Communication method and communication apparatus

Abstract

The present application relates to the field of communications, and provides a communication method and a communication apparatus. The method comprises: receiving first information from a first access network device, wherein the first information is used for indicating that a secondary cell is in an on-demand SSB transmission state; and on the basis of the first information, determining whether to receive an SSB on the secondary cell. Defining an on-demand SSB transmission state enables a secondary cell to transmit an SSB on demand rather than continuously transmit a certain fixed-configuration SSB, thereby achieving flexible SSB transmission on the secondary cell. In addition, an access network device indicating to a first terminal that a secondary cell is currently in an on-demand SSB transmission state enables the first terminal to determine, on the basis of the indication from the access network device, whether to receive an SSB, wherein if the on-demand SSB transmission state indicates that the secondary cell is not currently transmitting the SSB, the first terminal can skip SSB reception, thereby realizing energy saving for the first terminal.

Description

Communication methods and communication devices

[0001] This application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 202410817522.4, filed on June 21, 2024, entitled "Communication Method and Communication Device", the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0002] This application relates to the field of communications, and more specifically, to a communication method and a communication device. Background Technology

[0003] Synchronization signal and physical broadcast channel (PBCH) block (SSB) can be used for cell search and signal measurement. Cells continuously transmit SSBs, enabling terminals to perform cell searches in a timely manner, but this also leads to higher power consumption for access network equipment. While disabling SSB transmission can be applicable in some scenarios, such as certain carrier aggregation scenarios, its application scope is limited and may introduce other problems. For example, if a terminal loses synchronization with the SSB due to the secondary cell not transmitting SSBs, it will be unable to perform cell synchronization. Summary of the Invention

[0004] This application provides a communication method and a communication device that enables flexible transmission of SSBs in a secondary cell.

[0005] Firstly, a communication method is provided, which can be applied to the terminal side (referred to as: the first terminal in this application embodiment), such as the terminal or the communication module in the terminal, or the circuit or chip in the terminal responsible for the communication function (such as a modem chip, also known as a baseband chip, or a system on chip (SoC) chip containing a modem core or a system in package (SIP) chip).

[0006] The method includes: receiving first information from an access network side device, the first information indicating that the secondary cell is in a state of sending SSBs on demand; and determining whether to receive SSBs in the secondary cell based on the first information.

[0007] For example, if the "SSB on demand" status indicates that the access network-side device is currently transmitting SSBs in the secondary cell, then the first terminal can receive SSBs in the secondary cell. If the "SSB on demand" status indicates that SSBs are not currently being transmitted in the secondary cell, then the first terminal does not need to receive SSBs in the secondary cell.

[0008] For example, the first information can also be used to configure (or add) secondary cells.

[0009] According to the communication method provided in the embodiments of this application, by defining an on-demand SSB transmission state, the first access network device can be enabled to transmit SSBs on demand in the secondary cell, instead of continuously transmitting a fixed configuration of SSBs in the secondary cell, thus achieving flexible transmission of SSBs by the first access network device in the secondary cell. Furthermore, by instructing the first terminal that the first access network device is currently in an on-demand SSB transmission state in the secondary cell, the first terminal can determine whether to receive SSBs in the secondary cell based on the instruction from the access network device. If the on-demand SSB transmission state indicates that the first access network device is not currently transmitting SSBs in the secondary cell, the first terminal can choose not to receive SSBs in the secondary cell, thereby achieving energy saving for the first terminal.

[0010] In one possible implementation, the state of sending SSB on demand is as follows: the access network side device does not send SSB in the secondary cell during a first time period, and sends SSB in the secondary cell during a second time period.

[0011] It should be understood that the first time period is not a period during which the SSB is not transmitted within its transmission cycle. Optionally, the duration of the second time period can be longer than the SSB transmission cycle.

[0012] Based on the above scheme, when the secondary cell is in the first state, the access network side device does not need to continuously send SSB, and the first terminal does not need to continuously receive SSB, so that both the first access network device and the first terminal can achieve energy saving.

[0013] For example, the first time period may include the time between the moment when the access network side device sends the first information and the moment when the first access network device sends the secondary cell activation command, which is used to activate the secondary cell.

[0014] In one possible implementation, the method further includes: receiving transmission indication information from an access network side device, the transmission indication information indicating that the secondary cell is transmitting an SSB, wherein the secondary cell does not transmit an SSB before receiving the transmission indication information; and receiving an SSB in the secondary cell according to the transmission indication information.

[0015] Based on this scheme, the first terminal may not receive SSB in the secondary cell before receiving the transmission indication information, and will only receive SSB in the secondary cell after receiving the transmission indication information, thereby achieving energy saving for the access network side device and the first terminal.

[0016] For example, the first information also indicates at least one configuration information of the SSB.

[0017] For example, the transmission indication information or first information may indicate or include the configuration information of the SSB and / or the measurement configuration of the SSB used by the first terminal in the secondary cell to receive the SSB.

[0018] For example, the configuration information may include one or more of the following: the SSB transmission beam, the SSB transmission period, the SSB transmission duration, the SSB transmission count, or the SSB transmission carrier frequency (or the SSB transmission frequency or SSB frequency).

[0019] For example, the measurement configuration may include one or more of the following: the SSB frequency (i.e., the SSB frequency point), the SSB subcarrier spacing, the SSB-based measurement timing configuration (SMTC), whitelisted cells, or blacklisted cells. The SMTC may include the measurement period and time offset and / or the measurement window.

[0020] In one possible implementation, the state of sending SSB on demand is as follows: during a first time period, the access network side device sends an SSB in the secondary cell based on the first configuration information of the SSB, and during a second time period, the access network side device sends an SSB in the secondary cell based on the second configuration information of the SSB, wherein the first configuration information and the second configuration information are different.

[0021] For example, the transmission period and / or transmission beam of the SSB in the first configuration information and the second configuration information are different.

[0022] Based on the above scheme, when the secondary cell is in the second state, the access network side device can send SSB on the secondary cell at different times based on different configuration information, so as to realize that the access network side device can send SSB on the secondary cell on demand and flexibly.

[0023] In one possible implementation, the method further includes: receiving transmission indication information from a first access network device, the transmission indication information instructing the access network side device to send an SSB in the secondary cell based on second configuration information, wherein, before receiving the transmission indication information, the access network side device sends an SSB in the secondary cell based on first configuration information; and receiving an SSB in the secondary cell according to the transmission indication information.

[0024] Based on this scheme, before receiving the transmission indication information, the first terminal can receive SSB in the secondary cell based on the first configuration information, and before receiving the transmission indication information, it can receive SSB in the secondary cell based on the second configuration information.

[0025] For example, the first information may include first configuration information and second configuration information.

[0026] For example, the transmission indication information may include or indicate second configuration information and / or the measurement configuration of the SSB. The first terminal may receive the SSB on the secondary cell based on the second configuration information and the measurement configuration.

[0027] For example, the second measurement configuration may be sent or indicated after the access network side device sends the transmission indication information.

[0028] In one possible implementation, before receiving transmission indication information from the access network side device, the method further includes: sending request information to the access network side device according to first information, the request information being used to request the access network side device to send SSB in the secondary cell.

[0029] For example, when the uplink data volume is large, the first terminal can send a request to the access network side device, requesting the access network side device to activate the secondary cell and send an SSB on the secondary cell.

[0030] In one possible implementation, receiving an SSB includes performing cell search based on the SSB and / or performing cell measurement based on the SSB.

[0031] Secondly, a communication method is provided, which can be applied to the access network side device (referred to as: the first access network device in this application embodiment), such as the access network device, the module (e.g., circuit, chip or chip system in the access network device, etc.), or the logic node, logic module or software that can realize all or part of the functions of the access network device.

[0032] The method includes: generating first information, the first information being used to indicate that the secondary cell is in a state of sending SSB on demand; and sending the first information to a first terminal.

[0033] According to the communication method provided in the embodiments of this application, by defining an on-demand SSB transmission state, the first access network device can be enabled to transmit SSBs on demand in the secondary cell, instead of continuously transmitting a fixed configuration of SSBs in the secondary cell, thus achieving flexible transmission of SSBs by the first access network device in the secondary cell. Furthermore, by instructing the first terminal that the first access network device is currently in an on-demand SSB transmission state in the secondary cell, the first terminal can determine whether to receive SSBs in the secondary cell based on the instruction from the access network device. If the on-demand SSB transmission state indicates that the first access network device is not currently transmitting SSBs in the secondary cell, the first terminal can choose not to receive SSBs in the secondary cell, thereby achieving energy saving for the first terminal.

[0034] In one possible implementation, the state of sending SSB on demand is as follows: the secondary cell does not send SSB during the first time period, and sends SSB during the second time period.

[0035] In one possible implementation, the method further includes: sending transmission indication information to a first terminal, the transmission indication information indicating that an SSB is being transmitted in the secondary cell, wherein an SSB is not being transmitted in the secondary cell before the transmission indication information is sent.

[0036] In one possible implementation, the state of sending SSB on demand is as follows: during a first time period, the secondary cell sends an SSB based on the first configuration information of the SSB, and during a second time period, the secondary cell sends an SSB based on the second configuration information of the SSB, wherein the first configuration information and the second configuration information are different.

[0037] In one possible implementation, the method further includes: sending transmission indication information to a first terminal, the transmission indication information indicating that an SSB is sent in a secondary cell based on second configuration information, wherein the SSB is sent in the secondary cell based on the first configuration information before the transmission indication information is sent.

[0038] In one possible implementation, the transmission indication information also indicates second configuration information, and / or, the measurement configuration of the SSB, which is used by the first terminal to receive the SSB in the secondary cell.

[0039] In one possible implementation, the first information further indicates at least one configuration information of the SSB, and the second configuration information belongs to the at least one configuration information.

[0040] In one possible implementation, the method further includes: sending a measurement configuration of the SSB to a first terminal, the measurement configuration being used by the first terminal to receive the SSB in the secondary cell.

[0041] In one possible implementation, before sending the transmission indication information to the first terminal, the method further includes: receiving request information from the first terminal, the request information being used to request the transmission of SSB in the secondary cell; wherein, sending the transmission indication information to the first terminal includes: sending the transmission indication information to the first terminal according to the request information.

[0042] It should be understood that the second aspect corresponds to the first aspect. For any concepts or operations in the second aspect that are identical to those in the first aspect, please refer to the description in the first aspect. Similarly, the beneficial effects of the implementation methods in the second aspect that correspond to those in the first aspect can also be found in the description in the first aspect. The second aspect may also include implementation methods described in the first aspect that are not mentioned in the second aspect.

[0043] Thirdly, a communication method is provided, which can be applied to the terminal side (referred to as: the second terminal in this application embodiment), such as the terminal or the communication module in the terminal, or the circuit or chip in the terminal responsible for the communication function (such as a modem chip, also known as a baseband chip, or a system on chip (SoC) chip containing a modem core or a system in package (SIP) chip).

[0044] The method includes: receiving measurement update information from a second (distributed unit, DU), the measurement update information indicating one or more of the following: information on the measurement of the synchronization signal and physical broadcast channel block (SSB) of a first cell, information related to the first cell in cell selection, or information related to the first cell in cell reselection, wherein the second DU is the DU corresponding to a neighboring cell of the first cell; and performing an operation related to the first cell based on the measurement update information.

[0045] According to the communication method provided in the embodiments of this application, when the configuration of the first cell is updated, the first CU can indicate to the second DU that the configuration of the first cell has been updated through the second CU. The second DU can then update information related to the first cell to the second terminal, such as measurement-related information and cell selection / reselection-related information. This scheme facilitates timely adjustment of information related to the cell by access network devices through the exchange of cell configurations, avoiding unnecessary or inappropriate operations by the terminal, such as avoiding unnecessary cell measurements or executing inappropriate cell selection / reselection strategies.

[0046] In one possible implementation, the information for measuring the SSB of the first cell includes: a measurement configuration for measuring the SSB of the first cell, stopping the measurement of the SSB of the first cell, stopping the measurement of the SSB of the first cell within a target time period, or the first cell being on a cell measurement blacklist.

[0047] In one possible implementation, the information related to the first cell in the cell selection includes: the first cell has the lowest priority in cell selection or the first cell has been added to the cell selection blacklist;

[0048] In one possible implementation, the information related to the first cell in the cell reselection includes: the first cell has the lowest priority for cell reselection or the first cell has been added to the cell reselection blacklist.

[0049] Fourthly, a communication method is provided that can be applied to the first DU.

[0050] The method includes: receiving configuration indication information from a first distributed unit (CU), the configuration indication information indicating that updating the configuration information of the synchronization signal and physical broadcast channel block (SSB) of a first cell is permitted, or the configuration indication information indicating updating the configuration information of the SSB of the first cell; and sending configuration update information to the first CU according to the configuration indication information, the configuration update information indicating that the configuration information of the SSB of the first cell has been updated. For details regarding the SSB configuration information, please refer to the description in the first aspect.

[0051] According to the communication method provided in the embodiments of this application, when the first DU determines to update the SSB configuration of the first cell based on the configuration instruction information of the first CU, it can send configuration update information to the first CU, so that the first CU can inform the second DU of the configuration update information through the second CU. In this way, the second DU can update information related to the first cell, such as measurement-related information and cell selection / re-selection-related information, based on the configuration update information.

[0052] In one possible implementation, the configuration update information also indicates the configuration information of the SSB of the first cell.

[0053] Fifthly, a communication method is provided that can be applied to the first CU.

[0054] The method includes: sending configuration indication information to a first DU, the configuration indication information indicating that the configuration information of the synchronization signal and physical broadcast channel block (SSB) of a first cell can be updated, or the configuration indication information indicating that the configuration information of the SSB of the first cell can be updated; receiving configuration update information from the first DU, the configuration update information indicating that the configuration information of the SSB of the first cell has been updated; and sending the configuration update information to a second CU.

[0055] According to the communication method provided in the embodiments of this application, when the first DU determines to update the SSB configuration of the first cell based on the configuration instruction information of the first CU, it can send configuration update information to the first CU, so that the first CU can inform the second DU of the configuration update information through the second CU. In this way, the second DU can update information related to the first cell based on the configuration update information, such as measurement-related information and cell selection / re-selection-related information.

