Communication method and communication apparatus

Abstract

Provided in the present application are a communication method and a communication apparatus. The method comprises: a lower layer of a terminal device receiving first information, which first information is used for indicating the period of an SSB of a first cell, wherein the SSB is an SSB that is sent on demand, and the first information is signaling of the lower layer; the lower layer of the terminal device sending the first information to a higher layer of the terminal device; furthermore, on the basis of the period of the SSB that is indicated by the first information, the higher layer executing measurement of the first cell. On the basis of the technical solution, a terminal device sends to a higher layer, by means of signaling of a lower layer, first information that indicates the period of an on-demand SSB, such that the higher layer is informed of the period of the on-demand SSB; and then, the terminal device executes cell measurement within the period of the on-demand SSB, thereby realizing fast cell measurement, and further realizing a fast secondary cell activation process in a carrier aggregation scenario.

Description

Communication method and communication apparatus

[0001] The present application claims priority to the Chinese patent application No. 202411395479.3, filed on September 30, 2024, and titled "A communication method and communication apparatus", the content of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. TECHNICAL FIELD

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

[0003] In a mobile communication system, a network device will issue measurement configuration information through a radio resource control (RRC) reconfiguration message, and a user equipment (UE) will perform relevant measurements according to the measurement configuration information, and then report the measurement results to the network device side through a measurement report. For example, the network device will configure a detection window, i.e., a secondary synchronization signal (SSB) measurement timing configuration (SMTC), to the UE through an RRC message, and the UE will perform measurements within the SMTC period, thereby reducing unnecessary power consumption.

[0004] Currently, a UE receives a medium access control element (MAC CE) command indicating on-demand SSB, thereby triggering or stopping layer 3 (L3) measurements on its secondary cell (SCell).

[0005] Based on this, the present application aims to provide a communication method capable of realizing fast cell measurement, thereby realizing a fast cell activation process. SUMMARY

[0006] The present application provides a communication method capable of realizing a fast secondary cell activation process or a fast cell measurement process in a carrier aggregation scenario.

[0007] In a first aspect, a communication method is provided, which can be executed by a terminal device. In the absence of special description, 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, etc.) in the terminal device, or a logic module or software capable of realizing all or part of the terminal device functions.

[0008] The method comprises: receiving first information, the first information being used to indicate a period of a synchronization signal block (SSB) of a first cell, the SSB being an on-demand SSB, and the first information being underlying signaling; and sending the first information to a high layer of the underlying layer.

[0009] In the technical solution of the present application, the terminal device sends first information indicating the period of the on-demand SSB to the high layer of the underlying layer through underlying signaling, so that the high layer knows the period of the on-demand SSB, and then the terminal device performs cell measurement in the period of the on-demand SSB, which can realize fast cell measurement and further realize fast secondary cell activation process in a carrier aggregation scenario.

[0010] In combination with the first aspect, in some implementation manners of the first aspect, the method further comprises: the high layer performs measurement of the first cell based on the period of the SSB. Based on the above technical solution, fast cell measurement can be realized, and further, fast secondary cell activation process in a carrier aggregation scenario can be realized.

[0011] In combination with the first aspect, in some implementation manners of the first aspect, the performing measurement of the first cell based on the period of the SSB further comprises: in a case where a SMTC period is configured in a measurement object (MO) corresponding to the first cell, not performing measurement of the first cell based on the SMTC period; or in a case where a SMTC period is configured in configuration of the first cell, not performing measurement of the first cell based on the SMTC period. Based on the above technical solution, even if a SMTC period is configured in the MO of the first cell or the configuration of the first cell, the network device instructs the terminal device to perform cell measurement based on the period of the on-demand SSB, which can realize fast cell measurement process and avoid unnecessary measurement energy consumption.

[0012] In combination with the first aspect, in some implementation manners of the first aspect, the method further comprises: in a case where a SMTC period is configured in the MO corresponding to the first cell, performing measurement of a second cell adjacent to the first cell based on the SMTC period. Based on the above technical solution, in a case where a SMTC period is configured in the MO corresponding to the first cell, the terminal device is instructed to perform cell measurement based on the adapted SMTC period, which can avoid unnecessary measurement energy consumption.

[0013] In some implementations of the first aspect, the first information indicates a period of the SSB, and the method further includes: determining a first SMTC period based on the period of the SSB and first association information, the first association information indicating an association between at least one SSB period and at least one SMTC period, the period of the SSB being any one of the at least one SSB period, the first SMTC period being any one of the at least one SMTC period; and performing the measurement of the first cell based on the period of the SSB. In this way, the terminal device determines an SMTC period (e.g., the first SMTC period) that is adapted to the period of the on-demand SSB, and performs the cell measurement in the SMTC period, thereby avoiding unnecessary measurement energy consumption and achieving fast cell measurement.

[0014] In some implementations of the first aspect, the first association information includes any one of: an association between at least one SMTC period and at least one SSB period; and an association between at least one SMTC configuration information and at least one SSB configuration information, each SMTC configuration information including an SMTC period, and each SSB configuration information including an SSB period.

[0015] In some implementations of the first aspect, the first information further indicates an offset value of the SSB, and the performing the measurement of the first cell based on the period of the SSB includes: performing the measurement of the first cell based on the period of the SSB and the offset value of the SSB. In this way, the terminal device is indicated the period and the offset value of the on-demand SSB, so that the terminal device can receive the SSB in time and is indicated the time-domain position at which to perform the cell measurement, thereby achieving a fast cell measurement process.

[0016] In some implementations of the first aspect, the first information indicates an index value of the offset value of the SSB. In this way, the terminal device is indicated the period and the index of the offset value of the on-demand SSB, so that the terminal device can receive the SSB in time and is indicated the time-domain position at which to perform the cell measurement, thereby achieving a fast cell measurement process.

[0017] In some implementations of the first aspect, the first information includes information indicating a first SMTC period, and the method further includes: performing the measurement of the first cell based on the first SMTC period. In this way, the SMTC period at which to perform the measurement of the first cell is indicated, and the SMTC period is adapted to the period of the on-demand SSB, thereby achieving a fast cell measurement process.

[0018] With reference to the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the method further includes: receiving, before receiving the first information, second information indicating an initial SMTC period; and performing the measurement of the first cell based on the initial SMTC period. Based on the above technical solution, the terminal device can be indicated with an adapted SMTC period, so that the terminal device performs cell measurement in the SMTC period, and a fast cell measurement process can be implemented.

[0019] With reference to the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the SSB has a first period, and the method further includes: determining a first measurement GAP period based on the first period and first association information, the first association information being used to indicate an association relationship between at least one measurement GAP period and at least one SSB period, the first measurement GAP period being any one of the at least one measurement GAP period, and the first period being any one of the at least one SSB period; and performing the measurement of the first cell based on the period of the SSB includes: performing the measurement of the first cell and / or the measurement of a neighbor cell of the first cell based on a first measurement GAP period corresponding to the first period. Based on the above technical solution, the terminal device determines a measurement GAP period corresponding to the on-demand SSB period according to the first information and the first association information, and performs intra-frequency measurement or inter-frequency measurement in the measurement GAP period, which can not only perform the measurement of the first cell but also perform the measurement of a neighbor cell of the first cell, and a fast secondary cell activation procedure or a fast cell measurement process in a carrier aggregation scenario can be implemented.

[0020] With reference to the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the first association information includes any one of: an association relationship between at least one SSB period and at least one measurement GAP period; and an association relationship between at least one SSB configuration information and at least one measurement GAP configuration information, each SSB configuration information including an SSB period, and each measurement GAP configuration information including a measurement GAP period. Based on the above technical solution, a fast secondary cell activation procedure or a fast cell measurement process in a carrier aggregation scenario can be implemented.

[0021] With reference to the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the first information includes at least one of: a period of the SSB; a broadcast state of the SSB, the broadcast state indicating whether the SSB is broadcast or not broadcast; an activation state of the first cell, the activation state indicating whether the first cell is activated or deactivated; and a time domain location of the SSB.

[0022] With reference to the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the period of the SSB is a first period, and the method further includes: determining a first MO, the first MO corresponding to at least one SMTC period; determining a first SMTC period based on the first period and first association information, the first association information indicating an association between at least one SMTC period and at least one SSB period, the first period being any one of the at least one SSB period; and performing the measurement of the first cell based on the period of the SSB further includes: performing the measurement of the first cell and / or the measurement of a neighbor cell of the first cell based on the first SMTC period corresponding to the period of the SSB. In the above technical solution, the terminal device determines the SMTC period (e.g., the first SMTC period) that is adapted to the period of the on-demand SSB under the first MO, and performs the measurement of the first cell and the neighbor cell in the SMTC period, which can avoid unnecessary measurement energy consumption, and further achieve fast cell measurement.

[0023] With reference to the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the first association information includes any one of: an association between at least one SMTC period and at least one SSB period; and an association between at least one SMTC configuration information and at least one SSB configuration information, each SMTC configuration information including an SMTC period, and each SSB configuration information including an SSB period.

[0024] With reference to the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the first cell includes any one of: a secondary cell, a primary cell, and a cell in which the terminal device is located.

[0025] With reference to the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the method further includes: receiving the first association information sent by the network device. Based on the above technical solution, the terminal device can quickly and accurately determine the time domain resource (e.g., the period of the SSB or the SMTC period) for performing the cell measurement, which avoids unnecessary measurement energy consumption, and further achieves fast cell measurement.

[0026] With reference to the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the method further includes: sending, to the network device, capability information indicating that the terminal device supports receiving the SSB indicated by the first information. Based on the above technical solution, the terminal device reports the capability information of supporting receiving the on-demand SSB to the network device, so that the network device learns that the terminal device can perform the cell measurement, and the network device sends the first information to the appropriate terminal device, which can achieve a fast cell measurement process.

[0027] In some implementations of the first aspect, the method further includes: sending a measurement report to the CU; and receiving second information sent by the DU, the second information being used to indicate whether to activate the secondary cell, the second information being determined by the CU based on the measurement report. Based on the above technical solution, the CU determines whether to activate the secondary cell based on the measurement report, which can save the energy consumption of the base station, and further, can realize a fast cell activation process.

[0028] In some implementations of the first aspect, when the second information takes a first value, it indicates to activate the secondary cell, or when the second information takes a second value, it indicates to deactivate the secondary cell. Based on the above technical solution, the energy consumption of the base station can be saved, and further, a fast cell activation process can be realized.

[0029] In some implementations of the first aspect, the first association information is carried in an RRC reconfiguration message. Based on the above technical solution, the network device sends the first association information through the RRC reconfiguration message, which can save signaling.

[0030] In a second aspect, a communication method is provided, which can be executed by a network device. In the absence of special description, the "network device" in the present application can refer to the network device itself, a component (for example, 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 functions of the network device.

[0031] The method includes: sending first information, the first information being used to indicate a period of an SSB of a first cell, the SSB being an SSB sent by the network device according to a demand, the first information being underlying signaling, wherein the period of the SSB is used to perform measurement of the first cell.

[0032] The related descriptions and beneficial effects of the second aspect can refer to the related descriptions and beneficial effects of the first aspect, which will not be described here.

[0033] In some implementations of the second aspect, the period of the SSB is a first period, and the method further includes: sending first association information, the first association information being used to indicate an association relationship between at least one SSB period and at least one SMTC period, the first period being any one of the at least one SSB period, and the first SMTC period being any one of the at least one SMTC period, wherein the first association information is used to determine a first SMTC period corresponding to the first period, and the first SMTC period is used to perform measurement of the first cell and / or a neighboring cell of the first cell.

[0034] With reference to the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the first association information comprises any one of: an association relationship between at least one SMTC period and at least one SSB period; an association relationship between at least one SMTC configuration information and at least one SSB configuration information, each SMTC configuration information comprising an SMTC period, and each SSB configuration information comprising an SSB period.

[0035] With reference to the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the first information further indicates an offset value of the SSB, and the offset value of the SSB is used to perform the measurement of the first cell.

[0036] With reference to the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the first information indicates an index value of the offset value of the SSB.

[0037] With reference to the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the first information comprises information indicating a first SMTC period, and the first SMTC period is used to perform the measurement of the first cell.

[0038] With reference to the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, before the first information is sent, the method further comprises: sending second information, the second information indicating an initial SMTC period, and the initial SMTC period being used to perform the measurement of the first cell.

[0039] With reference to the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, a period of the SSB is a first period, and the method further comprises: sending first association information, the first association information being used to indicate an association relationship between at least one measurement GAP period and at least one SSB period, the first measurement GAP period being any one of the at least one measurement GAP period, and the first period being any one of the at least one SSB period, wherein the first association information is used to determine the first measurement GAP period, and the first measurement GAP period is used to perform the measurement of the first cell and / or the measurement of a neighbor cell of the first cell.

[0040] With reference to the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the first association information comprises any one of: an association relationship between at least one SSB period and at least one measurement GAP period; an association relationship between at least one SSB configuration information and at least one measurement GAP configuration information, each SSB configuration information comprising an SSB period, and each measurement GAP configuration information comprising a measurement GAP period.

[0041] In some implementations of the second aspect, the periodicity of the SSB is a first periodicity, and the method further includes: transmitting the first information and first association information, the first association information being used to indicate an association relationship between at least one SMTC periodicity and at least one SSB periodicity in a first MO, the first SSB being any one of the at least one SSB periodicity, wherein the first association information is used to determine a first SMTC periodicity corresponding to the first periodicity, and the first SMTC periodicity is used to perform measurement of the first cell and / or measurement of a neighbor cell of the first cell.

[0042] In some implementations of the second aspect, the first association information includes any one of: an association relationship between at least one SMTC periodicity and at least one SSB periodicity; and an association relationship between at least one SMTC configuration information and at least one SSB configuration information, each SMTC configuration information including an SMTC periodicity, and each SSB configuration information including an SSB periodicity.

[0043] In some implementations of the second aspect, the first information includes at least one of: a periodicity of the SSB; a broadcast state of the SSB, the broadcast state indicating whether to broadcast the SSB or not; an activation state of the first cell, the activation state indicating whether to activate the first cell or deactivate the first cell; and a time domain location of the SSB.

[0044] In some implementations of the second aspect, the first cell includes any one of: a secondary cell, a primary cell, and a cell in which the terminal device is located.

