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 methods and communication devices

[0001] This application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 202411091432.8, filed on August 8, 2024, entitled "Communication Method and Communication Apparatus", the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

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

[0003] To maintain basic functions (such as synchronization and cell discovery), or in other words, to enable terminals to identify and access network devices, network devices must send certain always-on signals. This reduces the likelihood of network devices being shut down and increases their power consumption. Always-on signals can be understood as common signals. The transmission of these common signals leads to higher power consumption for network devices.

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

[0005] In some current communication systems, network devices can support both Long Term Evolution (LTE) and New Radio (NR) standards. LTE and NR each correspond to their own set of common signals, and network devices need to transmit these common signals separately for LTE and NR. Network devices can only be shut down when they are not transmitting either the LTE or NR common signals. However, the temporal overlap between the LTE and NR common signals is low, resulting in fewer opportunities for network devices to shut down and higher power consumption. Summary of the Invention

[0006] This application provides a communication method and a communication device, applicable to the field of wireless communication. The technical solution provided by this application can reduce the power consumption of network devices when the network devices support multiple RATs.

[0007] Firstly, this application provides a communication method that can be applied to a terminal side, such as a terminal or a communication module within a 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 system-in-package (SIP) chip containing a modem module) responsible for communication functions within the terminal. Taking the application of this method to a terminal as an example, the method includes: receiving a first common signal, the first common signal including a first synchronization signal and first system information, the first synchronization signal supporting multiple radio access technologies (RATs), the first system information supporting a first RAT, and the first RAT belonging to the multiple RATs; and sending first information, the first information being used to request access to the first RAT.

[0008] In this technical solution, when a network device supports multiple RATs, these RATs can share a first synchronization signal for terminal access. This eliminates the need for the network device to send multiple sets of synchronization signals for each RAT, thereby reducing power consumption. Furthermore, while the network device sends the first synchronization signal for terminal access under multiple RATs, it can employ a shutdown technique during the intervals when it is not sending the first synchronization signal. Compared to sending multiple sets of synchronization signals for each RAT separately, where shutdown is only possible during periods when no synchronization signal is being sent by any RAT, this technical solution increases the opportunities for network device shutdown, achieving network energy saving.

[0009] In conjunction with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the multiple RATs further include a second RAT, the second RAT corresponding to a second common signal, the second common signal including the first synchronization signal and second system information, the second system information supporting the second RAT.

[0010] In this implementation, the second common signal includes a first synchronization signal and second system information, which are used to access the second RAT.

[0011] In this implementation, when the network device supports both the first RAT and the second RAT, the first RAT and the second RAT can share the first synchronization signal. This allows the network device to send only the first synchronization signal without sending two sets of synchronization signals for the first RAT and the second RAT, thereby increasing the network device's shutdown opportunities and reducing its power consumption.

[0012] In this implementation, the first system information corresponding to the first RAT is different from the second system information corresponding to the second RAT.

[0013] In conjunction with the first aspect, in some implementations 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 by the physical broadcast channel (PBCH) in the 5G SSB. In this implementation, the first system information can be understood as a MIB dedicated to 6G. Accordingly, the first system information can be carried by adding a new PBCH.

[0014] In conjunction with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the frequency domain resources occupied by the first system information are symmetrical about the center frequency of the frequency domain resources occupied by the first synchronization signal.

[0015] In this implementation, the frequency domain resources occupied by the first system information are symmetrical about the center frequency of the frequency domain resources occupied by the first synchronization signal, which helps to improve spectral efficiency. Furthermore, the symmetry of the frequency domain resources occupied by the first system information with respect to the center frequency of the frequency domain resources occupied by the first synchronization signal allows the terminal to search for the first system information based on the center frequency of the frequency domain resources occupied by the first synchronization signal, thus improving the flexibility of searching for the first system information.

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

[0017] In conjunction with the first aspect, in some implementations 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 respectively located on both sides of the frequency domain resources occupied by the second common signal, and the time domain resources occupied by the first system information overlap with the time domain resources occupied by the second common signal.

[0018] In this implementation, 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 with the time domain resources occupied by the second common signal corresponding to the second RAT, the opportunity for the network device to be shut down can be increased, and the energy consumption of the network device can be reduced.

[0019] In conjunction with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the bandwidth of the first frequency domain resource is the same as that of the second frequency domain resource.

[0020] In conjunction with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the time-domain resources occupied by the first system information overlap with the time-domain resources occupied by the second public signal, including any of the following: the time-domain resources occupied by the first system information are the same as the time-domain resources occupied by the second public signal; or the time-domain resources occupied by the first system information are the same as the time-domain resources occupied by the second system information; or the time-domain resources occupied by the first system information are the same as a portion of the time-domain resources occupied by the second system information.

[0021] In conjunction with the first aspect, in some implementations 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 respectively located on both sides of the frequency domain resources occupied by the first synchronization signal, and the time domain resources occupied by the first system information overlap with the time domain resources occupied by the first synchronization signal.

[0022] In this implementation, if the time domain resources occupied by the first system information and the first synchronization signal overlap, the terminal can search for the first system information on the same time domain resource after detecting the first synchronization signal, without having to search for the first system information on other time domain resources. This reduces the latency of the terminal searching for the first system information and reduces the terminal's detection power consumption. If the frequency domain resources occupied by the first system information are located on both sides of the frequency domain resources occupied by the second common signal, it helps to improve the utilization rate of spectrum resources.

[0023] In conjunction with 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 the synchronization signal corresponding to 5G. The time-domain resources occupied by the first system information overlap with the time-domain resources occupied by the first synchronization signal, which can include: the time-domain resources occupied by the first system information are the same as the time-domain resources occupied by the PSS in the 5G SSB. 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 first synchronization signal, which can include: 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 in the 5G SSB. In this approach, considering that the frequency domain resources occupied by the PSS are smaller than those occupied by the SSB, setting the first and second frequency domain resources on both sides of the frequency domain resources occupied by the PSS can improve the utilization rate of spectrum resources.

[0024] In conjunction with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, there is a protection interval between the first frequency domain resource and the frequency domain resource occupied by the first synchronization signal, and there is a protection interval between the second frequency domain resource and the frequency domain resource occupied by the first synchronization signal.

[0025] In this implementation, when the first frequency domain resource and the second frequency domain resource are located on both 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 protection interval can be reserved between the first frequency domain resource and the frequency domain resource occupied by the first synchronization signal, and a protection interval can be reserved between the second frequency domain resource and the frequency domain resource occupied by the first synchronization signal. No data is transmitted on the protection interval to reduce detection interference of the first synchronization signal.

[0026] In conjunction with 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 the synchronization signal corresponding to 5G. Specifically, there are guard intervals between the first and second frequency domain resources and the frequency domain resources occupied by the first synchronization signal, which can include: a guard interval between the first frequency domain resources and the frequency domain resources occupied by the PSS in the SSB, and a guard interval between the second frequency domain resources and the frequency domain resources occupied by the PSS in the SSB. This method can reduce detection interference from the PSS.

[0027] In conjunction with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the frequency domain resources occupied by the first system information belong to the frequency domain resources occupied by the second common signal.

[0028] In this implementation, based on the first synchronization signal shared by the first RAT and the second RAT, if the frequency domain resources occupied by the first system information belong to the frequency domain resources occupied by the second common signal, then the first common signal and the second common signal are located in the same bandwidth, thus saving frequency domain resources.

[0029] In conjunction with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the frequency domain resources occupied by the first system information belong to the frequency domain resources occupied by the second common signal, and the time domain resources occupied by the first system information do not overlap with the time domain resources occupied by the second common signal.

[0030] In this implementation, since the first RAT and the second RAT share the first synchronization signal, if the frequency domain resources occupied by the first system information belong to the frequency domain resources occupied by the second common signal, then the first common signal and the second common signal are located in the same bandwidth, saving frequency domain resources. In addition, ensuring that the time domain resources occupied by the first system information do not overlap with the time domain resources occupied by the second common signal can reduce detection interference of the second common signal.

[0031] In conjunction with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the first common signal is also used to indicate the first RAT.

[0032] In this implementation, the network device can indicate to the terminal that it has the capability to provide a first RAT; that is, the network device can instruct the terminal to allow the terminal to access the first RAT. For example, the network device can indicate that it supports the first RAT through a first common signal.

