Communication method and related apparatus

Abstract

Disclosed in the embodiments of the present application are a communication method and a related apparatus. On the basis of a time offset between a global navigation satellite system (GNSS) and a network device, a terminal device obtains a synchronization between the terminal device and a network device. There is no need to execute a random access channel (RACH) procedure between the terminal device and the network device, thereby reducing power consumption of the network device and the terminal device.

Description

A communication method and related apparatus

[0001] This application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 202411622293.7, filed on November 13, 2024, entitled "A Communication Method and Related Device", the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0002] This application relates to the field of communication technology, and in particular to a communication method and related apparatus. Background Technology

[0003] To meet the ever-increasing demand for data traffic, wireless networks are constantly being built at a rapid pace. As networks grow larger, their power consumption continues to increase. For example, in 5G mobile communication technology, the large-scale commercialization of active antenna units (AAUs) has significantly increased the number of antennas on the network device side, leading to a substantial increase in power consumption. Furthermore, in the 5G era, communication systems require higher data transmission rates and greater bandwidth, resulting in increased power consumption on the network device side. Additionally, the application of millimeter waves and terahertz frequencies in the communication field has led to denser site deployments on the network device side, further increasing power consumption.

[0004] In real-world communication scenarios, when a terminal device switches between different RAN-based notification areas (RNAs), an RNA update procedure is required to synchronize the terminal device with the network device. The RNA update procedure is initiated through the random access channel (RACH) process, which enables synchronization between the terminal device and the network device.

[0005] In the RACH process, the power consumption of the interaction between the terminal device and the network device is relatively high. How to achieve synchronization between the terminal device and the network device with lower power consumption has become an urgent problem to be solved. Summary of the Invention

[0006] This application proposes a communication method and related apparatus in which a terminal device obtains synchronization with a network device based on the time offset between the global navigation satellite system (GNSS) and the network device, without having to complete the synchronization through the RACH process, thereby reducing the power consumption of the network device and the terminal device.

[0007] In a first aspect, embodiments of this application propose a communication method applied to a terminal device. The executing entity of this method can be the terminal device, a component within the terminal device (e.g., a processor, device, chip, circuit, chip, or chip system), or a logic module or software capable of implementing all or part of the terminal device's functions. Taking a terminal device as the executing entity as an example, the method includes: the terminal device receiving first information, the first information indicating the time offset between the local clock of the network device and the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS); and, based on the first information, the terminal device determining second information, the second information used for communication between the terminal device and the network device.

[0008] In the above technical solution, there is no need to perform the RACH process between the terminal device and the network device. Uplink and downlink synchronization between the network device and the terminal device can be achieved through a simple instruction method, which effectively reduces the power consumption of the terminal device and the network device.

[0009] In conjunction with the first aspect, in one possible implementation of the first aspect, the method further includes: obtaining third information, which is used to configure the time-domain resources carrying the first information. Specifically, the time-domain resources carrying the first information may include: the transmission period of the first information and the transmission time when the network device transmits the first information.

[0010] In conjunction with the first aspect, in one possible implementation of the first aspect, the time-domain resource carrying the first information can be related to the subcarrier spacing (SCS). The time-domain resource carrying the first information can be flexibly configured in the embodiments of this application.

[0011] In conjunction with the first aspect, in one possible implementation of the first aspect, the method further includes: determining the second information based on the first information and the third information.

[0012] Specifically, the terminal device determines the transmission time and transmission period of the first information sent by the network device based on the third information. The terminal device determines the reception time of the first information based on the received first information. Based on the transmission time, transmission period, and reception time, the terminal device determines the transmission delay between the network device and the terminal device. Then, the terminal device determines the second information based on the time offset between the network device's local clock and GNSS as indicated by the first information, the transmission delay, and the transmission time.

[0013] In conjunction with the first aspect, in one possible implementation of the first aspect, the first information includes: the time offset between the system frame number (SFN) and the first frame number, wherein the first frame number is determined according to GNSS and the SFN is determined according to the local clock of the network device.

[0014] In another possible implementation, the first information includes: the time offset between the second frame number and the first frame number, the second frame number being determined based on GNSS, and the second frame number being determined based on the local clock of the network device.

[0015] In the above technical solution, the first information can indicate the time offset between the local clock of the network device and GNSS in different ways, which improves the implementation flexibility of the solution.

[0016] In conjunction with the first aspect, in one possible implementation of the first aspect, the first frame number is the direct frame number (DFN).

[0017] In conjunction with the first aspect, in one possible implementation of the first aspect, the second information includes: the frame boundary of the downlink frame, the frame boundary of the uplink frame, and / or, the timing advance (TA) for communication between the terminal device and the network device. The uplink frame is used for uplink data transmission from the terminal device to the network device, and the downlink frame is used for downlink data transmission from the network device to the terminal device.

[0018] In conjunction with the first aspect, in one possible implementation of the first aspect, the uplink frame and / or downlink frame may be a system frame.

[0019] In the above technical solution, the second information determined by the terminal device includes multiple possible implementation methods, which improves the flexibility of the solution implementation.

[0020] In conjunction with the first aspect, in one possible implementation of the first aspect, the unit for indicating the time offset between SFN and the first frame number is 16.64T. c / 2 μ , among which, T c The basic time unit is μ, which is the subcarrier spacing (SCS) configuration, and the length of the first information is 11 bits.

[0021] In conjunction with the first aspect, in one possible implementation of the first aspect, the time offset of the SFN from the first frame number is indicated in units of 0.001 milliseconds or 1 microsecond, and the length of the first information is 10 bits.

[0022] In the above technical solution, the indication unit of the first information indicating time offset includes a variety of different implementation methods, which improves the implementation flexibility of the solution.

[0023] In conjunction with the first aspect, in one possible implementation of the first aspect, the first information is carried in any of the following: downlink control information (DCI), wake-up signal (WUS), low power-wake-up signal (LP-WUS), master information block (MIB), or system information block (SIB).

[0024] Secondly, embodiments of this application propose a communication method applied to a network device. The executing entity of this method can be the network device, a component within the network device (e.g., a processor, device, chip, circuit, chip, or chip system), or a logic module or software capable of implementing all or part of the network device's functions. For example, the network device may be a centralized unit (CU) and / or a distributed unit (DU). The method is described using a terminal device as an example. The method includes: determining first information based on a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS), the first information indicating the time offset between the network device's local clock and the GNSS, with the GNSS serving as a synchronization reference source for communication between the network device and the terminal device; and sending the first information to the terminal device.

[0025] In conjunction with the second aspect, in one possible implementation of the second aspect, the method further includes: sending third information to the terminal device, the third information being used to configure the time-domain resources carrying the first information. A detailed description of the third information is provided in the aforementioned first aspect and will not be repeated here.

[0026] The second aspect provides some possible implementation methods and beneficial effects, which can be referred to in the first aspect and will not be repeated here.

[0027] Thirdly, embodiments of this application propose a communication method applied to a terminal device.

[0028] The execution subject of this method can be a terminal device, a component within the terminal device (e.g., a processor, device, chip, circuit, chip, or chip system), or a logic module or software capable of implementing all or part of the terminal device's functions. Taking a terminal device as the execution subject as an example, the method includes: the terminal device receiving a first signal from a network device, the first signal indicating absolute time; and the terminal device determining second information based on the first signal, the second information being used for communication between the terminal device and the network device.

[0029] In the above technical solution, the terminal device determines second information for communication between the terminal device and the network device based on a first signal from the network device, whereby the first signal indicates the absolute time of the network device. The network device notifies the terminal device of its own absolute time so that the terminal device can obtain uplink and downlink synchronization between the network device and the terminal device based on this absolute time. The terminal device and the network device do not need to perform a RACH procedure; uplink and downlink synchronization between the network device and the terminal device can be achieved through a simple indication method, effectively reducing the power consumption of both the terminal device and the network device.

[0030] In conjunction with the third aspect, in one possible implementation of the third aspect, the method further includes: acquiring fourth information, the fourth information configuring the time offset between the first signal and the first time domain resource unit, the first time domain resource unit being used to carry the first signal.

[0031] In conjunction with the third aspect, in one possible implementation of the third aspect, the method further includes: determining the second information based on the first signal and the fourth information.

[0032] Specifically, the terminal device determines the time offset between the first signal and the first time-domain resource unit based on the fourth information. The terminal device determines the reception time of the first signal based on the received first signal. The terminal device determines the absolute time based on the first signal. Based on the absolute time, time offset, and reception time, the terminal device determines the transmission delay between the network device and the terminal device. Then, the terminal device determines the second information based on the absolute time and the transmission delay.

[0033] In conjunction with the third aspect, in one possible implementation of the third aspect, absolute time includes: the absolute transmission time of the network device transmitting the first signal, the start time of the first time domain resource unit, or the absolute time of the start boundary of the first time domain resource unit.

[0034] For example, the first temporal resource unit includes: a frame, a subframe, or a time slot.

[0035] In conjunction with the third aspect, in one possible implementation of the third aspect, the absolute time indication unit is 0.001 milliseconds or 1 microsecond, and the length of the first signal is 54 bits.

[0036] In the above technical solution, the first signal can use a lower precision indicator unit to indicate absolute time in order to save indicator overhead.

[0037] In conjunction with the third aspect, in one possible implementation of the third aspect, the unit of absolute time is (16.64 T). c / 2 μ ), where T cThe basic time unit is μ, which is the indication value of the subcarrier spacing SCS of the carrier. The length of the first signal is 55 bits.

