Communication method and apparatus

Abstract

A communication method and apparatus, relating to the technical field of communications, and capable of reducing the overall power consumption of a communication system during SSB measurement. The method comprises: a network device determines first information, and transmits first SSBs of a first cell on the basis of the first information, wherein the first information comprises a plurality of first time intervals, the value of each first time interval can be set, each first time interval among the plurality of first time intervals is a time interval at which the network device transmits two adjacent first SSB sets, each first SSB set comprises a plurality of first SSB burst sets, each first SSB burst set among the plurality of first SSB burst sets comprises a plurality of first SSBs of the first cell, and the first cell is a serving cell.

Description

Communication method and apparatus

[0001] This application claims priority to the Chinese Patent Application No. 202411399513.4, filed on September 30, 2024, entitled “Communication method and apparatus”, the content of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. TECHNICAL FIELD

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

[0003] In a communication system, a terminal device can receive a synchronization signal / physical broadcast channel block (SS / PBCH block, referred to as synchronization signal block (SSB)) from a network device, and the terminal device can complete automatic gain control modulation of a serving cell, cell search, and synchronization through measurement of the SSB, thereby enabling communication with the network device.

[0004] When the measurement period is small, the terminal device will measure the periodic SSB more frequently. For example, taking 60s as an example, when the duration of the measurement period is 3840ms, the terminal device can perform SSB measurement at least 15 times within 60s; when the duration of the measurement period is 30720ms, the terminal device can perform SSB measurement at most 3 times within 60s. When the measurement period is small, the terminal device will measure the periodic SSB more frequently, which can improve the effectiveness of the measurement result, but will increase the power consumption of the terminal device; when the measurement period is large, the frequency of the terminal device measuring the periodic SSB is reduced, which can reduce the power consumption of the terminal device, but will reduce the effectiveness of the measurement result.

[0005] One possible way to improve the efficiency of terminal SSB measurement and reduce the signaling overhead of network device SSB transmission is to introduce on-demand SSB. Under the on-demand SSB mechanism, the network device can trigger the transmission of SSB on demand, rather than periodically transmitting SSB for a long time. Under the on-demand SSB mechanism, the configuration of SSB is more flexible, for example, multiple SSB burst sets can be designed to be more intensive, enabling the terminal device to measure SSB more intensively, which can reduce the actual measurement time of the terminal device, thereby reducing the power consumption of the terminal device. However, on-demand SSB can bring higher SSB detection efficiency, and at the same time enable the terminal to measure SSB frequently within a period of time.

[0006] Based on the above, how to reduce the overall power consumption of the communication system in the SSB measurement process becomes a problem to be solved. SUMMARY

[0007] The application provides a communication method and device, which can reduce the overall power consumption of the communication system in the SSB measurement process.

[0008] In a first aspect, the application provides a communication method, which can be executed by a network device. In the absence of special instructions, the "network device" in the application can refer to the network device itself, a component (such as a processor, a chip, or a chip system, etc.) in the network device, or a logic module or software capable of realizing all or part of the network device functions. The method comprises: the network device determines first information; and according to the first information, the network device transmits a first SSB of a first cell. The first information comprises a plurality of first time intervals, each of the plurality of first time intervals is a time interval in which the network device transmits an adjacent two first SSB set, the first SSB set comprises a plurality of first SSB burst sets, each of the plurality of first SSB burst sets comprises a plurality of first SSBs of the first cell, and the first cell is a serving cell; and the value of the first time interval is configurable.

[0009] Based on the first aspect, compared with the network device periodically and uninterruptedly transmitting the SSB burst set, in the scheme of the application, the network device can transmit a first SSB set through the first time interval, and the first SSB set can include a plurality of first SSB burst sets, that is, the network device can transmit a plurality of first SSB burst sets through the first time interval, and no first SSB burst set is transmitted in the time period corresponding to the first time interval, while in the scheme of the network device periodically and uninterruptedly transmitting the SSB burst set, the network device needs to transmit the first SSB burst set in the time period corresponding to the first time interval. Therefore, the scheme of the application can reduce the number of transmitted first SSB burst sets, achieve the effect of energy saving of the network device, and thus effectively reduce the overall energy consumption of the communication system. In addition, the value of the first time interval is configurable, which can make the first time interval better meet the communication demand, and can effectively improve the communication performance while improving the flexibility and diversity of the value of the first time interval.

[0010] In a possible implementation, the first information further comprises one or more of the following: the number of first SSB burst sets transmitted by the network device within a first preset time period, the number of first SSBs transmitted by the network device within a second preset time period, the number of first SSB burst sets in the first SSB set, or the time interval of adjacent two first SSB burst sets in the plurality of first SSB burst sets in the first SSB set.

[0011] Based on the possible implementation, the network device can send the multiple first SSB sets through the first information.

[0012] In a possible implementation, the first information is determined according to the second information; wherein the second information comprises one or more of the following: a maximum value of the first time interval expected by the terminal device, a minimum value of the first time interval expected by the terminal device, a number of first SSB burst sets that the terminal device can process within a first preset time length, a number of first SSBs that the terminal device can process within a second preset time length, a number of first SSB burst sets in a first SSB set expected by the terminal device, and a time interval of two adjacent first SSB burst sets in the multiple first SSB burst sets in the first SSB set expected by the terminal device.

[0013] In a possible implementation, the second information is predefined; or, the second information is carried in the capability information of the one or more terminal devices; or, a part of the second information is predefined, and another part of the second information is carried in the capability information of the one or more terminal devices.

[0014] Based on the above two possible implementations, the network device can determine the first information according to the second information, providing a feasible scheme for determining the first information. In the case where the second information is predefined, compared with the case where the second information is carried in the capability information of the one or more terminal devices, the signaling transmission overhead can be reduced; in the case where the second information is carried in the capability information of the one or more terminal devices, the terminal device can dynamically indicate the capability of the terminal device to the network device, compared with the case where the second information is predefined, the flexibility and diversity of the second information can be improved, and meanwhile, the network device can better meet the needs of the terminal device when determining the first information, thereby improving the communication performance.

[0015] In a possible implementation, the first time interval is less than the minimum value of the first time interval expected by the terminal device.

[0016] Based on the possible implementation, the first time interval can be greater than or equal to the minimum value of the first time interval expected by the terminal device, or can be less than the minimum value of the first time interval expected by the terminal device, which can increase the range of the first time interval value and improve the flexibility and diversity of the first time interval value. In addition, in the case where there are multiple terminal devices in the first cell, the minimum values of the first time intervals expected by different terminal devices can be different, and the network device can determine the first time interval according to the minimum values of the first time intervals expected by different terminal devices, and send the first SSB set according to the first time interval, which can ensure that different terminal devices receive the first SSB set according to their own expected first time intervals.

[0017] In a possible implementation, the network device periodically transmits the plurality of first SSB sets with a first time interval, where the first time interval is less than or equal to a maximum value of the first time interval expected by the terminal device.

[0018] In a possible implementation, the network device transmits N third information, and transmits the nth first SSB set after the nth third information, where the third information is used to indicate that the network device will transmit the first SSB, N is a positive integer greater than or equal to 3, n = 1, 2, …, N, the nth first SSB set includes Xn first SSB burst sets, the plurality of first time intervals include time intervals between every two adjacent first SSB sets in the N first SSB sets, each of the plurality of first time intervals is less than or equal to a maximum value of the first time interval expected by the terminal device, and Xn is a positive integer greater than or equal to a number of first SSB burst sets in a first SSB set expected by the terminal device.

[0019] In a possible implementation, at least two of the plurality of first time intervals are different.

[0020] Based on the above three possible implementations, the network device can transmit the plurality of first SSB sets based on two schemes. In the first scheme, the network device can periodically transmit the plurality of first SSB sets by transmitting one third information. In the second scheme, the network device can transmit one first SSB set after transmitting one first information. Compared with the second scheme, the first scheme can simplify the configuration of the plurality of first SSB sets, reduce the workload of the network device, and reduce the signaling transmission overhead. Compared with the first scheme, in the second scheme, the network device can more flexibly transmit the plurality of first SSB sets, better meet the communication requirements, and improve the communication performance.

[0021] In a possible implementation, the network device periodically transmits a second SSB of the first cell, and transmits first indication information, where the first indication information is used to indicate the terminal device to measure the first SSB of the first cell and not to measure the second SSB of the first cell.

[0022] Based on the possible implementation, in the case where the first SSB of the first cell and the second SSB of the first cell exist at the same time, the network device can indicate the terminal device not to measure the second SSB of the first cell by using the first indication information, and thus the power consumption of the terminal device can be reduced.

[0023] In a possible implementation, the network device sends second indication information; the second indication information is used to indicate whether the terminal device measures a second SSB of the first cell in the absence of a first SSB of the first cell; or the second indication information is used to indicate that the terminal device measures the second SSB of the first cell in the absence of the first SSB of the first cell.

[0024] Based on the possible implementation, the first SSB of the first cell is not always present, and in the absence of the first SSB of the first cell, the network device can indicate the terminal device to measure the second SSB of the first cell through the second indication information, so that the network device and the terminal device can reach a consistent understanding.

[0025] In a possible implementation, the network device sends third indication information; the third indication information is used to indicate whether the terminal device measures an SSB of a second cell; the second cell is a neighboring cell of the first cell.

[0026] Based on the possible implementation, the network device can indicate whether the terminal device measures the SSB of the second cell through the third indication information, so that the network device and the terminal device can reach a consistent understanding, and the effectiveness of the interaction between the network device and the terminal device can be improved.

[0027] In a possible implementation, the network device sends first configuration information; the first configuration information is used to configure a measurement interval; the measurement interval is used for the terminal device to determine a measurement period of an SSB of a second cell; the second cell is a neighboring cell of the first cell.

[0028] Based on the possible implementation, the network device can indicate the terminal device to determine the measurement period of the SSB of the second cell through the first configuration information, so that the terminal device can measure the SSB of the second cell based on the measurement period of the SSB of the second cell, and the power consumption of the terminal device can be reduced to a certain extent in the process of measuring the first SSB of the first cell.

[0029] In a possible implementation, the network device sends fourth indication information; the fourth indication information is used to indicate that the terminal device measures the first SSB of the first cell and does not measure an SSB of a second cell; the second cell is a neighboring cell of the first cell.

[0030] Based on the possible implementation, the network device can indicate the terminal device not to measure the SSB of the second cell through the fourth indication information, so that the work load of the terminal device can be reduced, and the power consumption of the terminal device can be effectively reduced.

[0031] In a possible implementation, the network device sends a first SSB of a first cell within a preset time period before sending first signaling; the first signaling is used to activate the first cell.

[0032] Based on the possible implementation, within a preset time period before the network device sends the first signaling, the network device can send one or more first SSB sets according to the first time interval. When the network device sends the first signaling, due to the time interval between the first signaling sent by the network device and the first SSB set before the first signaling sent by the network device, which can be less than or equal to the time interval between the first SSB set before the first signaling sent by the network device and the next first SSB set to be sent by the network device, the measurement result sent by the terminal device to the network device after receiving the first signaling (the measurement result is determined according to the terminal device measuring the first SSB set) can be guaranteed to be valid as much as possible. The network device can configure the configuration required to activate the first cell according to the measurement result, which can effectively reduce the time to activate the first cell, so as to realize fast activation of the first cell.

[0033] In a possible implementation, the first time interval is the time interval between the first first SSB burst set in the previous first SSB set and the first first SSB burst set in the next first SSB set in the adjacent two first SSB sets; or, the first time interval is the time interval between the first first SSB burst set in the previous first SSB set and the last first SSB burst set in the next first SSB set in the adjacent two first SSB sets; or, the first time interval is the time interval between the last first SSB burst set in the previous first SSB set and the first first SSB burst set in the next first SSB set in the adjacent two first SSB sets; or, the first time interval is the time interval between the last first SSB burst set in the previous first SSB set and the last first SSB burst set in the next first SSB set in the adjacent two first SSB sets.

[0034] Based on the possible implementation, several feasible schemes are provided for determining the first time interval.

[0035] In a possible implementation, the time interval between the adjacent two first SSB burst sets in the first SSB set sent by the network device is less than the time interval between the adjacent two first SSB burst sets in the plurality of first SSB burst sets in the first SSB set expected by the terminal device.

[0036] Based on the possible implementation, the time interval of two adjacent first SSB burst sets in the first SSB set sent by the network device can be greater than or equal to the time interval of two adjacent first SSB burst sets in the multiple first SSB burst sets expected by the terminal device, or can be less than the time interval of two adjacent first SSB burst sets in the multiple first SSB burst sets expected by the terminal device, can increase the range of the time interval of two adjacent first SSB burst sets in the first SSB set sent by the network device, and can improve the flexibility and diversity of the time interval of two adjacent first SSB burst sets in the first SSB set sent by the network device.

[0037] In a possible implementation, in a case where the time interval of two adjacent first SSB burst sets in the first SSB set sent by the network device is less than the time interval of two adjacent first SSB burst sets in the multiple first SSB burst sets expected by the terminal device, the number of first SSB burst sets in the first SSB set sent by the network device is greater than the number of first SSB burst sets in the first SSB set expected by the terminal device.

[0038] Based on the possible implementation, the number of required first SSB burst sets in the first SSB set can be measured by the terminal device, and the accuracy of the measurement can be ensured.

[0039] In a second aspect, the present application provides a communication method, which can be executed by a terminal device. In the case where it is not specially stated, the "terminal device" in the present application can refer to the terminal device itself, a component (for example, a processor, a chip, or a chip system) in the terminal device, or a logic module or software capable of realizing all or part of the functions of the terminal device. The method comprises: the terminal device sends the capability information of the terminal device; wherein the capability information of the terminal device comprises one or more of the following: the maximum value of the first time interval expected by the terminal device, the minimum value of the first time interval expected by the terminal device, the number of first synchronization signal / physical broadcast channel block (SSB) burst sets that the terminal device can process within a first preset time length, the number of first SSBs that the terminal device can process within a second preset time length, the number of first SSB burst sets in the first SSB set expected by the terminal device, and the time interval of two adjacent first SSB burst sets in the multiple first SSB burst sets in the first SSB set expected by the terminal device; the first time interval is the time interval of two adjacent first SSB sets sent by a network device, the first SSB set comprises multiple first SSB burst sets, each of the multiple first SSB burst sets comprises multiple first SSBs, the first SSB is the SSB of a first cell, and the first cell is a serving cell.

[0040] Based on the second aspect, the terminal device can send the capability information to the network device, the network device can determine the first time interval according to the capability information of the terminal device, and the network device can better meet the needs of the terminal device when determining the first time interval, thereby improving the communication performance.

[0041] In a possible implementation, in a case where the first time interval is less than the minimum value of the first time interval expected by the terminal device, the terminal device receives the first SSB set according to the second time interval, and the second time interval is determined according to the first time interval and the minimum value of the first time interval expected by the terminal device.

[0042] In a possible implementation, the second time interval is the minimum value of a plurality of third time intervals, and the third time interval is the time interval of any two first SSB sets in the first SSB set sent by the network device, and the third time interval is greater than or equal to the minimum value of the first time interval expected by the terminal device.

[0043] Based on the above two possible implementations, the terminal device can receive the first SSB set according to the second time interval, while the network device can send the first SSB set according to the first time interval, the first time interval can be less than the second time interval, the range of the first time interval value can be increased, and the frequency of the terminal device receiving the first SSB can be reduced, thereby reducing the power consumption of the terminal device.

[0044] In a possible implementation, the terminal device periodically receives a plurality of first SSB sets with a second time interval as a period, and the second time interval is determined according to the first time interval and the minimum value of the first time interval expected by the terminal device.

[0045] In a possible implementation, after the terminal device receives the nth third information, the terminal device receives the nth first SSB set, n = 1, 2, …, N, the nth first SSB set includes Xn first SSB burst sets, and Xn is a positive integer greater than or equal to the number of first SSB burst sets in the first SSB set expected by the terminal device.

[0046] In a possible implementation, at least two of the plurality of first time intervals are different.

[0047] Based on the above three possible implementations, the terminal device can receive multiple first SSB sets based on two schemes. In the first scheme, the terminal device can periodically receive multiple first SSB sets by receiving one third information. In the second scheme, the terminal device can receive one first SSB set after receiving one first information. Compared with the second scheme, the first scheme can simplify the configuration of multiple first SSB sets, reduce the workload of the network device, and reduce the signaling transmission overhead. Compared with the first scheme, in the second scheme, the network device can more flexibly send multiple first SSB sets, better meet the communication requirements, and improve the communication performance.

[0048] In one possible implementation, the terminal device receives first indication information, and determines, according to the first indication information, to receive a first SSB of a first cell and not to receive a second SSB of the first cell. The first indication information is used to instruct the terminal device to measure the first SSB of the first cell and not to measure the second SSB of the first cell.

[0049] Based on this possible implementation, the terminal device can determine, according to the first indication information, not to receive the second SSB of the first cell, and in the process of receiving and measuring the first SSB of the first cell, the power consumption of the terminal device can be reduced.

[0050] In one possible implementation, the terminal device receives second indication information, and determines, according to the second indication information, whether to measure a second SSB of a first cell in the absence of a first SSB of the first cell. The second indication information is used to instruct the terminal device whether to measure the second SSB of the first cell in the absence of the first SSB of the first cell, or the second indication information is used to instruct the terminal device to measure the second SSB of the first cell in the absence of the first SSB of the first cell.