[0033] As an example, the first public information may include indication information, which indicates at least one RAT supported by the network device.

[0034] In conjunction with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the first RAT indicates by at least one of the following: the format of the first synchronization signal, or the information bits in the first system information.

[0035] In this implementation, the format of the first synchronization signal can implicitly indicate the RAT supported by the network device. 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 the protocol to include the format of the synchronization signal corresponding to the second RAT. This allows the terminal supporting the first RAT to detect the first synchronization signal and thus access the first RAT.

[0036] In this implementation, the RATs supported by the network device can be explicitly indicated by the information bits in the first system information. For example, the first system information may include indication information used to indicate 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 may indicate only the second RAT, or it may indicate both the first and second RATs; no specific limitation is made here.

[0037] Secondly, this application provides a communication method that can be applied to the terminal side, such as a terminal or a communication module within a 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 system-in-package (SIP) chip containing a modem module) responsible for communication functions within the terminal. Taking the application of this method to a terminal as an example, the method includes: receiving a first common signal, the first common signal including a first synchronization signal and first system information, the first common signal supporting multiple RATs; and sending first information, the first information being used to request access to a first RAT, the first RAT belonging to the multiple RATs.

[0038] Compared to the technical solution in the first aspect, in this technical solution, the multiple RATs supported by the network device can not only share the first synchronization signal but also share the first system information. That is, multiple RATs share the first common signal, thus eliminating the need for the network device to send multiple sets of common signals for each RAT, thereby further reducing the power consumption of the network device. Furthermore, the network device uses the first common signal for terminal access under multiple RATs. During the intervals when the network device is not sending the first common signal, it can employ a shutdown technique. Compared to the network device only sending the first synchronization signal for multiple RATs, and only employing shutdown techniques during periods when no system information is being sent by any RAT, this technical solution increases the opportunities for network device shutdown, achieving network energy saving.

[0039] In conjunction with the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the multiple RATs further include a second RAT, which also 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 belongs to the first system information.

[0040] In this implementation, the second common signal includes a first synchronization signal and second system information, which are used to access the second RAT.

[0041] In this implementation, when the network device supports both the first RAT and the second RAT, the first RAT and the second RAT can share the first common signal. This allows the network device to send only the first common signal without sending two sets of common signals for the first RAT and the second RAT, thereby increasing the network device's shutdown opportunities and reducing its power consumption.

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

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

[0044] In this implementation, the frequency domain resources occupied by the first system information are symmetrical about the center frequency of the frequency domain resources occupied by the first synchronization signal, which helps to improve spectral efficiency. Furthermore, the symmetry of the frequency domain resources occupied by the first system information with respect to the center frequency of the frequency domain resources occupied by the first synchronization signal allows the terminal to search for the first system information based on the center frequency of the frequency domain resources occupied by the first synchronization signal, thus improving the flexibility of searching for the first system information.

[0045] In conjunction with the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the first system information further includes third system information, the 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 respectively located on both sides of the frequency domain resources occupied by the second common signal, and the time domain resources occupied by the third system information overlap with the time domain resources occupied by the second common signal.

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

[0047] In this implementation, based on the first synchronization signal and the second system information shared by the first RAT and the second RAT, if the time domain resources occupied by the third system information overlap with the time domain resources occupied by the second common signal corresponding to the second RAT, it can increase the opportunity for network devices to be shut down, reduce the energy consumption of network devices, and improve the utilization rate of time domain resources; if the frequency domain resources occupied by the third system information are located on both sides of the frequency domain resources occupied by the second common signal, it helps to improve the utilization rate of spectrum resources.

[0048] In conjunction with the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the bandwidth of the first frequency domain resource is the same as that of the second frequency domain resource.

[0049] In conjunction with the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the time-domain resources occupied by the third system information overlap with the time-domain resources occupied by the second public signal, including any of the following: the time-domain resources occupied by the third system information are the same as the time-domain resources occupied by the second public signal; or the time-domain resources occupied by the third system information are the same as the time-domain resources occupied by the second system information; or the time-domain resources occupied by the third system information are the same as a portion of the time-domain resources occupied by the second system information.

[0050] In conjunction with the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the first system information further includes third system information, the 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 respectively located on both sides of the frequency domain resources occupied by the first synchronization signal, and the time domain resources occupied by the third system information overlap with the time domain resources occupied by the first synchronization signal.

[0051] In this implementation, if the time domain resources occupied by the third system information overlap with those 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 having to search for the third system information on other time domain resources. This reduces the latency of the terminal searching for the third system information, thereby reducing the latency of the terminal searching for the first system information and reducing the terminal's detection power consumption. If the frequency domain resources occupied by the third system information are located on both sides of the frequency domain resources occupied by the second common signal, it helps to improve the utilization rate of spectrum resources.

[0052] In conjunction with the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, when the first RAT can be 6G and the second RAT can be 5G, the first synchronization signal can be the synchronization signal corresponding to 5G. The time-domain resources occupied by the third system information overlap with the time-domain resources occupied by the first synchronization signal, which can include: the time-domain resources occupied by the third system information are the same as the time-domain resources occupied by the PSS in the 5G SSB. 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 first synchronization signal, which can include: the first frequency domain resources are located on both sides of the frequency domain resources occupied by the PSS in the 5G SSB, and the second frequency domain resources are located on both sides of the frequency domain resources occupied by the PSS in the 5G SSB. Under this method, considering that the frequency domain resources occupied by the PSS are smaller than those occupied by the SSB, setting the first and second frequency domain resources on both sides of the frequency domain resources occupied by the PSS can improve the utilization rate of spectrum resources.

[0053] In conjunction with the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, there is a protection interval between the first frequency domain resource and the frequency domain resource occupied by the first synchronization signal, and there is a protection interval between the second frequency domain resource and the frequency domain resource occupied by the first synchronization signal.

[0054] In this implementation, when the first frequency domain resource and the second frequency domain resource are 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 protection interval can be reserved between the first frequency domain resource and the frequency domain resource occupied by the first synchronization signal, and a protection interval can be reserved between the second frequency domain resource and the frequency domain resource occupied by the first synchronization signal. No data is transmitted on the protection interval to reduce detection interference of the first synchronization signal.

[0055] In conjunction with the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the first RAT can be 6G, the second RAT can be 5G, and the first synchronization signal can be the synchronization signal corresponding to 5G. There are guard intervals between the first and second frequency domain resources and the frequency domain resources occupied by the first synchronization signal, which can include: a guard interval between the first frequency domain resources and the frequency domain resources occupied by the PSS in the SSB, and a guard interval between the second frequency domain resources and the frequency domain resources occupied by the PSS in the SSB. This method can reduce detection interference from the PSS.

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

[0057] In this implementation, based on the first synchronization signal and the second system information being shared by the first RAT and the second RAT, if the frequency domain resources occupied by the third system information belong to the frequency domain resources occupied by the second common signal, then the first common signal and the second common signal are located in the same bandwidth, thus saving frequency domain resources.

[0058] In conjunction with the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the first system information further includes third system information, wherein the frequency domain resources occupied by the third system information belong to the frequency domain resources occupied by the second common signal, and the time domain resources occupied by the third system information do not overlap with the time domain resources occupied by the second common signal.

[0059] In this implementation, since the first RAT and the second RAT share the first synchronization signal and the second system information, if the frequency domain resources occupied by the third system information belong to the frequency domain resources occupied by the second common signal, then the first common signal and the second common signal are located in the same bandwidth, saving frequency domain resources. In addition, ensuring that the time domain resources occupied by the third system information do not overlap with the time domain resources occupied by the second common signal can reduce detection interference of the second common signal.

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

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

[0062] As an example, the first public information may include indication information, which indicates at least one RAT supported by the network device.

[0063] In conjunction with the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the first RAT indicates by at least one of the following: the format of the first synchronization signal, or the information bits in the first system information.

[0064] In this implementation, the format of the first synchronization signal can implicitly indicate the RAT supported by the network device. 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 the protocol to include the format of the synchronization signal corresponding to the second RAT. This allows the terminal supporting the first RAT to detect the first synchronization signal and thus access the first RAT.

[0065] In this implementation, the RATs supported by the network device can be explicitly indicated by the information bits in the first system information. For example, the first system information may include indication information used to indicate 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 may indicate only the second RAT, or it may indicate both the first and second RATs; no specific limitation is made here.