[0038] Using the above methods, the first signal indicates the absolute time in various ways, improving the flexibility of the solution.

[0039] In conjunction with the third aspect, in one possible implementation of the third aspect, the second information includes: the reception time of data received by the terminal device from the network device, and / or the transmission time of data sent by the terminal device to the network device; or, the timing advance TA used for communication between the terminal device and the network device.

[0040] In the above technical solution, the second information determined by the terminal device includes multiple possible implementation methods, which improves the flexibility of the solution implementation.

[0041] In conjunction with the third aspect, in one possible implementation of the third aspect, the first signal is any of the following signals: a synchronization signal block, a wake-up signal, a low-power wake-up signal, a tracking reference signal, a positioning reference signal, or a low-power synchronization signal.

[0042] In the above technical solution, the first signal can be one of multiple signals or information, which improves the flexibility of the solution implementation.

[0043] Fourthly, embodiments of this application propose a communication method applied to a network device.

[0044] The execution subject of this method can be a network device, a component within the network device (e.g., a processor, device, chip, circuit, chip, or chip system), or a logic module or software capable of implementing all or part of the network device's functions. For example, the network device may be a centralized unit (CU) and / or a distributed unit (DU). The method is described using a network device as the execution subject as an example. The method includes: determining a first signal based on the network device's local clock, the first signal indicating absolute time, the network device's local clock serving as a synchronization reference source for communication between the network device and the terminal device; and sending the first signal to the terminal device.

[0045] The fourth aspect provides some possible implementation methods and beneficial effects, which can be referred to in the third aspect and will not be repeated here.

[0046] Fifthly, this application provides a communication device, which is a terminal device. The device includes a transceiver module and a processing module. The components of the communication device can also be used to perform the steps executed in various possible implementations of the first aspect and achieve the corresponding technical effects. For details, please refer to the first aspect, which will not be repeated here.

[0047] In a sixth aspect, this application provides a communication device, which is a network device. The communication device includes a transceiver module and a processing module. The constituent modules of the communication device can also be used to perform the steps executed in various possible implementations of the second aspect and achieve the corresponding technical effects. For details, please refer to the second aspect, which will not be repeated here.

[0048] In a seventh aspect, this application provides a communication device, which is a terminal device. The device includes a transceiver module and a processing module. The constituent modules of the communication device can also be used to perform the steps executed in various possible implementations of the third aspect and achieve the corresponding technical effects. For details, please refer to the third aspect, which will not be repeated here.

[0049] In the eighth aspect, this application provides a communication device, which is a network device. The communication device includes a transceiver module and a processing module. The constituent modules of the communication device can also be used to perform the steps performed in various possible implementations of the fourth aspect and achieve the corresponding technical effects. For details, please refer to the fourth aspect, which will not be repeated here.

[0050] A ninth aspect of this application provides a communication device including at least one processor coupled to a memory; the memory is used to store a program or instructions; the at least one processor is used to execute the program or instructions to cause the device to implement the method described in any possible implementation of any of the first, second, third, and / or fourth aspects. Optionally, the communication device may include the memory.

[0051] In a tenth aspect, this application provides a communication device including at least one logic circuit and an input / output interface; the logic circuit is configured to perform the method described in any of the possible implementations of the first, second, third, and / or fourth aspects described above.

[0052] In the eleventh aspect, this application provides a communication system that includes the aforementioned terminal equipment and / or network equipment.

[0053] In a twelfth aspect, this application provides a computer-readable storage medium for storing one or more computer-executable instructions that, when executed by a processor, perform the method as described in any possible implementation of any of the first, second, third, and / or fourth aspects described above.

[0054] In a thirteenth aspect, this application provides a computer program product (or computer program) that, when executed by a processor, performs the method described in any possible implementation of any of the first, second, third, and / or fourth aspects described above.

[0055] In a fourteenth aspect, this application provides a chip or chip system including at least one processor for supporting a communication device in implementing the method described in any possible implementation of any of the first, second, third, and / or fourth aspects described above.

[0056] In one possible design, the chip or chip system may further include a memory for storing program instructions and data necessary for the communication device. The chip system may be composed of chips or may include chips and other discrete devices. Optionally, the chip system may also include interface circuitry that provides program instructions and / or data to the at least one processor.

[0057] The technical effects of any of the design methods in aspects five through fourteen can be found in the technical effects of the different design methods in aspects one through four above, and will not be repeated here. Attached Figure Description

[0058] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the architecture of the communication system 10 used in the embodiments of this application;

[0059] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of a GNSS system;

[0060] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of the RRC status;

[0061] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of RNA;

[0062] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of a communication system according to an embodiment of this application;

[0063] Figure 6a is a schematic flowchart of an embodiment of the communication method in this application;

[0064] Figure 6b is a schematic diagram of the transmission of the first information in an embodiment of this application;

[0065] Figure 7a is a schematic flowchart of another embodiment of the communication method in this application;

[0066] Figure 7b is a schematic diagram of the transmission of the first signal in an embodiment of this application;

[0067] Figure 8 is a flowchart illustrating another embodiment of the communication method in this application.

[0068] Figure 9 is a structural schematic diagram of a communication device according to an embodiment of this application;

[0069] Figure 10 is another structural schematic diagram of the communication device according to an embodiment of this application;

[0070] Figure 11 is another structural schematic diagram of the communication device according to an embodiment of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0071] References to "one embodiment" or "some embodiments" as described in this application mean that one or more embodiments of this application include a specific feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with that embodiment. Therefore, the phrases "in one embodiment," "in some embodiments," "in other embodiments," "in still other embodiments," etc., appearing in different parts of this specification do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, but rather mean "one or more, but not all, embodiments," unless otherwise specifically emphasized. The terms "comprising," "including," "having," and variations thereof mean "including but not limited to," unless otherwise specifically emphasized.

[0072] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the architecture of the communication system 10 used in the embodiments of this application.

[0073] As shown in Figure 1, the communication system includes a wireless access network 100 and a core network 200. Optionally, the communication system 100 may also include an Internet 300. The wireless access network 100 may include at least one network device (also understood as an access network device, as shown in Figure 1, 110a and 110b), and at least one terminal (also understood as the terminal device described above, as shown in Figure 1, 120a-120j). Furthermore, the network device (or wireless access network device) may be a macro base station (as shown in Figure 1, 110a), a micro base station or an indoor station (as shown in Figure 1, 110b), a relay node or a donor node, etc. It is understood that all or part of the functions of the network device in this application may also be implemented through software functions running on hardware, or through virtualization functions instantiated on a platform (e.g., a cloud platform). The embodiments of this application do not limit the specific technology or specific device form used in the network device.

[0074] For ease of description, the communication system illustrated in Figure 1 is described using the network device as a base station and the terminal device as a terminal. It is understood that when the communication system includes an integrated access and backhaul (IAB) network, the base station can be an IAB node. It should be noted that in the embodiments of this application, the base station and the network device can be interchanged.

[0075] In this application, the base station and the terminal can be fixed or mobile. The base station and the terminal can be deployed on land, including indoors or outdoors, handheld or vehicle-mounted, on water, or in the air on aircraft, balloons, and satellites. The embodiments of this application do not limit the application scenarios of the base station and the terminal.

[0076] The roles of base stations and terminals can be relative. For example, the helicopter or drone 120i in Figure 1 can be configured as a mobile base station. For terminals 120j that access the wireless access network 100 through 120i, terminal 120i is a base station. However, for base station 110a, 120i is a terminal, meaning that 110a and 120i communicate via a wireless air interface protocol. Of course, 110a and 120i can also communicate via a base station-to-base station interface protocol. In this case, relative to 110a, 120i is also a base station. Therefore, both base stations and terminals can be collectively referred to as communication devices. 110a and 110b in Figure 1 can be called communication devices with base station functions, and 120a-120j in Figure 1 can be called communication devices with terminal functions.

[0077] Communication between base stations and terminals, between base stations, and between terminals can be conducted using licensed spectrum, unlicensed spectrum, or both simultaneously. Communication can be achieved using spectrum below 6 GHz, spectrum above 6 GHz, or both simultaneously. The embodiments of this application do not limit the spectrum resources used for wireless communication.

[0078] In the embodiments of this application, the functions of the base station can be executed by modules (such as chips) within the base station, or by a control subsystem that includes base station functions. This control subsystem, including base station functions, can be a control center in the aforementioned application scenarios such as smart grids, industrial control, intelligent transportation, and smart cities. Similarly, the functions of the terminal can be executed by modules (such as chips or modems) within the terminal, or by a device that includes terminal functions.

[0079] In this application, the base station sends downlink data, downlink signals, or downlink information to the terminal, with the downlink information carried on the downlink channel; the terminal sends uplink data, uplink signals, or uplink information to the base station, with the uplink information carried on the uplink channel. To communicate with the base station, the terminal needs to establish a wireless connection on a cell controlled by the base station. The cell with which the terminal has established a wireless connection is called the terminal's serving cell. When the terminal communicates with this serving cell, it is also susceptible to interference from signals from neighboring cells.