[0051] Based on this possible implementation, the first SSB of the first cell is not always present. In the absence of the first SSB of the first cell, the terminal device can determine, through the second indication information, whether the second SSB of the first cell, so that the network device and the terminal device can reach a consistent understanding.

[0052] In one possible implementation, the terminal device receives third indication information, and determines, according to the third indication information, whether to measure a SSB of a second cell. The third indication information is used to instruct the terminal device whether to measure the SSB of the second cell. The second cell is a neighboring cell of the first cell.

[0053] Based on this possible implementation, the terminal device can determine, according to the third indication information, whether to measure the SSB of the second cell, can reach a consistent understanding with the network device, and can improve the effectiveness of the interaction between the network device and the terminal device.

[0054] In a possible implementation, the terminal device receives first configuration information; and receives the SSB of the second cell according to the first configuration information. The first configuration information is used for configuring a measurement interval; and the measurement interval is used for the terminal device to determine a measurement period of the SSB of the second cell, and the second cell is a neighboring cell of the first cell.

[0055] Based on the possible implementation, the terminal device can determine the measurement period of the SSB of the second cell according to the first configuration information, and the terminal device can measure the SSB of the second cell based on the measurement period of the SSB of the second cell, so that the power consumption of the terminal device can be reduced to a certain extent in the process of measuring the first SSB of the first cell.

[0056] In a possible implementation, the terminal device receives fourth indication information; and determines to receive the first SSB of the first cell and not to receive the SSB of the second cell according to the fourth indication information. The fourth indication information is used for indicating the terminal device to measure the first SSB of the first cell and not to measure the SSB of the second cell, and the second cell is a neighboring cell of the first cell.

[0057] Based on the possible implementation, the terminal device can determine not to measure the SSB of the second cell according to the fourth indication information, so that the work load of the terminal device can be reduced, and the power consumption of the terminal device can be effectively reduced.

[0058] In a possible implementation, the first time interval is a time interval between a first first SSB burst set in a previous first SSB set and a first first SSB burst set in a next first SSB set in adjacent two first SSB sets; or, the first time interval is a time interval between the first first SSB burst set in the previous first SSB set and a last first SSB burst set in the next first SSB set in the adjacent two first SSB sets; or, the first time interval is a time interval between the last first SSB burst set in the previous first SSB set and the first first SSB burst set in the next first SSB set in the adjacent two first SSB sets; or, the first time interval is a time interval between the last first SSB burst set in the previous first SSB set and a last first SSB burst set in the next first SSB set in the adjacent two first SSB sets.

[0059] Based on the possible implementation, several feasible schemes are provided for determining the first time interval.

[0060] In a third aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication apparatus, which can be applied to the network device in the first aspect to implement the functions of the network device. The communication apparatus can be the network device, a chip or chip system or system on chip, etc. of the network device. The communication apparatus can implement the functions of the network device through hardware or by executing corresponding software through hardware. The hardware or software includes one or more modules corresponding to the functions. For example, the transceiver module and the processing module. The transceiver module can complete the transceiving operations independently or in cooperation with the processing module. Similarly, the processing module can complete the processing operations independently or in cooperation with the transceiver module.

[0061] For example, the processing module is configured to determine first information, where the first information includes a plurality of first time intervals, each of the plurality of first time intervals is a time interval in which the network device transmits two adjacent first SSB sets, each of the plurality of first SSB sets includes a plurality of first SSBs of a first cell, the first cell is a serving cell, and a value of the first time interval is configurable. The transceiver module is configured to transmit the first SSBs of the first cell according to the first information.

[0062] Optionally, the transceiver module and the processing module of the communication apparatus in the third aspect can also perform the corresponding functions in the first aspect or any possible design of the first aspect. For more details, refer to the detailed description in the method embodiment. The beneficial effects achieved can also be found in the foregoing related content.

[0063] In a fourth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication apparatus, which can be applied to the terminal device in the second aspect to implement the functions of the terminal device. The communication apparatus can be the terminal device, a chip or chip system or system on chip, etc. of the terminal device. The communication apparatus can implement the functions of the terminal device through hardware or by executing corresponding software through hardware. The hardware or software includes one or more modules corresponding to the functions. For example, the transceiver module and the processing module. The transceiver module can complete the transceiving operations independently or in cooperation with the processing module. Similarly, the processing module can complete the processing operations independently or in cooperation with the transceiver module.

[0064] The transceiver module is configured to send the capability information of the terminal device, wherein the capability information of the terminal device comprises one or more of the following: a maximum value of a first time interval expected by the terminal device, a minimum value of the first time interval expected by the terminal device, a number of first SSB burst sets that can be processed by the terminal device within a first preset time length, a number of first SSBs that can be processed by the terminal device within a second preset time length, a number of first SSB burst sets in a first SSB set expected by the terminal device, and a time interval between two adjacent first SSB burst sets in a plurality of first SSB burst sets expected by the terminal device in the first SSB set; the first time interval is a time interval at which the network device sends two adjacent first SSB sets, the first SSB set comprises a plurality of first SSB burst sets, each of the plurality of first SSB burst sets comprises a plurality of first SSBs, and the first SSB is an SSB of a first cell, and the first cell is a serving cell.

[0065] Optionally, the transceiver module and the processing module of the communication apparatus in the fourth aspect can also perform the corresponding functions in the second aspect or any possible design of the second aspect, and the specific functions can be understood in the method examples, and the beneficial effects can be understood in the foregoing related content.

[0066] In the fifth aspect, the embodiments of the present application provide a communication apparatus, which comprises one or more processors; and the one or more processors are configured to execute computer programs or instructions, and when the one or more processors execute the computer programs or instructions, the communication method in any one of the first aspect to the second aspect is executed.

[0067] In a possible design, the communication apparatus further comprises one or more memories, the one or more memories are coupled to the one or more processors, and the one or more memories are configured to store the computer programs or instructions. In a possible implementation, the memory is located outside the communication apparatus. In another possible implementation, the memory is located inside the communication apparatus. In the embodiments of the present application, the processor and the memory can also be integrated into one device, that is, the processor and the memory can also be integrated together. In a possible implementation, the communication apparatus further comprises a transceiver, and the transceiver is configured to receive information and / or send information.

[0068] In a possible design, the communication apparatus further comprises one or more communication interfaces, the one or more communication interfaces are coupled to the one or more processors, and the one or more communication interfaces are configured to communicate with other modules outside the communication apparatus.

[0069] In a sixth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication apparatus, the communication apparatus comprising an interface circuit and a logic circuit; the interface circuit is configured to input and / or output information; the logic circuit is configured to perform the communication method according to any one of the first aspect and the second aspect, process and / or generate information according to the information.

[0070] In a seventh aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a computer readable storage medium, the computer readable storage medium stores computer instructions or programs, when the computer instructions or programs are run on a computer, the communication method according to any one of the first aspect and the second aspect is performed.

[0071] In an eighth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a computer program product comprising computer instructions, when the computer instructions are run on a computer, the communication method according to any one of the first aspect and the second aspect is performed.

[0072] In a ninth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a computer program, when the computer program is run on a computer, the communication method according to any one of the first aspect and the second aspect is performed.

[0073] In a tenth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a chip, comprising: a processor, the processor is coupled with a memory, the memory is configured to store programs or instructions, when the programs or instructions are executed by the processor, the communication method according to any one of the first aspect and the second aspect is performed.

[0074] The technical effects brought by any one of the third aspect to the tenth aspect can refer to the technical effects brought by any one of the first aspect and the second aspect, and will not be described here.

[0075] In an eleventh aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication system, the communication system can comprise a communication apparatus for performing the communication method according to the first aspect or any possible design of the first aspect, and a communication apparatus for performing the communication method according to the second aspect or any possible design of the second aspect. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0076] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an SSB burst set according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0077] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a measurement period according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0078] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of different SSBs according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0079] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a communication system according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0080] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of an open access network system according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0081] FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of a network device protocol stack according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0082] FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of a network device chip architecture according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0083] FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of a communication apparatus according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0084] FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0085] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of a first time interval according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0086] FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram of a first SSB burst set in a first preset time duration according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0087] FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram of a network device transmitting a first SSB according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0088] FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram of another network device transmitting a first SSB according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0089] FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram of quickly activating a first cell according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0090] FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram of another quickly activating a first cell according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0091] FIG. 16 is a schematic diagram of a first SSB in different scenarios according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0092] FIG. 17 is a schematic diagram of a first SSB transmission according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0093] FIG. 18 is a schematic diagram of a network device according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0094] FIG. 19 is a schematic diagram of a terminal device according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0095] FIG. 20 is a schematic diagram of a communication apparatus according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0096] FIG. 21 is a schematic diagram of a baseband hardware according to an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0097] Before describing the embodiments of the present application, the technical terms related to the embodiments of the present application are described.

[0098] (1) SSB

[0099] The SSB includes a primary synchronization signal (PSS), a secondary synchronization signal (SSS), and a physical broadcast channel (PBCH). The SSB is mainly used for cell search, cell synchronization, carrying a cell identity number (CI), downlink timing, and acquisition of system messages. The SSB mainly has two functions: (1) cell synchronization and master information block (MIB) acquisition; and (2) network device beam training.

[0100] In the current communication system, the SSB occupies 4 orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) symbols in the time domain. One SSB includes one symbol of PSS, one symbol of SSS, and two symbols of PBCH. The time-frequency resources occupied by the PBCH include a demodulation reference signal (DMRS) for demodulation of the PBCH.

[0101] It should be noted that the structure of the SSB mentioned in the present application can be changed or adjusted, and the SSB involved in the present application can also have other names in future communication technologies. For convenience of description, the following content is described in detail by taking the SSB as an example, and the time-frequency structure and name of the SSB are not limited in the present application.

[0102] (2) Periodic SSB

[0103] The network device can periodically transmit the SSB, and accordingly, the terminal device can periodically perform multiple SSB measurements. In the present application, the case that the terminal device periodically measures the SSB is referred to as a periodic SSB. For the periodic SSB, one SSB measurement corresponds to one measurement period, and the lengths of different measurement periods are the same. In each SSB measurement process, the terminal device can measure multiple SSB burst sets. Each SSB burst set can include multiple SSBs. The multiple periodic SSB burst sets measured by the terminal device in one measurement period are multiple periodic SSB burst sets measured by the terminal device in one SSB measurement process. The terminal device can start measuring the multiple periodic SSB burst sets at any time in the measurement period.

[0104] For example, in one SSB measurement process, the terminal device can measure five periodic SSB burst sets, each of which can include 16 periodic SSBs, and the indexes of the periodic SSBs are different (for example, the index range of the periodic SSBs can be 0-15), and different periodic SSBs can be carried on different beams (that is, the network device can send different periodic SSBs on different transmission beams, and the terminal device can receive different periodic SSBs on different reception beams).

[0105] For example, as shown in the following FIG. 1, taking the case of two measurement periods as an example, it is assumed that the terminal device measures five periodic SSB burst sets in one measurement period, and each of the five periodic SSB burst sets can include 16 periodic SSBs. In (a) of FIG. 1, the five periodic SSB burst sets can be located at the starting position of each measurement period, that is, the terminal device can measure the periodic SSBs at the starting position of each measurement period; in (b) of FIG. 1, the five periodic SSB burst sets can be located at the middle position of each measurement period, that is, the terminal device can measure the periodic SSBs at the middle position of each measurement period; in (c) of FIG. 1, the five periodic SSB burst sets can be located at the end position of each measurement period, that is, the terminal device can measure the periodic SSBs at the end position of each measurement period.

[0106] For the case where the SSB burst set is not located at the starting position of each measurement period, it can be understood that the network device continuously sends the periodic SSB burst set in one measurement period, and the terminal device only measures part of the periodic SSB burst set in the measurement period.

[0107] Optionally, the network device can configure the measurement interval (measCycleSCell) parameter of the secondary cell in the configuration of the measurement object, that is, when the periodic SSB of one secondary cell is on the frequency point indicated by the measurement object and the secondary cell is in the deactivated state, the network device configures the measCycleSCell parameter, and accordingly, the terminal device can determine the duration of the measurement period according to the parameter. Specifically, the duration of the measurement period can be determined according to Table 1.

[0108] Table 1

[0109] Wherein, Mpss / sss_sync_w / o_gaps represents the number of periodic SSB burst sets measured by the terminal device in one measurement period, K p CSSFintra can be understood as an extension factor.

[0110] Based on the content shown in Table 1, taking non-DRX as an example, assuming Mpss / sss_sync_w / o_gaps = 24, K p = 1, CSSFintra = 1, it can be determined that Cell(Mpss / sss_sync_w / o_gaps x K p ) x CSSFintra = 24, then the length of the measurement period can be calculated as 24 * measCycleSCell. When the measCycleSCell parameter takes a value of 160 ms, the length of the measurement period can be 3840 ms; or when the measCycleSCell parameter takes a value of 1280 ms, the length of the measurement period can be 30720 ms.

[0111] It can be understood that different measCycleSCell parameters correspond to different measurement periods. When the measurement period is small, the terminal device will measure the periodic SSB more frequently. For example, taking a period of 60s as an example, when the length of the measurement period is 3840 ms, the terminal device can perform at least 15 SSB measurements within 60s; when the length of the measurement period is 30720 ms, the terminal device can perform at most 3 SSB measurements within 60s. When the measurement period is small, the terminal device will measure the periodic SSB more frequently, which can improve the effectiveness of the measurement result, but will increase the power consumption of the terminal device; when the measurement period is large, the frequency of the terminal device measuring the periodic SSB is reduced, which can reduce the power consumption of the terminal device, but will reduce the effectiveness of the measurement result.

[0112] One possible way to improve the efficiency of terminal SSB measurement is to involve multiple SSB burst sets that are relatively dense, so that the terminal device can measure SSB more intensively, thereby reducing the actual measurement time of the terminal device and reducing the power consumption of the terminal device.

[0113] For example, as shown in the following FIG. 2, taking that the terminal device needs to measure 24 periodic SSB burst sets as an example, assuming that the length of the measurement period is 3840 ms, as shown in (a) of FIG. 2, when the interval between adjacent two periodic burst sets is 5 ms, the actual measurement time of the terminal device can be 24*5 = 120 ms; as shown in (b) of FIG. 2, when the interval between adjacent two periodic SSB burst sets is 20 ms, the actual measurement time of the terminal device can be 24*20 = 480 ms. The periodic SSB burst set actually measured by the terminal device can be located at any position in the measurement period, and FIG. 2 is only an example.

[0114] It can be understood that, in a measurement period, since the network device continuously and periodically transmits the SSB burst set, and the terminal device only measures part of the periodic SSB burst set, the power consumption of the communication system is increased.

[0115] Therefore, in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, an on-demand SSB is proposed.

[0116] (3) on-demand SSB

[0117] The network device can trigger the transmission of the SSB on demand, and does not have to periodically transmit the SSB according to the same period for a long time. In this application, this on-demand triggering mode is called on-demand SSB. Among them, the SSB burst set corresponding to the on-demand SSB can be called on-demand SSB burst set. For example, as shown in the following FIG. 3, in (a) of FIG. 3, the periodic SSB burst set can appear every 20 ms, and does not need to be triggered by the network device, and can always appear; in (b) of FIG. 3, the on-demand SSB burst set can appear after being triggered by the network device, and the on-demand SSB burst set does not always appear.

[0118] It can be understood that the terminal device can receive and measure the on-demand SSB after receiving the triggering information of the network device. Among them, the interval between two adjacent on-demand SSB burst sets in the plurality of on-demand SSB burst sets can be smaller than the interval between two adjacent periodic SSB burst sets in the plurality of periodic SSB burst sets, for example, the interval between two adjacent periodic SSB burst sets in the plurality of periodic SSB burst sets can be 20 ms, and the interval between two adjacent on-demand SSB burst sets in the plurality of on-demand SSB burst sets can be 5 ms.

[0119] Based on the above description of the periodic SSB and the on-demand SSB, the configuration of the on-demand SSB can be more flexible.

[0120] Through the above description, the on-demand SSB can bring higher SSB detection efficiency, and at the same time enable the terminal to frequently measure the SSB in a period of time. Therefore, how to reduce the overall power consumption of the communication system in the SSB measurement process based on the on-demand SSB has become a problem to be solved.

[0121] Based on the above problems, the present application provides a communication method, which comprises: a network device can configure on-demand SSB transmission with greater granularity, that is, the network device can transmit a set of on-demand SSBs every first time interval, and the set of on-demand SSBs can include a plurality of on-demand SSB burst sets, and each of the plurality of on-demand SSB burst sets can include a plurality of on-demand SSBs of a serving cell; wherein the value of the first time interval is configurable.

[0122] Compared with the network device periodically and uninterruptedly transmitting the SSB burst set, in the scheme of the present application, the network device can transmit a first SSB set every first time interval, and the first SSB set can include a plurality of first SSB burst sets, that is, the network device can transmit a plurality of first SSB burst sets every first time interval, and no first SSB burst set is transmitted in the time period corresponding to the first time interval, while in the scheme of the network device periodically and uninterruptedly transmitting the SSB burst set, the network device needs to transmit the first SSB burst set in the time period corresponding to the first time interval, therefore, the scheme of the present application can reduce the number of first SSB burst sets transmitted, and achieve the effect of energy saving of the network device, thereby effectively reducing the overall energy consumption of the communication system; in addition, the value of the first time interval is configurable, which can make the first time interval better meet the communication demand, and can effectively improve the communication performance while improving the flexibility and diversity of the value of the first time interval.

