Communication method and related apparatus

Abstract

Provided in the present application are a communication method and a related apparatus, which can be used in the technical field of communications. In the present application, a first communication apparatus can receive a first SSB from a second communication apparatus, the transmission frequency band of the first SSB being a first frequency band, the first SSB comprising one or more candidate SSBs in a first SSB pattern, and the first SSB pattern supporting coexistence of a first subcarrier spacing and a second subcarrier spacing. The first subcarrier spacing comprises at least one of subcarrier spacings corresponding to the first frequency band, and the first subcarrier spacing comprises the subcarrier spacing of the first SSB; the second subcarrier spacing comprises at least one of subcarrier spacings corresponding to a second frequency band, the second frequency band being lower than the first frequency band. In the method, at a position that is not used for SSB transmission, the second communication apparatus can use the first subcarrier spacing to transmit a control channel to the first communication apparatus, and can further use the second subcarrier spacing to transmit a control channel to a third communication apparatus, thereby helping to improve the receiving performance of the third communication apparatus.

Description

Communication methods and related devices

[0001] This application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 202410601487.2, filed on May 14, 2024, entitled "Communication Method and Related Apparatus", the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0002] This application relates to the field of communication technology, and in particular to a communication method and related apparatus. Background Technology

[0003] Millimeter wave bands are important for high-speed non-terrestrial network (NTN) communication. However, millimeter wave bands have relatively large spatial losses. Terminals for satellite communication are generally very small aperture (VSAT) terminals, large-scale phased arrays, and other terminals with strong receiving capabilities.

[0004] With the development of communication technology, there is a need for satellites to communicate with terminals with weak receiving capabilities, such as mobile phones. In this scenario, there may be situations where satellites communicate with terminals of varying receiving capabilities, i.e., scenarios where terminals with different receiving capabilities coexist. However, the existing communication standards do not support the Synchronization Signal and PBCH (SSB) block pattern corresponding to the millimeter-wave band for scenarios where satellites communicate with terminals of different receiving capabilities. Summary of the Invention

[0005] This application provides a communication method and related apparatus that enable a satellite to communicate with terminals with different receiving capabilities based on a first SSB pattern.

[0006] In a first aspect, this application provides a communication method applied in a first communication device. The method includes: receiving a first synchronization signal block (SSB) from a second communication device, wherein the transmission frequency band of the first SSB is a first frequency band, the first SSB includes one or more candidate SSBs in a first SSB pattern, the first SSB pattern supports the coexistence of a first subcarrier interval and a second subcarrier interval, the first subcarrier interval includes at least one subcarrier interval corresponding to the first frequency band, the first subcarrier interval includes the subcarrier interval of the first SSB, the second subcarrier interval includes at least one subcarrier interval corresponding to a second frequency band, the second frequency band being lower than the first frequency band; and determining the start and / or end position of the subframe or system frame in which the first SSB is located based on the first SSB.

[0007] In this method, the first communication device can be a terminal device, or a device within a terminal device (e.g., a chip, a chip system, or a circuit), or a logic module or software that implements all or part of the functions of the terminal device, or a device that can be used in conjunction with the terminal device. As an example, the terminal device can be a VSAT terminal, or a large-scale phased array or other terminal device with strong receiving capabilities.

[0008] The second communication device can be a network device as shown in Figure 1, or a device within that network device (e.g., a chip, a chip system, or a circuit), or a logic module or software that implements all or part of the functions of the network device, or a device that can be used in conjunction with the network device. As an example, the network device can be a satellite.

[0009] In one possible implementation, the subcarrier spacing corresponding to the first frequency band can be greater than or equal to the subcarrier spacing corresponding to the second frequency band.

[0010] In this method, the support for the coexistence of the first subcarrier interval and the second subcarrier interval in the first SSB pattern can be understood as follows: in the first SSB pattern, the positions not used for transmitting SSBs can be used to transmit control channels using both the first and second subcarrier intervals. Alternatively, in the first SSB pattern, the positions not occupied by candidate SSBs can be used to transmit control channels using both the first and second subcarrier intervals.

[0011] When the first SSB pattern supports the coexistence of the first subcarrier spacing and the second subcarrier spacing, the second communication device can transmit the first SSB in the first frequency band. Additionally, in locations not used for SSB transmission, the second communication device can use the first subcarrier spacing to transmit a control channel to the first communication device, and can use the second subcarrier spacing to transmit a control channel to a third communication device, thereby communicating with both the first and third communication devices. The third communication device can be a terminal with poor signal reception capabilities, such as a mobile phone terminal.

[0012] In this method, the second communication device can communicate with the first communication device in the first frequency band using a first subcarrier spacing, and can also communicate with the third communication device in the first frequency band using a second subcarrier spacing. That is, the first SSB pattern supports communication between the second communication device and terminals with different capabilities. Furthermore, because the second subcarrier spacing is smaller, the bandwidth for communication with the third communication device is smaller, and the signal power on each subcarrier corresponding to the second subcarrier spacing is stronger. This increases the power of the signals received by the third communication device, thereby improving its receiving performance.

[0013] In some possible implementations, the candidate SSB in the first SSB pattern does not occupy the first position. The first position includes the position of the first symbol and the second symbol in each time slot corresponding to each subcarrier interval in the first and second subcarrier intervals. The first symbol includes the symbol used for transmitting the physical downlink control channel PDCCH in each time slot, and the second symbol includes the symbol used for transmitting the physical uplink control channel PUCCH in each time slot.

[0014] Alternatively, a candidate SSB in the first SSB pattern can occupy a second position, which is the position of all or part of the symbols in the third symbol in each time slot corresponding to each subcarrier interval in the first and second subcarrier intervals. The third symbol does not include the symbols used to transmit PDCCH and PUCCH in each time slot, that is, the third symbol does not include the first and second symbols in each time slot.

[0015] As an example, each time slot can contain 14 symbols. The first symbol in each time slot can be the first two symbols in each time slot, that is, the symbols numbered 0 and 1 in each time slot, or the first and second symbols in each time slot. The second symbol in each time slot can be the last two symbols in each time slot, that is, the symbols numbered 12 and 13 in each time slot, or the thirteenth and fourteenth symbols in each time slot.

[0016] Correspondingly, the third symbol in each time slot can be any symbol other than the first two and last two symbols in each time slot, that is, the symbols numbered 2 to 11 in each time slot, or the third to twelfth symbols in each time slot.

[0017] This implementation is applicable to Time Division Duplex (TDD) mode. In TDD mode, the symbols used for transmitting PDCCH and PUCCH in each time slot corresponding to each subcarrier interval in the first and second subcarrier intervals can be freed from SSB occupation. This allows PDCCH and PUCCH to be transmitted in each time slot, facilitating the transmission of PDCCH and PUCCH between the second communication device and the first communication device using the first subcarrier interval, and also facilitating the transmission of PDCCH and PUCCH between the second communication device and the third communication device using the second subcarrier interval.

[0018] In some possible implementations, the candidate SSB in the first SSB pattern does not occupy the first position, which includes the position of the first symbol in each time slot corresponding to each of the first and second subcarrier intervals, and the first symbol includes the symbol used for transmitting the physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) in each time slot.

[0019] Alternatively, the candidate SSB in the first SSB pattern can occupy the second position, which is the position of all or part of the symbols in the fourth symbol in each time slot corresponding to each subcarrier interval in the first and second subcarrier intervals. The fourth symbol does not include the symbol used for transmitting PDCCH in each time slot, that is, the fourth symbol does not include the first symbol in each time slot.

[0020] As an example, each time slot can contain 14 symbols, and the first symbol in each time slot can be the first two symbols in each time slot, that is, the symbols numbered 0 and 1 in each time slot, or the first and second symbols in each time slot.

[0021] Correspondingly, the fourth symbol in each time slot can be any symbol other than the first two symbols in each time slot, that is, the symbols numbered 2 to 13 in each time slot, or the third to fourteenth symbols in each time slot.

[0022] This implementation is applicable to Frequency Division Duplex (FDD) mode. In FDD mode, the downlink frames sent by the second communication device to the first communication device do not contain PUCCH, and the last two symbols in each time slot can also be occupied by SSBs. This allows more SSBs to be transmitted per time slot, increasing the number of SSBs in the SSB set. On the one hand, the more SSBs there are, the more beams the base station can scan, which helps ensure full-area coverage. On the other hand, the more SSBs transmitted per time slot, the fewer time slots are needed to transmit SSBs. Thus, when the number of SSBs is sufficient, SSBs can be omitted, saving transmission overhead.

[0023] In some possible implementations, the subcarrier spacing corresponding to the second frequency band is less than or equal to the subcarrier spacing corresponding to the first frequency band.

[0024] In this implementation, if the subcarrier spacing corresponding to the second frequency band is less than or equal to the subcarrier spacing corresponding to the first frequency band, then the second subcarrier spacing can be less than the first subcarrier spacing. When the second communication device uses the second subcarrier spacing to communicate with the third communication device, the power of the signal received by these third communication devices can be increased, thereby improving the receiving performance of the third communication device.

[0025] In some possible implementations, the first frequency band is the FR2 band and the second frequency band is the FR1 band.

[0026] In this implementation, the second communication device can transmit the first SSB in the FR2 band. Additionally, in locations not used for SSB transmission, the second communication device can communicate with the first communication device in the FR2 band using a first subcarrier spacing, and can also communicate with the third communication device in the FR2 band using a second subcarrier spacing. Because the second subcarrier spacing is smaller, the bandwidth for communication with the third communication device is smaller, and the signal power on each subcarrier corresponding to the second subcarrier spacing is stronger. This increases the power of the signals received by the third communication device, thereby improving its receiving performance.

[0027] In some possible implementations, the first subcarrier spacing includes one or more of the following: 60 kHz, 120 kHz, 240 kHz, 480 kHz, or 960 kHz.

[0028] In this implementation, the first subcarrier spacing includes at least one of the subcarrier spacings corresponding to the FR2 frequency band, and the second subcarrier spacing can be less than at least one of the subcarrier spacings corresponding to the FR2 frequency band.

[0029] In this way, the second communication device can transmit the first SSB in the FR2 band. Furthermore, in locations not used for SSB transmission, the second communication device can communicate with the first communication device in the FR2 band using at least one of the subcarrier intervals corresponding to the FR2 band, and can also communicate with the third communication device in the FR2 band using the second subcarrier interval. Further, since the second subcarrier interval is smaller, the bandwidth for communication with the third communication device is smaller, and the signal power on each subcarrier corresponding to the second subcarrier interval is stronger. This increases the power of the signals received by the third communication device, thereby improving its receiving performance.

[0030] In some possible implementations, the second subcarrier spacing includes one or more of the following: 15 kHz, 30 kHz, or 60 kHz.

[0031] In this implementation, the second subcarrier spacing includes at least one of the subcarrier spacings corresponding to the FR1 frequency band.

[0032] In this way, the second communication device can transmit the first SSB in the FR2 band. Furthermore, in locations not used for SSB transmission, the second communication device can communicate with the first communication device in the FR2 band using at least one of the subcarrier intervals corresponding to the FR2 band, and can communicate with the third communication device in the FR2 band using at least one of the subcarrier intervals corresponding to the FR1 band. Further, since the second subcarrier interval is smaller, the bandwidth for communication with the third communication device is smaller, and the signal power on each subcarrier corresponding to the second subcarrier interval is stronger. This increases the power of the signals received by the third communication device, thereby improving its receiving performance.

[0033] In some possible implementations, the method further includes: obtaining first information, the first information indicating that the SSB pattern to which the first SSB belongs is the first SSB pattern.

[0034] Optionally, the first communication device may obtain the first information from the second communication device. For example, the second communication device may send the first information to the first communication device, and the first communication device may receive the first information.

[0035] Optionally, the first SSB pattern may contain one or more SSB patterns. When the first SSB pattern contains multiple SSB patterns, the first information here indicates which of these multiple SSB patterns the first SSB belongs to. This can be understood as: the first information indicates which of these multiple SSB patterns the first SSB belongs to.

[0036] In this implementation, the first communication device can determine the SSB pattern to which the first SSB belongs based on the first information, and determine the start and / or end position of the subframe or system frame in which the first SSB is located based on the SSB pattern. Thus, the first communication device can determine the corresponding time-frequency resources based on the start and / or end position of the subframe or system frame in which the first SSB is located, and then communicate with the second communication device based on the corresponding time-frequency resources.

[0037] In this implementation, since multiple SSB patterns can be included, and multiple first SSB patterns can also be included, the first information indicates the SSB pattern to which the first SSB pattern belongs. This allows the first communication device to determine which of the multiple SSB patterns or which of the multiple first SSB patterns the first SSB belongs to based on the first information, thus avoiding confusion and ensuring the accuracy of the first communication device in determining the corresponding time and frequency resources.

[0038] In some possible implementations, obtaining the first information includes: obtaining the first information based on the Physical Broadcast Channel (PBCH) payload; or, obtaining the first information based on a blind detection first signal, wherein the first signal is a demodulation reference signal (DMRS) or a master synchronization signal (PSS), and the first signal is generated based on at least one of the following: an index of the SSB pattern, an identifier of the SSB pattern, or a type of the SSB pattern.

[0039] As an example, the PBCH payload may include a reserved bit, through which initial information can be indicated. This reserved bit may contain one bit, and its value can be either 0 or 1; different values ​​indicate different SSB patterns.

[0040] In this example, the first information is indicated by reserved bits in the PBCH payload, which avoids the need to add new bits to the PBCH payload and thus avoids increasing transmission overhead.

[0041] As another example, one or more bits can be added to the PBCH payload. These bits, referred to as newly added bits, can indicate initial information. Each of these newly added bits can have a value of either 0 or 1.

[0042] The SSB pattern indicated will be different when the value of the newly added bit is different.

[0043] In this example, the number of bits included in the newly added bit can be determined based on the number of SSB patterns, so that the newly added bit can be used to indicate all SSB patterns, avoiding the situation where SSB patterns cannot be distinguished when there are not enough bits.

[0044] As another example, the first information can also be indicated by multiplexing the first bit in the PBCH payload. This first bit can be any bit in the PBCH payload other than reserved bits. Optionally, the first bit can contain one or more bits, and each bit in the first bit can have a value of 0 or 1.

[0045] The SSB pattern indicated will be different depending on the value of the first bit.

[0046] In this example, the first bit in the PBCH payload is reused to indicate the first information, so that no additional bits need to be added to the PBCH payload, thus avoiding increased transmission overhead.

[0047] Optionally, the first signal can be the demodulation reference signal (DMRS) or the PSS signal in the PBCH.

[0048] As an example, when the first signal is DMRS, the DMRS sent by the second communication device to the first communication device can be generated based on at least one of the following: the index of the SSB pattern, the identifier of the SSB pattern, or the type of the SSB pattern.