[0066] As an example, this indication information can be carried within the second system information or the third system information; there is no limitation on this. For instance, the indication information can be carried through reserved bits in either the second or third system information. Reserved bits can be predefined by the protocol.

[0067] Thirdly, embodiments of this application provide a communication method that can be applied to the network side, such as access network devices, modules (e.g., circuits, chips, or chip systems) within the access network devices, or logical nodes, logical modules, or software capable of implementing all or part of the functions of the access network devices. Taking the application of this method to a network device (such as an access network device) as an example, the method includes: sending a first public signal, the first public signal including a first synchronization signal and first system information, the first public signal supporting multiple Radio Access Technologies (RATs); and receiving first information, the first information being used to request 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, which supports multiple RATs, so that terminals under multiple RATs can access the network device.

[0069] For some possible implementation methods and beneficial effects of the third aspect, please refer to the second aspect, which will not be elaborated here.

[0070] Fourthly, this application provides a communication device that has the functions of the first aspect described above. For example, the communication device includes modules, units, or means that perform the operations involved in the first aspect. These modules, units, or means can be implemented by software, hardware, or a combination of software and hardware.

[0071] For example, the device may 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 multiple Radio Access Technologies (RATs), the first system information supporting a first RAT, and the first RAT belonging to the multiple RATs; the communication unit is also configured to send first information, the first information being used to request access to the first RAT.

[0072] Fifthly, this application provides a communication device that has the functions of the second aspect above. For example, the communication device includes modules, units, or means that perform the operations involved in the second aspect above. These modules, units, or means can be implemented by software, hardware, or a combination of software and hardware.

[0073] For example, the device may 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 multiple wireless access technologies (RATs); the communication unit is also configured to send first information, the first information being used to request access to a first RAT, the first RAT belonging to the multiple RATs.

[0074] Sixthly, this application provides a communication device that has the functions of the third aspect above. For example, the communication device includes modules, units, or means that perform the operations involved in the third aspect above. These modules, units, or means can be implemented by software, hardware, or a combination of software and hardware.

[0075] For example, the device may include: a communication unit. The communication unit is configured to transmit a first common signal, the first common signal including a first synchronization signal and first system information, the first common signal supporting multiple wireless access technologies (RATs); the communication unit is also configured to receive first information, the first information being used to request access to a first RAT, the first RAT belonging to the multiple RATs.

[0076] In a seventh aspect, this application provides a communication device including an interface circuit and one or more processors. The one or more processors are coupled to a memory. The memory stores part or all of the necessary computer program or instructions for implementing the functions described in the first aspect. The one or more processors are executable to carry out the computer program or instructions, causing the communication device to implement the methods in any possible design or implementation of the first aspect. The interface circuit is used to implement the communication functions within the communication device and / or the communication functions between the communication device and other devices or components.

[0077] In one possible design, the processor is used to communicate with other devices or components through the interface circuit.

[0078] In one possible design, the communication device may also include the memory.

[0079] The aforementioned communication device may be a terminal, a communication module in a terminal, or a chip in a terminal that is responsible for communication functions, such as a modem chip (also known as a baseband chip) or a SoC or SIP chip containing a modem module.

[0080] Eighthly, this application provides a communication device including an interface circuit and one or more processors. The one or more processors are coupled to a memory. The memory stores part or all of the necessary computer program or instructions for implementing the functions described in the second aspect above. The one or more processors are executable to carry out the computer program or instructions, causing the communication device to implement the methods in any possible design or implementation of the second aspect above. The interface circuit is used to implement the communication functions within the communication device and / or the communication functions between the communication device and other devices or components.

[0081] In one possible design, the processor is used to communicate with other devices or components through the interface circuit.

[0082] In one possible design, the communication device may also include the memory.

[0083] The aforementioned communication device may be a terminal, a communication module in a terminal, or a chip in a terminal that is responsible for communication functions, such as a modem chip (also known as a baseband chip) or a SoC or SIP chip containing a modem module.

[0084] Ninthly, this application provides a communication device including an interface circuit and one or more processors. The one or more processors are coupled to a memory. The memory stores part or all of the computer program or instructions necessary to implement the functions described in the third aspect above. The one or more processors are executable to carry out the computer program or instructions, causing the communication device to implement the methods in any possible design or implementation of the third aspect above. The interface circuit is used to implement the communication functions within the communication device and / or the communication functions between the communication device and other devices or components.

[0085] In one possible design, the processor is used to communicate with other devices or components through the interface circuit.

[0086] In one possible design, the communication device may also include the memory.

[0087] The aforementioned communication device may be a network device (such as an access network device), or a module (such as a circuit, chip, or chip system) in a network device, or a logical node, logical module, or software that can realize all or part of the functions of a network device.

[0088] In a tenth aspect, this application provides a communication system that may include the means of the fourth or seventh aspect, as well as the means of the sixth or ninth aspect; or the communication system may include the means of the fifth or eighth aspect, as well as the means of the sixth or ninth aspect.

[0089] Eleventhly, this application provides a computer-readable storage medium storing computer-readable instructions, which, when read and executed by a computer, cause the computer to perform any of the possible designs in the first to third aspects described above.

[0090] In a twelfth aspect, this application provides a computer program product that, when read and executed by a computer, causes the computer to perform the methods in the first to third aspects or any one of the possible designs described above.

[0091] The technical effects that can be achieved by any of the fourth to twelfth aspects above, and any possible design of any of the aspects above, are described in the technical effects that can be achieved by the first to third aspects above, and will not be repeated here. Attached Figure Description

[0092] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a communication system applicable to an embodiment of this application;

[0093] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating another communication system applicable to the embodiments of this application;

[0094] Figure 3 shows the time-frequency resource structure occupied by SSB;

[0095] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of the time-domain resources occupied by SSB;

[0096] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of the time-domain shutdown of network devices;

[0097] Figure 6 is a schematic flowchart of a communication method provided in one embodiment of this application;

[0098] Figures 7 to 12 are schematic diagrams illustrating the time-frequency resources occupied by the first common signal according to the embodiments of this application;

[0099] Figure 13 is a schematic diagram illustrating a non-continuous bandwidth provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0100] Figure 14 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0101] Figure 15 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0102] Figure 16 is a schematic diagram of a detection process for a first common signal provided in an embodiment of this application. Detailed Implementation

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

[0104] The technical solutions provided in this application can be applied to various communication systems, including but not limited to: Long Term Evolution (LTE) systems, LTE Advanced (LTE-A) systems, fourth generation (4G) mobile communication systems, fifth generation (5G) mobile communication systems, new radio (NR) and future communication systems, etc., and this application does not impose any specific limitations on them.

[0105] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a communication system applicable to an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 1, the communication system 100 may include a radio access network (RAN) 110 and a core network (CN) 120. RAN 110 may include at least one RAN node (130a and 130b in Figure 1, collectively referred to as 130) and at least one terminal (140a-140j in Figure 1, collectively referred to as 140). RAN 110 may also include other RAN nodes, such as wireless relay devices and / or wireless backhaul devices (not shown in Figure 1). Terminal 140 can be wirelessly connected to RAN node 130. RAN node 130 can be wirelessly or wiredly connected to core network 120. The core network device in core network 120 and RAN node 130 in RAN 110 may be different physical devices, or they may be the same physical device integrating core network logical functions and radio access network logical functions. In some embodiments, the communication system 100 may also include the Internet 150.

[0106] RAN 110 can be a cellular system related to the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP), such as 4G, 5G mobile communication systems, or future-oriented evolution systems. RAN 110 can also be an open access network (O-RAN or ORAN), a cloud radio access network (CRAN), or a communication system that integrates two or more of the above systems.

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

[0108] In one 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, or a base station in a future mobile communication system. The RAN node can be a macro base station (as shown in Figure 1, 130a), a micro base station or indoor station (as shown in Figure 1, 130b), a relay node or donor node, or a radio controller in a CRAN scenario. All or part of the functions of the RAN node in this application can also be implemented through software functions running on hardware, or through virtualization functions instantiated on a platform (e.g., a cloud platform). The RAN node can also be equipped with communication modules, circuits, or chips that perform corresponding communication functions. The RAN node can also be configured with program instructions for performing corresponding communication functions and corresponding program instructions. The RAN node in this application can also be a logical node, logical module, or software capable of implementing all or part of the RAN node functions. In the embodiments of this application, the RAN node can also be described in different ways, such as a network device. Unless otherwise specified, the term "network device" will be used in this application. The network device in this application embodiment supports multiple RATs, or in other words, supports multiple RATs in common mode.