[0123] The implementation of the embodiments of the present application will be described in detail below in conjunction with the drawings of the specification.

[0124] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application can be applied to various communication systems, which can be a 3rd generation partnership project (3GPP) communication system, for example, a fourth generation (4G), long term evolution (LTE), fifth generation (5G), NR, or a system of mixed networking of LTE and 5G, or a non-terrestrial network (NTN) system, or a mobile communication system evolved after 5G, a vehicle to everything (V2X) system, or a device-to-device (D2D) communication system, a machine to machine (M2M) communication system, an internet of things (IoT), a narrow band-internet of things (NB-IoT), other future communication systems, a perception communication integrated system, a satellite communication system, etc. The communication system can also be a non-3GPP communication system, such as a wireless local area network (WLAN) system, for example, wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi), without limitation.

[0125] The above-mentioned communication systems and communication scenarios to which the present application is applied are only illustrative, and the communication systems and communication scenarios to which the present application is applied are not limited thereto, and the above-mentioned description does not cause any limitation to the solutions of the present application.

[0126] For example, as shown in the following FIG. 4, a structure diagram of a communication system provided by the present application is shown. The communication system can include at least one terminal device and at least one network device.

[0127] In the embodiments of the present application, the terminal device can be located in the beam / cell coverage range of the network device, and the network device can provide communication services for the terminal device.

[0128] The terminal device in the embodiments of the present application can be a device with wireless transceiving function or a chip or chip system that can be arranged in the device, can allow a user to access a network, and is a device for providing voice and / or data connectivity to a user. The terminal device can also be referred to as a user equipment (UE), a subscriber unit, a terminal, a mobile station (MS), or a mobile terminal (MT), etc.

[0129] Optionally, the terminal device in the embodiments of the present application can be a user side device for implementing wireless communication function, such as a terminal or a chip used in a terminal, etc. The terminal can be a user equipment (UE) in a 5G network or a public land mobile network (PLMN) evolved after 5G, an access terminal, a terminal unit, a terminal station, a mobile station, a mobile terminal, a remote station, a remote terminal, a mobile device, a wireless communication device, a terminal agent or a terminal apparatus, etc. The access terminal can be a cellular phone, a cordless phone, a session initiation protocol (SIP) phone, a wireless local loop (WLL) station, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a handheld device with wireless communication function, a computing device or other processing device connected to a wireless modem, a vehicle-mounted device, a drone, a robot, a point of sale (POS) machine, a customer-premises equipment (CPE), or a wearable device, a virtual reality (VR) terminal device, an augmented reality (AR) terminal device, a wireless terminal in industrial control, a wireless terminal in self driving, a wireless terminal in remote medical, a wireless terminal in smart grid, a wireless terminal in transportation safety, a wireless terminal in smart city, a wireless terminal in smart home, etc. Alternatively, the terminal can be a terminal with communication function in IoT, such as a terminal in V2X (e.g., a vehicle-mounted device), a terminal in D2D communication, or a terminal in M2M communication, etc. The terminal can be mobile or fixed.

[0130] In the embodiments of the present application, the network device can be any device deployed in an access network and capable of wireless communication with a terminal device. The network device can also be a chip or chip system that can be provided in the above device. The network device can also be a logical node or a logical module or a function implemented in software, which can be used to implement wireless physical control functions, resource scheduling and wireless resource management, wireless access control, and mobility management functions. Specifically, the network device can be a device supporting wired access or a device supporting wireless access.

[0131] Optionally, the network device in the embodiments of the present application is a device for connecting a terminal device to a wireless network. The network device can be a node in a radio access network (RAN), or a base station, which can be referred to as a radio access network node (or device).

[0132] For example, the network device can include an evolved NodeB (NodeB or eNB or e-NodeB, evolutional Node B) in an LTE system or an LTE-advanced (LTE-A) system, such as a conventional macro base station eNB and a micro base station eNB in a heterogeneous network scenario. Alternatively, the network device can include a next generation NodeB (gNB) in an NR system. Alternatively, the network device can include a transmission reception point (TRP), a home base station (for example, a home evolved NodeB, or a home NodeB, HNB), a baseband unit (BBU), a baseband pool (BBU pool), or a Wi-Fi access point (AP), etc. Alternatively, the network device can include a base station in an NTN, which can be deployed on a flight platform or a satellite. In an NTN, the network device can act as a layer 1 (L1) relay, or as a base station, or as an integrated access and backhaul (IAB) node. Alternatively, the network device can be a device implementing base station functions in IoT, such as unmanned aerial vehicle communication, V2X, D2D, or machine to machine (M2M).

[0133] Optionally, the base station in this application embodiment may include various forms of base stations, such as: macro base station, micro base station (also known as small station), relay station, access point, home base station, TRP, transmitting point (TP), or mobile switching center, etc. This application embodiment does not specifically limit these.

[0134] Based on the above description of the communication system, this application can be applied to RAN architecture, and Figure 5 below is an example diagram of RAN architecture.

[0135] Network devices can communicate with core network (CN) devices via backhaul links, and can also communicate with terminal devices via air interfaces.

[0136] In one example, the network equipment may include a baseband unit (BBU) and a remote radio unit (RRU). The BBU and RRU can be located in different locations; for example, the RRU can be deployed remotely to a high-traffic area, while the BBU is located in a central equipment room. Alternatively, the BBU and RRU can be located in the same equipment room. The BBU and RRU can also be different components within the same rack.

[0137] In another example, a network device can include centralized unit (CU) nodes, distributed unit (DU) nodes, or both CU and DU nodes. For instance, a network device can be logically divided into CUs and DUs, with some protocol layer functions centrally controlled by the CU, and the remaining partial or complete protocol layer functions distributed across the DU, which is then centrally controlled by the CU. CUs and DUs can be separate entities or included in the same network element, such as a BBU. Furthermore, a CU can be further divided into a control plane (C-Plane), also known as CU-CP, and a user plane (U-Plane), also known as CU-UP.

[0138] The CU and DU can communicate via a midhaul link.

[0139] In another example, the network device can also be a device including a CU, a DU, and a radio unit (RU), or a device including a CU, a DU, and a RU. Among them, the RU can be included in a radio frequency device or a radio frequency unit, such as a RRU, an active antenna unit (AAU), or a remote radio head (RRH).

[0140] Among them, the RU can communicate with at least one terminal device through an air interface.

[0141] In different systems, the CU (or CU-CP and CU-UP), DU, or RU can also have different names, but those skilled in the art can understand their meanings. For example, the network device can be a network device or a module of a network device in an opening RAN (O-RAN) system. In the O-RAN system, the CU can also be referred to as an opening (O)-CU, the DU can also be referred to as an O-DU, the CU-CP can also be referred to as an O-CU-CP, the CU-UP can also be referred to as an O-CU-UP, and the RU can also be referred to as an O-RU. Any of the CU (or CU-CP, CU-UP), DU, and RU in this application can be implemented by a software module, a hardware module, or a combination of a software module and a hardware module.

[0142] In one possible implementation, the network element function division and protocol layer structure diagram of the network device in the RAN system can be as shown in FIG. 6.

[0143] Among them, the CU is a logical node that carries the radio resource control (RRC) layer, the service data adaptation protocol (SDAP) layer, the packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) layer, and other control functions of the network device. The CU can be connected to network nodes such as core network devices through some interfaces, and the interfaces can be E2 interfaces and the like.

[0144] Optionally, the CU can have part of the functions of the network device, such as the CU (for example, the PDCP layer and higher layers) can be connected to the DU (for example, the radio link control (RLC) layer and lower layers) through some interfaces, and the interfaces can be F1 interfaces.

[0145] In some examples, these interfaces (e.g., F1 interface) can provide control plane and user plane functions (e.g., interface management, system information management, UE context management, RRC message transmission, etc.). The F1 application protocol (AP) is the application protocol of the F1 interface, which can be split into F1 control plane (F1-C) and F1 user plane (F1-U).

[0146] In some examples, the CU-CP is a logical node carrying the RRC layer and the PDCP control plane part (PDCP-C) layer, used to implement the control plane function of the CU; the CU-CP can interact with the network element in the core network for implementing the control plane function. The CU-UP is a logical node carrying the SDAP layer and the PDCP user plane part (PDCP-U) layer, used to implement the user plane function of the CU. The CU-UP can interact with the network element in the core network for implementing the user plane function.

[0147] In some examples, the DU can control at least one RU, and the DU is connected with the RU through some interfaces, which can be a front-haul interface. In some examples, the PHY-H layer includes the part of the PHY layer processing, such as the forward error correction (FEC) encoding and decoding, scrambling, modulation and demodulation, etc.

[0148] The above configuration of the CU and the DU is only an example, and the functions of the CU and the DU can be configured as needed. For example, the CU or the DU can be configured to have more protocol layer functions, or the CU or the DU can be configured to have partial processing functions of the protocol layer. For example, the partial functions of the RLC layer and the functions of the protocol layer above the RLC layer are arranged in the CU, and the remaining functions of the RLC layer and the functions of the protocol layer below the RLC layer are arranged in the DU. For another example, the functions of the CU or the DU can be divided according to the service type or other system requirements, for example, according to the delay, the functions that need to meet the requirement of shorter delay are arranged in the DU, and the functions that do not need to meet the requirement of shorter delay are arranged in the CU.

[0149] In some examples, the RU is a logical node carrying the lower physical layer (PHY-L) and the radio frequency link.

[0150] In some examples, the PHY-L includes parts of the PHY processing such as fast fourier transform (FFT), inverse fast fourier transformation (IFFT), digital beamforming and filtering, etc.

[0151] It can be appreciated that the DU and the RU can be co-located or not co-located. The DU and the RU exchange control plane information and user plane information via a lower-layer split-cus-plane (LLS-CUS) interface over a fronthaul link. The LLS-CUS can include a LLS-C interface and a LLS-U interface that provide a control plane (C-Plane) and a user plane (U-Plane), respectively. In some examples, the control plane (C-Plane) refers to real-time control between the DU and the RU. The DU and the RU exchange management information via a LLS-M interface of the fronthaul link, and the management plane (M-Plane) refers to non-real-time management operations between the DU and the RU.

[0152] The DU and the RU can cooperate to jointly implement the functions of the PHY layer. The functions that the DU and the RU have can be configured in multiple ways according to design. For example, the DU is configured to implement baseband functions, and the RU is configured to implement intermediate radio frequency functions. For another example, the DU is configured to implement high-layer functions in the PHY layer, and the RU is configured to implement low-layer functions in the PHY layer or implement the low-layer functions and radio frequency functions.

[0153] It can be appreciated that the high-layer functions in the PHY layer can include a part of the functions of the PHY layer that are closer to the MAC layer, and the low-layer functions in the PHY layer can include another part of the functions of the PHY layer that are closer to the intermediate radio frequency side.

[0154] Based on the above description of the RAN, the RAN chip architecture can be as shown in FIG. 7, which can include a CU, a DU, and a RU, where the CU is a platform that performs layer 2 (L2) functions and layer 3 (L3) functions, the RU is configured to perform layer 1 (L1) computation functions and RF digital part functions, and the DU is configured to perform L1 functions and part of L2 functions. The intermediate and backhaul interfaces are used to carry traffic between the CU and the DU and between the CU and the core network. The fronthaul and backhaul interfaces are used to carry traffic between the RU and the DU and between the CU and the DU. The integrated DU can include the above-mentioned DU functions and RU functions.

[0155] The CU / DU hardware includes a chassis platform, a mainboard, peripherals, and cooling equipment. The mainboard contains a processing unit, memory, internal I / O interfaces, and external connection ports. The hardware accelerator design has interfaces, and the hardware function components include storage of software, hardware, and system debugging interfaces, and a single-board management controller.

[0156] The DU system is usually implemented using a multi-core processor and one or more hardware accelerators. Part of the DU protocol stack can be implemented in software running on the multi-core processor, and the computationally intensive L1 and L2 functions can be carried on hardware accelerators based on field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) / graphics processing units (GPUs); or all L1 functions are carried on hardware accelerators based on FPGAs / GPUs, while other protocol stack contents are implemented in software running on the processor; or all the protocol stack is implemented in software running on the processor. The hardware accelerator supports interconnection with an x86 or non-x86 processor. Similarly, the accelerator has a multi-channel extended peripheral component interconnect (PCIe) interface pointing to a central processing unit (CPU), and is externally connected through a GbE connection.

[0157] The RU can include three parts: an O-RAN processing unit (OPU), a data processing unit (DPU), and an RF processing unit of the O-RU.

[0158] The OPU receives extended common public radio interface (eCPRI) frames from the O-RAN fronthaul and performs the fronthaul interface, the lowest layer L1 (encoding, scrambling, modulation, layer mapping, precoding), synchronization, digital beamforming (BF), and resource unit mapping. The OPU can be implemented as a CPU, FPGA, or application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC).

[0159] The DPU performs synchronization, digital downlink conversion (DDC) in the UL, digital uplink conversion (DUC) in the DL, crest factor reduction (CFR), and digital pre-distortion (DPD) to improve power amplifier efficiency by reducing the peak average power ratio (PAPR) / adjacent channel leakage ratio (ACLR) of the RF front end. In addition, the DPU can be implemented as an FPGA or an ASIC.

[0160] The RF processing unit of the O-RU includes a transceiver module, an up / down converter, a power amplifier (PA), a low noise amplifier (LNA), and a transmit / receive (Tx / Rx) filter. All conversions between the analog domain and the digital domain (e.g., DAC and ADC) are performed within the transceiver module (e.g., RF sampling, frequency conversion using RF, intermediate frequency (IF), and local oscillator (LO) mixing in upconversion and downconversion). Note that the physical and logical partitions within the RF processing unit do not require specific boundaries.

[0161] The communication system described in the embodiments of the present application is used to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application, and does not constitute a limitation on the technical solutions provided by the embodiments of the present application. Those skilled in the art can know that, with the evolution of network architecture and the emergence of new business scenarios, the technical solutions provided by the embodiments of the present application are also applicable to similar technical problems.

[0162] In a specific implementation, each terminal device and network device shown in FIG. 4 can adopt the component structure shown in FIG. 8, or include the components shown in FIG. 8. FIG. 8 is a component structure diagram of a communication apparatus 80 provided by an embodiment of the present application. The communication apparatus 80 can be a chip or a system on chip in a terminal device and a network device. Alternatively, the communication apparatus 80 can be a chip or a system on chip in a terminal device and a network device.

[0163] As shown in FIG. 8, the communication device 80 includes one or more processors 801. Further, the communication device 80 can also include a communication bus 802, and at least one communication interface (only exemplary in FIG. 8, the communication device 80 includes a communication interface 804, and a processor 801 is taken as an example for description). Optionally, the communication device 80 can also include a memory 803.

[0164] The processor 801 can be a general-purpose CPU, a microprocessor, an ASIC, or one or more integrated circuits for controlling program execution of the solutions of the present application, or a processing core for processing data (for example, computer program instructions). The processor can be a single-CPU processor or a multi-CPU processor.

[0165] In a specific implementation, as an embodiment, the processor 801 can include one or more CPUs, for example, CPU0 and CPU1 in FIG. 8.

[0166] The communication bus 802 can be a peripheral component interconnect (PCI) bus or an extended industry standard architecture (EISA) bus, etc. The bus can be divided into an address bus, a data bus, a control bus, etc. For ease of representation, only one thick line is shown in FIG. 8, but it does not mean that there is only one bus or only one type of bus. The communication bus 802 is used to connect different components in the communication device 80, so that different components in the communication device 80 can communicate with each other.

[0167] The communication interface 804 can be a transceiver module for communicating with other devices or communication networks, which can be Ethernet, a radio access network (RAN), or a wireless local area network (WLAN), etc. Exemplarily, the communication interface 804 can be a transceiver, a transceiver device, etc. Alternatively, the communication interface 804 can also be a transceiver circuit located in the processor 801, to realize signal input and signal output of the processor.

[0168] The memory 803 can be a device with a storage function. For example, it can be a read-only memory (ROM) or other type of static storage device that can store static information and instructions, a random access memory (RAM) or other type of dynamic storage device that can store information and instructions, and can also be an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), a compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM) or other optical disc storage, an optical disc storage (including a compact disc, a laser disc, an optical disc, a digital versatile disc, a Blu-ray disc, etc.), a magnetic disc storage medium or other magnetic storage device, or any other medium capable of carrying or storing desired program code in the form of instructions or data structures and capable of being accessed by a computer, but is not limited thereto. The memory can exist independently and be connected to the processor through the communication bus 802. The memory can also be integrated with the processor.

[0169] For example, the memory 803 is configured to store computer-executable instructions for implementing the solutions of the present application, and the processor 801 is configured to control the execution of the computer-executable instructions. The processor 801 is configured to execute the computer-executable instructions stored in the memory 803, so as to implement the method provided in the embodiments of the present application.

[0170] Alternatively, in the embodiments of the present application, the processor 801 can execute the processing-related functions in the method provided in the embodiments of the present application, and the communication interface 804 is responsible for communication with other devices or communication networks, which is not limited in the embodiments of the present application.

