Communication method and communication apparatus

Abstract

Provided in the present application are a communication method and a communication apparatus, which are applied in the field of wireless communications. In the technical solution provided in the present application, when a network device simultaneously supports a plurality of RATs, the plurality of RATs can share a first common signal, so that the network device can send only one set of common signals, and does not need to send a plurality of sets of common signals for the plurality of RATs. Therefore, opportunities for the network device to power down can be increased, thereby reducing the energy consumption of the network device.

Description

Communication method and communication apparatus

[0001] The present application claims priority to the Chinese patent application No. 202411091432.8, filed on August 8, 2024, and entitled "Communication method and communication apparatus", the content of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The present application relates to the field of wireless communication, and in particular to a communication method and a communication apparatus. BACKGROUND

[0003] In order to maintain basic functions (such as synchronization, cell discovery, etc.) or to enable terminals to identify and access network devices, network devices have to send some always on signals, which leads to a decrease in the shutdown opportunities of network devices and a large energy consumption of network devices. The always on signals can be understood as common signals. The sending of these common signals leads to a large power consumption of network devices.

[0004] With the gradual evolution of communication systems, "low carbon" in communication networks has received more and more attention, especially how to reduce the energy consumption of network devices (such as base stations). One of the main technical means to reduce the energy consumption of network devices is to increase the shutdown opportunities of network devices. For example, when network devices do not send any data information or signals, network devices can be shut down to save energy.

[0005] In some current communication systems, network devices can support long term evolution (LTE) and new radio (NR) two modes, and LTE and NR correspond to a set of respective common signals, and network devices need to send common signals for LTE and NR respectively. Network devices can only be shut down when they do not send common signals corresponding to LTE and do not send common signals corresponding to NR, and the time domain position overlap rate of the common signals of LTE and NR is low, which leads to a small shutdown opportunity of network devices and a large energy consumption of network devices. SUMMARY

[0006] The present application provides a communication method and a communication apparatus, which are applied to the field of wireless communication. The technical scheme provided by the present application can reduce the energy consumption of network devices when network devices support multiple RATs.

[0007] In a first aspect, a communication method is provided. The method can be applied to a terminal side, for example, a terminal or a communication module in the terminal, or a circuit or chip (such as a modem chip, also known as a baseband chip, or a system on chip (SoC) chip or a system in package (SIP) chip containing a modem module) responsible for communication functions in the terminal. Taking the case where the method is applied to a terminal, the method comprises: receiving a first common signal, the first common signal comprising a first synchronization signal and first system information, the first synchronization signal supporting a plurality of radio access technologies (RATs), the first system information supporting a first RAT, and the first RAT belonging to the plurality of RATs; and sending first information, the first information being used to request access to the first RAT.

[0008] In the technical solution, when the network device supports a plurality of RATs, the plurality of RATs can share the first synchronization signal for terminal access, so that the network device does not need to send a plurality of sets of synchronization signals for the plurality of RATs, thereby reducing the power consumption of the network device. Further, the network device sends the first synchronization signal for terminal access in the plurality of RATs, and the network device can adopt the shutdown technology in the interval where the first synchronization signal is not sent. Compared with the network device sending a plurality of sets of synchronization signals for the plurality of RATs, the network device can only adopt the shutdown technology in the time period where there is no synchronization signal for any RAT, and the technical solution can increase the shutdown opportunity of the network device, thereby achieving network energy saving.

[0009] In combination with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the plurality of RATs further comprises a second RAT, the second RAT corresponding to a second common signal, the second common signal comprising the first synchronization signal and second system information, and the second system information supporting the second RAT.

[0010] In the implementation, the second common signal comprises the first synchronization signal and the second system information, and is used to access the second RAT.

[0011] In the implementation, when the network device supports the first RAT and the second RAT at the same time, the first RAT and the second RAT can share the first synchronization signal, so that the network device can only send the first synchronization signal, without the need to send two sets of synchronization signals for the first RAT and the second RAT, thereby increasing the shutdown opportunity of the network device and reducing the power consumption of the network device.

[0012] In the implementation, the first system information corresponding to the first RAT and the second system information corresponding to the second RAT are different.

[0013] In some embodiments of the first aspect, the first RAT is 6G, and the first system information can be a master information block (MIB); the second RAT is 5G, and the second system information can be a MIB carried in a physical broadcast channel (PBCH) of a 5G SSB. In this implementation manner, the first system information can be understood as a MIB dedicated to 6G. Accordingly, the first system information can be carried by a newly added PBCH.

[0014] In some embodiments of the first aspect, the frequency domain resources occupied by the first system information are symmetric about a center frequency point of the frequency domain resources occupied by the first synchronization signal.

[0015] In this implementation manner, the frequency domain resources occupied by the first system information are symmetric about the center frequency point of the frequency domain resources occupied by the first synchronization signal, which helps to improve the spectral efficiency. In addition, the frequency domain resources occupied by the first system information are symmetric about the center frequency point of the frequency domain resources occupied by the first synchronization signal, which enables the terminal to search for the first system information based on the center frequency point of the frequency domain resources occupied by the first synchronization signal, thereby improving the flexibility of searching for the first system information.

[0016] In some embodiments, the center frequency point of the frequency domain resources occupied by the first synchronization signal is the same as the center frequency point of the frequency domain resources occupied by the second common signal.

[0017] In some embodiments of the first aspect, the frequency domain resources occupied by the first system information include a first frequency domain resource and a second frequency domain resource, the first frequency domain resource and the second frequency domain resource are located on two sides of the frequency domain resources occupied by the second common signal respectively, and the time domain resources occupied by the first system information overlap the time domain resources occupied by the second common signal.

[0018] In this implementation manner, the first RAT and the second RAT share the first synchronization signal. If the time domain resources occupied by the first system information corresponding to the first RAT overlap the time domain resources occupied by the second common signal corresponding to the second RAT, the network device can have more opportunities to be turned off, thereby reducing the energy consumption of the network device.

[0019] In some embodiments of the first aspect, the bandwidth of the first frequency domain resource is the same as the bandwidth of the second frequency domain resource.

[0020] In some implementations of the first aspect, the time-domain resource occupied by the first system information overlaps with the time-domain resource occupied by the second common signal, including any one of the following: the time-domain resource occupied by the first system information is the same as the time-domain resource occupied by the second common signal; or the time-domain resource occupied by the first system information is the same as the time-domain resource occupied by the second system information; or the time-domain resource occupied by the first system information is the same as part of the time-domain resource occupied by the second system information.

[0021] In some implementations of the first aspect, the frequency-domain resource occupied by the first system information includes a first frequency-domain resource and a second frequency-domain resource, the first frequency-domain resource and the second frequency-domain resource are respectively located on two sides of the frequency-domain resource occupied by the first synchronization signal, and the time-domain resource occupied by the first system information overlaps with the time-domain resource occupied by the first synchronization signal.

[0022] In this implementation, if the time-domain resource occupied by the first system information overlaps with the time-domain resource occupied by the first synchronization signal, the terminal can search for the first system information on the same time-domain resource after detecting the first synchronization signal, without searching for the first system information on other time-domain resources, thereby reducing the time delay of the terminal searching for the first system information and reducing the detection power consumption of the terminal. If the frequency-domain resource occupied by the first system information is located on two sides of the frequency-domain resource occupied by the second common signal, it helps to improve the utilization rate of frequency spectrum resources.

[0023] In some implementations of the first aspect, the first RAT can be 6G, the second RAT can be 5G, and the first synchronization signal can be a synchronization signal corresponding to 5G. The time-domain resource occupied by the first system information can overlap with the time-domain resource occupied by the PSS in the SSB of 5G. The first frequency-domain resource and the second frequency-domain resource can be respectively located on two sides of the frequency-domain resource occupied by the PSS in the SSB of 5G. In this way, considering that the frequency-domain resource occupied by the PSS is smaller than the frequency-domain resource occupied by the SSB, the first frequency-domain resource and the second frequency-domain resource are arranged on two sides of the frequency-domain resource occupied by the PSS, which can improve the utilization rate of frequency spectrum resources.

[0024] In some implementations of the first aspect, a guard interval exists between the first frequency-domain resource and the frequency-domain resource occupied by the first synchronization signal, and a guard interval exists between the second frequency-domain resource and the frequency-domain resource occupied by the first synchronization signal.

[0025] In the implementation, when the first frequency domain resource and the second frequency domain resource are located on two sides of the frequency domain resource occupied by the first synchronization signal, and the time domain resource occupied by the first system information overlaps with the time domain resource occupied by the first synchronization signal, a guard interval can be reserved between the first frequency domain resource and the frequency domain resource occupied by the first synchronization signal, and a guard interval can be reserved between the second frequency domain resource and the frequency domain resource occupied by the first synchronization signal, and no data is transmitted on the guard intervals, so as to reduce detection interference of the first synchronization signal.

[0026] With reference to the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the first RAT can be 6G, the second RAT can be 5G, and the first synchronization signal can be a synchronization signal corresponding to 5G. The first frequency domain resource and the second frequency domain resource can have a guard interval between the first frequency domain resource and the frequency domain resource occupied by the first synchronization signal, which can include that the first frequency domain resource has a guard interval between the first frequency domain resource and the frequency domain resource occupied by the PSS in the SSB, and the second frequency domain resource has a guard interval between the second frequency domain resource and the frequency domain resource occupied by the PSS in the SSB. This manner can reduce detection interference of the PSS.

[0027] With reference to the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the frequency domain resource occupied by the first system information belongs to the frequency domain resource occupied by the second common signal.

[0028] In the implementation, on the basis that the first RAT and the second RAT share the first synchronization signal, if the frequency domain resource occupied by the first system information belongs to the frequency domain resource occupied by the second common signal, the first common signal and the second common signal are located in the same bandwidth, and frequency domain resources are saved.

[0029] With reference to the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the frequency domain resource occupied by the first system information belongs to the frequency domain resource occupied by the second common signal, and the time domain resource occupied by the first system information does not overlap with the time domain resource occupied by the second common signal.

[0030] In the implementation, on the basis that the first RAT and the second RAT share the first synchronization signal, if the frequency domain resource occupied by the first system information belongs to the frequency domain resource occupied by the second common signal, the first common signal and the second common signal are located in the same bandwidth, and frequency domain resources are saved. In addition, the time domain resource occupied by the first system information does not overlap with the time domain resource occupied by the second common signal, which can reduce detection interference of the second common signal.

[0031] With reference to the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the first common signal is further used to indicate the first RAT.