[0045] In some implementations of the second aspect, the method further includes: receiving capability information, the capability information being used to indicate that the terminal device supports receiving the SSB indicated by the first information.

[0046] In some implementations of the second aspect, the first association information is carried in an RRC reconfiguration message.

[0047] In a third aspect, a communication method is provided, which can be performed by a network device. In the absence of special description, the "network device" in the present application can refer to the network device itself, a component (for example, 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 functions of the network device.

[0048] The method includes: receiving, by the CU, a measurement report; and determining, by the CU, to send second information to the DU according to the measurement report, the second information being used to indicate whether to activate a secondary cell.

[0049] In the technical solution of the present application, the CU determines whether to activate the secondary cell according to the measurement report, which can save the energy consumption of the base station, and further, can realize a fast cell activation process.

[0050] In combination with the third aspect, in some implementation manners of the third aspect, the second information takes the first value to indicate to activate the secondary cell, or the second information takes the second value to indicate to deactivate the secondary cell. Based on the above technical solution, the energy consumption of the base station can be saved, and further, a fast cell activation process can be realized.

[0051] In combination with the third aspect, in some implementation manners of the third aspect, the method further includes: the CU receiving third information, the third information indicating the period of the SSB and / or the broadcast state of the SSB, wherein the broadcast state of the SSB indicates not to broadcast the SSB or to broadcast the SSB. Based on the above technical solution, the CU can expect the time domain position of the measurement report sent by the terminal device according to the broadcast state of the SSB and the period of the SSB, which can ensure that the CU receives the measurement report in time, and at the same time, save the energy consumption of the network device.

[0052] The fourth aspect provides a communication apparatus, including: a transceiver, configured to receive first information, the first information being used to indicate the period of a synchronization signal block (SSB) of a first cell, the SSB being an on-demand SSB, and the first information being underlying signaling; and the transceiver is configured to send the first information to a high layer of the underlying layer.

[0053] In combination with the fourth aspect, in some implementation manners of the fourth aspect, further including: a processing unit, configured to perform measurement of the first cell by the high layer based on the period of the SSB.

[0054] In combination with the fourth aspect, in some implementation manners of the fourth aspect, the processing unit is further configured to: in a case where a SMTC period is configured in a measurement object (MO) corresponding to the first cell, not perform measurement of the first cell based on the SMTC period; or in a case where a SMTC period is configured in a configuration of the first cell, not perform measurement of the first cell based on the SMTC period.

[0055] In combination with the fourth aspect, in some implementation manners of the fourth aspect, the processing unit is further configured to: in a case where a SMTC period is configured in a MO corresponding to the first cell, perform measurement of a second cell adjacent to the first cell based on the SMTC period.

[0056] In some implementations of the fourth aspect, the periodicity of the SSB is a first periodicity, and the processing unit is further configured to: determine a first SMTC periodicity based on the first periodicity and first association information, the first association information indicating an association between at least one SSB periodicity and at least one SMTC periodicity, the first periodicity being any one of the at least one SSB periodicity, and the first SMTC periodicity being any one of the at least one SMTC periodicity; and perform the measurement of the first cell and / or the measurement of a neighbor cell of the first cell based on the first SMTC periodicity corresponding to the first periodicity.

[0057] In some implementations of the fourth aspect, the first association information includes any one of: an association between at least one SMTC periodicity and at least one SSB periodicity; and an association between at least one SMTC configuration information and at least one SSB configuration information, each SMTC configuration information including an SMTC periodicity, and each SSB configuration information including an SSB periodicity.

[0058] In some implementations of the fourth aspect, the first information further indicates an offset value of the SSB, and the processing unit is specifically configured to perform the measurement of the first cell based on the periodicity of the SSB and the offset value of the SSB.

[0059] In some implementations of the fourth aspect, the first information indicates an index value of an offset value of the SSB.

[0060] In some implementations of the fourth aspect, the first information includes information indicating a first SMTC periodicity, and the processing unit is further configured to perform the measurement of the first cell based on the first SMTC periodicity.

[0061] In some implementations of the fourth aspect, the transceiver is further configured to receive second information before receiving the first information, the second information indicating an initial SMTC periodicity, and the processing unit is configured to perform the measurement of the first cell based on the initial SMTC periodicity.

[0062] In some implementations of the fourth aspect, the periodicity of the SSB is a first periodicity, and the processing unit is further configured to: determine a first measurement GAP periodicity based on the first periodicity and first association information, the first association information indicating an association between at least one measurement GAP periodicity and at least one SSB periodicity, the first measurement GAP periodicity being any one of the at least one measurement GAP periodicity, and the first periodicity being any one of the at least one SSB periodicity; and perform the measurement of the first cell and / or the measurement of a neighbor cell of the first cell based on the first measurement GAP periodicity corresponding to the first periodicity.

[0063] In some implementations of the fourth aspect, in combination with the fourth aspect, the first association information comprises any one of: an association relationship between at least one SSB period and at least one measurement GAP period; an association relationship between at least one SSB configuration information and at least one measurement GAP configuration information, each SSB configuration information comprising an SSB period, and each measurement GAP configuration information comprising a measurement GAP period.

[0064] In some implementations of the fourth aspect, in combination with the fourth aspect, the first information comprises at least one of: a period of the SSB; a broadcast state of the SSB, the broadcast state indicating whether the SSB is broadcasted or not broadcasted; an activation state of the first cell, the activation state indicating whether the first cell is activated or deactivated; a time domain location of the SSB.

[0065] In some implementations of the fourth aspect, in combination with the fourth aspect, the period of the SSB is a first period, and the processing unit is further configured to: determine a first MO, the first MO corresponding to at least one SMTC period; determine a first SMTC period based on the first period and the first association information, the first association information being used to indicate an association relationship between at least one SMTC period and at least one SSB period, the first period being any one of the at least one SSB period; and perform measurement of the first cell and / or measurement of a neighbor cell of the first cell based on the first SMTC period corresponding to the period of the SSB.

[0066] In some implementations of the fourth aspect, in combination with the fourth aspect, the first association information comprises any one of: an association relationship between at least one SMTC period and at least one SSB period; an association relationship between at least one SMTC configuration information and at least one SSB configuration information, each SMTC configuration information comprising an SMTC period, and each SSB configuration information comprising an SSB period.

[0067] In some implementations of the fourth aspect, in combination with the fourth aspect, the first cell comprises any one of: a secondary cell, a primary cell, and a cell in which the terminal device is located.

[0068] In some implementations of the fourth aspect, in combination with the fourth aspect, the transceiver is further configured to: receive the first association information sent by the network device.

[0069] In some implementations of the fourth aspect, in combination with the fourth aspect, the transceiver is further configured to: send, to the network device, capability information, the capability information being used to indicate that the terminal device supports receiving the SSB indicated by the first information.

[0070] With reference to the fourth aspect, in some implementations of the fourth aspect, the transceiver is further configured to: transmit, to the CU, a measurement report; and receive second information transmitted by the DU, the second information being indicative of whether to activate the secondary cell, the second information being determined by the CU based on the measurement report.

[0071] With reference to the fourth aspect, in some implementations of the fourth aspect, the second information indicates to activate the secondary cell when the second information takes a first value, or indicates to deactivate the secondary cell when the second information takes a second value.

[0072] With reference to the fourth aspect, in some implementations of the fourth aspect, the first association information is carried in an RRC reconfiguration message.

[0073] In a fifth aspect, a communication apparatus is provided, comprising: a transceiver configured to transmit first information, the first information being indicative of a periodicity of a SSB of a first cell, the SSB being a SSB transmitted by a network device on demand, the first information being underlying signaling, wherein the periodicity of the SSB is used to perform measurement of the first cell.

[0074] With reference to the fifth aspect, in some implementations of the fifth aspect, the periodicity of the SSB is a first periodicity, and the transceiver is further configured to: transmit first association information, the first association information being indicative of an association between at least one SSB periodicity and at least one SMTC periodicity, the first periodicity being any one of the at least one SSB periodicity, the first SMTC periodicity being any one of the at least one SMTC periodicity, wherein the first association information is used to determine a first SMTC periodicity corresponding to the first periodicity, the first SMTC periodicity being used to perform measurement of the first cell and / or a neighbor cell of the first cell.

[0075] With reference to the fifth aspect, in some implementations of the fifth aspect, the first association information comprises any one of: an association between at least one SMTC periodicity and at least one SSB periodicity; an association between at least one SMTC configuration information and at least one SSB configuration information, each SMTC configuration information comprising an SMTC periodicity, and each SSB configuration information comprising an SSB periodicity.

[0076] With reference to the fifth aspect, in some implementations of the fifth aspect, the first information is further indicative of an offset value of the SSB, the offset value of the SSB being used to perform measurement of the first cell.

[0077] With reference to the fifth aspect, in some implementations of the fifth aspect, the first information is indicative of an index value of the offset value of the SSB.

[0078] In some implementations of the fifth aspect, in conjunction with the fifth aspect, the first information includes information indicating a first SMTC period, the first SMTC period being used for performing the measurement of the first cell.

[0079] In some implementations of the fifth aspect, in conjunction with the fifth aspect, before the first information is transmitted, the transceiver is further configured to: transmit second information, the second information indicating an initial SMTC period, the initial SMTC period being used for performing the measurement of the first cell.

[0080] In some implementations of the fifth aspect, in conjunction with the fifth aspect, the SSB has a first period, and the transceiver is further configured to: transmit first association information, the first association information being used for indicating an association relationship between at least one measurement GAP period and at least one SSB period, the first measurement GAP period being any one of the at least one measurement GAP period, the first period being any one of the at least one SSB period, wherein the first association information is used for determining the first measurement GAP period, the first measurement GAP period being used for performing the measurement of the first cell and / or the measurement of a neighbor cell of the first cell.

[0081] In some implementations of the fifth aspect, in conjunction with the fifth aspect, the first association information includes any one of: an association relationship between at least one SSB period and at least one measurement GAP period; an association relationship between at least one SSB configuration information and at least one measurement GAP configuration information, each SSB configuration information including an SSB period, and each measurement GAP configuration information including a measurement GAP period.

[0082] In some implementations of the fifth aspect, in conjunction with the fifth aspect, the SSB has a first period, and the transceiver is further configured to: transmit the first information and first association information, the first association information being used for indicating an association relationship between at least one SMTC period under a first MO and at least one SSB period, the first SSB being any one of the at least one SSB period, wherein the first association information is used for determining a first SMTC period corresponding to the first period, the first SMTC period being used for performing the measurement of the first cell and / or the measurement of a neighbor cell of the first cell.

[0083] In some implementations of the fifth aspect, in conjunction with the fifth aspect, the first association information includes any one of: an association relationship between at least one SMTC period and at least one MO; an association relationship between at least one SMTC configuration information and at least one MO configuration information, each SMTC configuration information including an SMTC period, and each MO configuration information including a frequency point.

[0084] In a fifth aspect, in some implementations of the fifth aspect, the first information comprises at least one of: a periodicity of the SSB; a broadcast status of the SSB, the broadcast status indicating whether the SSB is broadcasted or not broadcasted; an activation status of the first cell, the activation status indicating whether the first cell is activated or deactivated; a time domain location of the SSB.

[0085] In a fifth aspect, in some implementations of the fifth aspect, the first cell comprises any one of: a secondary cell, a primary cell, a cell in which the terminal device is located.

[0086] In a fifth aspect, in some implementations of the fifth aspect, the transceiver is further configured to: receive capability information, the capability information indicating that the terminal device supports receiving the SSB indicated by the first information.

[0087] In a fifth aspect, in some implementations of the fifth aspect, the first association information is carried in an RRC reconfiguration message.

[0088] In a sixth aspect, a communication apparatus is provided, comprising: a transceiver configured to receive a measurement report; and a processing unit configured to determine, according to the measurement report, second information to be sent to a DU, the second information indicating whether a secondary cell is activated or not.

[0089] In a sixth aspect, in some implementations of the sixth aspect, the second information indicates that the secondary cell is activated when the second information takes a first value; or the second information indicates that the secondary cell is deactivated when the second information takes a second value.

[0090] In a sixth aspect, in some implementations of the sixth aspect, the transceiver is further configured to: receive third information, the third information indicating a periodicity of the SSB and / or a broadcast status of the SSB, wherein the broadcast status of the SSB indicates whether the SSB is broadcasted or not broadcasted.

[0091] In a seventh aspect, a chip is provided, comprising a processor, the processor and a memory coupled, the memory configured to store a computer program, and the processor configured to execute the computer program stored in the memory to implement the method according to the first aspect and any implementation manner of the first aspect, or the processor configured to execute the computer program stored in the memory to implement the method according to the second aspect and any implementation manner of the second aspect.

[0092] In an eighth aspect, a computer readable storage medium is provided, having stored thereon a computer program or instructions, which, when executed by a processor, cause the method according to the first aspect and any implementation manner of the first aspect to be performed or the method according to the second aspect and any implementation manner of the second aspect to be performed.

[0093] In a ninth aspect, a computer program product containing instructions, which when executed on a computer, cause the method according to the first aspect and any possible implementation of the first aspect to be performed or the method according to the second aspect and any possible implementation of the second aspect to be performed.

[0094] In a tenth aspect, a communication system is provided, comprising a terminal device configured to perform the method according to the first aspect and any possible implementation of the first aspect, and a first network element configured to perform the method according to the second aspect and any possible implementation of the second aspect.

[0095] The related description and advantages of the fourth aspect to the tenth aspect can refer to the related description and advantages of the first aspect to the third aspect, which are not repeated here. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0096] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an architecture of a communication system 1000 to which embodiments of the present application are applied.

[0097] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a new radio (NR) protocol stack and network element modules on a base station side.

[0098] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of an architecture of an open radio access network (O-RAN) system to which embodiments of the present application are applied.

[0099] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a secondary cell on-demand SSB provided by embodiments of the present application.

[0100] FIG. 5 is a schematic flowchart of a communication method 500 provided by embodiments of the present application.

[0101] FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of a first cell measurement of a terminal device provided by embodiments of the present application.

[0102] FIG. 7 is a schematic flowchart of a communication method 500 provided by yet another embodiment of the present application.