[0049] In this example, different SSB patterns correspond to different DMRS.

[0050] As another example, when the first signal is a PSS, the PSS sent by the second communication device to the first communication device can be generated based on at least one of the following: the index of the SSB pattern, the identifier of the SSB pattern, or the type of the SSB pattern.

[0051] In this example, different SSB patterns correspond to different PSSs.

[0052] In this implementation, the first information is indicated by the first signal, which eliminates the need to add new bits to the PBCH payload for indication, thereby avoiding increased transmission overhead.

[0053] In some possible implementations, obtaining the first information includes: obtaining second information, the second information indicating the type of the second communication device, the type of the second communication device including terrestrial network TN devices and non-terrestrial network NTN devices; and obtaining the first information based on the type of the second communication device.

[0054] In this implementation, the first communication device can obtain second information from the second communication device. For example, the second communication device can send the second information to the first communication device, and the first communication device receives the second information.

[0055] In this implementation, the type of the second communication device can correspond to the first association relationship. The first association relationship can be the association between frequency band, subcarrier spacing, and the first SSB pattern.

[0056] Optionally, the number of first associations can be multiple, and the first associations corresponding to different types of second communication devices are different.

[0057] Optionally, the number of first SSB patterns can be multiple, and the first SSB patterns corresponding to different first associations are also different.

[0058] In this implementation, when the second communication device sends a first SSB to the first communication device, it can also send second information to the first communication device. Upon receiving the second information, the first communication device can determine the type of the second communication device based on the second information, then determine the first association relationship corresponding to the type of the second communication device, and finally determine the first SSB pattern corresponding to the first association relationship.

[0059] In this implementation, the first communication device can determine the SSB pattern to which the first SSB belongs based on the second information, and determine the start and / or end position of the subframe or system frame where the first SSB is located based on the SSB pattern, thereby determining the corresponding time and frequency resources, and then communicating with the second communication device based on the corresponding time and frequency resources.

[0060] In this implementation, since multiple SSB patterns can be included, and multiple first SSB patterns can also be included, the first information is obtained through the second information, so that the first communication device can determine which of the multiple SSB patterns or which of the multiple first SSB patterns the first SSB belongs to based on the second information, thus avoiding confusion and ensuring the accuracy of the first communication device in determining the corresponding time and frequency resources.

[0061] In some possible implementations, when the second communication device is an NTN device, the acquisition of the first information further includes: acquiring third information, the third information indicating the orbital height of the second communication device; and acquiring the first information based on the orbital height of the second communication device.

[0062] In this implementation, the first communication device can obtain third information from the second communication device. For example, the second communication device can send the third information to the first communication device, and the first communication device receives the third information.

[0063] In this implementation, the orbital altitude of the second communication device can correspond to a first correlation. This first correlation can be a relationship between frequency band, subcarrier spacing, and a first SSB pattern.

[0064] Optionally, the number of first associations can be multiple, and the first associations corresponding to the second communication devices at different orbital altitudes are different.

[0065] Optionally, the number of first SSB patterns can be multiple, and the first SSB patterns corresponding to different first associations are also different.

[0066] In this implementation, the first communication device can determine the SSB pattern to which the first SSB belongs based on the third information, and determine the start and / or end position of the subframe or system frame where the first SSB is located based on the SSB pattern, thereby determining the corresponding time and frequency resources, and then communicating with the second communication device based on the corresponding time and frequency resources.

[0067] In this implementation, since multiple SSB patterns can be included, and multiple first SSB patterns can also be included, the first information is obtained through the third information, so that the first communication device can determine which of the multiple SSB patterns or which of the multiple first SSB patterns the first SSB belongs to based on the third information, thus avoiding confusion and ensuring the accuracy of the first communication device in determining the corresponding time and frequency resources.

[0068] Secondly, this application provides a communication method applied in a second communication device. The method may include: determining a first synchronization signal block (SSB); transmitting the first SSB, wherein the transmission frequency band of the first SSB is a first frequency band, the first SSB includes one or more candidate SSBs in a first SSB pattern, the first SSB pattern supports the coexistence of a first subcarrier spacing and a second subcarrier spacing, the first subcarrier spacing includes at least one subcarrier spacing corresponding to the first frequency band, the first subcarrier spacing includes the subcarrier spacing of the first SSB, the second subcarrier spacing includes at least one subcarrier spacing corresponding to a second frequency band, and the second frequency band is lower than the first frequency band.

[0069] In some possible implementations, the candidate SSB in the first SSB pattern does not occupy the first position. The first position includes the position of the first symbol and the second symbol in each time slot corresponding to each subcarrier interval in the first and second subcarrier intervals. The first symbol includes the symbol used for transmitting the physical downlink control channel PDCCH in each time slot, and the second symbol includes the symbol used for transmitting the physical uplink control channel PUCCH in each time slot.

[0070] In some possible implementations, the candidate SSB in the first SSB pattern does not occupy the first position, which includes the position of the first symbol in each time slot corresponding to each of the first and second subcarrier intervals, and the first symbol includes the symbol used for transmitting the physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) in each time slot.

[0071] In some possible implementations, the subcarrier spacing corresponding to the second frequency band is less than or equal to the subcarrier spacing corresponding to the first frequency band.

[0072] In some possible implementations, the first frequency band is the FR2 band and the second frequency band is the FR1 band.

[0073] In some possible implementations, the first subcarrier spacing includes one or more of the following: 60 kHz, 120 kHz, 240 kHz, 480 kHz, or 960 kHz.

[0074] In some possible implementations, the second subcarrier spacing includes one or more of the following: 15 kHz, 30 kHz, or 60 kHz.

[0075] In some possible implementations, the method further includes: sending first information, the first information indicating that the SSB pattern to which the first SSB belongs is the first SSB pattern.

[0076] In some possible implementations, the first information is carried in the Physical Broadcast Channel (PBCH) payload or in a first signal, which is a demodulation reference signal (DMRS) or a master synchronization signal (PSS), and is generated based on at least one of the following: an index of the SSB pattern, an identifier of the SSB pattern, or the type of the SSB pattern.

[0077] In some possible implementations, the method further includes: sending second information indicating the type of the second communication device, the type of which includes terrestrial network (TN) devices and non-terrestrial network (NTN) devices.

[0078] In some possible implementations, the method further includes sending third information indicating the orbital altitude of the second communication device.

[0079] Thirdly, this application provides a communication device that can be used with the first communication device of the first aspect. This communication device can be a terminal device, or a device within a terminal device (e.g., a chip, chip system, or circuit), or a logic module or software capable of implementing all or part of the functions of the terminal device, or a device compatible with the terminal device. One possible implementation includes modules or units for implementing the methods of the first aspect and any possible implementation of the first aspect. For example, it may include modules or units corresponding to each of the methods / operations / steps / actions described in the first aspect. These modules or units can be hardware circuits, software, or a combination of hardware circuits and software. Optionally, each module or unit can implement its corresponding function by executing a computer program.

[0080] As an example, the communication device may include a receiving module and a processing module.

[0081] The receiving module can be used to receive a first synchronization signal block (SSB) from a second communication device. The transmission frequency band of the first SSB is a first frequency band. The first SSB includes one or more candidate SSBs in a first SSB pattern. The first SSB pattern supports the coexistence of a first subcarrier interval and a second subcarrier interval. The first subcarrier interval includes at least one of the subcarrier intervals corresponding to the first frequency band. The first subcarrier interval includes the subcarrier interval of the first SSB. The second subcarrier interval includes at least one of the subcarrier intervals corresponding to a second frequency band. The second frequency band is lower than the first frequency band.

[0082] The processing module can be used to determine the start and / or end position of the subframe or system frame in which the first SSB is located based on the first SSB.

[0083] In some possible implementations, the candidate SSB in the first SSB pattern does not occupy the first position. The first position includes the position of the first symbol and the second symbol in each time slot corresponding to each subcarrier interval in the first and second subcarrier intervals. The first symbol includes the symbol used for transmitting the physical downlink control channel PDCCH in each time slot, and the second symbol includes the symbol used for transmitting the physical uplink control channel PUCCH in each time slot.

[0084] In some possible implementations, the candidate SSB in the first SSB pattern does not occupy the first position, which includes the position of the first symbol in each time slot corresponding to each of the first and second subcarrier intervals, and the first symbol includes the symbol used for transmitting the physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) in each time slot.

[0085] In some possible implementations, the subcarrier spacing corresponding to the second frequency band is less than or equal to the subcarrier spacing corresponding to the first frequency band.

[0086] In some possible implementations, the first frequency band is the FR2 band and the second frequency band is the FR1 band.

[0087] In some possible implementations, the first subcarrier spacing includes one or more of the following: 60 kHz, 120 kHz, 240 kHz, 480 kHz, or 960 kHz.

[0088] In some possible implementations, the second subcarrier spacing includes one or more of the following: 15 kHz, 30 kHz, or 60 kHz.

[0089] In some possible implementations, the receiving module can be used to acquire first information, which indicates that the SSB pattern to which the first SSB belongs is the first SSB pattern.

[0090] In some possible implementations, when the receiving module acquires the first information, it can be specifically used for:

[0091] The first information is obtained based on the Physical Broadcast Channel (PBCH) payload.

[0092] Alternatively, the first information may be obtained based on a blind detection of a first signal, wherein the first signal is a demodulation reference signal DMRS or a master synchronization signal PSS, and the first signal is generated based on at least one of the following: the index of the SSB pattern, the identifier of the SSB pattern, or the type of the SSB pattern.

[0093] In some possible implementations, when the receiving module acquires the first information, it may specifically be used to: acquire second information, the second information indicating the type of the second communication device, the type of the second communication device including terrestrial network TN devices and non-terrestrial network NTN devices; and acquire the first information based on the type of the second communication device.

[0094] In some possible implementations, when the second communication device is an NTN device, the receiving module, when acquiring the first information, may specifically be used to: acquire third information, the third information indicating the orbital height of the second communication device; and acquire the first information based on the orbital height of the second communication device.

[0095] Fourthly, this application provides a communication device that can be used in the second communication device of the second aspect. This communication device can be a network device, or a device within a network device (e.g., a chip, chip system, or circuit), or a logic module or software capable of implementing all or part of the functions of the network device, or a device compatible with the network device. One possible implementation includes modules or units for implementing the methods of the second aspect and any possible implementation of the second aspect. For example, it may include modules or units corresponding to each of the methods / operations / steps / actions described in the second aspect. These modules or units can be hardware circuits, software, or a combination of hardware circuits and software. Optionally, each module or unit can implement its corresponding function by executing a computer program.

[0096] As an example, the communication device may include a processing module and a transmitting module.

[0097] The processing module can be used to determine the first synchronization signal block (SSB).

[0098] The transmitting module can be used to transmit a first SSB, the transmission frequency band of the first SSB is a first frequency band, the first SSB includes one or more candidate SSBs in a first SSB pattern, the first SSB pattern supports the coexistence of a first subcarrier spacing and a second subcarrier spacing, the first subcarrier spacing includes at least one of the subcarrier spacings corresponding to the first frequency band, the first subcarrier spacing includes the subcarrier spacing of the first SSB, the second subcarrier spacing includes at least one of the subcarrier spacings corresponding to a second frequency band, and the second frequency band is lower than the first frequency band.

[0099] In some possible implementations, the candidate SSB in the first SSB pattern does not occupy the first position. The first position includes the position of the first symbol and the second symbol in each time slot corresponding to each subcarrier interval in the first and second subcarrier intervals. The first symbol includes the symbol used for transmitting the physical downlink control channel PDCCH in each time slot, and the second symbol includes the symbol used for transmitting the physical uplink control channel PUCCH in each time slot.

[0100] In some possible implementations, the candidate SSB in the first SSB pattern does not occupy the first position, which includes the position of the first symbol in each time slot corresponding to each of the first and second subcarrier intervals, and the first symbol includes the symbol used for transmitting the physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) in each time slot.

[0101] In some possible implementations, the subcarrier spacing corresponding to the second frequency band is less than or equal to the subcarrier spacing corresponding to the first frequency band.

[0102] In some possible implementations, the first frequency band is the FR2 band and the second frequency band is the FR1 band.

[0103] In some possible implementations, the first subcarrier spacing includes one or more of the following: 60 kHz, 120 kHz, 240 kHz, 480 kHz, or 960 kHz.

[0104] In some possible implementations, the second subcarrier spacing includes one or more of the following: 15 kHz, 30 kHz, or 60 kHz.

[0105] In some possible implementations, the sending module is further configured to send first information, the first information indicating that the SSB pattern to which the first SSB belongs is the first SSB pattern.

[0106] In some possible implementations, the first information is carried in the Physical Broadcast Channel (PBCH) payload or in a first signal, which is a demodulation reference signal (DMRS) or a master synchronization signal (PSS), and is generated based on at least one of the following: an index of the SSB pattern, an identifier of the SSB pattern, or the type of the SSB pattern.

[0107] In some possible implementations, the sending module is also used to send second information indicating the type of the second communication device, which includes terrestrial network (TN) devices and non-terrestrial network (NTN) devices.

[0108] In some possible implementations, the transmitting module is also used to transmit third information indicating the orbital altitude of the second communication device.

[0109] Fifthly, this application provides a communication device including a processor for executing a computer program (or computer-executable instructions) stored in a memory, and / or causing the device to perform methods as described in either the first or second aspect and any possible implementation thereof via logic circuitry.

[0110] In one possible implementation, the device also includes a memory.

[0111] In one possible implementation, the processor and memory are integrated together.

[0112] In another possible implementation, the aforementioned memory is located outside the communication device.

[0113] In one possible implementation, the communication device further includes a communication interface for communicating with other devices, such as transmitting or receiving data and / or signals. Exemplarily, the communication interface may be a transceiver, circuit, bus, module, or other type of communication interface.

[0114] In a sixth aspect, this application provides a computer-readable storage medium that stores a computer program or instructions for execution by a communication device, which, when executed on the communication device, cause the method described in either the first aspect or the second aspect and any possible implementation thereof to be implemented.

[0115] In a seventh aspect, this application provides a computer program product containing instructions that, when the computer program product is run on a communication device, cause the method described in either the first aspect or the second aspect and any possible implementation thereof to be implemented.

[0116] Eighthly, this application provides a communication system comprising a first communication device and a second communication device. The first communication device is configured to execute the method described in the first aspect and any possible implementation thereof, and the second communication device is configured to execute the method described in the second aspect and any possible implementation thereof.