[0032] In this implementation, the network device can indicate to the terminal that the network device has the capability of providing the first RAT, that is, the network device can indicate to the terminal that the network device allows the terminal to access the first RAT. For example, the network device can indicate that the network device supports the first RAT through the first common signal.

[0033] As an example, the first common information can include indication information for indicating at least one RAT supported by the network device.

[0034] In combination with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the first RAT is indicated by at least one of: a format of the first synchronization signal, or an information bit in the first system information.

[0035] In this implementation, the RAT supported by the network device can be indicated implicitly through the format of the first synchronization signal. For example, when the network device supports the first RAT and the second RAT simultaneously, and the first synchronization signal is the synchronization signal corresponding to the second RAT, the format of the synchronization signal supported by the first RAT can be predefined by a protocol to include the format of the synchronization signal corresponding to the second RAT, so that the terminal of the first RAT can detect the first synchronization signal to access the first RAT.

[0036] In this implementation, the RAT supported by the network device can be indicated explicitly through the information bit in the first system information. For example, the first system information can include indication information for indicating at least one RAT supported by the network device. It should be noted that when the network device supports the first RAT and the second RAT simultaneously, if the first system information is the system information corresponding to the first RAT, the indication information carried in the first system information can indicate only the second RAT, or can indicate the first RAT and the second RAT, which is not specifically limited here.

[0037] In the second aspect, the present application provides a communication method, which can be applied to the terminal side, for example, a terminal or a communication module in the terminal, or a circuit or chip responsible for the communication function in the terminal (such as a modem chip, also known as a baseband chip, or a system on chip (SoC) chip or a system in package (SIP) chip containing a modem module). Taking the case that the method is applied to the terminal, the method comprises: receiving a first common signal, the first common signal including a first synchronization signal and a first system information, the first common signal supporting multiple RATs; and sending first information, the first information being used for requesting to access a first RAT, the first RAT belonging to the multiple RATs.

[0038] Compared with the technical solution in the first aspect, in the technical solution, the network device supports multiple RATs, and the multiple RATs can share not only the first synchronization signal but also the first system information, that is, the multiple RATs share the first common signal, so that the network device does not need to send multiple sets of common signals for the multiple RATs, thereby further reducing the power consumption of the network device. Further, the network device sends the first common signal for access of terminals in the multiple RATs, and the network device can adopt the shutdown technology in the gap without sending the first common signal. Compared with the network device sending only the first synchronization signal for the multiple RATs, the network device can only adopt the shutdown technology in the time period without system information transmission in any RAT, and the technical solution can increase the shutdown opportunity of the network device, thereby achieving network energy saving.

[0039] In combination with the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the multiple RATs further include a second RAT, the second RAT further corresponds to a second common signal, the second common signal includes the first synchronization signal and second system information, the second system information supports the second RAT, and the second system information belongs to the first system information.

[0040] In the implementation, the second common signal includes the first synchronization signal and the second system information, and is used for access to the second RAT.

[0041] In the implementation, when the network device supports the first RAT and the second RAT at the same time, the first RAT and the second RAT can share the first common signal, so that the network device can send only the first common signal, without sending two sets of common signals for the first RAT and the second RAT, thereby increasing the shutdown opportunity of the network device and reducing the power consumption of the network device.

[0042] In the implementation, the second system information is included in the first system information.

[0043] In combination with the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, frequency domain resources occupied by the first system information are symmetric about a center frequency point of frequency domain resources occupied by the first synchronization signal.

[0044] In the implementation, the frequency domain resources occupied by the first system information are symmetric about the center frequency point of the frequency domain resources occupied by the first synchronization signal, which helps to improve the spectrum efficiency. In addition, the frequency domain resources occupied by the first system information are symmetric about the center frequency point of the frequency domain resources occupied by the first synchronization signal, which enables the terminal to search for the first system information based on the center frequency point of the frequency domain resources occupied by the first synchronization signal, thereby improving the flexibility of searching for the first system information.

[0045] With reference to the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the first system information further includes third system information, frequency domain resources occupied by the third system information include first frequency domain resources and second frequency domain resources, the first frequency domain resources and the second frequency domain resources are located at two sides of frequency domain resources occupied by the second common signal respectively, and time domain resources occupied by the third system information overlap time domain resources occupied by the second common signal.

[0046] In this implementation, the first system information includes second system information and third system information, the second system information is system information shared or common to the first RAT and the second RAT, and the third system information is system information unique to the first RAT.

[0047] In this implementation, on the basis that the first RAT and the second RAT share the first synchronization signal and the second system information, if time domain resources occupied by the third system information overlap time domain resources occupied by the second common signal corresponding to the second RAT, the network device can have more opportunities to be turned off, the energy consumption of the network device can be reduced, and the utilization rate of time domain resources can be improved; if frequency domain resources occupied by the third system information are located at two sides of frequency domain resources occupied by the second common signal, the utilization rate of frequency spectrum resources can be improved.

[0048] With reference to the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the bandwidth of the first frequency domain resources is the same as that of the second frequency domain resources.

[0049] With reference to the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the third system information occupies time domain resources that overlap time domain resources occupied by the second common signal, including any one of the following: the third system information occupies the same time domain resources as the second common signal; or the third system information occupies the same time domain resources as the second system information; or the third system information occupies the same time domain resources as part of time domain resources occupied by the second system information.

[0050] With reference to the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the first system information further includes third system information, frequency domain resources occupied by the third system information include first frequency domain resources and second frequency domain resources, the first frequency domain resources and the second frequency domain resources are located at two sides of frequency domain resources occupied by the first synchronization signal respectively, and time domain resources occupied by the third system information overlap time domain resources occupied by the first synchronization signal.

[0051] In the implementation manner, if the third system information overlaps with the time domain resource occupied by the first synchronization signal, the terminal can search for the third system information on the same time domain resource after detecting the first synchronization signal, without searching for the third system information on other time domain resources, so that the time delay of the terminal in searching for the third system information can be reduced, and the time delay of the terminal in searching for the first system information can be reduced, and the detection power consumption of the terminal can be reduced. If the frequency domain resource occupied by the third system information is located on both sides of the frequency domain resource occupied by the second common signal, the utilization rate of the frequency spectrum resource can be improved.

[0052] With reference to the second aspect, in some implementation manners of the second aspect, when the first RAT is 6G and the second RAT is 5G, the first synchronization signal can be a synchronization signal corresponding to 5G. The time domain resource occupied by the third system information overlaps with the time domain resource occupied by the first synchronization signal, which can include that the time domain resource occupied by the third system information is the same as the time domain resource occupied by PSS in the SSB of 5G. The first frequency domain resource and the second frequency domain resource are respectively located on both sides of the frequency domain resource occupied by the first synchronization signal, which can include that the first frequency domain resource is located on both sides of the frequency domain resource occupied by PSS in the SSB of 5G, and the second frequency domain resource is located on both sides of the frequency domain resource occupied by PSS in the SSB of 5G. In this manner, considering that the frequency domain resource occupied by PSS is smaller than the frequency domain resource occupied by SSB, the first frequency domain resource and the second frequency domain resource are arranged on both sides of the frequency domain resource occupied by PSS, so that the utilization rate of the frequency spectrum resource can be improved.

[0053] With reference to the second aspect, in some implementation manners of the second aspect, a guard interval exists between the first frequency domain resource and the frequency domain resource occupied by the first synchronization signal, and a guard interval exists between the second frequency domain resource and the frequency domain resource occupied by the first synchronization signal.

[0054] In the implementation manner, when the first frequency domain resource and the second frequency domain resource are respectively located on both sides of the frequency domain resource occupied by the first synchronization signal, and the time domain resource occupied by the third system information overlaps with the time domain resource occupied by the first synchronization signal, a guard interval can be reserved between the first frequency domain resource and the frequency domain resource occupied by the first synchronization signal, and a guard interval can be reserved between the second frequency domain resource and the frequency domain resource occupied by the first synchronization signal, and no data is transmitted on the guard interval, so as to reduce the detection interference of the first synchronization signal.

[0055] In some implementations of the second aspect, in combination with the second aspect, the first RAT can be 6G, the second RAT can be 5G, and the first synchronization signal can be a synchronization signal corresponding to 5G. The first frequency domain resource and the second frequency domain resource can be separated by a guard interval from frequency domain resources occupied by the first synchronization signal. The guard interval can include a guard interval between the first frequency domain resource and frequency domain resources occupied by PSS in the SSB, and a guard interval between the second frequency domain resource and frequency domain resources occupied by PSS in the SSB. This manner can reduce detection interference of PSS.

[0056] In some implementations of the second aspect, in combination with the second aspect, the frequency domain resource occupied by the third system information belongs to the frequency domain resource occupied by the second common signal.

[0057] In this implementation, on the basis that the first RAT and the second RAT share the first synchronization signal and the second system information, if the frequency domain resource occupied by the third system information belongs to the frequency domain resource occupied by the second common signal, the first common signal and the second common signal are located in the same bandwidth, thereby saving frequency domain resources.

[0058] In some implementations of the second aspect, in combination with the second aspect, the first system information further includes third system information, the frequency domain resource occupied by the third system information belongs to the frequency domain resource occupied by the second common signal, and the time domain resource occupied by the third system information does not overlap with the time domain resource occupied by the second common signal.

[0059] In this implementation, on the basis that the first RAT and the second RAT share the first synchronization signal and the second system information, if the frequency domain resource occupied by the third system information belongs to the frequency domain resource occupied by the second common signal, the first common signal and the second common signal are located in the same bandwidth, thereby saving frequency domain resources. In addition, by making the time domain resource occupied by the third system information not overlap with the time domain resource occupied by the second common signal, detection interference of the second common signal can be reduced.

[0060] In some implementations of the second aspect, in combination with the second aspect, the first common signal is further used to indicate the first RAT.

[0061] In this implementation, the network device can indicate to the terminal that the network device has the capability to provide the first RAT, that is, the network device can indicate to the terminal that the network device allows the terminal to access the first RAT. For example, the network device can indicate that the network device supports the first RAT through the first common signal.

[0062] As an example, the first common information can include indication information used to indicate at least one RAT supported by the network device.

[0063] With reference to the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the first RAT is indicated by at least one of: a format of the first synchronization signal, or an information bit in the first system information.

[0064] In this implementation, the RAT supported by the network device can be indicated implicitly by the format of the first synchronization signal. For example, when the network device supports both the first RAT and the second RAT, and the first synchronization signal is the synchronization signal corresponding to the second RAT, the format of the synchronization signal supported by the first RAT can be predefined by a protocol to include the format of the synchronization signal corresponding to the second RAT, so that the terminal of the first RAT can detect the first synchronization signal to access the first RAT.