[0080] The technical solution of this application can be applied to cellular communication systems related to the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP). For example, 4th generation (4G) communication systems, 5G communication systems, and communication systems beyond the 5th generation. For example, 5G-Advanced systems or future communication systems. For example, 4th generation communication systems may include Long Term Evolution (LTE) communication systems. 5th generation communication systems may include New Radio (NR) communication systems. The technical solution of this application can also be applied to wireless fidelity (WiFi) systems, communication systems supporting the integration of multiple wireless technologies, device-to-device (D2D) systems, vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication systems, Non-Terrestrial Network (NTN) systems, satellite communication systems, high altitude platform stations (HAPS), integrated access and backhaul (IAB), or reconfigurable intelligent surface (RIS) communication.

[0081] The terminal equipment and network equipment involved in this application are described below.

[0082] Terminal equipment, also known as user equipment (UE), mobile station (MS), mobile terminal (MT), fixed wireless access (FWA), customer premises equipment (CPE), etc., refers to devices that include wireless communication capabilities (providing voice / data connectivity to users). Examples include handheld devices with wireless connectivity, in-vehicle devices, and machine-type communication (MTC) terminals. Currently, terminal devices can include: mobile phones, tablets, laptops, PDAs, mobile internet devices (MIDs), wearable devices, virtual reality (VR) devices, augmented reality (AR) devices, wireless terminals in industrial control, wireless terminals in self-driving (e.g., drones, vehicles), wireless terminals in remote medical surgery, wireless terminals in smart grids, wireless terminals in transportation safety, wireless terminals in smart cities, and wireless terminals in smart homes. For example, wireless terminals in self-driving can be drones, helicopters, or airplanes. For example, wireless terminals in vehicle-to-everything (V2X) can be in-vehicle equipment, vehicle-mounted equipment, in-vehicle modules, vehicles, or ships. Wireless terminals in industrial control can be cameras, robots, or robotic arms. Wireless terminals in smart homes can be televisions, air conditioners, robot vacuums, speakers, or set-top boxes.

[0083] In another example, the terminal device may also include: an intelligent agent, an artificial intelligence (AI) terminal device, or embodied artificial intelligence (EAI). An intelligent agent, also known as an intelligent proxy, refers to an autonomous entity that can observe its surroundings and take actions to achieve its goals. Embodied intelligence refers to the ability of an intelligent system or machine to interact with its environment in real time through perception and interaction.

[0084] The terminal device can also be a device or module that is connected to the communication system shown above and has corresponding communication functions. The terminal device usually contains a communication module, circuit or chip that performs the corresponding communication function, and the terminal device is also configured with program instructions for performing the corresponding communication function.

[0085] It should be noted that the terminal device can be a device or apparatus with a chip, or a device or apparatus with integrated circuitry, or a chip, chip system, module, or control unit in the device or apparatus shown above; this application does not limit the specific application. It should also be noted that in this application, when referring to a terminal device, it can refer to the terminal device itself, or to the chip, functional module, or integrated circuit within the terminal device that performs the method provided in this application; this application does not limit the specific application. A network device is an apparatus deployed in a wireless access network to provide wireless communication functions for terminal devices. A network device can connect a terminal device to a radio access network (RAN) node in a wireless network; it can also be called an access network device, RAN entity, access node, network node, or communication device, etc.

[0086] Specifically, network equipment can be network equipment for 3GPP-related cellular systems. For example, 4G communication systems, 5G communication systems, or future communication systems. Network equipment can also be network equipment in open RAN (open RAN, O-RAN, or ORAN) or cloud radio access network (CRAN). Alternatively, network equipment can also be network equipment in a communication system resulting from the integration of two or more of the above communication systems.

[0087] Network equipment includes, but is not limited to: evolved Node B (eNB), radio network controller (RNC), Node B (NB), base station controller (BSC), base transceiver station (BTS), home base station (e.g., home evolved Node B, or home Node B, HNB), base band unit (BBU), access point (AP) in wireless fidelity (WIFI) systems, macro base station, micro base station, wireless relay node, donor node, radio controller in CRAN scenarios, wireless backhaul node, transmission point (TP), or transmission and reception point (TRP), etc., and can also be network equipment in 5G mobile communication systems. For example, next-generation base station (gNB) in NR systems, TRP, TP; or one or a group of antenna panels (including multiple antenna panels) of a base station in a 5G mobile communication system; or, network equipment can also be network nodes constituting a gNB or transmission point. Examples include centralized units (CU), distributed units (DU), centralized unit control planes (CU-CP), centralized unit user planes (CU-UP), and radio units (RU). CUs and DUs can be separate entities or included in the same network element, such as a BBU. RUs can be included in radio equipment or radio units, such as remote radio units (RRU), active antenna units (AAU), or remote radio heads (RRH). Alternatively, network equipment can be servers, wearable devices, vehicles, or in-vehicle equipment. For example, network equipment in V2X technology can be roadside units (RSU). It should be understood that the aforementioned TRP can be a device or module located on the network side of the communication system and possessing corresponding communication functions. The TRP typically contains communication modules, circuits, or chips that perform the corresponding communication functions.The TRP can also be configured with program instructions for the corresponding communication functions.

[0088] It should be noted that CU (or CU-CP and CU-UP), DU, or RU may have different names in different systems, but those skilled in the art will understand their meaning. For example, in an open radio access network (ORAN) system, CU can also be called an open centralized unit (O-CU) or an open CU, DU can also be called an open distributed unit (O-DU), CU-CP can also be called an open centralized unit control plane (O-CU-CP), CU-UP can also be called an open centralized unit user plane (O-CU-UP), and RU can also be called an open radio unit (O-RU). This application does not impose any specific limitations on these details. Any of the units CU, CU-CP, CU-UP, DU, and RU in this application can be implemented through software modules, hardware modules, or a combination of software and hardware modules.

[0089] It should be noted that network devices can be devices or apparatuses with chips, devices or apparatuses with integrated circuits, or chips, chip systems, modules, or control units in the aforementioned devices or apparatuses; this application does not impose any specific limitations. It should also be noted that in this application, the term "network device" can refer to the network device itself, or to chips, functional modules, or integrated circuits within the network device that implement the methods provided in this application; this application does not impose any specific limitations.

[0090] The core network may include, but is not limited to, one or more of the following devices or network elements: access and mobility management function (AMF), session management function (SMF), or location management function (LMF), etc. The AMF is primarily responsible for mobility management in the mobile network, such as user location updates, user network registration, and user handover.

[0091] It should be noted that the technical solutions of this application embodiment are applicable to terrestrial network (TN) communication systems or non-terrestrial network (NTN) communication systems. The terrestrial network communication system can obtain positioning, navigation, and timing services provided by the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) via satellite. The NTN communication system can also obtain positioning, navigation, and timing services provided by GNSS via satellite.

[0092] For example, RAN100 in Figure 1 may include a terrestrial base station, which may include a TN cell (i.e., the signal of the TN cell can be transmitted and received through the terrestrial base station); and RAN100 in Figure 1 may also include a non-terrestrial base station, taking a satellite as an example, which may include an NTN cell (i.e., the signal of the NTN cell can be transmitted and received through the satellite). Satellite communication, compared to traditional mobile communication systems, offers advantages such as wider coverage, communication costs independent of transmission distance, and the ability to overcome natural geographical obstacles such as oceans, deserts, and mountains.

[0093] Please refer to Figure 2, which is a schematic diagram of a GNSS system. GNSS, as a high-precision clock source, can be used to provide satellite-based clocking solutions for network and terminal devices. GNSS can provide positioning, navigation, and timing services. Network devices can obtain GNSS signals from one satellite or from multiple satellites.

[0094] For example, GNSS includes, but is not limited to: Global Positioning System (GPS), Global Navigation Satellite System (GLONASS), BeiDou Navigation Satellite System (BDS), Galileo Navigation Satellite System, etc.

[0095] The following section introduces some concepts involved in the embodiments of this application.

[0096] (1) Configuration and Pre-configuration: In this application, both configuration and pre-configuration are used. Configuration refers to the access network device sending configuration information or parameter values ​​of some parameters to the terminal device through messages or signaling, so that the terminal device can determine the communication parameters or resources during transmission based on these values ​​or information. Pre-configuration corresponds to configuration and refers to the alignment of information or parameter values ​​between the terminal and the access network device without using messages or signaling. Instead, it uses parameter information or parameter values ​​that the access network device and the terminal device have negotiated in advance. These parameters can also be parameter information or parameter values ​​used by the access network device or the terminal device as specified by standard protocols, or parameter information or parameter values ​​that are pre-stored in the access network device or the terminal device. This application does not limit this. Furthermore, these values ​​and parameters can be changed or updated.

[0097] (2) The terms "system" and "network" in the embodiments of this application can be used interchangeably. "At least one" means one or more, and "more than one" means two or more. "And / or" describes the relationship between related objects, indicating that there can be three relationships. For example, A and / or B can mean: A exists alone, A and B exist simultaneously, or B exists alone, where A and B can be singular or plural. The character " / " generally indicates that the related objects before and after are in an "or" relationship. "At least one of the following" or similar expressions refer to any combination of these items, including any combination of single items or plural items. For example, "at least one of A, B and C" includes A, B, C, AB, AC, BC or ABC. And, unless otherwise specified, the ordinal numbers such as "first" and "second" mentioned in the embodiments of this application are used to distinguish multiple objects and are not used to limit the order, sequence, priority or importance of multiple objects.

[0098] (3) In the embodiments of this application, "send" and "receive" indicate the direction of signal transmission. For example, "send information to XX" can be understood as the destination of the information being XX, which may include sending directly through the air interface or sending indirectly through the air interface by other units or modules. "Receive information from YY" can be understood as the source of the information being YY, which may include receiving directly from YY through the air interface or receiving indirectly from YY through the air interface by other units or modules. "Send" can also be understood as the "output" of the chip interface, and "receive" can also be understood as the "input" of the chip interface.