[0117] It is understandable that the effects achievable in aspects two through eight can be referred to the description in aspect one, and will not be repeated here. Attached Figure Description

[0118] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the communication system applicable to the embodiments of this application;

[0119] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of a non-terrestrial communication NTN network architecture;

[0120] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of another NTN network architecture;

[0121] Figure 4 is a schematic flowchart of a communication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0122] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of a first SSB pattern provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0123] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of a first SSB pattern provided in another embodiment of this application;

[0124] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of the first SSB pattern provided in yet another embodiment of this application;

[0125] Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of the first SSB pattern provided in yet another embodiment of this application;

[0126] Figure 9 is a schematic diagram of a first SSB pattern provided in yet another embodiment of this application;

[0127] Figure 10 is a schematic diagram showing the correspondence between the type of the second communication device and the first association relationship provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0128] Figure 11 is a schematic diagram showing the correspondence between the track height of the second communication device and the first association relationship provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0129] Figure 12 is a schematic diagram showing the correspondence between the first SSB pattern and the frequency band and subcarrier spacing provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0130] Figure 13 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0131] Figure 14 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device provided in another embodiment of this application;

[0132] Figure 15 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device provided in another embodiment of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0133] The technical solutions in the embodiments of this application will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0134] To facilitate a clear description of the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application, the terms "first" and "second" are used in the embodiments of this application to distinguish identical or similar items with essentially the same function and effect. For example, "first information" and "second information" are only used to distinguish different information and do not limit their order. Those skilled in the art will understand that the terms "first" and "second" do not limit the quantity or execution order, and the terms "first" and "second" are not necessarily different.

[0135] In this application embodiment, "at least one" refers to one or more, and "more than one" refers to two or more. "And / or" describes the relationship between related objects, indicating that three relationships can exist. For example, A and / or B can represent: A alone, A and B simultaneously, or B alone, where A and B can be singular or plural. The character " / " generally indicates that the preceding and following related objects are in an "or" relationship. "At least one of the following" or similar expressions refer to any combination of these items, including any combination of single or plural items. For example, at least one of a, b and / or c can represent: a, b, c; a and b; a and c; b and c; or a and b and c. Here, a, b, and c can be single or multiple.

[0136] The technical solutions of this application can be applied to 5th generation (5G) communication systems, such as 5G New Radio (NR) communication systems, or to various communication systems evolving after 5G. The methods provided in the embodiments of this application can also be applied to wireless WiFi systems, long-range Internet of Things (LoRa) systems, or vehicle-to-everything (V2X) systems. The methods provided in the embodiments of this application can also be applied to satellite communication systems, or non-terrestrial networks (NTN) communication systems. The satellite communication system can be integrated with the above-mentioned communication systems, and this application does not limit this integration.

[0137] The embodiments of this application will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0138] To facilitate understanding of the embodiments of this application, a communication system applicable to the embodiments of this application will first be described with reference to FIG1. ​​As shown in FIG1, the communication system includes a wireless access network 100. The wireless access network 100 may include at least one network device (FIG. 110a, 110b and 110c in FIG1), and may also include at least one terminal (FIG. 120a to 120g in FIG1).

[0139] The communication system includes, but is not limited to, three major application scenarios: narrow band-internet of things (NB-IoT), long term evolution (LTE), and 5G mobile communication system; enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB); ultra-reliable low latency communications (URLLC); and enhanced machine-type communication (eMTC).

[0140] In this communication system, network devices may include wireless access network (RAN) devices and core network devices. Terminals can connect to RAN devices wirelessly, and RAN devices can connect to core network devices wirelessly or via wired connections. Core network devices and RAN devices can be independent physical devices, or the functions of core network devices and the logical functions of RAN devices can be integrated into a single physical device. Alternatively, a single physical device can integrate some core network device functions and some RAN device functions. Terminals and RAN devices can be interconnected via wired or wireless connections. Figure 1 is only a schematic diagram; this communication system may also include other network devices, such as wireless relay devices and wireless backhaul devices, which are not shown in Figure 1.

[0141] Wireless access network equipment can be devices with wireless transceiver capabilities. This equipment can provide wireless communication services and is typically located on the network side, including but not limited to: next-generation base stations (gNodeB, gNB) in 5G communication systems, base stations in future mobile communication systems, or access nodes in WiFi systems; evolved node Bs (eNBs), radio network controllers (RNCs), home base stations (e.g., home evolved NodeBs, or home Node Bs, HNBs), base band units (BBUs), transmission reception points (TRPs), and transmitting points (TPs) in long-term evolution (LTE) systems.

[0142] Wireless access network equipment provides services to a cell. User equipment communicates with the base station through the transmission resources used by the cell. The cell can be the cell corresponding to the base station. The cell can belong to a macro base station or the base station corresponding to a small cell. The small cell can include: metro cell, micro cell, pico cell, femto cell, etc.

[0143] Wireless access network equipment can also function as a base station in device-to-device (D2D) communication, vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication, drone communication, and machine-to-machine (M2M) communication. Optionally, wireless access network equipment can be a satellite, a macro base station, a micro base station, an indoor station, a relay node, or a donor node, providing wireless communication services to user equipment. It can also include wireless controllers, servers, relay stations, vehicles or in-vehicle equipment, wearable devices, and network equipment in future evolved networks within cloud radio access network (CRAN) scenarios. For example, in vehicle-to-everything (V2X) technology, the wireless access network equipment can be a roadside unit (RSU).

[0144] In another possible scenario, multiple radio access network (RAN) devices collaborate to assist terminals in achieving wireless access, with each RAN device implementing a portion of the base station's functions. For example, RAN devices can be central units (CUs), distributed units (DUs), CU-control plane (CPs), CU-user plane (UPs), or radio units (RUs). CUs and DUs can be separate entities or included in the same network element, such as a BBU. RUs can be included in radio equipment or radio units, such as remote radio units (RRUs), active antenna units (AAUs), or remote radio heads (RRHs). It is understood that RAN devices can be CU nodes, DU nodes, or devices comprising both CU and DU nodes. Furthermore, CUs can be classified as network devices within RAN devices or as network devices within core network devices; no limitation is imposed here.

[0145] In different systems, CU (or CU-CP and CU-UP), DU, or RU may have different names, but those skilled in the art will understand their meaning. For example, in an open-radio access network (O-RAN) system, CU can also be called O-CU (open CU), DU can also be called O-DU, CU-CP can also be called O-CU-CP, CU-UP can also be called O-CU-UP, and RU can also be called O-RU. For ease of description, this application uses CU, CU-CP, CU-UP, DU, and RU as examples. Any of the units among CU (or CU-CP, CU-UP), DU, and RU in this application can be implemented through software modules, hardware modules, or a combination of software modules and hardware modules.

[0146] In this application embodiment, the form of the wireless access network device is not limited. The device used to implement the function of the wireless access network device can be the wireless access network device itself; it can also be a device that supports the wireless access network device in implementing this function, such as a chip system. This device can be installed in the wireless access network device or used in conjunction with the wireless access network device. The following description will use a base station as an example of the wireless access network device.

[0147] In this application, the terminal may also be referred to as terminal equipment, user equipment (UE), mobile station (MS), mobile terminal (MT), etc., or a device used to provide voice or data connectivity to users, or an Internet of Things (IoT) device. For example, terminal equipment includes handheld devices with wireless connectivity, vehicle-mounted devices, etc. Currently, terminal devices can include: mobile phones, tablets, laptops, PDAs, mobile internet devices (MIDs), wearable devices (such as smartwatches, smart bracelets, pedometers, smart glasses, etc.), in-vehicle devices (such as cars, bicycles, electric vehicles, airplanes, ships, trains, high-speed trains, etc.), satellite terminals, virtual reality (VR) devices, augmented reality (AR) devices, point-of-sale (POS) machines, customer-premises equipment (CPE), light UE, reduced capability UE (REDCAP UE), wireless terminals in industrial control, smart home devices (such as refrigerators, televisions, air conditioners, electricity meters, etc.), intelligent robots, robotic arms, workshop equipment, wireless terminals in autonomous driving, wireless terminals in telemedicine, wireless terminals in smart grids, wireless terminals in transportation safety, wireless terminals in smart cities, or wireless terminals in smart homes, and flying equipment (such as intelligent robots, hot air balloons, drones, airplanes), etc. Terminal devices can also be vehicle devices, such as vehicle devices, vehicle modules, vehicle chips, on-board units (OBUs) or telematics boxes (T-BOXs). Terminal devices can also be other devices with terminal functions. For example, a terminal device can also be a device that performs terminal functions in D2D communication.

[0148] In this application embodiment, the device for implementing the terminal's functions can be the terminal itself, or any device capable of supporting the terminal in implementing those functions, such as a chip system, a communication module, or a modem, etc., and this device can be installed in the terminal. In this application embodiment, the chip system can be composed of chips, or it can include chips and other discrete devices. The embodiments of this application do not limit the specific technology or device form used in the terminal.

[0149] In this application, the base station and the terminal can be fixed or mobile. The base station and the terminal can be deployed on land, including indoors or outdoors, handheld or vehicle-mounted; they can also be deployed on water; and they can also be deployed in the air on aircraft, balloons, and satellites. The embodiments of this application do not limit the application scenarios of the base station and the terminal.

[0150] The roles of base stations and terminals can be relative. For example, the helicopter or drone 120c in Figure 1 can be configured as a mobile base station. For terminals 120d that access the wireless access network 100 via 120c, terminal 120c is a base station. However, for satellite 110a, 120c is a terminal, meaning that 110a and 120c communicate via a wireless air interface protocol. Of course, 110a and 120c can also communicate via a base station-to-base station interface protocol. In this case, relative to 110a, 120c is also a base station. Therefore, both base stations and terminals can be collectively referred to as communication devices. 110a, 110b, 110c, and 120a-120g in Figure 1 can be called communication devices with their respective corresponding functions, such as communication devices with base station functions or communication devices with terminal functions.

[0151] Communication between base stations and terminals, between base stations, and between terminals can be conducted using licensed spectrum, unlicensed spectrum, or both simultaneously. Communication between base stations and terminals, and between terminals, can be conducted using spectrum below 6 GHz, spectrum above 6 GHz, or both simultaneously. The embodiments of this application do not limit the spectrum resources used between wireless access network devices and terminals.

[0152] In an NTN communication system, wireless access network equipment may include satellites, which can transmit transparent payloads or regenerative payloads.

[0153] Figure 2 illustrates an NTN network architecture. As shown in Figure 2, the UE communicates with the terrestrial base station through the Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network (UU) interface. The satellite enables transparent payload transmission between the user and the terrestrial base station. The satellite and the NTN gateway can be considered as the remote radio unit (RRU) of the terrestrial base station, achieving transparent signal forwarding. That is, the satellite only supports functions such as radio frequency filtering, frequency conversion, and amplification, while the signal waveform remains unchanged. Satellite forwarding is transparent to the terminal device. The terrestrial base station and the core network (CN) communicate through the next-generation (NG) interface, exchanging non-access stratum (NAS) signaling of the core network and the UE's service data via the NG interface.

[0154] Figure 3 illustrates another NTN network architecture. As shown in Figure 3, the satellite possesses some or all of the functions of a radio access network device and can be referred to as a satellite base station. It provides radio access services and schedules radio resources for terminal devices accessing the network through the satellite base station. The satellite base station communicates with the UE via the Uu interface. The satellite base station and the CN can communicate via the NG interface, and the satellite base station and the core network can exchange NAS signaling and UE service data via the NG interface. The satellite radio interface (SRI) is the feeder link between the NTN gateway and the satellite. In Figure 3, the SRI interface can be used as part of the NG interface to realize communication between the satellite and the core network.

[0155] In NTN communication systems, due to the scarcity of sub-6GHz frequency band resources, millimeter-wave frequency bands (such as the Ka band) are crucial for NTN communication. However, millimeter-wave bands suffer from significant spatial loss, and terminals for satellite communication typically require high-performance receivers such as VSAT or large-scale phased array receivers. The sub-6GHz band can also be referred to as the FR1 band, with a frequency range of 450MHz to 6GHz. The millimeter-wave band can also be referred to as the FR2 band, with a frequency range of 24.25GHz to 52.6GHz. The Ka band has a frequency range of 26.5GHz to 40GHz.

[0156] SSB is an important pilot signal in communication networks, used for cell search, beam measurement, beam selection, and beam recovery. SSB carries the primary synchronization signal (PSS), secondary synchronization signal (SSS), and physical broadcast channel (PBCH).

[0157] During the initial cell search phase, the terminal can receive SSB signals from network devices, perform PSS search and SSS detection, synchronize with network devices in time and frequency, and obtain the cell identifier. Then, it detects the Master Information Block (MIB) in the PBCH, completes frame timing, and obtains the physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) and physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) configuration information related to System Information Block Type 1 (SIB1). Afterward, the terminal performs SIB1 detection to obtain the configuration parameters of the random access channel.

[0158] In this method, when a network device sends an SSB to a terminal, it can do so based on an SSB set. In the NR protocol, an SSB set is limited to a 5-millisecond (ms) half-frame. With the SSB set as the period, each SSB within the same period corresponds to a beam direction, supporting SSB detection by the terminal in various scanning directions.

[0159] The NR protocol supports seven SSB set patterns, and the SSBs in each of these seven SSB set patterns can be called candidate SSBs. In this application, the SSB set pattern can also be called an SSB pattern. The parameterized description of each SSB pattern is shown in Table 1.

[0160] Table 1: SSB Diagram

[0161] In Table 1, L max It can represent the maximum number of SSBs that can be transmitted in each half-frame, or the maximum number of SSBs that can be transmitted within an SSB set.

[0162] Currently, terminal devices can determine the start and / or end positions of the subframe or system frame in which the received SSB resides. For example, the SSB received by the terminal device may carry index information, frame number information, and half-frame indication information. The index information indicates the index of the SSB, that is, the position of the SSB in its respective SSB pattern. The frame number information indicates the frame number of the system frame in which the SSB resides. The half-frame indication information indicates whether the current SSB set is located in the first or second half of the system frame. After receiving a Service Serving (SSB), the terminal can determine the SSB pattern to which the SSB belongs based on its frequency band and subcarrier spacing. Then, based on the index information within the SSB, it determines the SSB's position within its respective SSB pattern, and the start position of the SSB pattern. Next, based on the frame number information within the SSB, it determines the frame number of the system frame to which the SSB belongs, and based on the half-frame indication information within the SSB, it determines the subframe or system frame to which the SSB belongs. Finally, based on the start position of the SSB pattern, it determines the start and / or end position of the subframe or system frame. In this way, the terminal can determine the corresponding time-frequency resources and then communicate with network devices based on those resources.

[0163] In this application, the orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) symbol can also be referred to as a symbol.

[0164] In this application, the system frame may also be referred to as a radio frame.

