device and the terminal device can be further achieved through the constraints of the starting sending time point and the starting receiving time point. Furthermore, in this implementation, the first network device determines the starting sending time point and passes it to the terminal device through the master node.

[0024] In one possible implementation, the second indication information is used to indicate the starting sending time point specifically: the second indication information is used to indicate the index of the starting sending time point; or, the second indication information is used to indicate the time length, wherein the starting sending time point is obtained by adding the time length to the first reference time point determined by the first network device.

[0025] In this implementation, the start sending time point is indicated by an index, which is simple and clear, and has low signaling overhead.

[0026] In one possible implementation, the second network device sends third indication information to the first network device, and sends the third indication information to the terminal device, so that the terminal device determines the starting receiving time point for receiving the first SSB based on the starting sending time point.

[0027] In this implementation, the first network device starts sending the first SSB at the starting sending time point, and the terminal device starts receiving the first SSB at the starting receiving time point. The starting receiving time point is determined based on the starting sending time point, and the starting sending time point and the starting receiving time point are the same or very close. The first network device and the terminal device send and receive the first SSB at the same or almost the same time point, which can avoid the energy consumption of the first network device caused by the first network device sending the first SSB too early and the terminal device receiving the first SSB too late. It can also avoid the energy consumption of the terminal device caused by the first network device sending the first SSB too late and the terminal device starting to monitor the first SSB too early. Energy saving of the network device and the terminal device can be further achieved through the constraints of the starting sending time point and the starting receiving time point. Furthermore, in this implementation, the second network device (master node) determines the starting sending time point and notifies the first network device.

[0028] In one possible implementation, the third indication information is used to indicate the starting sending time point specifically: the third indication information is used to indicate the index of the starting sending time point; or, the third indication information is used to indicate the time length, wherein the starting sending time point is obtained by adding the time length to the first reference time point determined by the first network device.

[0029] In this implementation, the start sending time point is indicated by an index, which is simple and clear, and has low signaling overhead.

[0030] In one possible implementation, before sending the first indication information to the first network device in the first state, the second network device further includes: receiving sixth indication information from the terminal device; wherein the sixth indication information is used to indicate the business needs of the terminal device; and the second network device determines the need to add an auxiliary node for the terminal device based on the business needs.

[0031] In this implementation, the terminal device reports its own service needs to the master node, which enables the master node to add a secondary node for the terminal device in a timely manner.

[0032] On the third aspect, the present application provides a communication method, which can be executed by a terminal device, or by other devices including the functions of a terminal device, or by a chip system (which can also be replaced by a chip) or other functional modules, the chip system or functional module can realize the functions of the terminal device, and the chip system or functional module is, for example, set in the terminal device. Take the method executed by the terminal device as an example for introduction: the terminal device receives fifth indication information from the second network device; wherein the fifth indication information is used to indicate that the first network device is used as the auxiliary node of the terminal device, and the second network device is the main node of the terminal device; the terminal device receives seventh indication information from the second network device, the seventh indication information is used to indicate the starting sending time point of the first network device to send the first synchronization signal and the physical broadcast channel block SSB; when the terminal device monitors the arrival of the starting receiving time point of receiving the first SSB, it starts to receive the first SSB from the first network device, the first SSB is used by the terminal device to perform the initial access process to the first network device, and the starting receiving time point is determined based on the starting sending time point.

[0033] In this implementation, the first network device starts sending the first SSB at the start sending time point, and the terminal device starts receiving the first SSB at the start receiving time point. The start receiving time point is determined based on the start sending time point, and the start sending time point and the start receiving time point are the same or have a very small difference. The first network device and the terminal device send and receive the first SSB at the same or almost the same time point, which can avoid the energy consumption of the first network device caused by the first network device sending the first SSB too early and the terminal device receiving the first SSB too late. It can also avoid the energy consumption of the terminal device caused by the first network device sending the first SSB too late and the terminal device starting to monitor the first SSB too early. By constraining the start sending time point and the start receiving time point, energy saving of network devices and terminal devices can be further achieved.

[0034] In one possible implementation, the seventh indication information is used to indicate the starting sending time point specifically: the seventh indication information is used to indicate the index of the starting sending time point; or, the seventh indication information is used to indicate the time length, wherein the starting sending time point is obtained by adding the time length to the first reference time point determined by the first network device.

[0035] In this implementation, the start sending time point is indicated by an index, which is simple and clear, and has low signaling overhead.

[0036] In one possible implementation, when the seventh indication information is used to indicate the index of the starting sending time point, the starting receiving time point is determined based on at least one corresponding relationship preset based on the index query, and the at least one corresponding relationship includes a correspondence between different indexes and different starting receiving time points; when the seventh indication information is used to indicate the time length, the starting receiving time point is determined by adding the time length to the second reference time point determined by the terminal device.

[0037] In a possible implementation manner, the second reference time point is determined based on any one of the following: a time point of receiving the fifth indication information, and a time point of receiving the seventh indication information.

[0038] In one possible implementation, the terminal device receives a first SSB from the first network device based on a first period; the method also includes: the terminal device sends fourth indication information to the first network device; wherein the fourth indication information is used to instruct the first network device to send a second SSB based on a second period, and the second period is greater than the first period; the terminal device receives the second SSB from the first network device based on the second period.

[0039] In this implementation, the period of the first SSB is shorter than that of the second SSB. The terminal device can shorten the time of accessing the first network device based on the first SSB compared to accessing the first network device based on the second SSB. This will also increase the time that the first network device is in the first state, which can further reduce the energy consumption of the first network device and obtain energy-saving gains. The first network device switches from sending the first SSB to sending the second SSB, which can ensure the validity of the network function associated with the second SSB in the first network device. It can also access the first network device based on the second SSB when the terminal device fails to access the first network device based on the first SSB, thereby avoiding the situation where the terminal device cannot access the first network device after failing to access the first network device based on the first SSB. The first network device switches from sending the first SSB to sending the second SSB according to the instruction of the terminal device, which can better meet the business needs of the terminal device.

[0040] In one possible implementation, before receiving the fifth indication information from the second network device, the terminal device further includes: sending sixth indication information to the second network device, where the sixth indication information is used to indicate the business needs of the terminal device, and the business needs are used by the second network device to determine whether it is necessary to add a secondary node for the terminal device.

[0041] In this implementation, the terminal device reports its own service needs to the master node, which enables the master node to add a secondary node for the terminal device in a timely manner.

[0042] In a fourth aspect, a communication device is provided, which may be the first network device described in the first aspect. The communication device has the functions of the first network device. The communication device is, for example, a functional module in the first network device, such as a baseband device or a chip system. In an optional implementation, the communication device includes a baseband device and a radio frequency device. In another optional implementation, the communication device includes a processing unit (sometimes also referred to as a processing module) and a transceiver unit (sometimes also referred to as a transceiver module). The transceiver unit can implement a sending function and a receiving function. When the transceiver unit implements the sending function, it can be called a sending unit (sometimes also referred to as a sending module). When the transceiver unit implements the receiving function, it can be called a receiving unit (sometimes also referred to as a receiving module). The sending unit and the receiving unit can be the same functional module, which is called a transceiver unit, and the functional module can implement a sending function and a receiving function; or, the sending unit and the receiving unit can be different functional modules, and the transceiver unit is a general term for these functional modules.

[0043] In one possible implementation, the communication device also includes a storage unit (sometimes also referred to as a storage module), and the processing unit is used to couple with the storage unit and execute the program or instructions in the storage unit, enabling the communication device to perform the function of the first network device described in the first aspect above.

[0044] In one possible implementation, the transceiver unit is used to receive first indication information from a second network device when the communication device is in a first state; the second network device is a master node of the terminal device, the first indication information is used to indicate that the communication device is used as a secondary node of the terminal device, and the first state is a state in which the communication device is not allowed to interact with any terminal device and is not allowed to send synchronization signals and physical broadcast channel blocks SSB; the processing unit is used to switch the communication device from the first state to a second state; the second state is a state in which the communication device is allowed to interact with the terminal device and is allowed to send SSB; the transceiver unit is also used to send a first SSB to the terminal device, and the first SSB is used for the terminal device to initially access the communication device.

[0045] In one possible implementation, when the transceiver unit is used to send the first SSB to the terminal device, it is specifically used to start sending the first SSB to the terminal device when monitoring reaches the starting sending time point; the transceiver unit is also used to send second indication information to the terminal device through the second network device, and the second indication information is used to indicate the starting sending time point, and the starting sending time point is used by the terminal device to determine the starting receiving time point for receiving the first SSB.

[0046] In one possible implementation, when the transceiver unit is used to send the first SSB to the terminal device, it is specifically used to start sending the first SSB to the terminal device when monitoring reaches the starting sending time point; the transceiver unit is also used to receive third indication information from the second network device, and the third indication information is used to indicate the starting sending time point.

[0047] In one possible implementation, when the transceiver unit is used to send the first SSB to the terminal device, it is specifically used to send the first SSB to the terminal device based on a first period; the transceiver unit is also used to receive fourth indication information from the terminal device; wherein the fourth indication information is used to indicate sending the second SSB based on a second period, the second period being greater than the first period; and sending the second SSB to the terminal device based on the second period.