[0171] Optionally, the computer-executable instructions in the embodiments of the present application can also be referred to as application program codes, which are not limited in the embodiments of the present application.

[0172] In a specific implementation, as an embodiment, the communication device 80 can further include an output device 805 and an input device 806. The output device 805 communicates with the processor 801 and can display information in various ways. For example, the output device 805 can be a liquid crystal display (LCD), a light emitting diode (LED) display device, a cathode ray tube (CRT) display device, or a projector, etc. The input device 806 communicates with the processor 801 and can receive user input in various ways. For example, the input device 806 can be a mouse, a keyboard, a touch screen device, a sensing device, etc.

[0173] It can be understood that the constituent structure shown in FIG. 8 does not constitute a limitation on the communication apparatus, and the communication apparatus can include more or fewer components than those shown in FIG. 8, or combine certain components, or different component arrangements.

[0174] The communication method provided by the embodiments of the present application will be described below with reference to the drawings. It can be understood that in the embodiments of the present application, the terminal device and the network device can perform some or all of the steps in the embodiments of the present application, and these steps or operations are only examples, and the embodiments of the present application can also perform other operations or variations of various operations. In addition, each step can be performed in a different order according to the embodiments of the present application, and it is possible that not all operations in the embodiments of the present application are performed.

[0175] FIG. 9 is a flowchart of a communication method provided by an embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG. 9, the method can include the following steps.

[0176] In step 901, the network device determines first information.

[0177] Specifically, the first information includes a plurality of first time intervals. Each of the plurality of first time intervals is a time interval in which the network device transmits two adjacent first SSB sets. For example, taking that the network device transmits N first SSB sets (such as first SSB set 0, first SSB set 1, …, first SSB set N-1) as an example, the time interval between the first SSB set 0 and the first SSB set 1 can be the first time interval 0, the time interval between the first SSB set 1 and the first SSB set 2 can be the first time interval 1, …, and the time interval between the first SSB set N-2 and the first SSB set N-1 can be the first time interval N-2, that is, the plurality of first time intervals can include the first time interval 0, the first time interval 1, …, and the first time interval N-2.

[0178] In one possible way, N is a positive integer greater than or equal to 3.

[0179] It can be understood that when the network device transmits N first SSB sets, the network device can determine N-1 first time intervals; or when the network device determines N-1 first time intervals, the network device can transmit N first SSB sets.

[0180] The value of the first time interval is configurable, or the value of the first time interval is adjustable, or the value of the first time interval is not fixed. The values of different first time intervals in the plurality of first time intervals can be different or the same. For example, in the above example, the value of the first time interval 0 and the value of the first time interval 1 can be different, and the value of the first time interval 2 and the value of the first time interval 3 can be the same.

[0181] In this application, for the convenience of understanding, without special explanation, the content related to the first time interval can be described by a first time interval, and the description associated with the first time interval can be applied to a plurality of first time intervals.

[0182] Optionally, the value of the first time interval can satisfy a preset condition.

[0183] In an example, the preset condition can be that the value of the first time interval is in a first interval. For example, the first interval is [2, 8] (unit: s), the network device can determine that the value of the first time interval is any value in [2, 8] (which can be an integer or a decimal), such as the first time interval can be 2, or the first time interval can be 8, or the first time interval can be 4. The first interval can be determined according to the maximum or minimum value of the first time interval expected by the terminal device, or the first interval can be predefined and not limited. The maximum or minimum value of the first time interval expected by the terminal device can refer to the description of the second information below, which is not described here.

[0184] In another example, the preset condition can be that the value of the first time interval is included in a first set. For example, the first set is {2, 4, 6, 8}, the first time interval can be 2, or the first time interval can be 4, or the first time interval can be 6, or the first time interval can be 8. The first set can be predefined, or the first set can be configured by the network device, or the first set can be a set of values of the first time interval expected by the terminal device, and is not limited.

[0185] The first SSB set includes a plurality of first SSB burst sets. It can be understood that the number of first SSB burst sets in different first SSB sets can be the same or different. For example, the first SSB set includes X first SSB burst sets, the first SSB set can include first SSB burst set 0, first SSB burst set 1, first SSB burst set 2, …, first SSB burst set X-1. X is a positive integer.

[0186] The first SSB burst set includes a plurality of first SSBs of the first cell, or can be described as including a plurality of first SSBs, and the first SSB is a first SSB of the first cell. For example, the first SSB burst set can include 16 or 8 first SSBs. The first SSB can be described as an on-demand SSB.

[0187] The index of each first SSB in the first SSB burst set is different. For example, the index of the first first SSB in the first SSB burst set can be 0, the index of the second first SSB in the first SSB burst set can be 1, the index of the third first SSB in the first SSB burst set can be 2, and so on.

[0188] It can be understood that different first SSBs in the first SSB burst set can be located in different transmission beams. In addition, the number of first SSBs in different first SSB burst sets can be the same or different, which is not limited in the present application.

[0189] The first cell is a serving cell, or can be described as a serving cell of the terminal device, or can be described as a secondary cell, or can be described as an inactive secondary cell.

[0190] At step 902, the network device transmits the first SSB according to the first information; and correspondingly, the terminal device receives the first SSB.

[0191] Specifically, the network device can determine a plurality of first time intervals according to the first information, and transmit a plurality of first SSB sets based on the plurality of first time intervals. For example, the network device determines a first time interval 0 and a first time interval 1, and assumes that the network device transmits a first SSB set 0, a first SSB set 1, and a first SSB set 2. The network device can transmit the first SSB set 0, and after a first time interval 0, transmit the first SSB set 1. Further, the network device can transmit the first SSB set 2 after a first time interval 1.

[0192] Specifically, the terminal device can receive a plurality of first SSB sets according to a plurality of second time intervals. For example, the terminal device can receive N first SSB sets according to N-1 second time intervals.

[0193] Optionally, the second time interval can be the same as the first time interval, or the second time interval can be different from the first time interval. The present application proposes two possible implementations:

[0194] In a first possible implementation, the second time interval is the same as the first time interval, i.e., an i th second time interval in the plurality of second time intervals is the same as an i th first time interval in the plurality of first time intervals, where i = 1, 2, …, N-1, and N is the number of the first SSB sets sent by the network device. For example, the network device determines the first time interval 0 and the first time interval 1, and sends the first SSB set 0, the first SSB set 1, and the first SSB set 2. After receiving the first SSB set 0, the terminal device can receive the first SSB set 1 after the second time interval 0 (the second time interval 0 is the same as the first time interval 0). Further, after receiving the first SSB set 1, the terminal device can receive the first SSB set 2 after the second time interval 1 (the second time interval 1 is the same as the first time interval 1).

[0195] In a second possible implementation, the second time interval is different from the first time interval.

[0196] Specifically, the first time interval can be less than the minimum value of the first time interval expected by the terminal device.

[0197] The second time interval can be greater than the first time interval, and the second time interval can be greater than or equal to the minimum value of the first time interval expected by the terminal device. For example, the first time interval can be 1s, and the second time interval can be 2s. That is, the network device can send a first SSB set every 1s, and the terminal device can receive a first SSB set every 2s.

[0198] It can be understood that there can be multiple terminal devices in the first cell, and the minimum value of the first time interval expected by different terminal devices can be different. The network device can determine the first time interval according to the minimum value of the first time interval expected by different terminal devices, and send the first SSB set according to the first time interval, so as to ensure that different terminal devices receive the first SSB set according to the first time interval expected by themselves.

[0199] In an example, the network device can determine the first time interval according to a minimum value in minimum values of the first time intervals expected by different terminal devices. Taking terminal device 0, terminal device 1, and terminal device 2 as examples, assuming that the minimum value of the first time interval expected by the terminal device 0 is time length 0, the minimum value of the first time interval expected by the terminal device 1 is time length 1, the minimum value of the first time interval expected by the terminal device 2 is time length 2, and time length 1 < time length 0 < time length 2, the network device can determine the first time interval as time length 1, at this time, the first time interval is less than the minimum value of the first time interval expected by the terminal device 0 and the minimum value of the first time interval expected by the terminal device 2. Wherein, the second time interval corresponding to the terminal device 0 can be determined according to the first time interval and the minimum value of the first time interval expected by the terminal device 0 (the second time interval corresponding to the terminal device 0 is greater than or equal to the minimum value of the first time interval expected by the terminal device 0), and the second time interval corresponding to the terminal device 2 can be determined according to the first time interval and the minimum value of the first time interval expected by the terminal device 2 (the second time interval corresponding to the terminal device 2 is greater than or equal to the minimum value of the first time interval expected by the terminal device 2).

[0200] In another example, the network device can determine the first time interval according to a maximum value in minimum values of the first time intervals expected by different terminal devices. Taking terminal device 0, terminal device 1, and terminal device 2 as examples, assuming that the minimum value of the first time interval expected by the terminal device 0 is time length 0, the minimum value of the first time interval expected by the terminal device 1 is time length 1, the minimum value of the first time interval expected by the terminal device 2 is time length 2, and time length 1 < time length 0 < time length 2, the network device can determine the first time interval as time length 2, at this time, the first time interval is greater than the minimum value of the first time interval expected by the terminal device 0 and the minimum value of the first time interval expected by the terminal device 1. Wherein, it can be ensured that the second time interval corresponding to each terminal device is greater than or equal to the minimum value of the first time interval expected by each terminal device.

[0201] Wherein, the terminal device can determine the second time interval according to the first time interval and the minimum value of the first time interval expected by the terminal device. Specifically, the second time interval can be a minimum value in a plurality of third time intervals; wherein, the third time interval is a time interval of any two of the first SSB sets sent by the network device, and the third time interval is greater than or equal to the minimum value of the first time interval expected by the terminal device. Wherein, the third time interval can be understood as a time interval of the mth first SSB set and the nth first SSB set sent by the network device, and the time interval of the mth first SSB set and the nth SSB set is greater than the minimum value of the first time interval expected by the terminal device. m and n are both positive integers, m is less than n, and the difference between m and n is greater than 1.

[0202] Exemplarily, taking the first time interval of 2s and the minimum value of the first time interval expected by the terminal device of 3s as an example, the network device can send a first SSB set (such as first SSB set 0, first SSB set 1, first SSB set 2,...) every 3s, the terminal device can receive the first SSB set 0, and if the terminal device receives the next first SSB set after 3s, the terminal device will have no first SSB set to receive, therefore, the terminal device can determine a plurality of third time intervals (such as the third time interval 0 can be the time interval of the first SSB set 0 and the first SSB set 1 (i.e., the third time interval 0 is 2s), the third time interval 1 can be the time interval of the first SSB set 0 and the first SSB set 2 (i.e., the third time interval 1 is 4s), the third time interval 2 can be the time interval of the first SSB set 0 and the first SSB set 3 (i.e., the third time interval 2 is 6s),...), the minimum value greater than 3s can be determined from the plurality of third time intervals (i.e., 4s), and the second measurement period can be determined as 4s, and the terminal device can receive the first SSB set 2 (i.e., the terminal device does not receive the first SSB set 1) after 4s from receiving the first SSB set 0. Similarly, the terminal device can also determine the next second time interval by using the above content, which is not described here.

[0203] Optionally, the network device can send the first SSB set (or the first SSB) according to the first information after sending the third information. The third information is used to indicate that the network device will send the first SSB of the first cell. The third information can be described as trigger information. For example, the third information can be MAC information, or the third information can be MAC control element (CE) information.

[0204] Exemplarily, the network device can send the first SSB set after a time offset after sending the third information. The time offset can be predefined, or the time offset can be configured by the network device, which is not limited. Correspondingly, the terminal device can receive the first SSB set after a time offset after receiving the third information.

[0205] It can be understood that the network device can indicate the configuration information associated with the first SSB to the terminal device through the third information, such as the third information can indicate a plurality of first time intervals.

[0206] Further, the terminal device can determine the measurement result according to the first SSB.

[0207] Further, the terminal device can report the measurement result.

[0208] Based on the communication method shown in FIG. 9, compared with the network device periodically and uninterruptedly sending the SSB burst set, in the scheme of the present application, the network device can send a first SSB set through a first time interval, and the first SSB set can include a plurality of first SSB burst sets, that is, the network device can send a plurality of first SSB burst sets through the first time interval, and no first SSB burst set is sent in the time period corresponding to the first time interval, while in the scheme of the network device periodically and uninterruptedly sending the SSB burst set, the network device needs to send the first SSB burst set in the time period corresponding to the first time interval. Therefore, the scheme of the present application can reduce the number of first SSB burst sets sent, achieve the effect of energy saving of the network device, and thus can effectively reduce the overall energy consumption of the communication system. In addition, the value of the first time interval is configurable, which can make the first time interval better meet the communication demand, and can effectively improve the communication performance while improving the flexibility and diversity of the value of the first time interval.

[0209] Based on the communication method of FIG. 9, optionally, the first time interval is the time interval between the network device sending adjacent two first SSB sets. The present application proposes four possible implementations for determining the first time interval:

[0210] In the first possible implementation, the first time interval is the time interval between the first first SSB burst set in the previous first SSB set and the first first SSB burst set in the next first SSB set in the adjacent two first SSB sets. For example, as shown in (a) of FIG. 10 below, assuming that the first first SSB burst set in the previous first SSB set is located at T00, and the first first SSB burst set in the next first SSB set is located at T10, the first time interval can be (T00-T10).

[0211] In the second possible implementation, the first time interval is the time interval between the first first SSB burst set in the previous first SSB set and the last first SSB burst set in the next first SSB set in the adjacent two first SSB sets. For example, as shown in (b) of FIG. 10 below, assuming that the first first SSB burst set in the previous first SSB set is located at T00, and the first first SSB burst set in the next first SSB set is located at T11, the first time interval can be (T00-T11).

[0212] In a third possible implementation, the first time interval is a time interval between a last first SSB burst set in a previous first SSB set and a first first SSB burst set in a next first SSB set in the adjacent two first SSB sets. For example, as shown in (c) of FIG. 10, assuming that the first first SSB burst set in the previous first SSB set is located at T01 and the first first SSB burst set in the next first SSB set is located at T10, the first time interval can be (T01-T10).

[0213] In a fourth possible implementation, the first time interval is a time interval between a last first SSB burst set in a previous first SSB set and a last first SSB burst set in a next first SSB set in the adjacent two first SSB sets. For example, as shown in (d) of FIG. 10, assuming that the first first SSB burst set in the previous first SSB set is located at T01 and the first first SSB burst set in the next first SSB set is located at T11, the first time interval can be (T01-T11).

[0214] Based on the above description of the first information, optionally, the first information can further include one or more of the following: a number of first SSB burst sets transmitted by the network device within the first preset time length (denoted as Y), a number of first SSBs transmitted by the network device within the second preset time length (i.e., Z), a number of first SSB burst sets in the first SSB set (denoted as X), or a time interval between two adjacent first SSB burst sets in the multiple first SSB burst sets in the first SSB set. Wherein X, Y, and Z are positive integers.

[0215] 1) a number of first SSB burst sets transmitted by the network device within the first preset time length;

[0216] Wherein, the first preset time length can also be described as a time unit, or can be described as a unit time, which is not limited. For example, the first preset time length can be 20s.

[0217] For example, taking 20s as the first preset time length, the network device can transmit Y first SSB burst sets within 20s.

[0218] Wherein, the time interval between two adjacent first SSB burst sets in the multiple first SSB burst sets transmitted by the network device can be predetermined, or the time interval between two adjacent first SSB burst sets in the multiple first SSB burst sets transmitted by the network device can be determined according to the first preset time length and Y (for example, the time interval between two adjacent first SSB burst sets can be the ceiling (or floor) of the ratio of the first preset time length to Y).

[0219] Optionally, the multiple first SSB burst sets transmitted by the network device within the first preset time length can be distributed within the entire first preset time length, or the multiple first SSB burst sets transmitted by the network device within the first preset time length can be distributed in a part of the first preset time length. For example, the positions of the Y first SSB burst sets within the first preset time length can be as shown in (a) of FIG. 11, (b) of FIG. 11, (c) of FIG. 11, and (d) of FIG. 11.

[0220] 2) the number of first SSBs transmitted by the network device within the second preset time length;

[0221] The second preset time length can also be described as a time unit, or can be described as a unit time, which is not limited. For example, the first preset time length can be 1s.

[0222] For example, taking the first preset time length as 1s, the network device can transmit Z first SSBs within 1s.

[0223] The time interval between the adjacent two first SSBs in the multiple first SSBs transmitted by the network device can be predetermined, or the time interval between the adjacent two first SSBs in the multiple first SSBs transmitted by the network device can be determined according to the second preset time length and Z (for example, the time interval between the adjacent two first SSBs can be the upward rounding (or downward rounding) of the ratio of the second preset time length to Z).

[0224] Optionally, the multiple first SSBs transmitted by the network device within the second preset time length can be distributed within the entire second preset time length, or the multiple first SSB burst sets transmitted by the network device within the second preset time length can be distributed in a part of the second preset time length.

[0225] 3) the number of first SSB burst sets in the first SSB set;

[0226] When the number of first SSB burst sets in different first SSB sets is different, the first information can include the number of first SSB burst sets in each first SSB set in the multiple first SSB sets; when the number of first SSB burst sets in different first SSB sets is the same, the first information can include the number of first SSB burst sets in one first SSB set.