[0099] In other words, sending and receiving can occur between devices, such as between access network devices and terminal devices, or within a device, such as between components, modules, chips, software modules, or hardware modules within the device via buses, wiring, or interfaces.

[0100] It is understandable that information may undergo necessary processing, such as encoding and modulation, between the source and destination, but the destination can understand the valid information from the source. Similar statements in this application can be interpreted in a similar way and will not be elaborated further.

[0101] (4) Radio Resource Control (RRC) status.

[0102] Please refer to Figure 3, which illustrates the RRC states. RRC states include: connected state (RRC_CONNECTED, or RRC connected), idle state (RRC_IDLE, or RRC idle), and inactive state (RRC_INACTIVE, or RRC inactive). The connected state indicates that a wireless link connection has been established between the terminal device and the network device, enabling normal communication. The idle state indicates that no wireless link connection has been established between the terminal device and the network device, and no communication occurs. The inactive state indicates that no wireless link connection has been established between the terminal device and the network device; the wireless link connection is suspended, but the terminal device maintains a signaling connection with the core network. The terminal device's context is retained in both the terminal device and the network device. The switching between the connected and idle states allows for a balance between efficiency and power consumption during communication between the terminal device and the network device. However, this switching process increases latency; to reduce this latency, the inactive state is introduced.

[0103] (5) RAN notification region (RNA).

[0104] To enable location management of inactive terminal devices, a RAN-based notification region (RNA) is introduced. As an example, please refer to Figure 4, which is a schematic diagram of RNAs. A tracking area (TA) covers one or more RNAs, and one RNA covers one or more cells.

[0105] Terminal devices need to periodically execute the RNA update procedure (RAN-based notification area update, RNAU). The RNA update procedure is initiated through the random access channel (RACH) procedure. When the terminal device selects a cell that does not belong to the RNA currently configured for the terminal device, the terminal device also needs to execute the RNA update procedure.

[0106] One purpose of terminal devices performing RNA update procedures is to achieve time synchronization with network devices. However, the frequent execution of RNA update procedures by terminal devices leads to frequent execution of RACH procedures between the terminal and network devices. During the RACH procedure, the power consumption of the interaction between the terminal and network devices is relatively high. How to achieve synchronization between terminal and network devices with lower power consumption has become an urgent problem to be solved.

[0107] Based on this, embodiments of this application propose a communication method and related apparatus. A terminal device receives first information from a network device, the first information indicating the time offset between the network device's local clock and the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS). Alternatively, the terminal device receives a first signal from the network device, the first signal indicating absolute time. Then, the terminal device determines second information based on the first information or the first signal, the second information being used for communication between the terminal device and the network device. Through this method, the terminal device can achieve synchronization with the network device without going through the RACH process, effectively reducing the power consumption of both the network device and the terminal device.

[0108] Before introducing specific embodiments, the communication system involved in this application will be described first. Please refer to Figure 5, which is a schematic diagram of a communication system according to an embodiment of this application. The communication system involved in this application includes: a network device and a terminal device. Optionally, the communication system may further include a satellite. Optionally, the communication system may further include a core network. The network device is connected to the terminal device and the core network. The network device is connected to the satellite and acquires GNSS signals through the satellite.

[0109] For example, the network device is RAN1. The network device may also be a device or apparatus with a chip, or a device or apparatus with integrated circuits, or a chip, chip system, functional module, control unit, circuit, processor, or integrated circuit that can be applied to the network device shown above, etc., and this application does not limit the specifics.

[0110] For example, the terminal device is UE1. The terminal device may also be a device or apparatus with a chip, or a device or apparatus with integrated circuits, or a chip, chip system, functional module, control unit, circuit, processor, or integrated circuit that can be applied to the terminal device shown above. This application does not limit the specific application.

[0111] Optionally, the communication system may also include other network devices and other terminal devices, such as UE2 and RAN2.

[0112] For example, this communication system can be applied to stand-alone (SA) scenarios. In an SA scenario, UE1 is connected to RAN1, and UE2 is connected to RAN2.

[0113] In another example, the communication system can also be applied to dual connectivity (DC) scenarios. In a DC scenario, UE1 can connect to both RAN1 and RAN2 simultaneously, and UE2 can connect to both RAN1 and RAN2 simultaneously.

[0114] Based on the aforementioned illustrated communication system, the communication method proposed in the embodiments of this application is described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the embodiments of this application, the terminal device can achieve synchronization with the network device based on GNSS, or the terminal device can achieve synchronization with the network device based on the local clock of the network device.

[0115] First, we introduce how the terminal device synchronizes with the network device based on GNSS. Please refer to Figure 6a, which is a schematic flowchart of one embodiment of the communication method in this application. The communication method proposed in this application includes:

[0116] S1. The network device sends the first information, and the corresponding terminal device receives the first information.

[0117] Specifically, the first piece of information is used to indicate the time offset between the network device's local clock and the GNSS.

[0118] In one example, the time offset of the network device's local clock from the GNSS is determined by the current Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) provided by the GNSS. Alternatively, the time offset of the network device's local clock from the GNSS is derived from that current UTC time.

[0119] In one possible approach, prior to performing step S1, the method shown in Figure 6a further includes: the network device determining a time offset.

[0120] Specifically, the network device first determines the time offset between its local clock and the GNSS, which serves as the synchronization reference source for communication between the network device and the terminal device. After determining this time offset, the network device determines and sends the first message based on it.

[0121] First, let's introduce how the first piece of information is carried:

[0122] In one possible implementation, the first information is carried in the Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH). For example, the first information is carried in Downlink Control Information (DCI) within the PDCCH.

[0123] In another possible implementation, the first information can also be carried in a low-power signal. The low-power signal in this application is, for example, a chirp signal; an on-off keying (OOK) signal, such as OOK-1, OOK-2, OOK-3, or OOK-4. Low-power signals can also be low-power sequence signals, such as: Gold sequence signals, M sequence signals, ZC sequence signals, Chirp sequence signals, Walsh sequence signals, Golay sequence signals, Kasami sequence signals, low-density sequence signals, Discrete Fourier Transform (DFT) / Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) sequence signals, Quadrature Amplitude Modulation (QAM) signals, Symbol-based sequence signals, Amplitude Shift Keying (ASK) signals, Frequency Shift Keying (FSK) signals, or Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) signals, etc. Alternatively, low-power signals can also be signals obtained by optimizing the above signals, etc., and this application does not limit this. Optionally, the above low-power signals can be digital signals or analog signals. In a specific example, the low-power signal could be a low-power-synchronization signal (LP-SS).

[0124] In another possible implementation, the first information can also be carried in a wake-up signal (WUS). Optionally, the WUS in this document can be a non-low-power WUS or a WUS with low-power characteristics, such as a low-power wake-up signal (LP-WUS). For example, a non-low-power WUS refers to a WUS with a bandwidth greater than or equal to 5 MHz, and a WUS with low-power characteristics refers to a WUS with a bandwidth less than 5 MHz.

[0125] In another possible implementation, the first information is also carried in the Master Message Block (MIB) or the System Message Block (SIB).

[0126] Secondly, the specific content of the first piece of information is introduced, or rather, some forms of presentation of the time offset are introduced:

[0127] In one possible implementation, the first information is used to indicate the time offset between the system frame number and the first frame number, or in other words, the time offset is the time offset between the first frame number and the system frame number. Specifically, the first frame number is determined based on GNSS, or the first frame number is derived from GNSS. The SFN is determined based on the local clock of the network device. Exemplarily, the first frame number is a direct frame number (DFN). DFN is a frame structure, and the network device determines the DFN based on GNSS, or the DFN is derived from GNSS. The network device can transmit the PDCCH based on the DFN. In the embodiments of this application, the network device transmits the DCI in the PDCCH based on the DFN, and the DCI indicates the time offset between the DFN and the SFN.

[0128] The time offset between DFN and SFN specifically refers to the offset between DFN and SFN with the same sequence number. For example, the first information indicates the time offset between DFN=1 and SFN=1.

[0129] Furthermore, different indicator units can be used to indicate the time offset between the system frame number and the first frame number.

[0130] In one example, the unit of measurement for this time offset could be 16.64 T. c / 2 μ Among them, T c The basic time unit is μ, where μ is the subcarrier spacing configuration (SCS). For example, the basic time unit is T. c =1 / (Δf) max ·N f Where, Δf max =480·10 3 Hertz (Hz), N f =4096. For example, if the unit indicating the time offset between SFN and the first frame number is 16.64T. c / 2 μ Therefore, the length of the first information is 11 bits.

[0131] In another example, the time offset is indicated in units of 0.001 milliseconds or 1 microsecond. For example, if the time offset between the SFN and the first frame number is indicated in units of 0.001 milliseconds or 1 microsecond, then the length of the first information is 10 bits.

[0132] Based on the specific content of the first information above, the specific instruction form of the first information is described as follows:

[0133] In one example, the first information sent by the network device to the terminal device includes a first field that indicates the timing offset for the UE to determine DFN timing when GNSS is used for timing reference. For example, when the first field is set to 1, the unit of indication for the first information (i.e., the unit of indication for the time offset between the SFN and the first frame number indicated by the first information) is 1.1664T. c / 2 μ When the value of the first field is 2, the unit of indication for the first information is 2·16·64·T. c / 2 μ When the value of the first field is 3, the unit of indication for the first information is 3.1664T. c / 2 μ And so on.