[0056] In one possible implementation, the configuration update information also indicates the configuration information of the SSB of the first cell.

[0057] Sixthly, a communication method is provided that can be applied to a second DU.

[0058] The method includes: receiving configuration update information from a second CU, the configuration update information indicating that the configuration information of the SSB of a first cell has been updated; and sending measurement update information to a second terminal according to the configuration update information, the measurement update information indicating one or more of the following: information for the measurement of the synchronization signal and physical broadcast channel block SSB of the first cell, information related to the first cell in cell selection, or information related to the first cell in cell reselection, wherein the second DU is the DU corresponding to a neighboring cell of the first cell.

[0059] According to the communication method provided in the embodiments of this application, when the configuration of the first cell is updated, the first CU can indicate to the second DU that the configuration of the first cell has been updated through the second CU. The second DU can then update information related to the first cell to the second terminal, such as measurement-related information and cell selection / reselection-related information. This scheme facilitates timely adjustment of information related to the cell by access network devices through the exchange of cell configurations, avoiding unnecessary or inappropriate operations by the terminal, such as avoiding unnecessary cell measurements or executing inappropriate cell selection / reselection strategies.

[0060] In one possible implementation, the information for measuring the SSB of the first cell includes: a measurement configuration for measuring the SSB of the first cell, stopping the measurement of the SSB of the first cell, stopping the measurement of the SSB of the first cell within a target time period, or the first cell being on a cell measurement blacklist.

[0061] In one possible implementation, the information related to the first cell in the cell selection includes: the first cell has the lowest priority in cell selection or the first cell has been added to the cell selection blacklist;

[0062] In one possible implementation, the information related to the first cell in the cell reselection includes: the first cell has the lowest priority for cell reselection or the first cell has been added to the cell reselection blacklist.

[0063] In one possible implementation, the configuration update information also indicates the configuration information of the SSB of the first cell.

[0064] Seventhly, this application provides a communication device. The communication device includes modules, units, or means corresponding to the operations involved in any of the above aspects. These modules, units, or means can be implemented in software, hardware, or a combination of software and hardware.

[0065] Eighthly, this application provides a communication device including an interface circuit and one or more processors. The one or more processors are coupled to a memory. The memory stores part or all of a computer program or instructions necessary for implementing the functions involved in any of the preceding aspects. The one or more processors are executable to carry out the computer program or instructions, causing the communication device to implement the methods in any possible design or implementation of any of the preceding aspects. The interface circuit is used to implement the communication functions within the communication device and / or the communication functions between the communication device and other devices or components.

[0066] In one possible design, the processor is used to communicate with other devices or components through the interface circuit.

[0067] In one possible design, the communication device may also include the memory.

[0068] Ninthly, this application provides a communication system including a first terminal and a first access network device. In one possible design, the first terminal can perform the method provided in the first aspect, and the first access network device can perform the method provided in the second aspect.

[0069] In a tenth aspect, this application provides a communication system including a second terminal, a first DU, a first CU, a second CU, and a second DU. In one possible design, the second terminal can perform the method provided in the third aspect, the first DU can perform the method provided in the fourth aspect, the first CU can perform the method provided in the fifth aspect, and the second DU can perform the method provided in the sixth aspect.

[0070] In one aspect, this application provides a computer-readable storage medium storing computer-readable instructions, which, when read and executed by a computer, cause the computer to perform the method in any of the above aspects or any possible implementation of any of the above aspects.

[0071] In a twelfth aspect, this application provides a computer program product that, when read and executed by a computer, causes the method in any of the above aspects or any possible implementations of any of the above aspects to be executed.

[0072] In a thirteenth aspect, a communication device is provided, characterized in that it includes a processor, which, when executing a program or instructions, causes a method in any of the above aspects or any possible implementations of any of the above aspects to be executed.

[0073] In a fourteenth aspect, a chip is provided, including a processor for calling and running a computer program from memory, such that the method in any of the foregoing aspects or any possible implementation of any of the foregoing aspects is executed. Attached Figure Description

[0074] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a communication system provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0075] Figure 2 is a diagram of a CU-DU separation architecture provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0076] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of two carrier aggregation scenarios provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0077] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of a dual-connection scenario provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0078] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of the secondary cell activation process provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0079] Figure 6 is a schematic flowchart of a communication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0080] Figures 7 and 8 are examples of the first and second time periods provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0081] Figures 9 and 10 are schematic diagrams of a scenario where a secondary cell transmits SSBs on demand, as provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0082] Figure 11 is an example of the first time period and the second time period provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0083] Figures 12 and 13 are schematic diagrams of a scenario where a secondary cell transmits SSBs on demand, as provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0084] Figures 14 and 15 are schematic flowcharts illustrating specific examples of the communication method provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0085] Figure 16 is a schematic flowchart of another communication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0086] Figure 17 is a schematic flowchart of another communication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0087] Figure 18 is a schematic diagram of a communication device provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0088] Figure 19 is a schematic diagram of another communication device provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0089] Figure 20 is a schematic structural diagram of a terminal device provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0090] Figure 21 is a schematic structural diagram of an access network device provided in an embodiment of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0091] The technical solutions in the embodiments of this application will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0092] In the description of this application, unless otherwise stated, " / " indicates that the objects before and after are in an "or" relationship. For example, A / B can represent A or B. "And / or" in this application merely 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, and B alone, where A and B can be singular or plural. Furthermore, in the description of this application, unless otherwise stated, "multiple" refers to two or more. "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, or c can represent: a, b, c, ab, ac, bc, or abc, where a, b, and c can be single or multiple. Additionally, to facilitate a clear description of the technical solutions of 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. Those skilled in the art will understand that the words "first" and "second" do not limit the quantity or the order of execution, and that the words "first" and "second" do not necessarily imply that they are different.

[0093] In the various method embodiments of this application, the order of the sequence numbers does not imply the order of execution. The execution order should be determined by its function and internal logic, and should not constitute any limitation on the implementation process of the embodiments of this application.

[0094] It is understood that in this application, descriptions such as "under the circumstances," "if," "when," and "if..." can be used interchangeably. Furthermore, these descriptions all refer to the corresponding actions that will be taken under certain objective circumstances, and are not time-limited, nor do they require any judgment action during implementation, nor do they imply any other limitations.

[0095] It is understood that some optional features in the embodiments of this application can be implemented independently in certain scenarios without relying on other features, such as the current solution on which they are based, to solve the corresponding technical problems and achieve the corresponding effects. Alternatively, they can be combined with other features as needed in certain scenarios. Correspondingly, the apparatus given in the embodiments of this application can also implement these features or functions, which will not be elaborated here.

[0096] In this application, unless otherwise specified, the same or similar parts between the various embodiments can be referred to each other. In the various embodiments of this application, and in the various implementation methods / methods / implementations within each embodiment, unless otherwise specified or logically conflicting, the terminology and / or descriptions between different embodiments and between the various implementation methods / methods / implementations within each embodiment are consistent and can be mutually referenced. The technical features in different embodiments and the various implementation methods / methods / implementations within each embodiment can be combined according to their inherent logical relationships to form new embodiments, implementation methods, methods, or implementation approaches. The embodiments described below do not constitute a limitation on the scope of protection of this application.

[0097] The technical solutions of this application embodiment can also be applied to various communication systems, such as: Long Term Evolution (LTE) systems, 5th Generation (5G) systems, New Radio (NR) systems, or future communication systems. It should be understood that the communication systems applicable to this application described above are merely illustrative examples, and the communication systems applicable to this application are not limited thereto.

[0098] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a communication system provided in an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 1, the communication system 10 includes a radio access network (RAN) 100 and a core network (CN) 200. RAN 100 includes at least one RAN node (110a and 110b in Figure 1, collectively referred to as 110) and at least one terminal (120a-120j in Figure 1, collectively referred to as 120). RAN 100 may also include other RAN nodes, such as wireless relay devices and / or wireless backhaul devices (not shown in Figure 1). Terminal 120 is wirelessly connected to RAN node 110. RAN node 110 is wirelessly or wired connected to core network 200. The core network equipment in core network 200 and RAN node 110 in RAN 100 can be different physical devices, or they can be the same physical device integrating core network logical functions and radio access network logical functions.

[0099] RAN 100 can be a cellular system related to the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP), such as 4G, 5G mobile communication systems, or future-oriented evolution systems. RAN 100 can also be an open radio access network (O-RAN or ORAN), a cloud radio access network (CRAN), or a wireless fidelity (WiFi) system. RAN 100 can also be a communication system that integrates two or more of the above systems.

[0100] RAN node 110, sometimes also referred to as access network equipment, network equipment, RAN entity, or access node, is used to help terminals achieve wireless access. Multiple RAN nodes 110 in communication system 10 can be of the same type or different types. In some scenarios, the roles of RAN node 110 and terminal 120 are relative. For example, network element 120i in Figure 1 can be a helicopter or drone, which can be configured as a mobile base station. For terminals 120j accessing RAN 100 through network element 120i, network element 120i is a base station; but for base station 110a, network element 120i is a terminal. RAN node 110 and terminal 120 are sometimes both referred to as communication devices. For example, network elements 110a and 110b in Figure 1 can be understood as communication devices with base station functions, and network elements 120a-120j can be understood as communication devices with terminal functions.

[0101] In one possible scenario, the RAN node can be a base station, an evolved NodeB (eNodeB), an access point (AP), a transmission reception point (TRP), a transmission point (TP), a next-generation NodeB (gNB), a base station in a future mobile communication system, or an access node in a WiFi system. The RAN node can be a macro base station (as shown in Figure 1, 110a), a micro base station or indoor station (as shown in Figure 1, 110b), a relay node or donor node, or a radio controller in a CRAN scenario. Optionally, the RAN node can also be a server, wearable device, vehicle, or in-vehicle equipment. For example, the RAN node in vehicle-to-everything (V2X) technology can be a roadside unit (RSU). All or part of the functions of the RAN node in this application can also be implemented through software functions running on hardware, or through virtualization functions instantiated on a platform (e.g., a cloud platform). The RAN node can also be equipped with communication modules, circuits, or chips that perform corresponding communication functions. The RAN node can also be configured with program instructions for performing corresponding communication functions, as well as corresponding program instructions. The RAN node in this application can also be a logical node, logical module, or software capable of implementing all or part of the RAN node's functions.

[0102] In another possible scenario, multiple RAN nodes collaborate to assist the terminal in achieving wireless access, with each RAN node performing a portion of the base station's functions. For example, RAN nodes can be central units (CUs), distributed units (DUs), CU-control plane (CPs), CU-user plane (UPs), or radio units (RUs), etc. CUs and DUs can be separate entities or included in the same network element, such as a baseband unit (BBU). RUs can be included in radio frequency equipment or radio frequency units, such as remote radio units (RRUs), active antenna units (AAUs), or remote radio heads (RRHs).

[0103] 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 ORAN 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 and hardware modules.

[0104] It should be understood that the RAN node can be referred to in different ways in different communication systems or technologies. For example, in a wireless local area network (WLAN) system, the RAN node can be called an access point (AP). Unless otherwise specified in this application, the term "access network equipment" will be used.

[0105] A terminal can be a device or module that accesses the aforementioned communication system and has corresponding communication functions. A terminal can also be called a terminal device, user equipment (UE), mobile station, mobile terminal, etc. Terminals can be widely used in various scenarios, such as device-to-device (D2D), vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication, machine-type communication (MTC), Internet of Things (IoT), virtual reality, augmented reality, industrial control, autonomous driving, telemedicine, smart grids, smart furniture, smart offices, smart wearables, smart transportation, smart cities, etc. Terminals can be mobile phones, tablets, computers with wireless transceiver capabilities, wearable devices, vehicles, drones, helicopters, airplanes, ships, robots, robotic arms, smart home devices, transportation vehicles with wireless communication capabilities, communication modules, etc. The embodiments of this application do not limit the device form of the terminal. A terminal typically contains a communication module, circuit, or chip that performs the corresponding communication function. The terminal can also be configured with program instructions for performing the corresponding communication function.

[0106] Figure 2 is a diagram of a CU-DU separation architecture provided in an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 2, the core network 310, such as the 5th generation core network (5GC), can connect to access network devices 320 that do not adopt the CU-DU separation architecture, or to access network devices 330 that adopt the CU-DU separation architecture. Access network device 330 includes a CU 331 and one or more DUs 332. CU 331 and DU 332 are connected via a communication interface, and CU 331 is also connected to the core network 310 via a communication interface. For example, the communication interface between CU 331 and DU 332 can be called an F1 interface. The interface between CU 331 and core network 310 can be called an N2 interface or an NG interface. CU 331 can connect to one or more DUs 332, and one DU 332 is connected to one CU 331. Taking access network device 330 as a gNB as an example, the gNB can include one or more gNB-DUs and one gNB-CU. A gNB-DU is connected to a gNB-CU, and a gNB-CU can be connected to multiple gNB-DUs. From the perspective of other gNBs and 5GC, the gNB-CU and its connected gNB-DUs are considered as a single gNB.

[0107] In one example, CU 331 has some core network functionality. In another example, CU 331 and DU 332 can be configured according to the protocol layer functions of the wireless network they implement. For example, CU 331 is configured to implement the Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP) layer and above (e.g., Radio Resource Control (RRC) layer and / or Service Data Adaptation Protocol (SDAP) layer). DU 332 is configured to implement protocol layers below the PDCP layer (e.g., Radio Link Control (RLC) layer, Media Access Control (MAC) layer, and / or Physical Layer (PHY) layer). As another example, CU 331 is configured to implement protocol layers above the PDCP layer (such as RRC and / or SDAP layers), and DU 332 is configured to implement protocol layers below the PDCP layer (e.g., RLC, MAC, and / or PHY layers).