[0227] For example, assuming that the number of first SSB burst sets in different first SSB sets is different (for example, the number of first SSB burst sets in the first SSB set 0 is 5, the number of first SSB burst sets in the first SSB set 1 is 6, and the number of first SSB burst sets in the first SSB set 2 is 7), the number of first SSB burst sets in each first SSB set of the three first SSB sets can be represented by three bits, that is, the bit value of the fifth indication information can be set to 101110111 to represent the number of first SSB burst sets in each first SSB set of the three first SSB sets. Alternatively, assuming that the number of first SSB burst sets in different first SSB sets is the same (for example, 5), the bit value of the fifth indication information can be set to 101 to represent the number of first SSB burst sets in each first SSB set of the three first SSB sets.

[0228] 4) a time interval between two adjacent first SSB burst sets in the plurality of first SSB burst sets in the first SSB set;

[0229] It should be noted that at least two of the plurality of fourth time intervals can be the same or different.

[0230] It should be noted that the fourth time interval is a time interval between two adjacent first SSB burst sets in the plurality of first SSB burst sets in the first SSB set. For example, assuming that the first SSB set includes X first SSB burst sets (for example, first SSB burst set 0, first SSB burst set 1, …, first SSB burst set X-1), there can be X-1 fourth time intervals, that is, the fourth time interval 0 can be a time interval between the first SSB burst set 0 and the first SSB burst set 1, the fourth time interval 1 can be a time interval between the first SSB burst set 1 and the first SSB burst set 2, …, and the fourth time interval X-2 can be a time interval between the first SSB burst set X-2 and the first SSB burst set X-1.

[0231] Optionally, when the plurality of fourth time intervals are the same, the first information can include one fourth time interval; when the plurality of fourth time intervals are different, the first information can include the plurality of fourth time intervals. For example, the first information includes the sixth indication information, the sixth indication information is used to indicate that the fourth time interval, assuming that the network device sends the first SSB set including 3 first SSB burst sets (such as first SSB burst set 0, first SSB burst set 1, and first SSB burst set 2), the fourth time interval 0 is the time interval of the first SSB burst set 0 and the first SSB burst set 1, the fourth time interval 1 is the time interval of the first SSB burst set 1 and the first SSB burst set 2, when the fourth time interval 0 and the fourth time interval 1 are the same (such as 5 ms), the bit value of the sixth indication information can be set to 101, indicating that the fourth time interval 0 and the fourth time interval 1 are both 5 ms; or, when the fourth time interval 0 and the fourth time interval 1 are different (such as the fourth time interval 0 is 5 ms and the fourth time interval 1 is 6 ms), one fourth time interval can be represented by three bits, and the bit value of the sixth indication information can be set to 101110, indicating that the fourth time interval 0 is 5 ms and the fourth time interval 1 is 6 ms.

[0232] Based on the above description of the first information, the present application proposes two possible embodiments, taking the plurality of first time intervals including the first time interval 0 and the first time interval 1 as an example:

[0233] In the first possible embodiment, the first information can include the number of first SSB burst sets (such as Y) sent by the network device within the first preset time period, the number of first SSB burst sets (such as X) in the first SSB set, and the two first time intervals. The network device can send the first SSB set 0, the first SSB set 0 can include X first SSB burst sets, the first first SSB burst set to the Yth first SSB burst set in the first SSB set 0 can be located in the time period 00, the Y+1th first SSB burst set to the 2Yth first SSB burst set in the time period 01, …, the X-Y+1th first SSB burst set to the Xth first SSB burst set in the time period wherein, indicates rounding up, the time period 00, the time period 01, …, the time period have the first preset time period. Wherein, the starting time of the time period 00 is the starting time of the network device sending the first SSB set, the starting time of the time period 01 is the end time of the time period 00, the starting time of the time period 02 is the end time of the time period 01, and so on.

[0234] Further, the network device can send the first SSB set 1 after a first time interval 0, the first SSB set 1 can include X first SSB burst sets, the first first SSB burst set to the Yth first SSB burst set in the first SSB set 1 can be located in a time period 10, the Y+1th first SSB burst set to the 2Yth first SSB burst set can be located in a time period 11, …, the X-Y+1th first SSB burst set to the Xth first SSB burst set in the time period Wherein, the time length of the time period 10, the time length of the time period 11, …, the time length of the time period are all the first preset time length, the starting time of the time period 10 is the starting time of the network device sending the first SSB set 1, the starting time of the time period 11 is the end time of the time period 10, the starting time of the time period 12 is the end time of the time period 11, and so on.

[0235] Further, the network device can send the first SSB set 2 after a first time interval 1, the first SSB set 2 can include X first SSB burst sets, the first first SSB burst set to the Yth first SSB burst set in the first SSB set 2 can be located in a time period 20, the Y+1th first SSB burst set to the 2Yth first SSB burst set can be located in a time period 21, …, the X-Y+1th first SSB burst set to the Xth first SSB burst set can be located in a time period Wherein, the time length of the time period 20, the time length of the time period 21, …, the time length of the time period are all the first preset time length, the starting time of the time period 20 is the starting time of the network device sending the first SSB set 2, the starting time of the time period 21 is the end time of the time period 20, the starting time of the time period 22 is the end time of the time period 21, and so on.

[0236] In a second possible embodiment, the first information can include a number of first SSB burst sets (e.g., X) in the first SSB set, a plurality of fourth time intervals (assuming the plurality of fourth time intervals are the same, collectively referred to as the fourth time interval), and two first time intervals (e.g., first time interval 0 and first time interval 1). The network device can transmit the first SSB set 0 (the first SSB set 0 includes X first SSB burst sets), i.e., the network device can periodically transmit the X first SSB burst sets with the fourth time interval as the period. Further, the network device can transmit the first SSB set 1 (the first SSB set 1 includes X first SSB burst sets) after the first time interval 0, i.e., the network device can periodically transmit the X first SSB burst sets with the fourth time interval as the period. Further, the network device can transmit the first SSB set 2 (the first SSB set 2 includes X first SSB burst sets) after the first time interval 1, i.e., the network device can periodically transmit the X first SSB burst sets with the fourth time interval as the period.

[0237] In the above two possible embodiments, the first SSB burst sets in different first SSB sets are the same. It can be understood that the first SSB burst sets in different first SSB sets can be different, and the present application only takes the example of the first SSB burst sets in different first SSB sets being the same for illustration.

[0238] Optionally, the first information can be determined according to the second information.

[0239] In the above two possible embodiments, the first SSB burst sets in different first SSB sets are the same. It can be understood that the first SSB burst sets in different first SSB sets can be different, and the present application only takes the example of the first SSB burst sets in different first SSB sets being the same for illustration.

[0240] 1) a maximum value of the first time interval expected by the terminal device;

[0241] When the first time interval is greater than the maximum value of the first time interval expected by the terminal device, the measurement result can be invalid (e.g., a timing deviation caused by timing drift, causing the terminal device to lose the timing of the first cell, and thus causing the measurement result to be invalid), and thus the first time interval can be less than or equal to the maximum value of the first time interval expected by the terminal device, which can ensure the validity of the measurement result. For example, when the maximum value of the first time interval expected by the terminal device is 8s, the first time interval can be 8s, or the first time interval can be 4s.

[0242] 2) a minimum value of the first time interval expected by the terminal device;

[0243] When the first time interval is less than the minimum value of the first time interval expected by the terminal device, the terminal device can frequently measure SSBs, which can increase the power consumption of the terminal device, and thus the first time interval can be greater than or equal to the minimum value of the first time interval expected by the terminal device, which can reduce the frequency of measurement of the terminal device, and thus can reduce the power consumption of the terminal device. For example, when the minimum value of the first time interval expected by the terminal device is 2s, the first time interval can be 2s, or the first time interval can be 4s.

[0244] Alternatively, the first time interval can be less than the minimum value of the first time interval expected by the terminal device, and the terminal device can receive the first SSB set according to a second time interval, and the second time interval can be greater than or equal to the minimum value of the first time interval expected by the terminal device. The second time interval can be determined according to the description of the second time interval above, and thus will not be described here.

[0245] It can be understood that the first interval in S901 can be determined according to the maximum value of the first time interval expected by the terminal device and the minimum value of the first time interval expected by the terminal device. For example, the leftmost value of the first interval can be the minimum value of the first time interval expected by the terminal device, and the rightmost value of the first interval can be the maximum value of the first time interval expected by the terminal device; or the leftmost value of the first interval can be less than the minimum value of the first time interval expected by the terminal device, and the rightmost value of the first interval can be the maximum value of the first time interval expected by the terminal device.

[0246] 3) a number of first SSB burst sets that the terminal device can process within a first preset time length;

[0247] When the number of the first SSB burst sets transmitted by the network device within the first preset time period is greater than the number of the first SSB burst sets that the terminal device can process within the first preset time period, the first SSB burst sets transmitted by the network device within the first preset time period are distributed relatively densely, which can cause the terminal device to be unable to process. Therefore, the number of the first SSB burst sets transmitted by the network device within the first preset time period can be less than or equal to the number of the first SSB burst sets that the terminal device can process within the first preset time period. For example, when the number of the first SSB burst sets that the terminal device can process within the first preset time period is 3, the number of the first SSB burst sets transmitted by the network device within the first preset time period can be 3, or the number of the first SSB burst sets transmitted by the network device within the first preset time period can be 2, or the number of the first SSB burst sets transmitted by the network device within the first preset time period can be 1.

[0248] The network device can determine the number of the first SSB burst sets transmitted by the network device within the first preset time period based on the processing capability of the terminal device, and the measurement accuracy of the terminal device can be ensured.

[0249] 4) the number of the first SSBs that the terminal device can process within the second preset time period;

[0250] When the number of the first SSBs transmitted by the network device within the second preset time period is greater than the number of the first SSBs that the terminal device can process within the second preset time period, the first SSBs transmitted by the network device within the second preset time period are distributed relatively densely, which can cause the terminal device to be unable to process. Therefore, the number of the first SSBs transmitted by the network device within the second preset time period can be less than or equal to the number of the first SSBs that the terminal device can process within the second preset time period. For example, when the number of the first SSBs that the terminal device can process within the second preset time period is 16, the number of the first SSBs transmitted by the network device within the second preset time period can be 8, or the number of the first SSBs transmitted by the network device within the second preset time period can be 12, or the number of the first SSBs transmitted by the network device within the second preset time period can be 16.

[0251] The network device can determine the number of the first SSBs transmitted by the network device within the second preset time period based on the processing capability of the terminal device, and the measurement accuracy of the terminal device can be ensured.

[0252] 5) the number of the first SSB burst sets in the first SSB set expected by the terminal device;

[0253] The terminal device needs multiple first SSB burst sets to complete SSB measurement in one SSB measurement process (one SSB measurement process corresponds to one first SSB set), if the number of first SSB burst sets in the first SSB set sent by the network device is less than the number of first SSB burst sets in the first SSB set expected by the terminal device, the terminal device can not be able to complete SSB measurement, therefore, the number of first SSB burst sets in the first SSB set sent by the network device can be greater than or equal to the number of first SSB burst sets in the first SSB set expected by the terminal device. For example, if the number of first SSB burst sets in the first SSB set expected by the terminal device is 20, the number of first SSB burst sets in the first SSB set sent by the network device can be 20, or the number of first SSB burst sets in the first SSB set sent by the network device can be 25.

[0254] It can be understood that when the number of first SSB burst sets in the first SSB set sent by the network device is greater than the number of first SSB burst sets in the first SSB set expected by the terminal device, the terminal device can receive the first SSB burst set according to the number of first SSB burst sets in the first SSB set sent by the network device, or according to the number of first SSB burst sets in the first SSB set expected by the terminal device. For example, if the number of first SSB burst sets in the first SSB set expected by the terminal device is 20, when the number of first SSB burst sets in the first SSB set sent by the network device is 25, the terminal device can receive 20 first SSB burst sets, or can receive 25 first SSB burst sets.

[0255] 6) The time interval between two adjacent first SSB burst sets in the multiple first SSB burst sets in the first SSB set expected by the terminal device;

[0256] The terminal device can store and process the received data in a period of time. If the interval between two adjacent first SSB burst sets in the plurality of first SSB burst sets received is small, the terminal device can not be able to process the plurality of first SSB burst sets. Therefore, the interval between two adjacent first SSB burst sets in the plurality of first SSB burst sets in the first SSB set sent by the network device can be greater than or equal to the interval between two adjacent first SSB burst sets in the plurality of first SSB burst sets in the first SSB set expected by the terminal device. For example, if the interval between two adjacent first SSB burst sets in the plurality of first SSB burst sets in the first SSB set expected by the terminal device is 6 ms, the interval between two adjacent first SSB burst sets in the plurality of first SSB burst sets in the first SSB set sent by the network device can be 6 ms, or the interval between two adjacent first SSB burst sets in the plurality of first SSB burst sets in the first SSB set can be 10 ms.

[0257] The terminal device can receive the first SSB burst set according to the interval between two adjacent first SSB burst sets in the plurality of first SSB burst sets in the first SSB set sent by the network device.

[0258] Alternatively, the interval between two adjacent first SSB burst sets in the plurality of first SSB burst sets in the first SSB set sent by the network device can be less than the interval between two adjacent first SSB burst sets in the plurality of first SSB burst sets in the first SSB set expected by the terminal device. For example, if the interval between two adjacent first SSB burst sets in the plurality of first SSB burst sets in the first SSB set expected by the terminal device is 6 ms, the interval between two adjacent first SSB burst sets in the plurality of first SSB burst sets in the first SSB set sent by the network device can be 3 ms.

[0259] The terminal device can receive the first SSB burst set according to the interval between two adjacent first SSB burst sets in the plurality of first SSB burst sets in the first SSB set expected by the terminal device. For example, the network device can periodically send the first SSB burst set with a period of 3 ms, and the terminal device can periodically receive the first SSB burst set with a period of 6 ms.

[0260] Based on the above description of the number of first SSB burst sets in the first SSB set expected by the terminal device, and the time interval of adjacent two first SSB burst sets in the plurality of first SSB burst sets in the first SSB set expected by the terminal device, a possible embodiment is proposed. For example, the time interval of adjacent two first SSB burst sets in the plurality of first SSB burst sets transmitted by the network device is less than the time interval of adjacent two first SSB burst sets in the plurality of first SSB burst sets expected by the terminal device. For example, the time interval of adjacent two first SSB burst sets in the plurality of first SSB burst sets transmitted by the network device is 5ms, the time interval of adjacent two first SSB burst sets in the plurality of first SSB burst sets expected by the terminal device is 10ms, and the number of first SSB burst sets in the first SSB set expected by the terminal device is 20. In this case, the number of first SSB burst sets in the first SSB set transmitted by the network device can be 40.

[0261] For example, the network device can transmit one first SSB burst set every 5ms, and the terminal device can receive one first SSB burst set every 10ms. If the number of first SSB burst sets in the first SSB set expected by the terminal device is 20, the number of first SSB burst sets in the first SSB set transmitted by the network device should be at least 40.

[0262] Based on the above description of the second information, optionally, the second information can be predefined; or the second information can be carried in the capability information of one or more terminal devices (i.e., the network device can determine the first information according to the second information in the capability information of one or more terminal devices); or part of the second information is predefined, and another part of the second information is carried in the capability information of one or more terminal devices, without limitation.

[0263] It can be understood that, in the case of predefined second information, compared with the second information carried in the capability information of one or more terminal devices, the signaling transmission overhead can be reduced; in the case of the second information carried in the capability information of one or more terminal devices, the terminal device can dynamically indicate the capability of the terminal device to the network device, which can improve the flexibility and diversity of the second information compared with the predefined second information, and at the same time, the network device can better meet the needs of the terminal device when determining the first information, thereby improving the communication performance.

[0264] Optionally, the network device can configure a semi-static first SSB and periodically transmit the first SSB; or the network device can aperiodically trigger the first SSB, and the present application proposes two possible designs:

[0265] In a first possible design, the network device can configure a semi-static first SSB and periodically transmit the first SSB. Alternatively, the network device can configure a semi-static first SSB set and periodically transmit the first SSB set.

[0266] In the case where the plurality of first time intervals are the same, the network device can periodically transmit the first SSB with the first time interval as the period. Alternatively, in the case where the plurality of first time intervals are the same, the network device can periodically transmit a plurality of first SSB sets with the first time interval as the period. For example, taking that the network device determines N-1 first time intervals as an example, the N-1 first time intervals are the same, and the network device can transmit N first SSB sets (such as first SSB set 0, first SSB set 1, …, first SSB set N-1), that is, the network device can transmit a first SSB set every first time interval. For example, as shown in FIG. 12, the network device can transmit third information, transmit the first SSB set 0 after a time offset, further transmit the first SSB set 1 after the first time interval, further transmit the first SSB set 2 after the first time interval, …, and further transmit the first SSB set N-1 after the first time interval.

[0267] It can be understood that the network device can transmit the third information only once and periodically transmit the first SSB set after transmitting the third information. In addition, in the first possible design, the number of first SSB burst sets in different first SSB sets can be the same.

[0268] Based on the first possible design, optionally, the first time interval can be less than or equal to a maximum value of the first time interval expected by the terminal device; or the first time interval can be greater than or equal to a minimum value of the first time interval expected by the terminal device; or the first time interval can be less than or equal to the maximum value of the first time interval expected by the terminal device, and the first time interval can be greater than or equal to the minimum value of the first time interval expected by the terminal device.