[0134] In another possible implementation, the time offset of SFN from the first frame number is indicated in units of 0.001 milliseconds or 1 microsecond.

[0135] For example, when the value of the first field is 1, the indication unit of the first information (i.e., the indication unit of the time offset between the SFN and the first frame number indicated by the first information) is 0.001 milliseconds or 1 microsecond; when the value of the first field is 2, the indication unit of the first information is 0.002 milliseconds or 2 microseconds; when the value of the first field is 3, the indication unit of the first information is 0.003 milliseconds or 3 microseconds, and so on.

[0136] S2. The terminal device determines the second information based on the first information. The second information is used for communication between the terminal device and the network device.

[0137] Specifically, the second information is used for communication between the terminal device and the network device. It can be used for time synchronization between the terminal device and the network device, or the terminal device can obtain synchronization between the terminal device and the network device based on the second information, or the terminal device can compensate for the clock offset between the terminal device and the network device based on the second information.

[0138] The second information includes frame boundaries and / or timing advance (TA) of communication between the terminal device and the network device, which are described below.

[0139] In one possible implementation, the second information includes frame boundaries, which may include the frame boundaries of downlink frames and / or uplink frames. The uplink frame is used for uplink data transmission from the terminal device to the network device, and the downlink frame is used for downlink data transmission from the network device to the terminal device. Optionally, the uplink frame and / or downlink frame may be a system frame.

[0140] The frame boundaries of the uplink frame include either the start frame boundary or the end frame boundary. If the frame boundary of the uplink frame is the start frame boundary, the terminal device sends uplink data to the network device after the start frame boundary. If the frame boundary of the uplink frame is the end frame boundary, the terminal device sends uplink data to the network device before the end frame boundary.

[0141] The frame boundaries of this downlink frame include either the start frame boundary of the i-th downlink frame or the end frame boundary of the (i-1)-th downlink frame. If the frame boundary of this downlink frame is the start frame boundary of the i-th downlink frame, the terminal device receives downlink data corresponding to the i-th downlink frame from the network device after the start frame boundary of this downlink frame. If the frame boundary of this downlink frame is the end frame boundary of the (i-1)-th downlink frame, the terminal device receives downlink data corresponding to the i-th downlink frame from the network device after the end frame boundary of the (i-1)-th downlink frame, where i is an integer greater than or equal to 1.

[0142] In another possible implementation, the second information includes the timing advance (TA) of communication between the terminal device and the network device. For example, the TA is defined as follows: On a carrier, there is a set of uplink frames and a set of downlink frames. The frame number of the i-th uplink frame transmitted by the terminal device should begin before the corresponding downlink frame. For a detailed definition of TA, please refer to 3GPP technical specification TS 38.213, which will not be elaborated here.

[0143] The following describes how the terminal device determines the frame boundaries of downlink frames and / or uplink frames based on the first information.

[0144] In one possible implementation, the terminal device determines the second information based on the first information, the time domain resources carrying the first information, and the reception time of the first information received by the terminal device.

[0145] The time-domain resource carrying the first information can also be understood as: the time when the network device sends the first information, and / or the period during which the network device sends the first information.

[0146] In one possible implementation, the transmission time of the first information is related to the subcarrier spacing (SCS). If the subcarrier spacing = 2... μIf the frequency is 15 kHz, then the transmission time of the first message is: x·(N-1) milliseconds (ms), where N is the first frame number, N∈{0,1,…,1023}, x=10 / (μ+1), and μ is the subcarrier spacing (SCS) configuration. “x·(N-1)ms” is the GNSS clock, or the time provided by the GNSS.

[0147] In one possible example, if SCS = 15kHz, the transmission time of the first message is: 0ms, 10ms, 20ms, x·(N-1)ms…, where N = {0, 1, …, 1023}, x = 10;

[0148] In another possible example, if SCS = 30 kHz, the transmission time of the first message is: 0 ms, 5 ms, 10 ms, x·(N-1) ms…, where N = {0, 1, …, 1023}, x = 5;

[0149] In another possible example, if SCS = 60kHz, the transmission time of the first message is: 0ms, 2.5ms, 5ms, x·(N-1)ms…, where N = {0, 1, …, 1023}, x = 2.5;

[0150] In another possible example, if SCS = 120 kHz, the transmission time of the first message is: 0 ms, 1.25 ms, 2.5 ms, x·(N-1) ms…, where N = {0, 1, …, 1023} and x = 1.25.

[0151] In one example, μ and SCS in the embodiments of this application are shown in Table 1.

[0152] Table 1

[0153] Referring to Table 1, if μ = 0, then SCS = 15 kHz; if μ = 1, then SCS = 30 kHz; if μ = 2, then SCS = 60 kHz; if μ = 3, then SCS = 120 kHz; if μ = 4, then SCS = 240 kHz; if μ = 5, then SCS = 480 kHz; if μ = 6, then SCS = 960 kHz, and so on.

[0154] In another possible implementation, the transmission time of the first message is independent of the SCS. For example, the transmission time of the first message can be any of the following: x·(N-1) ms, where N = {0, 1, ..., 1023}, x = 10; or x·(2·N+1) ms, ..., where N = {0, 1, ..., 1023}, x = 5. Using the above method, the time-domain resources for determining the first message can be determined with relatively low design complexity.

[0155] Specifically, the terminal device determines the transmission delay between the network device and the terminal device based on the transmission time, transmission period, and reception time of the first information. The terminal device then determines the second information based on this transmission delay, the time offset between the network device's local clock and the GNSS, and the transmission time of the first information sent by the network device. This transmission delay can also be replaced by the propagation delay (PD).

[0156] One way to determine the transmission delay is as follows: PD = absolute timing ref T1@UE mod K, where PD is the transmission delay, absolute timing ref T1@UE is the reception time of the terminal device receiving the first information, and K is the transmission period.

[0157] For ease of understanding, please refer to Figure 6b, which is a schematic diagram of the transmission of the first information in an embodiment of this application.

[0158] Option 1: The second information includes the frame boundaries of the downlink frame and the frame boundaries of the uplink frame. The specific method for determining the second information is as follows:

[0159] DL timing in UE Rx=absolute timing ref@BS+offset+PD;

[0160] UL timing in UE Tx=absolute timing ref@BS+offset–PD,

[0161] Wherein, DL timing in UE Rx is the frame boundary of the downlink frame on the terminal device side, UL timing in UE Tx is the frame boundary of the uplink frame on the terminal device side, absolute timing ref T1@BS is the transmission time of the network device sending the first information, offset is the time offset between the local clock of the network device and GNSS, and PD is the transmission delay.

[0162] Option 2: The second piece of information includes the timing advance (TA) of communication between the terminal device and the network device. The specific method for determining the second piece of information is as follows:

[0163] First, the terminal device obtains the transmission time of the SFN sent by the network device. Specifically, the terminal device determines the transmission time of the first information sent by the network device based on the time domain resources carrying the first information. The terminal device receives the first information and determines the time offset between the first frame number and the SFN based on the first information. The terminal device adds the time offset between the first frame number and the SFN to the transmission time of the first information sent by the network device to obtain the transmission time of the SFN sent by the network device. The SFN of this transmission time is the same as the sequence number of the first frame number (DFN) corresponding to the first information. That is, the sequence number of the SFN is the same as the sequence number of the first frame number (DFN). Then, the terminal device determines the timing advance based on the transmission delay and the transmission time of the SFN sent by the network device.

[0164] Optionally, the terminal device is in any of the following states or modes: inactive state, power-saving state, default state, power-saving mode, or default mode.

[0165] Optionally, the terminal device can also be in a connected state. Specifically, the terminal device in the connected state can achieve uplink and downlink synchronization with the network device through the method of the embodiments of this application.

[0166] In the above technical solution, the terminal device can obtain uplink and downlink synchronization between the terminal device and the network device based on the first information from the network device. There is no need for the terminal device and the network device to perform the RACH process, thus effectively reducing the power consumption of the terminal device and the network device.

[0167] Next, we will introduce how terminal devices synchronize with network devices based on the local clock of the network devices.

[0168] Please refer to Figure 7a, which is a schematic flowchart of one embodiment of the communication method in this application. The communication method proposed in this application includes:

[0169] G1. The network device sends the first signal, and the corresponding terminal device receives the first signal.

[0170] Specifically, the first signal indicates absolute time.

[0171] First, we will introduce how the first signal is implemented.

[0172] In one possible implementation, the first signal can be WUS. In another possible implementation, the first signal can also be a low-power signal. For details on WUS and low-power signals, please refer to step S1 above; they will not be repeated here.

[0173] In another possible implementation, the first signal can also be a synchronization signal and a physical broadcast channel block (SSB). Exemplarily, the absolute time indicated by the first signal can be indicated by system information (SI) included in the SSB. In a further example, the SI can be a MIB. Optionally, the network device can also configure more time-domain resources and / or more frequency-domain resources for the physical broadcast channel (PBCH) so that the PBCH carries the first signal. For example, the network device configures 5 or 6 symbols of time-domain resources for the PBCH, and / or, the network device configures more than 240 resource elements (REs) for the PBCH. For example, the network device configures 360 or 480 REs for the PBCH.

[0174] In another possible implementation, the first signal can also be a downlink reference signal. In this embodiment, the downlink direction is defined as the direction from the network device to the terminal device. The downlink reference signal includes, but is not limited to: a positioning reference signal (PRS), a tracking reference signal (TRS), or a channel state information-reference signal (CSI-RS).

