Communication methods, terminals and communication devices

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to communication methods, terminals and communication devices. A communication method comprises: a terminal detecting a plurality of SSB groups, wherein each SSB group comprises a plurality of SSBs, the plurality of SSBs in the SSB group are sent by means of SDM, and different SSB groups among the plurality of SSB groups are sent by means of TDM. The embodiments of the present disclosure can reduce the radio resource overhead for sending SSBs, and can also ensure fast access.

Description

Communication methods, terminals and communication equipment Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to the field of communication technology, and in particular to communication methods, terminals and communication devices. Background Technology

[0002] In related technologies, synchronization signals (SS) are transmitted in the format of synchronization signal block burst sets (SSB burst sets). To enable user equipment (UE) to access the network quickly, each SSB burst set contains a maximum of L... max Each synchronization signal block (SS / PBCH block, SSB) needs to be transmitted within 5ms using time division multiplexing (TDM).

[0003] Summary of the Invention

[0004] This disclosure presents a communication method, a terminal, and a communication device.

[0005] According to a first aspect of the embodiments of this disclosure, a communication method is provided, executed by a terminal, the method comprising:

[0006] Multiple synchronization signal block (SS / PBCH block, SSB) groups were detected. Each SSB group includes multiple SSBs, and the multiple SSBs in an SSB group are transmitted using spatial division multiplexing (SDM). Different SSB groups in the multiple SSB groups are transmitted using time division multiplexing (TDM).

[0007] According to a second aspect of the embodiments of this disclosure, a communication method is provided, performed by a network device, the method comprising:

[0008] Multiple SSB groups are sent, wherein each SSB group includes multiple SSBs, the multiple SSBs in an SSB group are sent using SDM, and the different SSB groups in the multiple SSB groups are sent using TDM.

[0009] According to a third aspect of the embodiments of this disclosure, a terminal is provided, comprising:

[0010] The processing module is configured to detect multiple SSB groups, wherein an SSB group includes multiple SSBs, the multiple SSBs in an SSB group are transmitted using SDM, and the different SSB groups in the multiple SSB groups are transmitted using TDM.

[0011] According to a fourth aspect of the embodiments of this disclosure, a network device is provided, comprising:

[0012] The transceiver module is configured to send multiple SSB groups, wherein an SSB group includes multiple SSBs, the multiple SSBs in an SSB group are sent using SDM, and the different SSB groups in the multiple SSB groups are sent using TDM.

[0013] According to a fifth aspect of the embodiments of this disclosure, a terminal is provided, comprising:

[0014] One or more processors;

[0015] The terminal is used to execute the method proposed in the first aspect.

[0016] According to a sixth aspect of the embodiments of this disclosure, a network device is provided, comprising:

[0017] One or more processors;

[0018] The network device is used to execute the method proposed in the second aspect.

[0019] According to a seventh aspect of the embodiments of this disclosure, a communication system is provided, comprising:

[0020] The terminal is configured to implement the method proposed in the first aspect; and

[0021] The network device is configured to implement the method proposed in the second aspect.

[0022] According to an eighth aspect of the present disclosure, a storage medium is provided that stores instructions which, when executed on a communication device, cause the communication device to perform the method as described in the first or second aspect.

[0023] According to a ninth aspect of the present disclosure, a computer program product is provided, comprising a computer program that, when executed by a communication device, implements the method as proposed in the first or second aspect.

[0024] In this embodiment of the disclosure, all SSBs can be divided into multiple SSB groups, and each SSB group includes multiple SSBs. Different SSB groups are transmitted at different times in the form of time division multiplexing (TDM), and multiple SSBs in the same SSB group are transmitted simultaneously in the form of space division multiplexing (SDM). Therefore, not only is the radio resource overhead of transmitting SSBs saved, but also fast access is guaranteed. Attached Figure Description

[0025] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this disclosure, the accompanying drawings required for the description of the embodiments are introduced below. The following drawings are only some embodiments of this disclosure and do not impose specific limitations on the protection scope of this disclosure.

[0026] Figure 1A is an exemplary schematic diagram of the architecture of a communication system provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0027] Figure 1B is a schematic diagram of the near-field and far-field electromagnetic fields of an antenna array provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0028] Figure 1C is a schematic diagram of the beams of the UE provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure when it is located in the near field and the far field, respectively.

[0029] Figure 2 is an exemplary interactive schematic diagram of a communication method provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0030] Figure 3A is an exemplary flowchart of a communication method provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0031] Figure 3B is an exemplary flowchart of a communication method provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0032] Figure 4A is an exemplary flowchart of a communication method provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0033] Figure 4B is an exemplary flowchart of a communication method provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0034] Figure 5A is an exemplary schematic diagram showing the occupancy of each bit in the initialization identifier of the demodulation reference signal (DMRS) scrambling sequence provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0035] Figure 5B is an exemplary schematic diagram showing the occupancy of each bit in the DMRS scrambling sequence initialization identifier provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0036] Figure 5C is an exemplary schematic diagram showing the occupancy of each bit in the DMRS scrambling sequence initialization identifier provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0037] Figure 6A is an exemplary schematic diagram of the structure of a terminal provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0038] Figure 6B is an exemplary schematic diagram of the structure of a network device provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0039] Figure 7A is an exemplary schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0040] Figure 7B is an exemplary schematic diagram of the structure of a chip provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Detailed Implementation

[0041] This disclosure presents a communication method, a terminal, and a communication device.

[0042] In a first aspect, embodiments of this disclosure provide a communication method executed by a terminal, the method comprising:

[0043] Multiple synchronization signal block (SS / PBCH block, SSB) groups were detected. Each SSB group includes multiple SSBs, and the multiple SSBs in an SSB group are transmitted using spatial division multiplexing (SDM). Different SSB groups in the multiple SSB groups are transmitted using time division multiplexing (TDM).

[0044] In the above embodiments, all SSBs can be divided into multiple SSB groups, and each SSB group includes multiple SSBs. Different SSB groups are transmitted at different times in TDM mode, and multiple SSBs in the same SSB group are transmitted simultaneously in SDM mode. Therefore, not only is the radio resource overhead of transmitting SSBs saved, but fast access can also be guaranteed.

[0045] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the index of the SSB includes a first index and a second index, wherein the first index represents the index of the SSB group to which the SSB belongs, and the second index represents the index of the SSB within the SSB group.

[0046] In the above embodiments, since all SSBs are grouped, an SSB can be uniquely identified by two indices, wherein the first index is the group index of the SSB and the second index is the intra-group index of the SSB.

[0047] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the first index of the SSB is indicated by first indication information, which is included in the master information block (MIB) and / or the demodulation reference signal (DMRS) scrambling sequence initialization identifier.

[0048] In the above embodiments, the first index is defined to be indicated by the MIB, or by the DMRS scrambling sequence initialization identifier, or by a combination of the MIB and the DMRS scrambling sequence initialization identifier.

[0049] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, when the first indication information is in a first state, it is also used to indicate that the SSB group to which the SSB is located is an SSB group for far-field use.

[0050] In the above embodiments, the first indication information can implicitly indicate whether the corresponding SSB group is a far-field SSB group or a near-field SSB group.

[0051] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the second index of the SSB is indicated by second indication information, which is included in the MIB and / or DMRS scrambling sequence initialization identifier.

[0052] In the above embodiments, the second index is defined to be indicated by the MIB, or by the DMRS scrambling sequence initialization identifier, or by a combination of the MIB and the DMRS scrambling sequence initialization identifier.

[0053] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, when the second indication information is in a second state, it is also used to indicate that the SSB is an SSB for far-field use.

[0054] In the above embodiments, the second indication information can implicitly indicate whether the corresponding SSB is a far-field SSB or a near-field SSB.

[0055] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the method further includes:

[0056] Receive association information, wherein the association information includes at least one of the following:

[0057] The association between the SSB index and the random access preamble;

[0058] The relationship between the SSB index and random access opportunities.