[0108] In one example, CU 331 may include CU-CP (control plane) and CU-UP (user plane). CU-CP is used to implement the control plane functions of CU 331, and CU-UP is used to implement the user plane functions of CU 331. For example, when CU 331 is configured to implement the functions of the PDCP layer, RRC layer, and SDAP layer, CU-CP is used to implement the RRC layer functions and the control plane functions of the PDCP layer, and CU-UP is used to implement the SDAP layer functions and the user plane functions of the PDCP layer.

[0109] Before describing the method provided in this application, the relevant concepts involved in this application will be explained below.

[0110] 1. Carrier aggregation (CA)

[0111] CA (Carrier Aggregation) is a technology that improves data transmission rates and reduces latency by aggregating wireless channel resources within or between frequency bands. Each carrier participating in CA is called a component carrier (CC). In some embodiments, CA is limited to the aggregation of multiple CCs under the same wireless standard.

[0112] Primary carrier: Among all the CCs aggregated by the terminal, the CC that carries signaling transmission and manages other CCs is called the primary carrier. The primary carrier corresponds to the primary cell (PCell). In some embodiments, the PCell is the cell where the terminal establishes an initial connection, or the cell where it rebuilds an RRC connection, or the primary cell designated during handover. The PCell is responsible for radio resource control (RRC) communication with the terminal.

[0113] Secondary carrier: Among all the CCs aggregated by the terminal, the CC used to provide additional radio resources is called a secondary carrier. A secondary carrier corresponds to a secondary cell (SCell). The PCell determines when to add or remove SCells; in some embodiments, SCells can be added during RRC reconfiguration.

[0114] For a terminal in connected state, if carrier aggregation is not configured, the terminal has one serving cell; if carrier aggregation is configured, the terminal can have multiple serving cells, and the set of these multiple serving cells is called the serving cell set. For example, the PCell and SCell mentioned above constitute the serving cell set of this terminal. In other words, the serving cell set includes one PCell and at least one SCell. Or, a terminal configured with carrier aggregation can be connected to one PCell and one or more SCells.

[0115] For example, Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of two carrier aggregation scenarios provided by embodiments of this application. Figure 3(a) shows a scenario where PCells and SCells are co-located. Co-location of PCells and SCells means that PCells and SCells are deployed on the same access network device, or that PCells and SCells correspond to the same access network device, or that PCells and SCells provide cells for the same access network device. Figure 3(b) shows a scenario where PCells and SCells are cross-located. Cross-location of PCells and SCells means that PCells and SCells are deployed on different access network devices, or that PCells and SCells correspond to different access network devices, or that PCells and SCells provide cells for different access network devices. It should be understood that Figure 3 only shows one SCell as an example; in reality, there can be one or more SCells.

[0116] 2. Dual-connectivity (DC)

[0117] A terminal maintaining connections with at least two access network devices or two radio standards simultaneously can be termed dual connectivity or multiple connectivity. Taking a terminal maintaining connections with at least two access network devices as an example, the access network device responsible for exchanging radio resource control messages with the terminal and interacting with the core network control plane entities can be called the master node (MN), while the other access network devices can be called secondary nodes (SN). Both master and secondary nodes can internally support carrier aggregation of multiple carriers.

[0118] For the master node, the aggregated multiple carriers are called the master cell group (MCG). The MCG includes PCell and SCell.

[0119] For secondary nodes, the aggregated carriers are called secondary cell groups (SCGs). The primary cell in an SCG is called a primary secondary cell (PSCell), while the other ordinary secondary cells in an SCG are still called SCells.

[0120] For example, Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of a dual-connectivity scenario provided by an embodiment of this application. Referring to Figure 4, terminal 400 can establish a wireless link with two access network devices (access network devices 210 and 220 in Figure 4) through dual-connectivity technology or multi-connectivity technology. One access network device 210 is the master node, and the other access network device 220 is the slave node. The master node is the access network device used when the terminal initially accesses the network and is responsible for RRC communication with the terminal. The slave node can be added during RRC reconfiguration to provide additional wireless resources. It should be understood that Figure 4 only illustrates an exemplary scenario of wireless connection between two access network devices and the terminal; in reality, the terminal can establish wireless links with more access network devices.

[0121] The solution provided in this application can be applied to both CA (Cardboard Automation) and DC (Distributed Control) scenarios. The PCell and SCell described below can be the primary and secondary cells in a CA scenario, the primary and secondary cells in a primary node in a DC scenario, or the primary and secondary cells in a secondary node in a DC scenario.

[0122] 3. Synchronization signal and physical broadcast channel block (SSB)

[0123] The SSB can also be called the Synchronization Signal and Physical Broadcast Channel (PBCH) block. The SSB includes the primary synchronization signal (PSS), secondary synchronization signal (SSS), and PBCH. The SSB is used for cell search and serves as a reference signal for cell measurements by the terminal. Cell search is the process by which the terminal obtains time and frequency synchronization with a cell and detects the cell's physical layer cell ID. As a reference signal for cell measurements, the terminal can perform mobility management procedures such as cell selection, cell reselection, and cell handover, as well as beam management procedures, based on measurements of the SSB.

[0124] SSBs transmit data to terminals at fixed intervals. For example, the SSB transmission period (or simply period) can be 5ms, 10ms, 20ms, 40ms, 80ms, or 160ms. Within each transmission period, one or more SSBs can be transmitted; these one or more SSBs are called an SSB burst set. For example, an SSB burst set may include four SSBs. For instance, all SSBs in an SSB burst set are confined to a 5ms half-frame. Typically, each SSB in an SSB burst set corresponds to a beam scanning direction to increase cell coverage. One or more SSBs in an SSB burst set can be transmitted using time-division multiplexing.

[0125] NR supports two types of SSBs. One is the cell-defining SSB (CD-SSB), and the other is the non-cell-defining SSB (NCD-SSB).

[0126] The CD-SSB carries configuration information for the control resource set #0 (CORESET#0) associated with system information block 1 (SIB1) and configuration information for the monitoring timing of the type 0-PDCCH common search space (Type 0-PDCCH CSS). The main function of CORESET#0 is to define the time-frequency resources of the Type 0-PDCCH CSS and the monitoring timing of the Type 0-PDCCH CSS. Based on the information in CORESET#0 and Type 0-PDCCH CSS, the terminal searches and schedules the PDCCH carrying the physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) of SIB1 to facilitate demodulation and reception of SIB1, thereby obtaining the minimum system messages required to access the wireless network system.

[0127] The NCD-SSB does not carry the configuration information of CORSET#0 associated with SIB1. The NCD-SSB is used for radio resource management (RRM). Terminals can obtain RRM measurement results to support terminal mobility management by measuring the CD-SSB or NCD-SSB (or measuring the reference signal in the CD-SSB or NCD-SSB).

[0128] When a terminal detects a SSB during cell search, it can first determine whether the SSB is a CD-SSB or an NCD-SSB. For example, it can determine the subcarrier offset k between the SSB and the common resource block grid, based on the SSB's PBCH. SSB Whether it is within the valid subcarrier offset range is determined. If k SSB If the value is within the valid subcarrier range, then the SSB is a CD-SSB; otherwise, the SSB is an NCD-SSB. For example, when the carrier frequency belongs to frequency range (FR)2, k... SSB The value is given by the 4-bit parameter ssb-SubcarrierOffset in the master information block (MIB), and the valid subcarrier offset value range is 0 <= k. SSB <= 11, meaning the effective subcarrier offset range is greater than or equal to 0 and less than or equal to 11. When the carrier frequency belongs to the FR1 frequency range, k SSB The value is given by a 5-bit number. The highest bit of this 5-bit number is the PBCH payload parameter. The remaining 4 bits are the MIB parameter ssb-SubcarrierOffset, whose effective subcarrier offset value ranges from 0 to k. SSB <= 23, meaning the effective subcarrier offset value range is greater than or equal to 0 and less than or equal to 23. For NCD-SSB, k SSB This information is used to help the terminal search for CD-SSBs. To assist the terminal in detecting CD-SSBs, an NCD-SSB may carry information about its frequency location. For example, if the terminal detects an NCD-SSB in frequency range FR1 and 24 <= kJ / L... SSB <= 29 (i.e., k) SSB (The value of k is greater than or equal to 24 and less than or equal to 29), or, if the terminal detects an NCD-SSB in the frequency range FR2 and k SSBIf the value is 12 or 13, the terminal can determine the nearest CD-SSB frequency location based on the SIB1 parameter pdcch-ConfigSIB1. For example, if the k value of NCD-SSB is within frequency range FR1... SSB =31, or, in the frequency range FR2, k of NCD-SSB SSB =15, and the bit values ​​of pdcch-ConfigSIB1 are not all 0, indicating that there is no CD-SSB within a certain frequency range represented by the value of the SIB1 parameter pdcch-ConfigSIB1, with the frequency of NCD-SSB as the reference point; if the k of NCD-SSB in the frequency range FR1 is 15, and the bit values ​​of pdcch-ConfigSIB1 are not all 0, then there is no CD-SSB within a certain frequency range FR1. SSB =31, or, in the frequency range FR2, k of NCD-SSB SSB =15, and all bit values ​​of pdcch-ConfigSIB1 are 0, indicating that the NCD-SSB does not carry information about the frequency location of the CD-SSB.

[0129] 4. Auxiliary cell activation process

[0130] Normally, SCells other than PCells are not usable immediately after configuration. An activation mechanism for SCells is provided to better manage battery consumption of terminals configured with CA or DC.

[0131] Figure 5 illustrates the SCell activation process provided in an embodiment of this application. Referring to Figure 5, the SCell activation process includes the following steps 1 to 4.

[0132] Step 1: Configure SCell on the access network device.

[0133] Access network devices (network devices in Figure 5) can configure (or add) SCells through RRC messages. For example, access network devices can configure one or more SCells for terminals through the sCellToAddModList in the RRC Reconfiguration message.

[0134] When configuring a SCell for a terminal, the PCell can explicitly define the SCell's initial state. In one example, the initial state of the SCell is represented by sCellState, which, if configured, indicates an active state. If sCellState is active, the SCell is immediately activated. If sCellState is not configured, the SCell is in a deactivated state, and the PCell can reactivate it when needed. In another example, if the SCell's state (e.g., sCellState) is included during configuration, the terminal considers the SCell to be active after configuration. That is, the SCell's initial state is active. If the SCell's state is not included during configuration, the terminal considers the SCell to be deactivated after configuration. In other words, the PCell can reactivate the SCell when needed.

[0135] Step 2: The access network device sends the SCell activation command.

[0136] The SCell activation command can instruct the terminal to activate one or more SCells configured in step 1. The SCell indicated by the SCell activation command can be referred to as the SCell to be activated. It should be noted that if the initial state of the SCell is active, step 2 will be skipped and step 3 will be executed.

[0137] For example, the SCell activation command can be sent via a MAC control element (MAC CE) or via other signaling, such as downlink control information (DCI). This application does not limit the signaling used to send the SCell activation command.

[0138] Step 3: When the terminal receives the SCell activation command in time slot n, it begins the SCell activation process. Alternatively, the terminal begins the SCell activation process for SCells that are initially in a deactivated state.

[0139] The processes related to SCell activation may include, for example, cell search, beam measurement, and / or beam reporting. Alternatively, the processes related to SCell activation may include time-frequency domain synchronization.

[0140] Step 4: The terminal reports a valid channel state information (CSI) report to complete the SCell activation process.

[0141] In other words, the activation process of a SCell is completed when the terminal reports a valid CSI report. For example, the activation process can be completed when the terminal reports a valid CSI report for the first time. This means that the terminal can only complete the SCell activation process and enter the activated state after obtaining valid CSI information.

[0142] 5. Community Measurement Process

[0143] Measurement configuration information (hereinafter referred to as measurement configuration) can be sent from the access network device to the terminal, for example, via RRC reconfiguration messages. The terminal performs relevant measurements according to the measurement configuration and then reports the measurement results to the access network device through a measurement report. For example, the measurement configuration may include: measurement objects, measurement gaps, reporting configurations, and measurement identities.

[0144] The measurement object is the object that the terminal performs the measurement on, and may include one or more of the following: the SSB frequency (i.e., the SSB frequency point), the SSB subcarrier spacing, the SSB-based measurement timing configuration (SMTC), whitelisted cells, or blacklisted cells. The SMTC may include the SSB measurement period and time offset and / or the SSB measurement window (duration). The above is an example of SSB measurement.

[0145] The measurement interval is the time period during which the terminal leaves the current frequency point to measure at other frequencies. It is only involved in inter-frequency measurement and inter-system measurement.

[0146] The report configuration defines the standards for triggering measurement report submissions and the format of the measurement reports. Each submission configuration has a unique identifier (reportConfigId), categorized into event-triggered and periodic-triggered reports. Periodic-triggered report configurations include the reporting period, reference signal type, the measurements to be reported, and a list of whitelisted cells that can be used.

[0147] The measurement identifier associates the measurement object with the report configuration. The terminal performs measurements on the associated measurement object according to the report configuration requirements, based on the measurement identifier. When the terminal sends a measurement report to the access network device, the terminal displays the measurement identifier, allowing the access network device to locate the corresponding measurement object and report configuration based on that identifier.

[0148] For example: Measurement Identifier 1 can be associated with Measurement Object 1 and Report Configuration 1; Measurement Identifier 2 can be associated with Measurement Object 2 and Report Configuration 1.

[0149] Typically, a cell, regardless of whether it is configured as an SCell, continuously transmits SSBs, resulting in high power consumption for the corresponding access network equipment. Additionally, in some scenarios, SCells may not transmit SSBs. In this case, the terminal needs to obtain relevant information, such as cell synchronization information, from other cells to activate the SCell. However, the application scope of this scenario where SCells do not transmit SSBs is limited. For example, it can only be used when the SCell shares a site with other cells, and the SCell and other cells must be in the same frequency band or at the same frequency point within the FR1 band. Not only is the application scope of SCells not transmitting SSBs limited, but it may also cause other problems, such as the terminal losing synchronization with the SCell and being unable to re-synchronize. Therefore, neither continuously transmitting SSBs nor never transmitting SSBs by the SCell is desirable for access network equipment or terminals.

[0150] In view of this, this application provides a communication method that enables flexible transmission of SSBs according to the needs of the terminal or access network equipment.