[0175] Secondly, we will introduce absolute time.

[0176] In one possible implementation, the absolute time is the absolute transmission time of the network device sending the first signal, wherein the absolute transmission time of the network device sending the first signal is the time of the network device's local clock when the network device sends the first signal.

[0177] In another possible implementation, the absolute time is the start time of the first time-domain resource unit.

[0178] In another possible implementation, the absolute time is the absolute time of the starting boundary of the first time domain resource unit, and the absolute time of the starting boundary of the first time domain resource unit is the starting position of the first time domain resource unit in the time domain. This time domain is based on the local clock of the network device, and the first time domain resource unit is used to carry the first signal.

[0179] Next, we will introduce the different units of absolute time indicated by the first signal.

[0180] In one possible implementation, the first signal indicates absolute time in units of 0.001 milliseconds or 1 microsecond.

[0181] For example, if the first signal indicates absolute time in units of 0.001 milliseconds or 1 microsecond, then the length of the first information is 54 bits. This method saves communication overhead associated with indicating absolute time.

[0182] In one example, the first signal includes: a reference date (refDays) field, a reference seconds (refSeconds) field, a reference milliseconds (refMilliSeconds) field, and a reference microseconds (refMicroSeconds) field. The lengths of the refDays and refSeconds fields are 17 bits, refMilliSeconds, and refMicroSeconds fields are 10 bits each. The absolute transmission time indicated by the first signal, as sent by the network device, can be represented as follows: the value of the first signal is: refDays*86400*1000*1000+refSeconds*1000*1000+refMilliSeconds*1000+refMicroSeconds.

[0183] In another possible implementation, the first signal indicates absolute time in units of (16.64T). c / 2 μ ), where T c The basic time unit is μ, which is the indication value of the subcarrier spacing (SCS) of the carrier.

[0184] For example, if the first signal indicates absolute time in units of (16.64T) c / 2 μ If the length of the first information is 55 bits, then the length of the first information is 55 bits.

[0185] G2. The terminal device determines the second information based on the first signal. The second information is used for communication between the terminal device and the network device.

[0186] In step G2, after the terminal device receives the first signal from the network device, it obtains synchronization between the terminal device and the network device based on the first signal. Specifically, the terminal device obtains synchronization based on the first signal by determining second information, which is used for communication between the terminal device and the network device.

[0187] In one possible implementation, the second information includes: the frame boundary of the downlink frame, and / or, the frame boundary of the uplink frame.

[0188] In another possible implementation, the second information includes the timing advance (TA) of communication between the terminal device and the network device.

[0189] The following describes how the terminal device determines the frame boundary of the downlink frame and / or the frame boundary of the uplink frame based on the first signal.

[0190] In one possible implementation, the terminal device determines the second information based on the first signal, the time offset between the first signal and the first time domain resource unit, and the reception time of the terminal device receiving the first signal, wherein the first signal indicates absolute time.

[0191] First, the terminal device determines the time offset between the first signal and the first time domain resource unit based on the fourth information. The first time domain resource unit is used to carry the first signal.

[0192] In one example, the fourth information includes: the time offset between the first signal and the first time-domain resource unit.

[0193] In another example, the fourth information includes: the transmission time of the first signal sent by the network device, and the start time of the first time-domain resource unit. The terminal device determines the time offset between the first signal and the first time-domain resource unit based on the transmission time of the first signal sent by the network device and the start time of the first time-domain resource unit. In other words, the fourth information indirectly indicates the time offset between the first signal and the first time-domain resource unit.

[0194] For example, the time offset between the first signal and the first time domain resource unit can be the time offset between the start time of the first signal and the start time of the first time domain resource unit in the time domain; or, the time offset can also be the time offset between the end time of the first signal and the end time of the first time domain resource unit in the time domain. This application embodiment does not limit this.

[0195] Furthermore, the first temporal resource unit includes: a frame, a subframe, or a time slot.

[0196] The fourth information can come from network devices, or it can be predefined, or it can be pre-configured on terminal devices.

[0197] Secondly, the terminal device determines the transmission delay between the network device and the terminal device based on the time offset between the first signal and the first time domain resource unit, the absolute time, and the reception time of the first signal received by the terminal device. For ease of understanding, please refer to Figure 7b, which is a schematic diagram of the transmission of the first signal in an embodiment of this application.

[0198] One way to determine the transmission delay is as follows: Transmission delay PD = Reception time of the terminal device receiving the first signal – Absolute time – Time offset between the first signal and the first time domain resource unit.

[0199] Step 3: After determining the transmission delay between the network device and the terminal device, the terminal device determines the second information based on the transmission delay and the absolute time.

[0200] One way to determine the frame boundaries of downlink frames and uplink frames is as follows:

[0201] DL timing in UE Rx=absolute timing ref of SFN@BS+PD;

[0202] UL timing in UE Tx=absolute timing ref of SFN@BS–PD,

[0203] Wherein, DL timing in UE Rx is the frame boundary of the downlink frame on the terminal device side, UL timing in UE Tx is the frame boundary of the uplink frame on the terminal device side, absolute timing ref of SFN@BS is the absolute time of the start boundary of the first time domain resource unit, and PD is the transmission delay.

[0204] Optionally, the terminal device is in any of the following states or modes: inactive state, power-saving state, default state, power-saving mode, or default mode.

[0205] Optionally, the terminal device can also be in a connected state. Specifically, the terminal device in the connected state can achieve uplink and downlink synchronization with the network device through the method of the embodiments of this application.

[0206] In the above technical solution, the terminal device can obtain uplink and downlink synchronization with the network device based on the first signal from the network device. There is no need for the terminal device and the network device to perform the RACH process, thus effectively reducing the power consumption of the terminal device and the network device.

[0207] Referring to the embodiment shown in Figure 7a above, in another possible implementation, the network device sends a first signal and a second signal to the terminal device. The first signal and the second signal are different, and the second signal includes absolute time. Accordingly, the terminal device determines the second information based on the reception time of the first signal and the absolute time included in the second information. For a specific implementation, please refer to Figure 8, which is a flowchart illustrating another embodiment of the communication method in this application. The communication method proposed in this application includes:

[0208] H1. The network device sends the first signal to the terminal device.

[0209] In step H1, the first signal can be WUS, a low-power signal, SSB, or a downlink reference signal. For information on WUS and low-power signals, please refer to step S1 above; they will not be repeated here. For information on the downlink reference signal, please refer to step G1 above; they will not be repeated here.

[0210] H2. The network device sends a second signal to the terminal device, which includes absolute time.

[0211] In step H2, the second signal is a signal or information different from the first signal. The second signal can be WUS, a low-power signal, SSB, or a downlink reference signal. The second signal can also be DCI, but this embodiment does not limit this.

[0212] In one example, the first signal is WUS and the second signal is DCI.

[0213] In another example, the first signal is PRS and the second signal is LP-WUS.

[0214] In another example, the first signal is SSB and the second signal is LP-WUS.

[0215] Optionally, the network device can also configure an association between the first signal and the second signal for the terminal device, so that the terminal device can determine the second information based on the association. For example, the network device sends multiple signals to the terminal device, including WUS1, PRS1, LP-WUS1, and LP-WUS2. The network device sends the association between the first signal and the second signal to the terminal device. This association indicates that the first signal is WUS1 and the second signal is LP-WUS2. Based on this association, after receiving WUS1, the terminal device determines the reception time of WUS1, and after receiving LP-WUS2, the terminal device determines the absolute time related to WUS1 included in LP-WUS2. Then, the terminal device determines the second information based on the reception time of WUS1 and the absolute time related to WUS1.

[0216] Optionally, the association between the first signal and the second signal can be pre-configured in the terminal device, or the association can be predefined by the protocol. This application embodiment does not limit this.

[0217] It should be noted that there are no restrictions on the execution order of steps H1 and H2.

[0218] In one possible implementation, the second signal includes an absolute time, which is similar to the implementation of the first signal indicating absolute time in step G1. Please refer to step G1 above for details, which will not be repeated here.

[0219] Optionally, the second signal includes fourth information.

[0220] H3. The terminal device determines the absolute time based on the second signal.

[0221] H4. The terminal device determines the second information based on the first signal and the absolute time.

[0222] Steps H3 and H4 are similar to step G2 mentioned above, and will not be described in detail here.

[0223] In the above technical solution, the terminal device can also obtain uplink and downlink synchronization between the terminal device and the network device based on the first and second signals, improving the flexibility of the solution implementation. The terminal device and the network device do not need to perform the RACH procedure, thus effectively reducing the power consumption of both.

[0224] Next, the communication device involved in the embodiments of this application will be described. This communication device can be used in the network device and / or terminal device described in the foregoing embodiments.

[0225] Figure 9 is a schematic diagram of a communication device according to an embodiment of this application. Referring to Figure 9, the communication device 900 includes a transceiver module 901 and a processing module 902.

[0226] In one possible implementation, the communication device 900 includes a network device, or the communication device 900 includes components (e.g., chips), modules, or units within the network device.

[0227] In another possible implementation, the communication device 900 includes a terminal device, or the communication device 900 includes components (e.g., chips), modules, or units within the terminal device.

[0228] The communication device 900 can be used to perform all or part of the steps performed by the network device in the embodiments shown in FIG6a to FIG8. For details, please refer to the relevant descriptions in the embodiments shown in FIG6a to FIG8.