[0103] FIG. 8 is a schematic flowchart of a communication method 800 provided by yet another embodiment of the present application.

[0104] FIG. 9 is a schematic flowchart of a communication method 900 provided by embodiments of the present application.

[0105] FIG. 10 is a schematic flowchart of a communication method 1000 provided by yet another embodiment of the present application.

[0106] FIG. 11 is a schematic flowchart of a communication method 1100 provided by yet another embodiment of the present application.

[0107] FIG. 12 is a schematic block diagram of a communication apparatus 1200 according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0108] FIG. 13 is another communication apparatus 1300 according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0109] FIG. 14 is a chip system 1400 according to an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0110] The technical solutions in the present application will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0111] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an architecture of a communication system 1000 to which embodiments of the present application are applied. As shown in FIG. 1, the communication system includes a radio access network (RAN) 100. Optionally, the communication system 1000 can also include a core network 200 and an Internet 300.

[0112] The RAN 100 can include at least one RAN node (e.g., 110a and 110b in FIG. 1, collectively referred to as 110) and at least one terminal (e.g., 120a-120j in FIG. 1, collectively referred to as 120). The RAN 100 can also include other RAN nodes, such as a wireless relay device and / or a wireless backhaul device (not shown in FIG. 1). The terminals 120 are connected to the RAN nodes 110 in a wireless manner. Terminals and terminals and RAN nodes and RAN nodes can be connected to each other in a wired or wireless manner. The RAN nodes 110 are connected to the core network 200 in a wireless or wired manner. The core network devices in the core network 200 and the RAN nodes 110 in the RAN 100 can be independent and different physical devices, or can be the same physical device integrated with part or all of the logical functions of the core network devices and the RAN nodes.

[0113] The RAN 100 can be an evolved universal terrestrial radio access (E-UTRA) system, a new radio (NR) system, a future communication network, and a future wireless access system defined in the 3rd generation partnership project (3GPP), or a wireless fidelity (WiFi) system. The RAN 100 can also include two or more different wireless access systems described above. The RAN 100 can also be an open RAN (O-RAN).

[0114] A terminal is a device with wireless transceiver function, which can send signals to a base station or receive signals from a base station. A terminal can also be referred to as a terminal device, a user equipment (UE), a mobile station, a mobile terminal, etc. A terminal can be widely applied in various scenarios, such as device-to-device (D2D), vehicle to everything (V2X) communication, machine-type communication (MTC), internet of things (IOT), virtual reality, augmented reality, industrial control, automatic driving, remote medical treatment, smart power grid, smart furniture, smart office, smart wear, smart transportation, smart city, etc. A terminal can be a mobile phone, a tablet computer, a computer with wireless transceiver function, a wearable device, a vehicle, an airplane, a ship, a robot, a mechanical arm, a smart home device, etc. Embodiments of the present application do not limit the specific technology and specific device form of the terminal.

[0115] A RAN node, also referred to as a radio access network device, a RAN entity or an access node, is used to help a terminal access a communication system through wireless means. The RAN nodes in the communication system 1000 can be nodes of the same type or nodes of different types. In some scenarios, the roles of the RAN nodes 110 and the terminals 120 are opposite, for example, the network element 120i in FIG. 1 can be a helicopter or a drone, which can be configured as a mobile base station. For a terminal 120j that accesses the RAN 100 through the network element 120i, the network element 120i is a base station; but for the base station 110a, the network element 120i is a terminal. The RAN nodes 110 and the terminals 120 are sometimes collectively referred to as communication apparatuses, for example, the network elements 110a and 110b in FIG. 1 can be understood as communication apparatuses with base station functions, and the network elements 120a-120j can be understood as communication apparatuses with terminal functions.

[0116] The communication between the access network device and the terminal device follows a certain protocol layer structure. The protocol layer can include a control plane protocol layer and a user plane protocol layer. The control plane protocol layer can include at least one of a radio resource control (RRC) layer, a packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) layer, a radio link control (RLC) layer, a medium access control (MAC) layer, or a physical (PHY) layer, etc. The user plane protocol layer can include at least one of a service data adaptation protocol (SDAP) layer, a PDCP layer, an RLC layer, a MAC layer, or a physical layer, etc.

[0117] In a possible scenario, the RAN node can be a base station, an evolved NodeB (eNodeB), a transmission reception point (TRP), a next generation NodeB (gNB) in a 5th generation (5G) mobile communication system, a next generation base station in a future communication network, a base station in a future mobile communication system, or an access node in a WiFi system, etc. The RAN node can be a macro base station (such as 110a in FIG. 1), or a micro base station or indoor station (such as 110b in FIG. 1), or a relay node or donor node, or a wireless controller in a CRAN scenario. Optionally, the RAN node 110 can also be a server, a wearable device, a vehicle or a vehicle-mounted device, etc. For example, the access network device in a vehicle to everything (V2X) technology can be a road side unit (RSU).

[0118] It should be understood that the base station and the terminal can be fixed in position or movable. The base station and the terminal can be deployed on land, including indoors or outdoors, handheld or vehicle-mounted; can also be deployed on water; can also be deployed on an airplane, a balloon, and a man-made satellite. The embodiments of the present application do not limit the application scenarios of the base station and the terminal.

[0119] In another possible scenario, a terminal can be assisted to implement wireless access through cooperation of multiple RAN nodes, different RAN nodes respectively implementing part of functions of a base station. For example, a RAN node can be a central unit (CU), or a distributed unit (DU) or a radio unit (RU), etc. The CU and the DU can be separately arranged, or can be included in the same network element, for example, in a baseband unit (BBU). The CU node and the DU node split the protocol layers of the gNB, part of the protocol layers being centrally controlled in the CU, and the rest or all of the protocol layers being distributed in the DU and controlled by the CU.

[0120] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a new radio (NR) protocol stack at a base station side and network element modules, as shown in FIG. 2, the CU is deployed with a radio resource control (RRC) layer, a PDCP layer, and a service data adaptation protocol (SDAP) layer in the protocol stack; the DU is deployed with a radio link control (RLC) layer, a medium access control (MAC) layer, and a physical layer (PHY) in the protocol stack. Thus, the CU has processing capability of RRC, PDCP, and SDAP. The DU has processing capability of RLC, MAC, and PHY. One base station can be composed of one CU and one or more DUs, the CU and the DU are connected through an F1 interface, and one DU can be connected to only one CU. One DU can support one or more cells, and one cell can be supported by only one DU.

[0121] It can be understood that the above-mentioned splitting of functions is only an example and does not constitute a limitation on the CU and the DU. The RU can be included in a radio frequency device or a radio frequency unit, for example, included in a remote radio unit (RRU), an active antenna unit (AAU), or a remote radio head (RRH). The CU can be further divided into two types of RAN nodes, CU-control plane and CU-user plane.

[0122] In different systems, the RAN node can have different names, for example, in an O-RAN system, the CU can also be referred to as an open CU (O-CU), the DU can also be referred to as an open DU (O-DU), and the RU can be referred to as an open RU (O-RU). It should be understood that 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. The main feature of the O-RAN architecture is the separation of software and hardware, which realizes the virtualization of network functions and the standardization of hardware, in addition, the O-RAN also introduces artificial intelligence (AI). It should be noted that any of the CUs (or CU-CP, CU-UP), DUs and RUs in the present application can be implemented by a software module, a hardware module, or a combination of a software module and a hardware module. For example, the RAN node can be a server loaded with a corresponding software module. The embodiments of the present application do not limit the specific technology and specific equipment form adopted by the RAN node. For ease of description, the network device or base station is taken as an example of the RAN node in the present application.

[0123] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of an O-RAN system to which the embodiments of the present application are applicable. As shown in FIG. 3, the O-RAN system includes a first network element, a second network element, a third network element, an O-eNB, an O-CU-CP, an O-CU-UP, an O-DU, an O-RU, and an O-Cloud.

[0124] The above network elements (which can also be referred to as nodes) can be connected to each other, for example, the first network element is connected to the O-Cloud through an O2 interface, the first network element is connected to the third network element, the O-eNB, the O-CU-CP, the O-CU-UP, the O-DU, and the O-RU through an O1 interface, the first network element is connected to the O-RU through an open front-haul M-Plane interface, the O-DU is connected to the O-RU through an open front-haul M-Plane interface and an open front-haul C / U / S-Plane interface, the third network element is connected to the O-eNB, the O-CU-CP, the O-CU-UP, and the O-DU through an E2 interface, the O-CU-CP is connected to the O-DU through an F1-c interface, the O-CU-UP is connected to the O-DU through an F1-u interface, and the O-CU-CP is connected to the O-CU-UP through an E1 interface. For specific descriptions of the interfaces shown in FIG. 3, please refer to the existing standards, which will not be described here.

[0125] One possible example, the first network element can be a service management and orchestration framework (SMO), and can also be a network element similar in function to the SMO, without limitation.

[0126] One possible example, the second network element can be a Non-RT RIC, and can also be a network element similar in function to the Non-RT RIC, without limitation.

[0127] One possible example, the third network element can be a Near-RT RIC, and can also be a network element similar in function to the Near-RT RIC, without limitation.

[0128] It should be noted that the correspondence between the access network equipment (network element module) of the O-RAN and the protocol layer function that can be implemented by it can be referred to Table a.

[0129] Table a Correspondence between the access network equipment (network element module) of the O-RAN and the protocol layer function that can be implemented by it

[0130] The core network equipment refers to the equipment in the core network (CN) that provides service support for the terminal. At present, some examples of core network equipment are: access and mobility management function (AMF) entity, session management function (SMF) entity, user plane function (UPF) entity, and the like, which are not listed one by one. Among them, the AMF entity can be responsible for access management and mobility management of the terminal; the SMF entity can be responsible for session management, such as session establishment of the user; and the UPF entity can be a functional entity of the user plane, mainly responsible for connecting external networks. It should be noted that the entity in the present application can also be referred to as a network element or a functional entity, for example, the AMF entity can also be referred to as an AMF network element or an AMF functional entity, and for example, the SMF entity can also be referred to as an SMF network element or an SMF functional entity. In order to facilitate description, the AMF network element and / or the SMF network element are exemplified in the present application.

[0131] In the embodiments of the present application, the functions of the network device can also be performed by a module (such as a chip) in the network device, or can be performed by a control subsystem containing network device functions. The control subsystem containing network device functions herein can be a control center in the above-mentioned application scenarios such as smart grid, industrial control, intelligent transportation, and smart city. The functions of the terminal can also be performed by a module (such as a chip or a modem) in the terminal, or can be performed by a device containing terminal functions. The functions of the core network device can also be performed by a module in the core network device, or can be performed by a device containing core network device functions. It should be understood that the core network device can also be referred to as a core network network element.

[0132] In order to facilitate the understanding of the embodiments of the present application, the technical terms related to the embodiments of the present application are explained below.

[0133] 1. SSB measurement timing configuration (SS / PBCH block measurement timing configuration, SMTC): When the base station issues a measurement configuration, it will not only indicate the synchronization signal block (synchronization signal block, SSB) frequency point to be measured, but also indicate the timing position and duration of starting SSB measurement, i.e. SMTC. Through the configuration of SMTC, the time window for UE to search SSB can be effectively indicated, and unnecessary measurement power consumption of UE can be reduced. In the existing protocol, the base station can configure SMTC to the UE in at least two ways:

[0134] One way: the base station indicates the SMTC of the secondary cell in SCellConfig.

[0135] Another way: the base station indicates the SMTC associated with the measurement object when indicating the measurement object (measurement object, MO).

[0136] Still another way: the SMTC of the primary cell is indicated in ReconfigurationWithSync.

[0137] 2. On-demand SSB of secondary cell: In order to achieve network energy saving, there can be two cases (Case) for the SSB of some secondary cells (secondary cell, Scell), as shown in FIG. 4. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of an on-demand SSB of a secondary cell provided by an embodiment of the present application.

[0138] Case 1: As shown in (a) of FIG. 4, there is no periodic SSB on the secondary cell, and the base station will decide to send SSB as needed.

[0139] When the base station decides to activate the secondary cell, the base station will issue a SCell Activation MAC CE command to the UE.

[0140] Method 1: Before issuing the SCell Activation MAC CE command, the base station will indicate to the UE an on-demand SSB broadcast MAC CE, in which the SSB broadcast period is included, so as to send SSBs, and the SSB period takes a small value. The UE will perform automatic gain control (AGC), time-frequency synchronization, and send L3 measurement results and / or L1 measurement results to the base station. The base station will activate the SCell according to the L3 measurement results of the UE, i.e., send the SCell Activation MAC CE to the UE.

[0141] Method 2: In the secondary cell activation MAC CE command, the SSB broadcast state and the SSB broadcast period are indicated at the same time. The UE will perform AGC, time-frequency synchronization, and send L3 measurement results / L1 measurement results to the base station.

[0142] Case 2: As shown in (b) of FIG. 4, periodic SSBs are broadcast on the secondary cell, and the base station will decide to send SSBs with a smaller period value as needed. It should be noted that the specific method of indicating on-demand SSBs by the base station is described in the above method 1 and method 2.

[0143] As described in the foregoing background, after the UE receives the MAC CE command indicating on-demand SSBs, it will trigger or stop L3 measurement on its secondary cell. Based on this, the present application aims to provide a communication method that can realize fast secondary cell activation process or fast cell measurement process in a carrier aggregation scenario.

[0144] 3. Time-domain SSB period adaptation

[0145] In order to realize base station energy saving, the base station can adaptively change the SSB broadcast period of a certain serving cell. For example, when the system load is small or the number of users is small, the base station can broadcast SSBs with a long period. Conversely, the base station can broadcast SSBs with a short period. That is to say, the base station can change between two or more SSB periods, and notify the UE of the broadcast SSB period, for example, the base station can send a MAC CE or DCI command to notify the UE.