[0151] The methods and apparatus provided in this application will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. It is understood that some embodiments use access network devices and terminals as examples to illustrate the execution of the interaction, but this application does not limit the execution subject of the interaction. For example, the method executed by the access network device in this application can also be implemented by modules (e.g., circuits, chips, or chip systems) in the access network device, or by logic nodes, logic modules, or software that can implement all or part of the functions of the access network device; the method executed by the terminal in this application can also be implemented by the communication module in the terminal, or by circuits or chips (such as modem chips (also known as baseband chips), or SoC chips containing modem cores, or SIP chips) in the terminal responsible for communication functions.

[0152] In this application, phrases such as "sending information to... (e.g., a terminal)" or related illustrations in the accompanying drawings can be understood as indicating that the destination of the information is a terminal. This can include sending information directly or indirectly to a terminal. Similarly, phrases such as "receiving information from... (e.g., a terminal)," "receiving information from... (e.g., a terminal)," or "receiving information sent by... (e.g., a terminal)," or related illustrations in the accompanying drawings, can be understood as indicating that the source of the information is a terminal. This can include receiving information directly or indirectly from a terminal. Information may undergo necessary processing between the source and destination, such as format changes, but the destination can understand the valid information from the source. Similar expressions in this application can be interpreted similarly and will not be elaborated further here.

[0153] Figure 6 is a schematic flowchart of a communication method provided in an embodiment of this application. The method 600 may include steps S610 to S630, which are described below.

[0154] S610, the first access network device generates the first information.

[0155] S620, the first access network device sends the first information to the first terminal. Correspondingly, the first terminal receives the first information.

[0156] The first piece of information indicates that the secondary cell is in a state of on-demand SSB transmission. "On-demand SSB transmission by the secondary cell" can mean, for example, that the first access network device transmits SSBs in the secondary cell according to the needs of the first access network device or the first terminal, either when an SSB is needed or when a certain type of SSB is needed. For example, the certain type of SSB could be an SSB with a longer or shorter transmission period. Exemplarily, the secondary cell here can be one or more secondary cells, or it could be all the secondary cells.

[0157] For example, the SSB here can be a CD-SSB or an NCD-SSB.

[0158] For example, the first access network device can send the first information when configuring (or adding) a secondary cell. For instance, the first information can be carried out via an RRC reconfiguration message bearer.

[0159] It should be understood that the first access network device is the access network device corresponding to the primary cell. If the secondary cell and the primary cell are co-located, then the first access network device sending the first information to the first terminal can be understood as the first access network device sending the first information to the first terminal through the primary cell. For ease of description, the following description will use the access network device corresponding to the secondary cell as the first access network device.

[0160] S630: The first terminal determines whether to receive SSB in the secondary cell based on the first information.

[0161] For example, if the status of on-demand SSB transmission indicates that the secondary cell is currently transmitting an SSB, then the first terminal can receive the SSB in the secondary cell. If the status of on-demand SSB transmission indicates that the secondary cell is not currently transmitting an SSB, then the first terminal does not need to receive the SSB in the secondary cell.

[0162] For example, in this application, receiving an SSB can be one or more of the following: cell search based on an SSB, and / or cell measurement based on an SSB, beam failure detection (BFD) based on an SSB, or beam selection based on an SSB.

[0163] The first terminal's cell search based on the SSB can be, for example, the first terminal searching / detecting the SSB and synchronizing with the secondary cell in the time and frequency domains. The first terminal's cell measurement based on the SSB can also be understood as the first terminal measuring the SSB. For example, the first terminal's SSB measurement can include: the first terminal performing layer (L1) measurements based on the SSB, and / or, the first terminal performing layer 3 (L3) measurements based on the SSB. It should be understood that by performing L1 measurements, the signal quality of each SSB can be obtained. By performing L3 measurements, the cell measurement results can be obtained. For details on L1 and L3 measurements, please refer to existing technologies; they will not be elaborated upon here.

[0164] For example, the first terminal searching for / detecting SSB may also include the first terminal measuring the SSB.

[0165] For example, in this application, receiving SSB can also be understood as measuring SSB.

[0166] It is understood that the first terminal receives the SSB based on the SSB configuration information and / or the SSB measurement configuration. If the state of sending SSB on demand indicates that the first access network device is currently sending SSB in the secondary cell, for ease of description, the SSB configuration information used by the first terminal to receive the SSB at this time is denoted as: Configuration Information #1, and the SSB measurement configuration used by the first terminal to receive the SSB at this time is denoted as: Measurement Configuration #1.

[0167] For example, configuration information #1 can be predefined, preconfigured, included in or indicated in the first information. For instance, multiple configuration information items for the SSB can be preconfigured to the first terminal, and the first information can carry an index (or identifier) ​​that is the index of configuration information #1 among the multiple configuration information items preconfigured by the terminal. For instance, the first information can include one configuration information item for the SSB, which is configuration information #1. For instance, the first information can include multiple configuration information items for the SSB, and the first information can indicate that the first terminal currently uses configuration information #1 among the multiple configuration information items to receive the SSB. Furthermore, the default SSB configuration information can be the normal SSB configuration information, and in additional on-demand SSB configuration information, different indices can be used for identification, or other listed cases.

[0168] For example, the configuration information of an SSB may indicate one or more of the following: the SSB's transmission beam, the SSB's transmission period, the SSB's transmission duration, the SSB's transmission count, or the SSB's transmission carrier frequency (or the SSB's transmission frequency or SSB frequency).

[0169] In this context, the SSB transmission beam represents the SSBs transmitted within each transmission cycle. For example, the SSB transmission beam could be SSB0 to SSB7. The SSB transmission beam can be indicated by the SSB's position information within a burst (i.e., SSB-PositionsInBurst). The SSB transmission cycle can be, for example, 5ms, 10ms, 20ms, 40ms, 80ms, or 160ms. The SSB transmission duration refers to the duration of SSB transmission; for example, an SSB transmission duration of 60ms means that SSB transmission ends 60ms after the start of transmission. The SSB transmission count indicates the number of consecutive SSB cycles before no further SSB transmissions occur. For example, an SSB transmission count of 3 means that SSB transmissions will continue for 3 consecutive cycles before no further SSB transmissions occur. The SSB transmission carrier frequency refers to the carrier frequency carrying the SSB. In one example, the SSB transmission duration and the SSB transmission count may not be indicated simultaneously. For example, in one design, the configuration information of the SSB may include: ssb-PositionsInBurst, the transmission period of the SSB, the transmission duration of the SSB, and the transmission carrier frequency of the SSB.

[0170] For example, measurement configuration #1 may be predefined, preconfigured, included or indicated in the first information, or indicated after the first information. If measurement configuration #1 is indicated after the first information, the first terminal may measure the SSB after receiving the information indicating measurement configuration #1.

[0171] For example, multiple measurement configurations of the SSB can be pre-configured to the first terminal. The first message, or a message sent after the first message, can carry an index (or identifier) ​​that is the index of measurement configuration #1 among the multiple pre-configured measurement configurations. For example, the first message can include a measurement configuration of the SSB, which is measurement configuration #1. For example, the first message can include multiple measurement configurations of the SSB, and the first message can indicate that the first terminal is currently using measurement configuration #1 among the multiple measurement configurations to receive the SSB. For example, measurement configuration #1 can be sent after the first message.

[0172] For example, the contents indicated or included by measurement configuration #1 can be referred to in the previous description of the measurement configuration during cell measurement, and will not be repeated here.

[0173] According to the communication method provided in the embodiments of this application, by defining an on-demand SSB transmission state, the first access network device can be enabled to transmit SSBs on demand in the secondary cell, instead of continuously transmitting a fixed configuration of SSBs in the secondary cell, thus achieving flexible transmission of SSBs by the first access network device in the secondary cell. Furthermore, by instructing the first terminal that the first access network device is currently in an on-demand SSB transmission state in the secondary cell, the first terminal can determine whether to receive SSBs in the secondary cell based on the instruction from the access network device. If the on-demand SSB transmission state indicates that the first access network device is not currently transmitting SSBs in the secondary cell, the first terminal can choose not to receive SSBs in the secondary cell, thereby achieving energy saving for the first terminal.

[0174] In some embodiments, the state in which SSBs are sent on demand can be either a first state or a second state. These two states are described below.

[0175] 1. First state

[0176] The first state is: the first access network device does not send an SSB in the secondary cell during the first time period, and sends an SSB in the secondary cell during the second time period.

[0177] Accordingly, the first terminal may not receive SSBs during a first time period, but may receive SSBs during a second time period. The first and second time periods are different time periods. It should be understood that the first time period is not a period during which SSBs are not transmitted within the SSB transmission cycle. Optionally, the duration of the second time period may be longer than the SSB transmission cycle.

[0178] Based on the above scheme, when the secondary cell is in the first state, the first access network device does not need to continuously send SSB in the secondary cell, and the first terminal does not need to continuously receive SSB in the secondary cell. In this way, both the first access network device and the first terminal can achieve energy saving.

[0179] For example, the first state is: the first access network device does not always send SSB in the secondary cell, that is, the first access network device sometimes sends SSB and sometimes does not send SSB in the secondary cell. Alternatively, the first state is: the first access network device does not send SSB in the secondary cell until it is indicated to the first terminal that the first access network device is sending SSB in the secondary cell. Alternatively, the first state is: the first access network device is not currently sending SSB in the secondary cell, but only sends SSB in the secondary cell when it is required. Alternatively, the first state is: the first access network device is not currently sending SSB in the secondary cell.

[0180] Optionally, the first time period can be a single time period or may include multiple time periods; similarly, the second time period can be a single time period or may include multiple time periods. Alternatively, there can be one or more first time periods, and similarly, there can be one or more second time periods.

[0181] For example, Figure 7 shows an example of a first time period and a second time period. Referring to Figure 7, the time period before time T1 is the first time period, and the time period after time T1 is the second time period.

[0182] For example, Figure 8 shows another example of a first time period and a second time period. Referring to Figure 8, the time period between time T1 and time T2 is a first time period, and the time period C between time T3 and time T4 is another first time period; the time period B between time T2 and time T3 is a second time period, and the time period D between time T4 and time T5 is another second time period.

[0183] In one possible implementation, the method 600 may further include the following S640a and S650a.

[0184] S640a, the first network device sends transmission instruction information to the first terminal.

[0185] Alternatively, the transmission indication information can be carried by MAC CE, RRC, or DCI signaling.

[0186] Accordingly, the first terminal receives the transmission indication information. To distinguish it from the transmission indication information in subsequent S640b, this transmission indication information is referred to as: Transmission Indication Information #1. Transmission Indication Information #1 indicates that the secondary cell is transmitting an SSB.

[0187] S650a, the first terminal receives SSB on the secondary cell according to transmission instruction information #1.

[0188] Before the first terminal receives the transmission indication information #1, the secondary cell does not send an SSB.

[0189] It can be understood that the time period between the moment the first access network device sends the first information and the moment the first access network device sends the transmission indication information #1 is the first time period, and the time period between the moment the first access network device sends the transmission indication information #1 and a certain moment thereafter is the second time period. This application does not limit the specific time mentioned in the second time period; examples will be provided below.

[0190] Optionally, the moment when the first access network device sends a message / information / command / report / configuration, etc., in this application can be replaced with the moment when the first terminal receives the message / information / command / report / configuration, etc. For example, the moment when the first access network device sends a secondary cell activation command can be replaced with the moment when the first terminal receives the secondary cell activation command.

[0191] The following example, using cell 1 as the secondary cell, illustrates the timing of the first access network device sending transmission indication information #1.

[0192] For example, the first access network device may send transmission indication information #1 when sending the secondary cell activation command to the first terminal or after sending the secondary cell activation command. Before this, the first access network device may not send SSB in the secondary cell. The secondary cell activation command is used to activate cell 1, which serves as the secondary cell.

[0193] For example, when data transmission in the secondary cell is not required, such as when uplink and / or downlink data volumes are small, the secondary cell can be left unactivated. The first access network device then does not need to send SSBs in the secondary cell, thus saving energy. When data transmission in the secondary cell is required, such as when uplink and / or downlink data volumes are large, the first access network device can send SSBs in the secondary cell for purposes such as cell synchronization and measurement. The first terminal can activate the secondary cell by measuring the SSBs sent in the secondary cell, thereby enabling data transmission through the secondary cell.

[0194] The timing of when the first access network device stops sending SSBs in the secondary cell is not limited in this embodiment of the application.

[0195] For example, referring to Figure 9, the moment when the first access network device stops sending SSBs in the secondary cell can be the moment when the first access network device receives a valid CSI report. When the first access network device receives a valid CSI report, it indicates that the secondary cell has been successfully activated. At this time, the first access network device does not send SSBs in the secondary cell to achieve energy saving. That is, the first time period is from the moment the first access network device sends the first information to the moment the first access network device sends the transmission indication information #1, and the second time period is from the moment the first access network device sends the transmission indication information #1 to the moment the first access network device receives the valid CSI report.

[0196] For example, referring to Figure 10, the moment when the first access network device stops sending SSB in the secondary cell can be the moment when the first access network device sends the secondary cell deactivation command, where the secondary cell deactivation command is used to deactivate cell 1. That is, the first time period is from the moment the first access network device sends the first information to the moment the first access network device sends the transmission indication information #1, and the second time period is from the moment the first access network device sends the transmission indication information #1 to the moment the first access network device sends the deactivation command.

[0197] For example, the first access network device may send an instruction to the first terminal at some time after sending transmission instruction information #1, instructing the first access network device to stop sending SSB in the secondary cell. That is, the first time period is from the time the first access network device sends the first information to the time the first access network device sends transmission instruction information #1, and the second time period is from the time the first access network device sends transmission instruction information #1 to the time the first access network device sends the instruction to stop sending SSB in the secondary cell.

[0198] For example, transmission indication information #1 can also indicate the time when the first access network device stops transmitting SSBs in the secondary cell. For example, transmission indication information #1 can indicate the transmission duration of the SSB or the number of times the SSB is transmitted.