[0109] Terminal 140 can be a device or module that accesses the aforementioned communication system and has corresponding communication functions. A terminal can also be called a terminal device, user equipment (UE), mobile station, mobile terminal, etc. Terminals can be widely used in various scenarios, such as device-to-device (D2D), vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication, machine-type communication (MTC), Internet of Things (IoT), virtual reality, augmented reality, industrial control, autonomous driving, telemedicine, smart grids, smart furniture, smart offices, smart wearables, smart transportation, smart cities, etc. Terminals can be mobile phones, tablets, computers with wireless transceiver capabilities, wearable devices, vehicles, drones, helicopters, airplanes, ships, robots, robotic arms, smart home devices, transportation vehicles with wireless communication capabilities, communication modules, etc. The embodiments of this application do not limit the technology or specific device form used in the terminal. The terminal typically contains a communication module, circuit, or chip that performs the corresponding communication functions. The terminal can also be configured with program instructions for performing the corresponding communication functions. In this embodiment, the terminal can be a terminal supporting various 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; this application does not impose any restrictions on this.

[0110] Communication between network devices and terminals, between network devices, and between terminals can occur via licensed spectrum, unlicensed spectrum, or both simultaneously. The embodiments of this application do not limit the spectrum resources used for wireless communication. A network device can provide communication services to terminals within a cell. For example, a network device can send downlink information to a terminal, which can be control information or data information. A terminal can send uplink information to a network device.

[0111] In another possible scenario, multiple RAN nodes can collaborate to assist terminals in achieving wireless access, with different RAN nodes implementing specific functions of the network equipment. For example, RAN nodes can be central units (CUs), distributed units (DUs), CU-control plane (CPs), CU-user plane (UPs), or radio units (RUs), etc. CUs and DUs can be configured separately or included in the same network element, such as a baseband unit (BBU). RUs can be included in radio equipment or radio units, such as remote radio units (RRUs), active antenna units (AAUs), or remote radio heads (RRHs).

[0112] In different systems, CU (or CU-CP and CU-UP), DU, or RU may have different names, but those skilled in the art will understand their meaning. For example, in an ORAN system, CU can also be called an open CU (O-CU), DU can also be called an open DU (O-DU), CU-CP can also be called an open CU-CP (O-CU-CP), CU-UP can also be called an open CU-CP (O-CU-UP), and RU can also be called an open RU (O-RU). For ease of description, this application uses CU, CU-CP, CU-UP, DU, and RU as examples. Any of the units among CU (or CU-CP, CU-UP), DU, and RU in this application can be implemented through software modules, hardware modules, or a combination of software and hardware modules.

[0113] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating another communication system applicable to embodiments of this application. The communication system 200 shown in Figure 2 may include a core network 210, CU 220a, DU 220b, RU 220c, and antenna 230. CU 220a is a platform for performing upper-layer L2 and L3 functions, DU 220b is used to perform L1 and some L2 functions, and RU 220c is used to perform L1 calculations and radio frequency (RF) digital functions.

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

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

[0116] The CU 220a and DU 220b are typically implemented using a central processing unit (CPU) (e.g., a multi-core processor) and hardware accelerators. There can be one or more hardware accelerators. These accelerators can be field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), graphics processing units (GPUs), or others, without limitation. Parts of the DU 220b protocol stack can be implemented in software running on the multi-core processor, while computationally intensive L1 and L2 functions can be offloaded to the hardware accelerator; or all L1 functions can be offloaded to the hardware accelerator, while other protocol stack components are implemented in software running on the multi-core processor; or the entire protocol stack can be implemented in software running on the multi-core processor. The hardware accelerator supports connectivity to multi-core processors. The hardware accelerator has a multi-channel interface pointing to the CPU and can also be connected to external devices.

[0117] The RU 220c can be comprised of three parts: an ORAN processing unit (OPU), a digital processing unit (DPU), and an RF digital processing unit. The OPU receives common public radio interface (eCPRI) frames from the ORAN fronthaul and performs fronthaul interface operations, the lowest level L1 layer (coding, scrambling, modulation, layer mapping, precoding), synchronization, beamforming, and resource unit mapping. The OPU can be implemented as a CPU, FPGA, or application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC). The DPU performs digital downconversion (DDC), digital upconversion (DUC), channel failure ratio (CFR), and digital pre-distortion (DPD) in synchronization and uplink (UL) circuitry. It improves 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 ASIC. The RF processing unit may include transceiver modules, up / down converters, pre-amplifiers (PA), low-noise amplifiers (LNA), and transmit (Tx) / receive (Rx) filters. The transceiver module can perform all conversions between the analog and digital domains, such as digital-to-analog converters (DACs) and analog-to-digital converters (ADCs), RF sampling, and frequency conversion using a mix of RF, intermediate frequency (IF), and local oscillator (LO) during up-conversion and down-conversion. It should be noted that the physical and logical partitions within the RF processing unit do not require specific boundaries.

[0118] To facilitate understanding of the technical solutions provided in this application, the relevant concepts are explained below.

[0119] 1. Public signals

[0120] Common signals, also known as common reference signals or common signaling, can be understood as signals sent by one communication device to multiple communication devices or terminal groups, or signals not specifically sent to a particular communication device, or information that can be shared by multiple terminals or terminal groups within a cell, using the communication system shown in Figure 1 as an example. For instance, in an LTE system, common signals may include the primary synchronization signal (PSS), secondary synchronization signal (SSS), the master information block (MIB) carried by the physical broadcast channel (PBCH), and the system information block (SIB), etc. In an NR system, common signals may include synchronization signal blocks (SSBs) and SIBs, etc. SIBs may include one or more of SIB1, SIB2, SIB3, or SIBx. SIBx refers to other SIBs besides SIB1, SIB2, and SIB3, such as SIB4, SIB5, SIB6, etc.

[0121] 2. SSB

[0122] In 5G, the SSB includes the synchronization signal and the PBCH. The synchronization signal includes the PSS and SSS. The SSB is used to obtain the cell identity (cell ID), downlink timing, and necessary system messages (such as SIB1 and the time and frequency resources of the 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 during initial access, the terminal assumes that the network device sends SSBs at a period of 20 milliseconds (ms). That is, if the terminal sends an SSB in an SSB... REF On a given frequency, the terminal will wait a maximum of 20ms. If no SSB is detected within 20ms, the terminal will then wait for the next SSB. REF Continue detection at the determined frequency.

[0128] The time-domain resources occupied by an SSB are defined by the SSB pattern. Each SSB pattern specifies the time-domain resources of a set of consecutive SSBs within a period (e.g., a half-frame). As an example, Table 2 shows five SSB patterns defined by spectrum licensing. Each pattern includes the subcarrier space (SCS) of the SSB, the time-domain resources of the SSB, the number of SSBs, etc. The terminal can determine the time-domain location 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 first symbol out of the four 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 15kHz. When the carrier frequency is less than or equal to 3 GHz, a maximum of 4 SSBs can be included in one period. When the carrier frequency is greater than 3 GHz, a maximum of 8 SSBs can be included in one period. Other types are similar to case A and will not be elaborated here. Figure 4 shows a schematic diagram of the time-domain resources occupied by the SSB when the SSB format is case A and the frequency is less than or equal to 3 GHz. As shown in Figure 4, in this SSB format, one SSB burst contains 4 SSBs (shaded blocks in the figure), occupying two time slots (time slot 1 and time slot 2 in the figure), and each time slot contains 2 SSBs. The starting symbol indices of the SSBs contained in each time slot are 2 and 8, respectively. It should be understood that one time slot contains 14 OFDM symbols.