[0229] The communication device 900 can be used to perform all or part of the steps performed by the terminal device in the embodiments shown in FIG6a to FIG8. For details, please refer to the relevant descriptions in the embodiments shown in FIG6a to FIG8.

[0230] The processing module 902 is used for data processing. The transceiver module 901 is used to implement the corresponding communication functions.

[0231] Optionally, the transceiver module 901 may include a sending module and a receiving module. The sending module is used to perform the sending operation in the above method embodiments. The receiving module is used to perform the receiving operation in the above method embodiments.

[0232] It should be noted that the communication device 900 may include a transmitting module but not a receiving module. Alternatively, the communication device 900 may include a receiving module but not a transmitting module. Specifically, it depends on whether the above-described scheme executed by the communication device 900 includes both transmitting and receiving actions.

[0233] Optionally, the communication device 900 may further include a storage module, which can be used to store instructions and / or data. The processing module 902 can read the instructions and / or data in the storage module so that the communication device 900 can implement the aforementioned method embodiments.

[0234] The communication device 900 can be used to perform the actions performed by the network device side in the embodiments shown in Figures 6a to 8. The processing module 902 is used to perform processing-related operations on the network device side in the embodiments shown in Figures 6a to 8. The transceiver module 901 is used to perform receiving or sending-related operations on the network device side in the embodiments shown in Figures 6a to 8.

[0235] The communication device 900 can be used to perform the actions performed by the terminal device in the embodiments shown in Figures 6a to 8. The processing module 902 is used to perform processing-related operations on the terminal device side in the embodiments shown in Figures 6a to 8. The transceiver module 901 is used to perform receiving or sending-related operations on the terminal device side in the embodiments shown in Figures 6a to 8.

[0236] For example, the communication device 900 is used to execute the following scheme.

[0237] In one example, when the communication device 900 is applied to a terminal device, the communication device 900 includes:

[0238] Transceiver module 901 is used to receive first information, which is used to indicate the time offset between the local clock of the network device and the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS).

[0239] The processing module 902 is used to determine second information based on the first information, the second information being used for communication between the terminal device and the network device.

[0240] Possible implementations and descriptions of the first information, the second information, the first information, and the time offset between the local clock of the network device and the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) can be found in the corresponding contents of the embodiments in Figures 6a to 8, and will not be repeated here.

[0241] In one possible implementation, the transceiver module 901 is further configured to receive third information, the third information being used to configure time-domain resources carrying the first information, the time-domain resources carrying the first information being related to the subcarrier spacing (SCS).

[0242] The processing module 902 is further configured to determine the time-domain resource carrying the first information based on the third information.

[0243] In one possible implementation, the possible implementation methods and descriptions of the third information can be found in the corresponding contents of the embodiments in Figures 6a to 8, which will not be repeated here.

[0244] In another example, the communication device 900 is applied to a network device, the communication device 900 comprising:

[0245] Processing module 902 is used to determine first information based on Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS), the first information being used to indicate the time offset between the local clock of the network device and the GNSS, the GNSS serving as a synchronization reference source for communication between the network device and the terminal device;

[0246] The transceiver module 901 is used to send the first information to the terminal device.

[0247] In one possible implementation, the possible implementation methods and descriptions of the first information, the second information, the first information, and the time offset between the local clock of the network device and the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) can be found in the corresponding contents of the embodiments of Figures 6a to 8, and will not be repeated here.

[0248] In one possible implementation, the transceiver module 901 is further configured to send third information, the third information being configured to carry the time-domain resources of the first information, the time-domain resources carrying the first information being related to the subcarrier spacing (SCS).

[0249] In one possible implementation, the possible implementation methods and descriptions of the third information can be found in the corresponding contents of the embodiments in Figures 6a to 8, which will not be repeated here.

[0250] In another example, when the communication device 900 is applied to a terminal device, the communication device 900 includes:

[0251] Transceiver module 901 is used to receive a first signal from a network device, the first signal indicating absolute time;

[0252] The processing module 902 is used to determine second information based on the first signal, the second information being used for communication between the terminal device and the network device.

[0253] In one possible implementation, the possible implementation methods and descriptions of the first signal, absolute time, and second information can be found in the corresponding contents of the embodiments in Figures 6a to 8, which will not be repeated here.

[0254] In one possible implementation,

[0255] The transceiver module 901 is also used to receive a second signal, the second signal including the absolute time, and the second signal is different from the first signal;

[0256] The processing module 902 is further configured to determine the absolute time based on the second signal.

[0257] In one possible implementation, the possible implementation methods and descriptions of the second signal can be found in the corresponding contents of the embodiments in Figures 6a to 8, which will not be repeated here.

[0258] For other implementation methods, please refer to the relevant descriptions in the embodiments shown in Figures 6a to 8 above, which will not be repeated here.

[0259] It should be understood that the specific procedures for each module to perform the above-mentioned corresponding processes have been described in detail in the above method embodiments, and will not be repeated here for the sake of brevity.

[0260] The processing module 902 in the above embodiments can be implemented by at least one processor or processor-related circuitry. The transceiver module 901 can be implemented by a transceiver or transceiver-related circuitry. The transceiver module 901 can also be referred to as a communication module or communication interface. The storage module can be implemented by at least one memory.

[0261] This application also provides another communication device. FIG10 is a schematic diagram of another structure of the communication device according to an embodiment of this application. Referring to FIG10, the communication device 1000 includes a processor 1001.

[0262] Optionally, the communication device 1000 may also include a memory 1002.

[0263] Optionally, the communication device 1000 may also include a transceiver 1003.

[0264] In one possible implementation, the processor 1001, memory 1002, and transceiver 1003 are connected via a bus, and the memory 1002 stores computer instructions.

[0265] In one possible implementation, when the communication device 1000 includes a network device, or when the access network device includes a CU or DU, or a component (e.g., a chip), module, or unit within the network device, the communication device 1000 can be used to perform the steps performed by the network device in the above method embodiments, as described in the relevant descriptions in the above method embodiments.

[0266] Optionally, the processing module 902 in the embodiment shown in FIG. 9 may be the processor 1001, and the transceiver module 901 in the embodiment shown in FIG. 9 may be the transceiver 1003. Alternatively, the processing module 902 in the embodiment shown in FIG. 9 may be the processor 1001, and the transceiver module 901 in the embodiment shown in FIG. 9 may be the transceiver 1003.

[0267] This application also provides a communication device. Figure 11 is another structural schematic diagram of the communication device according to an embodiment of this application. Referring to Figure 11, the communication device 1100 can be a terminal device in the above method embodiments, or a component (e.g., a chip), module, or unit of the terminal device in the above method embodiments. The communication device 1100 can be used to perform the steps performed by the terminal device in the above method embodiments, and can be referred to the relevant descriptions in the above method embodiments.

[0268] Processors are mainly used to process data or signals, control communication devices, execute corresponding software programs, and process data from software programs.

[0269] It should be noted that this processor has weak signal processing capabilities and is unable to perform complex signal processing algorithms.

[0270] The memory is mainly used to store software programs and data. The radio frequency (RF) circuit is mainly used for the conversion between baseband signals and RF signals, as well as the processing of RF signals.

[0271] Antennas are primarily used for transmitting and receiving radio frequency signals in the form of electromagnetic waves.

[0272] Optionally, the communication device 1100 may also include input / output devices, such as a touch screen, a display screen, a keyboard, etc., mainly used to receive user input data and output data to the user.

[0273] When data needs to be transmitted, the processor performs baseband processing on the data to be transmitted and outputs the baseband signal to the radio frequency (RF) circuit. The RF circuit then processes the baseband signal and transmits it outward as electromagnetic waves through the antenna. When data is sent to the communication device, the RF circuit receives the RF signal through the antenna, converts it into a baseband signal, and outputs the baseband signal to the processor. The processor then converts the baseband signal back into data and processes it.

[0274] For ease of explanation, only one memory and processor are shown in Figure 11. In actual communication device products, there may be one or more processors and one or more memories. Memory may also be called storage medium or storage device, etc. Memory may be set up independently of the processor or integrated with the processor; this application embodiment does not limit this.

[0275] In this embodiment, the antenna and radio frequency circuit with transceiver functions can be regarded as the transceiver unit of the communication device, and the processor with processing functions can be regarded as the processing unit of the communication device. As shown in FIG11, the communication device 1100 includes a transceiver unit 1110 and a processing unit 1120. The transceiver unit can also be called a transceiver, transceiver machine, transceiver device, etc. The processing unit can also be called a processor, processing board, processing module, processing device, etc.

[0276] Optionally, the devices in transceiver unit 1110 used for receiving functions can be considered as receiving units, and the devices in transceiver unit 1110 used for transmitting functions can be considered as transmitting units. That is, transceiver unit 1110 includes both receiving and transmitting units. A transceiver unit can also be called a transceiver, transceiver circuit, etc. A receiving unit can also be called a receiver, receiver, or receiving circuit, etc. A transmitting unit can also be called a transmitter, transmitter, or transmitting circuit, etc.

[0277] It should be understood that the transceiver unit 1110 is used to perform the sending and receiving operations of the terminal device in the above method embodiment, and the processing unit 1120 is used to perform other operations on the terminal device in the above method embodiment besides the sending and receiving operations.

