System information design method and apparatus

Abstract

A system information design method. The method comprises: a terminal device in a non-connected state receiving a first system information block from a network device, wherein the first system information block comprises first information, and the first information indicates a portion of all SSBs / SSB groups within the coverage range of the network device; and the terminal device in the non-connected state measuring said portion of SSBs / SSB groups and determining an SSB used for accessing the network device. The method effectively reduces measurement overheads caused by a terminal device in a non-connected state continuously measuring all SSBs sent by a network device in a cell, effectively reduces measurement overheads used for beam management, and improves the energy-saving effect.

Description

A system message design method and apparatus Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of communication technology, and in particular to a system message design method and apparatus. Background Technology

[0002] NTN networks refer to networks that utilize radio frequency resources on satellites (or unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) platforms, high altitude platform stations (HAPS), etc.). Compared to terrestrial cellular networks (such as 5G mobile communication systems), NTN networks offer wider coverage, lower latency, broadband speeds, and lower costs. In contrast, satellite communication systems offer significantly wider coverage areas, greater transmission loss, and faster mobility compared to terrestrial communication systems.

[0003] For beam management in NTN scenarios, the network side currently can only configure the synchronization signal and physical broadcast channel (PBCH) block (SSB) indexes for all transmitted beam directions through the cell-level system information block 1 (SIB1). This means that the disconnected terminal equipment (DTE) continuously measures all transmitted SSBs within the cell. However, in reality, the DTE can only receive a small number of SSB signals from its current location and surrounding areas, resulting in significant measurement overhead. Furthermore, the DTE cannot enter a power-saving sleep mode, leading to high power consumption. Therefore, reducing the measurement overhead of DTE for beam management is a pressing issue that needs to be addressed. Summary of the Invention

[0004] In a first aspect, embodiments of this application provide 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-a-chip (SoC) chip or system-in-package (SIP) chip containing a modem core) responsible for communication functions within the terminal. Taking the application of this method to a terminal as an example, in this method, a non-connected terminal device receives a first system message block from a network device; the first system message block includes first information, which is used to indicate at least one first SSB, wherein the at least one first SSB is a subset of all SSBs within the coverage area of ​​the network device; the non-connected terminal device measures the at least one first SSB during a first period to obtain a first measurement result of the at least one first SSB; the non-connected terminal device determines a second SSB based on the first measurement result, wherein the at least one first SSB includes the second SSB. The aforementioned disconnected state can be understood as a state where no RRC connection has been established between the terminal device and the network device; this disconnected state can also be understood as a generalized, unspecified state of the terminal device, meaning that in this specific state, no RRC connection has been established between the terminal device and the network device, but some access layer resources have been obtained, such as the terminal device obtaining an access layer identifier allocated to it by the network device; this disconnected state can also be understood as a state where there are no dedicated data transmission resources for the terminal device between the terminal device and the network device; this disconnected state can also be understood as a state where data transmission has occurred between the terminal device and the network device, but has not occurred for a long time (e.g., tens of minutes, hours, or even days). This disconnected state can also be called the IDLE state or the INACTIVE state. The aforementioned first information can be information newly added to the aforementioned first system message block, or it can be a variation of information already existing in the first system message block; this application does not limit this. The aforementioned first information indicating at least one first SSB can be understood as indicating the index of at least one first SSB. Referring to the specific embodiment (III) of this application and the description in FIG4C, the aforementioned first information indicating at least one first SSB can also be understood as indicating the index of the SSB beam corresponding to the at least one first SSB, or it can be understood as indicating the index of the wave position corresponding to the at least one first SSB. This application does not limit this. The aforementioned first period can be understood as the measurement period for the non-connected terminal device to measure the SSB. It can be understood that after receiving the aforementioned first information, the non-connected terminal device performs beam measurement on the at least one first SSB indicated by the first information, and obtains the beam measurement result of the at least one first SSB, i.e., the aforementioned first measurement result.The first measurement result may include the reference signal received power (RSRP) of each of the at least one first SSB, and may also include the beam level of each of the at least one first SSB. This application does not limit the content of the first measurement result. The second SSB can be understood as the SSB used by the non-connected terminal device to access the network device.

[0005] Using the above method, the connectionless terminal device receives a first system message block from the network device. This first system message block contains first information indicating a subset of all SSBs within the network device's coverage area. The connectionless terminal device measures this subset of SSBs and determines the SSB used by the access network device, i.e., the second SSB. This method effectively reduces the measurement overhead caused by the connectionless terminal device continuously measuring all SSBs sent by the network device within the cell, effectively reducing measurement overhead for beam management and improving energy efficiency.

[0006] In conjunction with the first aspect, in certain embodiments of the first aspect, the non-connected terminal device measures the at least one first SSB during a second periodic time interval to obtain a second measurement result for the at least one first SSB. The second periodic time interval is a periodic time interval following the first periodic time interval. Based on the second measurement result, the non-connected terminal device determines a third SSB, where the at least one first SSB includes the third SSB. If the second SSB and the third SSB are different, the non-connected terminal device re-searches for the first system message block. The second periodic time interval can be understood as the measurement period during which the non-connected terminal device measures the SSB. The second periodic time interval and the first periodic time interval can be continuous periodic time intervals in the time domain or discontinuous periodic time intervals in the time domain; this application does not limit this. It can be understood that after receiving the first information, the non-connected terminal device performs beam measurement on the at least one first SSB indicated by the first information to obtain the beam measurement result of the at least one first SSB, i.e., the second measurement result. The second measurement result may include the RSRP of each of the at least one first SSB, or the beam level of each of the at least one first SSB. This application does not limit the content of the second measurement result. The third SSB can be understood as the SSB used by the non-connected terminal device to access the network device. The difference between the second SSB and the third SSB can be understood as the index of the second SSB being different from the index of the third SSB, or the beam position index corresponding to the second SSB being different from the beam position index corresponding to the third SSB. This application does not limit the method by which the non-connected terminal device determines the difference between the second SSB and the third SSB.

[0007] In conjunction with the first aspect, in some embodiments of the first aspect, the aforementioned first system message block further includes second information, which is used to indicate the first cycle number N and the first beam level, where N is a positive integer. Method 600 further includes: a non-connected terminal device measuring a fourth SSB within at least N third cycle time periods to obtain N third measurement results for the fourth SSB, wherein the at least one first SSB includes the fourth SSB, the third measurement results include the measurement beam level of the fourth SSB, and the measurement beam level is greater than or equal to the first beam level; and determining a second beam level for the fourth SSB based on the N third measurement results. The second information may be newly added information in the aforementioned first system message block, or it may be a variation of information already existing in the first system message block; this application does not limit this. The aforementioned third cycle time period can be understood as the measurement cycle during which the non-connected terminal device measures the fourth SSB. Based on the above N third measurement results, the second beam level of the fourth SSB is determined. The second beam level can be obtained by averaging the measured beam levels of the N fourth beams in the above N third measurement results, or it can be obtained in other ways. This application does not limit this.

[0008] The above method can avoid the ping-pong phenomenon of non-connected terminal devices frequently re-searching for the first system message block due to changes in beam gain and channel level.

[0009] In conjunction with the first aspect, in some embodiments of the first aspect, the aforementioned first system message block is SIB1.

[0010] Secondly, embodiments of this application provide a communication method that can be applied to a network device, such as a network device or a communication module within a network device, or a circuit or chip (such as a modem chip, also known as a baseband chip, or a system-on-a-chip (SoC) chip containing a modem core, or a system-in-package (SIP) chip) responsible for communication functions within a network device. Taking the application of this method to a network device as an example, in this method, the network device determines a first system message block, the first system message block including first information, the first information being used to indicate at least one first synchronization signal and a physical broadcast channel block (SSB), the at least one first SSB being a portion of all SSBs within the coverage area of ​​the network device; and sends the first system message block to a non-connected terminal device. The aforementioned disconnected state can be understood as a state where no RRC connection has been established between the terminal device and the network device; this disconnected state can also be understood as a generalized, unspecified state of the terminal device, meaning that in this specific state, no RRC connection has been established between the terminal device and the network device, but some access layer resources have been obtained, such as the terminal device obtaining an access layer identifier allocated to it by the network device; this disconnected state can also be understood as a state where there are no dedicated data transmission resources for the terminal device between the terminal device and the network device; this disconnected state can also be understood as a state where data transmission has occurred between the terminal device and the network device, but has not occurred for a long time (e.g., tens of minutes, hours, or even days). This disconnected state can also be called the IDLE state or the INACTIVE state. The aforementioned first information can be information newly added to the aforementioned first system message block, or it can be a variation of information already existing in the first system message block; this application does not limit this. The aforementioned first information used to indicate at least one first SSB can be understood as indicating the index of at least one first SSB. Referring to the specific embodiments (III) of this application and the description in FIG4C, the aforementioned first information used to indicate at least one first SSB can also be understood as indicating the index of the SSB beam corresponding to the at least one first SSB, or it can also be understood as indicating the index of the wave position corresponding to the at least one first SSB. This application does not limit this.

[0011] Using the above method, the connectionless terminal device receives a first system message block from the network device. This first system message block contains first information indicating a subset of all SSBs within the network device's coverage area. The connectionless terminal device measures this subset of SSBs and determines the SSB used by the access network device, i.e., the second SSB. This method effectively reduces the measurement overhead caused by the connectionless terminal device continuously measuring all SSBs sent by the network device within the cell, effectively reducing measurement overhead for beam management and improving energy efficiency.

[0012] In conjunction with the second aspect, in some embodiments of the second aspect, the first system message block further includes second information, which is used to indicate the first cycle number N and the first beam level, where N is a positive integer.

[0013] In conjunction with the second aspect, in some embodiments of the second aspect, the aforementioned first system message block is SIB1.

[0014] Thirdly, embodiments of this application provide 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 in the terminal responsible for communication functions (such as a modem chip, also known as a baseband chip, or a system-on-a-chip (SoC) chip containing a modem core, or a system-in-package (SoC) chip). Taking a terminal as an example, the non-connected terminal device receives the first system message block from a network device. The first system message block includes first information indicating at least one first SSB group. The at least one first SSB group is a subset of all SSB groups within the coverage area of ​​the network device. One of the at least one first SSB groups includes at least one SSB. The non-connected terminal device measures the SSBs included in the at least one first SSB group during a first period to obtain a first measurement result of the SSBs included in the at least one first SSB group. Based on the first measurement result, the non-connected terminal device determines a first SSB. The at least one first SSB group includes a second SSB group, and the second SSB group includes the first SSB. The aforementioned disconnected state can be understood as a state where no RRC connection has been established between the terminal device and the network device; this disconnected state can also be understood as a generalized, unspecified state of the terminal device, i.e., in this specific state, no RRC connection has been established between the terminal device and the network device, but some access layer resources have been obtained, such as the terminal device obtaining an access layer identifier allocated to it by the network device; this disconnected state can also be understood as a state where there are no dedicated data transmission resources for the terminal device between the terminal device and the network device; this disconnected state can also be understood as a state where data transmission has occurred between the terminal device and the network device, but has not occurred for a long time (e.g., tens of minutes, hours, or even days). This disconnected state can also be called the IDLE state or the INACTIVE state. The aforementioned first information can be information newly added to the aforementioned first system message block, or it can be a variation of information already existing in the aforementioned first system message block, and this application does not limit it. The aforementioned first information used to indicate at least one first SSB group can be understood as the first information indicating the index of at least one first SSB group, or it can be understood as the first information indicating the index of all SSBs included in at least one first SSB group.Referring to the specific embodiments (III) of this application and the description in FIG4C, the aforementioned first information used to indicate at least one first SSB group can also be understood as indicating the index of the SSB beam corresponding to all SSBs included in the at least one first SSB, and can also be understood as indicating the index of the wave position corresponding to all SSBs included in the at least one first SSB group. This application does not limit this. The aforementioned first period can be understood as the measurement period for the non-connected terminal device to measure the SSB. It can be understood that after receiving the aforementioned first information, the non-connected terminal device performs beam measurement on the SSBs included in the at least one first SSB group indicated by the first information, and obtains the beam measurement result of the SSBs included in the at least one first SSB group, i.e., the aforementioned first measurement result. The first measurement result may include the reference signal received power (RSRP) of each SSB in the at least one first SSB group, and may also include the beam level of each SSB in the at least one first SSB group. This application does not limit the content included in the first measurement result. The first SSB can be understood as the SSB used by non-connected terminal devices to access network devices.