[0065] In this implementation, the RAT supported by the network device can be indicated explicitly by the information bit in the first system information. For example, the first system information can include indication information indicating at least one RAT supported by the network device. It should be noted that when the network device supports both the first RAT and the second RAT, if the first system information is the system information corresponding to the first RAT, the indication information carried in the first system information can indicate only the second RAT, or can indicate both the first RAT and the second RAT, which is not limited herein.

[0066] As an example, the indication information can be carried in the second system information or the third system information, which is not limited herein. For example, the indication information can be carried by a reserved bit in the second system information or the third system information. The reserved bit can be predefined by a protocol.

[0067] In a third aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication method, which can be applied to a network side, for example, an access network device on the network side, a module (such as a circuit, a chip or a chip system, etc.) in the access network device, or a logic node, a logic module or software capable of realizing all or part of the functions of the access network device. Taking the case that the method is applied to a network device (such as an access network device) for example, the method comprises: sending a first common signal, the first common signal comprising a first synchronization signal and a first system information, the first common signal supporting multiple radio access technologies (RATs); and receiving first information, the first information being used for requesting access to a first RAT, the first RAT belonging to the multiple RATs.

[0068] In this technical solution, the network device can send a first common signal, and the first common signal supports multiple RATs, so that the terminals in the multiple RATs can access the network device.

[0069] Some possible implementations and beneficial effects of the third aspect can be referred to the second aspect, which will not be described herein again.

[0070] In a fourth aspect, the present application provides a communication apparatus, which has the function of implementing the first aspect, for example, the communication apparatus includes a module or unit or means corresponding to the operations related to the first aspect, which can be implemented by software, or by hardware, or by software and hardware together.

[0071] For example, the apparatus can include a communication unit. The communication unit is configured to receive a first common signal, the first common signal including a first synchronization signal and first system information, the first synchronization signal supporting a plurality of radio access technologies (RATs), the first system information supporting a first RAT, the first RAT belonging to the plurality of RATs. The communication unit is further configured to transmit first information, the first information being used to request access to the first RAT.

[0072] In a fifth aspect, the present application provides a communication apparatus, which has the function of implementing the second aspect, for example, the communication apparatus includes a module or unit or means corresponding to the operations related to the second aspect, which can be implemented by software, or by hardware, or by software and hardware together.

[0073] For example, the apparatus can include a communication unit. The communication unit is configured to receive a first common signal, the first common signal including a first synchronization signal and first system information, the first common signal supporting a plurality of radio access technologies (RATs). The communication unit is further configured to transmit first information, the first information being used to request access to a first RAT, the first RAT belonging to the plurality of RATs.

[0074] In a sixth aspect, the present application provides a communication apparatus, which has the function of implementing the third aspect, for example, the communication apparatus includes a module or unit or means corresponding to the operations related to the third aspect, which can be implemented by software, or by hardware, or by software and hardware together.

[0075] For example, the apparatus can include a communication unit. The communication unit is configured to receive a first common signal, the first common signal including a first synchronization signal and first system information, the first common signal supporting a plurality of radio access technologies (RATs). The communication unit is further configured to transmit first information, the first information being used to request access to a first RAT, the first RAT belonging to the plurality of RATs.

[0076] In a seventh aspect, the present application provides a communication apparatus, which comprises an interface circuit and one or more processors. The one or more processors are coupled to a memory. The memory is configured to store part or all of the necessary computer programs or instructions for implementing the functions related to the first aspect described above. The one or more processors can execute the computer programs or instructions, which, when executed, cause the communication apparatus to implement the method in any possible design or implementation manner of the first aspect described above. The interface circuit is configured to implement the communication function within the communication apparatus and / or the communication function of the communication apparatus with other apparatuses or components.

[0077] In a possible design, the processor is configured to communicate with other apparatuses or components via the interface circuit.

[0078] In a possible design, the communication apparatus can further include the memory.

[0079] The communication apparatus described above can be a terminal, or a communication module in the terminal, or a chip responsible for the communication function in the terminal, such as a modem chip (also referred to as a baseband chip), or an SoC or SIP chip including a modem module.

[0080] In an eighth aspect, the present application provides a communication apparatus, which comprises an interface circuit and one or more processors. The one or more processors are coupled to a memory. The memory is configured to store part or all of the necessary computer programs or instructions for implementing the functions related to the second aspect described above. The one or more processors can execute the computer programs or instructions, which, when executed, cause the communication apparatus to implement the method in any possible design or implementation manner of the second aspect described above. The interface circuit is configured to implement the communication function within the communication apparatus and / or the communication function of the communication apparatus with other apparatuses or components.

[0081] In a possible design, the processor is configured to communicate with other apparatuses or components via the interface circuit.

[0082] In a possible design, the communication apparatus can further include the memory.

[0083] The communication apparatus described above can be a terminal, or a communication module in the terminal, or a chip responsible for the communication function in the terminal, such as a modem chip (also referred to as a baseband chip), or an SoC or SIP chip including a modem module.

[0084] In a ninth aspect, the present application provides a communication apparatus, which can include an interface circuit and one or more processors. The one or more processors are coupled to a memory. The memory is configured to store part or all of the computer program or instructions necessary to implement the functions related to the third aspect described above. The one or more processors can execute the computer program or instructions, which, when executed, cause the communication apparatus to implement the method in any possible design or implementation manner of the third aspect described above. The interface circuit is configured to implement the communication function within the communication apparatus and / or the communication function of the communication apparatus with other apparatuses or components.

[0085] In a possible design, the processor is configured to communicate with other apparatuses or components via the interface circuit.

[0086] In a possible design, the communication apparatus can further include the memory.

[0087] The communication apparatus described above can be a network device (such as an access network device), or a module (for example, a circuit, a chip or a chip system, etc.) in the network device, or a logic node, a logic module or software capable of implementing all or part of the network device functions.

[0088] In a tenth aspect, the present application provides a communication system, which can include the apparatus in the fourth aspect or the seventh aspect, and include the apparatus in the sixth aspect or the ninth aspect; or the communication system can include the apparatus in the fifth aspect or the eighth aspect, and include the apparatus in the sixth aspect or the ninth aspect.

[0089] In an eleventh aspect, the present application provides a computer readable storage medium, which stores computer readable instructions, and when a computer reads and executes the computer readable instructions, the computer is caused to execute the method in any possible design of the first aspect to the third aspect.

[0090] In a twelfth aspect, the present application provides a computer program product, and when a computer reads and executes the computer program product, the computer is caused to execute the method in the first aspect to the third aspect or any possible design thereof.

[0091] The technical effects that can be achieved by the fourth aspect to the twelfth aspect described above and any possible design of any aspect thereof can refer to the technical effects described above that can be achieved by the first aspect to the third aspect, and thus will not be repeated here. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0092] FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of a communication system to which embodiments of the present application are applicable;

[0093] FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of another communication system to which embodiments of the present application are applicable;

[0094] FIG. 3 is a structure diagram of time-frequency resources occupied by SSBs;

[0095] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of time-domain resources occupied by SSBs;

[0096] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of time-domain switching-off of a network device;

[0097] FIG. 6 is a schematic flowchart of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0098] FIGS. 7-12 are schematic diagrams of time-frequency resources occupied by first common signals according to embodiments of the present application;

[0099] FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram of a non-continuous bandwidth according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0100] FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram of a structure of a communication apparatus according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0101] FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram of a structure of a communication apparatus according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0102] FIG. 16 is a schematic diagram of a detection process of a first common signal according to an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0103] The technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0104] The technical solutions provided by the present application can be applied to various communication systems, including but not limited to: long term evolution (LTE) system, long term evolution advanced (LTE-A) system, fourth generation (4G) mobile communication system, fifth generation (5G) mobile communication system, new radio (NR), and future communication systems, etc., which are not specifically limited by the present application.

[0105] Figure 1 is a schematic illustration of a communication system to which embodiments of the present application are applicable. As shown in Figure 1, the communication system 100 can include a radio access network (RAN) 110 and a core network (CN) 120. The RAN 110 can include at least one RAN node (e.g., 130a and 130b in Figure 1, collectively referred to as 130) and at least one terminal (e.g., 140a-140j in Figure 1, collectively referred to as 140). The RAN 110 can further include other RAN nodes, such as wireless relay devices and / or wireless backhaul devices (not shown in Figure 1), etc. The terminal 140 can be connected to the RAN node 130 in a wireless manner. The RAN node 130 can be connected to the core network 120 in a wireless or wired manner. The core network device in the core network 120 and the RAN node 130 in the RAN 110 can be different physical devices respectively, or can be the same physical device integrated with the logical functions of the core network and the logical functions of the radio access network. In some embodiments, the communication system 100 can also include the Internet 150.

[0106] The RAN 110 can be a 3rd generation partnership project (3GPP) related cellular system, such as a 4G, 5G mobile communication system or a future-oriented evolved system. The RAN 110 can also be an open radio access network (O-RAN or ORAN), a cloud radio access network (CRAN). The RAN 110 can also be a communication system that combines two or more of the above systems.

[0107] The RAN node 130, which can also be referred to as an access network device, a RAN entity or an access node, etc., constitutes a part of the communication system to help the terminal to realize wireless access. The plurality of RAN nodes 130 in the communication system 100 can be nodes of the same type or nodes of different types. In some scenarios, the roles of the RAN node 130 and the terminal 140 are relative, for example, the network element 140i in Figure 1 can be a helicopter or a drone, which can be configured as a mobile base station. For those terminals 140j that access the RAN 110 through the network element 140i, the network element 140i is a base station; but for the base station 130a, the network element 140i is a terminal. The RAN node 110 and the terminal 140 are sometimes referred to as communication apparatuses, for example, the network elements 130a and 130b in Figure 1 can be understood as communication apparatuses with base station functions, and the network elements 140a-140j can be understood as communication apparatuses with terminal functions.

[0108] In a possible scenario, the RAN node can be a base station, an evolved NodeB (eNodeB), an access point (AP), a transmission and receiving point (TRP), a gNB, a base station in a future mobile communication system, etc. The RAN node can be a macro base station (such as 130a in FIG. 1), a micro base station or an indoor station (such as 130b in FIG. 1), a relay node or a donor node, or a wireless controller in a CRAN scenario. All or part of the functions of the RAN node in this application can also be implemented by software functions running on hardware, or by virtualized functions instantiated on a platform such as a cloud platform. The RAN node can also be provided with a communication module, circuit or chip for performing corresponding communication functions, and program instructions for performing corresponding communication functions. The RAN node in this application can also be a logical node, a logical module or software that can implement all or part of the functions of the RAN node. In the embodiments of this application, the RAN node can also have different expressions, such as a network device. In this application, the network device is used for expression unless otherwise specified. The network device in this application supports multiple RATs, or in other words, supports multiple RATs.