[0199] Optionally, after the secondary cell stops transmitting SSBs, the first access network device can retransmit SSBs if needed. In this case, the first access network device can also send a transmission indication message to the first terminal, which instructs the secondary cell to retransmit SSBs.

[0200] For example, if the first access network device stops transmitting SSBs in the secondary cell, and the first terminal loses synchronization with the secondary cell, the secondary cell can retransmit SSBs. The first terminal can then achieve synchronization with the secondary cell by performing a cell search based on the SSBs transmitted by the first access network device in the secondary cell. After the first terminal synchronizes with the secondary cell, the first access network device no longer needs to transmit SSBs in the secondary cell. This ensures both synchronization between the first terminal and the secondary cell and energy conservation for both the first access network device and the first terminal.

[0201] In S650a, the first terminal can receive an SSB in the secondary cell based on the SSB configuration information and / or the SSB measurement configuration. For ease of understanding, the SSB configuration information here is denoted as: Configuration Information #A, and the SSB measurement configuration here is denoted as: Measurement Configuration #B.

[0202] It should be understood that, corresponding to S650a, the first access network device sends SSB in the secondary cell based on configuration information #A and / or measurement configuration #B.

[0203] For example, configuration information #A can be predefined, preconfigured, included or indicated in transmission indication information #1, or included or indicated in information sent after transmission indication information #1. For instance, multiple configuration information of the SSB can be preconfigured to the first terminal, and transmission indication information #1 can carry an index (or identifier) ​​that is the index of configuration information #A among the preconfigured multiple configuration information. For instance, the first information can include one configuration information of the SSB, which is configuration information #A. For instance, the first information can include multiple configuration information of the SSB, including configuration information #A, and transmission indication information #1 can include the index of configuration information #A. For instance, the first information can include multiple configuration information of the SSB, and information sent after transmission indication information #1 can include the index of configuration information #A. For instance, configuration information #A can be sent to the first terminal after transmission indication information #1. The content included or indicated by configuration information #A can be referred to the previous description of SSB configuration information, and will not be repeated here.

[0204] For example, measurement configuration #B can be predefined, preconfigured, included or indicated in transmission indication information #1, or included or indicated in information sent after or before sending transmission indication information #1. For instance, multiple measurement configurations of the SSB can be preconfigured to the first terminal, and transmission indication information #1 can carry an index (or identifier) ​​that is the index of measurement configuration #B among the preconfigured multiple measurement configurations. For instance, the first information can include a measurement configuration of the SSB, which is measurement configuration #B. For instance, the first information can include multiple measurement configurations of the SSB, including measurement configuration #B, and transmission indication information #1 can include the index of measurement configuration #B. For instance, the first information can include multiple measurement configurations of the SSB, and information sent after or before sending transmission indication information #1 can include the index of measurement configuration #B. For instance, measurement configuration #B can be sent to the first terminal after or before sending transmission indication information #1. Regarding measurement configuration #B, please refer to the preceding description of measurement configurations; it will not be repeated here.

[0205] 2. Second state

[0206] The second state is: during the first time period, SSB is sent in the secondary cell based on the first configuration information of SSB, and during the second time period, SSB is sent in the secondary cell based on the second configuration information of SSB, and the first configuration information and the second configuration information are different.

[0207] Accordingly, the first terminal can receive SSB in the secondary cell based on the first configuration information during the first time period, and receive SSB in the secondary cell based on the second configuration information during the second time period. The first and second time periods in the second state are similar to those in the first state, and can be referred to the first and second time periods in the first state described above.

[0208] Both the first and second configuration information are SSB configuration information. It should be understood that the parameters included in the first and second configuration information can be referred to the previous description of the SSB configuration information, and will not be repeated here. For example, some or all parameters in the first and second configuration information may differ. For instance, the SSB transmission period in the first and second configuration information may differ. For instance, the SSB transmission duration in the first and second configuration information may differ. For instance, ssb-PositionsInBurst in the first and second configuration information may differ.

[0209] For example, Figure 11 shows an example of a first time period and a second time period in the second state. Referring to Figure 11, the transmission period of the SSB on the secondary cell during the first time period is greater than the transmission period of the SSB on the secondary cell during the second time period.

[0210] Based on the above scheme, when the secondary cell is in the second state, the first access network device can send SSBs on the secondary cell at different times based on different configuration information, so as to realize the on-demand and flexible transmission of SSBs on the secondary cell.

[0211] It should be understood that the first configuration information may be the configuration information #1 described above. The terminal may receive the SSB based on the configuration information #1 and / or the measurement configuration #1 described above.

[0212] In one possible implementation, the method 600 may further include the following S640b and S650b.

[0213] S640b, the first network device sends transmission instruction information to the first terminal.

[0214] Accordingly, the first terminal receives the transmission indication information. For ease of description, this transmission indication information will be referred to as: Transmission Indication Information #2. Transmission Indication Information #2 instructs the first access network device to transmit an SSB in the secondary cell based on the second configuration information.

[0215] In S650b, the first terminal receives the SSB on the secondary cell according to the transmission instruction information #2.

[0216] Before the first terminal receives transmission indication information #2, the first access network device transmits an SSB in the secondary cell based on the first configuration information (e.g., configuration information #1). For example, the first access network device transmits the SSB in the secondary cell with the transmission beam, transmission period, etc., indicated by the first configuration information.

[0217] It can be understood that the time period between the moment the first access network device sends the first information and the moment the first access network device sends the transmission indication information #2 is the first time period, and the time period between the moment the first access network device sends the transmission indication information #2 and a certain moment thereafter is the second time period. This application does not limit the specific time mentioned in the second time period; examples will be provided below.

[0218] The following example, using cell 1 as the secondary cell, illustrates the timing of the first access network device sending transmission indication information #2.

[0219] For example, the first access network device may send transmission indication information #2 when or after sending the secondary cell deletion command. Prior to this, the first access network device sends an SSB in the secondary cell based on the first configuration information. The secondary cell deletion command is used to instruct the first terminal to delete cell 1.

[0220] For example, after cell 1 is configured as a secondary cell, the first access network device can send SSBs in cell 1 based on the first configuration information. The first terminal can measure and report the signal quality of the SSBs sent by the first access network device in cell 1 to the first access network device (or, the primary cell) based on the first configuration information. If the signal quality sent by the first access network device in cell 1 is poor, the first access network device can delete cell 1, that is, no longer designate cell 1 as a secondary cell. Since the signal quality of cell 1 is poor, even if cell 1 frequently sends SSBs, the probability of a terminal (the first terminal or other terminals) accessing cell 1 is relatively low. Therefore, the first access network device can send SSBs in cell 1 based on, for example, a second configuration information with a longer transmission cycle, thereby achieving energy saving for both the first access network device and the first terminal.

[0221] For example, the first access network device may send transmission indication information #2 when sending a secondary cell activation command to the first terminal or after sending the secondary cell activation command. Prior to this, the first access network device sends an SSB based on the first configuration information for the secondary cell. The secondary cell activation command is used to activate cell 1, which serves as the secondary cell.

[0222] For example, when data transmission through the secondary cell is not required, such as when the uplink and / or downlink data volume is small, the secondary cell can be left unactivated. In this case, the SSB can be sent on the secondary cell with a longer transmission period, thus saving energy for the first access network device. When data transmission through the secondary cell is required, such as when the uplink / downlink data volume is large, the SSB can be sent on the secondary cell with a shorter transmission period. This allows the first terminal to complete the measurement of the SSB sent by the first access network device in the secondary cell in a shorter time, reducing the activation latency of the secondary cell.

[0223] This application does not limit the time when the first access network device stops sending SSBs based on the second configuration information in the secondary cell.

[0224] For example, referring to Figure 12, when the first access network device receives a valid CSI report, it stops sending SSBs based on the second configuration information in the secondary cell. The receipt of a valid CSI report by the first access network device indicates successful activation of the secondary cell. At this time, the first access network device can, for example, send SSBs with a longer transmission period in the secondary cell to achieve energy saving. That is, the first time period is from the moment the first access network device sends the first information to the moment the first access network device sends the transmission indication information #2, and the second time period is from the moment the first access network device sends the transmission indication information #2 to the moment the first access network device receives the valid CSI report.

[0225] For example, referring to Figure 13, when the first access network device sends a secondary cell deactivation command, the first access network device stops sending SSBs based on the second configuration information in the secondary cell. This secondary cell deactivation command is used to deactivate cell 1. That is, the first time period is from the time the first access network device sends the first information to the time the first access network device sends the transmission indication information #2, and the second time period is from the time the first access network device sends the transmission indication information #2 to the time the first access network device sends the deactivation command.

[0226] For example, the first access network device may send an instruction to the first terminal at a certain time after sending transmission indication information #2 (e.g., after determining that the first terminal has lost synchronization with the secondary cell) instructing the secondary cell to send an SSB instruction based on the first configuration information. That is, the first time period is from the time the first access network device sends the first information to the time the first access network device sends transmission indication information #2, and the second time period is from the time the first access network device sends transmission indication information #2 to the time the first access network device sends the instruction to the secondary cell to send an SSB instruction based on the first configuration information.

[0227] For example, transmission indication information #2 can also indicate the time when the first access network device stops sending SSBs based on the second configuration information in the secondary cell. For example, transmission indication information #2 can indicate the transmission duration or the number of SSBs sent by the first access network device in the secondary cell.

[0228] Optionally, after the first access network device sends an SSB in the secondary cell based on the second configuration information for a period of time, it can send an SSB in the secondary cell based on other configuration information of the SSB, such as the first configuration information.

[0229] In S650b, the first terminal can receive SSB in the secondary cell based on the second configuration information, or receive SSB in the secondary cell based on the second configuration information and the second measurement configuration.

[0230] For example, the method for obtaining the second configuration information is similar to the method for obtaining configuration information #A described above, and can be referred to the method for obtaining configuration information #A described above, which will not be repeated here. Regarding the content indicated by the second configuration information, please refer to the description of the SSB configuration information above, which will not be repeated here.

[0231] For example, the method for obtaining the second measurement configuration is similar to the method for obtaining measurement configuration #B described above, and can be referred to the method for obtaining measurement configuration #B described above. It should be understood that the second measurement configuration can also be sent after the first access network device sends transmission indication information #2. For details regarding the second measurement configuration, please refer to the description of the measurement configuration above, which will not be repeated here.

[0232] Optionally, the second measurement configuration and the first measurement configuration can be the same or different. The first measurement configuration can be the measurement configuration #1 described above.

[0233] For example, if the first measurement configuration and the second measurement configuration are the same, the second measurement configuration does not need to be separately indicated to the first terminal.

[0234] For example, transmission indication information #2 can instruct the first access network device to transmit NCD-SSB in the secondary cell based on the second configuration information. Before transmitting transmission indication information #2, the first access network device can transmit CD-SSB in the secondary cell based on the first configuration information. Since the frequency information of CD-SSB and NCD-SSB are different, the measurement configuration for measuring NCD-SSB by the first terminal is different from the measurement configuration for measuring CD-SSB. In this scenario, the second measurement configuration can be indicated to the first terminal. It should be understood that if the first terminal measures the SSB based on the second measurement configuration, the first terminal will report the measurement results measured based on the second measurement configuration to the first access network device.

[0235] It should be understood that the timing of the first access network device sending transmission indication information described above is merely illustrative and should not constitute any limitation on this application. For example, the first access network device may send transmission indication information #1 or transmission indication information #2 when it receives a measurement report for the secondary cell sent by the first terminal. For example, the first access network device may send transmission indication information #1 or transmission indication information #2 when it determines that the secondary cell has been activated, wherein the transmission period indicated by the second configuration information may be greater than the transmission period indicated by the first configuration information.

[0236] In one possible implementation, prior to S640a or S640b, the method may further include:

[0237] S631, the first terminal sends a request message to the first network device. Accordingly, the first network device receives the request message.

[0238] The request information is used to request the first access network device to send an SSB in the secondary cell. After receiving the request information, the first network device can execute S640a or S640b and send an SSB in the secondary cell, for example, based on configuration information #A or second configuration information.

[0239] For example, the first terminal can send this request to the secondary cell when the uplink data volume is large and it wants the first network device to activate the secondary cell. Alternatively, the first terminal can send this request to the first network device when synchronization is lost, and the first network device can restore synchronization based on the SSB.

[0240] Based on the above description, when there is a demand on the network side or the terminal side, such as when the downlink / uplink data volume is large, the first access network device can send an SSB based on the first configuration information or the second configuration information in the secondary cell. The first terminal can receive the SSB in the secondary cell and perform corresponding operations based on the measurement results of the SSB, such as activating the secondary cell.

[0241] It should be understood that the above-described sending / indicating configuration information (e.g., configuration information #A, first configuration information, or second configuration information, etc.) / measuring configuration (e.g., measurement configuration #B, etc.) by the first access network device refers to the measurement configuration of the first access network device in the main cell.

[0242] The following describes two specific examples of method 600 shown in Figure 6. It should be understood that any expressions or operations that appear in the following text are the same as those described above, and will not be repeated hereafter.

[0243] Figure 14 is a schematic flowchart of a specific example of the communication method provided in an embodiment of this application. The state of sending SSB on demand described in Figure 14 is the first state. The method 700 provided in Figure 14 will be described below.

[0244] S701, the first access network device sends first information to the first terminal. Correspondingly, the first terminal receives the first information.

[0245] The first information is used to configure the secondary cell and indicate that the secondary cell is in the state of transmitting SSBs on demand. Furthermore, the first information includes configuration information #A.

[0246] Since the first access network device is not currently transmitting SSB in the secondary cell, the first terminal does not receive SSB in the secondary cell.

[0247] S702, the first access network device sends a secondary cell activation command to the first terminal. Correspondingly, the first terminal receives the secondary cell activation command. The secondary cell activation command is used to activate the secondary cell.

[0248] S703, the first access network device sends transmission indication information #1 to the first terminal. Correspondingly, the first terminal receives transmission indication information #1.

[0249] Among them, transmission indication information #1 indicates measurement configuration #B. Measurement configuration #B is pre-configured to the first terminal.