[0146] As described above, the UE receives the MAC CE indication or the DCI command indication that the SSB periodicity changes, based on which, the application further provides a communication method, which can realize adaptive cell measurement, thereby improving user experience. It should be noted that the SSB in this case is not necessarily referred to as the on-demand SSB described above. That is to say, in one possible implementation manner, for example, manner 1, the SSB in this case can be referred to as the on-demand SSB described above; or, in another possible implementation manner, for example, manner 2, the SSB in this case is not referred to as the on-demand SSB; or, in another possible implementation manner, for example, manner 3, the SSB in this case can be referred to as an adaptive SSB. For another example, the periodicity of the SSB in this case is not necessarily referred to as the periodicity of the on-demand SSB described above. That is to say, in one possible implementation manner, for example, manner 1, the periodicity of the SSB in this case can be referred to as the periodicity of the on-demand SSB described above; or, in another possible implementation manner, for example, manner 2, the periodicity of the SSB in this case is not referred to as the periodicity of the on-demand SSB; or, in another possible implementation manner, for example, manner 3, the periodicity of the SSB in this case can be referred to as the periodicity of the adaptive SSB or the adaptive periodicity of the SSB.

[0147] The embodiments of the application will be described in detail below with reference to the specific accompanying drawings.

[0148] FIG. 5 is a schematic flowchart of a communication method 500 provided by an embodiment of the application, as shown in FIG. 5, the method at least includes the following steps.

[0149] S510, the network device sends first information to the terminal device, and correspondingly, the terminal device receives the first information.

[0150] The first information is used to indicate the periodicity of the SSB of the first cell, wherein the first cell includes at least one of the following: a primary cell, a secondary cell, and a serving cell in which the terminal device is located. The SSB is an on-demand SSB. It should be noted that, in the present application, the SSB can also be referred to as an on-demand SSB or on-demand SSB for the above-mentioned 1; the SSB can be referred to as or not referred to as an on-demand SSB or on-demand SSB for the above-mentioned 2. It should be understood that the embodiments of the present application mainly aim at the on-demand SSB, but the technical solutions involved in the present application can also be applied to the case that is not an on-demand SSB, for example, the above-mentioned manner 2 and manner 3 can be applied, and the embodiments of the present application do not limit this.

[0151] For ease of description, in the following, SSB is used for description.

[0152] The first information indicates a period of the SSB. It can be understood as the following examples:

[0153] For example, the first information includes the period of the SSB.

[0154] For example, the first information includes an index value or an identifier of the period of the SSB. In this example, the terminal device determines the period of the SSB according to the received index value of the period of the SSB or the identifier of the period of the SSB. For example, the network device configures multiple SSB periods for the terminal device, and the terminal device determines the period of the SSB according to the index value of the SSB period. For example, the index value 0 is the first configured SSB period; the index value 1 is the second SSB period, and so on.

[0155] It should be noted that in this application, the first information indicating the period of the SSB can be direct indication or indirect indication. For example, the first information can indicate an index of an SSB configuration, the network device configures multiple SSB configurations (for example, through an RRC reconfiguration message) for the terminal device, and then the terminal can determine the period of the SSB included in the configuration according to the index of the SSB configuration indicated by the first information. For another example, the first information can indicate an index of an SSB period, the network device configures multiple SSB periods (for example, through an RRC reconfiguration message) for the terminal device, and then the terminal can determine the period of the SSB included in the SSB configuration according to the index of the SSB period. Details are not described here.

[0156] In this application, the first information is the underlying signaling, so the step of sending the first information to the terminal device in step S510 is essentially sending the first information to the underlying layer of the terminal device, and correspondingly, the underlying layer receives the first information. The underlying signaling can be a MAC layer control command, such as a MAC CE, or the underlying signaling can also be a physical layer downlink control information DCI. That is, the first information can be a MAC layer control command, or the first information can also be a DCI. It should be understood that the present application does not limit this.

[0157] The following takes the first information as a MAC layer control command, such as a MAC CE, as an example for description.

[0158] For example, the first information can be an on-demand SSB MAC CE. That is, the network device sends the first information to the terminal device before sending the SCell Activation MAC CE command to the terminal device. It should be noted that in this implementation, the first information indicates at least one of the following:

[0159] The period of the SSB;

[0160] a broadcast status of the SSB, the broadcast status of the SSB indicating that the SSB is broadcasted, or the SSB is not broadcasted;

[0161] a time domain position of the SSB, for example, a time domain position of the SSB being transmitted.

[0162] For example, taking the time domain position of the transmitted SSB block (SSB-PositionsInBurst) as an example, the first bit or the leftmost bit corresponds to the index value of the SS / PBCH block being 0, the second bit corresponds to the index value of the SS / PBCH block being 1, and so on.

[0163] It should be noted that the index value of the bit being 0 can represent that the SS / PBCH block is not transmitted, and the index value of the bit being 1 can represent that the SS / PBCH block has been transmitted; or the bit being 0 can represent that the corresponding SS / PBCH block has been transmitted, and the bit being 1 can represent that the corresponding SS / PBCH block is not transmitted. It should be understood that the above examples are only for illustration, and the present application is not limited in this regard.

[0164] For example, in a possible implementation, the first information can be a secondary cell activation MAC CE (for example, an on-demand SCell activation request MAC CE). That is, in the process of indicating the activation of the secondary cell (Scell), the network device simultaneously indicates the period of the SSB, the broadcast status of the SSB, and the like. It should be noted that in this implementation, the first information indicates at least one of the following:

[0165] the period of the SSB;

[0166] the broadcast status of the SSB, the broadcast status of the SSB indicating that the SSB is broadcasted, or the SSB is not broadcasted;

[0167] a time domain position of the SSB, for example, a time domain position of the SSB being transmitted.

[0168] the activation status of the Scell, the activation status of the Scell indicating that the Scell is activated, or the Scell is deactivated.

[0169] Exemplarily, in a possible implementation, the first information can also be a DCI command. That is, the network device indicates the period of the SSB of the serving cell. Exemplarily, in another possible implementation, the first information comprises an index value of the period of the SSB. In this example, the terminal device determines the period of the SSB according to the received index value of the period of the SSB. For example, the network device configures multiple SSB periods to the terminal device, and the terminal device determines the period of the SSB according to the index value of the period of the SSB. For example, the index value 0 is the first configured SSB period; the index value 1 is the second SSB period, and so on. Exemplarily, in another possible implementation, the first information can also comprise an index value of the configured SSB. In this example, the terminal device determines the period of the SSB according to the received index value of the configured SSB. For example, the network device configures multiple SSB configurations to the terminal device, and each SSB configuration comprises one or more of the SSB period, the SSB time domain location, and the SSB duration. The terminal device determines the period of the SSB according to the index value of the configured SSB included in the first information. For example, the index value 0 is the first SSB configuration; the index value 1 is the second SSB configuration, and so on.

[0170] It should be understood that the serving cell can be a primary cell or a secondary cell of the terminal device.

[0171] In this implementation, the first information indicates the period of the SSB or an index value of the period of the SSB.

[0172] S520, the lower layer of the terminal device sends the first information to the upper layer of the lower layer.

[0173] Exemplarily, in a possible implementation, the terminal device indicates the first information to the upper layer of the MAC layer.

[0174] Exemplarily, in a possible implementation, the terminal device indicates the first information to the upper layer of the PHY layer.

[0175] For example, the upper layer can be the RRC layer, that is, the terminal device indicates the first information to the RRC layer. Exemplarily, after receiving the MAC CE command, the terminal device indicates the first information to the RRC layer; exemplarily, after receiving the DCI command, the terminal device indicates the first information to the RRC layer.

[0176] For example, the higher layer can be a MAC layer and / or a RRC layer. After receiving the DCI command, the terminal device indicates the first information to the MAC layer and / or the RRC layer.

[0177] It should be noted that in the process of indicating the first information to the higher layer of the lower layer, the form of the first information changes, but the content of the first information does not change, that is, the first information indicated to the higher layer is still used to indicate the period of the SSB. In other words, the content of the first information sent to the higher layer is equivalent to the first information received by the lower layer of the terminal device.

[0178] Optionally, in a possible implementation, the method can further include that the terminal device indicates the SSB to the lower layer or the physical layer.

[0179] Continuing to refer to FIG. 5, optionally, in a possible implementation, the method can further include that the terminal device performs measurement of the first cell based on the period of the SSB, at S530.

[0180] Specifically, when the higher layer of the terminal device receives the first information, the terminal device determines the period of the SSB according to the first information, and then performs measurement of the first cell based on the period of the SSB. It can be understood that the terminal device performs measurement of the first cell based on the period of the SSB, which means that the terminal device monitors the SSB within the period of the SSB and performs measurement of the first cell within the period of the SSB. Alternatively, the terminal device performs measurement of the first cell based on the period of the SSB can also mean that the measurement of the first cell is performed within the measurement window duration within the period of the SSB. Alternatively, it can also be understood as measuring the SSB at the time of SSB transmission or on the resource of SSB transmission. It should be understood that the measurement of the first cell refers to radio resource management (RRM) measurement and / or beam failure detection measurement. It should be noted that in this process, the physical layer of the terminal device can also perform time-frequency synchronization and automatic gain control (AGC), thereby guaranteeing effective communication of the wireless link.

[0181] When the serving cell is a secondary cell, the terminal device performs the measurement of the serving cell before or during the activation of the secondary cell.

[0182] It should be noted that in step S430, the terminal device performs measurement of the first cell based on the period of the SSB, which can correspond to the following cases:

[0183] In a first case, when the SMTC period is configured in the MO corresponding to the first cell, the terminal device does not perform measurement of the first cell based on the SMTC period, and at this time, the terminal device performs measurement of the first cell based on the period of the SSB indicated by the first information. That is to say, in the first case, the terminal device performs measurement of the first cell based on only the period of the SSB, without the SMTC period configured in the MO corresponding to the first cell. It should be understood that the terminal device performs L3 measurement of the first cell at a high level.

[0184] The number of SMTC periods configured in the MO corresponding to the first cell can be one or more, and the terminal device does not perform measurement of the first cell based on the SMTC period, which can be understood as that the terminal device does not perform measurement of the first cell based on all the SMTC periods.

[0185] In a second case, when the SMTC period is configured in the configuration of the first cell, the terminal device does not perform measurement of the first cell based on the SMTC period or the SMTC configuration, and at this time, the terminal device performs measurement of the first cell based on the period of the SSB indicated by the first information. That is to say, in the second case, the terminal device ignores the SMTC period configured in the configuration of the first cell or ignores the SMTC configuration configured in the configuration of the first cell, and performs measurement of the first cell based on only the period of the SSB. Alternatively, the terminal device ignores the measurement result of the measurement performed based on the SMTC period or the SMTC configuration configured in the configuration of the first cell. Alternatively, the terminal device does not perform measurement under the SMTC period or the SMTC configuration configured in the configuration of the first cell.

[0186] The number of SMTC periods configured in the configuration of the first cell can also be one or more, and the terminal device does not perform measurement of the first cell based on the SMTC period, which can be understood as that the terminal device does not perform measurement of the first cell based on all the SMTC periods.

[0187] In a third case, when the SMTC period is configured in the MO of the first cell, measurement of a second cell adjacent to the first cell is performed in the SMTC period. The second cell adjacent to the first cell can be understood as that the first cell and the second cell are on the same frequency point. It should be noted that the second cell adjacent to the first cell can be one or more. For example, the first cell and the second cell are on the same frequency point, which can be understood as that their MOs are the same.

[0188] In a fourth case, when the SMTC period is configured or not configured in the configuration of the first cell, the terminal device equates the first SSB period to the SMTC period, and the terminal device performs measurement of the first cell based on the SMTC period.

[0189] Case five, in the case that the SMTC period is configured in the configuration of the first cell or the SMTC period is configured in the MO corresponding to the first cell, the terminal device performs the measurement of the first cell based on the SSB period and the SMTC period.

[0190] Optionally, in this case, the terminal device can also perform the measurement of the first cell on the periodic SSB (the periodic SSB corresponds to the periodic SSB in the foregoing FIG. 4) based on the SMTC period in the configuration of the first cell or the SMTC period configured in the MO corresponding to the first cell.

[0191] Optionally, after the terminal device performs the measurement of the first cell based on the SSB and performs the measurement of the first cell based on the periodic SSB, the terminal device jointly determines the result of the measurement of the first cell according to the measurement result based on the SSB and the measurement result based on the periodic SSB. For example, the terminal device jointly performs L3 filtering on the measurement result of the SSB and the measurement result based on the periodic SSB. For another example, the terminal device performs RRM measurement or radio link monitoring (RLM) or beam failure detection based on the SSB and based on the periodic SSB.

[0192] For example, as shown in FIG. 6, FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of the measurement of the first cell of the terminal device provided in the embodiment of the present application. The network device transmits the periodic SSB (wherein the periodic SSB corresponds to the periodic SSB in the foregoing FIG. 4, or also referred to as always-on SSB) and the on-demand SSB on the first cell. The network device configures the terminal device with the SMTC period or the SMTC configuration of the first cell or the SMTC period or the SMTC configuration in the MO corresponding to the first cell, and the SMTC configuration includes the SMTC period.

[0193] Example one: the terminal device performs the measurement of the first cell based on the SSB indicated by the first information, and does not perform the measurement of the first cell based on the SMTC period. The terminal device performs the measurement of the neighboring cell based on the SMTC period.

[0194] Example two: the terminal device performs the measurement of the first cell based on the SSB indicated by the first information and performs the measurement of the first cell based on the SMTC period. It can be understood that the terminal device performs the measurement of the first cell based on the on-demand SSB and the periodic SSB, and further generates the measurement result of the first cell. Optionally, the terminal device combines the measurement result generated based on the measurement on the on-demand SSB and the measurement result generated based on the measurement on the periodic SSB. The terminal device performs the measurement of the neighboring cell based on the SMTC period.

[0195] It is worth noting that the aforementioned SMTC period is included in the SMTC configuration information, and the SMTC configuration information includes the SMTC period, the offset value, the measurement window duration, and the like. The first cell configures the SMTC period or the SMTC period in the MO corresponding to the first cell, which should be understood as that the first cell configures the SMTC configuration or the SMTC configuration in the MO corresponding to the first cell. It should be understood that the SMTC configuration can be understood as the configuration corresponding to the SMTC configuration information. It should also be understood that the aforementioned measurement based on the SMTC period can also be considered as measurement based on the SMTC configuration.

[0196] It is worth noting that the terminal device performs measurement of the first cell based on the period of the SSB indicated by the first information, which can be understood as that the terminal device performs measurement within a certain time period of the period of the SSB. For example, the period is 20 ms, and the measurement of the first cell can be performed within 5 ms.