[0015] Using the above method, the connectionless terminal device receives a first system message block from the network device. This first system message block contains first information indicating a subset of SSB groups within the network device's coverage area. The connectionless terminal device measures the SSBs included in this subset of SSB groups and determines the SSB used by the access network device, i.e., the first SSB. This method effectively reduces the measurement overhead caused by the connectionless terminal device continuously measuring all SSBs sent by the network device within the cell, effectively reducing measurement overhead for beam management and improving energy efficiency.

[0016] In conjunction with the third aspect, in certain embodiments of the third aspect, the non-connected terminal device measures the SSBs included in the at least one first SSB group during a second periodic time interval, obtaining a second measurement result for the SSBs included in the at least one first SSB group. The second periodic time interval is a periodic time interval following the first periodic time interval. Based on the second measurement result, the non-connected terminal device determines a second SSB. The at least one first SSB group includes a third SSB group, and the third SSB group includes the second SSB. If the second SSB group and the third SSB group are different, the non-connected terminal device re-searches the first system message block. The second periodic time interval can be understood as the measurement period for the non-connected terminal device to measure the SSBs. The second periodic time interval and the first periodic time interval can be continuous periodic time intervals in the time domain or discontinuous periodic time intervals in the time domain; this application does not limit this. It can be understood that after receiving the first information, the non-connected terminal device performs beam measurement on the SSBs included in the at least one first SSB group indicated by the first information, obtaining the beam measurement result of the SSBs included in the at least one first SSB group, i.e., the second measurement result. The second measurement result may include the RSRP of each SSB in the at least one first SSB group, and may also include the beam level of each SSB in the at least one first SSB group. This application does not limit the content of the second measurement result. The second SSB can be understood as the SSB used by the non-connected terminal device to access the network device. The difference between the second SSB group and the third SSB group can be understood as the index of the second SSB group being different from the index of the third SSB group, or it can be understood as the beam position group index corresponding to the second SSB group being different from the beam position group index corresponding to the third SSB group. This application does not limit the method by which the non-connected terminal device determines the difference between the second SSB group and the third SSB group.

[0017] In conjunction with the third aspect, in some embodiments of the third aspect, the aforementioned first system message block further includes second information, which is used to indicate the first cycle number N and the first beam level, where N is a positive integer. Method 700 further includes: a non-connected terminal device measuring a third SSB within at least N third cycle time periods to obtain N third measurement results for the third SSB, wherein the at least one first SSB group includes a fourth SSB group, the fourth SSB group includes the third SSB, and the third measurement results include the measurement beam level of the third SSB, the measurement beam level being greater than or equal to the first beam level; and determining the second beam level of the third SSB based on the N third measurement results. The second information may be newly added information in the aforementioned first system message block, or it may be a variation of information already existing in the first system message block; this application does not limit this. The aforementioned third cycle time period can be understood as the measurement cycle during which the non-connected terminal device measures the third SSB. Based on the above N third measurement results, the second beam level of the third SSB is determined. The second beam level can be obtained by averaging the measured beam levels of the N third beams in the above N third measurement results, or it can be obtained in other ways. This application does not limit this.

[0018] The above method can avoid the ping-pong phenomenon of non-connected terminal devices frequently re-searching for the first system message block due to changes in beam gain and channel level.

[0019] In conjunction with the third aspect, in some embodiments of the third aspect, the aforementioned first system message block is SIB1.

[0020] Fourthly, embodiments of this application provide a communication method that can be applied to a network device, such as a network device or a communication module within a network device, or a circuit or chip (such as a modem chip, also known as a baseband chip, or a system-on-a-chip (SoC) chip containing a modem core, or a system-in-package (SIP) chip) responsible for communication functions within a network device. Taking the application of this method to a network device as an example, in this method, the network device determines a first system message block, the first system message block including first information, the first information being used to indicate at least one first synchronization signal and physical broadcast channel block (SSB) group, the at least one first SSB group being a portion of all SSB groups within the coverage area of ​​the network device, one of the at least one first SSB groups including at least one SSB, and one of the SSB groups within the coverage area of ​​the network device including at least one SSB; and sends the first system message block to a non-connected terminal device. The aforementioned disconnected state can be understood as a state where no RRC connection has been established between the terminal device and the network device; this disconnected state can also be understood as a generalized, unspecified state of the terminal device, i.e., in this specific state, no RRC connection has been established between the terminal device and the network device, but some access layer resources have been obtained, such as the terminal device obtaining an access layer identifier allocated to it by the network device; this disconnected state can also be understood as a state where there are no dedicated data transmission resources for the terminal device between the terminal device and the network device; this disconnected state can also be understood as a state where data transmission has occurred between the terminal device and the network device, but has not occurred for a long time (e.g., tens of minutes, hours, or even days). This disconnected state can also be called the IDLE state or the INACTIVE state. The aforementioned first information can be information newly added to the aforementioned first system message block, or it can be a variation of information already existing in the aforementioned first system message block, and this application does not limit it. The aforementioned first information used to indicate at least one first SSB group can be understood as the first information indicating the index of at least one first SSB group, or it can be understood as the first information indicating the index of all SSBs included in at least one first SSB group. Referring to the specific implementation (III) of this application and the description in FIG4C, the first information used to indicate at least one first SSB group can also be understood as the first information indicating the index of the SSB beam corresponding to all SSBs included in the at least one first SSB, and can also be understood as the first information indicating the index of the wave position corresponding to all SSBs included in the at least one first SSB group, which is not limited in this application.

[0021] Using the above method, the connectionless terminal device receives a first system message block from the network device. This first system message block contains first information indicating a subset of SSB groups within the network device's coverage area. The connectionless terminal device measures the SSBs included in this subset of SSB groups and determines the SSB used by the access network device, i.e., the first SSB. This method effectively reduces the measurement overhead caused by the connectionless terminal device continuously measuring all SSBs sent by the network device within the cell, effectively reducing measurement overhead for beam management and improving energy efficiency.

[0022] In conjunction with the fourth aspect, in some embodiments of the fourth aspect, the first system message block further includes second information, which is used to indicate the first cycle number N and the first beam level, where N is a positive integer.

[0023] In conjunction with the fourth aspect, in some embodiments of the fourth aspect, the aforementioned first system message block is SIB1.

[0024] Fifthly, embodiments of this application provide an apparatus capable of implementing the methods described in the first aspect, the third aspect, any possible implementation of the first aspect, or any possible implementation of the third aspect. The apparatus includes corresponding units or modules for performing the described methods. The units or modules included in the apparatus can be implemented in software and / or hardware. The apparatus can be, for example, a terminal, a chip, chip system, or processor supporting the implementation of the described methods in a terminal, or a logic node, logic module, or software capable of implementing all or part of the terminal's functions.

[0025] Sixthly, embodiments of this application provide an apparatus capable of implementing the methods described in the second aspect, the fourth aspect, any possible implementation of the second aspect, or any possible implementation of the fourth aspect. The apparatus includes corresponding units or modules for performing the described methods. The units or modules included in the apparatus can be implemented in software and / or hardware. The apparatus can be, for example, satellite equipment, or a chip, chip system, or processor that supports the satellite equipment in implementing the described methods, or a logic node, logic module, or software capable of implementing all or part of the functions of the satellite equipment.

[0026] In a seventh aspect, embodiments of this application provide an apparatus comprising: a processor coupled to a memory for storing instructions, wherein when the instructions are executed by the processor, the apparatus implements the methods described in the first aspect, the third aspect, any possible implementation of the first aspect, or any possible implementation of the third aspect.

[0027] Eighthly, embodiments of this application provide an apparatus comprising: a processor coupled to a memory for storing instructions, wherein when the instructions are executed by the processor, the apparatus implements the methods described in the second aspect, the fourth aspect, any possible implementation of the second aspect, or any possible implementation of the fourth aspect.

[0028] Ninthly, embodiments of this application provide a computer-readable storage medium having instructions stored thereon, which, when executed, cause a computer to perform the methods described in the first aspect, the third aspect, any possible implementation of the first aspect, or any possible implementation of the third aspect.

[0029] In a tenth aspect, embodiments of this application provide a computer-readable storage medium having instructions stored thereon, which, when executed, cause a computer to perform the methods described in the second aspect, the fourth aspect, any possible implementation of the second aspect, or any possible implementation of the fourth aspect.

[0030] Eleventhly, embodiments of this application provide a computer program product, which includes computer program code. When the computer program code is run on a computer, it causes the computer to perform the methods described in the first aspect, the third aspect, any possible implementation of the first aspect, or any possible implementation of the third aspect.

[0031] In a twelfth aspect, embodiments of this application provide a computer program product including computer program code. When the computer program code is run on a computer, it causes the computer to perform the methods described in the second aspect, the fourth aspect, any possible implementation of the second aspect, or any possible implementation of the fourth aspect.

[0032] In a thirteenth aspect, embodiments of this application provide a chip, including: a processor coupled to a memory for storing instructions, wherein when the instructions are executed by the processor, the chip implements the methods described in the first aspect, second aspect, third aspect, fourth aspect, any possible implementation of the first aspect, any possible implementation of the second aspect, any possible implementation of the third aspect, or any possible implementation of the fourth aspect.

[0033] In a fourteenth aspect, embodiments of this application provide a communication system, including the apparatus of the fifth aspect and the apparatus of the sixth aspect described above.

[0034] In a fifteenth aspect, embodiments of this application provide a communication system, including the apparatus of the seventh aspect and the apparatus of the eighth aspect described above.

[0035] It is understood that the beneficial effects of the features corresponding to the first and second aspects in aspects three through thirteen are described in the relevant descriptions in aspects one and two, and will not be repeated here. Attached Figure Description

[0036] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the architecture of a communication system 100 provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0037] Figure 2A is a schematic diagram of an NTN scenario based on transparent loads;

[0038] Figure 2B is a schematic diagram of an NTN scenario based on regenerative load;

[0039] Figure 3A is a schematic diagram of the process of performing SSB measurement on an IDLE-state terminal;

[0040] Figure 3B is a schematic diagram of the process of performing SSB measurement on a connected terminal;

[0041] Figure 4A is a schematic diagram showing the relationship between satellite coverage and SSB beams;

[0042] Figure 4B is a schematic diagram of an SSB pattern;

[0043] Figure 4C is a schematic diagram of the mapping relationship between an SSB beam and a ground wave position;

[0044] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of the overall mobility management process;

[0045] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of a communication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0046] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of another communication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0047] Figure 8 is a structural schematic diagram of a terminal provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0048] Figure 9 is a schematic diagram of the device provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0049] Figure 10 is a schematic diagram of another device provided in an embodiment of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0050] The embodiments of this application are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0051] The terms "first," "second," "third," and "fourth," etc., used in the specification, claims, and accompanying drawings of this application are used to distinguish different objects, not to describe a specific order. Furthermore, the terms "comprising" and "having," and any variations thereof, are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion. For example, a process, method, system, product, or apparatus that includes a series of steps or units is not limited to the listed steps or units, but may optionally include steps or units not listed, or may optionally include other steps or units inherent to these processes, methods, products, or apparatuses.