[0109] A terminal 140 can be a device or module with corresponding communication functions and can access the above-mentioned communication system. The terminal can also be referred to as a terminal device, user equipment (UE), mobile station, mobile terminal, etc. The terminal can be widely applied 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, automatic driving, remote medical treatment, smart power grid, smart furniture, smart office, smart wear, smart transportation, smart city, etc. The terminal can be a mobile phone, tablet computer, computer with wireless transceiver function, wearable device, vehicle, unmanned aerial vehicle, helicopter, airplane, ship, robot, mechanical arm, smart home device, transport vehicle with wireless communication function, communication module, etc. Embodiments of the present application do not limit the technology and specific device form of the terminal. The terminal is usually provided with a communication module, circuit or chip for performing corresponding communication functions. The terminal is also configured with program instructions for performing corresponding communication functions. In embodiments of the present application, the terminal can be a terminal of multiple RATs supported by the network device. For example, when the network device supports LTE and NR, the terminal can be an NR terminal or an LTE terminal, and the present application does not limit this.

[0110] The network device and the terminal, the network device and the network device, and the terminal and the terminal can communicate through the authorized spectrum (unshared spectrum), or through the unlicensed spectrum, or through the authorized spectrum and the unlicensed spectrum at the same time. Embodiments of the present application do not limit the spectrum resources used for wireless communication. The network device can provide communication services for terminals in a cell. For example, the network device can send downlink information to the terminal, which can be control information or data information. The terminal can send uplink information to the network device.

[0111] In another possible scenario, a terminal can be assisted by multiple RAN nodes to implement wireless access, and different RAN nodes implement part of the functions of the network device respectively. For example, a RAN node can be a central unit (CU), a distributed unit (DU), a CU-control plane (CP), a CU-user plane (UP), or a radio unit (RU), etc. The CU and the DU can be separately arranged, or can also be included in the same network element, such as a baseband unit (BBU). The RU can be included in a radio frequency device or a radio frequency unit, such as a remote radio unit (RRU), an active antenna processing unit (AAU), or a remote radio head (RRH).

[0112] In different systems, the CU (or CU-CP and CU-UP), DU or RU can also have different names, but those skilled in the art can understand their meanings. For example, in an ORAN system, the CU can also be referred to as an open CU (O-CU), the DU can also be referred to as an open DU (O-DU), the CU-CP can also be referred to as an open CU-CP (O-CU-CP), the CU-UP can also be referred to as an open CU-CP (O-CU-UP), and the RU can also be referred to as an open RU (O-RU). For the convenience of description, the CU, CU-CP, CU-UP, DU and RU are taken as examples for description in this application. Any one of the CU (or CU-CP, CU-UP), DU and RU in this application can be implemented by a software module, a hardware module, or a combination of a software module and a hardware module.

[0113] FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of another communication system to which embodiments of the present application are applicable. The communication system 200 shown in FIG. 2 can include a core network 210, a CU 220a, a DU 220b, a RU 220c and an antenna 230. The CU 220a is a platform for implementing upper layer L2 and L3 functions, the DU 220b is used to implement L1 and part of L2 functions, and the RU 220c is used to implement L1 computation and radio frequency (RF) digital part functions.

[0114] As shown in FIG. 2, a backhaul interface is used to carry traffic between the CU 220a and the core network 210, a midhaul interface is used to carry traffic between the CU 220a and the DU 220b, a fronthaul interface is used to carry traffic between the DU 220b and the RU 220c, and the RU 220c is connected with the antenna 230. In some embodiments, the DU 220b and the RU 220c can be included in the same network element, referred to as an integrated DU, or the integrated DU can include the functions of the DU 220b and the RU 220c.

[0115] The hardware of the CU 220a and the DU 220b includes a chassis platform, a mainboard, peripherals, and cooling equipment. The mainboard contains a processing unit, a memory, internal input / output (I / O) interfaces, and external connection ports. The hardware functional components can include at least one of the following: software, hardware, and storage of system debugging interfaces, and a single-board management controller.

[0116] The CU 220a and the DU 220b are usually implemented using a central processing unit (CPU) (such as a multi-core processor) and a hardware accelerator. The number of hardware accelerators can be one or more. The hardware accelerator can be a field programmable gate array (FPGA), a graphic processing unit (GPU), or other, which is not limited herein. Part of the protocol stack of the DU 220b can be implemented in software running on the multi-core processor, and the computation-intensive L1 and L2 functions can be offloaded to the hardware accelerator; or all L1 functions are offloaded to the hardware accelerator, and other protocol stack contents are implemented in software running on the multi-core processor; or all protocol stacks are implemented in software running on the multi-core processor. The hardware accelerator is connected with the multi-core processor. The hardware accelerator has a multi-channel interface pointing to the CPU, and can also be connected externally.

[0117] The RU 220c can include three parts of an O-RAN processing unit (OPU), a digital processing unit (DPU), and an RF processing unit. Among them, the OPU is used to receive an enhanced common public radio interface (eCPRI) frame from the ORAN front haul, and perform the front interface, the bottommost L1 (encoding, scrambling, modulation, layer mapping, precoding), synchronization, beamforming, and resource unit mapping. The OPU can be implemented as a CPU, FPGA, or application specific integrated circuits (ASIC). The DPU is used to perform synchronization, digital down converters (DDC) in up-Link (UL), digital up conversion (DUC), channel failure ratio (CFR), and digital pre-distortion (DPD), to improve power amplifier efficiency by reducing the peak to average power ratio (PAPR) and adjacent channel leakage ratio (ACLR) of the RF front end. The DPU can be implemented as an FPGA or an ASIC. The RF processing unit can include a transceiver module, an up / down converter, a power amplifier (PA), a low noise amplifier (LNA), a transmit (Tx) / receive (Rx) filter. The transceiver module can implement all conversions between the analog and digital domains, such as digital analog converte (DAC) and analog digital converte (ADC), RF sampling, frequency conversion using RF, intermediate frequency (IF), and local oscillator (LO) mixing in upconversion and downconversion. It should be noted that the physical and logical partitions within the RF processing unit do not require specific boundaries.

[0118] In order to facilitate understanding of the technical solutions provided in the present application, the related concepts are explained below.

[0119] 1、Common signal

[0120] The common signal, which can also be referred to as a common reference signal or common signaling, can be understood as a signal sent by a communication device to a plurality of communication devices or terminal groups, or as a signal not specifically sent to a communication device, or as information that can be commonly used by a plurality of terminals or terminal groups in a cell. For example, in the LTE system, the common signal can include a primary synchronization signal (PSS), a secondary synchronization signal (SSS), management information block (MIB) carried by a physical broadcast channel (PBCH), and a system information block (SIB), etc. In the NR system, the common signal can include a synchronization signal block (SSB) and an SIB, etc. The SIB can include one or more of SIB1, SIB2, SIB3, or SIBx. SIBx refers to other SIBs in addition to SIB1, SIB2, SIB3, such as SIB4, SIB5, SIB6, etc.

[0121] 2、SSB

[0122] In 5G, the SSB includes a synchronization signal and a PBCH, and the synchronization signal includes a PSS and an SSS. The SSB is used for obtaining a cell identity (cell ID), downlink timing, and necessary system messages (such as SIB1, time-frequency resources of a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) carrying SIB1).

[0123] Figure 3 shows the time-frequency resource structure occupied by the SSB. As shown in Figure 3, the SSB occupies 4 orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) symbols in the time domain and 20 resource blocks (RBs) in the frequency domain, or in other words, the SSB occupies 240 subcarriers (SCs) in the frequency domain. For ease of description, the 4 symbols occupied by the SSB in the time domain are used. It can be seen that the time domain resources occupied by the PSS are the first of the 4 symbols, and the time domain resources occupied by the PBCH are the second, third, and fourth of the 4 symbols. It can be seen that the PSS occupies 127 subcarriers in the frequency domain. The SSB in NR mainly has two functions: cell synchronization and master information block (MIB) acquisition, and wide beam training on the network equipment side. The MIB is carried in the PBCH.

[0124] 3. SSB detection

[0125] The NR protocol defines a synchronization raster to determine the frequency domain resources occupied by candidate SSBs. Terminals can sequentially detect SSBs on the frequency domain resources determined by the synchronization raster. Table 1 shows a synchronization raster used for SSB detection. As shown in Table 1, the synchronization raster contains multiple SSBs. REF The terminal can only be in SS REF Detect SSB at a defined frequency domain location. REF A defined frequency domain location can be understood as the center frequency of the frequency domain resources occupied by the SSB, or in other words, the frequency domain resources occupied by the SSB relative to the SSB. REF The frequency domain position is symmetrical. In NR, SS REF The determined frequency domain location is the position of the resource element (RE) with index 0 in the 11th RB occupied by the SSB in the frequency domain. The frequency domain resources occupied by the SSB are related to the SS. REF The defined frequency domain position is symmetrical, which can also be described as the frequency domain resources occupied by the SSB being symmetrical about the synchronization grid. As shown in Table 1, SS REF Each SSB corresponds one-to-one with a Global Synchronization Channel Number (GSCN). In different operating frequency bands, the frequency domain spacing between two adjacent SSBs determined by the synchronization grid varies; for example, the spacing can be 1200 kHz, 1.44 MHz, or 17.28 MHz. The frequency domain resources occupied by an SSB can also be understood as its frequency domain location or its frequency domain resources.

[0126] Table 1: GSCN parameters for the global frequency raster.

[0127] It should be noted that in initial access, the terminal will assume that the periodicity of SSB transmitted by the network device is 20 milliseconds (ms). That is, if the terminal detects no SSB on a determined frequency point for at most 20 ms, the terminal will continue to detect on the next SSB REF determined frequency point. REF

[0128] The time domain resource occupied by an SSB is defined by an SSB pattern. Each SSB pattern specifies a set of consecutive SSBs in the time domain in one period (e.g., a half-frame). As an example, Table 2 shows five SSB patterns defined by the spectrum authorization, each of which includes the subcarrier spacing (SCS) of the SSB, the time domain resource of the SSB, the number of SSBs, etc. The terminal can determine the time domain position of the SSB based on Table 2. It should be noted that the starting symbol index of the SSB can be understood as the index of the 1st symbol of the 4 symbols occupied by the SSB in the time domain.