[0165] With the development of communication technology, there is a need for satellites to communicate with terminals with weak signal reception capabilities in NTN communication systems. These terminals can include mobile phones. In this scenario, there may be situations where the satellite communicates with terminals of different reception capabilities, i.e., a scenario where terminals with different reception capabilities coexist. However, the SSB pattern corresponding to the millimeter-wave band in existing communication standards does not support scenarios where satellites communicate with terminals of different reception capabilities.

[0166] Therefore, this application provides a communication method and related apparatus, enabling a satellite to communicate with terminals with different receiving capabilities based on a first SSB pattern.

[0167] In the technical solution of this application, the satellite can communicate with terminals with weak signal reception capabilities using a smaller subcarrier spacing in the FR2 band. For example, the satellite can communicate with terminals with weak reception capabilities using the subcarrier spacing corresponding to the FR1 band in the FR2 band. Since the subcarrier spacing corresponding to the FR1 band is less than or equal to the subcarrier spacing corresponding to the FR2 band, the bandwidth for communication with terminals with weak reception capabilities will be smaller, and the signal power on each subcarrier corresponding to the subcarrier spacing of the FR1 band will be stronger. This can increase the signal power received by these terminals, thereby improving their reception performance.

[0168] Next, this application will provide a detailed description of the scheme in conjunction with Figures 4 to 15.

[0169] Figure 4 is a schematic flowchart of a communication method provided in one embodiment of this application. This method can be applied to scenarios where a satellite communicates with terminals with different receiving capabilities.

[0170] S401, the second communication device determines a first SSB, the transmission frequency band of the first SSB is a first frequency band, the first SSB includes one or more candidate SSBs in the first SSB pattern, the first SSB pattern supports the coexistence of a first subcarrier spacing and a second subcarrier spacing, the first subcarrier spacing includes at least one of the subcarrier spacings corresponding to the first frequency band, the first subcarrier spacing includes the subcarrier spacing of the first SSB, the second subcarrier spacing includes at least one of the subcarrier spacings corresponding to the second frequency band, and the second frequency band is lower than the first frequency band.

[0171] The second communication device can be a network device as shown in Figure 1, or a device within that network device (e.g., a chip, a chip system, or a circuit), or a logic module or software that implements all or part of the functions of the network device, or a device that can be used in conjunction with the network device. As an example, the network device can be a satellite.

[0172] In this method, the subcarrier spacing corresponding to the first frequency band can be greater than or equal to the subcarrier spacing corresponding to the second frequency band.

[0173] As an example, the first frequency band can be the FR2 band, and the second frequency band can be the FR1 band. The subcarrier spacing corresponding to the first frequency band can include 60kHz, 120kHz, 240kHz, 480kHz, and 960kHz, etc., and the subcarrier spacing corresponding to the second frequency band can include 15kHz, 30kHz, and 60kHz.

[0174] Accordingly, the first subcarrier spacing may include one or more of the following: 60 kHz, 120 kHz, 240 kHz, 480 kHz, or 960 kHz. The second subcarrier spacing may include one or more of the following: 15 kHz, 30 kHz, or 60 kHz.

[0175] For example, the first subcarrier spacing can include 120kHz and 60kHz, and the second subcarrier spacing can include 15kHz. Alternatively, the first subcarrier spacing can include 120kHz, and the second subcarrier spacing can include 15kHz.

[0176] For example, the first subcarrier spacing can include 120kHz and 60kHz, and the second subcarrier spacing can include 30kHz. Alternatively, the first subcarrier spacing can include 120kHz, and the second subcarrier spacing can include 30kHz.

[0177] For example, the first subcarrier spacing can include 120kHz and 60kHz, and the second subcarrier spacing can include 30kHz and 15kHz. Alternatively, the first subcarrier spacing can include 120kHz, and the second subcarrier spacing can include 30kHz and 15kHz.

[0178] In this method, the first SSB containing one or more candidate SSBs in the first SSB pattern can be understood as: the SSB pattern to which the first SSB belongs is the first SSB pattern.

[0179] In this method, the support for the coexistence of the first subcarrier interval and the second subcarrier interval in the first SSB pattern can be understood as follows: in the first SSB pattern, the positions not used for transmitting SSBs can be used to transmit control channels using both the first and second subcarrier intervals. Alternatively, in the first SSB pattern, the positions not occupied by candidate SSBs can be used to transmit control channels using both the first and second subcarrier intervals.

[0180] When the first SSB pattern supports the coexistence of the first subcarrier spacing and the second subcarrier spacing, the second communication device can transmit the first SSB in the first frequency band. Additionally, in locations not used for SSB transmission, the second communication device can use the first subcarrier spacing to transmit a control channel to the first communication device, and can use the second subcarrier spacing to transmit a control channel to the third communication device, thereby communicating with both the first and third communication devices.

[0181] The first communication device can be a terminal device, or a device within a terminal device (e.g., a chip, a chip system, or a circuit), or a logic module or software that implements all or part of the functions of the terminal device, or a device that can be used in conjunction with the terminal device. As an example, the terminal device can be a VSAT terminal, or a large-scale phased array or other terminal device with strong receiving capabilities.

[0182] The third communication device can be a terminal device, or a device within a terminal device (e.g., a chip, a chip system, or a circuit), or a logic module or software that implements all or part of the functions of the terminal device, or a device that can be used in conjunction with the terminal device. As an example, the terminal device can be a terminal with poor signal reception capabilities, such as a mobile phone terminal.

[0183] In this method, the second communication device can communicate with the first communication device in the first frequency band using a first subcarrier spacing, and can also communicate with the third communication device in the first frequency band using a second subcarrier spacing. Because the second subcarrier spacing is smaller, the bandwidth for communication with the third communication device is smaller, and the signal power on each subcarrier corresponding to the second subcarrier spacing is stronger. This increases the power of the signals received by the third communication device, thereby improving its receiving performance.

[0184] Optionally, the control channel is associated with the communication mode of the communication system. The communication modes include time division duplex (TDD) mode and frequency division duplex (FDD) mode.

[0185] In TDD mode, when the second communication device transmits data to the first communication device, it can do so based on the TDD frame structure. For the TDD frame structure, the control channel includes an uplink control channel and a downlink control channel.

[0186] In FDD mode, when the second communication device transmits data to the first communication device, it can do so based on the FDD frame structure. For the FDD frame structure, the control channel of the downlink frame includes the downlink control channel.

[0187] Optionally, in TDD mode, the candidate SSB in the first SSB pattern may not occupy the first position. The first position includes the position of the first symbol and the second symbol in each time slot corresponding to each subcarrier interval in the first subcarrier interval and the second subcarrier interval. The first symbol includes the symbol used for transmitting PDCCH in each time slot, and the second symbol includes the symbol used for transmitting physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) in each time slot.

[0188] Alternatively, a candidate SSB in the first SSB pattern can occupy a second position, which is the position of all or part of the symbols in the third symbol in each time slot corresponding to each subcarrier interval in the first and second subcarrier intervals. The third symbol does not include the symbols used to transmit PDCCH and PUCCH in each time slot, that is, the third symbol does not include the first and second symbols in each time slot.

[0189] As an example, each time slot can contain 14 symbols. The first symbol in each time slot can be the first two symbols in each time slot, that is, the symbols numbered 0 and 1 in each time slot, or the first and second symbols in each time slot. The second symbol in each time slot can be the last two symbols in each time slot, that is, the symbols numbered 12 and 13 in each time slot, or the thirteenth and fourteenth symbols in each time slot.

[0190] Correspondingly, the third symbol in each time slot can be any symbol other than the first two and last two symbols in each time slot, that is, the symbols numbered 2 to 11 in each time slot, or the third to twelfth symbols in each time slot.

[0191] In the first example, assuming the first subcarrier spacing includes 120 kHz and 60 kHz, and the second subcarrier spacing includes 15 kHz, the first position can include the positions of the first and second symbols in each time slot corresponding to each of the 120 kHz, 60 kHz, and 15 kHz subcarrier spacings. Correspondingly, the second position can include the positions of all or part of the symbols in the third symbol in each time slot corresponding to each of the 120 kHz, 60 kHz, and 15 kHz subcarrier spacings, where the third symbol does not include the first and second symbols in each time slot.

[0192] For 120kHz, each subframe contains 8 time slots. For any given subframe, the first position can include the positions of the first and second symbols in each of the 8 time slots, and the second position can include the positions of all or some of the symbols in each of the 8 time slots, excluding the first and second symbols.

[0193] For 60kHz, each subframe contains 4 time slots. For any given subframe, the first position can contain the positions of the first and second symbols in each of the 4 time slots, and the second position can contain the positions of all or some of the symbols in each of the 4 time slots, excluding the first and second symbols.

[0194] For 15kHz, each subframe contains one time slot. For any given subframe, the first position may contain the positions of the first and second symbols in one time slot, and the second position may contain the positions of all or some of the symbols in one time slot, excluding the first and second symbols.

[0195] Optionally, for any subframe, taking the first symbol as the first two symbols in each time slot and the second symbol as the last two symbols in each time slot as an example, the first SSB pattern can be as shown in Figure 5. The shaded area can represent candidate SSBs in the first SSB pattern.

[0196] In this example, the candidate SSB in the first SSB pattern does not occupy the positions of the first and second symbols in each time slot corresponding to 120KHz, nor does it occupy the positions of the first and second symbols in each time slot corresponding to 60KHz, nor does it occupy the positions of the first and second symbols in each time slot corresponding to 15KHz.

[0197] In this example, each candidate SSB in the first SSB pattern can occupy four symbols.

[0198] Eight time slots at 120kHz are grouped together. Each group can occupy the length of one subframe and can contain 12 candidate SSBs. Therefore, a half-frame can contain 60 candidate SSBs. The first SSB pattern in a half-frame can be denoted as type X1 (case X1). The parameterization of type X1 is shown in Table 2.

[0199] Table 2: Parametric Description of the First SSB Pattern

[0200] In this example, for a half-frame, the second communication device can transmit control channels to the first communication device at 120kHz and 60kHz, or at 15kHz, in the positions not occupied by the first SSB pattern shown in Table 2, i.e., in addition to the 60 candidate SSBs shown in Table 2.

[0201] Alternatively, for a half-frame, in the positions not occupied by the first SSB pattern shown in Table 2, that is, in the positions other than the 60 candidate SSBs shown in Table 2, the second communication device can communicate with the first communication device at 120KHz and 60kHz, and can communicate with the third communication device at 15KHz.

[0202] Alternatively, for a half-frame, in the positions not occupied by the first SSB pattern shown in Table 2, that is, in the positions other than the 60 candidate SSBs shown in Table 2, the second communication device can use 120KHz and 60kHz to serve the first communication device, and can use 15KHz to serve the third communication device.

[0203] The first SSB pattern shown in Figure 5 is applicable to scenarios where 120kHz subcarrier spacing coexists with 60kHz and 15kHz subcarrier spacings. Optionally, the first SSB pattern shown in Figure 5 can also be applied to other scenarios, such as scenarios where 240kHz subcarrier spacing coexists with 120kHz and 30kHz subcarrier spacings. In the scenario where 240kHz subcarrier spacing coexists with 120kHz and 30kHz subcarrier spacings, the first SSB pattern can be denoted as type X2, and the parameters of type X2 can be the same as those of type X1.

[0204] The parameterized description of the first SSB pattern shown in Table 2 describes the location of candidate SSBs within a half-frame. Optionally, the parameterized description of the first SSB pattern can also describe the location of candidate SSBs within a radio frame, that is, the candidate SSBs can be extended to 10ms.

[0205] Optionally, when the parameterized description of the first SSB pattern describes the location of a candidate SSB in a radio frame, the first SSB pattern in a radio frame may contain more candidate SSBs.

[0206] For example, the number of candidate SSBs contained in the first SSB pattern in a radio frame can be any number between 61 and 120.

[0207] If the first SSB pattern in a radio frame contains 64 candidate SSBs, the parameter of the first OFDM symbol index of the candidate SSB can also contain four symbol indices. These four symbol indices correspond to four symbols, which can be symbols of the second half of the radio frame. The second half of the radio frame contains subframes numbered 5 to 9 in the radio frame, or in other words, it contains the sixth to tenth subframes in the radio frame.

[0208] These four symbols can be located in the same subframe or in different subframes. The positions of these four symbols in the corresponding subframes can be one or more of the positions of the twelve symbols numbered 16, 20, 32, 36, 44, 48, 60, 64, 72, 76, 88, and 92.

[0209] If the first SSB pattern in a radio frame contains 120 candidate SSBs, the value of n can also be from 5 to 9.

[0210] Optionally, assuming the first subcarrier spacing contains 120 kHz and the second subcarrier spacing contains 15 kHz, the first position may include the positions of the first and second symbols in each time slot corresponding to each subcarrier spacing in both the 120 kHz and 15 kHz. Correspondingly, the second position may include the positions of all or part of the symbols in the third symbol in each time slot corresponding to each subcarrier spacing in both the 120 kHz and 15 kHz, where the third symbol does not include the first and second symbols in each time slot.

[0211] Optionally, the first SSB pattern shown in Figure 5 can also be applied to scenarios where 120kHz subcarrier spacing and 15kHz subcarrier spacing coexist.

[0212] In the second example, assuming the first subcarrier spacing includes 120kHz and 60kHz, and the second subcarrier spacing includes 30kHz, the first position can include the positions of the first and second symbols in each time slot corresponding to each of the 120kHz, 60kHz, and 30kHz subcarrier spacings. Correspondingly, the second position can include the positions of all or part of the symbols in the third symbol in each time slot corresponding to each of the 120kHz, 60kHz, and 30kHz subcarrier spacings, where the third symbol does not include the first and second symbols in each time slot.

[0213] For 120kHz, each subframe contains 8 time slots. For any given subframe, the first position can include the positions of the first and second symbols in each of the 8 time slots, and the second position can include the positions of all or some of the symbols in each of the 8 time slots, excluding the first and second symbols.

[0214] For 60kHz, each subframe contains 4 time slots. For any given subframe, the first position can contain the positions of the first and second symbols in each of the 4 time slots, and the second position can contain the positions of all or some of the symbols in each of the 4 time slots, excluding the first and second symbols.

[0215] For 30kHz, each subframe contains 2 time slots. For any given subframe, the first position may contain the positions of the first and second symbols in each of the 2 time slots, and the second position may contain the positions of all or some of the symbols in each of the 2 time slots, excluding the first and second symbols.

[0216] Optionally, for any subframe, taking the first symbol as the first two symbols in each time slot and the second symbol as the last two symbols in each time slot as an example, the candidate SSB in the first SSB pattern may not occupy the positions of the first and second symbols in each time slot corresponding to 120KHz, nor the positions of the first and second symbols in each time slot corresponding to 60KHz, nor the positions of the first and second symbols in each time slot corresponding to 30KHz.