[0048] In a fifth aspect, a communication device is provided, which may be the second network device described in the second aspect. The communication device has the functions of the second network device. The communication device is, for example, a functional module in the second network device, such as a baseband device or a chip system. In an optional implementation, the communication device includes a baseband device and a radio frequency device. In another optional implementation, the communication device includes a processing unit (sometimes also referred to as a processing module) and a transceiver unit (sometimes also referred to as a transceiver module). The transceiver unit can implement a sending function and a receiving function. When the transceiver unit implements the sending function, it can be called a sending unit (sometimes also referred to as a sending module). When the transceiver unit implements the receiving function, it can be called a receiving unit (sometimes also referred to as a receiving module). The sending unit and the receiving unit can be the same functional module, which is called a transceiver unit, and the functional module can implement a sending function and a receiving function; or, the sending unit and the receiving unit can be different functional modules, and the transceiver unit is a general term for these functional modules.

[0049] In one possible implementation, the communication device also includes a storage unit (sometimes also referred to as a storage module), and the processing unit is used to couple with the storage unit and execute the program or instructions in the storage unit, enabling the communication device to perform the function of the second network device described in the second aspect above.

[0050] In one possible implementation, the transceiver unit is used to send a first indication message to a first network device in a first state; wherein the second network device is a master node of the terminal device, and the first indication message is used to indicate that the first network device is used as a secondary node of the terminal device, and the first state is a state in which the first network device is not allowed to interact with any terminal device and is not allowed to send synchronization signals and physical broadcast channel blocks SSB; and to send a fifth indication message to the terminal device; wherein the fifth indication message is used to indicate that the first network device is used as a secondary node of the terminal device.

[0051] In one possible implementation, the transceiver unit is further used to send second indication information from the first network device to the terminal device, where the second indication information is used to indicate the starting sending time point of the first SSB sent by the first network device, and the starting sending time point is used by the terminal device to determine the starting receiving time point of receiving the first SSB.

[0052] In one possible implementation, the transceiver unit is further used to send third indication information to the first network device, and to send the third indication information to the terminal device, so that the terminal device determines the starting receiving time point for receiving the first SSB based on the starting sending time point.

[0053] In one possible implementation, the transceiver unit is further used to receive sixth indication information from the terminal device; wherein the sixth indication information is used to indicate the business needs of the terminal device; and the processing unit is used to determine the need to add an auxiliary node for the terminal device based on the business needs.

[0054] In a sixth aspect, a communication device is provided, which may be the terminal device described in the first aspect. The communication device has the functions of the terminal device described above. The communication device is, for example, a functional module in the terminal device, such as a baseband device or a chip system. In an optional implementation, the communication device includes a baseband device and a radio frequency device. In another optional implementation, the communication device includes a processing unit (sometimes also referred to as a processing module) and a transceiver unit (sometimes also referred to as a transceiver module). The transceiver unit can implement a sending function and a receiving function. When the transceiver unit implements the sending function, it can be called a sending unit (sometimes also referred to as a sending module). When the transceiver unit implements the receiving function, it can be called a receiving unit (sometimes also referred to as a receiving module). The sending unit and the receiving unit can be the same functional module, which is called a transceiver unit, and the functional module can implement a sending function and a receiving function; or, the sending unit and the receiving unit can be different functional modules, and the transceiver unit is a general term for these functional modules.

[0055] In one possible implementation, the communication device also includes a storage unit (sometimes also referred to as a storage module), and the processing unit is used to couple with the storage unit and execute the program or instructions in the storage unit, enabling the communication device to perform the functions of the terminal device described in the first aspect above.

[0056] In one possible implementation, the transceiver unit is used to: receive fifth indication information from the second network device; wherein the fifth indication information is used to indicate that the first network device is used as the secondary node of the terminal device, and the second network device is used as the primary node of the terminal device; and receive seventh indication information from the second network device, wherein the seventh indication information is used to indicate the starting sending time point of the first network device to send the first synchronization signal and the physical broadcast channel block SSB; and when monitoring reaches the starting receiving time point for receiving the first SSB, start receiving the first SSB from the first network device, the first SSB is used by the terminal device to perform the initial access process to the first network device, and the starting receiving time point is determined based on the starting sending time point.

[0057] In one possible implementation, when the transceiver unit is used to receive the first SSB from the first network device, it is specifically used to receive the first SSB from the first network device based on a first period; the transceiver unit is also used to send fourth indication information to the first network device; wherein the fourth indication information is used to instruct the first network device to send a second SSB based on a second period, and the second period is greater than the first period; the transceiver unit is also used to receive the second SSB from the first network device based on the second period.

[0058] In one possible implementation, the transceiver unit is further used to send sixth indication information to the second network device, where the sixth indication information is used to indicate the service requirements of the terminal device, and the service requirements are used by the second network device to determine whether it is necessary to add a secondary node for the terminal device.

[0059] In a seventh aspect, a communication device is provided, comprising an interface circuit and a processor, and optionally, a memory. The memory is used to store a computer program, and the processor is coupled to the memory and the interface circuit. When the processor reads the computer program or instruction, the communication device executes the method performed by the first network device in the first aspect, or executes the method performed by the second network device in the second aspect, or executes the method performed by the terminal device in the third aspect. Exemplarily, the interface circuit is used to receive a signal from another communication device other than the communication device and transmit it to the processor or send a signal from the processor to another communication device other than the communication device. The processor is used to implement the method performed by the first network device in the first aspect, or to implement the method performed by the second network device in the second aspect, or to implement the method performed by the terminal device in the third aspect through a logic circuit or executing code instructions.

[0060] In an eighth aspect, a communication device is provided, comprising a processor and, optionally, a memory; the processor and the memory are coupled; the memory is used to store computer programs or instructions; the processor is used to execute part or all of the computer programs or instructions in the memory, and when the part or all of the computer programs or instructions are executed, it is used to implement the function of the first network device in the above-mentioned first aspect, or to implement the function of the second network device in the above-mentioned second aspect, or to implement the function of the terminal device in the above-mentioned third aspect.

[0061] In one possible implementation, the apparatus may further include a transceiver configured to transmit a signal processed by the processor or receive a signal input to the processor. The transceiver may perform the transmitting action or receiving action performed by the first network device in the first aspect, the second network device in the second aspect, or the terminal device in the third aspect.

[0062] In one possible implementation, the processing unit in the fourth, fifth and sixth aspects can be implemented by the processor, the storage unit in the fourth, fifth and sixth aspects can be implemented by the memory, and the transceiver unit in the fourth, fifth and sixth aspects can be implemented by the transceiver.

[0063] In a ninth aspect, a communication system is provided, comprising at least two of a first network device, a second network device, and a terminal device, wherein the first network device is configured to execute the method described in the first aspect by the first network device, the second network device is configured to execute the method described in the second aspect by the second network device, and the terminal device is configured to execute the method described in the third aspect by the terminal device. For example, the first network device may be implemented by the communication apparatus described in the fourth aspect, the second network device may be implemented by the communication apparatus described in the fifth aspect, and the terminal device may be implemented by the communication apparatus described in the sixth aspect.

[0064] In a tenth aspect, a computer-readable storage medium is provided, wherein the computer-readable storage medium is used to store computer programs or instructions, which, when executed, enables the method in the above-mentioned first aspect, second aspect or third aspect to be implemented.

[0065] In an eleventh aspect, a computer program product comprising instructions is provided, which, when executed on a computer, enables the method in the first, second or third aspect to be implemented. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0066] FIG1 is a schematic diagram of the architecture of a communication system provided by the present application;

[0067] FIG2 is a schematic diagram of a secondary node access process of the 5G NR dual connectivity technology in the prior art;

[0068] FIG3 is a schematic diagram of a communication process provided by this application;

[0069] FIG4 is a schematic diagram of a state switching of a network device provided by the present application;

[0070] FIG5 is a flow chart of a communication method provided by the present application;

[0071] FIG6 is a flow chart of a communication method provided by the present application;

[0072] FIG7 a is a pattern of a first SSB provided by this application;

[0073] FIG7 b is a second SSB pattern provided by this application;

[0074] FIG8 is a flow chart of a communication method provided by the present application;

[0075] FIG9 is a structural diagram of a communication device provided by the present application;

[0076] FIG10 is a structural diagram of a communication device provided in this application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0077] The technical solution of the present application can be applied to various wireless communication systems, including but not limited to the fourth generation mobile communication technology (the 4th generation, 4G) system (also known as the long term evolution (LTE) system), the fifth generation mobile communication technology (the 5th generation, 5G) system (also known as the new radio (NR) system), or can also be applied to the next generation mobile communication system or other similar communication systems (such as the sixth generation mobile communication technology (the 6th generation, 6G) system), etc., without specific limitation. In addition, the technical solution provided in the embodiment of the present application can be applied to device-to-device (D2D) scenarios, such as NR-D2D scenarios, etc., or can be applied to vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication scenarios, such as NR-V2X scenarios, etc. For example, it can be used in the fields of intelligent driving, assisted driving, or intelligent connected vehicles. For another example, the technical solution provided in the embodiment of the present application can also be applied to factory manufacturing scenarios, etc. In addition, the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of the present application can be applied in scenarios including but not limited to: terrestrial cellular communications, non-terrestrial networks (NTN), satellite communications, high altitude platform stations (HAPS) communications, integrated access and backhaul (IAB) communications, reconfigurable intelligent surfaces (RIS) communications, and other scenarios.