[0059] In the above embodiments, the random access preamble and random access opportunity can be associated with the index of the SSB (first index and second index) respectively, and the association information can be sent to the terminal to facilitate the terminal to initiate random access based on the association information.

[0060] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the associated information is contained in System Information Block Type 1 (SIB1).

[0061] In the above embodiment, the association information is defined to be sent via SIB1.

[0062] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, after detecting multiple SSB groups, the method further includes:

[0063] Identify the first SSB that meets the first condition;

[0064] Determine the random access preamble and associated random access opportunity associated with the first SSB;

[0065] A first random access preamble is sent on a first random access opportunity, the first random access opportunity being selected from the random access opportunities associated with the first SSB, and the first random access preamble being selected from the random access preambles associated with the first SSB.

[0066] In the above embodiments, after detecting multiple SSB groups, the terminal initiates random access based on the first SSB that meets the first condition.

[0067] Secondly, embodiments of this disclosure provide a communication method executed by a network device, the method comprising:

[0068] Multiple SSB groups are sent, wherein each SSB group includes multiple SSBs, the multiple SSBs in an SSB group are sent using SDM, and the different SSB groups in the multiple SSB groups are sent using TDM.

[0069] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the index of the SSB includes a first index and a second index, wherein the first index represents the index of the SSB group to which the SSB belongs, and the second index represents the index of the SSB within the SSB group.

[0070] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the first index of the SSB is indicated by first indication information, which is contained in the MIB and / or DMRS scrambling sequence initialization identifier.

[0071] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, when the first indication information is in a first state, it is also used to indicate that the SSB group to which the SSB is located is an SSB group for far-field use.

[0072] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the second index of the SSB is indicated by second indication information, which is contained in the MIB and / or DMRS scrambling sequence initialization identifier.

[0073] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, when the second indication information is in a second state, it is also used to indicate that the SSB is an SSB for far-field use.

[0074] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the method further includes:

[0075] Send association information, which includes at least one of the following:

[0076] The association between the SSB index and the random access preamble;

[0077] The relationship between the SSB index and random access opportunities.

[0078] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the associated information is included in SIB1.

[0079] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the method further includes:

[0080] A first random access preamble is received on a first random access opportunity, wherein the first random access opportunity is selected from random access opportunities associated with a first SSB, the first random access preamble is selected from random access preambles associated with the first SSB, and the first SSB is an SSB that meets a first condition among the plurality of SSB groups.

[0081] Thirdly, embodiments of this disclosure provide a terminal, including:

[0082] The processing module is configured to detect multiple SSB groups, wherein an SSB group includes multiple SSBs, the multiple SSBs in an SSB group are transmitted using SDM, and the different SSB groups in the multiple SSB groups are transmitted using TDM.

[0083] Fourthly, embodiments of this disclosure provide a network device, including:

[0084] The transceiver module is configured to send multiple SSB groups, wherein an SSB group includes multiple SSBs, the multiple SSBs in an SSB group are sent using SDM, and the different SSB groups in the multiple SSB groups are sent using TDM.

[0085] Fifthly, embodiments of this disclosure provide a terminal, including:

[0086] One or more processors;

[0087] The terminal is used to execute the method described in the optional implementation of the first aspect.

[0088] Sixthly, embodiments of this disclosure provide a network device, including:

[0089] One or more processors;

[0090] The network device is used to execute the method described in the optional implementation of the second aspect.

[0091] In a seventh aspect, embodiments of this disclosure provide a communication system, comprising:

[0092] The terminal is configured to implement the method described in the optional implementation of the first aspect; and

[0093] The network device is configured to implement the method described in the optional implementation of the second aspect.

[0094] Eighthly, embodiments of this disclosure provide a storage medium storing instructions that, when executed on a communication device, cause the communication device to perform the method as described in an optional implementation of the first or second aspect.

[0095] In a ninth aspect, embodiments of this disclosure provide a computer program product including a computer program that, when executed by a communication device, implements the method as described in the optional implementations of the first or second aspect.

[0096] In a tenth aspect, embodiments of this disclosure provide a chip or chip system. The chip or chip system includes processing circuitry configured to perform the methods described in optional implementations of the first or second aspect.

[0097] It is understood that the aforementioned terminals, network devices, communication systems, storage media, computer program products, chips, or chip systems are all used to execute the methods proposed in the embodiments of this disclosure. Therefore, the beneficial effects they can achieve can be referred to the beneficial effects in the corresponding methods, and will not be repeated here.

[0098] This disclosure is not exhaustive, but merely illustrative of some embodiments, and is not intended to limit the scope of protection of this disclosure. Unless otherwise specified, each step in a particular embodiment can be implemented as an independent embodiment, and the steps can be arbitrarily combined. For example, a solution after removing some steps in a particular embodiment can also be implemented as an independent embodiment, and the order of the steps in a particular embodiment can be arbitrarily interchanged. Furthermore, the optional implementation methods in a particular embodiment can be arbitrarily combined; moreover, the embodiments can be arbitrarily combined, for example, some or all steps of different embodiments can be arbitrarily combined, and a particular embodiment can be arbitrarily combined with the optional implementation methods of other embodiments.

[0099] In each of the disclosed embodiments, unless otherwise specified or in case of logical conflict, the terminology and / or descriptions of the embodiments are consistent and can be referenced by each other. Technical features in different embodiments can be combined to form new embodiments based on their inherent logical relationships.

[0100] The terminology used in the embodiments of this disclosure is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to limit the scope of this disclosure.

[0101] In this embodiment of the disclosure, unless otherwise stated, elements expressed in the singular form, such as "a," "an," "the," "the," "the," "the," "the," "the," "this," etc., can mean "one and only one," or "one or more," "at least one," etc. For example, when using articles such as "a," "an," "the," etc. in translation, the noun following the article can be understood as either a singular expression or a plural expression.

[0102] In the embodiments disclosed herein, "multiple" refers to two or more.

[0103] In some embodiments, the terms “at least one of”, “one or more”, “a plurality of”, “multiple”, etc., may be used interchangeably.

[0104] In some embodiments, the notation "at least one of A and B", "A and / or B", "A in one case, B in another", "in response to one case A, in response to another case B", etc., may include the following technical solutions depending on the situation: in some embodiments, A (execute A regardless of B); in some embodiments, B (execute B regardless of A); in some embodiments, execution is selected from A and B (A and B are selectively executed); in some embodiments, A and B (both A and B are executed). The same applies when there are more branches such as A, B, C, etc.

[0105] In some embodiments, the notation "A or B" may include the following technical solutions, depending on the situation: in some embodiments, A (execution of A regardless of B); in some embodiments, B (execution of B regardless of A); in some embodiments, execution is selected from A and B (A and B are selectively executed). The same applies when there are more branches such as A, B, C, etc.

[0106] The prefixes "first," "second," etc., used in the embodiments of this disclosure are merely for distinguishing different descriptive objects and do not impose restrictions on the position, order, priority, quantity, or content of the descriptive objects. The description of the descriptive objects is found in the claims or the context of the embodiments, and the use of prefixes should not constitute unnecessary restrictions. For example, if the descriptive object is a "field," the ordinal numbers preceding "field" in "first field" and "second field" do not restrict the position or order of the "fields." "First" and "second" do not restrict whether the "fields" they modify are in the same message, nor do they restrict the order of "first field" and "second field." Similarly, if the descriptive object is a "level," the ordinal numbers preceding "level" in "first level" and "second level" do not restrict the priority between "levels." Furthermore, the number of descriptive objects is not limited by ordinal numbers and can be one or more. For example, in "first device," the number of "devices" can be one or more. Furthermore, the objects modified by different prefixes can be the same or different. For example, if the object being described is "device", then "first device" and "second device" can be the same device or different devices, and their types can be the same or different. Similarly, if the object being described is "information", then "first information" and "second information" can be the same information or different information, and their content can be the same or different.

[0107] In some embodiments, “including A,” “containing A,” “for indicating A,” and “carrying A” can be interpreted as directly carrying A or indirectly indicating A.