[0197] It should also be noted that during the process of performing measurement of the first cell based on the period of the SSB as described above, the terminal device can also perform time-frequency synchronization and automatic gain control (AGC), and can also perform radio link monitoring (RLM) and beam failure detection (BFD), thereby ensuring effective communication of the wireless link.

[0198] Optionally, in a possible implementation, the aforementioned first information can also indicate the offset value of the SSB.

[0199] Specifically, after the high layer receives the first information, determines the period of the SSB and the offset value of the SSB according to the first information, and then the terminal device performs measurement of the first cell based on the period of the SSB and the offset value of the SSB. The offset value of the SSB can be understood as the starting subframe or starting position of the transmission of the SSB in the period. It should be understood that the starting subframe or starting position of the transmission of the SSB in the period is the actual starting subframe or starting position of the transmission of the SSB in the period or the expected starting subframe or starting position of the transmission of the SSB in the period. The terminal device determines whether the SSB is transmitted according to the time domain position of the SSB.

[0200] The first information indicating the offset value of the SSB can include the following examples:

[0201] Exemplarily, in a possible implementation, the first information can be the offset value of the SSB.

[0202] Exemplarily, in a possible implementation, the first information can be an index value of the offset value of the SSB.

[0203] For example, bit 00 corresponds to offset value 0, bit 01 corresponds to offset value 1, and so on. It should be understood that the above values are only examples, and the present application is not limited thereto.

[0204] Optionally, in a possible implementation, the first information can also indicate a duration of the SSB.

[0205] Specifically, after receiving the first information, the high layer determines the periodicity of the SSB and the duration of the SSB according to the first information, and then the terminal device performs the measurement of the first cell based on the periodicity of the SSB and the duration of the SSB. The duration of the SSB can be understood as the duration of the transmission of the SSB in the periodicity.

[0206] Optionally, in a possible implementation, the first information includes information indicating a first SMTC periodicity. It should be noted that in this implementation, after step S520, the terminal device performs the following step: performing the measurement of the first cell based on the first SMTC periodicity, without performing the step S530 described above.

[0207] Specifically, after receiving the first information, the high layer determines the first SMTC periodicity according to the first information, and then the terminal device performs the measurement of the first cell based on the first SMTC periodicity. The terminal device performing the measurement of the first cell based on the first SMTC periodicity can be understood as that the terminal device monitors the SSB in the first SMTC periodicity and performs the measurement of the first cell in the first SMTC periodicity. It can be understood that the terminal device monitors the SSB in the measurement window duration in the first SMTC periodicity. It should be noted that in this implementation, the first SMTC periodicity and the periodicity of the SSB have the same function. For example, the terminal device can also perform time-frequency synchronization and automatic gain control (AGC) in the first SMTC periodicity, and can also perform radio link monitoring (RLM) and beam failure detection (BFD), thereby guaranteeing effective communication of the wireless link.

[0208] For example, the first information can be index value #0, which corresponds to a configuration of SMTC period 5 ms. The first information can be index value #1, which corresponds to a configuration of SMTC period 10 ms. One or more sets of SMTC periods are sent by the network device to the terminal device through RRC dedicated signaling (for example, an RRC reconfiguration message), that is, the RRC reconfiguration message carries the one or more sets of SMTC periods.

[0209] For example, the first information can be index value #0, which corresponds to a configuration of SMTC period 5 ms. The first information can be index value #1, which corresponds to a configuration of SMTC period 10 ms. One or more sets of SMTC periods are sent by the network device to the terminal device through RRC dedicated signaling (for example, an RRC reconfiguration message), that is, the RRC reconfiguration message carries the one or more sets of SMTC periods.

[0210] It should be noted that in a possible implementation, in the case where the underlying layer does not indicate the first information to the upper layer, the terminal device will still perform measurement of the first cell or measurement of the neighbor cell of the first cell based on the SSB or the SMTC period described above; that is, the step S520 described above is an optional step. The following will not be described again.

[0211] Optionally, in a possible implementation, the network device also sends second information to the terminal device, the second information indicating an initial or current SMTC period. The terminal device performs measurement of the first cell based on the initial or current SMTC period indicated by the second information in the case of SSB broadcast. The second information is sent by the network device to the terminal device through RRC dedicated signaling (for example, an RRC reconfiguration message). It should be noted that the second information can be sent once or multiple times, and the present application does not limit this.

[0212] Optionally, the second information can also be sent before the first information.

[0213] FIG. 7 is a schematic flowchart of a communication method 500 according to another embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG. 7, before step S510, the method can further include: S501, the network device sends second information to the terminal device, and correspondingly, the terminal device receives the second information. Wherein, the reception of the second information by the terminal device can be understood as that the underlying layer of the terminal device receives the second information, and the underlying layer of the terminal device transmits the second information to the upper layer.

[0214] Specifically, before step S501, the network device indicates the plurality of SSB periods and the plurality of SMTC periods to the terminal device through an RRC message, and simultaneously or subsequently sends the second information to the terminal device, the second information indicating any one of the following: an initial SMTC period, an initial SMTC configuration, a current SMTC period, and a current SMTC configuration.

[0215] In step S510, the network device sends first information to the terminal device, the first information indicating a period of SSB (for example, the period of SSB is SSB period #1), and it should be noted that the SSB period #1 belongs to one of the plurality of SSB periods indicated by the RRC message.

[0216] Further, the method can further include: S540, the terminal device performs measurement of the first cell based on the initial SMTC period. Specifically, after receiving the second information, the upper layer of the terminal device performs measurement of the first cell based on the initial SMTC period indicated by the second information. For example, when the first cell broadcasts SSB, the terminal device performs measurement of the first cell based on the initial SMTC period, the current SMTC period or the configuration indicated by the second information. For related description of the terminal device performing measurement of the first cell based on the initial SMTC period, reference can be made to the related description of the terminal device performing measurement of the first cell based on the first SMTC period.

[0217] It should be noted that in the embodiments of the present application, in the case of activating an unknown secondary cell, after the terminal device receives the first information, even if the secondary cell is configured with discontinuous reception (DRX), the terminal device can perform measurement of the secondary cell using the period of SSB indicated by the first information, that is, the terminal device can perform measurement of the secondary cell in the DRX Off time or the non-DRX time or not in the DRX active time. Alternatively, the terminal device can also perform measurement of the secondary cell using the SMTC period corresponding to the period of SSB indicated by the first information, that is, the terminal device can also perform measurement of the secondary cell in the DRX Off time or the non-DRX time or not in the DRX active time.

[0218] Optionally, in a possible implementation, the method can further include: the terminal device sending capability information to the network device, and the network device receiving the capability information, the capability information being used to indicate that the terminal device supports receiving the SSB indicated by the first information. It should be noted that the capability information indicating that the terminal device supports the SSB indicated by the first information can be understood as that the terminal device sends the capability information to indicate that it can support receiving the indicated on-demand SSB or adaptive SSB. It can also be understood as that the terminal device supports performing measurement of the first cell based on the period of the SSB. For example, the terminal device sends the capability information to indicate that it can support short measurement interval capability, for example, can perform measurement of the first cell based on the period of the SSB. For another example, the terminal device sends the capability information to indicate that the terminal device can perform measurement of the secondary cell in DRX off time or non-DRX time or not in DRX active time.

[0219] It should be further noted that the way in which the terminal device sends the capability information to the network device can include the following three ways.

[0220] Way one, the terminal device actively reports the capability information to the network device to indicate to the network device that it supports receiving the SSB indicated by the first information.

[0221] Way two, after the terminal device accesses the network and establishes an RRC connection, a core network element (for example, an AMF network element) sends a request message #1 to the terminal device, the request message #1 being used to request the terminal device to send its capability information. Optionally, in a possible implementation, the request message #1 can be a context setup request message.

[0222] Correspondingly, after receiving the request message #1, the terminal device sends the capability information of the terminal device to the network side.

[0223] Way three, in a source base station and target base station handover process, the source base station sends the capability information of the terminal device to the target base station; or, in an NG handover process, the AMF network element sends the capability information of the terminal device to the target base station. For example, the AMF network element sends a handover request message to the target base station, and the handover request message can include the capability information of the terminal device.

[0224] According to the above technical solution, the terminal device sends the first information indicating the period of the on-demand SSB to the upper layer through the underlying signaling, so that the upper layer knows the period of the on-demand SSB, and then the terminal device performs cell measurement in the period of the SSB or the SMTC period, which can realize fast cell measurement and further realize fast secondary cell activation process in a carrier aggregation scenario.

[0225] It should be noted that in the embodiments of the present application, the network device indicates the period of SSB to the first information, and can also indicate the time domain resource or time domain position of sending SSB to the terminal device. For example, the time domain resource is a subframe. One possible implementation is that the terminal device performs measurement of the first cell on the time domain resource of sending SSB, for example, the subframe of sending SSB.

[0226] For another example, the network device indicates the period of SSB to the first information, and can also indicate the offset of sending SSB to the terminal device, wherein the offset of SSB indicates the time domain position of sending SSB. One possible implementation is that the terminal device performs measurement of the first cell on the period and offset of sending SSB.

[0227] For another example, the network device indicates the period of SSB to the first information, and the terminal device judges the time domain resource of sending SSB by itself or according to the time domain resource pre-configured by the network device, and the terminal device performs measurement of the first cell on the time domain resource of sending SSB, for example, the subframe of sending SSB.

[0228] Optionally, in one possible implementation, the time domain resource of sending SSB is located outside the SMTC period. That is to say, the terminal device performs measurement of the first cell outside the SMTC duration (occasion).

[0229] Optionally, in one possible implementation, the time domain resource of sending SSB is located inside the SMTC period. That is to say, the terminal device performs measurement of the first cell on the SMTC period.

[0230] Continuing to refer to FIG. 8, FIG. 8 is a schematic flowchart of a communication method 800 provided by another embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG. 8, the method can at least include the following steps.

[0231] S810, the network device sends first information to the terminal device, and correspondingly, the terminal device receives the first information.

[0232] Step S810 is similar to step S510, and for the sake of simplicity, it will not be described here.

[0233] S820, the bottom layer of the terminal device sends the first information to the high layer of the bottom layer.

[0234] Step S820 is similar to step S520, and for the sake of simplicity, it will not be described here.

[0235] S830, the terminal device determines the first SMTC period based on the period of SSB and the first association information.

[0236] For the convenience of description, the first period is uniformly used in the following description instead of the period of the SSB, that is, the period of the SSB is equivalent to the first period.

[0237] S840, the terminal device performs measurement of the first cell based on the first SMTC period corresponding to the first period.

[0238] Optionally, in a possible implementation, the first association information is used to indicate an association relationship between at least one SSB period and at least one SMTC period, the first period is any one of the at least one SSB period, and the first SMTC period is any one of the at least one SMTC period.

[0239] It should be noted that the first association information described above is sent by the network device to the terminal device through RRC dedicated signaling (for example, an RRC reconfiguration message), that is, the RRC reconfiguration message carries the first association information or information indicating the first association information.

[0240] Specifically, after receiving the first information, the higher layer determines the first period according to the first information. Subsequently, the terminal device determines the first SMTC period associated with (or corresponding to) the first period based on the first period and the first association information. Further, the terminal device performs measurement of the first cell based on the first SMTC period corresponding to the first period. Wherein, the terminal device performs measurement of the first cell based on the first SMTC period can be understood as that the terminal device monitors the SSB within the first SMTC period and performs measurement of the first cell within the first SMTC period. It should be noted that in this process, the terminal device can also perform time-frequency synchronization, automatic gain control (AGC), RLM and BFD measurement, thereby guaranteeing effective communication of the wireless link.

[0241] Optionally, the terminal device can also perform measurement of the neighbor cell of the first cell based on the first SMTC period corresponding to the first period. That is, the terminal device monitors the SSB within the first SMTC period and performs measurement of the neighbor cell of the first cell within the first SMTC period. It should be noted that in this process, the physical layer of the terminal device can also perform time-frequency synchronization and automatic gain control (AGC), thereby guaranteeing effective communication of the wireless link.

[0242] It should be noted that the first association information described above can include the following examples.

[0243] Example 1, the first association information includes an association relationship between at least one SMTC period and at least one SSB period. Table 1 shows the association relationship between multiple SMTC periods and multiple SSB periods. It needs to be specially pointed out that in the case that the first association information includes one SMTC period and one SSB period, the first association information can be a certain row in Table 1. It can be understood that the SMTC period is the SMTC period associated with the first cell.

[0244] Table 1 Association relationship between multiple SMTC periods and multiple SSB periods

[0245] As shown in Table 1, SMTC period #1 corresponds to SSB period #1, SMTC period #2 corresponds to SSB period #2, SMTC period #3 corresponds to SSB period #3, SMTC period #4 corresponds to SSB period #4, and so on, which are not listed one by one here.

[0246] Assuming that the period of the SSB indicated by the first information is SSB period #2, the high layer determines that the period of the SSB is SSB period #2 after receiving the first information, that is, the first period is SSB period #2. Subsequently, the high layer determines SMTC period #2 corresponding to SSB period #2 from at least one SMTC period according to SSB period #2 and the first association information (that is, the association relationship shown in Table 1), that is, the first SMTC period is SMTC period #2. Further, the terminal device performs measurement of the first cell based on SMTC #2.

[0247] Example 2, the first association information includes an association relationship between at least one SMTC configuration information and at least one SSB configuration information, wherein each SMTC configuration information includes an SMTC period, and each SSB configuration information includes an SSB period. Table 2 shows the association relationship between multiple SSB configuration information and multiple SMTC configuration information. It needs to be specially pointed out that in the case that the first association information includes one SMTC configuration information and one SSB configuration information, the first association information can be a certain row in Table 2. It can be understood that the SMTC configuration information is the SMTC configuration associated with the first cell.