[0078] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the architecture of the communication system used in the embodiment of the present application. The terminal device is connected to two network devices, and the two network devices jointly serve the terminal device. The terminal device is connected to the network device wirelessly. Network devices can be connected to each other via wired or wireless means. The network device is connected to the core network via wireless or wired means. The core network device and the network device can be independent and different physical devices, or the functions of the core network device and the logical functions of the network device can be integrated into the same physical device, or the functions of some core network devices and some network devices can be integrated into one physical device.

[0079] A network device is a node in a radio access network (RAN). It can also be called an access network device or a RAN node (or device). It helps terminal devices achieve wireless access. Multiple network devices in a communication system can be of the same type or different types.

[0080] In one possible scenario, a network device can be a base station, an evolved NodeB (eNodeB), a transmitting and receiving point (TRP), a transmitting point (TP), a next-generation NodeB (gNB), a next-generation base station in a 6G mobile communication system, a base station in a future mobile communication system, an access point (AP) in a satellite, an integrated access and backhaul node (IAB), or a network device in a mobile switching center (NSN) communication system. This means it can be deployed on a high-altitude platform or satellite. A network device can be a macro base station, a micro base station, an indoor station, a relay node, a donor node, or a wireless controller in a CRAN scenario. A network device can also function as a base station in device-to-device (D2D) communication, vehicle-to-vehicle (V2I) communication, drone communication, or machine communication. Optionally, a network device can be a server, a wearable device, a vehicle, or an onboard device. For example, the access network device in V2X technology can be a roadside unit (RSU).

[0081] In another possible scenario, multiple network devices collaborate to assist the terminal device in achieving wireless access, and different network devices respectively implement part of the functions of the base station. For example, the network device can be a centralized unit (CU), a distributed unit (DU), a CU-control plane (CP), a CU-user plane (UP), or a radio unit (RU). The CU and DU can be set separately, or they can also be included in the same network element, such as a baseband unit (BBU). The RU can be included in a radio frequency device or a radio frequency unit, such as a remote radio unit (RRU), an active antenna unit (AAU), or a remote radio head (RRH). It can be understood that the network device can be a CU node, a DU node, or a device including a CU node and a DU node. In addition, the CU can be divided into a network device in the access network RAN, or the CU can be divided into a network device in the core network CN, which is not limited here.

[0082] In different systems, CU (or CU-CP and CU-UP), DU or RU may also have different names, but those skilled in the art can understand their meanings. For example, in the ORAN system, CU may also be called O-CU (Open CU), DU may also be called O-DU, CU-CP may also be called O-CU-CP, CU-UP may also be called O-CU-UP, and RU may also be called O-RU. For the convenience of description, this application uses CU, CU-CP, CU-UP, DU and RU as examples for description. Any unit of CU (or CU-CP, CU-UP), DU and RU in this application can be implemented by a software module, a hardware module, or a combination of a software module and a hardware module.

[0083] A terminal device is a device with wireless transceiver capabilities that can send signals to or receive signals from a network device. Terminal devices include but are not limited to terminal devices, terminals, user equipment (UE), mobile stations, mobile terminals, etc. Terminal devices can be widely used in various scenarios, such as device-to-device D2D, vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication, machine-type communication (MTC), Internet of Things (IoT), virtual reality, augmented reality, industrial control, autonomous driving, telemedicine, smart grid, smart furniture, smart office, smart wearable, smart transportation, smart city, etc. The terminal device can specifically be a mobile phone, tablet computer, computer with wireless transceiver capabilities, wearable device, vehicle, airplane, ship, robot, robotic arm, smart home device, etc. The embodiments of this application do not limit the specific technology and specific device form adopted by the terminal device.

[0084] Network devices and terminal devices can be fixed or mobile. They can be deployed on land, including indoors or outdoors, handheld or vehicle-mounted; they can also be deployed on water; they can also be deployed on aircraft, balloons, and artificial satellites. The embodiments of this application do not limit the application scenarios of network devices and terminal devices.

[0085] In the communication system shown in Figure 1, the two network devices serving the terminal devices are called a master node (MN) and a secondary node (SN). The master and secondary nodes are connected via a backhaul link, which can be either a fiber optic link or a microwave link. The master node is connected to the core network, while the secondary node can be connected to the core network or not, instead using the master node as an intermediary to transmit data.

[0086] The communication system can be applicable to the Standalone (SA) mode, that is, the master node and the secondary node are of the same standard. For example, the master node and the secondary node are both 4G nodes, the master node can be called MeNB (Master eNodeB), the secondary node can be called SeNB (Secondary eNodeB), and the interface between the master node and the secondary node is the X2 interface (X2 interface). For another example, the master node and the secondary node are both 5G nodes, the master node can be called MgNB (Master gNodeB), the secondary node can be called SgNB (Secondary gNodeB, and the interface between the master node and the secondary node is the Xn interface (Xn interface). For another example, the master node and the secondary node are both 6G nodes.

[0087] The communication system can be applied to the non-standalone (NSA) mode, that is, the primary node and the secondary node are of different standards. For example, the primary node is a 4G node and the secondary node is a 5G node. For another example, the primary node is a 5G node and the secondary node is a 6G node.

[0088] In a dual-connected DC scenario, the terminal device first connects to the primary node, and then adds a secondary node based on actual needs. The initial access process for the secondary node is initiated by the primary node. The secondary node periodically sends SSBs, and the terminal device periodically receives SSBs to enable the terminal device to connect to the secondary node.

[0089] As shown in Figure 2, a schematic diagram of the access process of a secondary node in 5G NR dual connectivity technology is provided, including the following steps:

[0090] Step 21: The primary node sends an SgNB Addition Request signaling to the secondary node, requesting resources for a specific radio bearer. In this signaling, the primary node informs the secondary node of the terminal device's capabilities and provides recent communication environment measurement data for the secondary node to configure.

[0091] Step 22: The secondary node returns a secondary node addition confirmation signaling (SgNB Addition Request Acknowledge) to the primary node, which contains the necessary RRC configuration information. The secondary node also prepares the radio resources for the terminal device to access.

[0092] Step 23: The master node sends an RRC connection reconfiguration signaling (RRCConnectionReconfiguration) to the terminal device, where the signaling includes the RRC configuration information in the secondary node addition confirmation signaling.

[0093] Step 24: The terminal device performs RRC connection reconfiguration based on the RRC configuration information and sends an RRC connection reconfiguration completion signaling (RRCConnectionReconfigurationComplete) to the master node.

[0094] Step 25: The master node sends a secondary node reconfiguration completion signaling (SgNB ReconfigurationComplete) to the secondary node, indicating that the terminal device has completed the reconfiguration.

[0095] Step 26: The terminal device and the auxiliary node perform an initial access process.

[0096] In step 26, the secondary node periodically transmits SSBs, and the terminal device periodically receives SSBs, enabling the terminal device to access the secondary node. Any network device begins periodically transmitting SSBs upon power-up. The secondary node continues to periodically transmit SSBs before step 21.

[0097] At night or in sparsely populated areas, there will be no terminal devices within the coverage area of ​​the network device for a long time, and the network device's continuous and periodic transmission of SSB is very energy-consuming.

[0098] In a dual-connection scenario, this application proposes a communication method that allows the auxiliary node to provide normal services to the terminal device, taking into account the energy saving of the network device.

[0099] The methods provided in various embodiments of the present application may be applied to the network architecture shown in Figure 1 or other network architectures. Taking Figure 1 as an example, for example, the terminal device involved in various embodiments of the present application may be the terminal device in Figure 1, the first network device involved in various embodiments of the present application may be the secondary node in Figure 1, and the second network device involved in various embodiments of the present application may be the primary node in Figure 1.

[0100] Below, some terms or concepts in the embodiments of the present application are explained to facilitate understanding by those skilled in the art.

[0101] 1) The first SSB in the embodiment of the present application can be called an on-demand SSB. On-demand SSB means that the SSB is not a continuously transmitted cell-level periodic broadcast signal, but a user-level signal triggered by a specific indication. It can be sent by broadcast or unicast. Optionally, the on-demand SSB can stop sending according to specific rules.

[0102] The first SSB may be a normal SSB (ie, a conventional SSB) or a compact SSB. When a second SSB exists, the first SSB may be referred to as a compact SSB, and the second SSB may be referred to as a normal SSB.

[0103] The difference between the first SSB and the second SSB is that the first and second SSBs have different cycle lengths and different SSB patterns. The cycle length of the first SSB is shorter than that of the second SSB, and the idle transmission intervals in the first SSB pattern are shorter than those in the second SSB pattern. Under the same environmental factors, the latency for accessing a secondary node using the first SSB is lower than the latency for accessing a secondary node using the second SSB.

[0104] Network devices transmit SSBs using beam scanning, which involves sending SSBs on different beams using time division multiplexing. The multiple SSBs transmitted by a network device during a beam scan are referred to as an SSB burst set, SSB set, or SSB sample. The length of an SSB cycle is the time interval between two SSB burst sets, SSB sets, or SSB samples, or the time interval between two beam scans.

[0105] The internal structure of the first SSB and the second SSB may be the same or different. In a similar example, the first SSB and the second SSB both occupy 4 consecutive symbols, the first symbol carries the primary synchronization signal (PSS), the third symbol carries the secondary synchronization signal (SSS), and the second and fourth symbols carry the physical broadcast channel (PBCH). In a different example, the second SSB occupies 4 consecutive symbols, the first symbol carries the primary synchronization sequence PSS, the third symbol carries the secondary synchronization sequence SSS, and the second and fourth symbols carry the physical broadcast channel PBCH. The first SSB occupies 2 consecutive symbols, the first symbol carries the primary synchronization sequence PSS, and the second symbol carries the secondary synchronization sequence SSS. This design of the first SSB only retains the synchronization function, and the system information carried by the PBCH will be provided by other signals, which can reduce the transmission overhead of the first SSB.