[0250] S704, the first terminal executes the secondary cell activation process based on transmission indication information #1.

[0251] Specifically, the first terminal performs a secondary cell activation procedure based on configuration information #A and measurement configuration #B, which includes receiving SSB on the secondary cell.

[0252] The embodiments of this application do not limit the operations after S704.

[0253] According to the communication method provided in the embodiments of this application, the first access network device can instruct the secondary cell to be in a state of on-demand SSB transmission when configuring the secondary cell. The first terminal, based on the state of the secondary cell, does not receive SSBs on the secondary cell, thereby achieving energy saving for both the secondary cell and the first terminal. When the first access network device wants to activate the secondary cell, it can instruct the first terminal to transmit SSBs after sending a secondary cell activation command to the first terminal, so that the first terminal can receive SSBs on the secondary cell to activate it.

[0254] Figure 15 is a schematic flowchart of another specific example of the communication method provided in the embodiments of this application. The state of sending SSB on demand described in Figure 15 is the second state. The method 800 provided in Figure 15 will be described below.

[0255] S801, the first access network device sends the first information to the first terminal. Correspondingly, the first terminal receives the first information.

[0256] The first information is used to configure the secondary cell and indicate that the secondary cell is in a state of transmitting SSBs on demand. Furthermore, the first information includes first configuration information, second configuration information, and first measurement configuration, and the first information is used to activate the first configuration information. The secondary cell currently transmits SSBs based on the first configuration information; additionally, the first configuration information can be activated by default or by configuration specified in the protocol.

[0257] S802, the first terminal receives SSB in the secondary cell based on the first configuration information and the first measurement configuration.

[0258] It should be understood that the secondary cell can measure the SSB in the secondary cell and report the measurement results based on the first configuration information and the first measurement configuration.

[0259] S803, the first access network device sends a secondary cell activation command to the first terminal. Correspondingly, the first terminal receives the secondary cell activation command. The secondary cell activation command is used to activate the secondary cell.

[0260] S804, the first access network device sends transmission indication information #2 to the first terminal. Correspondingly, the first terminal receives transmission indication information #2.

[0261] The transmission indication information #2 includes an index of the second configuration information. The transmission period of the SSB indicated by the second configuration information is less than the transmission period of the SSB indicated by the first configuration information.

[0262] S805, the first access network device sends the second measurement configuration to the first terminal.

[0263] Alternatively, the second measurement configuration can be pre-configured or carried in the first information. The first access network device can carry the index of the second measurement configuration in S804 or S805 to activate the second measurement configuration. As mentioned above, the first access network device can send CD-SSB in the secondary cell based on the first configuration information and NCD-SSB in the secondary cell based on the second configuration information. The frequency information of CD-SSB and NCD-SSB are different, and the measurement configuration for the first terminal to measure NCD-SSB is different from that for measuring CD-SSB. In this scenario, the second measurement configuration can be indicated to the first terminal, and the second measurement configuration can indicate the frequency information of NCD-SSB.

[0264] S806, the first terminal executes the secondary cell activation process based on the second configuration information and the second measurement configuration.

[0265] Specifically, the first terminal executes a secondary cell activation procedure based on the second configuration information and the second measurement configuration. This secondary cell activation procedure includes receiving an SSB on the secondary cell. It should be understood that when the first terminal reports measurements, it will no longer report the measurement results obtained based on the first measurement configuration, but only the measurement results obtained based on the second measurement configuration.

[0266] The embodiments of this application do not limit the operations after S806.

[0267] According to the communication method provided in the embodiments of this application, a first access network device can indicate that the secondary cell is in a state of on-demand SSB transmission when configuring the secondary cell. A first terminal receives SSBs on the secondary cell based on first configuration information and a first measurement configuration, according to the state of the secondary cell. Since the transmission period of the SSB indicated by the first configuration information is relatively long, it is beneficial for energy saving for both the first access network device and the first terminal. When the first access network device wants to activate the secondary cell, it can instruct the first terminal, after sending a secondary cell activation command, that the first access network device is transmitting SSBs on the secondary cell based on second configuration information, and also instruct the first terminal on a second measurement configuration. The transmission period of the second configuration information is shorter than the transmission period of the first configuration information; therefore, the first terminal can receive SSBs on the secondary cell based on the second measurement configuration and the second configuration information to quickly activate the secondary cell.

[0268] In one design, the serving cell can change its SSB configuration information. This change may affect neighboring cells, as explained below with reference to the method shown in Figure 16. It should be noted that the "first access network device" mentioned below may or may not be the same as the "first access network device" mentioned earlier. Similarly, the "first cell" mentioned below may or may not be the same as the "secondary cell" mentioned earlier.

[0269] Figure 16 is a schematic flowchart of another communication method provided in an embodiment of this application. The method 900 shown in Figure 16 may include steps S910 to S930, which are described below.

[0270] S910, the first access network device sends configuration update information to the second access network device. Correspondingly, the second access network device receives the configuration update information.

[0271] The first cell corresponds to the first access network device, and the second access network device is the access network device corresponding to the neighboring cell of the first cell (for example, the second cell).

[0272] Specifically, this configuration update information indicates that the SSB configuration information of the first cell has been updated. For example, two configuration information for the SSB can be pre-configured for the first cell. The first cell uses one configuration information before time t1 and uses the other configuration information after time t1. Then, when the first cell starts using the other configuration information, S910 can be executed.

[0273] For example, the configuration update information may also include the configuration information of the SSB of the first cell. It should be understood that the configuration information here refers to the latest configuration information of the first cell. For details on configuration information, please refer to the preceding description; it will not be repeated here.

[0274] For example, the configuration update information may also include the identifier of the first cell and / or the status of the first cell, such as the first cell being in an energy-saving state of SSB adjustment or the first cell being in a state of sending SSB on demand.

[0275] For example, the first cell can be the secondary cell in method 800. The configuration information here can be the second configuration information in method 800.

[0276] For example, after receiving the configuration update information, the second access network device can send feedback information to the first access network device, which can indicate that it has received the configuration update information.

[0277] S920: Based on the configuration update information, the second access network device sends update information to the second terminal. Correspondingly, the second terminal receives the update information.

[0278] The access network device corresponding to the serving cell (e.g., the second cell) of the second terminal is the second access network device, and the first cell is the neighboring cell of the serving cell of the second terminal.

[0279] The update information may indicate one or more of the following: information on SSB measurements for the first cell, information related to the first cell in cell selection, or information related to the first cell in cell reselection; the first cell being in a state of on-demand transmission of synchronization signals and physical broadcast channel blocks (SSBs); or the first cell being in an energy-saving state of SSB adjustment. One or more of the contents indicated by the update information may be sent separately via different messages or via the same message.

[0280] For example, information used for measuring the SSB of the first cell includes: the measurement configuration for measuring the SSB of the first cell, stopping the measurement of the SSB of the first cell, or stopping the measurement of the SSB of the first cell within a target time period, or the first cell being on the cell measurement blacklist. For instance, this update information may indicate the target time period, or the target time period may be pre-configured or predefined.

[0281] For example, information related to the first cell in cell selection includes: the first cell has the lowest priority for cell selection or the first cell has been added to the cell selection blacklist.

[0282] For example, information related to the first cell in the cell reselection process includes: the first cell has the lowest priority in cell reselection or the first cell has been added to the cell reselection blacklist.

[0283] Optionally, the update information may also indicate the validity period of the aforementioned information, such as the validity period of the measurement configuration or the validity period of the first cell being added to the cell selection blacklist. It should be understood that the validity period of the first cell being added to the cell selection blacklist refers to the time during which the first cell is added to the cell selection blacklist.

[0284] S930, the second terminal performs operations related to the first cell based on the updated information.

[0285] For example, if the information used to measure the SSB of the first cell is the measurement configuration for measuring the SSB of the first cell, then the second terminal measures the first cell based on this measurement configuration.

[0286] For example, if the information for measuring the SSB of the first cell is to stop measuring the SSB of the first cell, then the second terminal will stop measuring the first cell based on this updated information.

[0287] For example, if the information related to the first cell in cell selection is that the first cell has the lowest priority, then the second terminal will select the first cell as the candidate cell with the lowest priority when selecting cells.

[0288] For example, if the information related to the first cell in the cell selection is that the first cell has been added to the cell selection blacklist, then the second terminal will no longer measure the first cell when selecting cells.

[0289] The process of reselecting a cell is similar to selecting a cell; for details, please refer to the cell selection process. Examples will not be provided here.

[0290] According to the communication method provided in the embodiments of this application, when the configuration of a cell is updated, the first access network device can indicate to the neighboring cell (i.e., the second access network device) that the cell configuration has been updated. This allows the neighboring cell to update information related to the cell, such as measurement-related information and cell selection / reselection-related information, to the second terminal it serves. This scheme, by exchanging cell configurations between access network devices, facilitates timely adjustments of information related to the cell by the access network devices, avoiding unnecessary or inappropriate operations by the terminal, such as avoiding unnecessary cell measurements or executing inappropriate cell selection / reselection strategies.

[0291] In some embodiments, the method 900 may further include: S901, the first access network device sends first indication information to the first terminal. Accordingly, the first terminal receives the first indication information.

[0292] The first instruction information is used to deactivate the first configuration information and activate the second configuration information.

[0293] It should be understood that after receiving the first instruction information, the first terminal will receive the SSB in the first cell based on the second configuration information.

[0294] It should be understood that S901 can be executed before S910, simultaneously with S910, or after S910.

[0295] Figure 17 is a schematic flowchart of another communication method provided in an embodiment of this application. Method 1000 describes the impact of a serving cell changing its SSB configuration information on neighboring cells based on a CU-DU architecture. Here, the first CU and the first DU belong to the same access network device, such as the first access network device in method 900, and the second CU and the second DU belong to the same access network device, such as the second access network device in method 900. Concepts or operations identical to those in method 1000 as in method 900 can be referred to in method 900. The steps in method 1000 are described below.

[0296] S1001, the first CU sends configuration instruction information to the first DU. Correspondingly, the first DU receives the configuration instruction information.

[0297] The configuration indication information indicates that the configuration information of the SSB of the first cell can be updated, or the configuration indication information indicates that the configuration information of the SSB of the first cell can be updated. For example, the configuration indication information may include multiple cells (including the first cell), that is, it includes a list of cells that allow updating the configuration information of the SSB, or a list of cells that allow dynamic adjustment of the SSB.

[0298] S1002, the first DU sends feedback information #1 to the first CU. Correspondingly, the first CU receives feedback information #1. Feedback information #1 indicates that the first DU successfully received the configuration instruction information.

[0299] S1003, the first DU sends configuration update information to the first CU according to the configuration instruction information. Correspondingly, the first CU receives the configuration update information.

[0300] For example, when the first DU learns from the configuration instruction information that the configuration information of the SSB of the first cell can be updated, it determines to update the configuration information of the SSB of the first cell and sends the configuration update information to the first CU. The function and content of this configuration update information can be referred to the "Configuration Update Information" of the corresponding scheme in Figure 16 above, and will not be described here.

[0301] It should be understood that this application does not limit the execution order between S1003 and S1002.

[0302] S1004, the first CU sends feedback information #2 to the first DU. Correspondingly, the first DU receives feedback information #2. Feedback information #2 indicates that the first CU successfully received the configuration update information.

[0303] S1005, the first CU sends the configuration update information to the second CU. Accordingly, the first CU receives the configuration update information.

[0304] For example, this configuration update information can be sent via the Xn interface.

[0305] It should be understood that this application does not limit the execution order between S1004 and S1005.

[0306] S1006, the second CU sends feedback information #3 to the first CU. Correspondingly, the first CU receives feedback information #3. Feedback information #3 indicates that the second CU successfully received the configuration update information.

[0307] S1007, the second CU sends the configuration update information to the second DU. Accordingly, the second DU receives the configuration update information.

[0308] It should be understood that this application does not limit the execution order between S1006 and S1007.

[0309] S1008, the second DU sends feedback information #4 to the second CU. Correspondingly, the second CU receives feedback information #4. Feedback information #4 indicates that the second DU successfully received the configuration update information.

[0310] S1009, the second DU sends update information to the second terminal. Accordingly, the second terminal receives the update information.

[0311] For details regarding this update, please refer to the update information in Method 900.

[0312] It should be understood that this application does not limit the execution order between S1008 and S1009.

[0313] S1010, the second terminal performs operations related to the first cell based on the updated information.

[0314] It should be understood that the operation performed by the second DU in S1009 is similar to the operation performed by the second access network device in S920. For details of S1009, please refer to S920. S1010 and S930 are the same, and for details, please refer to S930.

[0315] According to the communication method provided in the embodiments of this application, when the configuration of the first cell is updated, the first CU can indicate to the second DU that the configuration of the first cell has been updated through the second CU. The second DU can then update information related to the first cell to the second terminal, such as measurement-related information and cell selection / reselection-related information. This scheme facilitates timely adjustment of information related to the cell by access network devices through the exchange of cell configurations, avoiding unnecessary or inappropriate operations by the terminal, such as avoiding unnecessary cell measurements or executing inappropriate cell selection / reselection strategies.

[0316] It should be noted that the steps related to feedback information in method 1000, such as S1002 and S1004, are all optional steps, meaning they can be executed or not.

[0317] The method provided in this application has been described above; the apparatus provided in this application will be described below.

[0318] Figure 18 shows a possible exemplary block diagram of the communication device involved in the embodiments of this application. As shown in Figure 18, the communication device 2000 may include modules or units for implementing the method embodiments described above. In one possible design, the communication device 2000 includes a communication unit 2100 and a processing unit 2200. Optionally, the communication device 2000 may further include a storage unit 2300 for storing device program code and / or data.

[0319] In one possible design, the communication device 2000 can be a terminal (first terminal or second terminal) side device in the above embodiments, such as a terminal or a communication module in a terminal, or a circuit or chip in a terminal that is responsible for communication functions.

[0320] For example, in one embodiment, the communication unit 2100 is configured to receive first information from a first access network device, the first information being used to indicate that the secondary cell is in a state of sending synchronization signals and physical broadcast channel blocks (SSBs) on demand; the processing unit 2200 is configured to determine, based on the first information, whether to receive an SSB in the secondary cell.