[0248] Table 2 Association relationship between multiple SSB configuration information and multiple SMTC configuration information

[0249] As shown in Table 2, SMTC configuration information #1 corresponds to SSB configuration information #1, SMTC configuration information #2 corresponds to SSB configuration information #2, SMTC configuration information #3 corresponds to SSB configuration information #3, SMTC configuration information #4 corresponds to SSB configuration information #4, and so on, which are not listed one by one here. Since each SMTC configuration includes an SMTC period and each SSB configuration information includes an SSB period, the association relationship shown in Table 2 actually also indirectly indicates the association relationship between the plurality of SMTC periods and the plurality of SSB periods.

[0250] Suppose that the period of the SSB indicated by the first information is SSB period #2, and the higher layer determines that the period of the SSB is SSB period #2 after receiving the first information, that is, the first period is SSB period #2. Subsequently, the higher layer determines SSB configuration information #2 according to SSB period #2, and further determines SMTC configuration information #2 corresponding to SSB configuration information #2 from at least one SMTC configuration information according to SSB configuration information #2 and the first association information (that is, the association relationship shown in Table 2), that is, the first SMTC period is SMTC period #2. Further, the terminal device performs measurement of the first cell based on SMTC #2.

[0251] It should be noted that other information can also be included in the SMTC configuration information and the SSB configuration information, and therefore, Table 2 can also be transformed into the form of Table 3. It should be pointed out that the content shown in Table 3 is only illustrative, for example, the measurement window duration in the SMTC configuration information or SSB-PositionsInBurst is an optional item. It should also be pointed out that SSB carrier frequency 1, SSB carrier frequency 2, and the like can be the same or different.

[0252] Table 3 Association relationship between a plurality of SSB configuration information and a plurality of SMTC configuration information

[0253] It should be understood that the related description about Table 3 can refer to the description of Table 2 described above, which is not described here.

[0254] It should also be understood that Tables 1 to 3 described above are only examples, which are not limited by the present application.

[0255] It should be noted that the value of the SSB period shown in Tables 1 to 3 can include any one of the following: 5, 10, 20, 40, 80, 160, in milliseconds. The value of the SMTC period can include any one of the following: 5, 10, 20, 40, 80, 160, in milliseconds or subframes.

[0256] Optionally, in a possible implementation, the value of the SSB period and the value of the SMTC period can be equal.

[0257] Optionally, in a possible implementation, the value of the SSB period and the value of the SMTC period can be unequal, for example, the value of the SSB period is 10 ms, and the value of the SMTC period is 20 ms or 20 subframes.

[0258] Optionally, in a possible implementation, the first MO is one of the at least one MO corresponding to the first cell, and the first association information can also indicate the association relationship between the at least one SMTC period and the at least one SSB period in the first MO.

[0259] Specifically, before step S810, the method can further include: the network device indicating, to the terminal device through an RRC message, a frequency point of the first cell and a frequency point of the MO corresponding to the first cell, for example, the first cell can be a secondary cell. Then, the network device sends first information to the terminal device, the first information being used to indicate identification information of the secondary cell, and the terminal device determines the frequency point of the secondary cell after receiving the identification information of the secondary cell, thereby determining the frequency point of the MO corresponding to the secondary cell, for example, the frequency point of the first MO. That is to say, the terminal device determines the first MO from the at least one MO based on the first information and the RRC message. For example, the first cell can also be a primary cell. The terminal device can also determine the frequency point of the MO corresponding to the primary cell based on the first information.

[0260] Further, the high layer of the terminal device determines a first SMTC period based on the first period (i.e., the period of the SSB) and the first association information, wherein the first association information is used to indicate the association relationship between the at least one SMTC period and the at least one SSB period in the MO (for example, the first MO), the first SMTC period is any one of the at least one SMTC period, and the first period is any one of the at least one SSB period.

[0261] Optionally, in a possible implementation, the first association information includes the association relationship between the at least one SSB period and the at least one SMTC period. Table 4 shows the association relationship between the plurality of SMTC periods and the plurality of SSB periods in the MO (the first MO). It needs to be specially pointed out that, in the case where the first information includes one SSB period and one SMTC period, the first association information can be a certain row in Table 4. It can be understood that the SMTC period is the SMTC period associated with the first MO.

[0262] Table 4 Association relationship between plurality of SMTC periods and plurality of SSB periods in MO

[0263] As shown in Table 4, SMTC period #1 corresponds to SSB period #1, SMTC period #2 corresponds to SSB period #2, SMTC period #3 corresponds to SSB period #3, SMTC period #4 corresponds to SSB period #4, and so on, which are not listed one by one here.

[0264] It is assumed that the terminal device determines the first MO according to the first information and the RRC message. The higher layer receives the indication that the period of the SSB in the first information is SSB period #3, that is, the first period is SSB period #3. Further, according to the association relationship between the multiple SMTCs and the multiple SSB periods under the first MO (that is, the association relationship shown in Table 4) and the first period, the SMTC period #3 corresponding to the SSB period #3 is determined, that is, the first SMTC period is SMTC period #3. Further, the terminal device performs measurement of the first cell based on SMTC #3.

[0265] Optionally, in a possible implementation, the first association information includes an association relationship between at least one SMTC configuration information and at least one SSB configuration information, and the first association information corresponds to the first MO. Taking MO#1 as an example, Table 5 shows the association relationship between multiple SMTC configuration information and multiple SSB configuration information under MO#1. It needs to be specially pointed out that in the case where the first association information includes one SMTC configuration information and one SSB configuration information, the first relationship information can be a certain row in Table 5.

[0266] Table 5 Association relationship between multiple SMTC configuration information and multiple SSB configuration information under MO#1

[0267] As shown in Table 5, SMTC configuration information #1 corresponds to SSB configuration information #1, SMTC configuration information #2 corresponds to SSB configuration information #2, SMTC configuration information #3 corresponds to SSB configuration information #3, SMTC configuration information #4 corresponds to SSB configuration information #4, and so on, which are not listed one by one here. Since each SMTC configuration includes an SMTC period and each SSB configuration information includes an SSB period, the association relationship shown in Table 5 actually also indirectly indicates the association relationship between multiple SMTC periods and multiple SSB periods under the MO.

[0268] Assuming that the terminal device determines the frequency point of the first MO according to the first information and the RRC message, the higher layer receives the indication of the SSB period #3 in the first information, i.e., the first period is the SSB period #3. Further, according to the association relationship between the multiple SMTCs and the multiple SSB periods (i.e., the association relationship shown in Table 5) under the first MO, the SMTC configuration information #3 corresponding to the SSB period #3 is determined from the at least one SMTC configuration information, i.e., the first SMTC period is the SMTC period #3. Further, the terminal device performs the measurement of the first cell based on the SMTC #3.

[0269] It should be noted that the SMTC configuration information and the SSB configuration information can further include other information, for example, one SMTC configuration information can include the SMTC period, the offset, and the measurement window duration, etc. Therefore, Table 5 can also have other forms, which are not limited in the present application.

[0270] Optionally, the above table does not limit the frequency point of the MO corresponding to the first cell. In a possible implementation, it can also be applicable to other frequency points different from the frequency point of the first cell, such as the SMTC period or the SMTC configuration of other frequency points such as MO #1, MO #2, etc.

[0271] It should also be understood that Tables 1 to 5 are only examples, which are not limited in the present application.

[0272] Optionally, before step S830, the method can further include: the network device sends the first association information to the terminal device, and correspondingly, the terminal device receives the first association information. It should be noted that the first association information is carried in the RRC reconfiguration message. Optionally, in a possible implementation, the method can further include: the network device sends the RRC reconfiguration message to the terminal device, and correspondingly, the terminal device receives the RRC reconfiguration message. The first association information is included in the RRC reconfiguration message.

[0273] Optionally, in a possible implementation, the first association information can also be locally stored in the terminal device, or the first association information can also be protocol predefined.

[0274] According to the above technical solution, by indicating the SMTC period for performing the measurement of the first cell, the SMTC period is adapted to the period of the on-demand SSB, which can realize a fast cell measurement process and ultimately improve the user experience.

[0275] Continuing to refer to FIG. 9, FIG. 9 is a schematic flowchart of a communication method 900 provided by another embodiment of the present application. For the sake of simplicity, only the differences between the communication method 900 and the communication method 800 described above will be described below. As shown in the figure, the communication method 900 shown in FIG. 9 can further include the following steps:

[0276] S930, the higher layer determines a first measurement GAP period based on the first period and the first association information.

[0277] For ease of description, the first period is uniformly used instead of the period of SSB in the following description, that is, the period of SSB is equivalent to the first period.

[0278] Step S940, the terminal device performs measurement of the first cell and / or measurement of a neighbor cell of the first cell based on the first measurement GAP period corresponding to the first period. It should be noted that the measurement GAP period is used for inter-frequency measurement and / or intra-frequency measurement, that is, the frequency points of the first cell and the neighbor cell of the first cell are different or the same.

[0279] Optionally, in a possible implementation, the first association information is used to indicate an association relationship between at least one SSB period and at least one measurement GAP period, the first period is any one of the at least one SSB period, and the first measurement GAP period is any one of the at least one measurement GAP period.

[0280] Specifically, after receiving the first information, the higher layer determines the first period according to the first information. Then, the higher layer determines the first measurement GAP period associated with (or corresponding to) the first period based on the first period and the first association information. Further, the terminal device performs measurement of the first cell and / or measurement of a neighbor cell of the first cell based on the first measurement GAP period corresponding to the first period.

[0281] The terminal device performs measurement of the first cell based on the first measurement GAP period can be understood as that the terminal device monitors SSB in the first measurement GAP period and performs measurement of the first cell in the first measurement GAP period. The terminal device performs measurement of a neighbor cell of the first cell based on the first measurement GAP period can be understood as that the terminal device monitors SSB in the first measurement GAP period and performs measurement of a neighbor cell of the first cell in the first measurement GAP period. It should be noted that in this process, the physical layer of the terminal device can also perform time-frequency synchronization and automatic gain control (AGC), thereby guaranteeing effective communication of the wireless link.

[0282] It should be noted that the above first association information can include the following examples.

[0283] In example 1, the first association information includes an association relationship between at least one measurement GAP period and at least one SSB period. Table 6 shows the association relationship between multiple measurement GAP periods and multiple SSB periods. It needs to be specially pointed out that in the case that the first association information includes an association relationship between one measurement GAP period and one SSB period, the first association information is a certain row in Table 6. Illustratively, the measurement GAP period can be configured in UE granularity, or in frequency band granularity (for example, FR1, FR2), or in BWP granularity.

[0284] Table 6 Association relationship between multiple measurement GAP periods and multiple SSB periods

[0285] As shown in Table 6, measurement GAP period #1 corresponds to SSB period #1, measurement GAP period #2 corresponds to SSB period #2, measurement GAP period #3 corresponds to SSB period #3, measurement GAP period #4 corresponds to SSB period #4, and so on, which are not listed one by one here.

[0286] Suppose the period of the SSB indicated by the first information is SSB period #2, the high layer determines that the period of the SSB is SSB period #2 after receiving the first information, that is, the first period is SSB period #2. Subsequently, the high layer determines the measurement GAP period #2 corresponding to the SSB period #2 from at least one measurement GAP period according to the SSB period #2 and the first association information (that is, the association relationship shown in Table 4), that is, the first measurement GAP period is measurement GAP period #2. Further, the terminal device performs measurement of the first cell and / or measurement of the neighboring cell of the first cell based on measurement GAP #2.

[0287] In example 2, the first association information includes an association relationship between at least one measurement GAP configuration information and at least one SSB configuration information, wherein each measurement GAP configuration information includes a measurement GAP period, and each SSB configuration information includes an SSB period. Table 7 shows the association relationship between multiple SSB configuration information and multiple measurement GAP configuration information. It needs to be specially pointed out that in the case that the first association information includes an association relationship between one measurement GAP period and one SSB period, the first association information is a certain row in Table 7. Illustratively, the measurement GAP configuration can be configured in UE granularity, or in frequency band granularity (for example, FR1, FR2), or in BWP granularity.

[0288] Table 7 Association relationship between multiple SSB configuration information and multiple measurement GAP configuration information

[0289] As shown in Table 7, the measurement GAP configuration information #1 corresponds to the SSB configuration information #1, the measurement GAP configuration information #2 corresponds to the SSB configuration information #2, the measurement GAP configuration information #3 corresponds to the SSB configuration information #3, the measurement GAP configuration information #4 corresponds to the SSB configuration information #4, and so on, which are not listed one by one here. Since each measurement GAP configuration includes a measurement GAP period and each SSB configuration information includes an SSB period, the association relationship shown in Table 2 is actually equivalent to the association relationship between at least one measurement GAP period and at least one SSB period.

[0290] It is assumed that the period of the SSB indicated by the first information is SSB period #2, and after receiving the first information, the higher layer determines that the period of the SSB is SSB period #2, that is, the first period is SSB period #2. Subsequently, the higher layer determines the SSB configuration information #2 according to the SSB period #2, and further determines the measurement GAP configuration information #2 corresponding to the SSB configuration information #2 from at least one measurement GAP configuration information according to the SSB configuration information #2 and the first association information (that is, the association relationship shown in Table 5), that is, the first measurement GAP period is measurement GAP period #2. Further, the terminal device performs measurement of the first cell and / or measurement of the neighbor cell of the first cell based on the measurement GAP #2.

[0291] It should be noted that the repetition period, the offset value, the measurement GAP length under the measurement GAP configuration information shown in Table 7, and the SSB-PositionsInBurst, the SSB carrier frequency, and the like under the SSB configuration information are all optional items. Among them, the SSB carrier frequency 1, the SSB carrier frequency 2, and the like can be the same or different.

[0292] It should be understood that Table 6 and Table 7 shown are only examples, and the present application is not limited thereto.

[0293] It should be noted that the value of the SSB period shown in Table 6 and Table 7 can include any one of the following: 5, 10, 20, 40, 80, 160, in milliseconds. The value of the SMTC period can include any one of the following: 5, 10, 20, 40, 80, 160, in milliseconds or subframes.

[0294] Optionally, in a possible implementation, the value of the SSB period and the value of the SMTC period can be equal.

[0295] Optionally, in a possible implementation, the value of the SSB period and the value of the SMTC period can be unequal, for example, the value of the SSB period is 10 milliseconds, and the value of the SMTC period is 20 ms or 20 subframes.