[0106] In the embodiments of the present application, "sending a first SSB" means sending the first SSB with one cycle or one SSB burst set / SSB set / SSB sample as the minimum unit, and the network device sends the first SSB for an integer number of cycles or an integer number of SSB burst sets / SSB sets / SSB samples. Similarly, "sending a second SSB" in the embodiments of the present application means sending the second SSB with one cycle or one SSB burst set as the minimum unit, and the network device sends the second SSB for an integer number of cycles or an integer number of SSB burst sets / SSB sets / SSB samples.

[0107] 2) The terms "primary node" and "secondary node" refer to terminal devices. UE1's primary node may be either the primary node or the secondary node of UE2; UE1's secondary node may be either the primary node or the secondary node of UE2.

[0108] The first network device (i.e., the auxiliary node) and the second network device (i.e., the main node) involved in each embodiment of the present application may be network devices of the same standard, for example, both are 4G network devices, or 5G network devices, or 6G network devices. The first network device (i.e., the auxiliary node) and the second network device (i.e., the main node) involved in each embodiment of the present application may be network devices of different standards, for example, the first network device is a 5G network device, and the second network device is a 4G network device. For another example, the first network device is a 6G network device, and the second network device is a 5G network device.

[0109] 3) Beamforming: There are two types of beamforming: analog and digital. Analog beamforming is generated by multiple phase shifters in an analog filter. The phases of these phase shifters are configured, and the resulting signals have different gains in different directions, forming a beam in space. Digital beamforming does not require phase shifters. Instead, it forms a digital beam by digitally weighting the multiple signals sent from the baseband to the antenna.

[0110] 4) When a network device is in the first state, it is not allowed to exchange data with any terminal device and is not allowed to send synchronization signals and physical broadcast channel blocks (SSBs). The first state can be called a micro-sleep state, a light sleep state, a deep sleep state, a sleep state, a deactivated state, a power-saving state, or a non-transmitting state.

[0111] The network device is in the second state, which means that the network device allows data exchange with the terminal device and allows SSB transmission. The second state can be called the awake state, the active state, the transmission state, the non-energy-saving state, or the energy-consuming state.

[0112] The energy consumption of the network device when in the second state is greater than the energy consumption of the network device when in the first state.

[0113] In order to better describe the embodiments of the present application, the following describes the methods provided by the embodiments of the present application in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Unless otherwise specified, the steps indicated by dotted lines in the accompanying drawings corresponding to the various embodiments of the present application are all optional steps.

[0114] FIG3 is a schematic diagram of a communication process provided in an embodiment of the present application, including the following steps:

[0115] Step 300: The first network device is in a first state. The first state is a state in which the first network device is not allowed to interact with any terminal device and is not allowed to send synchronization signals and physical broadcast channel blocks (SSBs).

[0116] Step 301: The second network device (master node) sends first indication information to the first network device, and the first network device receives the first indication information in response. The first indication information is used to indicate that the first network device is used as a slave node of the terminal device.

[0117] The first indication information may be carried in a secondary node addition request signaling or other signaling. One possible scenario is when the network has a large bandwidth downlink service demand or other necessary requirements, and the capacity of the second network device is insufficient to support the communication service needs of the terminal device, the second network device adds a secondary node for the terminal device to share the communication service needs of the terminal device.

[0118] Optionally, after receiving the first indication information, the first network device may send an eighth indication information to the second network device, and accordingly, the second network device receives the eighth indication information; the eighth indication information is used to indicate agreement to use the first network device as a secondary node of the terminal device.

[0119] Step 302: The second network device sends fifth indication information to the terminal device, and the terminal device receives the fifth indication information in response. The fifth indication information is used to indicate that the first network device is used as a secondary node of the terminal device.

[0120] The fifth indication information may be carried in RRC connection reconfiguration signaling (RRCConnectionReconfiguration) or other signaling.

[0121] Optionally, the second network device may execute step 302 after step 301 (sending the first indication information to the first network device). Alternatively, the second network device executes step 302 after receiving the eighth indication information.

[0122] Step 303: After receiving the first indication information, the first network device switches from the first state to the second state.

[0123] The second state is a state in which the first network device allows data interaction with the terminal device and allows SSB transmission. The first network device is in the first state when receiving the first indication information, and switches the state from the first state to the second state after receiving the first indication information.

[0124] Step 304: The first network device sends a first SSB to the terminal device in the second state, and the terminal device receives the first SSB accordingly. The first SSB is used for the terminal device to initially access the first network device.

[0125] In this embodiment, when the first network device is in the first state, it is not allowed to interact with any terminal device or send SSBs. In the second state, it is allowed to interact with the terminal device and send SSBs. The first state is more energy-efficient than the second state. The master node selects the first network device in the first state as the auxiliary node for the terminal device. The first network device switches from the first state to the second state based on the triggering of the master node and begins sending the first SSB. The first SSB enables the terminal device to initially access the first network device, allowing the first network device to provide normal services to the terminal device. When the master node is not triggered, the device remains in the first state, which can better meet the energy-saving requirements of the first network device.

[0126] Specifically, as shown in Figure 4, a state switching diagram of a network device is provided. If the network device is always in the transmission state (i.e., the second state above), it will continuously send SSB sets. This application proposes energy saving of the network device. The network device does not send SSB sets in the sleep state (i.e., the first state above), and sends SSB sets after switching to the transmission state. This can better meet the energy saving requirements of the first network device.

[0127] In step 304 above, the first network device sends the first SSB to the terminal device. In one possible implementation, a start sending time point may be set. When the first network device monitors the start sending time point, it begins sending the first SSB to the terminal device. Optionally, the start sending time point is later than the time point when the first network device switches to the second state. The start sending time point may be determined by the first network device, by the second network device, or jointly by the first and second network devices.

[0128] In one possible implementation, to further achieve energy conservation for terminal devices and network devices, the start transmission time point can be indicated to the terminal device, and the terminal device determines the start reception time point for receiving the first SSB based on the start transmission time point. The start transmission time point and the start reception time point are the same, or the difference between the two is less than a set threshold. In this implementation, the first network device begins transmitting the first SSB at the start transmission time point, and the terminal device begins receiving the first SSB at the start reception time point. The start reception time point is determined based on the start transmission time point, and the start transmission time point and the start reception time point are the same, or the difference is very small. The first network device and the terminal device transmit and receive the first SSB at the same or nearly the same time point, which can avoid energy consumption of the first network device caused by the first network device transmitting the first SSB too early and the terminal device receiving the first SSB too late. It can also avoid energy consumption of the terminal device caused by the first network device transmitting the first SSB too late and the terminal device starting to monitor the first SSB too early. By constraining the start transmission time point and the start reception time point, energy conservation of network devices and terminal devices can be further achieved.

[0129] In addition, it should be noted that the starting transmission time point is a possible name for the time point when the first network device starts to send the first SSB, and does not limit the name of the time point when the first network device starts to send the first SSB. The time point when the first network device starts to send the first SSB can also be called the first time point, or other time points, or other names. Similarly, the starting reception time point is a possible name for the time point when the terminal device starts to receive the first SSB, and does not limit the name of the time point when the terminal device starts to receive the first SSB. The time point when the terminal device starts to receive the first SSB can also be called the second time point, or other time points, or other names.

[0130] The following describes the start sending time and the start receiving time in multiple examples:

[0131] Example 1: The first network device determines a start sending time point and indicates it to the terminal device through the second network device.

[0132] Exemplarily, the first network device sends a second indication message to the terminal device through the second network device, where the second indication message is used to indicate the starting sending time point, and the starting sending time point is used by the terminal device to determine the starting receiving time point for receiving the first SSB.

[0133] Example 1.1: The second indication information is used to indicate the start transmission time point. Specifically, the second indication information is used to indicate the index of the start transmission time point. The start transmission time point can be a time slot or a subframe, and the index can be an index of a time slot or a subframe. Indicating the start transmission time point by index is simple and clear, and reduces signaling overhead.

[0134] The starting reception time point of the terminal device receiving the first SSB may be the time point of the index, that is, the starting transmission time point and the starting reception time point are the same. The starting reception time point may also be determined based on at least one corresponding relationship preset based on the index query, wherein the at least one corresponding relationship includes a correspondence between different indexes and different starting reception time points. The corresponding relationship may exist in the form of a table or a mathematical formula.

[0135] Example 1.2: The second indication information is used to indicate the starting sending time point specifically: the second indication information is used to indicate the time length, wherein the starting sending time point is obtained by adding the time length to the first reference time point determined by the first network device. The unit of the time length can be a time slot, a subframe, a millisecond, etc. For example, the time length is P time slots, or N subframes, or Q milliseconds, etc., where P and N are both positive integers, and Q is a positive real number. In one possible implementation, the time length is the configuration time of the timer, and the first network device starts the timer at the first reference time point. When the timer ends, it reaches the starting sending time point and starts sending the first SSB.