[0108] In some embodiments, the terms “in response to…”, “in response to determining…”, “in the case of…”, “when…”, “if…”, “if…”, etc., can be used interchangeably.

[0109] In some embodiments, the terms “greater than,” “greater than or equal to,” “not less than,” “more than,” “more than or equal to,” “not less than,” “higher than,” “higher than or equal to,” “not lower than,” and “above” can be used interchangeably, as can the terms “less than,” “less than or equal to,” “not greater than,” “less than,” “less than or equal to,” “not more than,” “lower than,” “lower than or equal to,” “not higher than,” and “below”.

[0110] In some embodiments, the apparatus and device may be interpreted as physical or virtual, and their names are not limited to the names recorded in the embodiments. In some cases, they may also be understood as "equipment", "device", "circuit", "network element", "node", "function", "unit", "section", "system", "network", "chip", "chip system", "entity", "body", etc.

[0111] In some embodiments, "network" can be interpreted as devices included in the network, such as access network devices, core network devices, etc.

[0112] In some embodiments, "access network device (AN device)" may also be referred to as "radio access network device (RAN device)," "base station (BS)," "radio base station," or "fixed station." In some embodiments, it may also be understood as "node," "access point," "transmission point (TP)," "reception point (RP)," "transmission / reception point (TRP)," "panel," "antenna panel," "antenna array," "cell," "macro cell," "small cell," "femto cell," "pico cell," "sector," "cell group," "serving cell," "carrier," "component carrier," or "bandwidth part (BWP)."

[0113] In some embodiments, "terminal" or "terminal device" may be referred to as "user equipment (UE)," "user terminal," "mobile station (MS)," "mobile terminal (MT)," "subscriber station," "mobile unit," "subscriber unit," "wireless unit," "remote unit," "mobile device," "wireless device," "wireless communication device," "remote device," "mobile subscriber station," "access terminal," "mobile terminal," "wireless terminal," "remote terminal," "handset," "user agent," "mobile client," "client," etc.

[0114] In some embodiments, the acquisition of data, information, etc., may comply with the laws and regulations of the country where the location is situated.

[0115] In some embodiments, data, information, etc., may be obtained with the user's consent.

[0116] Furthermore, each element, each row, or each column in the table of this disclosure can be implemented as an independent embodiment, and any combination of any element, any row, or any column can also be implemented as an independent embodiment.

[0117] Figure 1A is a schematic diagram of the architecture of a communication system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 1A, the communication system 100 includes a terminal 101 and a network device 102. In some embodiments, the network device 102 may be a node that deploys a massive MIMO or a very massive MIMO.

[0118] In some embodiments, terminal 101 includes, but is not limited to, at least one of the following: mobile phone, wearable device, Internet of Things device, car with communication function, smart car, smart door lock, tablet computer, computer with wireless transceiver function, virtual reality (VR) terminal device, augmented reality (AR) terminal device, wireless terminal device in industrial control, wireless terminal device in self-driving, wireless terminal device in remote medical surgery, wireless terminal device in smart grid, wireless terminal device in transportation safety, wireless terminal device in smart city, and wireless terminal device in smart home.

[0119] In some embodiments, network device 102 may include at least one of access network device and core network device.

[0120] In some embodiments, the access network device may be a node or device that connects terminal 101 to a wireless network. The access network device may include, but is not limited to, at least one of the following in a 5G communication system: evolved Node B (eNB), next-generation eNB (ng-eNB), next-generation Node B (gNB), node B (NB), home node B (HNB), home evolved node B (HeNB), radio backhaul device, radio network controller (RNC), base station controller (BSC), base transceiver station (BTS), base band unit (BBU), mobile switching center, base station in a 6G communication system, open RAN, cloud RAN, base station in other communication systems, and access node in a Wi-Fi system.

[0121] In some embodiments, a core network device may be a single device comprising one or more network elements, or it may be multiple devices or a group of devices, each comprising all or part of the aforementioned one or more network elements. Network elements may be virtual or physical. The core network may include, for example, at least one of an Evolved Packet Core (EPC), a 5G Core Network (5GCN), or a Next Generation Core (NGC).

[0122] In some embodiments, the technical solutions of this disclosure can be applied to the Open RAN architecture. In this case, the interfaces between or within access network devices involved in the embodiments of this disclosure can be transformed into internal interfaces of Open RAN. The processes and information interactions between these internal interfaces can be implemented by software or programs.

[0123] In some embodiments, the access network device may be composed of a central unit (CU) and a distributed unit (DU). The CU may also be called a control unit. The CU-DU structure can separate the protocol layer of the access network device. Some of the protocol layer functions are centrally controlled by the CU, while the remaining part or all of the protocol layer functions are distributed in the DU and centrally controlled by the CU. However, this is not the only possibility.

[0124] It is understood that the communication system described in this disclosure is for the purpose of more clearly illustrating the technical solutions of this disclosure, and does not constitute a limitation on the technical solutions proposed in this disclosure. As those skilled in the art will know, with the evolution of system architecture and the emergence of new business scenarios, the technical solutions proposed in this disclosure are also applicable to similar technical problems.

[0125] The following embodiments of this disclosure can be applied to the communication system 100 shown in FIG1A, or to some of the main bodies, but are not limited thereto. The main bodies shown in FIG1A are illustrative. The communication system may include all or some of the main bodies in FIG1A, or it may include other main bodies outside of FIG1A. The number and form of each main body are arbitrary. Each main body may be physical or virtual. The connection relationship between the main bodies is illustrative. The main bodies may not be connected or may be connected. The connection can be in any way, it can be a direct connection or an indirect connection, it can be a wired connection or a wireless connection.

[0126] The embodiments disclosed herein can be applied to Long Term Evolution (LTE), LTE-Advanced (LTE-A), LTE-Beyond (LTE-B), SUPER 3G, IMT-Advanced, 4th generation mobile communication system (4G), 5th generation mobile communication system (5G), 5G new radio (NR), Future Radio Access (FRA), New-Radio Access Technology (RAT), New Radio (NR), New radio access (NX), Future generation radio access (FX), Global System for Mobile communications (GSM), CDMA2000, Ultra Mobile Broadband (UMB), IEEE 802.11 (Wi-Fi), IEEE 802.16 (WiMAX), and IEEE 802.20, Ultra-Wideband (UWB), Bluetooth (a registered trademark), Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN) networks, Device-to-Device (D2D) systems, Machine-to-Machine (M2M) systems, Internet of Things (IoT) systems, Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X) systems, systems utilizing other communication methods, and next-generation systems built upon them, etc. Furthermore, multiple systems can be combined (e.g., a combination of LTE or LTE-A with 5G).

[0127] Currently, low- and mid-frequency spectrum resources are already extremely congested. To meet the ever-increasing demand for data rates, academia and industry have begun exploring higher-frequency spectrum resources, such as millimeter-wave and terahertz bands. However, high-frequency transmission suffers from greater transmission attenuation, especially due to severe absorption by water molecules and oxygen in the air, resulting in very limited transmission distance and coverage.

[0128] On the one hand, higher frequencies mean shorter wavelengths. Compared to mid- and low-frequency spectrum, more antennas can be deployed within the same aperture size, such as large-scale MIMO or extremely large-scale MIMO (XL-MIMO). On the other hand, large-scale antennas can provide greater beamforming gain, effectively compensating for severe transmission losses, thereby extending coverage and transmission distance. Therefore, high-frequency transmission and large-scale antenna technology are complementary technologies. As a combination of the two, high-frequency large-scale multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) technology is one of the most promising technologies for future communication. It is worth noting that high-frequency XL-MIMO leads to wireless channel hardening, primarily relying on line-of-sight (LoS) propagation.

[0129] For a given antenna array (whose aperture is denoted as D), its electromagnetic (EM) field can be divided into a near field and a far field, as shown in Figure 1B. The boundary between the near field and the far field is... This is known as the Rayleigh distance. Clearly, the near-field range depends on the antenna aperture D and the wavelength λ. In existing cellular wireless communication systems, user equipment (UEs) are mostly located in the far field of the base station's (e.g., gNB) transmitting antenna array. As mentioned above, if the carrier frequency increases and / or the antenna array becomes larger, the near-field range will expand. Even if the existing network topology remains unchanged (distance between base stations, UE distribution, etc.), a current far-field UE may very well become a near-field UE.