[0129] Table 2: Start symbols for each subcarrier spacing and frequency

[0130] Taking case A as an example, the subcarrier spacing of the SSB is 15 kHz, and when the carrier is less than or equal to 3 gigahertz (GHz), at most 4 SSBs can be included in one period, and when the carrier is greater than 3 GHz, at most 8 SSBs can be included in one period. Other types are similar to case A, which will not be expanded here. FIG. 4 shows a schematic diagram of the time domain resource occupied by the SSB when the SSB pattern is case A and the frequency is less than or equal to 3 GHz. As shown in FIG. 4, in this SSB pattern, 4 SSBs (such as the shaded blocks in the figure) are included in one SSB burst, occupying two time slots (such as time slot 1 and time slot 2 in the figure), and 2 SSBs are included in each time slot. The starting symbol index of the SSB included in each time slot is 2 and 8, respectively. It should be understood that one time slot includes 14 OFDM symbols.

[0131] ​It should be noted that the number of SSBs shown in the SSB format is the maximum number of SSBs transmitted in a period, and does not represent the actual number of SSBs transmitted. For example, in case A, when the carrier is less than or equal to 3 GHz, the maximum number of SSBs in a period is 4, corresponding to SSBs with indexes 0, 1, 2, and 3, respectively. The network device can transmit 3 SSBs, for example, only SSBs with indexes 0, 2, and 3 are transmitted, and the specific SSBs transmitted are indicated in SIB1. In addition, the position of each index corresponding SSB should correspond to the position given in the format one by one. For example, in Figure 4, from left to right, the SSBs with indexes 0, 1, 2, and 3, respectively. That is, when the network device does not transmit the SSB with index 1, it means that no SSB is transmitted in the position of the second SSB from left to right in Figure 4. All SSBs in a period can be collectively referred to as an SSB burst.

[0132] 4. SIB1

[0133] In NR, the time-frequency resources and transmission parameters occupied by the PDSCH for carrying SIB1 are indicated by downlink control information (DCI). The DCI corresponding to SIB1 is determined by control resource set 0 (CORESET0) and common search space 0 (CSS0). The MIB carried in the PBCH in the SSB contains 4-bit signaling for indicating CORESET0, and contains 4-bit signaling for indicating CSS0, which respectively indicate the frequency domain position and time domain position of the DCI for receiving scheduling SIB1. For example, after the terminal detects the SSB, it obtains the 4-bit signaling for indicating CORESET0 and the 4-bit signaling for indicating k SSB from the MIB, and determines the starting RB position of CORESET0 based on CORESET0 and k SSB , and further determines the frequency domain position of the DCI. k SSB indicates the distance between the starting subcarrier of the SSB and the reference RB. The way of determining the time domain position of the DCI is not expanded here.

[0134] The technical problems to be solved by the present application will be described below in conjunction with Figure 5.

[0135] As described in the background, a network device can support multiple radio access technologies (RATs). The RATs can include 3GPP access technologies such as LTE, NR, and future access technologies. In embodiments of the present application, the future access technology is referred to as the sixth generation (6G) access technology. It should be understood that the future access technology can also be named as other names, which are not limited herein. The RAT can also be understood as a standard or network standard. Each RAT corresponds to a set of independent common signals, such as the aforementioned embodiments of LTE and NR corresponding to a set of respective common signals. When the time domain positions of the common signals corresponding to each RAT are different, the network device can only be turned off when no common signal corresponding to any RAT is transmitted, thereby further reducing the network device's turn-off opportunity and increasing the network device's energy consumption.

[0136] FIG. 5 shows a time domain turn-off schematic diagram of a network device. In FIG. 5, the network device supports both LTE and NR RATs. As shown in FIG. 5, the common signals corresponding to LTE and the common signals corresponding to NR are not aligned in the time domain, and the PA of the network device can only be turned off when no set of common signals is transmitted, resulting in a low proportion of network device time domain turn-off, a reduced network device turn-off opportunity, and high energy consumption. The common signals are shown as shaded portions in FIG. 5.

[0137] It should be noted that the network device supports both LTE and NR RATs, which can be understood as LTE and NR common mode / common module, or LTE and NR using the same hardware, such as RF channels, baseband chips, antennas, etc.

[0138] Therefore, the present application provides a communication method and a communication device to reduce the energy consumption of a network device when the network device supports multiple RATs. In the technical solution provided by the present application, the multiple RATs supported by the network device can share a set of common signals, avoiding the network device transmitting common signals for different RATs, thereby increasing the network device's turn-off opportunity and reducing the network device's energy consumption. For example, when the network device supports both a first RAT and a second RAT, the network device can transmit a set of common signals, such as a first common signal, so that a terminal of the first RAT can access the first RAT based on the first common signal, and a terminal of the second RAT can access the second RAT based on the first common signal.

[0139] The communication method and the communication apparatus provided by the embodiments of the present application will be described below with reference to FIG. 6 to FIG. 16. It can be understood that the network device and the terminal are taken as the execution subject of the interaction in the present application, but the present application does not limit the execution subject of the interaction. For example, the method executed by the network device in the present application can also be implemented by a module (such as a circuit, a chip or a chip system, etc.) in the network device, or a logical node, a logical module or software capable of implementing all or part of the function of the access network device; the method executed by the terminal in the present application can also be implemented by a communication module in the terminal or a circuit or a chip (such as a modem chip (also known as a baseband chip), or a SoC chip containing a modem module, or a SIP chip) responsible for the communication function in the terminal.

[0140] FIG. 6 is a schematic flowchart of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG. 6, the method can include S601 and S602.

[0141] S601, the network device sends a first common signal, the first common signal including a first synchronization signal and first system information, the first common signal supporting multiple RATs.

[0142] In the embodiment, the network device can broadcast the first common signal, and the first common signal can include the first synchronization signal and the first system information. Correspondingly, the terminal can detect and receive the first common signal to access the network.

[0143] In the embodiment, the multiple RATs supported by the first common signal can be understood as the multiple RATs supported by the network device.

[0144] In the embodiment, the multiple RATs supported by the first common signal can be understood as the multiple RATs supported by the network device. The first common signal supporting multiple RATs can be understood as the first synchronization signal supporting multiple RATs and the first system information supporting multiple RATs. The first synchronization signal supporting multiple RATs can be understood as the first synchronization signal corresponding to multiple RATs, or in other words, the first synchronization signal being the same as the synchronization signal corresponding to each of the multiple RATs, such as each of the synchronization signals corresponding to the multiple RATs being the first synchronization signal, or in other words, the multiple RATs sharing / using the first synchronization signal, or in other words, the description of the first synchronization signal being the same in each of the multiple RATs, or in other words, the synchronization signal corresponding to each of the multiple RATs being contained in the first synchronization signal. The first system information supporting multiple RATs can be understood as the first system information corresponding to multiple RATs, or in other words, the system information corresponding to each of the multiple RATs being contained in the first system information.

[0145] In the embodiment, the first synchronization signal sent by the network device can include a first PSS and / or a first SSS.

[0146] As an example, the network device supports 5G and 6G simultaneously, the first synchronization signal can be a synchronization signal corresponding to 5G. For example, the first PSS is a PSS in SSB, and the first SSS is a SSS in SSB. In this example, 5G and 6G share the first synchronization signal, that is, 5G terminals can detect the first synchronization signal to achieve clock and frequency synchronization and other operations; 6G terminals can detect the first synchronization signal to achieve clock and frequency synchronization and other operations. In this example, the synchronization signal corresponding to 6G can be the first PSS and / or the first SSS. For 6G terminals, when the synchronization signal corresponding to 6G is the first PSS, the 6G terminal can only detect the first PSS in the first synchronization signal; when the synchronization signal corresponding to 6G is the first SSS, the 6G terminal can only detect the first SSS in the first synchronization signal; when the synchronization signal corresponding to 6G is the first PSS and the first SSS, the first PSS and the first SSS in the first synchronization signal can be detected by the 6G terminal. It should be noted that the 6G terminal can achieve clock and frequency synchronization and other operations based on the synchronization signal corresponding to 5G, which can be understood as using the synchronization signal corresponding to 5G as the synchronization signal corresponding to 6G, or the synchronization signal corresponding to 6G is the same as the synchronization signal corresponding to 5G, or the description of the first synchronization signal in 6G is the same as that in 5G. The specific implementation of detecting the first synchronization signal is not limited here. For example, the first synchronization signal can be detected based on the method of detecting SSB in the existing communication system. In this example, the multiple RATs include 5G and 6G.

[0147] As an example, the network device supports 4G and 6G simultaneously, the first synchronization signal can be a synchronization signal corresponding to 4G. For example, the first PSS is a PSS corresponding to 4G, and the first SSS is a SSS corresponding to 4G. In this example, 4G and 6G share the first synchronization signal, which can be referred to the description of sharing the first synchronization signal by 5G and 6G, which will not be repeated here. In this example, the multiple RATs include 4G and 6G.

[0148] As an example, the network device supports 4G and 5G at the same time, the first synchronization signal can be a synchronization signal corresponding to 4G. For example, the first PSS is a PSS corresponding to 4G, and the first SSS is a SSS corresponding to 4G. In this example, 4G and 5G share the first synchronization signal, that is, the 4G terminal can detect the first synchronization signal to realize clock and frequency synchronization and other operations; the 5G terminal can detect the first synchronization signal to realize clock and frequency synchronization and other operations. It should be noted that the 5G terminal realizes clock and frequency synchronization and other operations based on the synchronization signal corresponding to 4G, which can be understood as adding a new set of synchronization signals for 5G, that is, adding the synchronization signal corresponding to 4G as the synchronization signal corresponding to 5G. The specific implementation of detecting the first synchronization signal is not limited here. For example, the first synchronization signal can be detected based on the method of detecting the synchronization signal corresponding to 4G in the existing communication system. In this example, the plurality of RATs includes 4G and 5G.

[0149] In this embodiment, the first system information transmitted by the network device can include the second system information and the third system information.

[0150] As an example, the network device supports 5G and 6G at the same time, the first system information can be understood as the system information corresponding to 6G, and the second system information can be understood as the system information corresponding to 5G. The first system information supports 5G, which can be understood as that the first system information contains the second system information corresponding to 5G. In this example, 5G and 6G share the second system information. The third system information can be understood as the system information unique to 6G. In this example, the 5G terminal can search for the second system information based on the synchronization signal. The 6G terminal can search for the first system information based on the synchronization signal.

[0151] As an example, the network device supports 5G and 6G at the same time, the second system information can be understood as the system information corresponding to 5G, and the third system information can be understood as the system information corresponding to 6G. The first system information supports 5G, which can be understood as that the first system information contains the second system information corresponding to 5G. The first system information supports 6G, which can be understood as that the first system information contains the third system information corresponding to 6G. In this example, the 5G terminal can search for the second system information based on the synchronization signal. The 6G terminal can search for the third system information based on the synchronization signal.