[0269] Based on the first possible design, optionally, the terminal device can periodically receive the first SSB set with a second time interval as the period.

[0270] The terminal device can determine a second time interval, which can be greater than or equal to a minimum value of a first time interval expected by the terminal device, between two first SSB sets. For example, as shown in FIG. 12, the terminal device can determine whether the time interval between the first SSB set 0 and the first SSB set 1 is greater than or equal to the minimum value of the first time interval expected by the terminal device. If the time interval between the first SSB set 0 and the first SSB set 1 is greater than or equal to the minimum value of the first time interval expected by the terminal device, the terminal device can determine the second time interval as the first time interval, and periodically receive the first SSB sets with the second time interval as the period. If the time interval between the first SSB set 0 and the first SSB set 1 is less than the minimum value of the first time interval expected by the terminal device, the terminal device can continue to determine whether the time interval between the first SSB set 0 and the first SSB set 2 is greater than or equal to the minimum value of the first time interval expected by the terminal device. If the time interval between the first SSB set 0 and the first SSB set 2 is greater than or equal to the minimum value of the first time interval expected by the terminal device, the terminal device can determine the second time interval as the time interval between the first SSB set 0 and the first SSB set 2, and periodically receive the first SSB sets with the second time interval as the period (in this case, the terminal device can receive the first SSB set 0, the first SSB set 2, the first SSB set 4, …). If the time interval between the first SSB set 0 and the first SSB set 2 is less than the minimum value of the first time interval expected by the terminal device, the terminal device can continue to determine whether the time interval between the first SSB set 0 and the first SSB set 3 is greater than or equal to the minimum value of the first time interval expected by the terminal device, and so on.

[0271] Optionally, the network device can indicate one or more of the following to the terminal device through the third information: the first time interval, the number of first SSB sets sent by the network device, the number of first SSB burst sets in the first SSB sets sent by the network device, the time interval between two adjacent first SSB burst sets in the plurality of first SSB burst sets, the number of first SSB burst sets sent by the network device within a first preset time length, or the number of first SSBs sent by the network device within a second preset time length.

[0272] In the first example, the third information indicates the first time interval, the number of the first SSB sets (e.g., N) transmitted by the network device, the number of the first SSB burst sets in the first SSB set (e.g., Y), and the time interval between two adjacent first SSB burst sets. The network device can transmit the third information, periodically transmit N first SSB sets with the first time interval as the period after a preset time offset, and end the transmission after transmitting the N first SSB sets. Correspondingly, the terminal device can periodically receive N first SSB sets with the second time interval as the period according to the third information, and end the reception after receiving the N first SSB sets. The terminal device can determine the second time interval according to the first time interval. In addition, when receiving a first SSB set, the terminal device can receive a plurality of first SSB burst sets in the first SSB set according to the time interval between two adjacent first SSB burst sets in the plurality of first SSB burst sets in the first SSB set and the number of the first SSB burst sets in the first SSB set, and in combination with the capability of the terminal device.

[0273] In the second example, the third information indicates the first time interval, the number of the first SSB burst sets in the first SSB set transmitted by the network device, and the time interval between two adjacent first SSB burst sets in the plurality of first SSB burst sets in the first SSB set. The network device can transmit the third information, periodically transmit a plurality of first SSB sets with the first time interval as the period, and transmit the fourth information when the network device no longer transmits the first SSB set, where the fourth information is used to indicate that the network device no longer transmits the first SSB. Correspondingly, the terminal device can periodically receive the first SSB set with the second time interval as the period according to the third information, and determine that the network device no longer transmits the first SSB set when the terminal device receives the fourth information, and the terminal device no longer receives the first SSB set. The terminal device can determine the second time interval according to the first time interval. In addition, when receiving a first SSB set, the terminal device can receive a plurality of first SSB burst sets in the first SSB set according to the time interval between two adjacent first SSB burst sets in the plurality of first SSB burst sets in the first SSB set and the number of the first SSB burst sets in the first SSB set, and in combination with the capability of the terminal device.

[0274] In the first example, the terminal device can determine the number of the first SSB set transmitted by the network device through the third information, and can determine whether to end receiving the first SSB set by itself; in the second example, the terminal device can determine not to receive the first SSB set after receiving the fourth information. Compared with the second example, the first example can directly indicate relevant information through the third information, which can reduce the workload of the network device and improve the working efficiency of the network device; compared with the first example, the second example can reduce the workload of the terminal device and reduce the power consumption of the terminal device. It can be understood that the content indicated by the third information in the above examples can be indicated by other information (i.e., the network device can indicate that the first SSB is about to be transmitted through the third information, and the above content can be indicated through other information (such as MAC information, etc.)), which is not limited in the present application.

[0275] The second possible design is that the network device can transmit the first SSB aperiodically. Or it can be described as the network device can transmit a plurality of first SSB sets aperiodically.

[0276] Specifically, the network device can transmit N third information, and after the nth third information, the network device can transmit a first SSB set; correspondingly, the terminal device can receive the first SSB set after receiving the nth third information. That is, the network device can transmit N first SSB sets, and at this time, the plurality of first time intervals can include the time interval between every two adjacent first SSB sets in the N first SSB sets.

[0277] Wherein, the network device can transmit the first SSB set after a preset time offset after transmitting the nth third information; correspondingly, the terminal device can receive the first SSB set after a preset time offset after receiving the nth third information. Wherein, n = 1, 2, …, N, the nth first SSB set includes Xn first SSB burst set. For example, the first first SSB set can include X1 first SSB burst set, the second first SSB set can include X2 first SSB burst set, the third first SSB set includes X3 first SSB burst set, …, the Nth first SSB set can include XN first SSB burst set. N

[0278] Optionally, Xn can be a positive integer greater than or equal to the number of first SSB burst sets in the first SSB set expected by the terminal device.

[0279] ​It can be understood that the first SSB burst set in different first SSB set can be the same or different, without limitation. For example, as shown in the following FIG. 13, the network device can send the third information 0, and after a time offset, send the first SSB set 0; further, the network device can send the third information 1, and after a time offset, send the first SSB set 1; …; further, the network device can send the third information N-1, and after a time offset, send the first SSB set N-1.

[0280] It can be understood that the network device can send a first SSB set after sending the third information each time.

[0281] Based on the second possible design, optionally, each of the plurality of first time intervals is less than or equal to a maximum value of the first time interval expected by the terminal device; or each of the plurality of first time intervals is greater than or equal to a minimum value of the first time interval expected by the terminal device; or each of the plurality of first time intervals is less than or equal to a maximum value of the first time interval expected by the terminal device, and each of the plurality of first time intervals is greater than or equal to a minimum value of the first time interval expected by the terminal device. Wherein, at least two of the plurality of first time intervals can be different or the same, without limitation.

[0282] Based on the second possible design, optionally, the terminal device can receive the first SSB set according to the second time interval.

[0283] In the above two possible designs, the terminal device can determine the second time interval after receiving each first SSB set, and receive the first SSB set according to the determined second time interval. For example, as shown in FIG. 13, the terminal device can receive the first SSB set 0 according to the third information 0. After determining the second time interval 0, the terminal device can determine whether the time interval between the first SSB set 1 and the first SSB set 0 is greater than or equal to the minimum value of the first time interval expected by the terminal device after receiving the first SSB set 0 and the third information 1. If the time interval between the first SSB set 1 and the first SSB set 0 is greater than or equal to the minimum value of the first time interval expected by the terminal device, the second time interval 0 can be determined as the time interval between the first SSB set 1 and the first SSB set 0, and the terminal device can receive the first SSB set 1 after the second time interval 0 from receiving the first SSB set 0. If the time interval between the first SSB set 2 and the first SSB set 0 is less than the minimum value of the first time interval expected by the terminal device, the terminal device can determine whether the time interval between the first SSB set 2 and the first SSB set 0 is greater than or equal to the minimum value of the first time interval expected by the terminal device after receiving the first SSB set 0 and the third information 2. If the time interval between the first SSB set 2 and the first SSB set 0 is greater than or equal to the minimum value of the first time interval expected by the terminal device, the second time interval 0 can be determined as the time interval between the first SSB set 2 and the first SSB set 0, and the terminal device can receive the first SSB set 2 after the second time interval 0 from receiving the first SSB set 0 (i.e., without receiving the first SSB set 1). If the time interval between the first SSB set 2 and the first SSB set 0 is less than the minimum value of the first time interval expected by the terminal device, the terminal device can continue to determine whether the time interval between the first SSB set 3 and the first SSB set 0 is greater than or equal to the minimum value of the first time interval expected by the terminal device after receiving the first SSB set 0 and the third information 2, and so on, until the second time interval 0 is determined. Similarly, the above method of determining the second time interval 0 can also be used to determine the second time interval 1, the second time interval 2, and so on, and details are not repeated here.

[0284] Based on the above two possible designs, in the case that the network device transmits the first SSB based on the first possible design, the network device can periodically transmit a plurality of first SSB sets, and correspondingly, the terminal device can periodically receive a plurality of first SSB sets, which can reduce the configuration of the first SSB set, simplify the implementation, and reduce the signaling transmission overhead. In the case that the network device transmits the first SSB based on the second possible design, the network device can dynamically adjust the configuration information of the first SSB set through the third information, which can make the configuration information of different first SSB sets meet the communication requirements in a timely manner, and improve the communication performance.

[0285] Optionally, the network device can indicate one or more of the following to the terminal device through the third information: the number of first SSB burst sets in the first SSB set sent by the network device, the time interval between two adjacent first SSB burst sets in the plurality of first SSB burst sets in the first SSB set sent by the network device, the number of first SSB burst sets sent by the network device within the first preset time length, or the number of first SSBs sent by the network device within the second preset time length.

[0286] In the first example, taking the number of first SSB burst sets in the first SSB set sent by the network device (such as X) and the time interval between two adjacent first SSB burst sets in the plurality of first SSB burst sets in the first SSB set sent by the network device as examples, the network device can send the third information, and after a preset time offset, send the first SSB set, which includes X first SSB burst sets. The network device ends sending the first SSB burst set after sending the X first SSB burst sets. Correspondingly, the terminal device can receive the first SSB set according to the third information, and end receiving the first SSB burst set after determining that the network device has finished sending the X first SSB burst sets.

[0287] In the second example, taking the time interval between two adjacent first SSB burst sets in the plurality of first SSB burst sets in the first SSB set sent by the network device as an example, the network device can send the third information, and after a preset time offset, send the first SSB set, i.e., the network device can periodically send the first SSB burst set. When the network device no longer sends the first SSB burst set, the network device can send the fourth information, which is used to indicate that the network device no longer sends the first SSB. Correspondingly, the terminal device can receive the first SSB set according to the third information, i.e., the terminal device can periodically receive the first SSB burst set. When the terminal device receives the fourth information, the terminal device can determine that the network device no longer sends the first SSB burst set and end receiving the first SSB burst set.

[0288] In the first example, the terminal device can determine the number of first SSB burst sets sent by the network device through the third information, and can itself determine whether to end receiving the first SSB burst set. In the second example, the terminal device can determine not to receive the first SSB burst set after receiving the fourth information. Compared with the second example, the first example can directly indicate relevant information through the third information, which can reduce the workload of the network device and improve the working efficiency of the network device. Compared with the first example, the second example can reduce the workload of the terminal device and reduce the power consumption of the terminal device.

[0289] Optionally, in the scenario that the network device transmits the first SSB of the first cell and the second SSB of the first cell, the network device can transmit the first indication information for instructing the terminal device to measure the first SSB of the first cell and not to measure the second SSB of the first cell.

[0290] The network device can periodically transmit the second SSB of the first cell, or can be understood as that the network device can periodically and continuously transmit the second SSB of the first cell. The second SSB can be described as a periodic SSB.

[0291] Specifically, the network device can transmit the first indication information to the terminal device; correspondingly, the terminal device can receive the first indication information from the network device.

[0292] The first indication information can also be described as the first indication information for instructing the terminal device to only measure the first SSB of the first cell, or can be described as the first indication information for instructing the terminal device not to measure the second SSB of the first cell.

[0293] In an example, the network device transmits the first indication information to instruct the terminal device to measure the first SSB of the first cell and not to measure the second SSB of the first cell, and the network device does not transmit the first indication information can implicitly instruct the terminal device to measure the second SSB of the first cell. For example, in the case that the first indication information occupies one bit, the bit value can be set to 1, indicating that the terminal device measures the first SSB of the first cell and does not measure the second SSB of the first cell; or the bit value can be set to 0, indicating that the terminal device measures the first SSB of the first cell and does not measure the second SSB of the first cell.

[0294] In another example, for example, in the case that the first indication information occupies one bit, the bit value can be set to 1, indicating that the terminal device measures the first SSB of the first cell and does not measure the second SSB of the first cell; the bit value can be set to 0, indicating that the terminal device measures the second SSB of the first cell. Or the bit value can be set to 0, indicating that the terminal device measures the first SSB of the first cell and does not measure the second SSB of the first cell; the bit value can be set to 1, indicating that the terminal device measures the second SSB of the first cell.

[0295] It can be understood that the network device can instruct the terminal device to measure the first SSB of the first cell and not to measure the second SSB of the first cell through the first indication information, which can effectively reduce the power consumption of the terminal device, thereby reducing the overall power consumption of the communication system; at the same time, the working load of the terminal device can be reduced. In addition, the network device can establish consistent understanding with the terminal device through the first indication information, so that the terminal device determines the measurement result by measuring the first SSB of the first cell.

[0296] Further, the network device can also send second indication information, which is used to indicate whether the terminal device measures the second SSB of the first cell in the case where the first SSB of the first cell does not exist, or is used to indicate that the terminal device measures the second SSB of the first cell in the case where the first SSB of the first cell does not exist.

[0297] In an example, taking the case where the second indication information indicates whether the terminal device measures the second SSB of the first cell in the case where the first SSB of the first cell does not exist as an example, assuming that the second indication information occupies one bit, the bit value can be set to 1, indicating that the terminal device measures the second SSB of the first cell in the case where the first SSB of the first cell does not exist; or the bit value can be set to 0, indicating that the terminal device does not measure the second SSB of the first cell in the case where the first SSB of the first cell does not exist. Alternatively, the bit value can be set to 0, indicating that the terminal device measures the second SSB of the first cell in the case where the first SSB of the first cell does not exist; or the bit value can be set to 1, indicating that the terminal device does not measure the second SSB of the first cell in the case where the first SSB of the first cell does not exist.

[0298] In another example, taking the case where the second indication information indicates that the terminal device measures the second SSB of the first cell in the case where the first SSB of the first cell does not exist as an example, in the case where the network device sends the second indication information, it can be indicated that the terminal device measures the second SSB of the first cell in the case where the first SSB of the first cell does not exist, and for the same reason, in the case where the network device does not send the second indication information, it can be implicitly indicated that the terminal device does not measure the second SSB of the first cell in the case where the first SSB of the first cell does not exist. For example, in the case where the network device sends the second indication information, taking the case where the second indication information occupies one bit as an example, the bit value can be set to 1, indicating that the terminal device measures the second SSB of the first cell in the case where the first SSB of the first cell does not exist; or the bit value can be set to 0, indicating that the terminal device measures the second SSB of the first cell in the case where the first SSB of the first cell does not exist.

[0299] It can be understood that the first SSB of the first cell does not exist all the time, and in the case where the first SSB of the first cell does not exist, the network device can indicate the terminal device to measure the second SSB of the first cell through the second indication information, so that the network device and the terminal device can reach a consistent understanding.

[0300] Optionally, in the case that the frequency point corresponding to the SSB of the second cell is the same as the frequency point corresponding to the SSB of the first cell, the terminal device also performs SSB measurement on the SSB of the second cell, that is, the network device can indicate a frequency point through the measurement object, and the terminal device can perform SSB measurement on the SSB on the frequency point, when the first SSB of the first cell and the SSB of the second cell are both located on the frequency point, the terminal device will perform SSB measurement on the first SSB of the first cell and the SSB of the second cell, thereby increasing the power consumption of the terminal device. The present application proposes three possible implementations to reduce the power consumption of the terminal device:

[0301] The first possible implementation is that the network device can indicate the terminal device not to measure the SSB of the second cell through the indication information. The second cell is a neighboring cell of the first cell. The SSB of the second cell can be the first SSB of the second cell or the second SSB of the second cell, which is not limited.

[0302] It can be understood that the terminal device can receive the SSB of the first cell or the SSB of the second cell during movement.

[0303] The network device can indicate the terminal device to measure the first SSB of the first cell and not to measure the SSB of the second cell through the fourth indication information or the third indication information. For details, please refer to the following two possible embodiments:

[0304] In the first possible embodiment, the network device can send the fourth indication information to the terminal device; correspondingly, the terminal device can receive the fourth indication information from the network device. The fourth indication information is used to indicate the terminal device to measure the first SSB of the first cell and not to measure the SSB of the second cell. For example, in the case that the network device sends the fourth indication information, the terminal device can be instructed to measure the first SSB of the first cell and not to measure the SSB of the second cell; in the case that the network device does not send the fourth indication information, the terminal device can be implicitly instructed to measure the SSB of the second cell. For example, in the case that the network device sends the fourth indication information, one bit is occupied by the fourth indication information, the bit value can be set to 1, indicating that the terminal device measures the first SSB of the first cell and does not measure the SSB of the second cell; or the bit value can be set to 0, indicating that the terminal device measures the first SSB of the first cell and does not measure the SSB of the second cell.