[0131] It's important to note that the number of SSBs shown in the SSB format is the maximum number of SSBs transmitted within a cycle, not the actual number of SSBs transmitted. For example, in case A, when the carrier frequency is less than or equal to 3 GHz, the maximum number of SSBs in a cycle is 4, corresponding to SSBs with indices 0, 1, 2, and 3. The network device can transmit 3 SSBs, for example, only the SSBs with indices 0, 2, and 3, and indicate which SSBs were transmitted in SIB1. Furthermore, the position of the SSB corresponding to each index must correspond one-to-one with the position given in the format. For example, in Figure 4, from left to right, the SSBs correspond to indices 0, 1, 2, and 3. That is, if the network device does not transmit the SSB with index 1, it means that no SSB was transmitted at the second SSB position from left to right in Figure 4. All SSBs within a cycle 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 used to carry SIB1 are indicated by downlink control information (DCI). The DCI corresponding to SIB1 is jointly determined by control resource set zero (CORESET0) and common search space zero (CSS0). The MIB carried in the PBCH of the SSB contains 4 bits of signaling indicating CORESET0 and 4 bits of signaling indicating CSS0, respectively indicating the frequency and time domain positions of the DCI for receiving and scheduling SIB1. For example, after detecting the SSB, the terminal retrieves the 4-bit signaling indicating CORESET0 and the 4-bit signaling indicating CSS0 from the MIB. SSB 4-bit signaling, based on CORESET0 and k SSB Determine the starting RB position of CORESET0, and then determine the frequency domain position of DCI. SSB This is used to indicate the distance between the starting subcarrier of the SSB and the reference RB. The method for determining the time-domain location of the DCI will not be elaborated upon here.

[0134] The technical problem to be solved by this application will be described below with reference to Figure 5.

[0135] As described in the background section, network devices can support various radio access technologies (RATs). RATs can include 3GPP access technologies such as LTE, NR, and future access technologies. In this embodiment, future access technologies are referred to as 6th generation (6G) access technologies. It should be understood that future access technologies can also be named in other ways, and this is not limited thereto. RAT can also be understood as a standard or network standard. Each RAT corresponds to an independent set of common signals, as in the aforementioned embodiments where LTE and NR each correspond to their own set of common signals. When the time-domain positions of the common signals corresponding to each RAT are different, the network device can only shut down when it does not transmit the common signal corresponding to any RAT, thus further reducing the opportunity for the network device to shut down and resulting in higher power consumption.

[0136] Figure 5 illustrates a time-domain shutdown diagram of a network device. The network device in Figure 5 supports both LTE and NR RATs. As shown in Figure 5, the common signals corresponding to LTE and NR are not aligned in the time domain. The PA of the network device can only be shut down when neither set of common signals is being transmitted, resulting in a low effective rate of time-domain shutdown, reduced shutdown opportunities, and higher power consumption. The common signal is the shaded area in Figure 5.

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

[0138] In view of this, this application provides a communication method and a communication apparatus to reduce the power consumption of network devices when they support multiple RATs. In the technical solution provided by this application, the multiple RATs supported by the network device can share a common signal, avoiding the need for the network device to send separate common signals for different RATs, thereby increasing the opportunity for the network device to shut down and reducing its power consumption. For example, when the network device simultaneously supports a first RAT and a second RAT, the network device can send a common signal, such as a first common signal, so that terminals of the first RAT can access the first RAT based on the first common signal, and terminals of the second RAT can access the second RAT based on the first common signal.

[0139] The communication method and communication device provided in the embodiments of this application will be described below with reference to Figures 6 to 16. It is understood that this application uses network devices and terminals as examples of the execution subjects in the interaction illustration, but this application does not limit the execution subjects of the interaction illustration. For example, the method executed by the network device in this application can also be implemented by modules (e.g., circuits, chips, or chip systems) in the network device, or by logical nodes, logical modules, or software that can implement all or part of the functions of the access network device; the method executed by the terminal in this application can also be implemented by the communication module in the terminal or by circuits or chips (such as modem chips (also known as baseband chips), or SoC chips containing modem modules, or SIP chips) in the terminal responsible for communication functions.

[0140] Figure 6 is a schematic flowchart of a communication method provided in one embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 6, the method may include steps S601 and S602.

[0141] S601, the network device sends a first common signal, which includes a first synchronization signal and first system information. The first common signal supports multiple RATs.

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

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

[0144] In this embodiment, the multiple RATs supported by the first common signal can be understood as 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. Specifically, 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 is the same as the synchronization signal corresponding to each RAT in the multiple RATs, such as each RAT's synchronization signal being the first synchronization signal, or multiple RATs sharing / commonly using the first synchronization signal, or the description of the first synchronization signal being the same under each RAT in the multiple RATs, or the synchronization signal corresponding to each RAT in the multiple RATs being included 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 RAT in the multiple RATs being included in the first system information.

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

[0146] As an example, when a network device supports both 5G and 6G, the first synchronization signal can be the synchronization signal corresponding to 5G. For example, the first PSS is the PSS in the SSB, and the first SSS is the SSS in the SSB. In this example, 5G and 6G share the first synchronization signal, meaning that the 5G terminal can detect the first synchronization signal to perform operations such as clock and frequency synchronization; the 6G terminal can also detect the first synchronization signal to perform operations such as clock and frequency synchronization. In this example, the synchronization signal corresponding to 6G can be the first PSS and / or the first SSS. For the 6G terminal, 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 both the first PSS and the first SSS, both the first PSS and the first SSS in the first synchronization signal can be detected by the 6G terminal. It should be noted that 6G terminals can perform clock and frequency synchronization operations based on the synchronization signals corresponding to 5G. This can be understood as using the 5G synchronization signals as the 6G synchronization signals, or in other words, the 6G synchronization signals are the same as the 5G synchronization signals, or the description of the first synchronization signal in 6G is the same as its description in 5G. No restrictions are placed on the specific implementation method for detecting the first synchronization signal. For example, the first synchronization signal can be detected based on the methods used to detect SSBs in existing communication systems. In this example, various RATs include 5G and 6G.

[0147] As an example, when a network device supports both 4G and 6G, the first synchronization signal can be the synchronization signal corresponding to 4G. For example, the first PSS is the PSS corresponding to 4G, and the first SSS is the SSS corresponding to 4G. In this example, 4G and 6G share the first synchronization signal; for details, please refer to the aforementioned description of 5G and 6G sharing the first synchronization signal, which will not be repeated here. In this example, various RATs include 4G and 6G.

[0148] As an example, when a network device supports both 4G and 5G, the first synchronization signal can be the synchronization signal corresponding to 4G. For example, the first PSS is the PSS corresponding to 4G, and the first SSS is the SSS corresponding to 4G. In this example, 4G and 5G share the first synchronization signal, meaning that 4G terminals can detect the first synchronization signal to perform operations such as clock and frequency synchronization; 5G terminals can also detect the first synchronization signal to perform operations such as clock and frequency synchronization. It should be noted that the 5G terminal performs clock and frequency synchronization 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 method for detecting the first synchronization signal is not limited here. For example, the first synchronization signal can be detected using the method for detecting the synchronization signal corresponding to 4G in existing communication systems. In this example, multiple RATs include 4G and 5G.

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

[0150] As an example, when a network device supports both 5G and 6G, 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 including the second system information corresponding to 5G within the first system information. In this example, 5G and 6G share the second system information. The third system information can be understood as system information unique to 6G. In this example, a 5G terminal can search for the second system information based on the synchronization signal. A 6G terminal can search for the first system information based on the synchronization signal.

[0151] As an example, when a network device supports both 5G and 6G, 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. If the first system information supports 5G, it can be understood that the first system information contains the second system information corresponding to 5G. If the first system information supports 6G, it can be understood 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, when a network device supports both 4G and 6G, the relevant descriptions of the first system information, the second system information, and the third system information can be found in the aforementioned description of network devices supporting both 5G and 6G, and will not be repeated here.

[0153] S602, the terminal sends first information, which 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 to the terminal. It should be understood that the first RAT can be understood as the 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 that supports the first RAT.

[0156] In one possible implementation, when network devices simultaneously support 5G and 6G, the time-domain resources occupied by the common signal corresponding to 6G can overlap with those occupied by the common signal corresponding to 5G, and / or, the frequency-domain resources occupied by the common signal corresponding to 6G can overlap with those occupied by the common signal corresponding to 5G. This reduces the detection complexity of the common signal corresponding to 6G and improves its detection capability. Overlap can include partial overlap and full overlap. Partial overlap can be understood as the occupied resources being partially the same. Full overlap can be understood as the occupied resources being entirely the same. It should be understood that the common signal corresponding to 6G includes the 6G synchronization signal and the 6G system information.