[0052] In this document, the term "embodiment" means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with an embodiment may be included in at least one embodiment of this application. The appearance of this phrase in various places throughout the specification does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, nor is it a separate or alternative embodiment mutually exclusive with other embodiments. It will be explicitly and implicitly understood by those skilled in the art that the embodiments described herein can be combined with other embodiments.

[0053] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the architecture of a communication system 100 provided in an embodiment of this application. The communication system 100 may include at least one network device (110a, 110b, 110c) and at least one terminal device (120a-120g). The network device and the terminal device can be interconnected via wired or wireless means. Figure 1 is only a schematic diagram; the communication system may also include other network devices, such as wireless relay devices and wireless backhaul devices.

[0054] The network device provided in this application embodiment can be an access network device, such as a base station, Node B, evolved Node B (eNodeB or eNB), transmission reception point (TRP), next-generation Node B (gNB) in a 5th generation (5G) mobile communication system, access network device in an open radio access network (O-RAN or open RAN), or a base station in a future mobile communication system, or an access node in a wireless fidelity (WiFi) system, etc. Alternatively, the network device can be a module or unit that performs some of the functions of a base station, for example, it can be a central unit (CU), a distributed unit (DU), a central unit control plane (CU-CP) module, or a central unit user plane (CU-UP) module, etc. Network equipment can be satellite (as shown in Figure 1, 110a) or macro base station (as shown in Figure 1, 110b). Access network equipment can also be micro base station or indoor station (as shown in Figure 1, 110c), relay node or donor node, etc. This application does not limit the specific technology or equipment form used in the access network equipment.

[0055] The terminal device provided in this application embodiment can also be referred to as a terminal, including but not limited to: user equipment (UE), mobile station, or mobile terminal. The terminal device can be widely used for communication in various scenarios. These scenarios include, but are not limited to, at least one of the following: enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB), ultra-reliable low-latency communication (URLLC), massive machine-type communications (mMTC), device-to-device (D2D), vehicle-to-everything (V2X), machine-type communication (MTC), Internet of Things (IoT), virtual reality, augmented reality, industrial control, autonomous driving, telemedicine, smart grid, smart furniture, smart office, smart wearables, smart transportation, or smart cities, etc. The terminal device can be a mobile phone (as shown in Figure 1, mobile phones 120a, 120d, and 120f), a tablet computer, a computer with wireless transceiver capabilities (as shown in Figure 1, computer 120g), a wearable device, a vehicle (as shown in Figure 1, 120b), a drone, a helicopter, an airplane (as shown in Figure 1, 120c), a ship, a robot, a robotic arm, or a smart home device (as shown in Figure 1, printer 120e), etc. This application does not limit the specific technology or form of the terminal device.

[0056] Base stations and / or terminal equipment can be fixed or mobile. They can be deployed on land, including indoors or outdoors, handheld or vehicle-mounted; or on water; or in the air on aircraft, balloons, or satellites. This application does not limit the environment / scenario in which the base stations and terminal equipment are located. Base stations and terminal equipment can be deployed in the same or different environments / scenarios; for example, both base stations and terminal equipment can be deployed on land; or, the base station can be deployed on land and the terminal equipment on water, etc., and so on.

[0057] The technical solutions of this application can be applied to various communication systems, such as long term evolution (LTE) systems, 5G systems, new radio (NR) systems, non-terrestrial networks (NTN) systems, and future communication systems. This application does not limit these applications.

[0058] The following section will first introduce several concepts that may be involved in this application.

[0059] (a) NTN network.

[0060] NTN networks refer to networks that utilize radio frequency resources on satellites (or unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) platforms, high altitude platform stations (HAPS), etc.). Compared to terrestrial cellular networks (such as 5G mobile communication systems), NTN networks offer wider coverage, lower latency, broadband speeds, and lower costs. As a supplement and extension to terrestrial networks, NTN networks can achieve wide-area seamless coverage that wired telephone networks and terrestrial mobile communication networks cannot, effectively solving internet access problems in areas lacking communication infrastructure. With a large number of satellites deployed in low Earth orbit, the round-trip transmission latency between satellites and ground terminals is significantly reduced, reaching a low latency of tens of milliseconds. The use of technologies such as high-frequency bands, multi-beamforming, and frequency reuse significantly improves satellite communication capabilities, reduces unit broadband costs, and meets the demands of high-data-rate services. Compared to terrestrial 5G base stations and submarine fiber optic cables, NTN has a significant cost advantage. Modern small satellites have low R&D and manufacturing costs, and software-defined technologies can further extend the lifespan of satellites in orbit. NTN networks can be used for global coverage (such as remote areas and ocean-going vessels), emergency relief (such as disaster monitoring and emergency communications), the Internet of Things, and high-speed mobility (such as high-speed rail and airplanes).

[0061] Typical scenarios for NTN networks to provide terminal device access include transparent payloads and regenerative payloads. Figure 2A illustrates an NTN scenario based on a transparent payload. A transparent payload modifies the uplink radio frequency (RF) signal's frequency carrier, filtering and amplifying it before downlink transmission. This type of payload only has an RF processing unit and lacks baseband demodulation and decoding. Therefore, the signal waveform remains unchanged and is repeated. Figure 2B illustrates an NTN scenario based on a regenerative payload. A regenerative payload transforms and amplifies the uplink RF signal before downlink transmission. Signal transformation refers to digital processing, which can include demodulation, decoding, recoding, remodulation, and / or filtering. This is essentially equivalent to having all or part of the base station functionality on a satellite (or UAS platform, HAPS, etc.).

[0062] In some possible implementations, the NTN network described above may have the following elements:

[0063] (1) There are one or more gateways connecting the NTN network and the common data network.

[0064] (2) Feeder link: The wireless link between the gateway station and the satellite (or UAS platform).

[0065] (3) Service link: The wireless link between the terminal device and the satellite (or UAS platform).

[0066] (4) Satellite (or UAS platform) can realize transparent payload and regenerative payload.

[0067] (5) Whether the satellite constellation has an inter-satellite link (ISL) is optional. An inter-satellite link requires the satellite to be a regenerative payload (i.e., if there is an inter-satellite link, the satellite must be a regenerative payload). ISLs can operate in RF frequencies or optical bands.

[0068] (6) The terminal equipment is provided by satellites (or UAS platforms, HAPS, etc.) within the target service area.

[0069] (II) Beam Management and Mobility Management:

[0070] In terrestrial communication systems, terminal movement causes the terminal to select and hand over access between different beams of a base station or between different base stations. When the terminal is in an idle / inactive state, movement causes the UE to reselect between beams or cells; when the UE is in a connected state, movement causes the UE to hand over between beams and cells. Beam reselection and handover decisions generally rely on beam management, while cell reselection and handover related status decisions generally rely on mobility management.

[0071] Beam management generally includes a beam pairing process. Through beam management, users obtain the transmit and receive beam directions for data transmission, signal reception, link recovery, and other related processes. In NR systems, there are two main types of reference signals used for beam management: one is the synchronization signal and physical broadcast channel (PBCH) block (SSB), and the other is the channel state information-reference signal (CSI-RS). This invention primarily focuses on SSB-based beam management.

[0072] Mobility management primarily refers to the measurement procedures related to radio resource management (RRM), and the mobility signaling procedures triggered based on the measurement results. In mobility management, the base station or network side issues RRM measurement tasks to the terminal, including two basic measurement configurations:

[0073] • Measurement object: The specified frequency band to be measured, the form of the reference signal, and the time domain location of the reference signal to be measured, etc.;

[0074] • Measurement reporting: Specifies the conditions for triggering measurements and the methods for reporting measurement results.

[0075] In NR systems, there are two main types of reference signals that can be used for RRM measurements: SSB and CSI-RS. SSB refers to a signal with a specific structure in a frequency domain, used by terminal equipment to synchronize with and locate base stations at the physical layer. Each base station has unique identification information in the SSB. Terminal equipment can detect and identify nearby base stations by decoding the SSB's identification information, and use the SSB for time synchronization and selecting suitable cells for connection.

[0076] Synchronization Signal Block-Based Measurement Timing Configuration (SMTC) is a configuration method for measurement and timing based on SSBs. By properly configuring SMTC parameters, terminal devices can effectively measure and time SSB signals from surrounding cells, enabling them to select the appropriate access cell. In the NR protocol, the base station or network side primarily enables SSB measurements in both the RRC (radio resource control) idle and connected states by configuring SMTC. For idle state users, SMTC can be configured via system information block 2 (SIB2) and / or system information block 4 (SIB4); for connected state users, SMTC can be configured via the measurement object in the RRC signaling.

[0077] If, during RRM measurements, the center frequencies of the SSBs in two measurement cells are the same, and the subcarrier spacing is also the same, then the measurement between these two cells is called an intra-frequency measurement; otherwise, it is called an inter-frequency measurement. For SSB-based mobility management, since SSBs are not continuous in the time domain in most cases, the terminal does not need to continuously search and measure SSBs in the time domain, but only operates within the time window where these SSBs are located. Therefore, the NR protocol introduces the concept of SMTC in the measurement configuration issued by the network side. SMTC is configured with intervals in the time domain according to a certain period (NR defines a minimum period of 5ms and a maximum period of 160ms), and its measurement window maintains a fixed duration (NR defines a minimum of 1ms and a maximum of 5ms). From a measurement perspective, the terminal only searches and measures SSBs within the measurement window of the SMTC and considers SSBs outside the SMTC to be non-existent. The network side configures an SMTC for each SSB measurement frequency point. For intra-frequency measurements, the SSBs to be measured in multiple cells are all included in this one SMTC, which is issued to the terminal by the network side of the serving cell. Additionally, for individual cells on this SSB frequency point, the network side can configure another SMTC with a shorter cycle, but the measurement windows of the two SMTCs need to remain consistent over a long period of time.

[0078] The overall SSB measurement process is shown in Figures 3A and 3B. Figure 3A illustrates the SSB measurement process for an idle-state terminal. The terminal receives configuration information from SIB2 / SIB4 to obtain the SMTC configuration parameters, then measures the SSBs and selects the SSB with the highest reference signal received power (RSRP). Based on the SSB with the highest RSRP, the terminal initiates an access request to the base station. Figure 3B illustrates the SSB measurement process for a connected-state terminal. The terminal receives RRC signaling configuration messages to obtain the SMTC configuration parameters, then measures the SSBs and selects the SSB with the highest RSRP. The terminal then reports the index of the SSB with the highest RSRP to the base station. System messages SIB2 / SIB4 can be configured at the cell or region level and broadcast to the terminal via the network side. RRC signaling can be configured at the user level, meaning that the parameters configured for each user can be different.