[0130] If the UE is located in the far field, the electromagnetic wave received by the UE is a plane wave. For any path in multipath propagation, the time and phase of arrival at the UE's receiving antenna array are equally spaced, as shown in Figure 1C. The beam targeting the UE is a two-dimensional (2D) directional beam pointing towards the target UE.

[0131] If the UE is located in the near field, the electromagnetic waves received by the UE are spherical waves. For any path in multipath propagation, the time and phase of arrival at the UE's receiving antenna array will no longer be equally spaced, as shown in Figure 1C. The beam targeting the UE is a three-dimensional (3D) beam surrounding the target UE.

[0132] In 5G NR systems, the synchronization signal (SS) is transmitted in the format of SSB burst sets. To enable rapid UE access, each SSB burst set contains a maximum of L... max Each synchronization signal block (SS / PBCH block, SSB) needs to be transmitted within 5ms using time division multiplexing (TDM). Specifically, for frequency range 1 (FR1), L... max The value is 4 or 8; for frequency range 2 (FR2), L max The value is 64. The Physical Broadcast Channel (PBCH) includes the master information block (MIB). The PBCH includes the demodulation reference signal (DMRS).

[0133] In some embodiments, the SSB index can be divided into two parts: one part is placed in the master information block (MIB) with the payload; the other part is indicated by the DMRS scrambling sequence initialization identifier of the PBCH and associated with the slot index. Therefore, by detecting the SSB, the UE can not only complete cell search, i.e. obtain the cell ID, but also obtain slot synchronization.

[0134] In the NR system, the DMRS scrambling sequence initialization flag of the PBCH can be represented as:

[0135] c can be determined using the above formula. init , will c init Converted to binary representation, this yields a 31-bit sequence, which is the DMRS scrambling sequence initialization identifier. The DMRS scrambling sequence initialization identifier is used to determine the DMRS scrambling sequence. The DMRS scrambling sequence initialization identifier can also be called the DMRS scrambling sequence initialization sequence. This disclosure does not limit the length or formula of the DMRS scrambling sequence initialization identifier.

[0136] in,

[0137] i SSB It has a length of 3 bits.

[0138] when At that time, the SSB index requires 2 bits. Among them, i SSB For SSB index, n hf For a 1-bit half-frame indication, for example, n hf =0 indicates that the SSB is located in the first half of the radio frame, n hf =1 indicates that the SSB is located in the second half of the radio frame.

[0139] when At that time, the SSB index requires 6 bits. Among them, i SSB The lowest 3 bits of the SSB index.

[0140] This represents the maximum number of SSBs within a half-frame.

[0141] Because beam energy is more concentrated and coverage is smaller in the near field, a base station equipped with XL-MIMO needs to use more near-field 3D beams to achieve coverage of a given target area. Clearly, for an XL-MIMO array, the L... max One SSB beam is far from enough. More SSB beams are needed to provide access for UEs within the coverage area. Moreover, the closer the transmit antenna array is to the base station, the narrower the SSB beam, and correspondingly, the more SSB beams are required.

[0142] If the existing mechanism in the NR system is reused, a large number of SSB beams will be transmitted in TDM mode. Transmitting a large number of SSB beams in TDM mode will not only consume a lot of radio resources, but also cause the SSB burst set period to be longer, which means that the UE needs to wait for access for a longer time, i.e., the access will be slower.

[0143] This disclosure proposes a near-field SSB design scheme, and the specific communication method can be found before or after the specification corresponding to Figure 2.

[0144] Figure 2 is an interactive schematic diagram of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 2, the method includes:

[0145] Step S2101: The network device sends multiple SSB groups to the terminal.

[0146] In some embodiments, an SSB group includes multiple SSBs, and the multiple SSBs in an SSB group are transmitted using SDM (Single Direct Mediating) method, while different SSB groups within the multiple SSB groups are transmitted using TDM (Transmission Direct Mediating) method. Optionally, the network device divides all SSB beams into a maximum of L... maxSSB groups. For example, the network device divides a total of 100 SSBs into 5 SSB groups, each containing 20 SSBs. Different SSB groups transmit data at different times using TDM (Time-Distributed Data), while multiple SSBs within the same SSB group transmit data simultaneously using SDM (Single-Distributed Data). An SSB group can also be referred to as an SDM group.

[0147] In some embodiments, each SSB can be uniquely identified by two indexes, denoted as the first index and the second index. Optionally, the indexes of an SSB include the first index and the second index, where the first index represents the index of the SSB group to which the SSB belongs, and the second index represents the index of the SSB within its SSB group. The first index can be called the group index, and the second index can be called the intra-group index.

[0148] In some embodiments, the first index is indicated by at least one of the following: MIB; DMRS scrambling sequence initialization identifier.

[0149] In some embodiments, a first index of an SSB is indicated by first indication information, which is contained in the MIB and / or the DMRS scrambling sequence initialization identifier. For example, the first indication information consists of multiple bits, which may all be located in the MIB, or all be located in the DMRS scrambling sequence initialization identifier, or some bits may be located in the MIB and other bits may be located in the DMRS scrambling sequence initialization identifier.

[0150] In the above embodiments, the first index is defined to be indicated by the MIB, or by the DMRS scrambling sequence initialization identifier, or by a combination of the MIB and the DMRS scrambling sequence initialization identifier.

[0151] In some embodiments, the second index is indicated by at least one of the following: MIB; DMRS scrambling sequence initialization identifier.

[0152] In some embodiments, a second index of an SSB is indicated by second indication information contained in the MIB and / or the DMRS scrambling sequence initialization identifier. For example, the second indication information consists of multiple bits, which may all be located in the MIB, or all be located in the DMRS scrambling sequence initialization identifier, or some bits may be located in the MIB and other bits may be located in the DMRS scrambling sequence initialization identifier.

[0153] In the above embodiments, the second index is defined to be indicated by the MIB, or by the DMRS scrambling sequence initialization identifier, or by a combination of the MIB and the DMRS scrambling sequence initialization identifier.

[0154] The following examples illustrate the optional indication methods for the first and second indices, but are not limited to these.

[0155] In one example, both the first and second indication information are contained in the MIB payload, meaning that both the first and second indices of an SSB are indicated by the MIB payload.

[0156] In one example, the first indication information is contained in the MIB payload and the second indication information is contained in the DMRS scrambling sequence initialization identifier. That is, the first index of an SSB is indicated by the MIB payload and the second index is indicated by the DMRS scrambling sequence initialization identifier.

[0157] For example, in an NR system, the DMRS scrambling sequence initialization identifier of the PBCH only utilizes a portion of its bits. Therefore, the second index can be indicated by at least one unused bit in the DMRS scrambling sequence initialization identifier. Assuming the second indication information is seven bits (there are a maximum of 128 SSBs in this SSB group), then bits 3-5 and 23-26 (from least significant bit to most significant bit) in the DMRS scrambling sequence initialization identifier can be used to indicate the second index of the SSB, as shown in Figure 5C.

[0158] In one example, contrary to the previous example, the first index of an SSB is indicated by the DMRS scrambling sequence initialization identifier, and the second index is indicated by the MIB payload.

[0159] In one example, both the first and second indication information are contained in the DMRS scrambling sequence initialization identifier, meaning that both the first and second indices of an SSB are indicated by the DMRS scrambling sequence initialization identifier.

[0160] For example, following the previous example, the seven bits (from least significant to most significant) in the DMRS scrambling sequence initialization identifier, 3-5 and 23-26, are used to indicate the second index of the SSB, while some or all of the remaining eight unoccupied bits can be used to indicate the first index.

[0161] All SSBs in the aforementioned multiple SSB groups include near-field SSBs and far-field SSBs. An SSB group may include one or more far-field SSBs, or it may not include any far-field SSBs.