[0157] As an example, when a network device supports both 5G and 6G, the first synchronization signal can be the synchronization signal corresponding to 5G, such as the PSS and / or SSS in the SSB. In this case, the time-frequency resources occupied by the synchronization signal corresponding to 6G are the same as those occupied by the PSS and / or SSS in the 5G SSB, which will not be elaborated further here.

[0158] As an example, when a network device supports both 5G and 6G, the first system information, second system information, and third system information can be a MIB. The MIB can be carried through a PBCH. For ease of description and distinction, the first system information can be called the first MIB, and the PBCH carrying the first MIB can be called the first PBCH; the second system information can be called the second MIB, and the PBCH carrying the second MIB can be called the second PBCH; the third system information can be called the third MIB, and the PBCH carrying the third MIB can be called the third PBCH.

[0159] In this example, when the system information corresponding to 5G is the second MIB, the second MIB can be the MIB carried by the PBCH in the 5G SSB. The second PBCH can be understood as the PBCH in the 5G SSB. Therefore, the time-frequency resources occupied by the common signal corresponding to 5G are the same as those occupied by the 5G SSB. It should be understood that since the third MIB is system information unique to 6G, the third PBCH can be understood as a newly added PBCH specifically used to carry the third MIB. This allows the time-frequency resources occupied by the third MIB to overlap with those occupied by the 5G SSB, thus enabling the detection of the system information corresponding to 6G using existing SSB detection methods, reducing the complexity and power consumption of 6G system information detection. It should be understood that the time-frequency resources occupied by the third MIB are the same as those occupied by the third PBCH.

[0160] In some embodiments, the time-domain resources occupied by the third MIB may overlap with those occupied by the SSB. For example, the time-domain resources occupied by the third MIB may be the same as a portion of the time-domain resources occupied by the PBCH in the SSB. Alternatively, the time-domain resources occupied by the third MIB may be the same as those occupied by the PBCH in the SSB. Yet another example is that the time-domain resources occupied by the third MIB may be the same as those occupied by the SSB. Furthermore, the time-domain resources occupied by the third MIB may be the same as those 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 same as those occupied by the second PBCH, which is also 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 about the center frequency of the frequency domain resources occupied by the SSB. The center frequency of the frequency domain resources occupied by the SSB is shown in Table 1. REF A defined frequency point. In this example, the terminal can detect the third MIB based on the synchronization grid shown in Table 1, thereby reusing the detection process in the existing communication system and reducing the terminal's detection power consumption. Furthermore, since the synchronization signal corresponding to 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 6G. Therefore, making the frequency domain resources occupied by the third MIB symmetrical based on the center frequency point of the synchronization signal corresponding to 6G can improve the search flexibility of the first system information, facilitate cell search, improve the terminal's detection efficiency, and reduce the terminal's detection power consumption.

[0162] In some embodiments, the frequency domain resources occupied by the third MIB can overlap with those occupied by the SSB 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 resources occupied by the third MIB can belong to the frequency domain resources occupied by the SSB, or in other words, the frequency domain resources occupied by the third MIB can be within the bandwidth occupied by the SSB. Optionally, the time domain resources occupied by the third MIB can not overlap with those occupied by the SSB to reduce detection interference from the SSB. For example, the time domain resources occupied by the third MIB can be located before or after the time domain resources 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 two adjacent SSBs. The number of symbols between two adjacent SSBs is related to the SSB format. Taking Figure 4 as an example, when the SSB format is caseA, the third MIB can occupy symbols with indices 0, 1, 6, 7, 12, and 13 in time slots 1 and 2, for a total of 12 symbols. In other words, in this SSB format, the third MIB can occupy a maximum of 12 symbols. In some embodiments, the time-domain resources occupied by the third MIB can be adjacent to or continuous with the time-domain resources occupied by the SSB, thereby reducing the detection power consumption of the terminal. In some embodiments, the time-domain resources occupied by the third MIB can be continuous, thereby improving the detection capability of the third MIB.

[0163] In some embodiments, when the time-domain resources occupied by the third MIB are the same as those occupied by the SSB, a guard interval can be reserved between the frequency-domain resources occupied by the third MIB and those occupied by the SSB. No information is transmitted over this guard interval, thereby reducing SSB detection interference and improving SSB detection capability. For example, when the time-domain resources occupied by the third MIB are the same as those occupied by the PSS, a guard interval can be reserved between the frequency-domain resources occupied by the third MIB and those occupied by the PSS to reduce PSS detection interference. Optionally, the guard interval reserved between the frequency-domain resources occupied by the third MIB and those occupied by the PSS can be greater than the guard interval reserved between the frequency-domain resources occupied by the PBCH and those occupied by the SSS on the third symbol in the first symbol, to further improve PSS detection capability.

[0164] Figures 7 to 12 are schematic diagrams illustrating the time-frequency resources occupied by the first common signal provided in the embodiments of this application. The first common signal shown in Figures 7 to 12 is the common signal transmitted by the network device when it simultaneously supports 5G and 6G.

[0165] As shown in Figures 7 to 12, the first common signal includes a first synchronization signal (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 signal and PBCH1 can be understood as the 5G SSB.

[0166] In Figures 7 to 12, the frequency domain resources occupied by the third MIB are symmetrical to the center frequency of the frequency domain resources occupied by the SSB.

[0167] As shown in Figures 7 to 9, the third MIB comprises two parts: a first frequency domain resource and a second frequency domain resource. The first and second frequency domain resources are located on either side of the frequency domain resources occupied by the SSB, respectively. It can be seen that a guard interval is reserved between the first frequency domain resource and the frequency domain resources occupied by the SSB, and a guard interval is also reserved between the second frequency domain resource and the frequency domain resources occupied by the SSB.

[0168] In Figure 7, the time-domain resources occupied by the third MIB are the same as those occupied by PBCH1. As shown in Figure 7, the time-domain resources occupied by the third MIB are the second symbol in the first symbol set. The first symbol set includes the four symbols occupied by the SSB in the time domain. It should be understood that the time-domain resources occupied by the third MIB could also be the third or fourth symbol in the first symbol set; no specific restriction is made here. In Figure 8, the time-domain resources occupied by the third MIB are the same as those occupied by PBCH1. As shown in Figure 8, the time-domain resources occupied by the third MIB are the second to fourth symbols in the first symbol set. In Figure 9, the time-domain resources occupied by the third MIB are the same as those occupied by the SSB. As shown in Figure 9, the time-domain resources occupied by the third MIB are the first symbol.

[0169] As shown in Figure 10, the third MIB comprises two parts: a first frequency domain resource and a second frequency domain resource. The first and second frequency domain resources are located on either side of the frequency domain resources occupied by the PSS. The time domain resources occupied by the third MIB in Figure 10 are the same as those occupied by the PSS, i.e., the first symbol in the first symbol. It can be seen that there are guard intervals between the first and second frequency domain resources and the frequency domain resources occupied by the PSS, and both the first and second frequency domain resources belong to the frequency domain resources occupied by the SSB. It can also be seen that the guard interval reserved between the first and 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 on the third symbol in the first symbol and the frequency domain resources occupied by the SSS.

[0170] As shown in Figure 11, the frequency domain resources occupied by the third MIB belong to the frequency domain resources occupied by the SSB, and the time domain resources occupied by the third MIB are adjacent to those occupied by the SSB. The two SSBs included in Figure 11 can be referred to as an SSB burst set. It can be seen that the time domain resources occupied by the third MIB can be located before or after the time domain resources 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 resources occupied by the third MIB do not overlap with those occupied by each SSB.

[0171] As shown in Figure 12, the frequency domain resources occupied by the third MIB belong to the frequency domain resources occupied by the SSB, and some of the time domain resources occupied by the third MIB are the same as those occupied by the PSS. It can be seen that the third MIB includes a first part and a second part. The time domain resources occupied by the first part are adjacent to those occupied by the PSS, and the time domain resources occupied by the second part are the same as those occupied by the PSS. A guard interval exists between the frequency domain resources occupied by the second part and those occupied by the PSS.

[0172] This embodiment describes the time-frequency resources occupied by the public signal corresponding to 6G when the network device supports 5G and 6G. It should be understood that when the network device supports 4G and 6G, the time-frequency resources occupied by the public signal corresponding to 6G can be referred to the relevant descriptions when the network device supports 5G and 6G, and will not be repeated here.

[0173] In some embodiments, the first common signal may further include SIB.