[0079] In NTN systems, due to the high speed of low-earth orbit (LEO) satellites, terminals frequently switch between multiple beams or satellites, making beam management and mobility management particularly important. However, an excessive number of SSB beams significantly prolongs the terminal's SSB search and measurement time during beam and mobility management. Furthermore, because the distances to the terminal from serving satellites and neighboring satellites vary, the transmission delay of SSBs to the terminal also differs. To ensure the feasibility of SSB measurements for neighboring satellites, a longer measurement window time needs to be allocated separately for each neighboring satellite. However, an excessively long SMTC window leads to a significant increase in terminal measurement overhead. In reality, the UE only needs to measure the SSB beam corresponding to its current area and a small number of surrounding SSB beams.

[0080] (III) Satellite SSB beam.

[0081] Conventional communication systems rely on several broadcast beams in different directions to send SSBs to users for terminal synchronization during the initial access phase and subsequent cell camping phase. Therefore, SSB beams are often referred to as broadcast beams. Compared to terrestrial communication systems, satellite communication systems have significant advantages such as wider coverage, greater transmission loss, and faster mobility. Unlike terrestrial systems, which can cover the service area of ​​a single base station with a maximum of 8 SSBs (for Frequency Range 1, FR1) or 64 SSBs (for Frequency Range 2, FR2), satellite communication systems may require hundreds or even thousands of SSB beams.

[0082] As shown in Figure 4A, this diagram illustrates the relationship between satellite coverage and SSB beams. A satellite achieves seamless coverage using N SSB beams, where N is related to the satellite's orbital altitude and / or beamwidth. Taking a satellite communication system with an orbital altitude of 600 km as an example, the service range of a single satellite can reach hundreds of thousands of square kilometers. To overcome the path loss caused by transmission distance and ensure communication service quality, satellites generally employ large-scale antenna arrays to provide higher array gain, but this also results in a narrower main lobe. For example, a coverage radius of 3 dB beamwidth is only a few tens of kilometers, covering an area of ​​approximately several hundred square kilometers. Using narrow beams to achieve seamless coverage of a single satellite's service range requires thousands of beams. Furthermore, even with some beam widening, hundreds of beams are still needed to maintain the gain level and achieve coverage. When hundreds of beams are scanned, a complete scan takes approximately several hundred milliseconds.

[0083] Taking the satellite transmitting 256 SSB beams as an example, according to the NR protocol configuration in FR1, for a scenario with a subcarrier spacing (SCS) of 30kHz, the satellite transmits 8 SSBs in the first 2ms of every 20ms. The overall transmission method of the 256 SSB beams can be shown in Figure 4B, where SFN represents the system frame number, 1 slot represents 1 time slot, and the 256 SSBs are divided into 32 groups of 8 SSBs each, with each group lasting 20ms, for a total duration of 640ms. Within each group, the first 2ms contain the SSBs, and the remaining 18ms are used for normal data transmission.

[0084] Considering the specific relative relationships maintained between satellites in orbit, seamless constellation coverage can be guaranteed when each satellite's coverage area is a rectangle. Terminals primarily perform mobility management and RRM measurements at the satellite coverage edges, i.e., in the overlapping areas with adjacent satellites. Taking rectangular coverage as an example, the satellite's service area is evenly divided into 256 rectangular regions, with each SSB beam covering one rectangular region. Each region corresponds to one radii, and all radii are assigned unique numbers. The size of each radii can be set to be the same as the coverage size of the SSB beam, facilitating periodic satellite scanning. The specific location and number of each radii can be pre-set in the satellite and terminal chips, or periodically distributed by the operations control center and core network. Within a certain period, a satellite will cover the same number of ground radii as the SSB beams, thus establishing a one-to-one mapping between the SSB index and the SSB beam number. The arrangement pattern of SSBs can be shown in Figure 4C. The number in each rectangle can represent the SSB index corresponding to the beam covering this area, or it can represent the wave position index corresponding to the beam covering this area.

[0085] (iv) System messages.

[0086] In addition to SSB, typical communication systems also need to send system messages required for various network access and network services to users via broadcast beams, indicating relevant network communication configurations. NR system messages can be divided into three types:

[0087] MIB: Master Information Block

[0088] • SIB1: System Information Block 1, System Message Block 1

[0089] OSI: Other System Information

[0090] The MIB is system information that the UE needs to obtain immediately after completing cell search and frequency / time synchronization. The MIB is broadcast via the PBCH, and the PBCH, together with the synchronization signal, is collectively referred to as the SSB. The MIB is system information that the cell must broadcast because the first four parameters in the MIB are required for the random access procedure.

[0091] After acquiring the MIB, the next system message the UE must acquire is SIB1. Information already acquired in the MIB does not need to appear in SIB1. SIB1 is broadcast on the physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) and contains access permission for the serving satellite, defining the OSI scheduling instructions. It also indicates the unified configuration information of the serving satellite, including uplink and downlink frequencies, initial BWP, SSB transmission period, and transmission index, etc.

[0092] Apart from SIB1, all other types of SIBs can be collectively referred to as OSI. OSI includes SIB2 to SIB21. In NTN scenarios, the commonly used OSI types that are slightly different from those of terrestrial cells mainly include SIB2 / 4 and SIB19.

[0093] SIB2 / 4 contains information related to cell reselection at the same / different frequencies, mainly including the measured frequency, signal strength, serving satellite measurement window configuration, SSB-based measurement timing configuration (SMTC), and neighboring satellite measurement window configuration (SMTC4), etc.

[0094] SIB19 is a new addition to the NTN scenario, containing a lot of auxiliary information about the satellites accessed by the NTN, mainly including the configuration of the serving satellite (e.g., ephemeris, TA information, cell-level Koffset, epoch time, etc.), handover distance reference point and threshold, and neighboring satellite configuration, etc.

[0095] (v) System message delivery method.

[0096] During the initial access process, the network side sends multiple SSBs and their corresponding SIB1s. SIB1s are cell-level system information, and the content carried by the SIB1s associated with different SSB indices is consistent.

[0097] For example, when the UE is under satellite coverage, it can receive three SSB beams: SSB0, SSB1, and SSB2. Based on the reference signal received power (RSRP) of the SSB, the optimal beam SSB1 is selected, and the monitoring time slot of SIB1 is confirmed according to SSB index=1, and SIB1 is monitored.

[0098] In the NR NTN protocol, base stations primarily use beam-time-division scanning in different directions to broadcast OSI (Optical System Interface) configurations to each user. Specifically, OSI configures the SI window through SI-SchedulingInfo in SIB1, specifying which SIBs and the broadcasting / not-broadcasting type in the SI message. When a UE needs a specific SIB, it blindly checks the Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH) scrambled with the System Information Radio Network Temporary Identifier (SI-RNTI) within the SI-window corresponding to that SIB's SI message to receive the specific SI message.

[0099] In addition, in order to flexibly adapt to the needs of different regions and save signaling overhead, the network side can also configure system information of different granularities based on the beam coverage area. For example, each beam position can be configured with different system information, or a group of beam positions can be configured with a group of system information, or beam positions in a region can be configured with the same system information, etc.

[0100] In 5G NR systems, base stations or networks primarily enable terminals to perform SSB measurements through reference signal resource configuration and SMTC configuration. Reference signal resource configuration is used for beam management, while SMTC configuration is used for mobility management.

[0101] In beam management, for connected users, the SSB resources to be measured are indicated by the SSB index in SIB1, i.e., ssb-PositionsInBurst. Considering that SIB1 is configured at the cell level in the current protocol, meaning that the SIB1 transmitted for different beam directions within a cell is identical, to ensure that users within different beam ranges can correctly identify the SSBs transmitted by the network side, this index indication should include the beam indices of all SSBs transmitted by the network side. From the user's perspective, the terminal will measure all SSBs transmitted by the network side within a period based on this indication.

[0102] In mobility management, the SMTC for non-connected users is primarily configured in the intraFreqCellReselectionInfo of SIB2 and the InterFreqCarrierFreqInfo of SIB4. The overall process is shown in Figure 5. In Figure 5, system messages SIB2 / SIB4 can be configured at the cell level or the region level and are broadcast from the network side. The terminal receives the SIB2 and SIB4 configuration information sent by the base station, parses the SMTC configuration, obtains the SSB measurement configuration of the terminal's serving cell and neighboring cells, selects the optimal SSB through measurement, and then initiates an access request to the base station.

[0103] As of 3GPP Release 17, the NR protocol defines four SMTCs: SMTC1 through SMTC4. SMTC1 is defined as the primary measurement configuration, including three parameters: periodicity, offset, and duration. The period specifies the frequency at which the terminal measures SSBs, the offset specifies the start time of SSB measurement (with a maximum not exceeding the configured period), and the duration controls the length of the time window for SSB measurement. SMTC2 mainly includes a cell list (pci-list) and a period. Compared to SMTC1, SMTC2 only performs SSB measurements on specific cells, and its period is generally shorter than SMTC1, but it reuses the same offset and duration. SMTC3 not only configures the period, offset, duration, and cell list separately, but also specifies the index of the SSB to be measured, but it is generally used in IAB scenarios. For actual NTN scenarios where the number of satellite SSB beams is relatively large, the values ​​of the SMTC's period, offset, and duration can be appropriately expanded to ensure that the SSB to be measured can be included in the configured SMTC window.

[0104] Considering that the arrival times of the serving satellite and neighboring satellites to the terminal are different in the NTN scenario, if the same offset configuration is used, the SSB of the neighboring satellite may not be measured during the configured duration, resulting in measurement failure.

[0105] Therefore, the Release 17 standard added SMTC4 configuration to address the varying arrival delays of different satellites. SMTC4 includes cell lists and offsets. For each cell list, an offset can be configured, allowing for a maximum of three cell lists. Compared to SMTC1, the network typically calculates the arrival delays of different satellites based on their locations and the terminal's location, and configures the corresponding satellite cell lists and offsets in SMTC4 to ensure that the SSBs of adjacent satellites can be detected by the terminal at their corresponding time and location. The period and duration are shared between SMTC4 and SMTC1. Furthermore, the NR protocol, based on the SMTC window, configures the ssb-ToMeasure parameter, which further reduces the number of SSBs to be measured by specifying the index of the SSB to be measured.

[0106] Overall, both beam management and mobility management are handover or reselection behaviors of the UE based on SSB measurement results.

[0107] In NTN scenarios, the number of SSBs transmitted is far greater than in terrestrial networks, and multiple SSB groups are transmitted in segments. Therefore, when a terminal is within the beam range of different SSBs, the index of the SSB to be measured used for beam management and mobility management, as well as its temporal location, vary significantly. For disconnected UEs, because the base station cannot obtain the exact location of the UE, it can only send cell-level or area-level measurement configurations to the terminal via broadcast system messages.

[0108] For beam management, the network side can currently only configure the SSB index for all transmitted beam directions through the cell-level SIB1, so the UE will continuously measure all transmitted SSBs within the cell. However, in reality, the UE can only receive a small number of SSB signals from the current area and surrounding areas, which results in significant measurement overhead. At the same time, the UE cannot enter the sleep-power-saving mode in the disconnected state, leading to high power consumption.