[0305] Optionally, the fourth indication information can be located in the measurement object, or the fourth indication information can be located in the MAC CE information, or the fourth indication information can be located in the RRC information, or the fourth indication information can be located in the MAC information, or the fourth indication information can be transmitted alone, which is not limited.

[0306] Further, the terminal device can determine, according to the fourth indication information, whether to receive the first SSB of the first cell and not to receive the SSB of the second cell.

[0307] In a second possible implementation, the network device can send third indication information to the terminal device, and correspondingly, the terminal device can receive the third indication information from the network device. The third indication information is used to indicate whether the terminal device measures the SSB of the second cell. For example, when the third indication information occupies one bit, the bit value can be set to 1, indicating that the terminal device measures the SSB of the second cell; or the bit value can be set to 0, indicating that the terminal device does not measure the SSB of the second cell. Alternatively, the bit value can be set to 0, indicating that the terminal device measures the SSB of the second cell; or the bit value can be set to 1, indicating that the terminal device does not measure the SSB of the second cell.

[0308] Optionally, the third indication information can be located in a measurement object, or the third indication information can be located in MAC CE information, or the third indication information can be located in RRC information, or the third indication information can be located in MAC information, or the third indication information can be transmitted separately, without limitation.

[0309] Further, the terminal device can determine, according to the third indication information, whether to receive the first SSB of the first cell and not to receive the SSB of the second cell.

[0310] Based on the first possible implementation, the network device can indicate, through the indication information, that the terminal device does not measure the SSB of the second cell, which can reduce the workload of the terminal device and effectively reduce the power consumption of the terminal device.

[0311] In the second possible implementation, the network device indicates the terminal device to measure the SSB of the second cell based on a measurement period of the SSB of the second cell. The network device can indicate the terminal device to measure the SSB of the second cell through the third indication information and configure the measurement interval through the first configuration information, which is used to determine the measurement period of the SSB of the second cell, to explicitly indicate the terminal device to measure the SSB of the second cell; or the network device can configure the measurement interval through the first configuration information, which is used to determine the measurement period of the SSB of the second cell, to implicitly indicate the terminal device to measure the SSB of the second cell.

[0312] It can be understood that the terminal device can measure the SSB of the second cell based on a measurement period of the SSB of the second cell and measure the first SSB of the first cell based on the first time interval. For example, the first configuration information can configure a large measurement interval, so that the measurement period of the SSB of the second cell is large, such as 5s for the first time interval and 20s for the length of the measurement period of the SSB of the second cell.

[0313] Optionally, the first configuration information can be located in a measurement object, or the first configuration information can be located in a MAC CE information, or the first configuration information can be located in an RRC information, or the first configuration information can be located in a MAC information, or the first configuration information can be transmitted separately, without limitation.

[0314] Based on the second possible implementation, the terminal device can measure the SSB of the second cell based on a measurement period of the SSB of the second cell, and in the process of measuring the first SSB of the first cell, the power consumption of the terminal device can be reduced to a certain extent.

[0315] In the communication system, in the case that the first cell is a secondary cell to be activated, the network device can send an activation command to the terminal device, and the terminal device can perform SSB measurement after receiving the activation command to achieve automatic gain control adjustment, cell search, and synchronization. If the terminal device performs SSB measurement before receiving the activation command and obtains a measurement result, and the measurement result is still valid at the time when the network device sends the activation signaling (i.e., the time interval between the determination time of the measurement result and the time when the network device sends the activation signaling is small), the first cell can be regarded as a known cell, and at this time, the network device can configure the configuration required for activating the first cell according to the measurement result. Since the measurement result is valid at the time when the network device sends the activation signaling, the terminal device does not need to perform automatic gain control adjustment and cell search after receiving the activation signaling, and the time for activating the first cell can be effectively reduced, thereby achieving fast activation.

[0316] In the case that there is no valid measurement result at the time when the network device sends the activation signaling, the first cell can be regarded as an unknown cell. For example, in (a) of FIG. 14, the terminal device does not perform SSB measurement before the network device sends the activation signaling to the terminal device, and the terminal device performs SSB measurement after receiving the activation signaling, and completes automatic gain control adjustment, cell search, and synchronization through SSB. In addition, the terminal device can determine the reference signal receiving power (RSRP) (such as L1-RSRP) and channel state information according to the received reference signal. In (b) of FIG. 14, the terminal device performs SSB measurement before the network device sends the activation signaling to the terminal device, and the measurement result is valid. After receiving the activation signaling, the terminal device performs SSB measurement, and completes synchronization through SSB (i.e., does not need to complete automatic gain control adjustment and cell search through SSB). In addition, the terminal device can determine the RSRP and channel state information according to the received reference signal.

[0317] The hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) in FIG. 14 is used for the terminal device to save the received data in the case of decoding failure, and to request the network device to retransmit the data, and the terminal device can combine the retransmitted data and the previously received data before decoding. By comparing (a) in FIG. 14 and (b) in FIG. 14, it can be seen that in the case where there is a valid measurement result before the network device sends the activation command, the time for activating the first cell can be reduced, that is, fast activation of the first cell can be achieved.

[0318] It can be understood that the terminal device can report a valid measurement result after receiving the activation signaling to achieve fast activation, or the terminal device can report the measurement result to the network device after determining the measurement result. If the time interval between the determination time of the measurement result and the time when the network device sends the activation command is small, the measurement result can be considered valid, achieving the effect of approximate fast activation.

[0319] Based on the above description of fast activation, optionally, the network device can send the first SSB within a preset time period before sending the first signaling to speed up the activation of the first cell. Or it can be described that the network device can send the first SSB before sending the first signaling.

[0320] The first signaling is used to activate the first cell. The first signaling can be understood as the above-mentioned activation signaling. For example, as shown in the following FIG. 15, the network device can send two first SSB sets (first SSB set 0 and first SSB set 1) within a preset time period before sending the first signaling, and correspondingly, the terminal device can receive and measure the first SSB set 0 and the first SSB set 1 to determine the measurement result. Further, the terminal device can report the measurement result after receiving the first signaling, and the terminal device can determine the channel state information according to the reference signal and report it.

[0321] It can be understood that within the preset time period before the network device sends the first signaling, the network device can send one or more first SSB sets according to the first time interval. When the network device sends the first signaling, the time interval between the first signaling sent by the network device and the first SSB set sent by the network device before the first signaling can be less than or equal to the time interval between the first SSB set sent by the network device before the first signaling and the next first SSB set to be sent by the network device, which can ensure that the measurement result (determined according to the first SSB set measured by the terminal device) sent by the terminal device to the network device after receiving the first signaling is valid, and the network device can configure the configuration required for activating the first cell according to the measurement result, which can effectively reduce the time for activating the first cell, thereby achieving fast activation of the first cell.

[0322] The preset time period can be predefined, or the preset time period can be determined according to an actual communication scenario or a communication condition, without limitation. For example, the preset time period can be determined according to the number of the first SSB sets sent by the network device before the first signaling is sent (or can be described as the preset time period can be determined according to the number of the first SSB sets sent by the network device before the first signaling is sent), for example, the network device sends P first SSB sets before the first signaling is sent, the start time of the preset time period can be the start time of the first first SSB set sent by the network device before the first signaling is sent, and the end time of the preset time period can be the time when the first information is sent. P is a positive integer.

[0323] The time interval between any two adjacent first SSB sets in the first SSB sets sent by the network device before the first signaling is sent can be less than or equal to the maximum value of the first time interval expected by the terminal device. In addition, the time interval between the last first SSB set sent by the network device before the first signaling is sent and the first signaling can be less than or equal to the maximum value of the first time interval expected by the terminal device.

[0324] For the first SSB sent by the network device within the preset time period before the first signaling is sent, the network device can configure a semi-static first SSB, periodically send a plurality of first SSB sets, or the network device can aperiodically trigger a first SSB, send one first SSB set after the third information is sent. For details, refer to the description of the above two possible designs, which will not be repeated here.

[0325] Based on the above description of the first SSB, the present application provides two communication scenarios in which the first SSB exists:

[0326] The first scenario is that the network device does not exist the second SSB of the first cell before the first SSB of the first cell is sent. For example, as shown in (a) of FIG. 16, the solid line box represents a first SSB burst set of the first cell, the network device does not send the second SSB of the first cell before triggering the first SSB of the first cell, and when the first SSB of the first cell needs to be sent, the network device can trigger the first SSB of the first cell through the third information.

[0327] The second scenario is that the network device exists the second SSB of the first cell before the first SSB of the first cell is sent.

[0328] In an example, as shown in (b) of FIG. 16, the dashed box represents the second SSB burst set of the first cell, and the solid box represents the first SSB burst set of the first cell. The network device sends the second SSB of the first cell before triggering the first SSB of the first cell. When the network device needs to send the first SSB of the first cell, the network device can trigger the first SSB of the first cell through the third information. During the period in which the first SSB of the first cell is sent, the network device no longer sends the second SSB of the first cell.

[0329] In another example, as shown in (c) of FIG. 16, the dashed box represents the second SSB burst set of the first cell, and the solid box represents the first SSB burst set of the first cell. The network device sends the second SSB of the first cell before triggering the first SSB of the first cell. When the network device needs to send the first SSB of the first cell, the network device can trigger the first SSB of the first cell through the third information. During the period in which the first SSB of the first cell is sent, the network device still sends the second SSB of the first cell. The first SSB burst set of the first cell can be located between two adjacent second SSB burst sets of the first cell. When the first SSB burst set of the first cell occupies the time domain resource of the second SSB burst set of the first cell, the second SSB burst set of the first cell can be directly multiplexed, and the second SSB burst set of the first cell is also sent.

[0330] Optionally, in addition to the network device sending a first SSB set every first time interval to implement first SSB transmission, the application also proposes a transmission mode of the first SSB, which can better compatible with the transmission of the second SSB. The first SSB and the second SSB belong to the first cell.

[0331] In a first possible implementation, as shown in (a) of FIG. 17, when the terminal device needs to measure the SSB, the network device can send the first SSB through the fifth information, that is, the network device can periodically and continuously send a plurality of first SSB burst sets after sending the fifth information, and the time interval between two adjacent first SSB burst sets in the plurality of first SSB burst sets is less than the time interval between two adjacent second SSB burst sets in the plurality of second SSB burst sets. That is, the network device can not send the second SSB.

[0332] In a second possible implementation, as shown in (b) of FIG. 17, the network device can periodically and continuously transmit a plurality of second SSB burst sets, and in the case where the first SSB needs to be transmitted, the network device can indicate that the first SSB will be transmitted through the fifth information, that is, the network device can periodically and continuously transmit a plurality of first SSB burst sets after transmitting the fifth information, and the network device no longer transmits the second SSB when transmitting the first SSB, and the network device continues to transmit the second SSB after ending the transmission of the first SSB, and the time interval between adjacent two first SSB burst sets in the plurality of first SSB burst sets is less than the time interval between adjacent two second SSB burst sets in the plurality of second SSB burst sets. The fifth information can indicate a specific time, which is the time interval between adjacent two first SSB burst sets in the plurality of first SSB burst sets. The second possible implementation can be understood as adjusting the time interval between adjacent two second SSB burst sets, and at this time, the first SSB can be regarded as a second SSB after adjusting the time interval between adjacent two second SSB burst sets.

[0333] In a third possible implementation, as shown in (c) of FIG. 17, the network device can periodically and continuously transmit a plurality of second SSB burst sets, and in the case where the first SSB needs to be transmitted, the network device can indicate that the first SSB will be transmitted through the fifth information, that is, the network device can periodically and continuously transmit a plurality of first SSB burst sets in the interval between adjacent two second SSB burst sets after transmitting the fifth information, and the time interval between adjacent two first SSB burst sets in the plurality of first SSB burst sets is less than the time interval between adjacent two second SSB burst sets in the plurality of second SSB burst sets.

[0334] The various embodiments of the present application can be independently implemented or combined for implementation, and are not limited. If there is no special description and logical conflict, the terms and / or descriptions between different embodiments provided by the present application are consistent and can be mutually referred to, and the technical features in different embodiments can be combined to form new embodiments according to their inherent logical relationship.

[0335] It can be understood that in the embodiments of the present application, the execution subject can execute part or all of the steps in the embodiments of the present application, and these steps or operations are only examples, and the embodiments of the present application can also execute other operations or various modifications of the operations. In addition, each step can be executed in a different order presented in the embodiments of the present application, and it is possible that not all operations in the embodiments of the present application are executed.

[0336] It should be understood that, in order to implement the above functions, each device comprises a hardware structure and / or software module corresponding to each function. Those skilled in the art can easily realize that, in combination with the algorithm steps of each example described in the embodiments disclosed in the present text, the present application can be realized in the form of hardware or a combination of hardware and computer software. Whether a certain function is executed in the form of hardware or computer software driven hardware depends on the specific application of the technical solution and the design constraint conditions. Those skilled in the art can use different methods to implement the described functions for each specific application, but such implementation should not be considered beyond the scope of the present application.

[0337] The embodiments of the present application can divide the functional modules of each device according to the above method examples. For example, each functional module can be divided according to each function, or two or more functions can be integrated into one processing module. The above integrated module can be realized in the form of hardware or software functional module. The division of modules in the embodiments of the present application is illustrative, and is only a logical function division. There can be another division method in actual implementation.

[0338] In the case of dividing each functional module according to each function, FIG. 18 shows a network device 180 which can execute the actions performed by the network device in the method shown in FIG. 9. All relevant contents of each step involved in the above method embodiments can be referred to the function description of the corresponding functional module, and the technical effects that can be obtained can be referred to the above method embodiments, which will not be described here again.

[0339] The network device 180 can include a transceiver module 1801 and a processing module 1802. The network device 180 can be a communication device, a chip applied to the communication device, or other combination device or component having the above network device functions. When the network device 180 is a communication device, the transceiver module 1801 can be a transceiver including an antenna and a radio frequency circuit, and the processing module 1802 can be a processor (or processing circuit), for example, a baseband processor including one or more CPUs. When the network device 180 is a component having the above network device functions, the transceiver module 1801 can be a radio frequency unit, and the processing module 1802 can be a processor (or processing circuit), for example, a baseband processor. When the network device 180 is a chip system, the transceiver module 1801 can be an input / output interface of a chip (for example, a baseband chip), and the processing module 1802 can be a processor (or processing circuit) of the chip system, including one or more central processing units. It should be understood that the transceiver module 1801 in the embodiments of the present application can be implemented by a transceiver or a transceiver related circuit component, and the processing module 1802 can be implemented by a processor or a processor related circuit component (or processing circuit).

[0340] For example, the transceiver module 1801 can be configured to perform all the transceiver operations performed by the network device in the embodiments shown in FIG. 9, and / or other processes for supporting the technologies described herein; and the processing module 1802 can be configured to perform all the operations performed by the network device in the embodiments shown in FIG. 9, except for the transceiver operations, and / or other processes for supporting the technologies described herein.

[0341] FIG. 19 shows a terminal device 190 that can perform the actions performed by the terminal device in the method embodiments described above with reference to FIG. 9. All related contents of the steps involved in the method embodiments described above can be referred to the functional description of the corresponding functional modules, and the technical effects that can be achieved can be referred to the method embodiments described above, which will not be repeated here.

[0342] The terminal device 190 can include a transceiver module 1901 and a processing module 1902. The terminal device 190 can be a communication device, a chip applied to a communication device, or other combination devices or components having the functions of the terminal device, etc. When the terminal device 190 is a communication device, the transceiver module 1901 can be a transceiver including an antenna and a radio frequency circuit, etc. The processing module 1902 can be a processor (or processing circuit), for example, a baseband processor, which can include one or more CPUs. When the terminal device 190 is a component having the functions of the terminal device, the transceiver module 1901 can be a radio frequency unit. The processing module 1902 can be a processor (or processing circuit), for example, a baseband processor. When the terminal device 190 is a chip system, the transceiver module 1901 can be an input / output interface of a chip (for example, a baseband chip). The processing module 1902 can be a processor (or processing circuit) of the chip system, which can include one or more central processing units. It should be understood that the transceiver module 1901 in the embodiments of the present application can be implemented by a transceiver or a transceiver-related circuit component. The processing module 1902 can be implemented by a processor or a processor-related circuit component (or processing circuit).

[0343] For example, the transceiver module 1901 can be configured to perform all the transceiver operations performed by the terminal device in the embodiments shown in FIG. 9, and / or other processes for supporting the technologies described herein. The processing module 1902 can be configured to perform all the operations performed by the terminal device in the embodiments shown in FIG. 9, except for the transceiver operations, and / or other processes for supporting the technologies described herein.

[0344] As another implementation manner, the transceiver module 1801 in FIG. 18 can be replaced by a transceiver which can integrate the functions of the transceiver module 1801. The processing module 1802 can be replaced by a processor which can integrate the functions of the processing module 1802. Further, the network device 180 shown in FIG. 18 can further include a memory. Alternatively, the transceiver module 1901 in FIG. 19 can be replaced by a transceiver which can integrate the functions of the transceiver module 1901. The processing module 1902 can be replaced by a processor which can integrate the functions of the processing module 1902. Further, the terminal device 190 shown in FIG. 19 can further include a memory.