[0174] In some embodiments, the first system information can be an SIB. For example, when the first system information supports both 5G and 6G, the second system information and / or the third system information can be an SIB, and this application does not impose any restrictions on this.

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

[0176] In one possible implementation, the network device can indicate to the terminal the RAT supported by the network device via a first common signal.

[0177] As an example, a network device can implicitly indicate the RAT it supports through a first common signal. For instance, 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, thus implicitly indicating that the network device supports 4G. Similarly, 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, thus implicitly indicating that the network device supports 5G.

[0178] As an example, the format of the first synchronization signal can implicitly indicate the RAT supported by the network device. For instance, if 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 in the protocol, including the format of the synchronization signal corresponding to the second RAT. This allows the terminal supporting the first RAT to detect the first synchronization signal and thus access the first RAT.

[0179] As an example, a network device can explicitly indicate the RAT it supports via a first common signal. For instance, the RAT supported by the network device can be indicated by information bits in the first system information. For example, the first system information may include or carry indication information used to indicate at least one RAT supported by the network device. It should be noted that when the network device simultaneously supports 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 it can indicate both the first and second RATs; no specific limitation is made here. For example, when the network device simultaneously supports 4G and 5G, the first synchronization signal can be the 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, it can determine that the network device also supports 5G based on the indication information in the first system information. This eliminates the need for the terminal to further detect the synchronization signal and system information corresponding to 5G, reducing the terminal's detection complexity and power consumption. Correspondingly, network devices can transmit only one set of common signals, thereby reducing the power consumption of network devices.

[0180] As an example, this indication information can be carried within the second system information and / or the third system information, without limitation. For instance, the indication information can be carried using reserved bits in the second and third system information. Reserved bits can be predefined by the protocol.

[0181] As an example, when the MIB is carried by the PBCH in the SSB where the second system information is 5G, the k can be indicated in the second system information. SSB The redundant bit state is used to indicate at least one RAT supported by the network device.

[0182] As an example, when the first common signal contains an SIB, the state of redundant bits in the SIB used to indicate the index of the SSB sent by the network device can indicate at least one RAT supported by the network device.

[0183] The following example, using a network device that simultaneously supports the first RAT and the second RAT, illustrates the differences between various RATs supported by a network device.

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

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

[0186] As an example, the first RAT and the second RAT can determine PCIs in different ways. For example, in 4G, the terminal can determine 504 PCIs using the PSS and SSS; in 5G, the terminal can determine 1008 PCIs using the PSS and SSS in the SSB. In one possible implementation, 2016 PCIs can be determined in 6G using the corresponding PSS, SSS, and indication information from 5G. The length of this indication information can be 1 bit. For example, the terminal can determine 1008 PCIs using the corresponding PSS and SSS from 5G, and combine this with the 1-bit indication information to determine 2016 PCIs. For example, when the indication information is 0, the corresponding PCI value in 6G is 0-1007; when the indication information is 1, the corresponding PCI value in 6G is 1008-2015. Similarly, when the indication information is 1, the corresponding PCI value in 6G is 0-1007; when the indication information is 0, the corresponding PCI value in 6G is 1008-2015.

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

[0188] Figure 13 is a schematic diagram illustrating a non-contiguous bandwidth provided in an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 13, the frequency domain resources that can be used for data transmission are non-contiguous and discrete. That is, the second RAT supports scheduling data on discrete frequency domain resources, and discrete frequency domain resources can constitute a cell of the second RAT. Correspondingly, the first RAT supports scheduling data on contiguous frequency domain resources, and contiguous frequency domain resources can constitute a cell of the first RAT.

[0189] In this embodiment, when the network device includes an RU and a DU, the RU and DU can execute the methods and steps executed by the network device in the aforementioned method embodiments. For example, during system startup or reconfiguration, the DU can transmit the transmission rules of the first common signal to the RU through the eCPRI interface. The transmission rules may include the time-frequency resource positions occupied by the first synchronization signal and the first system information in the first common signal, the encoding method used, etc. The eCPRI interface signaling involved is newly added signaling. The advantage of signaling that defines channel switching rules is that it facilitates the interconnection of DUs and RUs from different manufacturers, and products from the same manufacturer also facilitate the decoupling of the design between DUs and RUs. Correspondingly, the RU can receive the transmission rules of the first common signal transmitted through the eCPRI interface, allowing the DU and RU to agree on the transmission rules of the first common signal. Furthermore, the DU can decide whether to send the first synchronization signal and / or the first system information in the current processing cycle, and determine the first synchronization signal and / or the first system information to be sent in the next processing cycle. That is, the DU can decide whether to send the first synchronization signal and / or the first system information in each processing cycle, and allocate appropriate first synchronization signal and / or first system information for each processing cycle. The DU can notify the RU of the allocated first synchronization signal and / or first system information processing task via the eCPRI interface. Optionally, the notification frequency can be set according to actual needs and is not limited here. For example, the notification frequency can be in the millisecond range or in the second range. After receiving the task notification from the DU, the RU updates the channel configuration according to the signaling requirements and sends the first synchronization signal and / or first system information to the terminal. For example, the RU can map the first synchronization signal and / or first system information to the physical time-frequency resources specified by the DU and transmit it.

[0190] Figure 14 is a schematic diagram of a communication device provided in an embodiment of this application. The device 1400 shown in Figure 14 may include modules or units for implementing the terminal or network device corresponding to the method embodiment described above.

[0191] As shown in Figure 14, the device 1400 may include a communication unit 1410.

[0192] As an example, device 1400 can be used to implement the various steps / operations performed by the terminal in the method shown in FIG6. For example, communication unit 1410 can be used to implement the operations performed by the terminal in S601 and S602.

[0193] As an example, device 1400 can be used to implement the various steps / operations performed by the network device in the method shown in FIG6. For example, communication unit 1410 can be used to implement the operations performed by the network device in S601 and S602.

[0194] Optionally, the device 1400 may further include a storage unit 1420 and a processing unit 1430. The storage unit 1420 may be used to store device program code and / or data. The processing unit 1430 may be used to control the device 1400 to transmit data via the communication unit 1410.

[0195] Figure 15 is a schematic diagram of a communication device provided in an embodiment of this application. The device 1500 shown in Figure 15 can be used to implement the steps or operations performed by a terminal or network device in the aforementioned method embodiments. The device 1500 can be a chip system, or a system configured with chips. In the embodiments of this application, the chip system can be composed of chips, or it can include chips and other discrete devices.

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

[0197] As shown in Figure 15, device 1500 can be implemented using a processing system 1510 including one or more processors. The processors may include microprocessors, microcontrollers, digital signal processors (DSPs), FPGAs, GPUs, programmable logic devices (PLDs), state machines, gated logic, discrete hardware circuits, and other suitable hardware configured to various functions. In other words, the processors used in device 1500 can be used to implement the communication methods shown in the foregoing embodiments.

[0198] Processing system 1510 can be implemented using a bus architecture, typically represented by bus 1520. Bus 1520 may include any number of interconnect buses and bridges, depending on the specific application and overall design constraints of processing system 1510. The bus communicatively couples various circuits together, including one or more processors (typically represented by a processor), memory 1530, and computer-readable media 1540. Processing system 1510 may contain at least one processor. The number of computer-readable media 1540 may be one or more. Bus 1520 may also link various other circuits, such as timing sources, peripherals, voltage regulators, and power management circuits, which are well known in the art and will not be described further. Bus interface 1550 provides an interface between bus 1520 and transceivers (not shown) and between bus 1520 and other interfaces. Bus interface 1520 may use, but is not limited to, transceivers to enable communication between device 1500 and other devices or apparatuses.

[0199] A transceiver provides a communication interface or means for communicating with various other devices via a wireless transmission medium. The transceiver may be coupled to an antenna array, and the transceiver and antenna array may be used together for communication with a corresponding network type. At least one interface (e.g., a network interface and / or a terminal interface) provides a communication interface or means for communication via an internal bus or via an external transmission medium.

[0200] The processor is responsible for managing the bus 1520 and general processing, including executing software stored on the computer-readable medium 1540. When the processor executes the software, the software causes the processing system 1510 to perform the various functions described below for any particular device.