[0162] In some embodiments, when the first indication information is a first state, it is further used to indicate that the SSB group to which the SSB belongs is an SSB group for far-field applications. The first state may include one or more states. Optionally, the first state may include, for example, an all-zero state, or it may include other states; this disclosure does not limit the first state.

[0163] In some embodiments, when the second indication information is a second state, it is also used to indicate that the SSB is an SSB for far-field use. The second state may include one or more states. Optionally, the second state may include, for example, an all-zero state, or it may include other states; this disclosure does not limit the second state.

[0164] For example, the first indication information consists of three bits, and the first state includes an all-zero state "000". When the first indication information is "000", it indicates that the index of the SSB group to which the SSB belongs is 0. Optionally, it can also be used to indicate that the SSB group is for far-field use, or not to indicate that the SSB group is for far-field use. When the first indication information is "001", it indicates that the index of the SSB group to which the SSB belongs is 1. Optionally, it can also be used to indicate that the SSB group is for near-field use, or not to indicate that the SSB group is for near-field use. Optionally, SSBs in the far-field SSB group are far-field SSBs, and SSBs in the near-field SSB group are near-field SSBs.

[0165] For example, the first indication information consists of three bits, and the first state includes an all-zero state "000" and a non-all-zero state "001". When the first indication information is "000", it indicates that the index of the SSB group to which the SSB belongs is 0. Optionally, it can also be used to indicate that the SSB group is an SSB group for far-field use, or it can not be used to indicate that the SSB group is an SSB group for far-field use. When the first indication information is "001", it indicates that the index of the SSB group to which the SSB belongs is 1. Optionally, it can also be used to indicate that the SSB group is an SSB group for far-field use, or it can not be used to indicate that the SSB group is an SSB group for far-field use. When the first indication information is "010", it indicates that the index of the SSB in its SSB group is 2. Optionally, it can also be used to indicate that the SSB group is an SSB group for near-field use, or it can not be used to indicate that the SSB group is an SSB group for near-field use.

[0166] For example, the second indication information is seven bits, and the second state includes the all-zero state "0000000". When the second indication information is "0000000", the second indication information is used to indicate that the index of the SSB in its SSB group is 0. Optionally, it can also be used to indicate that the SSB is an SSB for far-field use, or not to indicate that the SSB is an SSB for far-field use. When the second indication information is "0000001", the second indication information is used to indicate that the index of the SSB in its SSB group is 1. Optionally, it can also be used to indicate that the SSB is an SSB for near-field use, or not to indicate that the SSB is an SSB for near-field use.

[0167] For example, the second indication information is seven bits, and the second state includes an all-zero state "0000000" and a non-all-zero state "0000001". When the second indication information is "0000000", it indicates that the index of the SSB in its SSB group is 0. Optionally, it can also be used to indicate that the SSB is used for the far field, or not to indicate that the SSB is used for the far field. When the second indication information is "0000001", it indicates that the index of the SSB in its SSB group is 1. Optionally, it can also be used to indicate that the SSB is used for the far field, or not to indicate that the SSB is used for the far field. When the second indication information is "0000010", it indicates that the index of the SSB in its SSB group is 2. Optionally, it can also be used to indicate that the SSB is used for the near field, or not to indicate that the SSB is used for the near field.

[0168] In the above embodiments, the first indication information can implicitly indicate whether the corresponding SSB group is a far-field SSB group or a near-field SSB group, and / or the second indication information can implicitly indicate whether the corresponding SSB is a far-field SSB or a near-field SSB, facilitating the network device's determination of whether the terminal is located in the near-field or far-field. Based on whether the terminal is located in the near-field or far-field, the network device can configure the terminal accordingly. For example, if the terminal is located in the near-field, it is configured to use a near-field codebook; if the terminal is located in the far-field, it is configured to use a far-field codebook. Therefore, the embodiments of this disclosure can be used in the near-field while also being compatible with the far-field design, covering both near-field and far-field users.

[0169] Step S2102: The terminal determines the first SSB that meets the first condition.

[0170] The terminal detects multiple SSB groups. Based on the detection of each SSB within each SSB group, it determines the SSB that meets a first condition and designates it as the first SSB. Optionally, the first condition may be, for example, the strongest signal strength, or it may be set to other conditions. This embodiment of the disclosure does not limit the first condition. Optionally, the terminal determines the first SSB with the strongest signal strength among the multiple SSB groups.

[0171] Step S2103: The terminal determines the random access preamble and associated random access opportunity associated with the first SSB.

[0172] In some embodiments, the terminal determines the random access preamble (which may be referred to as the random access preamble candidate set) and the associated random access opportunity (which may be referred to as the random access opportunity candidate set) associated with the first SSB based on the first index and the second index of the first SSB.

[0173] In some embodiments, the method further includes: receiving association information, the association information being used to indicate an association relationship between the following information:

[0174] Random access preamble;

[0175] Random access occasion (RO);

[0176] The first index of SSB;

[0177] The second index of SSB.

[0178] Optionally, the association information includes: the association between the random access preamble and the indexes of the SSB (first index and second index), and / or the association between the random access opportunity and the indexes of the SSB (first index and second index).

[0179] Optionally, the network device associates the random access preamble and random access occasion (RO) with the indices of the SSB (first index and second index), respectively, and sends the association information to the terminal. Optionally, the association information is contained in System Information Block Type 1 (SIB1).

[0180] Optionally, the terminal determines the random access preamble and associated random access opportunity associated with the first SSB based on the aforementioned association information and the first and second indices of the first SSB. Optionally, the number of random access preambles associated with the first and second indices of the first SSB can be one or more. Optionally, the number of random access opportunities associated with the first and second indices of the first SSB can be one or more.

[0181] Step S2104: The terminal sends the first random access preamble on the first random access opportunity.

[0182] Optionally, the terminal selects a first random access preamble from the random access preamble associated with the first SSB, and selects a first random access opportunity from the random access opportunity associated with the first SSB, and then sends the first random access preamble on the first random access opportunity.

[0183] Optionally, the network device receives the first random access preamble on the first random access opportunity.

[0184] In the above embodiments, after detecting multiple SSB groups, the terminal initiates random access based on the first SSB that meets the first condition.

[0185] In this embodiment of the disclosure, all SSBs are divided into multiple SSB groups, and each SSB group includes multiple SSBs. Different SSB groups are transmitted at different times in TDM mode, and multiple SSBs in the same SSB group are transmitted simultaneously in SDM mode. Therefore, not only is the radio resource overhead of transmitting SSBs saved, but also fast access is guaranteed.

[0186] In some embodiments, the names of information, etc., are not limited to the names described in the embodiments. Terms such as "information", "message", "signal", "signaling", "report", "configuration", "indication", "instruction", "command", "channel", "parameter", "domain", "field", "symbol", "symbol", "codebook", "codeword", "codepoint", "bit", "data", "program", and "chip" can be used interchangeably.

[0187] In some embodiments, the terms "synchronization signal (SS)," "synchronization signal block (SSB)," "reference signal (RS)," "pilot," and "pilot signal" can be used interchangeably.

[0188] In some embodiments, the terms “frame”, “radio frame”, “subframe”, “slot”, “sub-slot”, “mini-slot”, “symbol”, “symbol”, and “transmission time interval (TTI)” can be used interchangeably.

[0189] In some embodiments, “get,” “obtain,” “receive,” “transmit,” “bidirectional transmission,” and “send and / or receive” can be used interchangeably and can be interpreted as receiving from other entities, obtaining from protocols, obtaining from higher layers, obtaining through self-processing, or autonomous implementation, among other meanings.

[0190] In some embodiments, terms such as “send,” “transmit,” “report,” “distribute,” “transfer,” “bidirectional transmission,” “send and / or receive” can be used interchangeably.

[0191] The communication method involved in the embodiments of this disclosure may include at least one of steps S2101 to S2104. For example, step S2101 may be implemented as a standalone embodiment, and steps S2102+S2103+S2104 may be implemented as standalone embodiments, but are not limited thereto.

[0192] In some embodiments, steps S2102, S2103, and S2104 are optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or substituted in different embodiments.