[0109] For mobility management, considering that satellites maintain a specific relative relationship with each other in orbit, seamless coverage of the entire constellation can be guaranteed when the coverage area of ​​each satellite is a rectangle. Users primarily perform RRM measurements for mobility management at the satellite coverage edge, i.e., in the overlapping area with adjacent satellites. As shown in Figure 4C, the network side only needs to send SIB2 / 4 measurement configuration parameters in several SSB beam directions at the coverage edge for area-level measurements. That is, for a specific SSB beam, a window is configured to measure several surrounding SSB beams, and the measurement window parameters are different for different areas. This method avoids the problems of short sleep time and excessive power consumption caused by the UE measuring too many redundant SSBs. However, for UEs in non-coverage edge areas, if they want to use the SIB2 / 4 measurement configuration for SSB measurements in beam management, they need to send SIB2 / 4 in non-edge areas as well, resulting in significant OSI transmission overhead. Furthermore, according to the SIB2 / 4 cell configuration, even if the SIB2 / 4 measurement window is reused for beam management, the UE will only retain one measurement result within a single measurement cycle. If filter-related parameters are configured in SIB2 / 4, the result is obtained by averaging the measurement results of multiple beams; otherwise, the result is determined by the highest level of the measured beam. Therefore, the UE cannot retain measurement results of multiple SSB beams within a single cycle for subsequent judgment and comparison.

[0110] This application proposes a communication method in which a network device sends a first system message block containing first information to a non-connected terminal device, indicating that the SSB / SSB group to be measured by the terminal is a part of all SSB / SSB groups within the coverage area of ​​the network device, thereby reducing the measurement overhead for beam management and improving energy saving.

[0111] Figure 6 is an interactive schematic diagram of a communication method 600 provided in an embodiment of the application. Figure 6 illustrates the method using a network device and a terminal device (in a non-connected state) as examples of the execution subjects of this interactive schematic, but this application does not limit the execution subjects of this interactive schematic. For example, the network device in Figure 6 can also be a module applied to a network device (e.g., a chip, chip system, or processor), or it can be a logical node, logical module, or software capable of implementing all or part of the functions of the network device; the terminal device in Figure 6 can also be a module applied to a terminal device to implement the method (e.g., a chip, chip system, or processor), or it can be a logical node, logical module, or software capable of implementing all or part of the functions of the terminal device. As shown in Figure 6, the method 600 of this embodiment may include parts 610, 620, and 630.

[0112] Part 610: The network device determines a first system message block and sends the first system message block to the non-connected terminal device; correspondingly, the non-connected terminal device receives the first system message block from the network device; the first system message block includes first information, which is used to indicate at least one first SSB, and the at least one first SSB is a subset of all SSBs within the coverage area of ​​the network device. The non-connected state can be understood as a state where no RRC connection has been established between the terminal device and the network device; the non-connected state can also be understood as a generalized, unspecified state of the terminal device, i.e., in this specific state, no RRC connection has been established between the terminal device and the network device, but some access layer resources have been obtained, such as the terminal device obtaining an access layer identifier allocated to it by the network device; the non-connected state can also be understood as a state where there are no dedicated data transmission resources between the terminal device and the network device; the non-connected state can also be understood as a state where data transmission has occurred between the terminal device and the network device, but has not occurred for a long time (e.g., tens of minutes, hours, or even days). This non-connected state can also be called the IDLE state or the INACTIVE state. The aforementioned first information may be newly added information in the aforementioned first system message block, or it may be a variation of information already existing in the first system message block. This application does not limit this. The aforementioned first information used to indicate at least one first SSB can be understood as the first information indicating the index of at least one first SSB. Referring to the specific embodiment (III) of this application and the description in FIG4C, the aforementioned first information used to indicate at least one first SSB can also be understood as the first information indicating the index of the SSB beam corresponding to the at least one first SSB, or it can also be understood as the first information indicating the index of the wave position corresponding to the at least one first SSB. This application does not limit this.

[0113] In one possible implementation of the first system message block, the first system message block is SIB1.

[0114] Section 620: The aforementioned non-connected terminal device measures at least one first SSB during a first period, obtaining a first measurement result for the at least one first SSB. The first period can be understood as the measurement period for the non-connected terminal device to measure the SSB. It is understood that after receiving the first information, the non-connected terminal device performs beam measurement on the at least one first SSB indicated by the first information, obtaining the beam measurement result for the at least one first SSB, i.e., the aforementioned first measurement result. The first measurement result may include the reference signal received power (RSRP) of each of the at least one first SSB, and may also include the beam level of each of the at least one first SSB. This application does not limit the content included in the first measurement result.

[0115] Part 630: Based on the first measurement result, the aforementioned non-connected terminal device determines a second SSB, wherein the at least one first SSB includes the aforementioned second SSB. This second SSB can be understood as the SSB used by the non-connected terminal device to access the network device.

[0116] In one possible implementation of determining the second SSB, the first measurement result includes the RSRP of each SSB among the at least one first SSB. The non-connected terminal device determines the SSB with the largest RSRP value among the RSRP values ​​of each SSB as the second SSB. Alternatively, the non-connected terminal device determines any one of the SSBs whose RSRP value is greater than a set RSRP threshold as the second SSB.

[0117] In another possible implementation of determining the second SSB, the first measurement result includes the beam level of each SSB in the at least one first SSB. The non-connected terminal device determines the SSB with the largest beam level value among the beam levels of each SSB as the second SSB. Alternatively, the non-connected terminal device determines any one of the SSBs with a beam level value greater than a beam level threshold among the beam levels of each SSB as the second SSB.

[0118] In method 600, the connectionless terminal device receives a first system message block from the network device, and the first system message block contains first information indicating a portion of the SSBs among all SSBs within the coverage area of ​​the network device. The connectionless terminal device measures this portion of SSBs and determines the SSB used by the access network device, i.e., the second SSB. This method effectively reduces the measurement overhead caused by the connectionless terminal device continuously measuring all SSBs sent by the network device within the cell, effectively reducing the measurement overhead used for beam management and improving energy efficiency.

[0119] In this application, "sending information to...(terminal device)" can be understood as the destination of the information being the terminal device. This can include sending information directly or indirectly to the terminal device. "Receiving...information from (network device)" can be understood as the source of the information being the network device, and can include receiving information directly or indirectly from the network device. Information may undergo necessary processing between the source and destination, such as format changes, but the destination can understand the valid information from the source. Similar expressions in this application can be interpreted similarly, and will not be elaborated further here.

[0120] The following is an example of method 600. For example, as shown in Figure 4C, the numbers in Figure 4C represent the SSB indices corresponding to the SSB beams covering the area (the rectangle containing the numbers). The non-connected terminal device is located within the coverage area of ​​the SSB beam with SSB index 23. The network device determines the aforementioned first system message block and sends the aforementioned first system message block to the non-connected terminal device. Accordingly, the non-connected terminal device receives the aforementioned first system message block from the network device. The first system message block includes first information, which indicates at least one first SSB as an SSB with SSB indices of 6, 7, 8, 22, 23, 24, 38, 39, and 40 (also referred to as SSB6, SSB7, SSB8, SSB22, SSB23, SSB24, SSB38, SSB39, and SSB40). The non-connected terminal device measures SSB6, SSB7, SSB8, SSB22, SSB23, SSB24, SSB38, SSB39, and SSB40. The measurement results of SSB6, SSB7, SSB8, SSB22, SSB23, SSB24, SSB38, SSB39, and SSB40 are obtained, which are the first measurement results. The first measurement results include the RSRP of SSB6, SSB7, SSB8, SSB22, SSB23, SSB24, SSB38, SSB39, and SSB40. Among them, SSB23 has the highest RSRP value. The non-connected terminal device determines that the SSB used to access the network device is SSB23, which is the second SSB mentioned above.

[0121] Based on the above example, another example of the aforementioned first system message block and first information is given. For example, the aforementioned first system message block is SIB1. The SIB1 message contains the parameter ssbConfigforBM for beam management of non-connected users. ssbConfigforBM contains ssbTargetIndex, which is the aforementioned first information. ssbTargetIndex is used to indicate at least one of the aforementioned first SSBs. For example, when the SIB1 message is configured as follows:

[0122] SIB1: {

[0123] …

[0124] ssbConfigforBM:{

[0125] ssbTargetIndex{6, 7, 8, 22, 23, 24, 38, 39, 40};

[0126] …

[0127] }

[0128] }

[0129] Therefore, the ssbTargetIndex included in SIB1 indicates that the at least one first SSB is SSB6, SSB7, SSB8, SSB22, SSB23, SSB24, SSB38, SSB39, and SSB40. It can also be understood that the first information included in the first system message block indicates that the at least one first SSB is SSB6, SSB7, SSB8, SSB22, SSB23, SSB24, SSB38, SSB39, and SSB40. The above examples regarding the first system message block and the first information are merely one case; this application does not limit the specific form, name, or content of the first system message block and the first information.

[0130] In one possible implementation of method 600, method 600 further includes: a non-connected terminal device measuring the at least one first SSB during a second periodic time interval to obtain a second measurement result of the at least one first SSB, wherein the second periodic time interval is a periodic time interval following the first periodic time interval; the non-connected terminal device determining a third SSB based on the second measurement result, wherein the at least one first SSB includes the third SSB; and if the second SSB and the third SSB are different, then the non-connected terminal device re-searches for the first system message block.

[0131] The aforementioned second period can be understood as the measurement period for the non-connected terminal device to measure the SSB. The aforementioned second period and the aforementioned first period can be continuous or discontinuous in the time domain; this application does not impose any limitation. It is understood that after receiving the aforementioned first information, the non-connected terminal device performs beam measurement on at least one first SSB indicated by the first information, obtaining the beam measurement result of the at least one first SSB, i.e., the aforementioned second measurement result. The second measurement result may include the RSRP of each of the at least one first SSB, and may also include the beam level of each of the at least one first SSB; this application does not impose any limitation on the content included in the second measurement result.

[0132] The third SSB can be understood as the SSB used by non-connected terminal devices to access network devices.

[0133] In one possible implementation of determining the third SSB, the second measurement result includes the RSRP of each SSB among the at least one first SSB. The non-connected terminal device determines the SSB with the largest RSRP value among the RSRP values ​​of each SSB as the third SSB. Alternatively, the non-connected terminal device determines any one of the SSBs whose RSRP value is greater than a set RSRP threshold as the third SSB.

[0134] In another possible implementation of determining the third SSB, the second measurement result includes the beam level of each SSB among the at least one first SSB. The non-connected terminal device determines the SSB with the largest beam level value among the beam levels of each SSB as the third SSB. Alternatively, the non-connected terminal device determines any one of the SSBs with a beam level value greater than a beam level threshold among the beam levels of each SSB as the third SSB.

[0135] The difference between the second SSB and the third SSB can be understood as the index of the second SSB being different from the index of the third SSB, or it can be understood as the wave position index corresponding to the second SSB being different from the wave position index corresponding to the third SSB. This application does not limit how a non-connected terminal device determines the difference between the second SSB and the third SSB.

[0136] Furthermore, considering that the beam gain and channel level of the same coverage area may change as the satellite moves, in order to prevent the ping-pong phenomenon of frequent retrieval of the first system message block by non-connected terminal devices, this application provides the following embodiments.

[0137] In one possible implementation of the first system message block, the first system message block further includes second information, which indicates the first cycle number N and the first beam level, where N is a positive integer. Method 600 further includes: a non-connected terminal device measuring a fourth SSB within at least N third cycle time periods to obtain N third measurement results for the fourth SSB, wherein the at least one first SSB includes the fourth SSB, the third measurement results include the measurement beam level of the fourth SSB, and the measurement beam level is greater than or equal to the first beam level; and determining a second beam level for the fourth SSB based on the N third measurement results. The second information may be newly added information in the first system message block or a variation of information already existing in the first system message block; this application does not limit this. The third cycle time period can be understood as the measurement cycle during which the non-connected terminal device measures the fourth SSB. Based on the above N third measurement results, the second beam level of the fourth SSB is determined. The second beam level can be obtained by averaging the measured beam levels of the N fourth beams in the above N third measurement results, or it can be obtained in other ways. This application does not limit this.