[0201] The processor, memory 1530, and computer-readable medium 1540 can perform the following functions: encoding, decoding, rate matching, rate dematching, scrambling, descrambling, modulation, demodulation, layer mapping, fast fourier transform (FFT), inverse fast fourier transform (IFFT), inverse discrete fourier transform (IDFT), precoding, decapping, channel equalization, decapping, digital beamforming (BF), adding cyclic prefix (CP), removing CP, etc.

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

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

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

[0205] In the embodiments of this application, "sending information to a device (such as a terminal)" or the relevant illustrations in the accompanying drawings can be understood as the destination of the information being the terminal. This can include sending information directly or indirectly to the terminal. "Receiving information from a device (such as a terminal)," "receiving information from a device (such as a terminal)," or "receiving information sent by a device (such as a terminal)," or the relevant illustrations in the accompanying drawings, can be understood as the source of the information being the terminal. This can include receiving information directly or indirectly from the terminal. Information may undergo necessary processing between the source and destination, such as format changes, but the destination can understand the valid information from the source. Similar expressions in this application can be understood in a similar way, and will not be repeated here.

[0206] The terms "system" and "network" in this application embodiment are used interchangeably. "At least one" refers to one or more, and "multiple" refers to two or more. "And / or" describes the relationship between related objects, indicating that three relationships can exist. For example, A and / or B can represent: A alone, A and B simultaneously, or B alone, where A and B can be singular or plural. The character " / " generally indicates that the preceding and following related objects are in an "or" relationship. "At least one of the following" or similar expressions refer to any combination of these items, including any combination of single or plural items. For example, "at least one of A, B, or C" includes A, B, C, AB, AC, BC, or ABC; "at least one of A, B, and C" can also be understood as including A, B, C, AB, AC, BC, or ABC. Furthermore, unless otherwise specified, the ordinal numbers such as "first" and "second" mentioned in this application embodiment are used to distinguish multiple objects and are not used to limit the order, sequence, priority, or importance of multiple objects.

[0207] Those skilled in the art will understand that embodiments of this application can be provided as methods, systems, or computer program products. Therefore, this application can take the form of a completely hardware embodiment, a completely software embodiment, or an embodiment combining software and hardware aspects. Furthermore, this application can take the form of a computer program product embodied on one or more computer-usable storage media (including, but not limited to, disk storage, optical storage, etc.) containing computer-usable program code.

[0208] This application is described with reference to flowchart illustrations and / or block diagrams of methods, apparatus (systems), and computer program products according to this application. It should be understood that each block of the flowchart illustrations and / or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in the flowchart illustrations and / or block diagrams, can be implemented by computer program instructions. These computer program instructions can be provided to a processor of a general-purpose computer, special-purpose computer, embedded processor, or other programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, such that the instructions, which execute via the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing apparatus, create means for implementing the functions specified in one or more blocks of the flowchart illustrations and / or one or more blocks of the block diagrams.

[0209] These computer program instructions may also be stored in a computer-readable storage medium that can direct a computer or other programmable data processing device to function in a particular manner, such that the instructions stored in the computer-readable storage medium produce an article of manufacture including instruction means that implement the functions specified in one or more flowcharts and / or one or more block diagrams.

[0210] These computer program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer or other programmable data processing apparatus to cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer or other programmable apparatus to produce a computer-implemented process, such that the instructions, which execute on the computer or other programmable apparatus, provide steps for implementing the functions specified in one or more flowcharts and / or one or more block diagrams.

[0211] Obviously, those skilled in the art can make various modifications and variations to this application without departing from the scope of this application. Therefore, if such modifications and variations fall within the scope of the claims of this application and their equivalents, this application also intends to include such modifications and variations.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that, The method is applied to a terminal, and the method includes: Receive a first common signal, the first common signal including a first synchronization signal and a first system information, the first synchronization signal supports multiple wireless access technologies (RAT), the first system information supports a first RAT, and the first RAT belongs to the multiple RATs; Send a first message, which is used to request access to the first RAT.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The multiple RATs also include a second RAT, which corresponds to a second common signal. The second common signal includes the first synchronization signal and second system information, and the second system information supports the second RAT.

3. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that, The frequency domain resources occupied by the first system information are symmetrical about the center frequency of the frequency domain resources occupied by the first synchronization signal.

4. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that, The frequency domain resources occupied by the first 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 on both sides of the frequency domain resources occupied by the second common signal, and the time domain resources occupied by the first system information overlap with the time domain resources occupied by the second common signal.

5. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that, The time-domain resources occupied by the first system information overlap with the time-domain resources occupied by the second common signal, including any of the following: The time-domain resources occupied by the first system information are the same as those occupied by the second common signal; or The time-domain resources occupied by the first system information are the same as those occupied by the second system information; or The time domain resources occupied by the first system information are the same as those occupied by the second system information.

6. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that, The frequency domain resources occupied by the first 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 on both sides of the frequency domain resources occupied by the first synchronization signal, and the time domain resources occupied by the first system information overlap with the time domain resources occupied by the first synchronization signal.

7. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that, There is a protection interval between the first frequency domain resource and the frequency domain resource occupied by the first synchronization signal, and there is a protection 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 resources occupied by the first system information belong to the frequency domain resources occupied by the second common signal.

9. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that, The frequency domain resources occupied by the first system information belong to the frequency domain resources occupied by the second common signal, and the time domain resources occupied by the first system information do not overlap with the time domain resources occupied by the second common signal.

10. A communication method, characterized in that, The method is applied to a terminal, and the method includes: Receive a first common signal, the first common signal including a first synchronization signal and first system information, the first common signal supporting multiple wireless access technologies (RAT); Send a first message, which is used to request access to a first RAT, and the first RAT belongs to the multiple RATs.

11. A communication method, characterized in that, The method is applied to a network device, and the method includes: Send a first public signal, the first public signal including a first synchronization signal and first system information, the first public signal supporting multiple wireless access technologies (RAT); Receive first information, the first information being used to request access to a first RAT, the first RAT belonging to the multiple RATs.

12. The method according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that, The multiple RATs also include a second RAT, which corresponds to a second common signal. The second common signal includes the first synchronization signal and the second system information. The second system information supports the second RAT and belongs to the first system information.

13. The method according to claim 12, characterized in that, The frequency domain resources occupied by the first system information are symmetrical about the center frequency of the frequency domain resources occupied by the first synchronization signal.

14. The method according to claim 13, characterized in that, The first system information also includes third system information. The 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 on both sides of the frequency domain resources occupied by the second common signal. The time domain resources occupied by the third system information overlap with the time domain resources occupied by the second common signal.

15. The method according to claim 14, characterized in that, The time-domain resources occupied by the third system information overlap with the time-domain resources occupied by the second public signal, including any one of the following: The time-domain resources occupied by the third system information are the same as those occupied by the second public signal; or The time-domain resources occupied by the third system information are the same as those occupied by the second system information; or The time domain resources occupied by the third system information are the same as those occupied by the second system information.

16. The method according to claim 13, characterized in that, The first system information also includes third system information. The 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 on both sides of the frequency domain resources occupied by the first synchronization signal, and the time domain resources occupied by the third system information overlap with the time domain resources occupied by the first synchronization signal.

17. The method according to claim 16, characterized in that, There is a protection interval between the first frequency domain resource and the frequency domain resource occupied by the first synchronization signal, and there is a protection interval between the second frequency domain resource and the frequency domain resource occupied by the first synchronization signal.

18. The method according to claim 16 or 17, characterized in that, The frequency domain resources occupied by the third system information belong to the frequency domain resources occupied by the second common signal.

19. The method according to claim 13, characterized in that, The first system information also includes third system information, wherein the frequency domain resources occupied by the third system information belong to the frequency domain resources occupied by the second common signal, and the time domain resources occupied by the third system information do not overlap with the time domain resources occupied by the second common signal.

20. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 19, characterized in that, The first common signal is also used to indicate the first RAT.

21. The method according to claim 20, characterized in that, The first RAT indicates at least one of the following: the format of the first synchronization signal, or the information bits in the first system information.

22. A communication device, characterized in that, It includes various functional modules for implementing the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 21.

23. A communication device, characterized in that, include: A processor coupled to a memory for storing a computer program, which, when invoked by the processor, causes the apparatus to perform the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 21.

24. A computer-readable medium, characterized in that, The computer-readable medium stores instructions that, when executed, implement the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 21.

25. A computer program product, characterized in that, It includes computer program code that, when run on a computer, causes the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 21 to be implemented.

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