[0217] In this example, for a half-frame, the second communication device can transmit control channels to the first communication device at 120kHz and 60kHz, or at 30kHz, in the space not occupied by the first SSB pattern, and can also transmit control channels to the third communication device.

[0218] Alternatively, for a half-frame, in the space not occupied by the first SSB pattern, the second communication device can communicate with the first communication device at 120KHz and 60KHz, and can communicate with the third communication device at 30KHz.

[0219] Alternatively, for a half-frame, the second communication device can use 120KHz and 60KHz to serve the first communication device, and can use 30KHz to serve the third communication device, in the space not occupied by the first SSB pattern.

[0220] Optionally, to ensure SSB transmission resources, in some scenarios, the control channel corresponding to the 120kHz subcarrier spacing can be partially occupied. That is, the 120kHz subcarrier spacing can be considered for transmitting part of the control channel. In this case, the first SSB pattern can be as shown in Figure 6. The shaded area can represent the candidate SSBs in the first SSB pattern.

[0221] In this example, each candidate SSB in the first SSB pattern can occupy four symbols.

[0222] Eight time slots at 120kHz are grouped together. Each group occupies the length of one subframe and can contain 16 candidate SSBs. A half-frame can contain 64 candidate SSBs. The first SSB pattern in a half-frame can be denoted as type E2. Type E2 can reuse the SSB pattern corresponding to type E in Table 1. The parameterization description of type E2 is shown in Table 3.

[0223] Table 3: Parametric Description of the First SSB Pattern

[0224] In this example, for a half-frame, the second communication device can transmit control channels to the first communication device at 120kHz and 60kHz, or at 30kHz, in the positions not occupied by the first SSB pattern shown in Table 3, that is, in the positions other than the 64 candidate SSBs shown in Table 3.

[0225] Alternatively, for a half-frame, in the positions not occupied by the first SSB pattern shown in Table 3, that is, in the positions other than the 64 candidate SSBs shown in Table 3, the second communication device can communicate with the first communication device at 120KHz and 60kHz, and can communicate with the third communication device at 30KHz.

[0226] Alternatively, for a half-frame, in the positions not occupied by the first SSB pattern shown in Table 3, that is, in the positions other than the 60 candidate SSBs shown in Table 3, the second communication device can use 120KHz and 60kHz to serve the first communication device, and can use 30KHz to serve the third communication device.

[0227] The first SSB pattern shown in Figure 6 is applicable to scenarios where 120kHz subcarrier spacing coexists with 60kHz and 30kHz subcarrier spacing. Optionally, the first SSB pattern shown in Figure 6 can also be applied to other scenarios, such as scenarios where 240kHz subcarrier spacing coexists with 120kHz and 60kHz subcarrier spacing.

[0228] The parameterized description of the first SSB pattern shown in Table 3 describes the position of the candidate SSB in a half-frame. Optionally, the parameterized description of the first SSB pattern can also describe the position of the candidate SSB in a radio frame, that is, the candidate SSB can be extended to 10ms.

[0229] Optionally, when the parameterized description of the first SSB pattern describes the location of a candidate SSB in a radio frame, the first SSB pattern in a radio frame may contain more candidate SSBs.

[0230] For example, the number of candidate SSBs contained in the first SSB pattern in a radio frame can be any number between 65 and 128.

[0231] If the first SSB pattern in a radio frame contains 128 candidate SSBs, the value of n can also be from 10 to 18.

[0232] Optionally, assuming the first subcarrier interval contains 120 kHz and the second subcarrier interval contains 30 kHz, the first position may include the positions of the first and second symbols in each time slot corresponding to each subcarrier interval in both the 120 kHz and 30 kHz ranges. Correspondingly, the second position may include the positions of all or part of the symbols in the third symbol in each time slot corresponding to each subcarrier interval in both the 120 kHz and 30 kHz ranges, where the third symbol does not include the first and second symbols in each time slot.

[0233] Optionally, the first SSB pattern shown in Figure 6 can also be applied to scenarios where 120kHz subcarrier spacing and 30kHz subcarrier spacing coexist.

[0234] In the third example, assuming the first subcarrier spacing includes 120kHz and 60kHz, and the second subcarrier spacing includes 30kHz and 15kHz, the first position can include the positions of the first and second symbols in each time slot corresponding to each of the 120kHz, 60kHz, 30kHz, and 15kHz subcarrier spacings. Correspondingly, the second position can include the positions of all or part of the symbols in the third symbol in each time slot corresponding to each of the 120kHz, 60kHz, 30kHz, and 15kHz subcarrier spacings, where the third symbol does not include the first and second symbols in each time slot.

[0235] For 120kHz, each subframe contains 8 time slots. For any given subframe, the first position can include the positions of the first and second symbols in each of the 8 time slots, and the second position can include the positions of all or some of the symbols in each of the 8 time slots, excluding the first and second symbols.

[0236] For 60kHz, each subframe contains 4 time slots. For any given subframe, the first position can contain the positions of the first and second symbols in each of the 4 time slots, and the second position can contain the positions of all or some of the symbols in each of the 4 time slots, excluding the first and second symbols.

[0237] For 30kHz, each subframe contains 2 time slots. For any given subframe, the first position can include the positions of the first and second symbols in each of the 2 time slots, and the second position can include the positions of all or some of the symbols in each of the 2 time slots, excluding the first and second symbols.

[0238] For 15kHz, each subframe contains one time slot. For any given subframe, the first position may contain the positions of the first and second symbols in one time slot, and the second position may contain the positions of all or some of the symbols in one time slot, excluding the first and second symbols.

[0239] Optionally, for any subframe, taking the first symbol as the first two symbols in each time slot and the second symbol as the last two symbols in each time slot as an example, the first SSB pattern can be as shown in Figure 7. The shaded area can represent candidate SSBs in the first SSB pattern.

[0240] In this example, the candidate SSB in the first SSB pattern does not occupy the positions of the first and second symbols in each time slot corresponding to 120KHz, nor does it occupy the positions of the first and second symbols in each time slot corresponding to 60KHz, nor does it occupy the positions of the first and second symbols in each time slot corresponding to 30KHz, nor does it occupy the positions of the first and second symbols in each time slot corresponding to 15KHz.

[0241] In this example, each candidate SSB in the first SSB pattern can occupy four symbols.

[0242] Eight time slots at 120kHz are grouped together, each group can occupy the length of one subframe, and each group can contain 10 candidate SSBs. Therefore, one half-frame can contain 50 candidate SSBs. The first SSB pattern in a half-frame can be denoted as type Y1, and the parameterization description of type Y1 is shown in Table 4.

[0243] Table 4: Parametric Description of the First SSB Pattern

[0244] In this example, for a half-frame, the second communication device can transmit control channels to the first communication device at 120kHz and 60kHz, or at 30kHz and 15kHz, in the positions not occupied by the first SSB pattern shown in Table 4, that is, in the positions other than the 50 candidate SSBs shown in Table 4.

[0245] Alternatively, for a half-frame, in the positions not occupied by the first SSB pattern shown in Table 4, that is, in the positions other than the 50 candidate SSBs shown in Table 4, the second communication device can communicate with the first communication device at 120KHz and 60KHz, and can communicate with the third communication device at 30KHz and 15KHz.

[0246] Alternatively, for a half-frame, in the positions not occupied by the first SSB pattern shown in Table 4, that is, in the positions other than the 50 candidate SSBs shown in Table 4, the second communication device can use 120KHz and 60KHz to serve the first communication device, and can use 30KHz and 15KHz to serve the third communication device.

[0247] The first SSB pattern shown in Figure 7 is applicable to scenarios where a 120kHz subcarrier spacing coexists with 60kHz, 30kHz, and 15kHz subcarrier spacings. Optionally, the first SSB pattern shown in Figure 7 can also be applied to other scenarios, such as scenarios where a 240kHz subcarrier spacing coexists with 120kHz, 60kHz, and 30kHz subcarrier spacings. In the scenario where a 240kHz subcarrier spacing coexists with 120kHz, 60kHz, and 30kHz subcarrier spacings, the first SSB pattern can be denoted as type Y2, and the parameters of type Y2 can be the same as those of type Y1.

[0248] The parameterized description of the first SSB pattern shown in Table 4 describes the location of candidate SSBs within a half-frame. Optionally, the parameterized description of the first SSB pattern can also describe the location of candidate SSBs within a radio frame, that is, the candidate SSBs can be extended to 10ms.

[0249] Optionally, when the parameterized description of the first SSB pattern describes the location of a candidate SSB in a radio frame, the first SSB pattern in a radio frame may contain more candidate SSBs.

[0250] For example, the number of candidate SSBs contained in the first SSB pattern in a radio frame can be any number between 51 and 100.

[0251] If the first SSB pattern in a radio frame contains 100 candidate SSBs, the value of n can also be from 5 to 9.

[0252] Optionally, assuming the first subcarrier spacing includes 120 kHz and the second subcarrier spacing includes 30 kHz and 15 kHz, the first position may include the positions of the first and second symbols in each time slot corresponding to each of the 120 kHz, 30 kHz, and 15 kHz subcarrier spacings. Correspondingly, the second position may include the positions of all or part of the symbols in the third symbol in each time slot corresponding to each of the 120 kHz, 30 kHz, and 15 kHz subcarrier spacings, where the third symbol does not include the first and second symbols in each time slot.

[0253] Optionally, the first SSB pattern shown in Figure 7 can also be applied to scenarios where 120kHz subcarrier spacing coexists with 30kHz and 15kHz subcarrier spacing.

[0254] In this application, under TDD mode, the symbols used for transmitting PDCCH and PUCCH in each time slot corresponding to each subcarrier interval in the first subcarrier interval and the second subcarrier interval can be freed from SSB occupation. This allows PDCCH and PUCCH to be transmitted in each time slot, facilitating the transmission of PDCCH and PUCCH between the second communication device and the first communication device using the first subcarrier interval, and also facilitating the transmission of PDCCH and PUCCH between the second communication device and the third communication device using the second subcarrier interval.

[0255] Optionally, in FDD mode, the candidate SSB in the first SSB pattern may not occupy the first position, which includes the position of the first symbol in each time slot corresponding to each subcarrier interval in the first and second subcarrier intervals, and the first symbol includes the symbol used for transmitting PDCCH in each time slot.

[0256] Alternatively, the candidate SSB in the first SSB pattern can occupy the second position, which is the position of all or part of the symbols in the fourth symbol in each time slot corresponding to each subcarrier interval in the first and second subcarrier intervals. The fourth symbol does not include the symbol used for transmitting PDCCH in each time slot, that is, the fourth symbol does not include the first symbol in each time slot.

[0257] As an example, each time slot can contain 14 symbols, and the first symbol in each time slot can be the first two symbols in each time slot, that is, the symbols numbered 0 and 1 in each time slot, or the first and second symbols in each time slot.

[0258] Correspondingly, the fourth symbol in each time slot can be any symbol other than the first two symbols in each time slot, that is, the symbols numbered 2 to 13 in each time slot, or the third to fourteenth symbols in each time slot.

[0259] In the fourth example, assuming the first subcarrier spacing includes 120kHz and 60kHz, and the second subcarrier spacing includes 15kHz, the first position can include the position of the first symbol in each time slot corresponding to each of the 120kHz, 60kHz, and 15kHz subcarrier spacings. Correspondingly, the second position can include the position of all or part of the fourth symbol in each time slot corresponding to each of the 120kHz, 60kHz, and 15kHz subcarrier spacings, where the fourth symbol does not include the first symbol in each time slot.

[0260] For 120kHz, each subframe contains 8 time slots. For any given subframe, the first position can contain the position of the first symbol in each of the 8 time slots, and the second position can contain the positions of all or some of the symbols in each of the 8 time slots except for the first symbol.

[0261] For 60kHz, each subframe contains 4 time slots. For any given subframe, the first position can contain the position of the first symbol in each of the 4 time slots, and the second position can contain the positions of all or some of the symbols in each of the 4 time slots except for the first symbol.

[0262] For 15kHz, each subframe contains one time slot. For any given subframe, the first position may contain the position of the first symbol in one time slot, and the second position may contain the positions of all or some of the symbols in one time slot, excluding the first symbol.

[0263] Optionally, for any subframe, taking the first symbol as the first two symbols in each time slot as an example, the first SSB pattern can be as shown in Figure 8. The shaded area can represent candidate SSBs in the first SSB pattern.

[0264] In this example, the candidate SSB in the first SSB pattern does not occupy the position of the first symbol in each time slot corresponding to 120KHz, nor does it occupy the position of the first symbol in each time slot corresponding to 60KHz, nor does it occupy the position of the first symbol in each time slot corresponding to 15KHz.

[0265] In this example, each candidate SSB in the first SSB pattern can occupy four symbols.

[0266] Eight time slots at 120kHz are grouped together, each group occupying the length of one subframe. Each group can contain 16 candidate SSBs, and a half-frame can contain 64 candidate SSBs. The first SSB pattern in a half-frame can be denoted as type M1, and the parameterization description of type M1 is shown in Table 5.

[0267] Table 5: Parametric Description of the First SSB Pattern

[0268] In this example, for a half-frame, the second communication device can transmit control channels to the first communication device at 120kHz and 60kHz, or at 15kHz, in the positions not occupied by the first SSB pattern shown in Table 5, that is, in the positions other than the 64 candidate SSBs shown in Table 5.

[0269] Alternatively, for a half-frame, in the positions not occupied by the first SSB pattern shown in Table 5, that is, in the positions other than the 64 candidate SSBs shown in Table 5, the second communication device can communicate with the first communication device at 120KHz and 60KHz, and can communicate with the third communication device at 15KHz.

[0270] Alternatively, for a half-frame, in the positions not occupied by the first SSB pattern shown in Table 5, that is, in the positions other than the 64 candidate SSBs shown in Table 5, the second communication device can use 120KHz and 60KHz to serve the first communication device, and can use 15KHz to serve the third communication device.

[0271] The first SSB pattern shown in Figure 8 is applicable to scenarios where 120kHz subcarrier spacing coexists with 60kHz and 15kHz subcarrier spacings. Optionally, the first SSB pattern shown in Figure 8 can also be applied to other scenarios, such as scenarios where 240kHz subcarrier spacing coexists with 120kHz and 30kHz subcarrier spacings. In the scenario where 240kHz subcarrier spacing coexists with 120kHz and 30kHz subcarrier spacings, the first SSB pattern can be denoted as type M2, and the parameters of type M2 can be the same as those of type M1.

[0272] The parameterized description of the first SSB pattern shown in Table 5 describes the position of the candidate SSB in a half-frame. Optionally, the parameterized description of the first SSB pattern can also describe the position of the candidate SSB in a radio frame, that is, the candidate SSB can be extended to 10ms.