[0321] Optionally, the state of sending SSB on demand is: the secondary cell does not send SSB during the first time period, and the secondary cell sends SSB during the second time period.

[0322] Optionally, the communication unit 2100 is further configured to: receive transmission indication information from the first access network device, the transmission indication information indicating that the secondary cell is transmitting an SSB, wherein the secondary cell does not transmit an SSB before receiving the transmission indication information; and receive an SSB in the secondary cell according to the transmission indication information.

[0323] Optionally, the state of sending SSB on demand is as follows: during a first time period, the secondary cell sends SSB based on the first configuration information of the SSB, and during a second time period, the secondary cell sends SSB based on the second configuration information of the SSB, wherein the first configuration information and the second configuration information are different.

[0324] Optionally, the communication unit 2100 is further configured to: receive transmission indication information from the first access network device, the transmission indication information instructing the secondary cell to send an SSB based on the second configuration information, wherein, before receiving the transmission indication information, the secondary cell sends an SSB based on the first configuration information; and receive an SSB in the secondary cell according to the transmission indication information.

[0325] Optionally, the transmission indication information may further indicate the second configuration information, and / or the measurement configuration of the SSB, which is used to receive the SSB in the secondary cell.

[0326] Optionally, the first information may further indicate at least one configuration information of the SSB, and the second configuration information belongs to the at least one configuration information.

[0327] Optionally, the communication unit 2100 is further configured to receive a measurement configuration for an SSB, the measurement configuration being configured to receive an SSB in the secondary cell.

[0328] Optionally, the communication unit 2100 is further configured to send request information to the first access network device according to the first information, the request information being used to request the first access network device to send an SSB in the secondary cell.

[0329] Optionally, receiving an SSB includes performing cell search based on the SSB and / or performing cell measurement based on the SSB.

[0330] In one possible design, the communication device 2000 can be a terminal (first terminal) side device in the above embodiments, such as a terminal or a communication module in the terminal, or a circuit or chip in the terminal responsible for communication functions.

[0331] For example, in one embodiment, the communication unit 2100 is configured to receive update information from a second (distributed unit, DU), the update information indicating one or more of the following: information for the measurement of the SSB of the first cell, information related to the first cell in cell selection, or information related to the first cell in cell reselection, wherein the second DU is the DU corresponding to a neighboring cell of the first cell; and the processing unit 2200 is configured to perform an operation related to the first cell based on the update information.

[0332] Optionally, the information for measuring the SSB of the first cell includes: the measurement configuration for measuring the SSB of the first cell, stopping the measurement of the SSB of the first cell, stopping the measurement of the SSB of the first cell within a target time period, or the first cell being on a cell measurement blacklist.

[0333] Optionally, the information related to the first cell in the cell selection includes: the first cell has the lowest priority in cell selection or the first cell has been added to the cell selection blacklist;

[0334] Optionally, the information related to the first cell in the cell reselection includes: the first cell has the lowest priority for cell reselection or the first cell has been added to the cell reselection blacklist.

[0335] In one possible design, when the communication device 2000 is a terminal or a communication module within a terminal, the functionality of the processing unit 2200 can be implemented by one or more processors. Specifically, the processor may include a modem chip, or a system-on-a-chip (SoC) or SIP chip containing a modem core. The functionality of the communication unit 2100 can be implemented by transceiver circuitry.

[0336] In one possible design, when the communication device 2000 is a circuit or chip in a terminal responsible for communication functions, such as a modem chip or a system-on-a-chip (SoC) or SIP chip containing a modem core, the function of the processing unit 2200 can be implemented by a circuit system in the aforementioned chip that includes one or more processors or processor cores. The function of the communication unit 2100 can be implemented by interface circuits or data transceiver circuits on the aforementioned chip.

[0337] In one possible design, the communication device 2000 can be an access network device (first access network device or second access network device) side device in the above embodiments, for example, an access network device or a communication module in the access network device, or a circuit or chip in the access network device responsible for communication functions.

[0338] For example, in one embodiment, the processing unit 2200 is used to generate first information, which is used to indicate that the secondary cell is in the state of sending SSB on demand; the communication unit 2100 is used to send the first information to the first terminal.

[0339] Optionally, the state of sending SSB on demand is: the secondary cell does not send SSB during the first time period, and the secondary cell sends SSB during the second time period.

[0340] Optionally, the communication unit 2100 is further configured to send transmission indication information to the first terminal, the transmission indication information indicating that the secondary cell is transmitting an SSB, wherein the secondary cell does not transmit an SSB before sending the transmission indication information.

[0341] Optionally, the state of sending SSB on demand is as follows: during a first time period, the secondary cell sends SSB based on the first configuration information of the SSB, and during a second time period, the secondary cell sends SSB based on the second configuration information of the SSB, wherein the first configuration information and the second configuration information are different.

[0342] Optionally, the communication unit 2100 is further configured to send transmission indication information to the first terminal, the transmission indication information instructing the secondary cell to send an SSB based on the second configuration information, wherein the secondary cell sends an SSB based on the first configuration information before sending the transmission indication information.

[0343] Optionally, the transmission indication information may also indicate the second configuration information and / or the measurement configuration of the SSB, which is used by the first terminal to receive the SSB in the secondary cell.

[0344] Optionally, the first information may further indicate at least one configuration information of the SSB, and the second configuration information belongs to the at least one configuration information.

[0345] Optionally, the communication unit 2100 is further configured to send a measurement configuration of the SSB to the first terminal, the measurement configuration being used by the first terminal to receive the SSB in the secondary cell.

[0346] Optionally, the communication unit 2100 is further configured to receive request information from the first terminal, the request information being used to request the secondary cell to send an SSB.

[0347] In one possible design, when the communication device 2000 is an access network device or a communication module within an access network device, the functionality of the processing unit 2200 can be implemented by one or more processors. Specifically, the processor may include a modem chip, or a system-on-a-chip (SoC) chip or a SIP chip containing a modem core. The functionality of the communication unit 2100 can be implemented by transceiver circuitry.

[0348] In one possible design, when the communication device 2000 is a circuit or chip responsible for communication functions in an access network device, such as a modem chip or a system-on-a-chip (SoC) or SIP chip containing a modem core, the function of the processing unit 2200 can be implemented by a circuit system in the aforementioned chip that includes one or more processors or processor cores. The function of the communication unit 2100 can be implemented by interface circuits or data transceiver circuits on the aforementioned chip.

[0349] In one possible design, the communication device 2000 can be the first DU or the communication module in the first DU in the above embodiments, or the circuit or chip in the first DU that is responsible for the communication function.

[0350] For example, in one embodiment, the communication unit 2100 is configured to: receive configuration indication information from a first CU, the configuration indication information indicating that the configuration information of the Synchronization Signal Physical Broadcast Channel Block (SSB) of the first cell can be updated, or the configuration indication information indicating that the configuration information of the SSB of the first cell can be updated; and send configuration update information to the first CU according to the configuration indication information, the configuration update information indicating that the configuration information of the SSB of the first cell has been updated.

[0351] Optionally, the configuration update information may also indicate the configuration information of the SSB of the first cell.

[0352] In one possible design, the communication device 2000 can be the first CU or the communication module in the first CU in the above embodiments, or the circuit or chip in the first CU that is responsible for communication functions.

[0353] For example, in one embodiment, the communication unit 2100 is configured to: send configuration indication information to a first DU, the configuration indication information indicating that the configuration information of the SSB of a first cell can be updated, or the configuration indication information indicating that the configuration information of the SSB of a first cell can be updated; receive configuration update information from the first DU, the configuration update information indicating that the configuration information of the SSB of the first cell has been updated; and send the configuration update information to a second CU.

[0354] Optionally, the configuration update information may also indicate the configuration information of the SSB of the first cell.

[0355] In one possible design, the communication device 2000 can be the second DU or the communication module in the second DU in the above embodiments, or the circuit or chip in the second DU responsible for communication functions.

[0356] For example, in one embodiment, the communication unit 2100 is configured to: receive configuration update information from a second CU, the configuration update information indicating that the configuration information of the SSB of the first cell has been updated; and send update information to a second terminal according to the configuration update information, the update information indicating one or more of the following: information for the measurement of the SSB of the first cell, information related to the first cell in cell selection, or information related to the first cell in cell reselection, wherein the second DU is the DU corresponding to a neighboring cell of the first cell.

[0357] Optionally, the information for measuring the SSB of the first cell includes: measurement configuration for measuring the SSB of the first cell, stopping the measurement of the SSB of the first cell, stopping the measurement of the SSB of the first cell within a target time period, or the first cell being on a cell measurement blacklist.

[0358] Optionally, the information related to the first cell in the cell selection includes: the first cell has the lowest priority in cell selection or the first cell has been added to the cell selection blacklist;

[0359] Optionally, the information related to the first cell in the cell reselection includes: the first cell has the lowest priority for cell reselection or the first cell has been added to the cell reselection blacklist.

[0360] Optionally, the configuration update information may also indicate the configuration information of the SSB of the first cell.

[0361] For details regarding the steps or processes executed by each unit in the communication device 2000, please refer to the above-described method embodiments, which will not be elaborated here.

[0362] It is understood that the division of units in the above-described device is merely a logical functional division. One function can correspond to one functional unit, or two or more functions can be integrated into one functional unit. In actual implementation, all or some units can be integrated onto a single physical entity, or distributed across different physical entities. Furthermore, the aforementioned functional units can be implemented in hardware, software, or a combination of both. Whether a function is executed in hardware or software depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Those skilled in the art can use different methods to implement the described functions for specific applications, but such implementations should not be considered beyond the scope of this application.

[0363] In one example, the functional unit in any of the above devices may be one or more integrated circuits configured to implement the above methods, such as: one or more application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), or one or more central processing units (CPUs), one or more microcontroller units (MCUs), one or more digital signal processors (DSPs), or one or more field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), or a combination of at least two of these integrated circuit forms.

[0364] In one example, storage unit 2300 may include random access memory, flash memory, read-only memory, programmable read-only memory or electrically erasable programmable memory and / or registers, etc.

[0365] Figure 19 shows a schematic block diagram of another communication device 3000 provided in an embodiment of this application. This device 3000 may be a first communication device or a second communication device, or it may be a chip, chip system, or processor that supports the first or second communication device in implementing the above-described methods. This device can be used to implement the methods described in the above-described method embodiments; for details, please refer to the descriptions in the above-described method embodiments.

[0366] The device 3000 may include one or more processors 3100, which may also be referred to as processing units, and can implement certain control functions. The processor 3100 may be a general-purpose processor or a dedicated processor, such as a baseband processor or a central processing unit. The baseband processor can be used to process communication protocols and communication data, while the central processing unit can be used to control communication devices (such as base stations, baseband chips, users, user chips, DUs or CUs, etc.), execute software programs, and process data from the software programs.

[0367] In an alternative design, the processor 3100 may also store instructions and / or data that can be executed by the processor 3100 to cause the device 3000 to perform the methods described in the above method embodiments.

[0368] In another alternative design, the device 3000 may include a communication interface 3200 for implementing receiving and transmitting functions. For example, the communication interface 3200 may be a transceiver circuit, interface, interface circuit, or transceiver. The transceiver circuit, interface, interface circuit, or transceiver for implementing receiving and transmitting functions may be separate or integrated. The aforementioned transceiver circuit, interface, interface circuit, or transceiver may be used for reading and writing code / data, or it may be used for transmitting or relaying signals.

[0369] Optionally, the device 3000 may include one or more memories 3300, which may store instructions that can be executed on the processor 3100, causing the device 3000 to perform the methods described in the above method embodiments. Optionally, the memory 3300 may also store data. Optionally, the processor 3100 may also store instructions and / or data. The processor 3100 and the memory 3300 may be configured separately or integrated together.

[0370] Figure 20 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a terminal 4000 provided in this application. The aforementioned communication device 2000 or communication device 3000 can be configured in the terminal 4000. Alternatively, the communication device 2000 or communication device 3000 itself can be the terminal 4000. In other words, the terminal 4000 can perform the actions performed by the terminal (first terminal or second terminal) in the above method embodiments. Optionally, for ease of explanation, Figure 20 only shows the main components of the terminal. As shown in Figure 20, the terminal 4000 includes a processor, memory, control circuitry, antenna, and input / output devices.

[0371] The processor is primarily used to process communication protocols and data, control the entire terminal, execute software programs, and process the data within those programs, such as supporting the terminal in performing the actions described in the above-described method embodiments. The memory is primarily used to store software programs and data. The control circuit is primarily used for converting baseband signals to radio frequency (RF) signals and processing RF signals. The control circuit, along with the antenna, can also be called a transceiver, primarily used for transmitting and receiving RF signals in the form of electromagnetic waves. Input / output devices, such as touchscreens, displays, and keyboards, are primarily used to receive user input data and output data to the user.

[0372] When the terminal is powered on, the processor can read the software program from the storage unit, interpret and execute the software program's instructions, and process the software program's data. When data needs to be transmitted wirelessly, the processor performs baseband processing on the data to be transmitted and outputs the baseband signal to the radio frequency (RF) circuit. The RF circuit then processes the baseband signal and transmits the RF signal outward as electromagnetic waves through the antenna. When data is sent to the terminal, the RF circuit receives the RF signal through the antenna, converts the RF signal into a baseband signal, and outputs the baseband signal to the processor. The processor converts the baseband signal back into data and processes the data.

[0373] Those skilled in the art will understand that, for ease of explanation, Figure 20 only shows one memory and processor. In a real terminal, multiple processors and memories may exist. Memory may also be referred to as storage medium or storage device, etc., and the embodiments of this application do not impose such limitations.