[0152] As an example, the network device supports 4G and 6G at the same time, the related description about the first system information, the second system information and the third system information can refer to the description of the network device supporting 5G and 6G at the same time, which will not be repeated here.

[0153] S602, the terminal sends first information, the first information is used to request access to the first RAT. Correspondingly, the network device receives the first information.

[0154] In this embodiment, after receiving the first synchronization signal and the first system information, the terminal can send first information to the network device to request access to the first RAT. Correspondingly, the network device can receive the first information and provide network services for the terminal. It should be understood that the first RAT can be understood as a RAT supported by the terminal. For example, for a 5G terminal, the first RAT is 5G; for a 6G terminal, the first RAT is 6G.

[0155] In this embodiment, the terminal accessing the first RAT can be understood as the terminal accessing a cell supporting the first RAT.

[0156] In a possible implementation, when the network device simultaneously supports 5G and 6G, the time domain resources occupied by the 6G corresponding common signal can overlap with the time domain resources occupied by the 5G corresponding common signal, and / or the frequency domain resources occupied by the 6G corresponding common signal can overlap with the frequency domain resources occupied by the 5G corresponding common signal, so as to reduce the detection complexity of the 6G corresponding common signal and improve the detection capability of the 6G corresponding common signal. The overlap can include partial overlap and full overlap. The partial overlap can be understood as that the occupied resources are partially the same. The full overlap can be understood as that the occupied resources are fully the same. It should be understood that the 6G corresponding common signal includes the 6G corresponding synchronization signal and the 6G corresponding system information.

[0157] As an example, when the network device simultaneously supports 5G and 6G, the first synchronization signal can be the 5G corresponding synchronization signal, such as PSS and / or SSS in SSB. At this time, the time-frequency resources occupied by the 6G corresponding synchronization signal are the same as the time-frequency positions occupied by PSS and / or SSS in the 5G SSB, which will not be described here.

[0158] As an example, when the network device simultaneously supports 5G and 6G, the first system information, the second system information, and the third system information can be MIB. The MIB can be carried by PBCH. For the convenience of description and distinction, the first system information can be referred to as the first MIB, and the PBCH carrying the first MIB is referred to as the first PBCH; the second system information is referred to as the second MIB, and the PBCH carrying the second MIB is referred to as the second PBCH; the third system information is referred to as the third MIB, and the PBCH carrying the third MIB is referred to as the third PBCH.

[0159] In the example, when the system information corresponding to the 5G is the second MIB, the second MIB can be the MIB carried by the PBCH in the SSB of the 5G, the second PBCH can be understood as the PBCH in the SSB of the 5G, and the time-frequency resources occupied by the common signal corresponding to the 5G are the same as the time-frequency resources occupied by the SSB of the 5G. It should be understood that, since the third MIB is the system information unique to the 6G, the third PBCH can be understood as a newly added PBCH specially used to carry the third MIB. The time-frequency resources occupied by the third MIB can be made to overlap the time-frequency resources occupied by the SSB of the 5G, so that the detection method of the existing SSB can be used to realize the detection of the system information corresponding to the 6G, thereby reducing the detection complexity and power consumption of the system information corresponding to the 6G. It should be understood that the time-frequency resources occupied by the third MIB are the same as the time-frequency resources occupied by the third PBCH.

[0160] In some embodiments, the time domain resources occupied by the third MIB can overlap the time domain resources occupied by the SSB. For example, the time domain resources occupied by the third MIB can be the same as the time domain resources occupied by the PBCH in the SSB. For another example, the time domain resources occupied by the third MIB can be the same as the time domain resources occupied by the PBCH in the SSB. For another example, the time domain resources occupied by the third MIB can be the same as the time domain resources occupied by the SSB. For another example, the time domain resources occupied by the third MIB can be the same as the time domain resources occupied by the PSS in the SSB. It should be understood that the time domain resources occupied by the PBCH in the SSB are the time domain resources occupied by the second PBCH, that is, the time domain resources occupied by the second MIB.

[0161] In some embodiments, the frequency domain resources occupied by the third MIB can be symmetrical based on the center frequency point of the frequency domain resources occupied by the SSB. Wherein, the center frequency point of the frequency domain resources occupied by the SSB is, for example, the center frequency point of the frequency domain resources occupied by the SSB in Table 1. REF The determined frequency point. In the example, the terminal can realize the detection of the third MIB based on the synchronization raster shown in Table 1, so as to multiplex the detection process in the existing communication system and reduce the detection power consumption of the terminal. In addition, since the synchronization signal corresponding to the 6G is the PSS and / or SSS in the SSB, the center frequency point of the frequency domain resources occupied by the SSB is the same as the center frequency point of the synchronization signal corresponding to the 6G, so that the frequency domain resources occupied by the third MIB are symmetrical based on the center frequency point of the synchronization signal corresponding to the 6G, which can improve the search flexibility of the first system information, facilitate the search of the cell, improve the detection efficiency of the terminal, and reduce the detection power consumption of the terminal.

[0162] In some embodiments, the frequency domain resource occupied by the third MIB can overlap with the frequency domain resource occupied by the SSB, so as to save frequency domain resources, improve the detection performance of the third MIB, and reduce the detection power consumption of the terminal. For example, the frequency domain resource occupied by the third MIB can belong to the frequency domain resource occupied by the SSB, or in other words, the frequency domain resource occupied by the third MIB can be within the bandwidth occupied by the SSB. Alternatively, the time domain resource occupied by the third MIB can not overlap with the time domain resource occupied by the SSB, so as to reduce the detection interference of the SSB. For example, the time domain resource occupied by the third MIB can be located in front of or behind the time domain resource occupied by the SSB, or in other words, the number of symbols occupied by the third MIB is less than or equal to the number of symbols between adjacent two SSBs. The number of symbols between adjacent two SSBs is related to the SSB format. Taking FIG. 4 as an example, when the SSB format is caseA, the third MIB can occupy symbols with indexes of 0, 1, 6, 7, 12, and 13 in slots 1 and 2 in the time domain, a total of 12 symbols. That is, in this SSB format, the third MIB can occupy up to 12 symbols. In some embodiments, the time domain resource occupied by the third MIB can be adjacent or continuous to the time domain resource occupied by the SSB, so as to reduce the detection power consumption of the terminal. In some embodiments, the time domain resource occupied by the third MIB can be continuous, so as to improve the detection capability of the third MIB.

[0163] In some embodiments, when the time domain resource occupied by the third MIB is the same as the time domain resource occupied by the SSB, a guard interval can be reserved between the frequency domain resource occupied by the third MIB and the frequency domain resource occupied by the SSB, and no information is transmitted on the guard interval, so as to reduce the detection interference of the SSB and improve the detection capability of the SSB. For example, when the time domain resource occupied by the third MIB is the same as the time domain resource occupied by the PSS, a guard interval can be reserved between the frequency domain resource occupied by the third MIB and the frequency domain resource occupied by the PSS, so as to reduce the detection interference of the PSS. Alternatively, the guard interval reserved between the frequency domain resource occupied by the third MIB and the frequency domain resource occupied by the PSS can be greater than the guard interval reserved between the frequency domain resource occupied by the PBCH in the third symbol in the first symbol and the frequency domain resource occupied by the SSS, so as to further improve the detection capability of the PSS.

[0164] FIGS. 7 to 12 are schematic diagrams of time-frequency resources occupied by a first common signal according to embodiments of the present application. The first common signal shown in FIGS. 7 to 12 is a common signal transmitted by a network device simultaneously supporting 5G and 6G.

[0165] As shown in FIGS. 7-12, the first common signals include first synchronization signals (such as PSS and SSS in the figures) and first system information (such as the first MIB). The first MIB includes a second MIB and a third MIB. The second MIB is carried through PBCH1, and the third MIB is carried through PBCH2. The time-frequency resources occupied by the second MIB can be understood as the time-frequency resources occupied by PBCH1, and the time-frequency resources occupied by the third MIB can be understood as the time-frequency resources occupied by PBCH2. The first synchronization signals and PBCH1 can be understood as the SSB of 5G.

[0166] The frequency domain resources occupied by the third MIB in FIGS. 7-12 are symmetrical based on the center frequency point of the frequency domain resources occupied by the SSB.

[0167] As shown in FIGS. 7-9, the third MIB includes two parts of first frequency domain resources and second frequency domain resources, and the first frequency domain resources and the second frequency domain resources are respectively located on both sides of the frequency domain resources occupied by the SSB. It can be seen that a guard interval is reserved between the first frequency domain resources and the frequency domain resources occupied by the SSB, and a guard interval is reserved between the second frequency domain resources and the frequency domain resources occupied by the SSB.

[0168] The time domain resources occupied by the third MIB in FIG. 7 are the same as the part of the time domain resources occupied by PBCH1. As shown in FIG. 7, the time domain resources occupied by the third MIB are the second symbol in the first symbol. The first symbol contains 4 symbols occupied by the SSB in the time domain. It should be understood that the time domain resources occupied by the third MIB can also be the third symbol or the fourth symbol in the first symbol, which is not specifically limited here. The time domain resources occupied by the third MIB in FIG. 8 are the same as the time domain resources occupied by PBCH1. As shown in FIG. 8, the time domain resources occupied by the third MIB are the second to fourth symbols in the first symbol. The time domain resources occupied by the third MIB in FIG. 9 are the same as the time domain resources occupied by the SSB. As shown in FIG. 9, the time domain resources occupied by the third MIB are the first symbol.

[0169] As shown in FIG. 10, the third MIB includes two parts of first frequency domain resources and second frequency domain resources, and the first frequency domain resources and the second frequency domain resources are respectively located on both sides of the frequency domain resources occupied by the PSS. The time domain resources occupied by the third MIB in FIG. 10 are the same as the time domain resources occupied by the PSS, that is, the first symbol in the first symbol. It can be seen that the first frequency domain resources and the second frequency domain resources have a guard interval between the frequency domain resources occupied by the PSS, and the first frequency domain resources and the second frequency domain resources both belong to the frequency domain resources occupied by the SSB. It can be seen that the guard interval reserved between the first frequency domain resources and the second frequency domain resources and the frequency domain resources occupied by the PSS is greater than the guard interval reserved between the frequency domain resources occupied by PBCH1 and the frequency domain resources occupied by SSS on the third symbol in the first symbol.