[0136] The first reference time point is determined based on any one of the following: the time point at which the first network device sends the second indication information to the second network device, the time point at which the first network device receives the first indication information (refer to step 301), and the time point at which the first network device sends the eighth indication information to the second network device, the eighth indication information being used to indicate consent to use the first network device as a secondary node of the terminal device (refer to the eighth indication information described in step 301). In one example, the first network device uses any one of the time points as the first reference time point, for example, the time point at which the first network device sends the second indication information as the first reference time point, for example, the time point at which the first network device receives the first indication information as the first reference time point, for example, the time point at which the first network device indicates to the second network device that it agrees to use the first network device as a secondary node of the terminal device as the first reference time point. In one example, the first network device uses the first, second, or a certain symbol, or a period of time after any one of the time points as the first reference time point. For example, the first network device uses 1ms after the time point at which the second indication information is sent as the first reference time point.

[0137] When the first network device sends the second indication information to the second network device, the second indication information can be carried in the secondary node addition confirmation signaling or other signaling sent by the first network device to the second network device; when the second network device sends the second indication information to the terminal device, the second indication information can be carried in the RRC connection reconfiguration signaling (RRCConnectionReconfiguration) or other signaling.

[0138] When the second indication information is used to indicate a time length, the starting reception time point for the terminal device to receive the first SSB may be determined by adding the time length to the second reference time point determined by the terminal device. In one possible implementation, the time length is a configured time of a timer. The terminal device starts the timer at the second reference time point, and when the timer ends, it reaches the starting reception time point and begins to receive the first SSB.

[0139] The second reference time point is determined based on any one of the following: the time point at which the terminal device receives the fifth indication information (refer to step 302), and the time point at which the terminal device receives the second indication information. In one example, the terminal device uses any one time point as the second reference time point, for example, the terminal device uses the time point at which the fifth indication information is received as the second reference time point, for example, the terminal device uses the time point at which the second indication information is received as the second reference time point. In one example, the first, or second, or a certain symbol, or a period of time after any one time point is used as the second reference time point. For example, the terminal device uses 0.5ms after the time point at which the second indication information is received as the second reference time point.

[0140] In conjunction with Example 1, as shown in FIG5 , a communication process diagram is introduced, including the following steps:

[0141] Step 500: The first network device is in a first state.

[0142] Step 501: The second network device sends first indication information to the first network device in the first state. Correspondingly, the first network device receives the first indication information, where the first indication information is used to indicate that the first network device is used as a secondary node of the terminal device.

[0143] For example, the first indication information is carried in the secondary node adding request signaling.

[0144] Step 502: After receiving the first indication information (step 501), the first network device sends second indication information to the second network device. Correspondingly, the second network device receives the second indication information, where the second indication information is used to indicate configuration information of the timer.

[0145] Optionally, after receiving the first indication information (step 501), the first network device sends an eighth indication information to the second network device. Correspondingly, the second network device receives the eighth indication information, and the eighth indication information is used to indicate agreement to use the first network device as a secondary node of the terminal device.

[0146] The eighth indication information and the second indication information may be carried in the same signaling, for example, the eighth indication information and the second indication information are carried in the secondary node addition confirmation signaling. The eighth indication information and the second indication information may also be carried in different signalings.

[0147] Step 502a: After or when sending the second indication information, the first network device starts a timer, and the timer counts based on the configuration information.

[0148] Step 503: After receiving the first indication information (step 501), the first network device switches from the first state to the second state.

[0149] In the example of Figure 5 , step 503 is performed after step 502. In other examples, the order of step 502 and step 503 is not limited. In the example of Figure 5 , step 503 is performed after step 502a. In other examples, the order of step 502a and step 503 is not limited.

[0150] Step 504: After receiving the second indication information (step 502), the second network device sends the fifth indication information and the second indication information to the terminal device. Correspondingly, the terminal device receives the fifth indication information and the second indication information. The fifth indication information is used to indicate that the first network device is used as the auxiliary node of the terminal device, and the second indication information is used to indicate the configuration information of the timer.

[0151] In the example of Figure 5, the fifth indication information and the second indication information are carried in the same signaling, for example, the fifth indication information and the second indication information are carried in RRC connection reconfiguration signaling. In other examples, the fifth indication information and the second indication information may also be carried in different signaling.

[0152] Optionally, after step 504, the terminal device further sends confirmation information or reconfiguration completion information to the second network device, informing the terminal device that it has received the content in step 504. Optionally, after receiving this information from the terminal device, the second network device may further send confirmation information or secondary node addition completion information to the first network device, informing the first network device that the terminal device has recognized the first network device as a secondary node of the terminal device.

[0153] Step 504a: After receiving the fifth indication information and the second indication information or when receiving the fifth indication information and the second indication information, the terminal device starts a timer, and the timer counts based on the configuration information.

[0154] Step 505a: When the first network device determines that the timer has ended (i.e., the starting time point for sending the first SSB has been reached), it starts sending the first SSB to the terminal device.

[0155] Step 505b: When the terminal device determines that the timer has ended (i.e., reaches the starting receiving time point for receiving the first SSB), it starts to receive the first SSB from the first network device.

[0156] Step 506: The terminal device performs an initial access process to the first network device based on the first SSB.

[0157] Example 2: The second network device indicates the starting sending time point of the first SSB to the first network device and the terminal device respectively.

[0158] Exemplarily, the second network device sends third indication information to the first network device, and sends the third indication information to the terminal device; the third indication information is used to indicate the starting sending point.

[0159] Example 2.1: The third indication information is used to indicate the start transmission time point. Specifically, the third indication information is used to indicate the index of the first start transmission time point. The start transmission time point can be a time slot or a subframe, and the index can be an index of a time slot or a subframe. Indicating the start transmission time point by index is simple and clear, and reduces signaling overhead.

[0160] The starting reception time point of the terminal device receiving the first SSB may be the time point of the index, that is, the starting transmission time point and the starting reception time point are the same. The starting reception time point may also be determined based on at least one corresponding relationship preset based on the index query, wherein the at least one corresponding relationship includes a correspondence between different indexes and different starting reception time points. The corresponding relationship may exist in the form of a table or a mathematical formula.

[0161] Example 2.2: The third indication information is used to indicate the starting sending time point specifically: the third indication information is used to indicate the time length, wherein the starting sending time point is obtained by adding the time length to the first reference time point determined by the first network device. The unit of the time length can be a time slot, a subframe, a millisecond, etc. For example, the time length is P time slots, or N subframes, or Q milliseconds, etc., where P and N are both positive integers, and Q is a positive real number. In one possible implementation, the time length is the configuration time of the timer, and the first network device starts the timer at the first reference time point, and starts sending the first SSB when the timer ends, i.e., the starting sending time point.

[0162] The first reference time point is determined based on any one of the following: the time point at which the first network device receives the third indication information, the time point at which the first network device receives the first indication information (refer to step 301), and the time point at which the first network device sends the eighth indication information to the second network device, the eighth indication information being used to indicate agreement to use the first network device as a secondary node of the terminal device (refer to the eighth indication information described at step 301). In one example, the first network device uses any one time point as the first reference time point, for example, the first network device uses the time point at which the first network device receives the third indication information as the first reference time point, for example, the first network device uses the time point at which the first network device receives the first indication information as the first reference time point, for example, the first network device indicates to the second network device that it agrees to use the first network device as a secondary node of the terminal device as the first reference time point. In one example, the first network device uses the first, or second, or a certain symbol or a period of time after any one time point as the first reference time point.

[0163] When the second network device sends the third indication information to the first network device, the third indication information can be carried in the secondary node addition request signaling or other signaling sent by the second network device to the first network device; when the second network device sends the third indication information to the terminal device, the third indication information can be carried in the RRC connection reconfiguration signaling (RRCConnectionReconfiguration) or other signaling.

[0164] When the third indication information is used to indicate a time length, the starting reception time point for the terminal device to receive the first SSB may be determined by adding the time length to the second reference time point determined by the terminal device. In one possible implementation, the time length is a configured time of a timer. The terminal device starts the timer at the second reference time point, and when the timer ends, it reaches the starting reception time point and begins to receive the first SSB.

[0165] The second reference time point is determined based on any one of the following: the time point at which the terminal device receives the fifth indication information (refer to step 302), and the time point at which the terminal device receives the third indication information. In one example, the terminal device uses any one of the time points as the second reference time point, for example, the terminal device uses the time point at which the fifth indication information is received as the second reference time point, for example, the terminal device uses the time point at which the third indication information is received as the second reference time point. In one example, the terminal device uses the first, second, or a certain symbol, or a segment after any one of the time points as the second reference time point.

[0166] In conjunction with Example 2, as shown in FIG6 , a communication process diagram is introduced, including the following steps:

[0167] Step 600: The first network device is in a first state.

[0168] Step 601: The second network device sends first indication information and third indication information to the first network device in the first state. Correspondingly, the first network device receives the first indication information and the third indication information. The first indication information is used to indicate that the first network device is used as a secondary node of the terminal device, and the third indication information is used to indicate the configuration information of the timer.

[0169] 6, the first indication information and the third indication information are carried in the same signaling, for example, the first indication information and the third indication information are carried in the secondary node addition request signaling. In other examples, the first indication information and the third indication information may also be carried in different signaling.

[0170] Step 602: After receiving the first indication information (step 601), the first network device sends the eighth indication information to the second network device, where the eighth indication information is used to indicate that the first network device is agreed to be used as the auxiliary node of the terminal device. Accordingly, the second network device receives the eighth indication information.

[0171] For example, the eighth indication information is carried in the secondary node adding confirmation signaling.