[0374] For example, a processor may include a baseband processor and a central processing unit (CPU). The baseband processor is mainly used for processing communication protocols and communication data, while the CPU is mainly used for controlling the entire terminal, executing software programs, and processing the data in the software programs. The processor in Figure 20 integrates the functions of a baseband processor and a CPU. Those skilled in the art will understand that the baseband processor and CPU can also be independent processors interconnected via technologies such as buses. Those skilled in the art will understand that a terminal may include multiple baseband processors to adapt to different network standards, and a terminal may include multiple CPUs to enhance its processing capabilities. The various components of the terminal can be connected via various buses. The baseband processor can also be described as a baseband processing circuit or a baseband processing chip. The CPU can also be described as a central processing circuit or a central processing chip. The function of processing communication protocols and communication data can be built into the processor or stored in a storage unit as a software program, which is then executed by the processor to implement the baseband processing function.

[0375] For example, in this embodiment, the antenna and control circuit with transceiver functions can be regarded as the transceiver unit 4100 of the terminal 4000, and the processor with processing functions can be regarded as the processing unit 4200 of the terminal 4000. As shown in FIG20, the terminal 4000 includes the transceiver unit 4100 and the processing unit 4200. The transceiver unit can also be referred to as a transceiver, transceiver device, transceiver apparatus, etc. Optionally, the device in the transceiver unit 4100 used to implement the receiving function can be regarded as a receiving unit, and the device in the transceiver unit 4100 used to implement the transmitting function can be regarded as a transmitting unit, that is, the transceiver unit 4100 includes a receiving unit and a transmitting unit. For example, the receiving unit can also be referred to as a receiver, receiver circuit, etc., and the transmitting unit can be referred to as a transmitter, transmitter, or transmitting circuit, etc.

[0376] Figure 21 is a schematic diagram of the structure of an access network device 5000 provided in an embodiment of this application. The aforementioned communication device 2000 or communication device 3000 can be configured in the access network device 5000. Alternatively, the communication device 2000 or communication device 3000 itself can be the access network device 5000. Alternatively, the access network device 5000 can perform the actions performed by the access network device (e.g., the first access network device or the second access network device) in the above method embodiments.

[0377] As shown in Figure 21, the access network device 5000 may include one or more DU 5010s and one or more CU 5020s. The CU 5020 can communicate with the NG core (Next Generation Core, NC). The DU 5010 may include at least one antenna 5011, at least one radio frequency unit 5012, at least one processor 5013, and at least one memory 5014. The DU 5010 is mainly used for transmitting and receiving radio frequency signals, converting radio frequency signals to baseband signals, and performing some baseband processing. The CU 5020 may include at least one processor 5022 and at least one memory 5021. The CU 5020 and DU 5010 can communicate via an interface, where the control plane (CP) interface can be Fs-C, such as F1-C, and the user plane (UP) interface can be Fs-U, such as F1-U.

[0378] The CU 5020 is mainly used for baseband processing and controlling the access network device 5000. The DU 5010 and CU 5020 can be physically installed together or separately, i.e., a distributed base station. The CU 5020 is the control center of the access network device 5000, also known as a processing unit, and is mainly used to complete baseband processing functions. For example, the CU 5020 can be used to control the access network device 5000 to execute the operation procedures related to the first or second access network device in the above method embodiments.

[0379] Specifically, the baseband processing on the CU and DU can be divided according to the protocol layers of the wireless network. For example, the functions of the PDCP layer and above are set in the CU, while the functions of the protocol layers below PDCP, such as the RLC layer and MAC layer, are set in the DU. For another example, the CU implements the functions of the RRC layer and PDCP layer, while the DU implements the functions of the RLC layer, MAC layer, and PHY layer.

[0380] Alternatively, the access network device 5000 may include one or more radio frequency units (RUs), one or more DUs, and one or more CUs. A DU may include at least one processor 5013 and at least one memory 5014, an RU may include at least one antenna 5011 and at least one radio frequency unit 5012, and a CU may include at least one processor 5022 and at least one memory 5021.

[0381] In one example, the CU 5020 can be composed of one or more single boards. Multiple single boards can collectively support a single access-indicating wireless access network (such as a 5G network), or they can each support wireless access networks with different access standards (such as LTE, 5G, or other networks). The memory 5021 and processor 5022 can serve one or more single boards. That is, each single board can have its own memory and processor, or multiple single boards can share the same memory and processor. Furthermore, each single board can also have necessary circuitry. The DU 5010 can also be composed of one or more single boards. Multiple single boards can collectively support a single access-indicating wireless access network (such as a 5G network), or they can each support wireless access networks with different access standards (such as LTE, 5G, or other networks). The memory 5014 and processor 5013 can serve one or more single boards. That is, each single board can have its own memory and processor, or multiple single boards can share the same memory and processor. Furthermore, each single board can also have necessary circuitry.

[0382] It should be understood that the access network device 5000 shown in Figure 21 can implement all the processes of the actions performed by the access network device in the above method embodiments. The operation and / or function of each module in the access network device 5000 are respectively for implementing the corresponding processes in the above method embodiments. For details, please refer to the description in the above method embodiments. To avoid repetition, detailed descriptions are appropriately omitted here.

[0383] It should be understood that the access network device 5000 shown in Figure 21 is only one possible architecture for access network devices and should not be construed as limiting this application in any way. The method provided in this application can be applied to access network devices with other architectures, such as access network devices including CU, DU, and AAU. This application does not limit the specific architecture of the access network device.

[0384] It should also be understood that the CU and DU in the access network device 5000 can respectively execute the operations performed by the first CU and the first DU in the above method embodiment, and can also execute the operations performed by the second CU and the second DU in the above method embodiment.

[0385] The processor, processor system, application processor, baseband processor, processor circuit, or processor core involved in the embodiments of this application can be collectively referred to as a processor. The processor may include one or more of the following: central processing unit (CPU), digital signal processor (DSP), microprocessor unit (MPU), microcontroller unit (MCU), graphics processing unit (GPU), field programmable gate array (FPGA), artificial intelligence processor (AI processor), or neural processing unit (NPU).

[0386] The memory involved in the embodiments of this application can be volatile memory or non-volatile memory, or may include both volatile and non-volatile memory. The non-volatile memory can be read-only memory (ROM), programmable read-only memory (PROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), or flash memory. The volatile memory can be random access memory (RAM), which is used as an external cache. By way of example, but not limitation, many forms of RAM are available, such as static random access memory (SRAM), dynamic random access memory (DRAM), synchronous dynamic random access memory (SDRAM), double data rate synchronous dynamic random access memory (DDR SDRAM), enhanced synchronous dynamic random access memory (ESDRAM), synchronous linked dynamic random access memory (SLDRAM), and direct rambus RAM (DR RAM). It should be noted that the memory used in the systems and methods described herein is intended to include, but is not limited to, these and any other suitable types of memory.

[0387] This application also provides a computer program product, including computer program instructions, which, when executed, cause the various steps or processes performed by the following devices in any of the above method embodiments to be executed: a first terminal, a second terminal, a first access network device, a second access network device, a first CU, a first DU, a second CU, or a second DU.

[0388] This application also provides a computer-readable storage medium having a computer program or instructions stored thereon, which, when executed, causes the following steps or processes performed by the apparatus in any of the above method embodiments to be executed: a first terminal, a second terminal, a first access network device, a second access network device, a first CU, a first DU, a second CU, or a second DU.

[0389] This application also provides a chip including a processor for calling and running a computer program or instructions from a memory, which, when executed, causes the various steps or processes performed by the following devices in any of the above method embodiments to be executed: a first terminal, a second terminal, a first access network device, a second access network device, a first CU, a first DU, a second CU, or a second DU.

[0390] This application also provides a communication system that includes at least one of a first terminal and a first access network device, or includes at least one of a first terminal, a first access network device, a first terminal and a second access network device, or includes a first CU, a first DU, a second CU and a second DU.

[0391] Those skilled in the art will understand that embodiments of this application can be provided as methods, systems, or computer program products. Therefore, this application can take the form of a completely hardware embodiment, a completely software embodiment, or an embodiment combining software and hardware aspects. Furthermore, this application can take the form of a computer program product embodied on one or more computer-usable storage media (including, but not limited to, disk storage, optical storage, etc.) containing computer-usable program code.

[0392] This application is described with reference to flowchart illustrations and / or block diagrams of methods, apparatus (systems), and computer program products according to this application. It should be understood that each block of the flowchart illustrations and / or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in the flowchart illustrations and / or block diagrams, can be implemented by computer program instructions. These computer program instructions can be provided to a processor of a general-purpose computer, special-purpose computer, embedded processor, or other programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, such that the instructions, which execute via the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing apparatus, create means for implementing the functions specified in one or more blocks of the flowchart illustrations and / or one or more blocks of the block diagrams.

[0393] These computer program instructions may also be stored in a computer-readable storage medium that can direct a computer or other programmable data processing device to function in a particular manner, such that the instructions stored in the computer-readable storage medium produce an article of manufacture including instruction means that implement the functions specified in one or more flowcharts and / or one or more block diagrams.

[0394] These computer program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer or other programmable data processing apparatus to cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer or other programmable apparatus to produce a computer-implemented process, such that the instructions, which execute on the computer or other programmable apparatus, provide steps for implementing the functions specified in one or more flowcharts and / or one or more block diagrams.

[0395] Obviously, those skilled in the art can make various modifications and variations to this application without departing from the scope of this application. Therefore, if such modifications and variations fall within the scope of the claims of this application and their equivalents, this application also intends to include such modifications and variations.

Claims

1. A communication method characterized by comprising: Comprising: receiving first information from an access network side device, the first information being used to indicate that a secondary cell is in a state of sending a synchronization signal and physical broadcast channel block (SSB) on demand; determining, according to the first information, whether to receive an SSB at the secondary cell.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein, The state of sending the SSB on demand is that the secondary cell does not send an SSB in a first time period, and the secondary cell sends an SSB in a second time period.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein, The method further comprises: receiving transmission indication information from the access network side device, the transmission indication information indicating that the access network side device sends an SSB at the secondary cell, wherein, before receiving the transmission indication information, no SSB is sent at the secondary cell; receiving an SSB at the secondary cell according to the transmission indication information.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein, The state of sending the SSB on demand is that the access network side device sends an SSB at the secondary cell based on first configuration information of an SSB in a first time period, and the access network side device sends an SSB at the secondary cell based on second configuration information of an SSB in a second time period, the first configuration information and the second configuration information being different.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein, The method further comprises: receiving transmission indication information from the access network side device, the transmission indication information indicating that an SSB is sent at the secondary cell based on the second configuration information, wherein, before receiving the transmission indication information, an SSB is sent at the secondary cell based on the first configuration information; receiving an SSB at the secondary cell according to the transmission indication information.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein, The transmission indication information further indicates the second configuration information, and / or a measurement configuration of an SSB, the measurement configuration being used to receive an SSB at the secondary cell.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein, The first information further indicates at least one configuration information of an SSB, the second configuration information belonging to the at least one configuration information.

8. The method of any one of claims 1-7, wherein, The method further comprises: receiving a measurement configuration of an SSB, the measurement configuration being used to receive an SSB at the secondary cell.

9. The method of claim 3 or 5, wherein, Before the receiving transmission indication information from a first access network device, the method further comprises: sending request information to the first access network device according to the first information, the request information being used to request the first access network device to send an SSB at the secondary cell.

10. The method of any one of claims 1-9, wherein, The receiving an SSB comprises performing cell search based on an SSB and / or performing cell measurement based on an SSB.

11. A communication method, comprising: Comprising: generating first information, the first information being used to indicate that a secondary cell is in a state of sending a synchronization signal and physical broadcast channel block (SSB) on demand; sending the first information to a first terminal.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein, The state of sending the SSB on demand is that an SSB is sent at the secondary cell in a first time period, and an SSB is sent at the secondary cell in a second time period.

13. The method of claim 11 or 12, wherein, The method further comprises: sending transmission indication information to the first terminal, the transmission indication information indicating that an SSB is sent at the secondary cell, wherein, before sending the transmission indication information, no SSB is sent at the secondary cell.

14. The method of claim 11, wherein, The state of sending the SSB on demand is that the SSB is sent based on first configuration information of the SSB at the secondary cell in a first time period, and the SSB is sent based on second configuration information of the SSB at the secondary cell in a second time period, the first configuration information and the second configuration information being different.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein, The method further comprises: sending, to the first terminal, transmission indication information, the transmission indication information indicating that the SSB is sent based on the second configuration information at the secondary cell, wherein the SSB is sent based on the first configuration information at the secondary cell before the transmission indication information is sent.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein, The transmission indication information further indicates the second configuration information, and / or measurement configuration of the SSB, the measurement configuration being used for the first terminal to receive the SSB at the secondary cell.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein, The first information further indicates at least one configuration information of the SSB, the second configuration information belonging to the at least one configuration information.

18. The method of any one of claims 11-17, wherein, The method further comprises: sending, to the first terminal, measurement configuration of the SSB, the measurement configuration being used for the first terminal to receive the SSB at the secondary cell.

19. The method of claim 13 or 15, wherein, Before the transmission indication information is sent to the first terminal, the method further comprises: receiving, from the first terminal, request information, the request information being used for requesting that the SSB is sent at the secondary cell; wherein the transmission indication information is sent to the first terminal comprises: sending, to the first terminal, the transmission indication information according to the request information.

20. A communications device, characterized by A module or unit for performing the method of any of claims 1-10 or any of claims 11-19.

21. A communications device, characterized by A processor that, when executing a program or instructions, causes the method of any of claims 1-10 to be performed, or causes the method of any of claims 11-19 to be performed.

22. The communication apparatus of claim 21, wherein, Further comprising a memory for storing the program or instructions.

23. A readable storage medium, on which a computer program or instructions are stored, characterized in that, The computer program or instructions, when executed, cause the method of any of claims 1-10 to be performed, or cause the method of any of claims 11-19 to be performed.

24. A computer program product, characterised in that, Computer program instructions, which, when executed, cause the method of any of claims 1-10 to be performed, or cause the method of any of claims 11-19 to be performed.

25. A chip, characterized by A processor for calling and running computer programs from a memory, such that the method of any of claims 1-10 is performed, or the method of any of claims 11-19 is performed.

26. The chip of claim 25, wherein, Further comprising a memory for storing the program or instructions.

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