[0273] Optionally, when the parameterized description of the first SSB pattern describes the location of a candidate SSB in a radio frame, the first SSB pattern in a radio frame may contain more candidate SSBs.

[0274] For example, the number of candidate SSBs contained in the first SSB pattern in a radio frame can be any number between 65 and 128.

[0275] If the first SSB pattern in a radio frame contains 120 candidate SSBs, the value of n can also be from 5 to 8.

[0276] Optionally, assuming the first subcarrier spacing contains 120 kHz and the second subcarrier spacing contains 15 kHz, the first position may include the positions of the first and second symbols in each time slot corresponding to each subcarrier spacing in both the 120 kHz and 15 kHz. Correspondingly, the second position may include the positions of all or part of the symbols in the third symbol in each time slot corresponding to each subcarrier spacing in both the 120 kHz and 15 kHz, where the third symbol does not include the first and second symbols in each time slot.

[0277] Optionally, the first SSB pattern shown in Figure 8 can also be applied to scenarios where 120kHz subcarrier spacing and 15kHz subcarrier spacing coexist.

[0278] In the fifth example, assuming the first subcarrier spacing includes 120kHz and 60kHz, and the second subcarrier spacing includes 30kHz and 15kHz, the first position can include the position of the first symbol in each time slot corresponding to each of the subcarrier spacings of 120kHz, 60kHz, 30kHz, and 15kHz. Correspondingly, the second position can include the position of all or part of the fourth symbol in each time slot corresponding to each of the subcarrier spacings of 120kHz, 60kHz, 30kHz, and 15kHz, where the fourth symbol does not include the first symbol in each time slot.

[0279] For 120kHz, each subframe contains 8 time slots. For any given subframe, the first position can contain the position of the first symbol in each of the 8 time slots, and the second position can contain the positions of all or some of the symbols in each of the 8 time slots except for the first symbol.

[0280] For 60kHz, each subframe contains 4 time slots. For any given subframe, the first position can contain the position of the first symbol in each of the 4 time slots, and the second position can contain the positions of all or some of the symbols in each of the 4 time slots except for the first symbol.

[0281] For 30kHz, each subframe contains 2 time slots. For any given subframe, the first position can contain the position of the first symbol in each of the 2 time slots, and the second position can contain the positions of all or some of the symbols in each of the 2 time slots except for the first symbol.

[0282] For 15kHz, each subframe contains one time slot. For any given subframe, the first position may contain the position of the first symbol in one time slot, and the second position may contain the positions of all or some of the symbols in one time slot, excluding the first symbol.

[0283] Optionally, for any subframe, taking the first symbol as the first two symbols in each time slot as an example, the first SSB pattern can be as shown in Figure 9. The shaded area can represent candidate SSBs in the first SSB pattern.

[0284] In this example, the candidate SSB in the first SSB pattern does not occupy the position of the first symbol in each time slot corresponding to 120KHz, nor does it occupy the position of the first symbol in each time slot corresponding to 60KHz, nor does it occupy the position of the first symbol in each time slot corresponding to 30KHz, nor does it occupy the position of the first symbol in each time slot corresponding to 15KHz.

[0285] In this example, each candidate SSB in the first SSB pattern can occupy four symbols.

[0286] Eight time slots at 120kHz are grouped together, each group can occupy the length of one subframe, and each group can contain 16 candidate SSBs. Therefore, one half-frame can contain 64 candidate SSBs. The first SSB pattern in a half-frame can be denoted as type N1, and the parameterization description of type N1 is shown in Table 6.

[0287] Table 6: Parametric Description of the First SSB Pattern

[0288] In this example, for a half-frame, the second communication device can transmit control channels to the first communication device at 120kHz and 60kHz, or at 30kHz and 15kHz, in the positions not occupied by the first SSB pattern shown in Table 6, that is, in the positions other than the 60 candidate SSBs shown in Table 6.

[0289] Alternatively, the second communication device can communicate with the first communication device at 120KHz and 60KHz, and can communicate with the third communication device at 30KHz and 15KHz.

[0290] Alternatively, the second communication device can serve the first communication device using 120KHz and 60KHz, and can serve the third communication device using 30KHz and 15KHz.

[0291] The first SSB pattern shown in Figure 9 is applicable to scenarios where a 120kHz subcarrier spacing coexists with 60kHz, 30kHz, and 15kHz subcarrier spacings. Optionally, the first SSB pattern shown in Figure 9 can also be applied to other scenarios, such as scenarios where a 240kHz subcarrier spacing coexists with 120kHz, 60kHz, and 30kHz subcarrier spacings. In the scenario where a 240kHz subcarrier spacing coexists with 120kHz, 60kHz, and 30kHz subcarrier spacings, the first SSB pattern can be denoted as type N2, and the parameters of type N2 can be the same as those of type N1.

[0292] The parameterized description of the first SSB pattern shown in Table 6 describes the location of candidate SSBs within a half-frame. Optionally, the parameterized description of the first SSB pattern can also describe the location of candidate SSBs within a radio frame, that is, the candidate SSBs can be extended to 10ms.

[0293] Optionally, when the parameterized description of the first SSB pattern describes the location of a candidate SSB in a radio frame, the first SSB pattern in a radio frame may contain more candidate SSBs.

[0294] For example, the number of candidate SSBs contained in the first SSB pattern in a radio frame can be any number between 65 and 128.

[0295] If the first SSB pattern in a radio frame contains 120 candidate SSBs, the value of n can also be from 5 to 8.

[0296] Optionally, assuming the first subcarrier spacing includes 120 kHz and the second subcarrier spacing includes 30 kHz and 15 kHz, the first position may include the positions of the first and second symbols in each time slot corresponding to each of the 120 kHz, 30 kHz, and 15 kHz subcarrier spacings. Correspondingly, the second position may include the positions of all or part of the symbols in the third symbol in each time slot corresponding to each of the 120 kHz, 30 kHz, and 15 kHz subcarrier spacings, where the third symbol does not include the first and second symbols in each time slot.

[0297] Optionally, the first SSB pattern shown in Figure 9 can also be applied to scenarios where 120kHz subcarrier spacing coexists with 30kHz and 15kHz subcarrier spacing.

[0298] In this application, under FDD mode, the downlink frames sent by the second communication device to the first communication device do not contain PUCCH, and the last two symbols in each time slot can also be occupied by SSBs. This allows for the transmission of more SSBs per time slot, increasing the number of SSBs in the SSB set. On one hand, a larger number of SSBs allows the base station to scan more beams, which is beneficial for ensuring full-area coverage. On the other hand, the more SSBs transmitted per time slot, the fewer time slots are needed to transmit SSBs. Therefore, when the number of SSBs is sufficient, it is possible to stop transmitting SSBs altogether, saving transmission overhead.

[0299] It is understood that the five SSB patterns proposed in this application are merely simple examples and do not limit the scope of the first SSB pattern. Optionally, the first SSB pattern may include one or more of the five SSB patterns proposed above. Optionally, the first SSB pattern may also include other SSB patterns besides the five SSB patterns listed in this application, as long as the first subcarrier spacing and the second subcarrier spacing coexist.

[0300] In this application, the first SSB pattern may include one or more SSB patterns, which may be pre-configured in the communication device. For example, these one or more SSB patterns may be pre-configured in the first communication device, the second communication device, and the third communication device.

[0301] In this application, one or more SSB patterns in the first SSB pattern can be agreed upon by agreement.

[0302] S402, the second communication device sends a first SSB to the first communication device. Correspondingly, the first communication device receives the first SSB.

[0303] S403, the first communication device determines the start and / or end position of the subframe or system frame in which the first SSB is located based on the first SSB.

[0304] In this method, the method by which the first communication device determines the start position and / or end position of the subframe or system frame to which the first SSB is located based on the first SSB may include: acquiring first information, the first information indicating that the SSB pattern to which the first SSB belongs is the first SSB pattern; and determining the start position and / or end position of the subframe or system frame to which the first SSB is located based on the first SSB and the first SSB pattern.

[0305] In one possible implementation, the first communication device can obtain first information from the second communication device. As an example, the second communication device can send the first information to the first communication device, and the first communication device receives the first information accordingly.

[0306] Optionally, the first SSB pattern may include one or more SSB patterns. For example, the first SSB pattern may be one or more of the multiple first SSB patterns proposed in S401.

[0307] Optionally, when the first SSB pattern contains multiple SSB patterns, the first information here indicates that the SSB pattern to which the first SSB belongs is the first SSB pattern. This can be understood as: the first information indicates which of these multiple SSB patterns the first SSB belongs to.

[0308] In this method, the first communication device can determine the SSB pattern to which the first SSB belongs based on the first information, and determine the start and / or end position of the subframe or system frame in which the first SSB is located based on the SSB pattern to which the first SSB belongs. Thus, the first communication device can determine the corresponding time-frequency resources based on the start and / or end position of the subframe or system frame in which the first SSB is located, and then communicate with the second communication device based on the corresponding time-frequency resources.

[0309] In this method, since multiple SSB patterns can be included, and multiple first SSB patterns can also be included, the first information indicates the SSB pattern to which the first SSB pattern belongs. This allows the first communication device to determine, based on the first information, which of the multiple SSB patterns or which of the multiple first SSB patterns the first SSB belongs to, thus avoiding confusion and ensuring the accuracy of the first communication device in determining the corresponding time and frequency resources.

[0310] In a first possible implementation, the first information can be carried in the PBCH payload, and the first communication device can obtain the first information based on the PBCH payload.

[0311] As an example, the PBCH payload may include a reserved bit, through which initial information can be indicated. This reserved bit may contain one bit, and its value can be either 0 or 1; different values ​​indicate different SSB patterns.

[0312] For example, suppose the SSB pattern in the communication system includes a first SSB pattern and a second SSB pattern. The number of first SSB patterns is one, the value of the reserved bit corresponding to the first SSB pattern is 0, and the value of the reserved bit corresponding to the second SSB pattern is 1.

[0313] Assume the first SSB is a candidate SSB in the first SSB pattern. When the second communication device transmits the first SSB to the first communication device, it can set the value of the reserved bit in the PBCH payload to 0. In this way, the first communication device can determine that the SSB pattern to which the first SSB belongs is the first SSB pattern based on the value of the reserved bit in the PBCH payload.

[0314] In this application, the first SSB pattern can be any one of the multiple SSB patterns proposed in S401, and the second SSB pattern can be any SSB pattern proposed in S401 or any existing SSB pattern other than the first SSB pattern.

[0315] Optionally, the first SSB pattern and the second SSB pattern can be two SSB patterns corresponding to the same subcarrier interval.

[0316] For example, suppose there are multiple first SSB patterns, such as first SSB pattern 0 and first SSB pattern 1, where the reserved bit corresponding to first SSB pattern 0 has a value of 0 and the reserved bit corresponding to first SSB pattern 1 has a value of 1.

[0317] Assume the first SSB is a candidate SSB in the first SSB pattern 0. When the second communication device transmits the first SSB to the first communication device, it can set the value of the reserved bit in the PBCH payload to 0. In this way, the first communication device can determine that the SSB pattern to which the first SSB belongs is the first SSB pattern 0 based on the value of the reserved bit in the PBCH payload.

[0318] In this application, the first SSB pattern 0 and the first SSB pattern 1 can be any two of the multiple SSB patterns proposed in S401.

[0319] Optionally, the first SSB pattern 0 and the second SSB pattern 1 can be two SSB patterns corresponding to the same subcarrier interval.

[0320] In this example, the first information is indicated by reserved bits in the PBCH payload, which avoids the need to add new bits to the PBCH payload and thus avoids increasing transmission overhead.

[0321] As another example, one or more bits can be added to the PBCH payload; these bits, referred to as new bits, can indicate initial information. Each bit in the new bit can have a value of either 0 or 1.

[0322] The SSB pattern indicated will be different when the value of the newly added bit is different.

[0323] In this example, the number of bits included in the newly added bit can be determined based on the number of SSB patterns, so that the newly added bit can be used to indicate all SSB patterns, avoiding the situation where SSB patterns cannot be distinguished when there are not enough bits.

[0324] For example, suppose the SSB pattern in the communication system includes a first SSB pattern and a second SSB pattern. The number of first SSB patterns is one. Then the newly added bit can contain one bit. The value of the newly added bit corresponding to the first SSB pattern is 0, and the value of the newly added bit corresponding to the second SSB pattern is 1.

[0325] Assume the first SSB is a candidate SSB in the first SSB pattern. When the second communication device transmits the first SSB to the first communication device, it can set the value of the newly added bit in the PBCH payload to 0. In this way, the first communication device can determine that the SSB pattern to which the first SSB belongs is the first SSB pattern based on the value of the newly added bit in the PBCH payload.

[0326] For example, if the number of first SSB patterns includes multiple patterns, such as first SSB pattern 0, first SSB pattern 1, and first SSB pattern 2, then the newly added bit can include two bits. The newly added bit corresponding to first SSB pattern 0 has a value of 00, the newly added bit corresponding to first SSB pattern 1 has a value of 01, and the newly added bit corresponding to first SSB pattern 2 has a value of 10.

[0327] Assume the first SSB is a candidate SSB in the first SSB pattern 0. When the second communication device transmits the first SSB to the first communication device, it can set the value of the newly added bit in the PBCH payload to 00. In this way, the first communication device can determine that the SSB pattern to which the first SSB belongs is the first SSB pattern 0 based on the value of the newly added bit in the PBCH payload.

[0328] In this example, the first SSB pattern 2 can be any one of the multiple SSB patterns proposed in S401, except for the first SSB pattern 0 and the first SSB pattern 1.

[0329] As another example, the first information can also be indicated by multiplexing the first bit in the PBCH payload. This first bit can be any bit in the PBCH payload other than reserved bits. Optionally, the first bit can contain one or more bits, and each bit in the first bit can have a value of 0 or 1. Optionally, the first bit can also be called the first field.

[0330] The SSB pattern indicated will be different depending on the value of the first bit.

[0331] For example, suppose the SSB pattern in the communication system includes a first SSB pattern and a second SSB pattern. The number of first SSB patterns is one. Then the first bit contains one bit. The value of the first bit corresponding to the first SSB pattern is 0, and the value of the first bit corresponding to the second SSB pattern is 1.

[0332] Assume the first SSB is a candidate SSB in the first SSB pattern. When the second communication device transmits the first SSB to the first communication device, it can set the value of the first bit in the PBCH payload to 0. In this way, the first communication device can determine that the SSB pattern to which the first SSB belongs is the first SSB pattern based on the value of the first bit in the PBCH payload.

[0333] For example, if the number of first SSB patterns includes multiple patterns, such as first SSB pattern 0, first SSB pattern 1, and first SSB pattern 2, then the first bit contains two bits, where the value of the first bit corresponding to first SSB pattern 0 is 00, the value of the first bit corresponding to first SSB pattern 1 is 01, and the value of the first bit corresponding to first SSB pattern 0 is 10.