[0138] For example, the first system message block mentioned above includes second information, which is used to indicate the first cycle number N and the first beam level, where N is a positive integer; the non-connected terminal device measures the fourth SSB within M of the third cycle periods, where M is an integer greater than or equal to N, and obtains M of the third measurement results of the fourth SSB. The M of the third measurement results include the measurement beam levels of the M fourth SSBs. Among the M measurement beam levels of the fourth SSBs, N of the measurement beam levels of the fourth SSBs are greater than or equal to the first beam level. The non-connected terminal device averages the measurement beam levels of the N fourth SSBs to obtain the second beam level of the fourth SSB.

[0139] Based on the above example, the following is an example of a first system message block and second information. For example, the first system message block is SIB1. The SIB1 message contains the parameter ssbConfigforBM for beam management of non-connected users. ssbConfigforBM contains ssbTargetIndex, which is the first information mentioned above. ssbTargetIndex is used to indicate at least one first SSB. ssbConfigforBM also contains nrofPeriodToAvg and ssbThreshold, which are the second information mentioned above. nrofPeriodToAvg is used to indicate the first cycle number N, and ssbThreshold is used to indicate the first beam level. For example, when the SIB1 message is configured as follows:

[0140] SIB1: {

[0141] …

[0142] ssbConfigforBM:{

[0143] ssbTargetIndex{6, 7, 8, 22, 23, 24, 38, 39, 40};

[0144] nrofPeriodToAvg 10;

[0145] ssbThreshold X dB;

[0146] …

[0147] }

[0148] }

[0149] Therefore, the ssbTargetIndex included in SIB1 indicates that at least one first SSB is SSB6, SSB7, SSB8, SSB22, SSB23, SSB24, SSB38, SSB39, and SSB40; it can also be understood that the first information included in the first system message block indicates that at least one first SSB is SSB6, SSB7, SSB8, SSB22, SSB23, SSB24, SSB38, SSB39, and SSB40. The nrofPeriodToAvg included in SIB1 indicates that the number of first cycles is 10, and the ssbThreshold included in SIB1 indicates that the first beam level is X dB; it can also be understood that the second information included in the first system message block indicates that the number of first cycles is 10 and the first beam level is X dB. The above examples regarding the first system message block and the second information are merely one case, and this application does not limit the specific form, name, or content of the first system message block and the first information.

[0150] The above embodiments can avoid the ping-pong phenomenon of non-connected terminal devices frequently re-searching for the first system message block due to changes in beam gain and channel level.

[0151] Figure 7 is an interactive schematic diagram of another communication method 700 provided in the embodiment of the application. Figure 7 illustrates the method using a network device and a terminal device (in a non-connected state) as examples of the execution subjects of this interactive schematic, but this application does not limit the execution subjects of this interactive schematic. For example, the network device in Figure 7 can also be a module applied to the network device (e.g., a chip, chip system, or processor), or it can be a logical node, logical module, or software that can implement all or part of the functions of the network device; the terminal device in Figure 7 can also be a module applied to the terminal device to implement the method (e.g., a chip, chip system, or processor), or it can be a logical node, logical module, or software that can implement all or part of the functions of the terminal device. As shown in Figure 7, the method 700 of this embodiment may include parts 710, 720, and 730.

[0152] 710: The network device determines a first system message block and sends the first system message block to the non-connected terminal device; correspondingly, the non-connected terminal device receives the first system message block from the network device; the first system message block includes first information, the first information being used to indicate at least one first SSB group, the at least one first SSB group being a portion of all SSB groups within the coverage area of ​​the network device, one of the at least one first SSB groups including at least one SSB, and one of the SSB groups within the coverage area of ​​the network device including at least one SSB. The aforementioned disconnected state can be understood as a state where no RRC connection has been established between the terminal device and the network device; this disconnected state can also be understood as a generalized, unspecified state of the terminal device, i.e., in this specific state, no RRC connection has been established between the terminal device and the network device, but some access layer resources have been obtained, such as the terminal device obtaining an access layer identifier allocated to it by the network device; this disconnected state can also be understood as a state where there are no dedicated data transmission resources for the terminal device between the terminal device and the network device; this disconnected state can also be understood as a state where data transmission has occurred between the terminal device and the network device, but has not occurred for a long time (e.g., tens of minutes, hours, or even days). This disconnected state can also be called the IDLE state or the INACTIVE state. The aforementioned first information can be information newly added to the aforementioned first system message block, or it can be a variation of information already existing in the aforementioned first system message block, and this application does not limit it. The aforementioned first information used to indicate at least one first SSB group can be understood as the first information indicating the index of at least one first SSB group, or it can be understood as the first information indicating the index of all SSBs included in at least one first SSB group. Referring to the specific implementation (III) of this application and the description in FIG4C, the first information used to indicate at least one first SSB group can also be understood as the first information indicating the index of the SSB beam corresponding to all SSBs included in the at least one first SSB, and can also be understood as the first information indicating the index of the wave position corresponding to all SSBs included in the at least one first SSB group, which is not limited in this application.

[0153] In one possible implementation of the first system message block, the first system message block is SIB1.

[0154] Section 720: The aforementioned non-connected terminal device measures the SSBs included in the at least one first SSB group during a first period, and obtains a first measurement result for the SSBs included in the at least one first SSB group. The aforementioned first period can be understood as the measurement period for the non-connected terminal device to measure the SSBs. It can be understood that after receiving the aforementioned first information, the non-connected terminal device performs beam measurement on the SSBs included in the at least one first SSB group indicated by the first information, and obtains the beam measurement result of the SSBs included in the at least one first SSB group, i.e., the aforementioned first measurement result. The first measurement result may include the reference signal received power (RSRP) of each SSB in the at least one first SSB group, and may also include the beam level of each SSB in the at least one first SSB group. This application does not limit the content included in the first measurement result.

[0155] 730: Based on the first measurement result, the aforementioned non-connected terminal device determines a first SSB, wherein the at least one first SSB group includes a second SSB group, and the second SSB group includes the aforementioned first SSB. This first SSB can be understood as the SSB used by the non-connected terminal device to access the network device.

[0156] In one possible implementation of determining the first SSB, the first measurement result includes the RSRP of each SSB in the at least one first SSB group. The non-connected terminal device determines the SSB with the largest RSRP value among the RSRP values ​​of each SSB as the first SSB. Alternatively, the non-connected terminal device determines any one of the SSBs whose RSRP value is greater than a set RSRP threshold as the first SSB.

[0157] In another possible implementation of determining the first SSB, the first measurement result includes the beam level of each SSB in the at least one first SSB group. The non-connected terminal device determines the SSB with the largest beam level value among the beam levels of each SSB as the first SSB. Alternatively, the non-connected terminal device determines any one of the SSBs with a beam level value greater than a beam level threshold among the beam levels of each SSB as the first SSB.

[0158] In method 700, the connectionless terminal device receives a first system message block from the network device, and the first system message block contains first information indicating a portion of the SSB groups among all SSB groups within the coverage area of ​​the network device. The connectionless terminal device measures the SSBs included in this portion of the SSB groups and determines the SSB used by the access network device, i.e., the first SSB. This method effectively reduces the measurement overhead caused by the connectionless terminal device continuously measuring all SSBs sent by the network device within the cell, effectively reducing the measurement overhead used for beam management and improving energy efficiency.

[0159] In this application, "sending information to...(terminal device)" can be understood as the destination of the information being the terminal device. This can include sending information directly or indirectly to the terminal device. "Receiving...information from (network device)" can be understood as the source of the information being the network device, and can include receiving information directly or indirectly from the network device. Information may undergo necessary processing between the source and destination, such as format changes, but the destination can understand the valid information from the source. Similar expressions in this application can be interpreted similarly, and will not be elaborated further here.

[0160] The example for method 700 is similar to that for method 600. For details, please refer to the example section for method 600. It will not be repeated here.

[0161] The examples of the first system message block and the first information are similar to those in the embodiment of method 600, and will not be repeated here.

[0162] In one possible implementation of method 700, method 700 further includes: a non-connected terminal device measuring the SSBs included in the at least one first SSB group during a second periodic time, obtaining a second measurement result of the SSBs included in the at least one first SSB group, wherein the second periodic time is a periodic time following the first periodic time; the non-connected terminal device determining a second SSB based on the second measurement result, wherein the at least one first SSB group includes a third SSB group, and the third SSB group includes the second SSB; if the second SSB group and the third SSB group are different, then the non-connected terminal device re-searches for the first system message block.

[0163] The aforementioned second period can be understood as the measurement period for SSBs measured by the non-connected terminal device. The aforementioned second period and the aforementioned first period can be continuous or discontinuous in the time domain; this application does not impose any limitation on this. It is understood that after receiving the aforementioned first information, the non-connected terminal device performs beam measurement on the SSBs included in the at least one first SSB group indicated by the first information, obtaining the beam measurement results of the SSBs included in the at least one first SSB group, i.e., the aforementioned second measurement results. The second measurement results may include the RSRP of each SSB in the at least one first SSB group, and may also include the beam level of each SSB in the at least one first SSB group; this application does not impose any limitation on the content included in the second measurement results.

[0164] The second SSB can be understood as the SSB used by non-connected terminal devices to access network devices.

[0165] In one possible implementation of determining the second SSB, the second measurement result includes the RSRP of each SSB in the at least one first SSB group. The non-connected terminal device determines the SSB with the largest RSRP value among the RSRP values ​​of each SSB as the second SSB. Alternatively, the non-connected terminal device determines any one of the SSBs whose RSRP value is greater than a set RSRP threshold as the second SSB.

[0166] In another possible implementation of determining the second SSB, the second measurement result includes the beam level of each SSB in the at least one first SSB group. The non-connected terminal device determines the SSB with the largest beam level value among the beam levels of each SSB as the second SSB. Alternatively, the non-connected terminal device determines any one of the SSBs with a beam level value greater than a beam level threshold among the beam levels of each SSB as the second SSB.

[0167] The difference between the second SSB group and the third SSB group can be understood as the index of the second SSB group being different from the index of the third SSB group, or it can be understood as the wave position group index corresponding to the second SSB group being different from the wave position group index corresponding to the third SSB group. This application does not limit the way in which a non-connected terminal device determines the difference between the second SSB group and the third SSB group.

[0168] Furthermore, considering that the beam gain and channel level of the same coverage area may change as the satellite moves, in order to prevent the ping-pong phenomenon of frequent retrieval of the first system message block by non-connected terminal devices, this application provides the following embodiments.

[0169] In one possible implementation of the first system message block, the first system message block further includes second information, which indicates the first cycle number N and the first beam level, where N is a positive integer. Method 700 further includes: a non-connected terminal device measuring a third SSB within at least N third cycle time periods to obtain N third measurement results for the third SSB, wherein the at least one first SSB group includes a fourth SSB group, the fourth SSB group includes the third SSB, and the third measurement results include the measurement beam level of the third SSB, the measurement beam level being greater than or equal to the first beam level; and determining the second beam level of the third SSB based on the N third measurement results. The second information may be newly added information in the first system message block or a variation of information already existing in the first system message block; this application does not limit this. The third cycle time period can be understood as the measurement cycle during which the non-connected terminal device measures the third SSB. Based on the above N third measurement results, the second beam level of the third SSB is determined. The second beam level can be obtained by averaging the measured beam levels of the N third beams in the above N third measurement results, or it can be obtained in other ways. This application does not limit this.