[0296] Optionally, before step S930, the method can further include: the network device sending first association information to the terminal device, and correspondingly, the terminal device receiving the first association information. It should be noted that the first association information is carried in the RRC reconfiguration message. Optionally, in a possible implementation, the method can further include: the network device sending an RRC reconfiguration message to the terminal device, and correspondingly, the terminal device receiving the RRC reconfiguration message. The RRC reconfiguration message includes the first association information.

[0297] Optionally, in a possible implementation, the first association information can also be stored locally in the terminal device, or the first association information can also be predefined by a protocol.

[0298] Further, in the embodiments of the present application, after the terminal device performs measurement on the first cell, a measurement report will be generated, and then the terminal device will send the measurement report to the network device side. For example, as shown in FIG. 10.

[0299] FIG. 10 is a schematic flowchart of a communication method 1000 according to another embodiment of the present application. The method can include the following steps. It should be noted that the network device can include a DU and a CU.

[0300] S1010, the UE sends a measurement report to the CU, and correspondingly, the CU receives the measurement report.

[0301] S1020, the CU sends third information to the DU according to the measurement report, and correspondingly, the DU receives the third information.

[0302] The third information is used to indicate whether to activate the secondary cell. The CU sends the third information to the DU according to the measurement report, which can be understood as that the third information is determined by the CU according to the measurement report. For example, in the case that the measurement report meets the condition of activating the secondary cell, the third information indicates to activate the secondary cell; for another example, in the case that the measurement report does not meet the condition of activating the secondary cell, the third information indicates to deactivate the secondary cell.

[0303] For example, in a possible implementation, in the case that the third information takes a first value, the first information indicates to activate the secondary cell. For example, the first value can be 1, or the first value can be “true” or “to be activated”.

[0304] For example, in a possible implementation, in the case that the third information takes a second value, the first information indicates to deactivate the secondary cell. For example, the second value can be 0, or the first value can be “false” or “to be deactivated”.

[0305] It should be understood that the first value and the second value in the above examples are only examples, and the present application is not limited thereto.

[0306] Optionally, the method can further comprise: S1030, determining, by the DU, to send the indication information to the terminal device according to the third information.

[0307] Optionally, in the case where the DU determines to activate the secondary cell according to the received third information, for example, the third information takes the first value, step S1040 is performed.

[0308] Optionally, the method can further comprise: indicating, by the DU, the CU of the result of receiving the third information or the result of activating the first cell. For example, in the case of receiving, the DU indicates 1 to the CU, or the value can be “true” or “activated”; in the case of not receiving, the DU indicates 0 to the CU, or it can be “false” or “deactivated”.

[0309] S1040: the DU sends the first indication information to the terminal device, and correspondingly, the terminal device receives the first indication information, wherein the first indication information is used to indicate the activation of the secondary cell. For example, the first indication information can be Activation MAC CE.

[0310] Optionally, in the case where the DU determines to deactivate the secondary cell according to the received third information, for example, the third information takes the second value, step S1050 is performed.

[0311] S1050: the DU sends the second indication information to the terminal device, wherein the second indication information is used to indicate the deactivation of the secondary cell. For example, the second indication information can be deactivation MAC CE.

[0312] Optionally, before step S1010, the method can further comprise: step S1001, sending, by the DU, the fourth information to the CU, and correspondingly, receiving, by the CU, the fourth information.

[0313] The fourth information indicates the SSB broadcast state and the broadcast period of the SSB. After determining the broadcast state of the SSB according to the fourth information, the CU determines that the SSB is in the broadcast state, for example. Optionally, the CU will expect to receive the L3 measurement result sent by the terminal device; optionally, the CU will indicate the SSB broadcast state of the cell to the neighboring cell. For another example, the CU determines that the SSB is in the non-broadcast state, and the CU will not expect to receive the L3 measurement result sent by the terminal device; optionally, the CU will indicate the SSB broadcast state of the cell to the neighboring cell. It should be understood that the present application is not limited thereto.

[0314] Optionally, the fourth information can be carried in the UE context modification request message. For example, the DU sends the UE context modification request message to the CU, and the UE context modification request message includes the fourth information described above.

[0315] FIG. 11 is a schematic flowchart of a communication method 1100 according to another embodiment of the present application. It should be noted that FIG. 11 corresponds to one example of the method 1000 described above, and specifically, the first information is taken as the on-demand SSB MAC CE. That is, before the network device sends the terminal device the command indicating the activation of the secondary cell, the network device sends the terminal device the first information.

[0316] As shown in FIG. 11, the method can at least include the following steps.

[0317] S1110, the DU sends the first information to the UE, and correspondingly, the UE receives the first information.

[0318] The first information is the on-demand SSB MAC CE. It should be noted that the related description of the first information can be referred to the foregoing description, and will not be described here.

[0319] S1120, the DU sends the fourth information to the CU, and correspondingly, the CU receives the fourth information.

[0320] Step S1120 is similar to step S1001, and will not be described here.

[0321] Optionally, after step S1120, the method can further include: the CU sends a response message to the DU, and correspondingly, the DU receives the response message.

[0322] For example, the response message can be the UE context modification request acknowledgement message.

[0323] It should be noted that step S1120 is an optional step.

[0324] S1130, the UE sends a measurement report to the CU, and correspondingly, the CU receives the measurement report.

[0325] S1140, the CU sends the third information to the DU based on the measurement report, and correspondingly, the DU receives the third information.

[0326] It should be noted that the third information is a measurement report of the first cell reported by the UE. The measurement report includes at least one of the following: reference signal received power (RSRP), received signal strength indicator (RSSI), reference signal received quality (RSRQ), and signal to interference plus noise ratio (SINR). Among them, RSRP can reflect the received strength of the reference signal, RSSI can reflect the total signal strength of the current channel; RSRQ can reflect the signal-to-noise ratio and interference level of the current channel quality, which is approximately the ratio of RSRP to RSSI, and SINR can reflect the signal-to-interference-and-noise ratio of the current channel.

[0327] It should be understood that the measurement report can also include other parameters, which are not limited in the present application.

[0328] For example, the DU indicates the result of accepting the third information or the first cell activation result to the CU. For example, in the case of cell activation, the DU indicates 1 to the CU, or the value can be "true" or "activated"; in the case of cell deactivation, the DU indicates 0 to the CU, or it can be "false" or "deactivated".

[0329] In S1150, the DU determines to send the indication information according to the third information.

[0330] Optionally, in the case where the DU activates the secondary cell according to the received third information, step S1160 is performed.

[0331] In S1160, the DU sends the first indication information to the terminal device, and correspondingly, the terminal device receives the first indication information.

[0332] Optionally, in the case where the DU deactivates the secondary cell according to the received third information, step S1170 is performed.

[0333] In S1170, the DU sends the second indication information to the terminal device, and the second indication information is used to indicate to deactivate the secondary cell.

[0334] Steps S1130 to S1170 are similar to steps S1010 to S1050, which will not be described here.

[0335] According to the technical solution, the CU determines whether to activate the secondary cell according to the measurement report, which can save energy consumption of the base station, and further, can realize a fast cell activation process.

[0336] It should be understood that some optional features in the embodiments of the present application can be independent of other features in some scenarios, or can be combined with other features in some scenarios, without limitation.

[0337] It should also be understood that the solutions in the embodiments of the present application can be reasonably combined, or the solutions in the embodiments of the present application can be reasonably decoupled, and the explanation or description of each term appearing in the embodiments can be mutually referenced or explained in each embodiment, without limitation.

[0338] It should also be understood that the size of the various numerical serial numbers in the embodiments of the present application does not mean the order of execution, but is only a distinction for convenience of description, and should not constitute any limitation on the implementation process of the embodiments of the present application.

[0339] It should also be understood that some message names, such as the first message and the like, in the embodiments of the present application should be understood as not limiting the protection scope of the embodiments of the present application.

[0340] It should also be understood that the methods and operations implemented by the terminal device in the above various method embodiments can also be implemented by the constituent components (such as chips or circuits) of the terminal device, and the methods and operations implemented by the first network element can also be implemented by the constituent components (such as chips or circuits) of the first network element, and the present application is not limited. Corresponding to the methods given in the above various method embodiments, the embodiments of the present application also provide corresponding communication devices, and the device includes a module for executing the corresponding modules of the above various method embodiments. The module can be software, hardware, or a combination of software and hardware. It can be understood that the technical features described in the above various method embodiments are also applicable to the following device embodiments.

[0341] It should be understood that the terminal device and the first network element can perform some or all of the steps in the above embodiments, 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 executed in a different order as presented in the above embodiments, and it is possible that not all the operations in the above embodiments are executed.

[0342] The communication method provided by the embodiments of the present application is described in detail above in combination with FIG. 5-FIG. 11, and the communication apparatus provided by the embodiments of the present application is described in detail below in combination with FIG. 12 to FIG. 14. It should be understood that the description of the apparatus embodiments corresponds to the description of the method embodiments, and therefore, the content not described in detail can be referred to the method embodiments above, and part of the content is not described again for brevity.

[0343] FIG. 12 is a schematic block diagram of a communication apparatus 1200 provided by the embodiments of the present application. As shown in FIG. 12, the communication apparatus 1200 includes a transceiver unit 1210. The transceiver unit 1210 can implement corresponding communication functions, and the transceiver unit 1210 can also be referred to as a communication interface or a communication unit. Optionally, the communication apparatus 1200 further includes a processing unit 1220 for data processing. The communication apparatus 1200 is configured to implement the functions of the terminal device and the network device in the method embodiments shown in FIG. 5 to FIG. 11.

[0344] When the communication apparatus 1200 is configured to implement the functions of the terminal device in the method embodiments shown in FIG. 5 to FIG. 11, the transceiver unit 1210 is configured to receive first information.

[0345] Optionally, the processing unit 1220 is configured to perform measurement of the first cell based on a period of the SSB.

[0346] Optionally, the processing unit 1220 is further configured to: in a case where an SMTC period is configured in a measurement object (MO) corresponding to the first cell, not perform measurement of the first cell based on the SMTC period; or in a case where an SMTC period is configured in configuration of the first cell, not perform measurement of the first cell based on the SMTC period.

[0347] Optionally, the processing unit 1220 is further configured to: in a case where an SMTC period is configured in a MO corresponding to the first cell, perform measurement of a second cell adjacent to the first cell based on the SMTC period.

[0348] Optionally, the period of the SSB is a first period, and the processing unit 1220 is further configured to: determine a first SMTC period based on the first period and first association information.

[0349] The processing unit 1220 is specifically configured to: perform measurement of the first cell and / or measurement of a neighboring cell of the first cell based on a first SMTC period corresponding to the first period.

[0350] Optionally, the first information further indicates an offset value of the SSB, and the processing unit 1220 is specifically configured to: perform measurement of the first cell based on the period of the SSB and the offset value of the SSB.

[0351] Optionally, the first information includes information indicating a first SMTC period, and the processing unit 1220 is further configured to perform measurement on the first cell based on the first SMTC period.

[0352] Optionally, the transceiver 1210 is further configured to receive second information before receiving the first information, the second information indicating an initial SMTC period, and the processing unit 1220 is configured to perform measurement on the first cell based on the initial SMTC period.

[0353] Optionally, a period of the SSB is a first period, and the processing unit 1210 is further configured to determine a first measurement GAP period based on the first period and first association information.

[0354] The processing unit 1220 is specifically configured to perform measurement on the first cell and / or measurement on a neighbor cell of the first cell based on a first measurement GAP period corresponding to the first period.

[0355] Optionally, the processing unit 1220 is further configured to determine a first MO, and determine a first SMTC period based on an association relationship between at least one SMTC period and at least one SSB period in the first MO.

[0356] The processing unit 1220 is further configured to perform measurement on the first cell and / or measurement on a neighbor cell of the first cell based on the first SMTC period.

[0357] Optionally, the transceiver 1210 is further configured to receive the first association information sent by a network device.

[0358] Optionally, the transceiver 1210 is further configured to send capability information to a network device, the capability information being used to indicate that the terminal device supports receiving SSBs indicated by the first information.

[0359] Optionally, the transceiver 1210 is further configured to send a measurement report to a CU, and receive second information sent by a DU, the second information being used to indicate whether to activate a secondary cell, the second information being determined by the CU based on the measurement report.

[0360] When the communication apparatus 1200 is configured to implement the functions of the network device in the method embodiments shown in FIGS. 5 to 11, the transceiver 1210 is configured to send the first information.

[0361] Optionally, the period of the SSB is a first period, and the transceiver 1210 is further configured to transmit first association information, wherein the first association information is used to determine a first SMTC period corresponding to the first period, and the first SMTC period is used to perform measurement of the first cell and / or a neighbor cell of the first cell.

[0362] Optionally, before transmitting the first information, the transceiver 1210 is further configured to transmit second information, wherein the second information is used to indicate an initial SMTC period, and the initial SMTC period is used to perform measurement of the first cell.

[0363] Optionally, the period of the SSB is a first period, and the transceiver 1210 is further configured to transmit first association information, wherein the first association information is used to determine the first measurement GAP period, and the first measurement GAP period is used to perform measurement of the first cell and / or a neighbor cell of the first cell.

[0364] Optionally, the transceiver 1210 is further configured to transmit information indicating the first information and the first association information, wherein the first association information is used to determine a first SMTC period corresponding to the first period, and the first SMTC period is used to perform measurement of the first cell and / or a neighbor cell of the first cell.

[0365] Optionally, the transceiver 1210 is further configured to receive capability information, wherein the capability information is used to indicate that a terminal device supports receiving the SSB indicated by the first information.

[0366] When the communication apparatus 1200 is configured to implement the CU module function in the network device in the method embodiments shown in FIGS. 5 to 11, the transceiver 1210 is configured to receive a measurement report, and the processing unit 1220 is configured to determine, according to the measurement report, to send second information to a DU, wherein the second information is used to indicate whether to activate a secondary cell.

[0367] Optionally, the transceiver 1210 is further configured to receive third information, wherein the third information is used to indicate a period of the SSB and / or a broadcast state of the SSB, and the broadcast state of the SSB is used to indicate whether to broadcast the SSB or not.

[0368] For more detailed descriptions of the transceiver 1210 and the processing unit 1220, and the meanings of the terms such as the first association information, the first SMTC period, the SSB period, etc., reference can be made to the descriptions in the method embodiments shown in FIGS. 5 to 11.