[0345] Alternatively, when the processing module 1902 is replaced by a processor and the transceiver module 1901 is replaced by a transceiver, the terminal device 190 involved in the embodiments of the present application can also be a communication apparatus 200 shown in FIG. 20.

[0346] The processor can be a logic circuit 2001, and the transceiver can be an interface circuit 2002. Further, the communication apparatus 200 shown in FIG. 20 can further include a memory 2003.

[0347] The present application provides an implementation block diagram of baseband hardware, which can support the functions of any of the above method embodiments. As shown in FIG. 21, the baseband hardware can be implemented by a processing system. The processing system can be implemented by a bus architecture, which is generally represented by a bus. The bus can include any number of interconnecting buses, depending on the specific application of the processing system and overall design constraints. The bus communicatively couples various circuits including one or more processors (generally represented by a processor), memory, and one or more computer-readable storage media (generally represented by a computer-readable storage medium). The bus can also link various other circuits such as timing sources, peripherals, voltage regulators, and power management circuits, which are well known in the art, and therefore, will not be further described. A bus interface provides an interface between the bus and a transceiver and between the bus and an interface.

[0348] The processor includes a microprocessor (e.g., X146, ARM), a microcontroller, a digital signal processor (DSP), an FPGA, a GPU, a programmable logic device (PLD), a state machine, gated logic, discrete hardware circuits, and other suitable hardware configured to perform various functions. That is, the processor used in the baseband can be used to implement the communication method shown in FIG. 9.

[0349] The processor is responsible for managing the bus and general processing, including the execution of software stored on the computer-readable medium. The software, when executed by the processor, causes the processing system to perform the various functions described below for any particular apparatus. The functions of the processor, memory, and computer-readable medium can be implemented in one or more of software, hardware, firmware, or combination thereof. For instance, the encoding, decoding, rate matching, de-rate matching, scrambling, de-scrambling, modulation, de-modulation, layer mapping, FFT, IFFT, IDFT, precoding, RE mapping, channel equalization, de-RE mapping, BF, adding a cyclic prefix (CP), removing a CP, and the like can be implemented by the processor, memory, and computer-readable medium.

[0350] Exemplary, the processor can include communication and processing circuitry, which can include one or more hardware components that provide the physical structure that performs various processes related to wireless communication (e.g., signal reception and / or signal transmission). The communication and processing circuitry can include two or more transmit / receive chains. The functions implemented by the communication and processing circuitry can also be processed on a computer-readable medium.

[0351] The processing system can also include a transceiver that provides a communication interface or means for communicating with various other apparatus over a wireless transmission medium. The transceiver can be coupled to an antenna array, and the transceiver and antenna array can together function as a communication interface or means for communicating with a corresponding network type. At least one interface (e.g., network interface and / or user interface) provides a communication interface or means for communicating over the internal bus or via an external transmission medium.

[0352] The embodiments of the present application further provide a computer program product, which can realize the functions of any of the above-mentioned method embodiments when executed by a computer.

[0353] The embodiments of the present application further provide a computer program, which can realize the functions of any of the above-mentioned method embodiments when executed by a computer.

[0354] The embodiments of the present application further provide a computer readable storage medium. All or part of the flow of the above-mentioned method embodiments can be instructed by a computer program to relevant hardware to complete, and the program can be stored in the above-mentioned computer readable storage medium. When the program is executed, the program can include the flow of the above-mentioned method embodiments. The computer readable storage medium can be an internal storage unit of the terminal (including the data sending terminal and / or the data receiving terminal) of any of the above-mentioned embodiments, such as a hard disk or a memory of the terminal. The above-mentioned computer readable storage medium can also be an external storage device of the terminal, such as a plug-in hard disk, a smart media card (SMC), a secure digital (SD) card, a flash card and the like equipped on the terminal. Further, the above-mentioned computer readable storage medium can include both the internal storage unit and the external storage device of the terminal. The above-mentioned computer readable storage medium is used to store the above-mentioned computer program and other programs and data required by the terminal. The above-mentioned computer readable storage medium can also be used to temporarily store data that has been output or will be output.

[0355] The terms "first" and "second" and the like in the description, claims and drawings of the application are used for distinguishing between similar elements and not necessarily for describing a particular sequential or chronological order. The terms "first" and "second" are used anecdotally and exemplarily, and do not imply a relative importance or a specific order. Therefore, a feature defined with "first" and "second" can include one or more of the features. In the description of the embodiments, the meaning of "a plurality" is two or more unless otherwise specified.

[0356] Furthermore, the terms "comprise" and "comprising" and the like are used in the sense of "including" and "including but not limited to", respectively. The terms "consist of and "consisting of" are used in the sense of "including and including but not limited to" respectively, and the like. The terms "have", "has", and the like are used in the sense of "comprising". The terms "include", "including", and the like are used in the sense of "comprising".

[0357] It should be understood that in the present application, "at least one" means one or more. "Multiple" means two or more. "At least two" means two or three and more. "And / or", used to describe the relationship between associated objects, means that there can be three relationships. For example, "A and / or B" can mean that there are three cases: only A, only B, and A and B at the same time, where A and B can be singular or plural. The character " / " generally represents that the associated objects before and after are in an "or" relationship. "At least one of" or the like means any combination of these items, including single or multiple combinations. For example, at least one of a, b or c can mean: a, b, c, "a and b", "a and c", "b and c", or "a and b and c", where a, b, and c can be singular or plural. "When" and "if" both mean that under certain objective circumstances, the corresponding processing will be done, not limited by time, and does not require a judgment action when implemented, nor does it mean that there are other limitations.

[0358] In the embodiments of the present application, the words "exemplary" or "for example" are used to mean serving as an example, instance, or illustration. Any embodiment or design described as "exemplary" or "for example" in the embodiments of the present application is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments or designs. Rather, use of the words "exemplary" or "for example" is intended to present concepts in a concrete manner, and to assist in understanding the present application.

[0359] In the present application, "sending information to (a terminal device)" can be understood as that the destination of the information is the terminal device. It can include directly or indirectly sending information to the terminal device. "Receiving information from (a terminal device)" can be understood as that the source of the information is the terminal device. It can include directly or indirectly receiving information from the terminal device. The information can be processed between the source and the destination of the information sending, for example, format change, etc., but the destination can understand the valid information from the source.

[0360] Through the above description of the embodiments, those skilled in the art can clearly understand that, for the convenience and brevity of description, only the above division of functional modules is taken as an example, and in actual application, the above functions can be completed by different functional modules according to needs, that is, the internal structure of the device is divided into different functional modules to complete all or part of the functions described above.

[0361] In several embodiments provided in the present application, the disclosed device and method can be implemented in other ways. For example, the device embodiments described above are only schematic, for example, the division of the modules or units is only a logical function division, and actual implementation can have another division manner, for example, a plurality of units or components can be combined or integrated into another device, or some features can be ignored or not executed. In addition, the coupling or direct coupling or communication connection between the units shown or discussed can be indirect coupling or communication connection through some interface, device or unit, and can be electrical, mechanical or other forms.

[0362] The units described as separate components can or can not be physically separated, and the components shown as units can be one physical unit or multiple physical units, that is, can be located in one place, or can be distributed to multiple different places. According to actual needs, part or all of the units can be selected to achieve the purpose of the present embodiment scheme.

[0363] In addition, each functional unit in each embodiment of the present application can be integrated in one processing unit, or each unit can exist physically, or two or more units can be integrated in one unit. The integrated unit can be realized in the form of hardware or in the form of a software functional unit.

[0364] The integrated unit, if in the form of a software function unit and sold or used as an independent product, can be stored in a readable storage medium. Based on such an understanding, the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application can essentially or partially be embodied in the form of a software product, which is stored in a storage medium, includes several instructions to make an apparatus (which can be a single-chip microcomputer, a chip, etc.) or a processor execute all or part of the steps of the methods described in the various embodiments of the present application. The aforementioned storage medium includes: a U disk, a mobile hard disk, a ROM, a RAM, a magnetic disk or an optical disk, and various media that can store program codes.

Claims

A communication method characterized by comprising: The method comprises: determining first information, wherein the first information comprises a plurality of first time intervals, each of the plurality of first time intervals is a time interval in which the network device transmits adjacent two first synchronization signal / physical broadcast channel block (SSB) sets, the first SSB set comprises a plurality of first SSB burst sets, each of the plurality of first SSB burst sets comprises a plurality of first SSBs of a first cell, and the first cell is a serving cell; and the first time interval is configurable; transmitting the first SSB of the first cell according to the first information. The method according to claim 1, wherein the first information further comprises one or more of the following: a number of first SSB burst sets transmitted by the network device within a first preset time length, a number of first SSBs transmitted by the network device within a second preset time length, a number of first SSB burst sets in the first SSB set, or a time interval of adjacent two first SSB burst sets in the plurality of first SSB burst sets in the first SSB set. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first information is determined according to second information; and the second information comprises one or more of the following: a maximum value of the first time interval expected by a terminal device, a minimum value of the first time interval expected by the terminal device, a number of first SSB burst sets that the terminal device can process within a first preset time length, a number of first SSBs that the terminal device can process within a second preset time length, a number of first SSB burst sets in the first SSB set expected by the terminal device, or a time interval of adjacent two first SSB burst sets in the plurality of first SSB burst sets in the first SSB set expected by the terminal device. The method according to claim 3, wherein the second information is predefined; or the second information is carried in capability information of one or more terminal devices; or part of the second information is predefined, and another part of the second information is carried in the capability information of the one or more terminal devices. The method according to any one of claims 1-4, wherein the first time interval is less than the minimum value of the first time interval expected by the terminal device. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that The method according to claim 1, wherein the transmitting the first SSB of the first cell according to the first information comprises: The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that in a case where the plurality of first time intervals are the same, periodically transmitting a plurality of first SSB sets as a cycle of the first time interval, the plurality of first SSB sets comprising the first SSBs of the first cell; and wherein the first time interval is less than or equal to the maximum value of the first time interval expected by the terminal device. The method according to claim 1, wherein the transmitting the first SSB of the first cell according to the first information comprises: transmitting N third information, wherein the third information is used to indicate that the network device will transmit the first SSB; transmitting the nth first SSB set after the nth third information; wherein n = 1, 2, …, N, the nth first SSB set includes Xn first SSB burst sets, the plurality of first time intervals include N first SSB sets, and a time interval between every two adjacent first SSB sets, each first time interval in the plurality of first time intervals is less than or equal to a maximum value of the first time interval expected by the terminal device, and Xn is a positive integer greater than or equal to a number of first SSB burst sets in the first SSB set expected by the terminal device. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that The method further comprises: periodically transmitting a second SSB of the first cell; transmitting first indication information; wherein the first indication information is used to instruct the terminal device to measure the first SSB of the first cell and not to measure the second SSB of the first cell. The method of claim 8, wherein The method further comprises: transmitting second indication information; wherein the second indication information is used to instruct the terminal device whether to measure the second SSB of the first cell in the absence of the first SSB of the first cell; or the second indication information is used to instruct the terminal device to measure the second SSB of the first cell in the absence of the first SSB of the first cell. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that The method further comprises: transmitting third indication information; wherein the third indication information is used to instruct the terminal device whether to measure the SSB of a second cell; the second cell is a neighboring cell of the first cell. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that The method further comprises: transmitting first configuration information; wherein the first configuration information is used to configure a measurement interval; the measurement interval is used for the terminal device to determine a measurement period of the SSB of a second cell; the second cell is a neighboring cell of the first cell. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that The method further comprises: transmitting fourth indication information; wherein the fourth indication information is used to instruct the terminal device to measure the first SSB of the first cell and not to measure the SSB of a second cell; the second cell is a neighboring cell of the first cell. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that transmitting the first SSB of the first cell comprises: transmitting the first SSB of the first cell within a preset time period before transmitting first signaling; wherein the first signaling is used to activate the first cell. The method according to any one of claims 1-13, wherein the first time interval is a time interval between a first first SSB burst set in a previous first SSB set and a first first SSB burst set in a next first SSB set in adjacent two first SSB sets; or the first time interval is a time interval between a first first SSB burst set in a previous first SSB set and a last first SSB burst set in a next first SSB set in adjacent two first SSB sets; or the first time interval is a time interval between a last first SSB burst set in a previous first SSB set and a first first SSB burst set in a next first SSB set in adjacent two first SSB sets; or The first time interval is a time interval between a last first SSB burst set in a previous first SSB set and a last first SSB burst set in a next first SSB set in the adjacent two first SSB sets. A communication method characterized by comprising: Comprise: sending capability information of a terminal device; wherein the capability information of the terminal device comprises one or more of the following: a maximum value of a first time interval expected by the terminal device, a minimum value of the first time interval expected by the terminal device, a number of first synchronization signal / physical broadcast channel block (SSB) burst sets that the terminal device can process within a first preset time length, a number of first SSBs that the terminal device can process within a second preset time length, a number of first SSB burst sets in a first SSB set expected by the terminal device, a time interval between adjacent two first SSB burst sets in a plurality of first SSB burst sets in the first SSB set expected by the terminal device; The first time interval is a time interval at which the network device transmits adjacent two first SSB sets, the first SSB set comprising a plurality of first SSB burst sets, each of the plurality of first SSB burst sets comprising a plurality of first SSBs, the first SSB being an SSB of a first cell, the first cell being a serving cell. The method of claim 15, wherein The method further comprises: in a case where the first time interval is less than the minimum value of the first time interval expected by the terminal device; receiving the first SSB set according to a second time interval, wherein the second time interval is determined according to the first time interval and the minimum value of the first time interval expected by the terminal device. The method of claim 16, wherein The second time interval is a minimum value of a plurality of third time intervals; wherein the third time interval is a time interval between any two first SSB sets in the first SSB sets transmitted by the network device, and the third time interval is greater than or equal to the minimum value of the first time interval expected by the terminal device. The method according to any one of claims 15-17, characterized in that The method further comprises: periodically receiving a plurality of first SSB sets with a second time interval as a period. The method according to any one of claims 15-18, characterized in that The method further comprises: receiving first indication information; wherein the first indication information is used to instruct the terminal device to measure a first SSB of the first cell and not to measure a second SSB of the first cell; determining, according to the first indication information, to receive the first SSB of the first cell and not to receive the second SSB of the first cell. The method according to any one of claims 15-19, characterized in that The method further comprises: receiving second indication information; wherein the second indication information is used to instruct the terminal device whether to measure the second SSB of the first cell in the absence of the first SSB of the first cell; or the second indication information is used to instruct the terminal device to measure the second SSB of the first cell in the absence of the first SSB of the first cell; determining, according to the second indication information, whether to measure the second SSB of the first cell in the absence of the first SSB. The method according to any one of claims 15-20, characterized in that The method further comprises: receiving third indication information, wherein the third indication information is used to indicate whether the terminal device measures SSBs of a second cell; the second cell is a neighbor cell of the first cell; determining whether to measure SSBs of the second cell according to the third indication information. The method according to any one of claims 15-21, characterized in that The method further comprises: receiving first configuration information, wherein the first configuration information is used to configure a measurement interval; the measurement interval is used for the terminal device to determine a measurement period of SSBs of a second cell; the second cell is a neighbor cell of the first cell; receiving SSBs of the second cell according to the first configuration information. The method according to any one of claims 15-20, characterized in that The method further comprises: receiving fourth indication information, wherein the fourth indication information is used to indicate that the terminal device measures first SSBs of the first cell and does not measure SSBs of a second cell; the second cell is a neighbor cell of the first cell; determining to receive first SSBs of the first cell and not to receive SSBs of the second cell according to the fourth indication information. According to any one of claims 15-23, wherein the first time interval is a time interval between a first first SSB burst set in a previous first SSB set and a first first SSB burst set in a next first SSB set in adjacent two first SSB sets; or the first time interval is a time interval between a first first SSB burst set in a previous first SSB set and a last first SSB burst set in a next first SSB set in adjacent two first SSB sets; or the first time interval is a time interval between a last first SSB burst set in a previous first SSB set and a first first SSB burst set in a next first SSB set in adjacent two first SSB sets; or the first time interval is a time interval between a last first SSB burst set in a previous first SSB set and a last first SSB burst set in a next first SSB set in adjacent two first SSB sets. A communication device, characterized by The communication device comprises a processor; the processor is used to run a computer program or instructions, so that the communication method as claimed in any one of claims 1-14 is executed, or so that the communication method as claimed in any one of claims 15-24 is executed. A communication device characterized by comprising: The communication device comprises an interface circuit and a logic circuit; the interface circuit is used to input and / or output information; the logic circuit is used to execute the communication method as claimed in any one of claims 1-14, or execute the communication method as claimed in any one of claims 15-24, process and / or generate the information according to the information. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized by The computer readable storage medium stores computer instructions or programs, when the computer instructions or programs are run on a computer, so that the communication method as claimed in any one of claims 1-14 is executed, or so that the communication method as claimed in any one of claims 15-24 is executed. A computer program product, characterized by The computer program product comprises computer instructions; when part or all of the computer instructions are run on a computer, the communication method as claimed in any one of claims 1-14 is executed, or the communication method as claimed in any one of claims 15-24 is executed.

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