[0193] Figure 3A is a flowchart illustrating a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The method is executed by a terminal, and as shown in Figure 3A, includes:

[0194] Step S3101: Multiple SSB groups were detected.

[0195] The optional implementation of step S3101 can be found in the optional implementation of step S2101 in Figure 2 and other related parts in the embodiments involved in Figure 2, which will not be repeated here.

[0196] Step S3102: Determine the first SSB that meets the first condition.

[0197] The optional implementation of step S3102 can be found in the optional implementation of step S2102 in Figure 2 and other related parts in the embodiments involved in Figure 2, which will not be repeated here.

[0198] Step S3103: Determine the random access preamble and associated random access opportunity associated with the first SSB.

[0199] The optional implementation of step S3103 can be found in the optional implementation of step S2103 in Figure 2 and other related parts in the embodiments involved in Figure 2, which will not be repeated here.

[0200] Step S3104: Send the first random access preamble on the first random access opportunity.

[0201] The optional implementation of step S3104 can be found in the optional implementation of step S2104 in Figure 2 and other related parts in the embodiments involved in Figure 2, which will not be repeated here.

[0202] The communication method involved in the embodiments of this disclosure may include at least one of steps S3101 to S3104. For example, step S3101 may be implemented as a standalone embodiment, and steps S3102+S3103+S3104 may be implemented as standalone embodiments, but are not limited thereto.

[0203] In some embodiments, steps S3102, S3103, and S3104 are optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or substituted in different embodiments.

[0204] Figure 3B is a flowchart illustrating a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The method is executed by a terminal, and as shown in Figure 3B, includes:

[0205] Step S3201: Multiple SSB groups were detected.

[0206] The optional implementation of step S3201 can be found in the optional implementation of step S2101 in Figure 2 and other related parts in the embodiments involved in Figure 2, which will not be repeated here.

[0207] In some embodiments, the network device transmits multiple SSB groups. An SSB group includes multiple SSBs, and the multiple SSBs in an SSB group are transmitted using SDM (Simplified Direct Marketing), while the different SSB groups within the multiple SSB groups are transmitted using TDM (Transmission Direct Marketing).

[0208] In some embodiments, the index of an SSB includes a first index and a second index, where the first index represents the index of the SSB group to which the SSB belongs, and the second index represents the index of the SSB within its SSB group. An SSB can be uniquely identified by the first index and the second index.

[0209] In some embodiments, the first index of the SSB is indicated by first indication information, which is included in the MIB and / or DMRS scrambling sequence initialization identifier. Optionally, when the first indication information is in a first state, it is also used to indicate that the SSB group to which the SSB belongs is an SSB group for far-field use.

[0210] In some embodiments, the second index of the SSB is indicated by second indication information, which is included in the MIB and / or DMRS scrambling sequence initialization identifier. Optionally, when the second indication information is in a second state, it is also used to indicate that the SSB is an SSB for the far field.

[0211] In some embodiments, the method further includes: receiving association information, the association information including at least one of the following:

[0212] The relationship between the SSB index and the random access preamble;

[0213] The relationship between the SSB index and random access opportunities.

[0214] In some embodiments, this association information is included in SIB1.

[0215] In some embodiments, after detecting multiple SSB groups, the method further includes: determining a first SSB that meets a first condition; determining a random access preamble and an associated random access opportunity associated with the first SSB; and sending a first random access preamble on the first random access opportunity, wherein the first random access opportunity is selected from the random access opportunities associated with the first SSB, and the first random access preamble is selected from the random access preamble associated with the first SSB.

[0216] According to the above embodiments, after detecting multiple SSB groups, the terminal initiates random access based on the first SSB that meets the first condition.

[0217] Figure 4A is a schematic flowchart illustrating a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The method is executed by a network device, and as shown in Figure 4A, includes:

[0218] Step S4101: Send multiple SSB groups.

[0219] The optional implementation of step S4101 can be found in the optional implementation of step S2101 in Figure 2 and other related parts in the embodiments involved in Figure 2, which will not be repeated here.

[0220] Step S4102: Receive the first random access preamble on the first random access opportunity.

[0221] The optional implementation of step S4102 can be found in the optional implementation of step S2104 in Figure 2 and other related parts in the embodiments involved in Figure 2, which will not be repeated here.

[0222] The communication method involved in the embodiments of this disclosure may include at least one of steps S4101 to S4102. For example, step S4101 may be implemented as a separate embodiment, and step S4102 may be implemented as a separate embodiment, but are not limited thereto.

[0223] In some embodiments, step S4102 is optional and may be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

[0224] Figure 4B is a flowchart illustrating a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The method is executed by a network device, and as shown in Figure 4B, includes:

[0225] Step S4201: Send multiple SSB groups.

[0226] The optional implementation of step S4201 can be found in the optional implementation of step S2101 in Figure 2 and other related parts in the embodiments involved in Figure 2, which will not be repeated here.

[0227] In some embodiments, an SSB group includes multiple SSBs, and the multiple SSBs in an SSB group are transmitted using SDM, while the different SSB groups in the multiple SSB groups are transmitted using TDM.

[0228] In some embodiments, the index of an SSB includes a first index and a second index, where the first index represents the index of the SSB group to which the SSB belongs, and the second index represents the index of the SSB within its SSB group. An SSB can be uniquely identified by the first index and the second index.

[0229] In some embodiments, the first index of the SSB is indicated by first indication information, which is included in the MIB and / or DMRS scrambling sequence initialization identifier. Optionally, when the first indication information is in a first state, it is also used to indicate that the SSB group to which the SSB belongs is an SSB group for far-field use.

[0230] In some embodiments, the second index of the SSB is indicated by second indication information, which is included in the MIB and / or DMRS scrambling sequence initialization identifier. Optionally, when the second indication information is in a second state, it is also used to indicate that the SSB is an SSB for the far field.

[0231] In some embodiments, the method further includes: sending association information, the association information including at least one of the following:

[0232] The relationship between the SSB index and the random access preamble;

[0233] The relationship between the SSB index and random access opportunities.

[0234] In some embodiments, this association information is included in SIB1.

[0235] In some embodiments, the method further includes: receiving a first random access preamble on a first random access opportunity. The first random access opportunity is selected from random access opportunities associated with a first SSB, and the first random access preamble is selected from random access preambles associated with the first SSB. The first SSB is an SSB that meets a first condition among the plurality of SSB groups. Optionally, after detecting the plurality of SSB groups, the terminal determines a first SSB that meets the first condition, determines a random access preamble and an associated random access opportunity associated with the first SSB, selects a first random access preamble from the associated random access preamble, selects a first random access opportunity from the associated random access opportunity, and then sends the first random access preamble on the first random access opportunity.

[0236] In the embodiments disclosed herein, some or all of the steps and their optional implementations may be arbitrarily combined with some or all of the steps in other embodiments, or may be arbitrarily combined with the optional implementations in other embodiments.

[0237] In this embodiment of the disclosure, the network divides all SSB beams into a maximum of L max There are several SSB groups. Different SDM groups are transmitted in TDM mode, and multiple SSBs within the same SDM group are transmitted simultaneously in spatial division multiplexing (SDM) mode.

[0238] Each SSB is uniquely identified by two indexes: a group index and an intra-group index.

[0239] In some embodiments, the group index may be indicated by at least one of the MIB payload and the DMRS scrambling sequence initialization identifier. Optionally, the SSB index in the NR system can be used as the group index of the SSB. Optionally, the indication method of the SSB index in the NR system (jointly indicated by the MIB and the DMRS scrambling sequence initialization identifier) ​​can be directly used to indicate the SSB group index.

[0240] In some embodiments, the intra-group index may be indicated by at least one of the MIB payload and the DMRS scrambling sequence initialization identifier. Optionally, when the intra-group index is indicated by the DMRS scrambling sequence initialization identifier, the all-zero state of the indicator field of the intra-group index is used for the SSB of far-field coverage.