[0172] Step 602a: After or when sending the eighth indication information, the first network device starts a timer, and the timer counts based on the configuration information.

[0173] Step 603: After receiving the first indication information (step 601), the first network device switches from the first state to the second state.

[0174] In the example of Figure 6, step 603 is after step 602. In other examples, the order of step 602 and step 603 is not limited. In the example of Figure 6, step 603 is after step 602a. In other examples, the order of step 602a and step 603 is not limited.

[0175] Step 604: After receiving the eighth indication information (step 602), the second network device sends the fifth indication information and the third indication information to the terminal device. Accordingly, the terminal device receives the fifth indication information and the third indication information. The fifth indication information is used to indicate that the first network device is used as the auxiliary node of the terminal device, and the third indication information is used to indicate the configuration information of the timer.

[0176] In the example of Figure 6, the fifth indication information and the third indication information are carried in the same signaling, for example, the fifth indication information and the third indication information are carried in RRC connection reconfiguration signaling. In other examples, the fifth indication information and the third indication information may also be carried in different signaling.

[0177] Optionally, after step 604, the terminal device further sends confirmation information or reconfiguration completion information to the second network device, informing the terminal device that it has received the content in step 604. Optionally, after receiving this information from the terminal device, the second network device may further send confirmation information or secondary node addition completion information to the first network device, informing the first network device that the terminal device has recognized the first network device as a secondary node of the terminal device.

[0178] Step 604a: After receiving the fifth indication information and the third indication information or when receiving the fifth indication information and the third indication information, the terminal device starts a timer, and the timer counts based on the configuration information.

[0179] Step 605a: When the first network device determines that the timer has ended (i.e., the starting time point for sending the first SSB has been reached), it starts sending the first SSB to the terminal device.

[0180] Step 605b: When the terminal device determines that the timer has ended (i.e., reaches the starting receiving time point for receiving the first SSB), it starts to receive the first SSB from the first network device.

[0181] Step 606: The terminal device performs an initial access process to the first network device based on the first SSB.

[0182] In the above steps 304, 505a and 505b, and 605a and 605b, the first network device sends the first SSB, and the terminal device receives the first SSB. Exemplarily, the first network device sends the first SSB based on a first period, and the terminal device receives the first SSB based on the first period.

[0183] The first SSB may be a traditional SSB, also known as a normal SSB, or the first SSB may be an on-demand SSB, a compact SSB, or the like. The period of a compact SSB is shorter than that of a normal SSB. Under the same environmental factors, the latency of a terminal device accessing a secondary node based on a compact SSB is lower than the latency of accessing a secondary node based on a normal SSB.

[0184] In one possible implementation, an embodiment of the present application involves two SSBs, referred to as a first SSB and a second SSB. The first network device sends the first SSB for initial access by the terminal device. Subsequently, the first network device sends the second SSB to ensure the validity of network functions associated with the second SSB. After step 304, steps 505a and 505b, and steps 605a and 605b, the first network device sends the second SSB, and the terminal device receives the second SSB. Exemplarily, the first network device sends the second SSB based on a second period, and the terminal device receives the second SSB based on the second period. The first period is shorter than the second period. In this implementation, the period of the first SSB is shorter than the period of the second SSB. When a terminal device accesses the first network device based on the first SSB, the time it takes to access the first network device can be shortened compared to accessing the first network device based on the second SSB. This also increases the time the first network device remains in the first state, further reducing the energy consumption of the first network device and achieving energy savings. The first network device switches from sending the first SSB to sending the second SSB, which can ensure the validity of the network function associated with the second SSB in the first network device. It can also access the first network device based on the second SSB when the terminal device fails to access the first network device based on the first SSB, thereby avoiding the situation where the terminal device cannot access the first network device after failing to access the first network device based on the first SSB.

[0185] The first network device switches from sending the first SSB to sending the second SSB. The switching timing can be determined by the first network device, the terminal device, or the protocol. For example, the protocol stipulates the duration of sending the first SSB. The first network device starts sending the first SSB for a corresponding duration and then switches to sending the second SSB. The provisions of the protocol can reduce signaling overhead. Taking the terminal device as an example to determine the switching timing, the terminal device sends the fourth indication information to the first network device, and accordingly, the first network device receives the fourth indication information from the terminal device; wherein the fourth indication information is used to instruct the first network device to send the second SSB based on the second period. After receiving the fourth indication information from the terminal device, the first network device sends the second SSB based on the second period. The first network device switches from sending the first SSB to sending the second SSB according to the instruction of the terminal device, which can better meet the business needs of the terminal device. The fourth indication information can be carried on the channel state information report (CSI) report signaling, or the physical random access channel (PRACH), or the physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH), or the physical uplink control channel (PUCCH).

[0186] As shown in Figure 7a, a possible pattern of the first SSB is introduced. A time slot includes 3 first SSBs, and a first SSB occupies 4 consecutive symbols. The period of the first SSB is determined based on the number of first SSBs included in a period. For example, an SSB period includes 64 first SSBs, and 64 first SSBs require 21 time slots to transmit. The length of a symbol is approximately 8.3us, so the length of a time slot is approximately 0.12ms (14×8.3us=0.12ms), and the length of a period is approximately 2.52ms (21×0.12ms=2.5ms). For another example, an SSB period includes 32 first SSBs, and 32 first SSBs require 10 time slots to transmit, so the length of a period is approximately 1.2ms.

[0187] Figure 7b shows a possible second SSB pattern. The second SSB has a period of 20ms. Within a period, the SSB set is limited to being transmitted within 5ms (5ms is half a frame), and no SSB is transmitted in the remaining 15ms.

[0188] When the first network device transmits the first and second SSBs, it transmits them on certain resources. The terminal device learns the resource configuration information for the first and second SSBs, and accurately and completely receives the first and second SSBs from the first network device on the corresponding resources. The resource configuration information for the first SSB can be determined by the first network device and communicated to the terminal device via the second network device; or it can be determined by the second network device and communicated to the terminal device and the first network device, respectively. The resource configuration information for the first SSB includes at least one of the following: the first period, the index of the symbol occupied by each first SSB in a period, and the number of first SSBs in a period. Similarly, the resource configuration information for the second SSB can be determined by the first network device and communicated to the terminal device via the second network device; or it can be determined by the second network device and communicated to the terminal device and the first network device, respectively. The resource configuration information for the second SSB includes at least one of the following: the second period, the index of the symbol occupied by each second SSB in a period, and the number of second SSBs in a period. The number of SSBs in one cycle depends on the number of transmit beams of the first network device.

[0189] In an embodiment of the present application, the main node adds a secondary node for the terminal device. The main node can decide by itself whether to add a secondary node for the terminal device and when to add a secondary node for the terminal device, or the terminal device can report the business demand to the main node, and the main node determines whether to add a secondary node for the terminal device based on the business demand of the terminal device. In a possible implementation, before executing steps 301, 501, and 601 (the second network device sends a first indication message to the first network device to indicate that the first network device is used as a secondary node for the terminal device), the following process is also included: the terminal device sends a sixth indication message to the second network device, and accordingly, the second network device receives the sixth indication message; the sixth indication message is used to indicate the business demand of the terminal device; the business demand is used by the second network device to determine whether to add a secondary node for the terminal device. The second network device determines that a secondary node needs to be added for the terminal device based on the business demand, and then executes steps 301, 501, and 601. When a high-bandwidth uplink service or other necessary requirements exist on the network, and the network capacity of the network device currently connected to a terminal device is insufficient to support the terminal device's communication needs, the terminal device reports its current service requirements to the network device currently connected. Upon receiving the service requirements, the network device currently connected determines to add a secondary node for the terminal device. By reporting service requirements from the terminal device, the primary node can promptly add a secondary node for the terminal device.

[0190] In conjunction with the example of FIG5 , the configuration of the time domain resources of the first SSB, the switching of the first network device from sending the first SSB to sending the second SSB, and the reporting of service requirements by the terminal device, etc., as shown in FIG8 , a specific communication process is introduced, including the following steps:

[0191] Step 800: The first network device is in a first state.

[0192] Step 801: The terminal device sends sixth indication information to the second network device, and accordingly, the second network device receives the sixth indication information; the sixth indication information is used to indicate the service requirements of the terminal device; the service requirements are used by the second network device to determine whether to add a secondary node for the terminal device.

[0193] In this example, it is described by taking the example that the second network device determines to add a secondary node for the terminal device based on the service demand of the terminal device.

[0194] Step 802: The second network device sends first indication information to the first network device in the first state. Correspondingly, the first network device receives the first indication information, where the first indication information is used to indicate that the first network device is used as a secondary node of the terminal device.

[0195] For example, the first indication information is carried in the secondary node adding request signaling.

[0196] Step 803: After receiving the first indication information (step 802), the first network device sends eighth indication information and second indication information to the second network device. Correspondingly, the second network device receives the eighth indication information and the second indication information. The eighth indication information is used to indicate that the first network device is agreed to be used as a secondary node of the terminal device, and the second indication information is used to indicate the configuration information of the timer. In step 803, the first network device also indicates the resource configuration information of the first SSB to the second network device.

[0197] In the example of Figure 8, the eighth indication information, the second indication information, and the resource configuration information of the SSB are carried in the same signaling, for example, carried in the secondary node addition confirmation signaling. In other examples, the eighth indication information, the second indication information, and the resource configuration information of the first SSB can also be carried in different signalings.