[0170] As shown in FIG. 11, the frequency domain resource occupied by the third MIB belongs to the frequency domain resource occupied by the SSB, and the time domain resource occupied by the third MIB is adjacent to the time domain resource occupied by the SSB. The two SSBs contained in FIG. 11 can be referred to as one SSB burst set. As can be seen, the time domain resource occupied by the third MIB can be located in front of or behind the time domain resource occupied by each SSB, the number of symbols occupied by the third MIB in the time domain is less than the number of symbols between two adjacent SSBs, and the time domain resource occupied by the third MIB does not overlap with the time domain resource occupied by each SSB.

[0171] As shown in FIG. 12, the frequency domain resource occupied by the third MIB belongs to the frequency domain resource occupied by the SSB, and part of the time domain resource occupied by the third MIB is the same as the time domain resource occupied by the PSS. As can be seen, the third MIB includes a first part and a second part, the time domain resource occupied by the first part is adjacent to the time domain resource occupied by the PSS, and the time domain resource occupied by the second part is the same as the time domain resource occupied by the PSS. There is a guard interval between the frequency domain resource occupied by the second part and the frequency domain resource occupied by the PSS.

[0172] In this embodiment, when the network device supports 5G and 6G, the time-frequency resource occupied by the common signal corresponding to 6G is described. It should be understood that when the network device supports 4G and 6G, the time-frequency resource occupied by the common signal corresponding to 6G can refer to the related description when the network device supports 5G and 6G, which will not be repeated here.

[0173] In some embodiments, the first common signal can also include a SIB.

[0174] In some embodiments, the first system information can be a SIB. For example, when the first system information supports 5G and 6G at the same time, the second system information and / or the third system information can be a SIB, which is not limited in the present application.

[0175] In some embodiments, the network device can also indicate the RAT supported by the network device to the terminal.

[0176] In an implementable manner, the network device can indicate the RAT supported by the network device to the terminal through the first common signal.

[0177] As an example, the network device can implicitly indicate the RAT supported by the network device through the first common signal. For example, when the synchronization signal detected by the terminal is the synchronization signal corresponding to 4G, the terminal can determine that the network device supports 4G, thereby implicitly indicating that the network device supports 4G. For another example, when the system information detected by the terminal is the system information corresponding to 5G, the terminal can determine that the network device supports 5G, thereby implicitly indicating that the network device supports 5G.

[0178] As an example, the RAT supported by the network device can be implicitly indicated by the format of the first synchronization signal. For example, when the network device supports a first RAT and a second RAT simultaneously, and the first synchronization signal is a synchronization signal corresponding to the second RAT, the format of the synchronization signal corresponding to the second RAT can be included in the format of the synchronization signal supported by the first RAT according to a protocol, so that a terminal of the first RAT can detect the first synchronization signal to access the first RAT.

[0179] As an example, the network device can explicitly indicate the RAT supported by the network device through the first common signal. For example, the RAT supported by the network device can be indicated by information bits in the first system information. For example, the first system information can include or carry indication information indicating at least one RAT supported by the network device. It should be noted that when the network device supports a first RAT and a second RAT simultaneously, if the first system information is system information corresponding to the first RAT, the indication information carried in the first system information can only indicate the second RAT, or can indicate the first RAT and the second RAT, which is not limited herein. For example, when the network device supports 4G and 5G simultaneously, the first synchronization signal can be a synchronization signal corresponding to 4G, and the first system information can carry indication information to indicate that the network device supports 5G. Therefore, after detecting the first synchronization signal, the terminal can know that the network device supports 4G, and after detecting the first system information, the terminal can determine that the network device also supports 5G based on the indication information in the first system information, so that the terminal can no longer need to detect a synchronization signal and system information corresponding to 5G, thereby reducing the detection complexity and detection power consumption of the terminal. Correspondingly, the network device can only send one set of common signals, thereby reducing the power consumption of the network device.

[0180] As an example, the indication information can be carried in the second system information and / or the third system information, which is not limited herein. For example, the indication information can be carried by reserved bits in the second system information and the third system information. The reserved bits can be predefined by a protocol.

[0181] As an example, when the second system information is MIB carried in PBCH in SSB of 5G, the at least one RAT supported by the network device can be indicated by the redundancy bit state in the second system information for indicating k SSB .

[0182] As an example, when the first common signal includes SIB, the at least one RAT supported by the network device can be indicated by the redundancy bit state in the SIB for indicating the index of the SSB sent by the network device.

[0183] The following takes the network device supporting the first RAT and the second RAT as an example to illustrate the difference of the multiple RATs supported by the network device.

[0184] As an example, the subcarrier spacing supported by the first RAT and the second RAT can be different. For example, the size of the subcarrier spacing supported by the first RAT and the second RAT is different. As another example, the number of the subcarrier spacing supported by the first RAT and the second RAT is different.

[0185] As an example, the number of the physical cell identity (PCI) corresponding to the first RAT and the second RAT can be different. For example, the number of the PCI corresponding to the 4G is 504, the number of the PCI corresponding to the 5G is 1008, and the number of the PCI corresponding to the 6G can be greater than 1008, for example, can be 2016.

[0186] As an example, the way of determining the PCI by the first RAT and the second RAT can be different. For example, in the 4G, the terminal can determine 504 PCIs through the PSS and the SSS; in the 5G, the terminal can determine 1008 PCIs through the PSS and the SSS in the SSB. In an implementable manner, in the 6G, 2016 PCIs can be determined through the PSS and the SSS corresponding to the 5G and indication information. The length of the indication information can be 1 bit. For example, the terminal can determine 1008 PCIs through the PSS and the SSS corresponding to the 5G, and determine 2016 PCIs in combination with the 1-bit indication information. For example, when the indication information is 0, the PCI corresponding to the 6G takes a value from 0-1007, and when the indication information is 1, the PCI corresponding to the 6G takes a value from 1008-2015. As another example, when the indication information is 1, the PCI corresponding to the 6G takes a value from 0-1007, and when the indication information is 0, the PCI corresponding to the 6G takes a value from 1008-2015.

[0187] As an example, the second RAT (such as the 4G and the 5G) can support the non-continuous bandwidth, and the first RAT (such as the 6G) can support the continuous bandwidth.

[0188] FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram of the non-continuous bandwidth provided by an embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG. 13, the frequency domain resource that can be used for transmitting data is non-continuous and discrete. That is, the second RAT supports scheduling data on the discrete frequency domain resource, and the discrete frequency domain resource can constitute a cell of the second RAT. Correspondingly, the first RAT supports scheduling data on the continuous frequency domain resource, and the continuous frequency domain resource can constitute a cell of the first RAT.

[0189] In the embodiments of this application, when the network device includes the RU and the DU, the method can be executed by the RU and the DU. For example, when the system starts or is reconfigured, the DU can transmit the transmission rule of the first common signal to the RU through the eCPRI interface. The transmission rule can include the time-frequency resource position occupied by the first synchronization signal and the first system information in the first common signal, the adopted encoding mode, and the like. The eCPRI interface signaling involved is new signaling, and the advantage of the signaling defining the channel conversion rule is that it is convenient to realize the interconnection of the DU and the RU between different manufacturers, and the products of the same manufacturer are also conducive to the decoupling design between the DU and the RU. Correspondingly, the RU can receive the transmission rule of the first common signal transmitted through the eCPRI interface, so that the DU and the RU can agree on the transmission rule of the first common signal. In addition, the DU can decide whether to send the first synchronization signal and / or the first system information in the current processing period, and determine the first synchronization signal and / or the first system information to be sent in the next processing period. That is, the DU can decide whether to send the first synchronization signal and / or the first system information in each processing period, and allocate appropriate first synchronization signal and / or first system information for each processing period. The DU can notify the RU of the allocated first synchronization signal and / or first system information processing task through the eCPRI interface. Optionally, the notification frequency can be set according to actual needs, which is not limited here. For example, the notification frequency can be millisecond level or second level. After receiving the task notification of the DU, the RU updates the channel configuration according to the signaling requirements, and sends the first synchronization signal and / or the first system information to the terminal. For example, the RU can map the first synchronization signal and / or the first system information to the physical time-frequency resource specified by the DU and transmit it.

[0190] FIG. 14 is a structural schematic diagram of a communication apparatus provided by an embodiment of the application. The apparatus 1400 shown in FIG. 14 can include modules or units corresponding to the terminal or the network device for implementing the methods in the above method embodiments.

[0191] As shown in FIG. 14, the apparatus 1400 can include a communication unit 1410.

[0192] As an example, the apparatus 1400 can be used to implement the steps / operations performed by the terminal in the method shown in FIG. 6. For example, the communication unit 1410 can be used to implement the operations performed by the terminal in S601 and S602.

[0193] As an example, the apparatus 1400 can be used to implement the steps / operations performed by the network device in the method shown in FIG. 6. For example, the communication unit 1410 can be used to implement the operations performed by the network device in S601 and S602.

[0194] Optionally, the apparatus 1400 can further include a storage unit 1420 and a processing unit 1430. The storage unit 1420 can be used to store apparatus program codes and / or data. The processing unit 1430 can be used to control the apparatus 1400 to realize the transmission of data through the communication unit 1410.

[0195] FIG. 15 is a structural schematic diagram of a communication apparatus provided by an embodiment of the present application. The apparatus 1500 shown in FIG. 15 can be used to implement the steps or operations performed by a terminal or network device in the foregoing method embodiments. The apparatus 1500 can be a chip system, or can be a system configured with a chip. In the embodiments of the present application, the chip system can be composed of a chip, or can contain a chip and other discrete devices.

[0196] Optionally, the apparatus 1500 can be a baseband chip responsible for communication functions in a terminal.

[0197] As shown in FIG. 15, the apparatus 1500 can be implemented by a processing system 1510 including one or more processors. The processor can include a microprocessor, a microcontroller, a digital signal processor (DSP), an FPGA, a GPU, a programmable logic device (PLD), a state machine, gated logic, discrete hardware circuits, and other suitable hardware configured to perform various functions. That is, the processor used in the apparatus 1500 can be used to implement the communication method shown in the foregoing embodiments.

[0198] The processing system 1510 can be implemented by a bus architecture, which is generally represented by a bus 1520. The bus 1520 can include any number of interconnecting buses and bridges, depending on the specific application of the processing system 1510 and the overall design constraints. The bus 1520 communicatively couples various circuits including one or more processors (generally represented by a processor), a memory 1530, and a computer readable medium 1540. At least one processor can be included in the processing system 1510. The number of computer readable medium 1540 can be one or more. The bus 1520 can also link various other circuits, such as timing sources, peripherals, voltage regulators, and power management circuits, which are well known in the art, and thus, will not be described any further. A bus interface 1550 provides an interface between the bus 1520 and a transceiver (not shown in the figure) and between the bus 1520 and other interfaces. The bus interface 1520 can use a transceiver such as a transceiver to realize the communication between the apparatus 1500 and other devices or apparatuses.