[0241] The network associates random access (RA) preambles and random access occasions (RO) with the group index and intra-group index of the SSB, and sends the associations via SIB1.

[0242] [Initial Access] The UE detects the SSB and obtains the group index and intra-group index of the SSB that meet the conditions.

[0243] [Random Access] The UE determines the RA preamble candidate set and RO candidate set based on the group index and intra-group index mentioned above. During random access, the selected RA preamble is transmitted on the selected RO.

[0244] The following example illustrates the indication method for intra-group indexes, using the DMRS scrambling sequence initialization identifier as an example.

[0245] In the NR system, the DMRS scrambling sequence initialization identifier of the PBCH only utilizes a subset of bits, as shown in Figure 5A. For backward compatibility, the i in the NR system can be... SSB As a group index of an SSB, and a group-within-a-group index (denoted as i) intra-SSB It is indicated by at least one unoccupied bit. The bits used to indicate the index within the group can be consecutive or non-consecutive.

[0246] In some embodiments, referring to Figure 5B, the three bits 3 to 5 (from least significant bit to most significant bit) in the DMRS scrambling sequence initialization identifier can be used to indicate the in-group index of the SSB (there are a maximum of 8 SSBs in each SSB group).

[0247] In this embodiment, the DMRS scrambling sequence initialization flag can be represented as:

[0248] In some embodiments, referring to Figure 5C, seven bits (from least significant to most significant) in the DMRS scrambling sequence initialization identifier, from 3 to 5 and 23 to 26, can be used to indicate the intra-group index of the SSB (there are a maximum of 128 SSBs in each SSB group).

[0249] In this embodiment, the DMRS scrambling sequence initialization flag can be represented as:

[0250] The SSB design scheme proposed in this disclosure can save the wireless resource overhead of transmitting SSB and ensure fast access.

[0251] This disclosure also provides an apparatus for implementing any of the above methods. For example, an apparatus is provided that includes units or modules for implementing the steps performed by the terminal in any of the above methods. Alternatively, another apparatus is provided that includes units or modules for implementing the steps performed by a network device (e.g., an access network device, a core network functional node, a core network device, etc.) in any of the above methods.

[0252] It should be understood that the division of units or modules in the above device is only a logical functional division. In actual implementation, they can be fully or partially integrated into a single physical entity, or they can be physically separated. Furthermore, the units or modules in the device can be implemented by a processor calling software: for example, the device includes a processor connected to a memory containing instructions. The processor calls the instructions stored in the memory to implement any of the above methods or to implement the functions of the units or modules in the above device. The processor can be, for example, a general-purpose processor, such as a Central Processing Unit (CPU) or a microprocessor, and the memory can be internal or external to the device. Alternatively, the units or modules in the device can be implemented in the form of hardware circuits. The functionality of some or all of the units or modules can be achieved through the design of these hardware circuits, which can be understood as one or more processors. For example, in one implementation, the hardware circuit is an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), and the functionality of some or all of the units or modules is achieved through the design of the logical relationships between the components within the circuit. In another implementation, the hardware circuit can be implemented using a programmable logic device (PLD), such as a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), which can include a large number of logic gates. The connection relationships between the logic gates are configured through configuration files, thereby achieving the functionality of some or all of the units or modules. All units or modules of the above device can be implemented entirely through processor-called software, entirely through hardware circuits, or partially through processor-called software with the remaining parts implemented through hardware circuits.

[0253] In this embodiment, the processor is a circuit with signal processing capabilities. In one implementation, the processor can be a circuit with instruction read and execute capabilities, such as a Central Processing Unit (CPU), a microprocessor, a graphics processing unit (GPU) (which can be understood as a microprocessor), or a digital signal processor (DSP). In another implementation, the processor can implement certain functions through the logical relationships of hardware circuits. The logical relationships of the aforementioned hardware circuits are fixed or reconfigurable. For example, the processor is a hardware circuit implemented using an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) or a programmable logic device (PLD), such as an FPGA. In a reconfigurable hardware circuit, the process of the processor loading a configuration document and configuring the hardware circuit can be understood as the process of the processor loading instructions to implement the functions of some or all of the above units or modules. Furthermore, it can also be a hardware circuit designed for artificial intelligence, which can be understood as an ASIC, such as a Neural Network Processing Unit (NPU), a Tensor Processing Unit (TPU), or a Deep Learning Processing Unit (DPU).

[0254] Figure 6A is a schematic diagram of the terminal structure proposed in an embodiment of this disclosure. As shown in Figure 6A, the terminal 6100 may include at least one of a transceiver module 6101, a processing module 6102, etc. In some embodiments, the processing module 6102 is used to detect multiple SSB groups, wherein an SSB group includes multiple SSBs, the multiple SSBs in an SSB group are transmitted using SDM, and different SSB groups in the multiple SSB groups are transmitted using TDM. Optionally, the transceiver module 6101 is used to perform at least one of the communication steps (e.g., step S2104, but not limited thereto) performed by the terminal in any of the above methods, which will not be described in detail here. Optionally, the processing module is used to perform at least one of the other steps (e.g., steps S2102, S2103, but not limited thereto) performed by the terminal in any of the above methods, which will not be described in detail here.

[0255] Figure 6B is a schematic diagram of the network device proposed in an embodiment of this disclosure. As shown in Figure 6B, the network device 6200 may include at least one of a transceiver module 6201, a processing module 6202, etc. In some embodiments, the transceiver module 6201 is used to transmit multiple SSB groups, wherein an SSB group includes multiple SSBs, the multiple SSBs in an SSB group are transmitted using SDM, and different SSB groups in the multiple SSB groups are transmitted using TDM. Optionally, the transceiver module 6201 is used to perform at least one of the communication steps (e.g., step S2101, but not limited thereto) performed by the network device in any of the above methods, which will not be described in detail here. Optionally, the processing module is used to perform at least one of the other steps performed by the network device in any of the above methods, which will not be described in detail here.

[0256] In some embodiments, the transceiver module may include a transmitting module and / or a receiving module, which may be separate or integrated. Optionally, the transceiver module may be interchangeable with a transceiver.

[0257] In some embodiments, the processing module may be a single module or may include multiple sub-modules. Optionally, the multiple sub-modules may each perform all or part of the steps required by the processing module. Optionally, the processing module may be interchangeable with a processor.

[0258] Figure 7A is a schematic diagram of the structure of the communication device 7100 proposed in an embodiment of this disclosure. The communication device 7100 can be a network device (e.g., access network device, core network device, etc.), a terminal (e.g., user equipment, etc.), a chip, chip system, or processor that supports the network device in implementing any of the above methods, or a chip, chip system, or processor that supports the terminal in implementing any of the above methods. The communication device 7100 can be used to implement the methods described in the above method embodiments; for details, please refer to the descriptions in the above method embodiments.

[0259] As shown in Figure 7A, the communication device 7100 includes one or more processors 7101. The processor 7101 can be a general-purpose processor or a dedicated processor, such as a baseband processor or a central processing unit (CPU). The baseband processor can be used to process communication protocols and communication data, while the CPU can be used to control communication devices (e.g., base stations, baseband chips, terminal devices, terminal device chips, DUs or CUs, etc.), execute programs, and process program data. The communication device 7100 is used to execute any of the above methods.

[0260] In some embodiments, the communication device 7100 further includes one or more memories 7102 for storing instructions. Optionally, all or part of the memories 7102 may also be located outside the communication device 7100.

[0261] In some embodiments, the communication device 7100 further includes one or more transceivers 7103. When the communication device 7100 includes one or more transceivers 7103, the transceivers 7103 perform at least one of the communication steps such as sending and / or receiving in the above method (e.g., steps S2101, S2104, but not limited thereto), and the processor 7101 performs at least one of other steps (e.g., steps S2102, S2103, but not limited thereto).

[0262] In some embodiments, a transceiver may include a receiver and / or a transmitter, which may be separate or integrated. Optionally, the terms transceiver, transceiver unit, transceiver, transceiver circuit, etc., may be used interchangeably; the terms transmitter, transmitting unit, transmitter, transmitting circuit, etc., may be used interchangeably; and the terms receiver, receiving unit, receiver, receiving circuit, etc., may be used interchangeably.