[0170] For an example of this embodiment, please refer to an example of a possible implementation of the first system message block described above in the embodiment section of method 600, which will not be repeated here.

[0171] The examples of the first system message block and the second information are similar to those in the embodiment of method 600, and will not be repeated here.

[0172] The above embodiments can avoid the ping-pong phenomenon of non-connected terminal devices frequently re-searching for the first system message block due to changes in beam gain and channel level.

[0173] It is understood that the embodiments of this application are not limited to NTN scenarios, and can also be applied to other scenarios (such as scenarios that require beam management).

[0174] Corresponding to the methods described in the above embodiments, this application also provides corresponding apparatus, including modules for executing the corresponding methods in the above embodiments. The modules may be software, hardware, or a combination of software and hardware.

[0175] Figure 8 provides a schematic diagram of a terminal structure. This terminal is applicable to the scenarios shown in Figure 1, Figure 2A, or Figure 2B. The terminal or its modules can execute the aforementioned method 600 or method 700, as well as various possible implementations. For ease of explanation, Figure 8 only shows the main modules of the terminal. As shown in Figure 8, the terminal 800 includes a processor, memory, control circuitry, antenna, and input / output devices. The processor is mainly used for processing communication protocols and communication data, controlling the entire terminal, executing software programs, and processing software program data. The memory is mainly used for storing software programs and data. The radio frequency (RF) circuitry is mainly used for converting baseband signals to RF signals and processing RF signals. The antenna is mainly used for transmitting and receiving RF signals in the form of electromagnetic waves. Input / output devices, such as touchscreens, displays, and keyboards, are mainly used for receiving user input data and outputting data to the user.

[0176] When the terminal is powered on, the processor can read the software program from the storage unit, parse and execute the instructions of the software program, and process the data of the software program. When data needs to be transmitted wirelessly, the processor performs baseband processing on the data to be transmitted and outputs the baseband signal to the radio frequency (RF) circuit. The RF circuit processes the baseband signal to obtain the RF signal and transmits the RF signal outward in the form of electromagnetic waves through the antenna. When data is sent to the terminal, the RF circuit receives the RF signal through the antenna. This RF signal is further converted into a baseband signal and output to the processor. The processor converts the baseband signal back into data and processes the data.

[0177] For ease of explanation, Figure 8 shows only one memory and processor. In a real terminal, multiple processors and memories may exist. Memory may also be referred to as storage medium or storage device, etc., and this application embodiment does not limit this.

[0178] As an optional implementation, the processor may include a baseband processor and a central processing unit (CPU). The baseband processor is mainly used to process communication protocols and communication data, while the CPU is mainly used to control the entire terminal device, execute software programs, and process the data of the software programs. The processor in Figure 8 integrates the functions of a baseband processor and a CPU. Those skilled in the art will understand that the baseband processor and the CPU can also be independent processors interconnected via technologies such as buses. Those skilled in the art will understand that a terminal may include multiple baseband processors to adapt to different network standards, and a terminal may include multiple CPUs to enhance its processing capabilities. The various modules of the terminal can be connected via various buses. The baseband processor can also be described as a baseband processing circuit or a baseband processing chip. The CPU can also be described as a central processing circuit or a central processing chip. The function of processing communication protocols and communication data can be built into the processor or stored in the storage unit as a software program, which is then executed by the processor to implement the baseband processing function.

[0179] In one example, the antenna and control circuit with transceiver functions can be considered as the transceiver unit 811 of the terminal 800, and the processor with processing functions can be considered as the processing unit 812 of the terminal 800. As shown in Figure 8, the terminal 800 includes the transceiver unit 811 and the processing unit 812. The transceiver unit can also be called a transceiver, transceiver device, etc. Optionally, the device in the transceiver unit 811 used to implement the receiving function can be considered as the receiving unit, and the device in the transceiver unit 811 used to implement the transmitting function can be considered as the transmitting unit; that is, the transceiver unit 811 includes a receiving unit and a transmitting unit. For example, the receiving unit can also be called a receiver, receiver circuit, etc., and the transmitting unit can be called a transmitter, transmitter, or transmitting circuit, etc. Optionally, the above-mentioned receiving unit and transmitting unit can be integrated into one unit, or they can be multiple independent units. The above-mentioned receiving unit and transmitting unit can be in one geographical location or distributed in multiple geographical locations.

[0180] As shown in Figure 9, another embodiment of this application provides a device 900. This device can be a terminal, or a module applied to a terminal (e.g., an integrated circuit, a chip, etc.). Alternatively, the device can be a wireless access network (WLAN) device, or a module applied to a WLAN device (e.g., an integrated circuit, a chip, etc.), or a logical node, logical module, or software capable of implementing all or part of the WLAN device's functions. The device can also be other communication modules. For example, the device 900 can implement the functions of method 600 or method 700 and various possible implementations of the WLAN device; or, the device 900 can implement the functions of method 600 or method 700 and various possible implementations of the terminal. The device 900 may include an interface module 901 (or interface unit) and a processing module 902 (or processing unit), and may also include a storage module 903 (or storage unit).

[0181] In one possible design, one or more modules as shown in Figure 9 may be implemented by one or more processors, or by one or more processors and memory; or by one or more processors and transceivers; or by one or more processors, memory, and transceivers. This application embodiment does not limit this. The processors, memory, and transceivers can be configured individually or integrated.

[0182] The device is capable of implementing the functions of the terminal described in the embodiments of this application. For example, the device includes modules, units, or means corresponding to the steps involved in the terminal described in the embodiments of this application. These functions, units, or means can be implemented by software, hardware, or hardware executing corresponding software, or a combination of software and hardware. Further details can be found in the corresponding descriptions in the foregoing method embodiments. Alternatively, the device is capable of implementing the functions of the wireless access network device described in the embodiments of this application. For example, the device includes modules, units, or means corresponding to the steps involved in the wireless access network device described in the embodiments of this application. These functions, units, or means can be implemented by software, hardware, or hardware executing corresponding software, or a combination of software and hardware. Further details can be found in the corresponding descriptions in the foregoing method embodiments.

[0183] In one possible design, device 900 includes an interface module 901 and a processing module 902. Device 900 can be, for example, a terminal, a module applied to a terminal (e.g., a processor, chip, or chip system), or a logical node, logical module, or software capable of implementing all or part of the terminal's functions. Interface module 901 is used to receive a first system message block from a network device, the first system message block including first information indicating at least one first SSB, wherein the at least one first SSB is a subset of all SSBs within the coverage area of ​​the network device. Processing module 902 is used to measure the at least one first SSB within a first periodic time to obtain a first measurement result for the at least one first SSB. Processing module 902 is further used to determine a second SSB based on the first measurement result, wherein the at least one first SSB includes the second SSB.

[0184] In one possible implementation of the device 900, the processing module 902 is further configured to measure the at least one first SSB during a second periodic time interval to obtain a second measurement result of the at least one first SSB, wherein the second periodic time interval is a periodic time interval following the first periodic time interval; the processing module 902 is further configured to determine a third SSB based on the second measurement result, wherein the at least one first SSB includes the third SSB; the processing module 902 is further configured to re-search the first system message block if the second SSB and the third SSB are different.

[0185] In one possible implementation of the device 900, the first system message block further includes second information, which indicates the first cycle number N and the first beam level, where N is a positive integer. The processing module 902 is further configured to measure the fourth SSB within at least N third cycle periods to obtain N third measurement results of the fourth SSB. The at least one first SSB includes the fourth SSB, and the third measurement results include the measured beam level of the fourth SSB. The measured beam level is greater than or equal to the first beam level. The processing module 902 is further configured to determine the second beam level of the fourth SSB based on the N third measurement results.

[0186] In one possible implementation of the device 900, the first system message block is SIB1.

[0187] In one possible design, device 900 includes an interface module 901 and a processing module 902. Device 900 can be, for example, a wireless access network (WLAN) device, a module applied to a WLAN device (e.g., a processor, chip, or chip system), or a logical node, logical module, or software capable of implementing all or part of the WLAN device's functions. Processing module 902 is used to determine a first system message block, the first system message block including first information indicating at least one first SSB, wherein the at least one first SSB is a subset of all SSBs within the coverage area of ​​the network device. Interface module 901 is used to send the first system message block.

[0188] In one possible implementation of the device 900, the first system message block further includes second information, which indicates the first cycle number N and the first beam level, where N is a positive integer.

[0189] In one possible implementation of the device 900, the first system message block is SIB1.

[0190] In one possible design, device 900 includes an interface module 901 and a processing module 902. Device 900 can be, for example, a terminal, a module applied to a terminal (e.g., a processor, chip, or chip system), or a logical node, logical module, or software capable of implementing all or part of the terminal's functions. Interface module 901 is used to receive a first system message block from a network device. The first system message block includes first information indicating at least one first SSB group. The at least one first SSB group is a subset of all SSB groups within the coverage area of ​​the network device. One of the at least one first SSB groups includes at least one SSB. Processing module 902 is used to measure the SSBs included in the at least one first SSB group within a first periodic time, obtaining a first measurement result for the SSBs included in the at least one first SSB group. Processing module 902 is further used to determine a first SSB based on the first measurement result, wherein the at least one first SSB group includes a second SSB group, and the second SSB group includes the first SSB.

[0191] In one possible embodiment of the device 900, the processing module 902 is further configured to measure the SSBs included in the at least one first SSB group during a second periodic time interval, and obtain a second measurement result of the SSBs included in the at least one first SSB group, wherein the second periodic time interval is a periodic time interval following the first periodic time interval. The processing module 902 is further configured to determine a second SSB based on the second measurement result, wherein the at least one first SSB group includes a third SSB group, and the third SSB group includes the second SSB. The processing module 902 is further configured to re-search the first system message block if the second SSB group and the third SSB group are different.

[0192] In one possible implementation of device 900, the first system message block further includes second information indicating a first cycle number N and a first beam level, where N is a positive integer. Processing module 902 is further configured to measure a third SSB within at least N third cycle periods, obtaining N third measurement results for the third SSB. The at least one first SSB group includes a fourth SSB group, the fourth SSB group includes the third SSB, and the third measurement results include the measured beam level of the third SSB, where the measured beam level is greater than or equal to the first beam level. Processing module 902 is further configured to determine a second beam level of the third SSB based on the N third measurement results.

[0193] In one possible implementation of the device 900, the aforementioned first system message block is SIB1.

[0194] In one possible design, device 900 includes an interface module 901 and a processing module 902. Device 900 can be, for example, a wireless access network (WLAN) device, a module applied to a WLAN device (e.g., a processor, chip, or chip system), or a logical node, logical module, or software capable of implementing all or part of the WLAN device's functions. Processing module 902 is used to determine a first system message block, the first system message block including first information indicating at least one first SSB group, wherein the at least one first SSB group is a subset of all SSB groups within the network device's coverage area, one of the at least one first SSB groups includes at least one SSB, and one of the SSB groups within the network device's coverage area includes at least one SSB. Interface module 901 is used to send the first system message block.

[0195] In one possible implementation of the device 900, the first system message block further includes second information, which indicates the first cycle number N and the first beam level, where N is a positive integer.

[0196] In one possible implementation of the device 900, the first system message block is SIB1.