[0369] It should also be understood that the apparatus 1200 herein is embodied in the form of a functional block diagram. The term "unit" herein can refer to an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), an electronic circuit, a processor (for example, a shared processor, a dedicated processor, or a group processor and the like) and a memory for executing one or more software or firmware programs, a combination of logic circuitry and / or other suitable components that support the described functions. In an optional example, those skilled in the art can understand that the apparatus 1200 can be embodied in the terminal device, the network device and the CU module in the above embodiments, and can be used to execute the respective processes and / or steps corresponding to the terminal device, the network device and the CU module in the above method embodiments, or the apparatus 1200 can be embodied in the terminal device, the network device and the CU module in the above embodiments, and can be used to execute the respective processes and / or steps corresponding to the terminal device, the network device and the CU module in the above method embodiments, and for the sake of brevity, no further description is given here.

[0370] The apparatus 1200 of each of the above schemes has a function of implementing the respective steps performed by the terminal device, the network device and the CU module in the above methods, or the apparatus 1200 of each of the above schemes has a function of implementing the respective steps performed by the terminal device, the network device and the CU module in the above methods. The function can be implemented by hardware or by executing corresponding software by hardware. The hardware or software includes one or more modules corresponding to the above functions; for example, the transceiver unit can be replaced by a transceiver (for example, the transmitting unit in the transceiver unit can be replaced by a transmitter, and the receiving unit in the transceiver unit can be replaced by a receiver), and other units such as the processing unit can be replaced by a processor, which respectively performs the transceiving operation and the related processing operation in each method embodiment.

[0371] In addition, the transceiver unit 1210 can also be a transceiver circuit (for example, which can include a receiving circuit and a transmitting circuit), and the processing unit 1220 can be a processing circuit.

[0372] It should be noted that the apparatus in FIG. 12 can be a network element or device in the above embodiments, or a chip or chip system, for example, a system on chip (SoC). The transceiver unit can be an input / output circuit, a communication interface; and the processing unit is a processor or microprocessor integrated on the chip or an integrated circuit. No limitation is made here.

[0373] As shown in FIG. 13, another communication apparatus 1300 is provided in embodiments of the present application. The apparatus 1300 includes a processor 1310 coupled with a memory 1320, the memory 1320 being configured to store computer programs or instructions and / or data, and the processor 1310 being configured to execute the computer programs or instructions stored in the memory 1320, or read the data stored in the memory 1320, to perform the methods in the above method embodiments.

[0374] When the communication apparatus 1300 is configured to implement the methods shown in FIGS. 5-11, the processor 1310 is configured to implement the functions of the processing unit 1220 described above.

[0375] Optionally, the processor 1310 is one or more.

[0376] Optionally, the memory 1320 is one or more.

[0377] Optionally, the memory 1320 is integrated with the processor 1310, or is separately arranged.

[0378] Optionally, as shown in FIG. 14, the apparatus 1300 further includes a transceiver 1330 configured to receive and / or send signals. For example, the processor 1310 is configured to control the transceiver 1330 to receive and / or send signals.

[0379] When the communication apparatus 1300 is configured to implement the methods shown in FIGS. 5-11, the transceiver 1310 is configured to implement the functions of the transceiving unit 1210 described above.

[0380] For example, the processor 1310 is configured to execute the computer programs or instructions stored in the memory 1320 to implement the related operations of the terminal device, the network device and the CU module in the above method embodiments. For example, the method of the terminal device in any one of the embodiments shown in FIGS. 5-11, or the method of the network device in any one of the embodiments shown in FIGS. 5-11, or the method of the CU module in any one of the embodiments shown in FIGS. 5-11.

[0381] It should be appreciated that a processor as mentioned in this application can be any known or future developed processor, and more particularly, a central processing unit (CPU), a digital signal processor (DSP), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), or other programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or the like. The general purpose processor can be a microprocessor, but in the alternative, the processor can be any conventional processor, controller, microcontroller, or state machine, etc.

[0382] It should also be appreciated that a memory as described herein can be volatile memory or non-volatile memory, or a combination of both. By way of illustration, and not limitation, non-volatile memory can include read only memory (ROM), programmable ROM (PROM), erasable PROM (EPROM), electrically EPROM (EEPROM), or flash memory. Volatile memory can include random access memory (RAM), which acts as external cache. By way of illustration and not limitation, RAM is available in many forms such as static RAM (SRAM), dynamic RAM (DRAM), synchronous DRAM (SDRAM), double data rate SDRAM (DDR SDRAM), enhanced SDRAM (ESDRAM), Synchlink DRAM (SLDRAM), and direct rambus RAM (DR RAM).

[0383] It should be noted that if the processor is a general processor, DSP, ASIC, FPGA, or other programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, the memory (storage module) can be integrated in the processor.

[0384] It should also be noted that the memory described herein is intended to include, but not be limited to, the memory described herein, and any other suitable type of memory.

[0385] As shown in FIG. 14, an embodiment of the present application provides a chip system 1400. The chip system 1400 (or also referred to as a processing system) includes a logic circuit 1410 and an input / output interface 1420. It should be understood that the chip system 1400 can be installed in the communication apparatus 1200 described above, or in other words, the communication apparatus 1200 described above can also include the chip system 1400.

[0386] The logic circuit 1410 can be a processing circuit in the chip system 1400. The logic circuit 1410 can be coupled to a storage unit, and invoke instructions in the storage unit, so that the chip system 1400 can implement the methods and functions of the embodiments of the present application. The input / output interface 1420 can be an input / output circuit in the chip system 1400, and output information processed by the chip system 1400, or input data or signaling information to be processed by the chip system 1400.

[0387] As an option, the chip system 1400 is configured to implement the operations performed by the terminal device, the network device and the CU module in the above various method embodiments.

[0388] For example, the logic circuit 1410 is configured to implement the processing-related operations of the terminal device, the network device and the CU module in the above method embodiments, such as the processing-related operations of the terminal device, the network device and the CU module in any one of the embodiments shown in FIGS. 5 to 11, that is, the logic circuit 1410 is configured to implement the functions of the processing unit 1220; the input / output interface 1420 is configured to implement the sending and / or receiving-related operations of the terminal device, the network device and the CU module in the above method embodiments, such as the sending and / or receiving-related operations performed by the terminal device, the network device and the CU module in any one of the embodiments shown in FIGS. 5 to 11, that is, the input / output interface 1420 is configured to implement the functions of the transceiver unit 1210.

[0389] The embodiments of the present application also provide a computer readable storage medium, which stores computer instructions for implementing the methods performed by the terminal device, the network device and the CU in the above various method embodiments.

[0390] For example, the computer program is executed by a computer, so that the computer can implement the methods performed by the terminal device, the network device and the CU in the above various method embodiments.

[0391] The embodiments of the present application also provide a computer program product, which includes instructions, and the instructions are executed by a computer to implement the methods performed by the terminal device, the network device and the CU in the above various method embodiments.

[0392] The explanations and beneficial effects of the related content in any of the above provided devices can refer to the corresponding method embodiments provided above, which will not be repeated here.

[0393] In several embodiments provided in the present application, it should be understood that the disclosed devices and methods can be implemented by other ways. For example, the device embodiments described above are only schematic, for example, the division of the 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 system, 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.

[0394] Those skilled in the art can realize that the units and algorithm steps of each example described in combination with the embodiments disclosed herein can be realized by electronic hardware or a combination of computer software and electronic hardware. Whether the functions are realized in hardware or software manner depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Those skilled in the art can use different methods to realize the described functions for each specific application, but such implementation should not be considered beyond the scope of the present application.

[0395] Those skilled in the art can clearly understand that, for the convenience and brevity of description, the specific working process of the above described system, device and unit can refer to the corresponding process in the foregoing method embodiments, which will not be repeated here.

[0396] The units described as separate components can or can not be physically separated, and the components shown as units can or can not be physical units, that is, they can be located in one place, or they can be distributed on multiple network units. Part or all of the units can be selected according to actual needs to achieve the purpose of the embodiment.

[0397] In addition, each functional unit in each embodiment of the present application can be integrated in one processing unit, or each unit can be physically present separately, or two or more units can be integrated in one unit.

[0398] If the functions are implemented in the form of software function units and sold or used as independent products, they can be stored in a computer readable storage medium. Based on this understanding, the technical solutions of the present application essentially or the parts that contribute to the prior art or parts of the technical solutions can be embodied in the form of a software product. The computer software product is stored in a storage medium and includes a plurality of instructions for causing a computer device (which can be a personal computer, a server, or a network device, etc.) to 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 read-only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), a magnetic disk or an optical disk, and various media that can store program codes.

[0399] The above is only a specific implementation of the present application, but the protection scope of the present application is not limited thereto. Any person skilled in the art can easily think of changes or replacements within the technical scope disclosed in the present application, which should be covered within the protection scope of the present application. Therefore, the protection scope of the present application should be subject to the protection scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A communication method characterized by comprising: Comprising: receiving first information, the first information being used for indicating a periodicity of a synchronization signal block (SSB) of a first cell, the SSB being an on-demand transmitted SSB, the first information being a bottom layer signaling; sending the first information to a high layer of the bottom layer.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein, The method further comprises: performing measurement of the first cell based on the periodicity of the SSB by the high layer.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein performing measurement of the first cell based on the periodicity of the SSB further comprises: not performing measurement of the first cell based on a SSB measurement timing configuration (SMTC) periodicity in a measurement object (MO) corresponding to the first cell; or not performing measurement of the first cell based on the SMTC periodicity in a configuration of the first cell.

4. The method according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that, The method further comprises: performing measurement of a second cell neighboring the first cell based on the SMTC periodicity in the MO corresponding to the first cell.

5. The method of claim 2, wherein, The periodicity of the SSB is a first periodicity, and the method further comprises: determining a first SMTC periodicity based on the first periodicity and first association information, the first association information being used for indicating an association relationship between at least one SSB periodicity and at least one SMTC periodicity, the first periodicity being any one of the at least one SSB periodicity, and the first SMTC periodicity being any one of the at least one SMTC periodicity; performing measurement of the first cell based on the first SMTC periodicity corresponding to the first periodicity. The first association information comprises any one of:

6. The method of claim 5, wherein, an association relationship between at least one SMTC periodicity and at least one SSB periodicity; an association relationship between at least one SMTC configuration information and at least one SSB configuration information, each SMTC configuration information comprising an SMTC periodicity, and each SSB configuration information comprising an SSB periodicity. The first information further indicates an offset value of the SSB, 7. The method of claim 2, wherein, performing measurement of the first cell based on the periodicity of the SSB and the offset value of the SSB.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the first information comprises information indicating a first SMTC periodicity, and the method further comprises: performing measurement of the first cell based on the first SMTC periodicity. The method further comprises: receiving second information before receiving the first information, the second information indicating an initial SMTC periodicity; 9. The method of claim 1, wherein, performing measurement of the first cell based on the initial SMTC periodicity. The periodicity of the SSB is a first periodicity, and the method further comprises: ​ 10. The method of claim 2, wherein, ​ determine a first measurement GAP period based on the first period and first association information, the first association information being used to indicate an association relationship between at least one measurement GAP period and at least one SSB period, the first measurement GAP period being any one of the at least one measurement GAP period, and the first period being any one of the at least one SSB period; the measurement of the first cell based on the period of the SSB comprises: performing the measurement of the first cell and / or the measurement of a neighbor cell of the first cell based on a first measurement GAP period corresponding to the first period.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein, the first association information comprises any one of the following: an association relationship between at least one SSB period and at least one measurement GAP period; an association relationship between at least one SSB configuration information and at least one measurement GAP configuration information, each SSB configuration information comprising an SSB period, and each measurement GAP configuration information comprising a measurement GAP period.

12. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that, the first information comprises at least one of the following: the period of the SSB; a broadcast state of the SSB, the broadcast state indicating whether to broadcast the SSB or not to broadcast the SSB; an activation state of the first cell, the activation state indicating whether to activate the first cell or to deactivate the first cell; a time domain location of the SSB.

13. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that, The method further comprises: sending capability information to a network device, the capability information being used to indicate that the terminal device supports receiving the SSB indicated by the first information.

14. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that, the first cell comprises any one of the following: a secondary cell, a primary cell, a serving cell, or a cell in which the terminal device is located.

15. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that, The method further comprises: sending a measurement report to a centralized unit (CU); receiving second information sent by a distributed unit (DU), the second information being used to indicate whether to activate a secondary cell, and the second information being determined by the CU based on the measurement report.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein: in a case where the second information takes a first value, it is indicated that the secondary cell is activated; or in a case where the second information takes a second value, it is indicated that the secondary cell is deactivated.

17. A method of communication, comprising: comprises: a centralized unit (CU) receiving a measurement report; the CU determining, based on the measurement report, to send second information to a distributed unit (DU), the second information being used to indicate whether to activate a secondary cell.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein: in a case where the second information takes a first value, it is indicated that the secondary cell is activated; or in a case where the second information takes a second value, it is indicated that the secondary cell is deactivated.

19. The method of claim 17 or 18, wherein, Before the CU receives the measurement report, the method further comprises: the CU receiving third information, the third information indicating a period of the SSB and / or a broadcast state of the SSB, wherein the broadcast state of the SSB indicates whether to broadcast the SSB or not to broadcast the SSB.

20. A communications device, characterized by comprises: a processor configured to execute a computer program stored in a memory, so that the apparatus performs the method of any one of claims 1 to 16 or the method of any one of claims 17 to 19.

21. A chip, characterized by A computer program product comprising a computer readable medium, the computer readable medium having stored thereon the computer program for implementing the method according to any one of claims 1 to 16, or the computer program for implementing the method according to any one of claims 17 to 19, when executed by a processor.

22. A computer readable storage medium having stored thereon a computer program or instructions, characterized in that, The computer program or the instructions, when executed by a processor, cause the method according to any one of claims 1 to 16 to be performed or the method according to any one of claims 17 to 19 to be performed.

23. A computer program product comprising instructions which, when executed on a computer, characterised in that, The computer program or the instructions, when executed by a processor, cause the method according to any one of claims 1 to 16 to be performed or the method according to any one of claims 17 to 19 to be performed.

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