[0263] In some embodiments, the communication device 7100 may include one or more interface circuits 7104. Optionally, the interface circuit 7104 is connected to the memory 7102, and the interface circuit 7104 can be used to receive signals from the memory 7102 or other devices, and can be used to send signals to the memory 7102 or other devices. For example, the interface circuit 7104 can read instructions stored in the memory 7102 and send the instructions to the processor 7101.

[0264] The communication device 7100 described in the above embodiments may be a network device or a terminal, but the scope of the communication device 7100 described in this disclosure is not limited thereto, and the structure of the communication device 7100 may not be limited by FIG. 7A. The communication device may be a standalone device or a part of a larger device. For example, the communication device may be: (1) a standalone integrated circuit IC, or chip, or chip system or subsystem; (2) a collection of one or more ICs, optionally, the IC collection may also include storage components for storing data and programs; (3) an ASIC, such as a modem; (4) a module that can be embedded in other devices; (5) a receiver, terminal device, smart terminal device, cellular phone, wireless device, handheld device, mobile unit, vehicle device, network device, cloud device, artificial intelligence device, etc.; (6) others, etc.

[0265] Figure 7B is a schematic diagram of the structure of the chip 7200 according to an embodiment of this disclosure. For cases where the communication device 7100 can be a chip or a chip system, the schematic diagram of the chip 7200 shown in Figure 7B can be referenced, but is not limited thereto.

[0266] Chip 7200 includes one or more processors 7201, which are used to perform any of the above methods.

[0267] In some embodiments, chip 7200 further includes one or more interface circuits 7202. Optionally, the interface circuit 7202 is connected to memory 7203, and the interface circuit 7202 can be used to receive signals from memory 7203 or other devices, and the interface circuit 7202 can be used to send signals to memory 7203 or other devices. For example, the interface circuit 7202 can read instructions stored in memory 7203 and send the instructions to processor 7201.

[0268] In some embodiments, the interface circuit 7202 performs at least one of the communication steps such as sending and / or receiving in the above method (e.g., steps S2101, S2104, but not limited thereto), and the processor 7201 performs at least one of the other steps (e.g., steps S2102, S2103, but not limited thereto).

[0269] In some embodiments, the terms interface circuit, interface, transceiver pin, transceiver, etc., can be used interchangeably.

[0270] In some embodiments, chip 7200 further includes one or more memories 7203 for storing instructions. Optionally, all or part of the memories 7203 may be located outside of chip 7200.

[0271] This disclosure also proposes a storage medium storing instructions that, when executed on the communication device 7100, cause the communication device 7100 to perform any of the above methods. Optionally, the storage medium is an electronic storage medium. Optionally, the storage medium is a computer-readable storage medium, but not limited thereto; it may also be a storage medium readable by other devices. Optionally, the storage medium may be a non-transitory storage medium, but not limited thereto; it may also be a temporary storage medium.

[0272] This disclosure also provides a program product that, when executed by the communication device 7100, causes the communication device 7100 to perform any of the above methods. Optionally, the program product is a computer program product.

[0273] This disclosure also proposes a computer program that, when run on a computer, causes the computer to perform any of the above methods.

Claims

A communication method characterized by comprising: The method is performed by a terminal, and the method comprises: detecting a plurality of synchronization signal block (SSB) groups, wherein one SSB group comprises a plurality of SSBs, the plurality of SSBs in one SSB group are transmitted in a spatial division multiplexing (SDM) manner, and different SSB groups in the plurality of SSB groups are transmitted in a time division multiplexing (TDM) manner. The method of claim 1, wherein The index of the SSB comprises a first index and a second index, the first index indicates an index of an SSB group in which the SSB is located, and the second index indicates an index of the SSB in the SSB group. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that The first index of the SSB is indicated by first indication information, and the first indication information is included in a master information block (MIB) and / or a demodulation reference signal (DMRS) scrambling sequence initialization identifier. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that When the first indication information is in a first state, the SSB group in which the SSB is located is further indicated as an SSB group for a far field. The method according to any one of claims 2-4, characterized in that, The second index of the SSB is indicated by second indication information, and the second indication information is included in the MIB and / or the DMRS scrambling sequence initialization identifier. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that When the second indication information is in a second state, the SSB is further indicated as an SSB for a far field. The method according to any one of claims 1-6, characterized in that The method further comprises: receiving association information, the association information comprising at least one of: an association relationship between the index of the SSB and a random access preamble; an association relationship between the index of the SSB and a random access opportunity. The method of claim 7, wherein The association information is included in a system information block (SIB1). The method according to any one of claims 1-8, characterized in that After detecting the plurality of SSB groups, the method further comprises: determining a first SSB that meets a first condition; determining a random access preamble associated with the first SSB and a random access opportunity associated with the first SSB; transmitting a first random access preamble on a first random access opportunity, the first random access opportunity being selected from the random access opportunities associated with the first SSB, and the first random access preamble being selected from the random access preambles associated with the first SSB. A communication method characterized by comprising: The method is performed by a network device, and the method comprises: transmitting a plurality of SSB groups, wherein one SSB group comprises a plurality of SSBs, the plurality of SSBs in one SSB group are transmitted in a SDM manner, and different SSB groups in the plurality of SSB groups are transmitted in a TDM manner. The method of claim 10, wherein The index of the SSB comprises a first index and a second index, the first index indicates an index of an SSB group in which the SSB is located, and the second index indicates an index of the SSB in the SSB group. The method of claim 11, wherein The first index of the SSB is indicated by first indication information, and the first indication information is included in a MIB and / or a DMRS scrambling sequence initialization identifier. The method of claim 12, wherein When the first indication information is in a first state, the SSB group in which the SSB is located is further indicated as an SSB group for a far field. The method according to any one of claims 11-13, characterized in that The second index of the SSB is indicated by second indication information, and the second indication information is included in the MIB and / or the DMRS scrambling sequence initialization identifier. The method of claim 14, wherein When the second indication information is in a second state, the SSB is further indicated as an SSB for a far field. The method further comprises: The method according to any one of claims 10-15, characterized in that transmitting association information, the association information comprising at least one of: an association relationship between the index of the SSB and a random access preamble; an association relationship between the index of the SSB and a random access opportunity. An association relationship between an index of the SSB and a random access opportunity. The method of claim 16, wherein The association information is contained in a SIB1. The method according to any one of claims 10-17, characterized in that The method further includes: receiving a first random access preamble on a first random access opportunity, wherein the first random access opportunity is selected from the first SSB-associated random access opportunities, the first random access preamble is selected from the first SSB-associated random access preambles, and the first SSB is the SSB in the first SSB group that meets the first condition. A terminal, characterized by comprising: Comprise: a processing module configured to detect a plurality of SSB groups, wherein one SSB group comprises a plurality of SSBs, the plurality of SSBs in one SSB group are transmitted in an SDM manner, and different SSB groups in the plurality of SSB groups are transmitted in a TDM manner. A network device, characterized in that Comprise: a transceiving module configured to transmit a plurality of SSB groups, wherein one SSB group comprises a plurality of SSBs, the plurality of SSBs in one SSB group are transmitted in an SDM manner, and different SSB groups in the plurality of SSB groups are transmitted in a TDM manner. A terminal, characterized by comprising: Comprise: one or more processors; wherein the terminal is configured to perform the communication method of any one of claims 1-9. A network device, characterized in that Comprise: one or more processors; wherein the network device is configured to perform the communication method of any one of claims 10-18. A communication system characterized by Comprise: a terminal configured to implement the communication method of any one of claims 1-9; and a network device configured to implement the communication method of any one of claims 10-18. The instructions, when executed on the communication device, cause the communication device to perform the communication method of any one of claims 1-9 or any one of claims 10-18. A storage medium storing instructions, the instructions comprising: The computer program, when executed by the communication device, implements the communication method of any one of claims 1-9 or any one of claims 10-18. A computer program product comprising a computer program, characterized in that ​

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