[0197] It is understood that the beneficial effects of the above-mentioned device 900 and various possible implementation methods can be referred to the description in the foregoing method embodiments or invention content, and will not be repeated here.

[0198] Optionally, the device 900 may further include a storage module 903 for storing data or instructions (also referred to as code or program). The other modules may interact with or be coupled to the storage module to implement corresponding methods or functions. For example, the processing module 902 may read data or instructions from the storage module 903, enabling the device 900 to implement the methods described in the above embodiments.

[0199] In one example, the modules in the aforementioned device can be one or more integrated circuits configured to implement the methods described above, such as: one or more application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), or one or more digital signal processors (DSPs), or one or more field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), or a combination of at least two of these integrated circuit forms. As another example, when the modules in the device can be implemented in the form of a processing element scheduler, the processing element can be a general-purpose processor, such as a central processing unit (CPU) or other processor capable of calling programs. Furthermore, these units can be integrated together to implement a system-on-a-chip (SOC).

[0200] Referring to Figure 10, which is a schematic diagram of an apparatus provided in an embodiment of this application, it can be used to implement the above-described method 600 or method 700 and various possible implementations. As shown in Figure 10, the apparatus includes a processor 1010 and an interface 1030, with the processor 1010 coupled to the interface 1030. The interface 1030 is used to communicate with other modules or devices. The interface 1030 can be a transceiver or an input / output interface. The interface 1030 can be, for example, an interface circuit. Optionally, the apparatus further includes a memory 1020 for storing instructions executed by the processor 1010, or storing input data required by the processor 1010 to execute instructions, or storing data generated after the processor 1010 executes instructions.

[0201] The above-described method 600 or method 700, as well as various possible implementations, can be implemented by the processor 1010 calling programs or instructions stored in the memory 1020. The memory 1020 can be internal to the device or external to the device, and this application does not limit it in this regard.

[0202] Optionally, the functions / implementation processes of the interface module 901 and processing module 902 in FIG. 9 can be implemented by the processor 1010 in the device shown in FIG. 10. Alternatively, the functions / implementation processes of the processing module 902 in FIG. 9 can be implemented by the processor 1010 in the device shown in FIG. 10, and the functions / implementation processes of the interface module 901 in FIG. 9 can be implemented by the interface 1030 in the device shown in FIG. 10. For example, the functions / implementation processes of the interface module 901 can be implemented by the processor calling program instructions in memory to drive the interface 1030.

[0203] When the aforementioned device is a chip applied to a terminal, the chip in the terminal implements the functions of the terminal in the above method embodiments. The chip receives information from other modules (such as radio frequency modules or antennas) in the terminal, and this information comes from other terminals or wireless access network devices; or, the chip sends information to other modules (such as radio frequency modules or antennas) in the terminal, and this information is sent by the terminal to other terminals or wireless access network devices.

[0204] When the aforementioned device is a chip applied to a wireless access network (WLAN) device, the chip implements the functions of the WLAN device in the above method embodiments. The chip receives information from other modules (such as radio frequency modules or antennas) within the WLAN device, the information originating from other WLAN devices or terminals; or, the chip sends information to other modules (such as radio frequency modules or antennas) within the WLAN device, the information being sent by the WLAN device to other WLAN devices or terminals.

[0205] Those skilled in the art will understand that the various numerical designations, such as "first," "second," etc., used in this application are merely for descriptive convenience and are not intended to limit the scope of the embodiments of this application, nor do they indicate a sequential order. "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. The character " / " generally indicates that the preceding and following related objects are in an "or" relationship. "At least one" refers to one or more. "At least two" refers to two or more. "At least one," "any one," or similar expressions refer to any combination of these items, including any combination of single or multiple items. For example, at least one of a, b, or c can represent: a, b, c, ab, ac, bc, or abc, where a, b, and c can be single or multiple. "Multiple" refers to two or more, and other quantifiers are similar.

[0206] It should be understood that in the various embodiments of this application, the order of the above-mentioned processes does not imply the order of execution. The execution order of each process should be determined by its function and internal logic, and should not constitute any limitation on the implementation process of the embodiments of this application.

[0207] In the above embodiments, implementation can be achieved entirely or partially through software, hardware, firmware, or any combination thereof. When implemented using software, it can be implemented entirely or partially in the form of a computer program product. The computer program product includes one or more computer instructions. When the computer program instructions are loaded and executed on a computer, all or part of the processes or functions described in the embodiments of this application are generated. The computer can be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network, or other programmable device. The computer instructions can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium or transmitted from one computer-readable storage medium to another. For example, the computer instructions can be transmitted from one website, computer, server, or data center to another website, computer, server, or data center via wired (e.g., coaxial cable, fiber optic, digital subscriber line (DSL)) or wireless (e.g., infrared, wireless, microwave, etc.) means. The computer-readable storage medium can be any available medium that a computer can access or a data storage device such as a server or data center that integrates one or more available media. The available medium can be a magnetic medium (e.g., floppy disk, hard disk, magnetic tape), an optical medium (e.g., DVD), or a semiconductor medium (e.g., solid-state disk (SSD)).

[0208] The steps of the methods described in the embodiments of this application can be directly embedded in hardware, a software unit executed by a processor, or a combination of both. The software unit can be stored in random access memory (RAM), flash memory, read-only memory (ROM), registers, hard disk, removable disk, or any other form of storage medium in the art. Exemplarily, the storage medium can be connected to the processor so that the processor can read information from the storage medium and write information to the storage medium. Optionally, the storage medium can also be integrated into the processor. The processor and the storage medium can be disposed in an ASIC.

[0209] This application also provides a computer-readable medium having a computer program stored thereon, which, when executed by a computer, implements the functions of any of the above method embodiments.

[0210] This application also provides a computer program product that, when executed by a computer, implements the functions of any of the above-described method embodiments. The same or similar parts between the various embodiments in this application can be referred to mutually. In the various embodiments of this application, and in the various implementation methods / methods / implementations within those embodiments, unless otherwise specified or logically conflicting, the terminology and / or descriptions between different embodiments and between the various implementation methods / methods / implementations within those embodiments are consistent and can be mutually referenced. The technical features in different embodiments and in the various implementation methods / methods / implementations within those embodiments can be combined according to their inherent logical relationships to form new embodiments, implementation methods, methods, or implementation approaches. The above-described embodiments of this application do not constitute a limitation on the scope of protection of this application.

[0211] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of this application, but the scope of protection of this application is not limited thereto. Any changes or substitutions that can be easily conceived by those skilled in the art within the scope of the technology disclosed in this application should be included within the scope of protection of this application.

Claims

A communication method, characterized in that, The method is applied to the non-connected terminal side, including: Receive a first system message block from a network device, the first system message block including first information, the first information being used to indicate at least one first synchronization signal and physical broadcast channel block (SSB), the at least one first SSB being a portion of all SSBs within the coverage area of ​​the network device; The at least one first SSB is measured during the first period to obtain a first measurement result for the at least one first SSB. Based on the first measurement result, a second SSB is determined, wherein the at least one first SSB includes the second SSB. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The method further includes: The at least one first SSB is measured during the second period, and a second measurement result of the at least one first SSB is obtained. The second period is the period following the first period. Based on the second measurement result, a third SSB is determined, wherein the at least one first SSB includes the third SSB; If the second SSB and the third SSB are different, search the first system message block again. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first system message block further includes second information, which indicates the first cycle number N and the first beam level, where N is a positive integer. The method further includes: The fourth SSB is measured within at least N third periodic time intervals to obtain N third measurement results of the fourth SSB, wherein the at least one first SSB includes the fourth SSB, and the third measurement results include the measurement beam level of the fourth SSB, wherein the measurement beam level is greater than or equal to the first beam level. Based on the N third measurement results, the second beam level of the fourth SSB is determined. The method according to claim 1 or 3, characterized in that, The first system message block is system message block SIB1. A communication method, characterized in that, The method is applied to the network device side and includes: A first system message block is determined, the first system message block includes first information, the first information is used to indicate at least one first synchronization signal and physical broadcast channel block (SSB), the at least one first SSB is a portion of all SSBs within the coverage area of ​​the network device; Send the first system message block. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that, The first system message block also includes second information, which indicates the first cycle number N and the first beam level, where N is a positive integer. The method according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that, The first system message block is system message block SIB1. A communication method, characterized in that, The method is applied to the non-connected terminal side, including: Receive a first system message block from a network device. The first system message block includes first information, which is used to indicate at least one first synchronization signal and physical broadcast channel block (SSB) group. The at least one first SSB group is a portion of all SSB groups within the coverage area of ​​the network device. One of the at least one first SSB groups includes at least one SSB. One of the SSB groups within the coverage area of ​​the network device includes at least one SSB. During the first period, the SSBs included in the at least one first SSB group are measured to obtain the first measurement result of the SSBs included in the at least one first SSB group; Based on the first measurement result, a first SSB is determined, and the at least one first SSB group includes a second SSB group, the second SSB group including the first SSB. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that, The method further includes: The SSBs included in the at least one first SSB group are measured during the second period, and a second measurement result of the SSBs included in the at least one first SSB group is obtained. The second period is the period following the first period. Based on the second measurement result, a second SSB is determined, and the at least one first SSB group includes a third SSB group, the third SSB group including the second SSB; If the second SSB group and the third SSB group are different, search the first system message block again. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that, The first system message block further includes second information, which indicates the first cycle number N and the first beam level, where N is a positive integer. The method further includes: The third SSB is measured within at least N third periodic time intervals to obtain N third measurement results of the third SSB. The at least one first SSB group includes a fourth SSB group, the fourth SSB group includes the third SSB, and the third measurement result includes the measurement beam level of the third SSB. The measurement beam level is greater than or equal to the first beam level. Based on the N third measurement results, the second beam level of the third SSB is determined. The method according to claim 8 or 10, characterized in that, The first system message block is system message block SIB1. A communication method, characterized in that, The method is applied to the network device side and includes: A first system message block is determined, the first system message block includes first information, the first information is used to indicate at least one first synchronization signal and physical broadcast channel block (SSB) group, the at least one first SSB group is a portion of all SSB groups within the coverage area of ​​the network device, one of the at least one first SSB groups includes at least one SSB, and one of the SSB groups within the coverage area of ​​the network device includes at least one SSB. Send the first system message block. The method according to claim 12, characterized in that, The first system message block also includes second information, which indicates the first cycle number N and the first beam level, where N is a positive integer. The method according to claim 12 or 13 is characterized in that, The first system message block is system message block SIB1. A communication device, characterized in that, include: A processor coupled to a memory for storing programs or instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the apparatus to perform the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 4. A communication device, characterized in that, include: A processor coupled to a memory for storing programs or instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the apparatus to perform the method as described in any one of claims 5 to 7. A communication device, characterized in that, include: A processor coupled to a memory for storing programs or instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the apparatus to perform the method as described in any one of claims 8 to 11. A communication device, characterized in that, include: A processor coupled to a memory for storing programs or instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the apparatus to perform the method as described in any one of claims 12 to 14. A computer-readable storage medium having instructions stored thereon, characterized in that, When the instruction is executed, it causes the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 4 to be executed, or causes the method as described in any one of claims 5 to 7 to be executed, or causes the method as described in any one of claims 8 to 11 to be executed, or causes the method as described in any one of claims 12 to 14 to be executed. A computer program product, characterized in that, It includes computer program code that, when run, implements the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 4, or the method as described in any one of claims 5 to 7, or the method as described in any one of claims 8 to 11, or the method as described in any one of claims 12 to 14.

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