[0334] Assume the first SSB is a candidate SSB in the first SSB pattern 0. When the second communication device transmits the first SSB to the first communication device, it can set the value of the first bit in the PBCH payload to 00. In this way, the first communication device can determine that the SSB pattern to which the first SSB belongs is the first SSB pattern 0 based on the value of the first bit in the PBCH payload.

[0335] In this example, the first bit in the PBCH payload is reused to indicate the first information, so that no additional bits need to be added to the PBCH payload, thus avoiding increased transmission overhead.

[0336] In this method, the first SSB may carry index information, frame number information, and half-frame indication information. The index information indicates the index of the first SSB, i.e., its position within its respective SSB pattern. The frame number information indicates the frame number of the system frame in which the first SSB resides. The half-frame indication information indicates whether the current SSB set is located in the first or second half of the system frame. The first communication device can determine the position of the first SSB within its respective SSB pattern based on the index information, determine the start position of the SSB pattern based on the pattern, then determine the frame number of the system frame in which the first SSB resides based on the frame number information, and determine the subframe or system frame in which the first SSB resides based on the half-frame indication information. Finally, it determines the start and / or end position of the subframe or system frame based on the start position of the SSB pattern.

[0337] In this implementation, the first communication device can determine the SSB pattern to which the first SSB belongs based on the PBCH payload. This is beneficial for the first communication device to determine the start and / or end position of the subframe or system frame where the first SSB is located based on the SSB pattern, thereby determining the corresponding time and frequency resources, and communicating with the second communication device based on the corresponding time and frequency resources.

[0338] In the second possible implementation, the first information can be carried in the first signal, and the first communication device can acquire the first information based on the blind detection of the first signal.

[0339] Optionally, the first signal can be the demodulation reference signal (DMRS) or the PSS signal in the PBCH.

[0340] As an example, when the first signal is DMRS, the DMRS sent by the second communication device to the first communication device can be generated based on at least one of the following: the index of the SSB pattern, the identifier of the SSB pattern, or the type of the SSB pattern.

[0341] Optionally, the DMRS sent by the second communication device to the first communication device is also generated based on the cell identifier (ID) of the second communication device.

[0342] In this example, different SSB patterns correspond to different DMRS.

[0343] For example, suppose the SSB pattern in the communication system includes a first SSB pattern and a second SSB pattern, the number of first SSB patterns is one, and suppose the first SSB is a candidate SSB in the first SSB pattern. When the second communication device transmits the first SSB to the first communication device, it can generate a DMRS based on the index, identifier, or type of the first SSB pattern, and carry the generated DMRS in the PBCH of the first SSB. In this way, after receiving the first SSB, the first communication device can determine, based on a blind detection method, that the DMRS carried in the first SSB was generated based on the index, identifier, or type of the first SSB pattern, and thus determine that the SSB pattern to which the first SSB belongs is the first SSB pattern.

[0344] In this example, the first SSB pattern can be any one of the multiple SSB patterns proposed in S401, and the second SSB pattern can be any SSB pattern proposed in S401 or any existing SSB pattern other than the first SSB pattern.

[0345] For example, suppose there are multiple first SSB patterns, such as first SSB pattern 0 and first SSB pattern 1, and suppose the first SSB is a candidate SSB in first SSB pattern 0. When the second communication device transmits the first SSB to the first communication device, it can generate a DMRS based on the index, identifier, or type of the first SSB pattern 0, and carry the generated DMRS in the PBCH of the first SSB. In this way, after receiving the first SSB, the first communication device can determine, based on a blind detection method, that the DMRS carried in the first SSB is generated based on the index, identifier, or type of the first SSB pattern 0, and thus determine that the SSB pattern to which the first SSB belongs is first SSB pattern 0.

[0346] In this example, the first SSB pattern 0 and the first SSB pattern 1 can be any two of the multiple SSB patterns proposed in S401.

[0347] In this example, the first information is indicated by DMRS, which avoids the need to add new bits to the PBCH payload and thus avoids increasing transmission overhead.

[0348] Optionally, in some embodiments, when multiple SSB patterns are included, these multiple SSB patterns can be jointly indicated by the PBCH payload and DMRS.

[0349] As an example, suppose the SSB pattern can be indicated by a second bit and a third bit, where the second bit can be carried in the PBCH payload and the third bit can be carried in the DMRS. In this example, the indicated SSB pattern will be different if the value of at least one of the second and third bits is different.

[0350] For example, suppose there are multiple first SSB patterns, such as first SSB pattern 0, first SSB pattern 1, and first SSB pattern 2. The second and third bits of first SSB pattern 0 are both 0, the second and third bits of first SSB pattern 1 are 0 and 1 respectively, and the second and third bits of first SSB pattern 2 are 1 and 0 respectively. Also suppose the first SSB is a candidate SSB in first SSB pattern 0, the second SSB is a candidate SSB in first SSB pattern 1, and the third SSB is a candidate SSB in first SSB pattern 2.

[0351] In this example, when the second communication device transmits a first SSB to the first communication device, it can set the second bit in the PBCH payload to 0 and the third bit in the DMRS to 0. Upon receiving the first SSB, the first communication device can demodulate the PBCH payload and perform a blind check on the DMRS to determine that both the second and third bits are 0, thus identifying the SSB pattern as SSB pattern 0. Similarly, when the second communication device transmits a second SSB to the first communication device, it can set the second bit in the PBCH payload to 0 and the third bit in the DMRS to 1. Upon receiving the second SSB, the first communication device can demodulate the PBCH payload and perform a blind check on the DMRS to determine that the second and third bits are 0 and 1 respectively, thus identifying the SSB pattern as SSB pattern 1. When the second communication device transmits the third SSB to the first communication device, it can set the value of the second bit in the DMRS to 1 and the value of the third bit in the DMRS to 0. In this way, after the first communication device receives the third SSB, it can demodulate the PBCH payload in the third SSB and perform blind detection on the DMRS in the third SSB to obtain the values ​​of the second bit and the third bit as 1 and 0 respectively, and thus determine that the SSB pattern to which the third SSB belongs is the first SSB pattern 2.

[0352] As another example, when the first signal is a PSS, the PSS sent by the second communication device to the first communication device can be generated based on at least one of the following: the index of the SSB pattern, the identifier of the SSB pattern, or the type of the SSB pattern.

[0353] Optionally, PSS can satisfy formula (1):

[0354] In this formula, d PSS x(n) can represent a PSS sequence of length 127, where n represents the nth element. x(m) represents the sequence, where m represents the mth element. This represents the cell identifier and can take the value 0, 1, or 2. SSBpattern index It can represent the index of the SSB pattern, the identifier of the SSB pattern, or the type of the SSB pattern.

[0355] Optionally, PSS can satisfy formula (2):

[0356] In this example, different SSB patterns correspond to different PSSs.

[0357] For example, suppose the SSB pattern in the communication system includes a first SSB pattern and a second SSB pattern, the number of first SSB patterns is one, and suppose the first SSB is a candidate SSB in the first SSB pattern. When the second communication device transmits the first SSB to the first communication device, it can generate a PSS based on the index, identifier, or type of the first SSB pattern, and carry the generated PSS in the first SSB. In this way, after receiving the first SSB, the first communication device can determine, based on a blind detection method, that the PSS carried in the first SSB was generated based on the index, identifier, or type of the first SSB pattern, and thus determine that the SSB pattern to which the first SSB belongs is the first SSB pattern.

[0358] For example, suppose there are multiple first SSB patterns, such as first SSB pattern 0 and first SSB pattern 1, and suppose the first SSB is a candidate SSB in first SSB pattern 0. When the second communication device transmits the first SSB to the first communication device, it can generate a PSS based on the index, identifier, or type of the first SSB pattern 0, and carry the generated PSS in the first SSB. In this way, after receiving the first SSB, the first communication device can determine, based on a blind detection method, that the PSS carried in the first SSB was generated based on the index, identifier, or type of the first SSB pattern 0, and thus determine that the SSB pattern to which the first SSB belongs is the first SSB pattern 0.

[0359] In this example, the first information is indicated by the PSS, which avoids the need to add new bits to the PBCH payload to indicate this information, thus avoiding increased transmission overhead.

[0360] In this method, the first SSB may carry index information, frame number information, and half-frame indication information. The index information indicates the index of the first SSB, i.e., its position within its respective SSB pattern. The frame number information indicates the frame number of the system frame in which the first SSB resides. The half-frame indication information indicates whether the current SSB set is located in the first or second half of the system frame. The first communication device can determine the position of the first SSB within its respective SSB pattern based on the index information, determine the start position of the first SSB pattern based on the respective SSB pattern, then determine the frame number of the system frame in which the first SSB resides based on the frame number information, and determine the subframe or system frame in which the first SSB resides based on the half-frame indication information. Finally, it determines the start and / or end position of the subframe or system frame based on the start position of the respective SSB pattern.

[0361] In this implementation, the first communication device can determine the SSB pattern to which the first SSB belongs based on the first signal. This is beneficial for the first communication device to determine the start and / or end position of the subframe or system frame where the first SSB is located based on the SSB pattern, thereby determining the corresponding time and frequency resources, and communicating with the second communication device based on the corresponding time and frequency resources.

[0362] In a third possible implementation, the method by which the first communication device obtains the first information may include: obtaining second information, the second information indicating the type of the second communication device, the type of the second communication device including terrestrial network (TN) equipment and NTN equipment; and obtaining the first information based on the type of the second communication device.

[0363] In this implementation, the first communication device can obtain second information from the second communication device. For example, the second communication device can send the second information to the first communication device, and the first communication device receives the second information.

[0364] In this implementation, the type of the second communication device can correspond to the first association relationship. The first association relationship can be the association between frequency band, subcarrier spacing, and the first SSB pattern.

[0365] Optionally, the number of first associations can be multiple, and the first associations corresponding to different types of second communication devices are different.

[0366] Optionally, the number of first SSB patterns can be multiple, and the first SSB patterns corresponding to different first associations are also different.

[0367] In this implementation, when the second communication device sends a first SSB to the first communication device, it can also send second information to the first communication device. Upon receiving the second information, the first communication device can determine the type of the second communication device based on the second information, then determine the first association relationship corresponding to the type of the second communication device, and finally determine the first SSB pattern corresponding to the first association relationship.

[0368] Optionally, the correspondence between the first association relationship and the type of the second communication device and the first association relationship can be pre-configured in the communication device. For example, the correspondence between the first association relationship and the type of the second communication device and the first association relationship can be pre-configured in the first communication device and the second communication device.

[0369] As an example, the correspondence between the type of the second communication device and the first association can be shown in Figure 10. In this example, the first SSB pattern can include first SSB pattern 0 and first SSB pattern 1. The TN device corresponds to the first association 0, which represents the association between frequency band 0, subcarrier spacing 0 and first SSB pattern 0. The NTN device corresponds to the first association 1, which represents the association between frequency band 1, subcarrier spacing 1 and first SSB pattern 1.

[0370] When the second communication device is a TN device, the first communication device can determine that the second communication device corresponds to the first association relationship 0 based on the second information, and then determine the first SSB pattern 0 based on the first association relationship 0.

[0371] When the second communication device is an NTN device, the first communication device can determine that the second communication device corresponds to the first association relationship 1 based on the second information, and then determine the first SSB pattern 1 based on the first association relationship 1.

[0372] Optionally, the second information can also be carried in the PSS. In this method, the second communication device can generate a PSS based on its type and send the PSS to the first communication device. After receiving the PSS, the first communication device can obtain the second information based on the received PSS. In this method, the PSS generated by different types of second communication devices are different, or the sequence index of the PSS generated by different types of second communication devices is different.

[0373] In this implementation, the first communication device can determine the SSB pattern to which the first SSB belongs based on the second information, and determine the start and / or end position of the subframe or system frame where the first SSB is located based on the SSB pattern, thereby determining the corresponding time and frequency resources, and then communicating with the second communication device based on the corresponding time and frequency resources.

[0374] In this implementation, since multiple SSB patterns can be included, and multiple first SSB patterns can also be included, the first information is obtained through the second information, so that the first communication device can determine which of the multiple SSB patterns or which of the multiple first SSB patterns the first SSB belongs to based on the second information, thus avoiding confusion and ensuring the accuracy of the first communication device in determining the corresponding time and frequency resources.

[0375] Optionally, when the second communication device is an NTN device, the first communication device may also acquire third information, which indicates the orbital height of the second communication device, and the first information is acquired based on the orbital height of the second communication device.

[0376] In this implementation, the first communication device can obtain third information from the second communication device. For example, the second communication device can send the third information to the first communication device, and the first communication device receives the third information.

[0377] In this implementation, the orbital altitude of the second communication device can correspond to a first correlation. This first correlation can be a relationship between frequency band, subcarrier spacing, and a first SSB pattern.

[0378] Optionally, the number of first associations can be multiple, and the first associations corresponding to the second communication devices at different orbital altitudes are different.

[0379] Optionally, the number of first SSB patterns can be multiple, and the first SSB patterns corresponding to different first associations are also different.

[0380] In this implementation, when the second communication device sends the first SSB to the first communication device, it can also send third information to the first communication device. In this way, the first communication device can determine the orbital height of the second communication device based on the third information, then determine the first association relationship corresponding to the orbital height of the second communication device based on the orbital height, and finally determine the first SSB pattern corresponding to the first association relationship based on the first association relationship.

[0381] Optionally, the correspondence between the first association relationship and the track height of the second communication device and the first association relationship can be pre-configured in the communication device. For example, the correspondence between the first association relationship and the track height of the second communication device and the first association relationship can be pre-configured in the first communication device and the second communication device.

[0382] As an example, the correspondence between the orbital height of the second communication device and the first association can be shown in Figure 11. In this example, the first SSB pattern can include first SSB pattern 2, first SSB pattern 3, and first SSB pattern 4. The first orbital height corresponds to the first association 2, which represents the association between frequency band 2, subcarrier spacing 2, and first SSB pattern 2. The second orbital height corresponds to the first association 3, which represents the association between frequency band 3, subcarrier spacing 3, and first SSB pattern 3. The third orbital height corresponds to the first association 4, which represents the association between frequency band 4, subcarrier spacing 4, and first SSB pattern 4.

[0383] Optionally, the first track height, the second track height, and the third track height can be a single value or a range of values.

[0384] When the track height of the second communication device is the first track height or the track height of the second communication device is within the range of the first track height, the first communication device can determine that the first track height corresponds to the first association relationship 2 based on the third information, and then determine the first SSB pattern 2 based on the first association relationship 2.