[0199] The transceiver provides a communication interface or means for communicating with various other apparatus over the wireless transmission medium. The transceiver can be coupled to an antenna array, and the transceiver and antenna array can together function as a transceiver for communicating with the respective network type. The at least one interface (e.g., network interface and / or terminal interface) provides a communication interface or means for communication over the internal bus or via an external transmission medium.

[0200] The processor is responsible for managing the bus 1520 and general processing, including the execution of software stored on the computer-readable medium 1540. The software, when executed by the processor, causes the processing system 1510 to perform the various functions described infra for any particular apparatus.

[0201] The functions implemented by the processor, the memory 1530 and the computer-readable medium 1540 can be encoding, decoding, rate matching, de-rate matching, scrambling, de-scrambling, modulating, demodulating, layer mapping, fast fourier transform (FFT), inverse fast fourier transform (IFFT), inverse discrete fourier transform (IDFT), precoding, RE mapping (demapper), channel equalization, de-RE mapping, digital beam forming (BF), adding cyclic prefix (CP), de-CP, etc.

[0202] The processor can include communication and processing circuitry. The communication and processing circuitry can include one or more hardware components that provide the physical structure that performs various processes related to wireless communication (e.g., signal reception and / or signal transmission). The communication and processing circuitry can include two or more transmit circuits / links and can also include two or more receive circuits / links. The functions implemented by the communication and processing circuitry can also be processed on the computer-readable medium 1540. When the apparatus 1500 is applied to a terminal, the processor can be used to detect a first common signal, i.e., a first synchronization signal and first system information. FIG. 16 is a schematic diagram of a detection process of a first common signal according to an embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG. 16, the receiving circuit can include any one function of receiving a first synchronization signal and receiving first system information. The receiving circuit can send the received signal to the RE mapping module, and after obtaining the sequence or modulation symbol, send it to the detection circuit to detect the first synchronization signal and the first system information.

[0203] In the embodiments of the present application, the "sending information" can be understood as that one device sends information to another device, or can also be understood as that one logical module in a device sends information to another logical module. For example, the "network device sending information" can be understood as that the network device sends information to another device (such as a terminal), or can be understood as that a logical module 1 in the network device sends information to a logical module 2 in the network device.

[0204] In the embodiments of the present application, the "receiving information" can be understood as that one device receives information from another device, or can also be understood as that one logical module in a device receives information from another logical module. For example, the "terminal receiving information" can be understood as that the terminal receives information from another device (such as a network device), or can be understood as that a logical module 1 in the terminal receives information from a logical module 2 in the terminal.

[0205] In the embodiments of the present application, the "sending information to a device (such as a terminal)" or the related illustration in the drawings can be understood as that the destination of the information is the terminal. It can include directly or indirectly sending information to the terminal. The "receiving information from a device (such as a terminal)" or "receiving information from a device (such as a terminal)" or "receiving information sent by a device (such as a terminal)", or the related illustration in the drawings can be understood as that the source of the information is the terminal, which can include directly or indirectly receiving information from the terminal. The information between the source and the destination of the information sending can be processed as necessary, for example, format change, etc., but the destination can understand the valid information from the source. Similar expressions in the present application can be similarly understood, and will not be repeated here.

[0206] The terms "system" and "network" in the embodiments of the present application can be used interchangeably. "At least one" means one or more, and "multiple" means two or more. The "and / or" describes the association relationship of the associated objects, which means that there can be three relationships, for example, A and / or B, which can represent the existence of A alone, the existence of A and B at the same time, and the existence of B alone, where A and B can be singular or plural. The character " / " generally represents an "or" relationship between the front and rear associated objects. "At least one of the following" or similar expressions means any combination of these items, including single item or any combination of multiple items. For example, "at least one of A, B or C" includes A, B, C, AB, AC, BC or ABC, and "at least one of A, B and C" can also be understood as including A, B, C, AB, AC, BC or ABC. In addition, unless otherwise specified, the ordinal numbers "first", "second", etc. mentioned in the embodiments of the present application are used to distinguish multiple objects, and are not used to limit the order, time sequence, priority or importance of the multiple objects.

[0207] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that embodiments of the present application can be readily used as software, hardware, or a combination of software and hardware. In a software embodiment, various software modules are stored in memory (such as RAM, ROM, etc.) and executed by one or more general-purpose or special-purpose processors. In a hardware embodiment, various functions are performed by various hardware components. In an embodiment that is a combination of software and hardware, various functions are performed by a combination of software and hardware.

[0208] The present application is described in reference to the flow diagrams and / or block diagrams of the methods, apparatus (systems) and computer program products according to this application. It will be understood that each block of the flow diagrams and / or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in the flow diagrams 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 the flow diagrams and / or block diagrams block or blocks.

[0209] These computer program instructions can also be stored in a computer readable memory that can direct a computer or other programmable data processing apparatus to function in a particular manner, such that the instructions stored in the computer readable memory produce an article of manufacture including instructions which implement the function specified in the flow diagrams and / or block diagrams block or blocks.

[0210] These computer program instructions can 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 the flow diagrams and / or block diagrams block or blocks.

[0211] Obviously, numerous modifications and variations of the present application are possible in light of the above teachings. It is therefore to be understood that within the scope of the claims and their equivalents, the application can be practiced otherwise than as specifically described.

Claims

1. A communication method characterized by comprising: The method is applied to a terminal, and the method comprises: receiving a first common signal, the first common signal comprising a first synchronization signal and first system information, the first synchronization signal supporting a plurality of radio access technologies (RATs), and the first system information supporting a first RAT, the first RAT belonging to the plurality of RATs; sending first information, the first information being used for requesting access to the first RAT.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein, The plurality of RATs further comprises a second RAT, the second RAT corresponding to a second common signal, the second common signal comprising the first synchronization signal and second system information, the second system information supporting the second RAT.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein, The frequency domain resource occupied by the first system information is symmetric about a center frequency point of the frequency domain resource occupied by the first synchronization signal.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein, The frequency domain resource occupied by the first system information comprises a first frequency domain resource and a second frequency domain resource, the first frequency domain resource and the second frequency domain resource being respectively located on two sides of the frequency domain resource occupied by the second common signal, and the time domain resource occupied by the first system information overlapping the time domain resource occupied by the second common signal.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein, The time domain resource occupied by the first system information overlapping the time domain resource occupied by the second common signal comprises any one of the following: The time domain resource occupied by the first system information is the same as the time domain resource occupied by the second common signal; or The time domain resource occupied by the first system information is the same as the time domain resource occupied by the second system information; or The time domain resource occupied by the first system information is the same as part of the time domain resource occupied by the second system information.

6. The method of claim 3, wherein, The frequency domain resource occupied by the first system information comprises a first frequency domain resource and a second frequency domain resource, the first frequency domain resource and the second frequency domain resource being respectively located on two sides of the frequency domain resource occupied by the first synchronization signal, and the time domain resource occupied by the first system information overlapping the time domain resource occupied by the first synchronization signal.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein, There is a guard interval between the first frequency domain resource and the frequency domain resource occupied by the first synchronization signal, and there is a guard interval between the second frequency domain resource and the frequency domain resource occupied by the first synchronization signal.

8. The method according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that, The frequency domain resource occupied by the first system information belongs to the frequency domain resource occupied by the second common signal.

9. The method of claim 3, wherein, The frequency domain resource occupied by the first system information belongs to the frequency domain resource occupied by the second common signal, and the time domain resource occupied by the first system information does not overlap the time domain resource occupied by the second common signal.

10. A communication method characterized by comprising: The method is applied to a terminal, and the method comprises: receiving a first common signal, the first common signal comprising a first synchronization signal and first system information, the first common signal supporting a plurality of radio access technologies (RATs); sending first information, the first information being used for requesting access to a first RAT, the first RAT belonging to the plurality of RATs.

11. A communication method, comprising: The method is applied to a network device, and the method comprises: sending a first common signal, the first common signal comprising a first synchronization signal and first system information, the first common signal supporting a plurality of radio access technologies (RATs); receiving first information, the first information being used for requesting access to a first RAT, the first RAT belonging to the plurality of RATs.

12. The method according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that, The plurality of RATs further comprises a second RAT, the second RAT further corresponding to a second common signal, the second common signal comprising the first synchronization signal and second system information, the second system information supporting the second RAT, the second system information belonging to the first system information.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein, The first system information occupies frequency domain resources symmetrically about a center frequency point of frequency domain resources occupied by the first synchronization signal.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein, The first system information further comprises third system information, frequency domain resources occupied by the third system information comprising first frequency domain resources and second frequency domain resources, the first frequency domain resources and the second frequency domain resources being respectively located on two sides of frequency domain resources occupied by the second common signal, time domain resources occupied by the third system information overlapping time domain resources occupied by the second common signal.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein, The third system information occupies time domain resources which are the same as time domain resources occupied by the second system information; or The third system information occupies time domain resources which are the same as time domain resources occupied by the second system information; or The third system information occupies time domain resources which are the same as time domain resources occupied by the second system information; or The third system information occupies time domain resources which are the same as time domain resources occupied by the second system information; or 16. The method of claim 13, wherein, The third system information occupies time domain resources which are the same as time domain resources occupied by the second system information; or 17. The method of claim 16, wherein, The third system information occupies time domain resources which are the same as time domain resources occupied by the second system information; or 18. The method according to claim 16 or 17, characterized in that The third system information occupies time domain resources which are the same as time domain resources occupied by the second system information; or 19. The method of claim 13, wherein, The third system information occupies time domain resources which are the same as time domain resources occupied by the second system information; or 20. The method of any one of claims 1 to 19, wherein, The first common signal is further used for indicating the first RAT.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein, The first RAT is indicated by at least one of: a format of the first synchronization signal, or information bits in the first system information.

22. A communications device, characterized by comprising various functional modules for implementing the method according to any one of claims 1 to 21.

23. A communications device, characterized by comprising: a processor coupled to a memory, the memory being used for storing a computer program, when the processor invokes the computer program, causing the apparatus to execute the method according to any one of claims 1 to 21.

24. A computer readable medium characterized by The computer readable medium stores instructions, when the instructions are run, the method according to any one of claims 1 to 21 is implemented.

25. A computer program product, characterised in that, comprising computer program code which, when run on a computer, causes the method of any one of claims 1 to 21 to be implemented.

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