[0198] Step 803a: After sending the content of step 803 or while sending the content of step 803, the first network device starts a timer, and the timer counts based on the configuration information.

[0199] Step 804: After receiving the first indication information (step 802), the first network device switches from the first state to the second state.

[0200] In the example of FIG. 8 , step 804 is performed after step 803 and step 803 a . In other examples, the order of step 804 , step 803 , and step 803 a is not limited.

[0201] Step 805: After receiving the second indication information (step 803), the second network device sends fifth indication information and the second indication information to the terminal device. Accordingly, the terminal device receives the fifth indication information and the second indication information. The fifth indication information is used to indicate that the first network device is used as the secondary node of the terminal device, and the second indication information is used to indicate the configuration information of the timer. In step 805, the second network device also indicates the resource configuration information of the first SSB to the terminal device.

[0202] In the example of Figure 8, the fifth indication information, the second indication information, and the resource configuration information of the first SSB are carried in the same signaling, for example, in the RRC connection reconfiguration signaling. In other examples, the fifth indication information, the second indication information, and the resource configuration information of the first SSB may also be carried in different signalings.

[0203] Optionally, after step 804, the terminal device further sends confirmation information or reconfiguration completion information to the second network device, informing the terminal device that it has received the content in step 804. Optionally, after receiving this information from the terminal device, the second network device may further send confirmation information or secondary node addition completion information to the first network device, informing the first network device that the terminal device has recognized the first network device as a secondary node of the terminal device.

[0204] Step 805a: After receiving the content of step 805 or when receiving the content of step 805, the terminal device starts a timer, and the timer counts based on the configuration information.

[0205] Step 806a: When the first network device determines that the timer has ended (i.e., the starting time point for sending the first SSB has been reached), it starts sending the first SSB to the terminal device based on the resource configuration information of the first SSB.

[0206] Step 806b: When the terminal device determines that the timer has ended (i.e., reaches the starting receiving time point for receiving the first SSB), it starts to receive the first SSB from the first network device based on the resource configuration information of the first SSB.

[0207] Step 807: The terminal device performs an initial access process to the first network device based on the first SSB.

[0208] Step 808: The terminal device sends fourth indication information to the first network device, and accordingly, the first network device receives the fourth indication information from the terminal device; the fourth indication information is used to instruct the first network device to send a second SSB.

[0209] Step 809: After receiving the fourth indication information, the first network device sends a second SSB, and accordingly, the terminal device receives the second SSB.

[0210] It is understandable that in order to implement the functions in the above embodiments, the terminal devices and network devices 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 each example 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 hardware or in a manner driven by computer software depends on the specific application scenario and design constraints of the technical solution.

[0211] Figures 9 and 10 are schematic diagrams of the structures of possible communication devices provided in the embodiments of the present application. These communication devices can be used to implement the functions of the terminal device and the network device in the above method embodiments, and thus can also achieve the beneficial effects possessed by the above method embodiments. In the embodiments of the present application, the communication device can be a terminal device as shown in Figure 1, or a network device as shown in Figure 1 (for example, a first network device, a second network device), or a module (such as a chip) applied to a terminal device or a network device.

[0212] As shown in FIG. 9 , the communication device 900 includes a processing unit 910 and a transceiver unit 920 .

[0213] For example, the communication device 900 is used to implement the functions of the terminal device, the first network device, or the second network device in the method embodiments shown in Figures 3, 5, 6, and 8. The transceiver unit 920 can perform the receiving and sending actions performed by the terminal device, the first network device, or the second network device in the method embodiments described above. The processing unit 910 can perform other actions other than the sending and receiving actions performed by the terminal device, the first network device, or the second network device in the method embodiments described above.

[0214] Exemplarily, when the communication device 900 is used to implement the functions of the terminal device in the method embodiment shown in Figure 3, the transceiver unit 920 is used to receive the fifth indication information and the first SSB, and the processing unit 910 is used to parse the fifth indication information.

[0215] Exemplarily, when the communication device 900 is used to implement the function of the first network device in the method embodiment shown in Figure 3, the transceiver unit 920 is used to receive the first indication information and send the first SSB. The processing unit 910 is used to parse the first indication information and switch from the first state to the second state.

[0216] Exemplarily, when the communication device 900 is used to implement the function of the second network device in the method embodiment shown in Figure 3, the transceiver unit 920 is used to send the first indication information and the fifth indication information. The processing unit 910 is used to generate the first indication information and the fifth indication information.

[0217] A more detailed description of the processing unit 910 and the transceiver unit 920 can be directly obtained by referring to the relevant descriptions of the method embodiments shown in Figures 3, 5, 6 and 8, and will not be repeated here. The processing unit 910 can be implemented by a processor, and the transceiver unit 920 can be implemented by a transceiver.

[0218] As shown in Figure 10, communication device 1000 includes a processor 1010 and an interface circuit 1020. Processor 1010 and interface circuit 1020 are coupled to each other. It is understood that interface circuit 1020 can be a transceiver or an input / output interface. Optionally, communication device 1000 may also include a memory 1030 for storing instructions executed by processor 1010, or storing input data required by processor 1010 to execute instructions, or storing data generated after processor 1010 executes instructions. Sometimes, interface circuit 1020 can also be understood as part of processor 1010, in which case communication device 1000 includes processor 1010.

[0219] When the communication device 1000 is used to implement the methods shown in Figures 3, 5, 6 and 8 above, the processor 1010 is used to implement the functions of the processing unit 910 above, and the interface circuit 1020 is used to implement the functions of the transceiver unit 920 above.

[0220] When the above-mentioned communication device is a chip applied to a terminal device, the terminal device chip implements the functions of the terminal device in the above-mentioned method embodiment. When the terminal device chip receives information from the network device, it can be understood that the information is first received by other modules in the terminal device (such as a radio frequency module or antenna) and then sent to the terminal device chip by these modules. When the terminal device chip sends information to the network device, it can be understood that the information is first sent to other modules in the terminal device (such as a radio frequency module or antenna) and then sent to the network device by these modules.

[0221] When the above-mentioned communication device is a chip applied to a network device, the network device chip implements the functions of the network device in the above-mentioned method embodiment. The network device chip receives information from the terminal device, which can be understood as the information being first received by other modules in the network device (such as a radio frequency module or antenna) and then sent to the network device chip by these modules. The network device chip sends information to the terminal device, which can be understood as the information being sent to other modules in the network device (such as a radio frequency module or antenna) and then sent to the terminal device by these modules. The network device module here can be a baseband chip of the network device, or it can be a DU or other module. The DU here can be a DU under the open radio access network O-RAN architecture.

[0222] In the present application, when entity A sends information to entity B, it can be that A sends it directly to B, or that A sends it to B indirectly through other entities. Similarly, when entity B receives information from entity A, it can be that entity B directly receives the information sent by entity A, or that entity B indirectly receives the information sent by entity A through other entities. Entities A and B here can be network devices or terminal devices, or modules within a network device or modules within a terminal device. The sending and receiving of information can be information interaction between a network device and a terminal device, or information interaction between two network devices, such as information interaction between a CU and a DU; the sending and receiving of information can also be information interaction between different modules within a device, such as information interaction between a terminal device chip and other modules of the terminal device, or information interaction between a network device chip and other modules in the network device.

[0223] It is understood that the processor in the embodiments of the present application may be a central processing unit (CPU), or may be other general-purpose processors, digital signal processors (DSP), application-specific integrated circuits (ASIC), field programmable gate arrays (FPGA), or other programmable logic devices, transistor logic devices, hardware components, or any combination thereof. The general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor or any conventional processor.

[0224] The present application also provides a computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program, which, when executed by a computer, enables the computer to perform the above-mentioned communication method. In other words, the computer program includes instructions for implementing the above-mentioned communication.

[0225] An embodiment of the present application further provides a computer program product, including: computer program code, which, when executed on a computer, enables the computer to execute the communication method provided above.

[0226] An embodiment of the present application further provides a communication system, which includes: at least two of a first network device, a second network device, and a terminal device that execute the above-mentioned communication method.

[0227] The method steps in the embodiments of the present application can be implemented by hardware or by a processor executing software instructions. The software instructions can be composed of corresponding software modules, and the software modules can be stored in a random access memory, a flash memory, a read-only memory, a programmable read-only memory, an erasable programmable read-only memory, an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory, a register, a hard disk, a mobile hard disk, a compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM) (also known as a read-only optical disc) or any other form of storage medium well known in the art. An exemplary storage medium is coupled to the processor so that the processor can read information from the storage medium and write information to the storage medium. Of course, the storage medium can also be an integral part of the processor. The processor and the storage medium can be located in an ASIC. In addition, the ASIC can be located in a base station or a terminal. Of course, the processor and the storage medium can also be present in a base station or a terminal as discrete components.

[0228] The above embodiments can be implemented in whole or in part using software, hardware, firmware, or any combination thereof. When implemented using software, they can be implemented in whole or in part in the form of a computer program product. The computer program product includes one or more computer programs or instructions. When the computer programs or instructions are loaded and executed on a computer, the processes or functions described in the embodiments of this application are performed in whole or in part. The computer can be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network, a network device, a first control plane network element, a user equipment, or other programmable device. The computer program or instructions can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium or transferred from one computer-readable storage medium to another. For example, the computer program or instructions can be transferred from one website, computer, server, or data center to another website, computer, server, or data center via wired or wireless means. The computer-readable storage medium can be any available medium accessible by a computer or a data storage device such as a server or data center that integrates one or more available media. The available medium can be a magnetic medium, such as a floppy disk, hard disk, or magnetic tape; an optical medium, such as a digital video disk; or a semiconductor medium, such as a solid-state drive. The computer-readable storage medium may be a volatile or nonvolatile storage medium, or may include both volatile and nonvolatile types of storage media.