[0385] When the track height of the second communication device is the second track height or the track height of the second communication device is within the range of the second track height, the first communication device can determine that the second track height corresponds to the first association relationship 3 based on the third information, and then determine the first SSB pattern 3 based on the first association relationship 3.

[0386] When the track height of the second communication device is the third track height or the track height of the second communication device is within the range of the third track height, the first communication device can determine that the third track height corresponds to the first association relationship 4 based on the third information, and then determine the first SSB pattern 4 based on the first association relationship 4.

[0387] Optionally, the third information can also be carried in the PSS. In this method, the second communication device can generate a PSS based on its orbital altitude and send the PSS to the first communication device. After receiving the PSS, the first communication device can obtain the third information based on the received PSS. In this method, the PSS generated by the second communication device at different orbital altitudes are different, or the sequence indices of the PSS generated by the second communication device at different orbital altitudes are different.

[0388] In this method, the higher the orbital altitude of the second communication device, the worse the link budget becomes. Therefore, the subcarrier spacing in the first correlation corresponding to the orbital altitude of the second communication device should be smaller. For example, assuming the orbital altitude of the second communication device is 500 kilometers (km), the first communication device can use a first SSB pattern where 120kHz, 60kHz, and 30kHz coexist. Similarly, assuming the orbital altitude of the second communication device is 1000km, the first communication device can use a first SSB pattern where 120kHz, 60kHz, and 15kHz coexist.

[0389] In this implementation, the first communication device can determine the SSB pattern to which the first SSB belongs based on the third information, and determine the start and / or end position of the subframe or system frame in which the first SSB is located based on the SSB pattern, thereby determining the corresponding time and frequency resources, and then communicating with the second communication device based on the corresponding time and frequency resources.

[0390] In this implementation, since multiple SSB patterns can be included, and multiple first SSB patterns can also be included, the first information is obtained through the third information, so that the first communication device can determine which of the multiple SSB patterns or which of the multiple first SSB patterns the first SSB belongs to based on the third information, thus avoiding confusion and ensuring the accuracy of the first communication device in determining the corresponding time and frequency resources.

[0391] Optionally, in some examples, each SSB pattern in the multiple SSB patterns can correspond to a set of frequency bands and subcarrier spacings, so that the first communication device can determine the SSB pattern to which the first SSB belongs as the first SSB pattern based on the frequency band and subcarrier spacing of the received first SSB.

[0392] In this example, there can be one or more first SSB patterns. When there are multiple first SSB patterns, the first communication device can determine the SSB pattern to which the first SSB belongs as the first SSB pattern based on the frequency band and subcarrier spacing of the received first SSB. This can be understood as: the first communication device can determine which of the multiple first SSB patterns the first SSB belongs to based on the frequency band and subcarrier spacing of the received first SSB.

[0393] Optionally, the correspondence between the first SSB pattern and the frequency band and subcarrier spacing can be stored in a table or other manner.

[0394] As an example, assuming there are multiple first SSB patterns, the correspondence between the first SSB patterns and frequency bands and subcarrier spacing can be shown in Figure 12. In this example, the first SSB patterns include type X1 and type Y1. Type X1 corresponds to a subcarrier spacing of 120 kHz, and the frequency band corresponding to type X1 is frequency band 1. Type Y1 corresponds to a subcarrier spacing of 120 kHz, and the frequency band corresponding to type Y1 is frequency band 2.

[0395] In this example, the subcarrier spacing corresponding to type X1 and type Y1 is the same, and frequency band 1 and frequency band 2 do not overlap.

[0396] Optionally, in some examples, when the subcarrier spacing corresponding to each of the multiple first SSB patterns is different, the frequency bands corresponding to these multiple first SSB patterns can overlap, be the same, or be different.

[0397] Optionally, in some embodiments, the correspondence between the first SSB pattern and frequency band, subcarrier spacing can also be stored in a table along with the existing correspondence between SSB patterns and frequency band, subcarrier spacing.

[0398] Figure 13 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device provided in an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 13, the communication device 1300 may include a receiving module 1301 and a processing module 1302.

[0399] As an example, the communication device 1300 can be used to implement the communication method of the embodiment shown in FIG4. The receiving module 1301 can be used to execute S402, and the processing module 1302 can be used to execute S403.

[0400] Optionally, the communication device 1300 may be a first communication device or a chip applied in the first communication device.

[0401] Figure 14 is a schematic diagram of a communication device provided in another embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 14, the communication device 1400 may include a processing module 1401 and a transmitting module 1402.

[0402] As an example, the communication device 1400 can be used to implement the communication method of the embodiment shown in FIG4. The processing module 1401 can be used to execute S401, and the sending module 1402 can be used to execute S402.

[0403] Optionally, the communication device 1400 may be a second communication device or a chip used in a second communication device.

[0404] Figure 15 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device provided in another embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 15, the communication device 1500 includes a processor 1501 and an interface circuit 1502. The processor 1501 and the interface circuit 1502 are coupled to each other. It is understood that the interface circuit 1502 can be a transceiver or an input / output interface. Optionally, the communication device 1500 may further include a memory 1503 for storing instructions executed by the processor 1501, or storing input data required by the processor 1501 to execute instructions, or storing data generated after the processor 1501 executes instructions.

[0405] As a first example, processor 1501 can be used to implement the functions of the processing module 1302 described above, and interface circuit 1502 can be used to implement the functions of the receiving module 1301 described above.

[0406] In this example, the communication device 1500 may be a first communication device, or a chip or chip system applied in the first communication device.

[0407] As a second example, processor 1501 can be used to implement the functions of the processing module 1401 described above, and interface circuit 1502 can be used to implement the functions of the sending module 1402 described above.

[0408] In this example, the communication device 1500 can be a second communication device, or a chip or chip system applied in the second communication device.

[0409] The method steps in the embodiments of this application can be implemented in hardware or by a processor executing software instructions. The software instructions can consist of corresponding software modules, which can be stored in memory or any other form of storage medium known in the art. An exemplary storage medium is coupled to the processor, enabling the processor to read information from and write information to the storage medium. Of course, the storage medium can also be a component of the processor. The processor and storage medium can reside in an ASIC. Alternatively, the ASIC can reside in a network device or terminal. Of course, the processor and storage medium can also exist as discrete components in the network device or terminal.

[0410] In this application, the memory may include: cache, random access memory (RAM), flash memory, read-only memory (ROM), synchronous dynamic random access memory (SDRAM), programmable read-only memory, erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory, registers, hard disk drive (HDD) or solid-state drive (SSD), portable hard disk drive, or compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), etc. Memory is any other medium capable of carrying or storing desired program code having an instruction or data structure form and accessible by a computer, but is not limited thereto. The memory in the embodiments of this application may also be a circuit or any other device capable of implementing storage functions for storing computer programs or instructions, and / or data.

[0411] In this application, the processor can be one or more central processing units (CPUs). If the processor is a CPU, it can be a single-core CPU or a multi-core CPU. The processor can be a general-purpose processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a programmable logic device (PLD), a graphics processing unit (GPU), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), or other programmable logic devices, discrete gate or transistor logic devices, or discrete hardware sets. A general-purpose processor can be a microprocessor or any conventional processor.

[0412] In the above embodiments, implementation can be achieved entirely or partially through software, hardware, firmware, or any combination thereof. When implemented using software, it can be implemented entirely or partially in the form of a computer program product. The computer program product includes one or more computer programs or instructions. When the computer program or instructions are loaded and executed on a computer, the processes or functions described in the embodiments of this application are performed entirely or partially. The computer can be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network, a network device, 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 that a computer can access 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; it can also be an optical medium, such as a digital video optical disc; or it can be a semiconductor medium, such as a solid-state drive.

[0413] This application also provides a computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program or instructions that are executed by a computer (e.g., a processor) to implement some or all of the steps of any method executed by any device in this application.

[0414] This application also provides a computer program product including a computer program or a set of instructions, which, when run on a computer, implements some or all of the steps of any method executed by any device in this application embodiment.

[0415] In the various embodiments of this application, unless otherwise specified or in case of logical conflict, the terminology and / or descriptions of different embodiments are consistent and can be referenced by each other. The technical features of different embodiments can be combined to form new embodiments according to their inherent logical relationship.

[0416] It is understood that the various numerical designations used in the embodiments of this application are merely for descriptive convenience and are not intended to limit the scope of the embodiments of this application. The order of the process numbers described above does not imply the order of execution; the execution order of each process should be determined by its function and internal logic.

Claims

1. A communication method characterized by comprising: The method is applied to a first communication device, and the method comprises: receiving a first synchronization signal block (SSB) from a second communication device, a transmission frequency band of the first SSB being a first frequency band, the first SSB containing one or more candidate SSBs in a first SSB pattern, the first SSB pattern supporting coexistence of a first subcarrier spacing and a second subcarrier spacing, the first subcarrier spacing containing at least one of subcarrier spacings corresponding to the first frequency band, the first subcarrier spacing containing a subcarrier spacing of the first SSB, the second subcarrier spacing containing at least one of subcarrier spacings corresponding to a second frequency band, the second frequency band being lower than the first frequency band; determining, based on the first SSB, a starting position and / or an ending position of a subframe or a system frame in which the first SSB is located.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein, The candidate SSBs in the first SSB pattern do not occupy a first position, the first position containing a position of a first symbol and a second symbol in each time slot corresponding to each of the first subcarrier spacing and the second subcarrier spacing, the first symbol containing a symbol used for transmitting a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) in the each time slot, and the second symbol containing a symbol used for transmitting a physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) in the each time slot.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein, The candidate SSBs in the first SSB pattern do not occupy a first position, the first position containing a position of a first symbol in each time slot corresponding to each of the first subcarrier spacing and the second subcarrier spacing, the first symbol containing a symbol used for transmitting a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) in the each time slot.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The subcarrier spacing corresponding to the second frequency band is less than or equal to the subcarrier spacing corresponding to the first frequency band.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, The first frequency band is a frequency range 2 (FR2) frequency band, and the second frequency band is a frequency range 1 (FR1) frequency band.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, The first subcarrier spacing contains one or more of the following: 60 kilohertz (KHz), 120 KHz, 240 KHz, 480 KHz, or 960 KHz.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that, The second subcarrier spacing contains one or more of the following: 15 KHz, 30 KHz, or 60 KHz.

8. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that, The method further comprises: obtaining first information, the first information indicating that a SSB pattern to which the first SSB belongs is the first SSB pattern.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein, The obtaining of the first information comprises: obtaining the first information based on a physical broadcast channel (PBCH) payload; or, obtaining the first information based on a manner of blindly detecting a first signal, the first signal being a demodulation reference signal (DMRS) or a primary synchronization signal (PSS), the first signal being generated based on at least one of the following information: an index of a SSB pattern, an identifier of a SSB pattern, or a type of a SSB pattern.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein, The obtaining of the first information comprises: obtaining second information, the second information indicating a type of the second communication device, the type of the second communication device containing a terrestrial network (TN) device and a non-terrestrial network (NTN) device; obtaining the first information based on the type of the second communication device.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein, When the type of the second communication device is an NTN device, the obtaining of the first information further comprises: obtaining third information, the third information indicating an orbital height of the second communication device; obtaining the first information based on the orbital height of the second communication device.

12. A communication method characterized by comprising: The method is applied to a second communication device, and the method comprises: determining a first synchronization signal block (SSB); transmitting the first SSB, a transmission frequency band of the first SSB being a first frequency band, the first SSB containing one or more candidate SSBs in a first SSB pattern, the first SSB pattern supporting coexistence of a first subcarrier spacing and a second subcarrier spacing, the first subcarrier spacing containing at least one of subcarrier spacings corresponding to the first frequency band, the first subcarrier spacing containing a subcarrier spacing of the first SSB, the second subcarrier spacing containing at least one of subcarrier spacings corresponding to a second frequency band, the second frequency band being lower than the first frequency band.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein, The candidate SSBs in the first SSB pattern do not occupy a first position, the first position containing a position of a first symbol and a second symbol in each time slot corresponding to each of the first subcarrier spacing and the second subcarrier spacing, the first symbol containing a symbol used for transmitting a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) in the each time slot, the second symbol containing a symbol used for transmitting a physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) in the each time slot.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein, The candidate SSBs in the first SSB pattern do not occupy a first position, the first position containing a position of a first symbol in each time slot corresponding to each of the first subcarrier spacing and the second subcarrier spacing, the first symbol containing a symbol used for transmitting a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) in the each time slot.

15. The method according to any one of claims 12 to 14, characterized in that, The subcarrier spacing corresponding to the second frequency band is less than or equal to the subcarrier spacing corresponding to the first frequency band.

16. The method according to any one of claims 12 to 15, characterized in that, The first frequency band is an FR2 frequency band, and the second frequency band is an FR1 frequency band.

17. The method according to any one of claims 12 to 16, characterized in that, The first subcarrier spacing contains one or more of the following: 60 kilohertz (KHz), 120 KHz, 240 KHz, 480 KHz, or 960 KHz.

18. The method according to any one of claims 12 to 17, characterized in that, The second subcarrier spacing contains one or more of the following: 15 KHz, 30 KHz, or 60 KHz.

19. The method according to any one of claims 12 to 18, characterized in that, The method further comprises: transmitting first information, the first information indicating that an SSB pattern to which the first SSB belongs is the first SSB pattern.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein, The first information is carried in a physical broadcast channel (PBCH) payload or a first signal, the first signal being a demodulation reference signal (DMRS) or a primary synchronization signal (PSS), the first signal being generated based on at least one of the following information: an index of the SSB pattern, an identifier of the SSB pattern, or a type of the SSB pattern.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein, The method further comprises: transmitting second information, the second information indicating a type of the second communication device, the type of the second communication device containing a terrestrial network (TN) device and a non-terrestrial network (NTN) device.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein, The method further comprises: transmitting third information, the third information indicating an orbital height of the second communication device.

23. A communications device, characterized by comprising functional modules for implementing the method of any one of claims 1 to 11, or comprising functional modules for implementing the method of any one of claims 12 to 22.

24. A communications device, characterized by comprising a processor for causing the apparatus to perform the method of any one of claims 1 to 11, or for causing the apparatus to perform the method of any one of claims 12 to 22, by executing computer programs or instructions stored in a memory, and / or by logic circuitry.

25. The apparatus of claim 24, wherein, The communication apparatus further comprises a memory for storing the computer programs or instructions.

26. A computer readable storage medium, characterized in that, The computer readable storage medium stores computer executable instructions for causing the method of any one of claims 1 to 11 to be implemented, or for causing the method of any one of claims 12 to 22 to be implemented, when the computer executable instructions are run on a communication apparatus.

27. A computer program product, characterised in that, The computer program product comprises instructions for implementing the method of any one of claims 1 to 22.

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