[0229] In the various embodiments of the present application, unless otherwise specified or there is a logical conflict, the terms and / or descriptions between different embodiments are consistent and can be referenced by each other. The technical features in different embodiments can be combined to form new embodiments according to their inherent logical relationships.

[0230] In the embodiments of the present application, the number of nouns, unless otherwise specified, means "singular noun or plural noun", that is, "one or more". "At least one" means one or more, and "plural" means two or more. "And / or" describes the association relationship of associated objects, indicating that there can be three relationships. 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 or B can be singular or plural. The character " / " generally indicates that the previous and next associated objects are in an "or" relationship. For example, A / B means: A or B. "At least one of the following items" or "one or more of them" and other similar expressions refer to any combination of these items, including any combination of single items or plural items. For example, at least one of a, b, or c, or one or more of a, b, or c, means: a, b, c, a and b, a and c, b and c, or a and b and c. Each of a, b, and c can be single or multiple.

[0231] The ordinal numbers "first" and "second" mentioned in the embodiments of this application are used to distinguish multiple objects and are not used to limit the size, content, order, timing, priority, or importance of multiple objects. Moreover, such names do not indicate differences in the content, sender / receiver, transmission order, size, application scenario, priority, or importance of the two pieces of information. In addition, the numbering of the steps in the various embodiments introduced in this application is only for distinguishing different steps and is not used to define the order of the steps.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that, Applied to a first network device, including: When the first network device is in a first state, receiving first indication information from a second network device; the second network device is the master node of a terminal device, and the first indication information is used to indicate using the first network device as the secondary node of the terminal device, and the first state is a state where the first network device is not allowed to perform data interaction with any terminal device and is not allowed to send synchronization signals and physical broadcast channel blocks (SSBs); Switching the first network device from the first state to a second state; the second state is a state where the first network device is allowed to perform data interaction with a terminal device and is allowed to send SSBs; Sending a first SSB to the terminal device, where the first SSB is used for the terminal device to initially access the first network device.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The sending the first SSB to the terminal device includes: When monitoring reaches the starting transmission time point, starting to send the first SSB to the terminal device; The method further includes: Sending second indication information to the terminal device through the second network device, where the second indication information is used to indicate the starting transmission time point, and the starting transmission time point is used for the terminal device to determine the starting reception time point for receiving the first SSB.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein, The second indication information is used to indicate the starting transmission time point specifically as: The second indication information is used to indicate the index of the starting transmission time point; or, The second indication information is used to indicate a time length, where the starting transmission time point is obtained by adding the time length to a first reference time point determined by the first network device.

4. The method according to claim 3, wherein The first reference time point is determined based on any one of the following: The time point of sending the second indication information, the time point of receiving the first indication information, the time point of indicating to the second network device to agree to use the first network device as the secondary node of the terminal device.

5. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The sending the first SSB to the terminal device includes: When monitoring reaches the starting transmission time point, starting to send the first SSB to the terminal device; The method further includes: Receiving third indication information from the second network device, where the third indication information is used to indicate the starting transmission time point.

6. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that, The third indication information is used to indicate the starting transmission time point specifically as: The third indication information is used to indicate the index of the first starting transmission time point; or, The third indication information is used to indicate a time length, where the starting transmission time point is obtained by adding the time length to a first reference time point determined by the first network device.

7. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that, The first reference time point is determined based on any one of the following: The time point of receiving the third indication information, the time point of receiving the first indication information, the time point of indicating to the second network device to agree to use the first network device as the secondary node of the terminal device.

8. The method according to any one of claims 1-7, characterized in that, The sending the first SSB to the terminal device includes: Sending the first SSB to the terminal device based on a first period; The method further includes: Receive fourth indication information from the terminal device; wherein, the fourth indication information is used to indicate the transmission of a second SSB based on a second period, and the second period is greater than the first period; Transmit the second SSB to the terminal device based on the second period.

9. A communication method, characterized in that, Applied to a second network device, including: Transmit first indication information to a first network device in a first state; wherein, the second network device is the master node of the terminal device, and the first indication information is used to indicate using the first network device as the secondary node of the terminal device, and the first state is a state where the first network device is not allowed to perform data interaction with any terminal device and is not allowed to transmit synchronization signals and physical broadcast channel blocks (SSBs); Transmit fifth indication information to the terminal device; wherein, the fifth indication information is used to indicate using the first network device as the secondary node of the terminal device.

10. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that, Further includes: Transmit second indication information from the first network device to the terminal device, and the second indication information is used to indicate the starting transmission time point for the first network device to transmit a first SSB, and the starting transmission time point is used for the terminal device to determine the starting reception time point for receiving the first SSB.

11. The method according to claim 10, wherein, The second indication information is used to indicate that the starting transmission time point specifically is: The second indication information is used to indicate the index of the starting transmission time point; or, The second indication information is used to indicate a time length, and the starting transmission time point is obtained by adding the time length to a first reference time point determined by the first network device.

12. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that, Further includes: Transmit third indication information to the first network device and transmit the third indication information to the terminal device, so that the terminal device determines the starting reception time point for receiving the first SSB according to the starting transmission time point.

13. The method according to claim 12, characterized in that, The third indication information is used to indicate that the starting transmission time point specifically is: The third indication information is used to indicate the index of the starting transmission time point; or, The third indication information is used to indicate a time length, and the starting transmission time point is obtained by adding the time length to a first reference time point determined by the first network device.

14. The method according to any one of claims 9 to 13, characterized in that, Before transmitting the first indication information to the first network device in the first state, further includes: Receive sixth indication information from the terminal device; wherein, the sixth indication information is used to indicate the service requirements of the terminal device; Determine that a secondary node needs to be added for the terminal device based on the service requirements.

15. A communication method, characterized in that, Applied to a terminal device, including: Receive fifth indication information from a second network device; wherein, the fifth indication information is used to indicate using a first network device as the secondary node of the terminal device, and the second network device is the master node of the terminal device; Receive seventh indication information from the second network device, and the seventh indication information is used to indicate the starting transmission time point for the first network device to transmit a first synchronization signal and physical broadcast channel block (SSB); When monitoring reaches the starting reception time point for receiving the first SSB, start receiving the first SSB from the first network device, where the first SSB is used by the terminal device to perform an initial access procedure to the first network device, and the starting reception time point is determined based on the starting transmission time point.

16. The method according to claim 15, characterized in that, The seventh indication information is used to indicate that the starting transmission time point is specifically: The seventh indication information is used to indicate the index of the starting transmission time point; or, The seventh indication information is used to indicate a time length, where the starting transmission time point is obtained by adding the time length to a first reference time point determined by the first network device.

17. The method according to claim 16, wherein When the seventh indication information is used to indicate the index of the starting transmission time point, the starting reception time point is determined by querying at least one preset corresponding relationship based on the index, and the at least one corresponding relationship includes the corresponding relationship between different indexes and different starting reception time points; When the seventh indication information is used to indicate the time length, the starting reception time point is determined by adding the time length to a second reference time point determined by the terminal device.

18. The method according to claim 17, wherein The second reference time point is determined based on any one of the following: The time point of receiving the fifth indication information, the time point of receiving the seventh indication information.

19. The method according to any one of claims 15-18, characterized in that, The receiving of the first SSB from the first network device includes: Receiving the first SSB from the first network device based on a first period; The method further includes: Sending fourth indication information to the first network device; where the fourth indication information is used to indicate that the first network device sends a second SSB based on a second period, and the second period is greater than the first period; Receiving the second SSB from the first network device based on the second period.

20. The method according to any one of claims 15-19, characterized in that, Before receiving the fifth indication information from the second network device, it further includes: Sending sixth indication information to the second network device, where the sixth indication information is used to indicate the service requirement of the terminal device, and the service requirement is used by the second network device to determine whether to add a secondary node for the terminal device.

21. A communication device, characterized in that, Includes a module for performing the method according to any one of claims 1-20.

22. A communication device, characterized in that, Includes a processor, and the processor is coupled to a memory; The memory is used to store computer programs or instructions; The processor is used to execute some or all of the computer programs or instructions in the memory, and when the some or all of the computer programs or instructions are executed, it is used to implement the method according to any one of claims 1-20.

23. A communication device, characterized in that, Includes a processor and a memory; The memory is used to store computer programs or instructions; The processor is used to execute some or all of the computer programs or instructions in the memory, and when the some or all of the computer programs or instructions are executed, it is used to implement the method according to any one of claims 1-20.

24. A communication device, characterized in that, It includes a processor and an interface circuit. The interface circuit is used to receive signals from other communication devices outside the communication device and transmit them to the processor, or send signals from the processor to other communication devices outside the communication device. The processor uses logic circuits or executes code instructions to implement the method according to any one of claims 1-20.

25. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, A computer program or instruction is stored in the storage medium. When the computer program or instruction is executed by the communication device, the method according to any one of claims 1-20 is implemented.

26. A computer program product, characterized in that, The computer program product includes: computer instructions. When the computer instructions run on a computer, the method according to any one of claims 1-20 is implemented.

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