[0278] When the communication device is a chip, the chip includes a transceiver unit and a processing unit. The transceiver unit can be an input / output circuit or a communication interface; the processing unit is a processor, microprocessor, integrated circuit, or logic circuit integrated on the chip. In the above method embodiment, the sending operation corresponds to the output of the input / output circuit, and the receiving operation corresponds to the input of the input / output circuit.

[0279] This application also provides a communication system, which includes a network device and a terminal device. The network device is used to perform all or part of the steps performed by the network device in the embodiments shown in FIG6a to FIG8, and the terminal device is used to perform all or part of the steps performed by the terminal device in the embodiments shown in FIG6a to FIG8.

[0280] This application also provides a computer program product including computer instructions, which, when run on a computer, causes the computer to perform the methods of the embodiments shown in Figures 6a to 8 above.

[0281] This application also provides a computer-readable storage medium including computer instructions that, when executed on a computer, cause the computer to perform the methods shown in the embodiments of FIG6a to FIG8 above.

[0282] This application also provides a chip device, including a processor, for calling a computer program or computer instructions stored in a memory, so that the processor executes the methods of the embodiments shown in FIG6a to FIG8 above.

[0283] Optionally, the processor is coupled to the memory via an interface.

[0284] Optionally, the chip device may also include a memory in which computer programs or computer instructions are stored.

[0285] The processor mentioned above can be a general-purpose central processing unit, a microprocessor, an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or one or more integrated circuits used to control the execution of a program for controlling the methods of the embodiments shown in Figures 6a to 8. The memory mentioned above can be read-only memory (ROM) or other types of static storage devices capable of storing static information and instructions, such as random access memory (RAM).

[0286] In the several embodiments provided in this application, it should be understood that the disclosed systems, apparatuses, and methods can be implemented in other ways. For example, the apparatus embodiments described above are merely illustrative; for instance, the division of units is only a logical functional division, and in actual implementation, there may be other division methods. For example, multiple units or components may be combined or integrated into another system, or some features may be ignored or not executed. Furthermore, the coupling or direct coupling or communication connection shown or discussed may be an indirect coupling or communication connection between apparatuses or units through some interfaces, and may be electrical, mechanical, or other forms.

[0287] The units described as separate components may or may not be physically separate. The components shown as units may or may not be physical units; that is, they may be located in one place or distributed across multiple network units. Some or all of the units can be selected to achieve the purpose of this embodiment according to actual needs.

[0288] Furthermore, the functional units in the various embodiments of this application can be integrated into one processing unit, or each unit can exist physically separately, or two or more units can be integrated into one unit. The integrated unit can be implemented in hardware or as a software functional unit.

[0289] If the integrated unit is implemented as a software functional unit and sold or used as an independent product, it can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. Based on this understanding, the part of the technical solution that makes an essential contribution, or all or part of the technical solution, can be embodied in the form of a software product. This computer software product is stored in a storage medium and includes several instructions to cause a computer device (which may 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 this application.

[0290] The above-described embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of this application, and are not intended to limit it. Although this application has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications can still be made to the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments, or equivalent substitutions can be made to some of the technical features. Such modifications or substitutions do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application.

Claims

A communication method characterized by comprising: The method is applied to a terminal device, and the method comprises: receiving first information, the first information being used to indicate a time offset between a local clock of a network device and a global navigation satellite system (GNSS); determining second information according to the first information, the second information being used for communication between the terminal device and the network device. The method of claim 1, wherein The first information comprises a time offset between a system frame number (SFN) and a first frame number, the first frame number being determined according to the GNSS, and the SFN being determined according to the local clock of the network device. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that The first frame number is a direct frame number (DFN). The method according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that The indication unit of the time offset of the first frame number and the SFN is 16·64·T c / 2 μ , wherein T c is a basic time unit, μ is a subcarrier spacing SCS configuration, and the length of the first information is 11 bits. The method according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that The time offset between the first frame number and the SFN is in units of 0.001 milliseconds or 1 microsecond, and the length of the first information is 10 bits. The method according to any one of claims 1-5, characterized in that The method further comprises: receiving third information, the third information being used to configure a time domain resource carrying the first information, the time domain resource carrying the first information being related to a subcarrier spacing (SCS); determining the time domain resource carrying the first information according to the third information. According to the method of claim 6, wherein if the SCS = 2 μ • 15 kilohertz (kHz), the sending time of the first information is: x · (N - 1) milliseconds (ms), where N is the first frame number, N ∈ {0, 1, …, 1023}, x = 10 / (μ + 1), and μ is a subcarrier spacing (SCS) configuration. The method according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that The second information is determined according to the time offset between the local clock of the network device and the GNSS, a receiving time at which the terminal device receives the first information, and the time domain resource carrying the first information. The method of claim 8, wherein The time domain resource carrying the first information indicates a transmission period of the first information, and the second information is specifically determined according to the time offset between the local clock of the network device and the GNSS, the receiving time at which the terminal device receives the first information, and a transmission delay between the terminal device and the network device, wherein the transmission delay between the terminal device and the network device is determined according to: a transmission time at which the network device transmits the first information and the receiving time at which the terminal device receives the first information. The method according to any one of claims 1-9, characterized in that The second information comprises: a frame boundary of an uplink frame, a frame boundary of a downlink frame, and / or a timing advance (TA) for communication between the terminal device and the network device, wherein the uplink frame is used for uplink data transmission from the terminal device to the network device, and the downlink frame is used for downlink data transmission from the network device to the terminal device. According to the method of claim 10, wherein The frame boundary of the uplink frame is equal to the transmission time at which the network device transmits the first information, plus the time offset between the local clock of the network device and the GNSS, plus the transmission delay. The frame boundary of the downlink frame is equal to the transmission time at which the network device transmits the first information, plus the time offset between the local clock of the network device and the GNSS, minus the transmission delay. The method according to any one of claims 1-11, characterized in that The first information is carried in any one of the following information: downlink control information (DCI) of the PDCCH, a wake-up signal (WUS), a low-power wake-up signal (LP-WUS), a master information block (MIB), or a system information block (SIB). A communication method characterized by comprising: The method is applied to a network device, and the method comprises: According to a global navigation satellite system (GNSS), first information is determined, the first information being used to indicate an offset between a local clock of the network device and a time of the global navigation satellite system (GNSS), the GNSS serving as a synchronization reference source for communication between the network device and a terminal device; The first information is sent to the terminal device. The method of claim 13, wherein The first information includes an offset between a system frame number (SFN) and a first frame number, the first frame number being determined according to the GNSS, and the SFN being determined according to the local clock of the network device. The method of claim 14, wherein The first frame number is a direct frame number (DFN). The method according to any one of claims 13-15, characterized in that The indication unit of the time offset of the first frame number and the SFN is 16·64·T c / 2 μ , wherein T c is a basic time unit, μ is a subcarrier spacing SCS configuration, and the length of the first information is 11 bits. The method according to any one of claims 13-15, characterized in that The offset between the first frame number and the SFN is in units of 0.001 milliseconds or 1 microsecond, and the length of the first information is 10 bits. The method according to any one of claims 13-17, characterized in that The method further includes: Third information is sent, the third information being used to configure a time domain resource carrying the first information, and the time domain resource carrying the first information being related to a subcarrier spacing (SCS). According to the method of claim 18, characterized in that, if the SCS = 2 μ • 15 kilohertz (kHz), the sending time of the first information is: x · (N - 1) milliseconds (ms), where N is the first frame number, N ∈ {0, 1, …, 1023}, x = 10 / (μ + 1), and μ is a subcarrier spacing (SCS) configuration. The method according to any one of claims 13-19, characterized in that The first information is carried in any one of the following information: downlink control information (DCI) of the PDCCH, a wake-up signal (WUS), a low-power wake-up signal (LP-WUS), a master information block (MIB), or a system information block (SIB). A communication method characterized by comprising: The method is applied to a terminal device, and the method includes: A first signal is received from a network device, the first signal indicating an absolute time; According to the first signal, second information is determined, the second information being used for communication between the terminal device and the network device. The method of claim 21, wherein The absolute time includes: An absolute sending time of the network device sending the first signal, a start time of a first time domain resource unit, or an absolute time of a start boundary of the first time domain resource unit, the first time domain resource unit being used to carry the first signal. The method according to claim 21 or 22, characterized in that The absolute time is in units of 0.001 milliseconds or 1 microsecond, and the length of the first signal is 54 bits. The method according to claim 21 or 22, characterized in that The indication unit of the absolute time is (16·64·T c / 2 μ ), wherein T c is a basic time unit, μ is an indication value of a subcarrier spacing SCS of a carrier, and the length of the first signal is 55 bits. The method according to any one of claims 21-24, characterized in that The second information is determined according to the following information: the absolute time, an offset between the first signal and the first time domain resource unit, and a receiving time of the terminal device receiving the first signal. The method of claim 25, wherein The second information is specifically determined according to the following information: the absolute time and a transmission delay between the terminal device and the network device, The transmission delay between the terminal device and the network device is determined according to the following information: a receiving time of the terminal device receiving the first signal, the absolute time, and an offset between the first signal and the first time domain resource unit. The method according to any one of claims 21-26, characterized in that The second information includes: A frame boundary of an uplink frame and / or a frame boundary of a downlink frame; Or a timing advance (TA) for communication between the terminal device and the network device, wherein the uplink frame is used for uplink data transmission from the terminal device to the network device, and the downlink frame is used for downlink data transmission from the network device to the terminal device. A communication method characterized by comprising: The method is applied to a network device, and the method includes: determining, according to a local clock of the network device, a first signal, the first signal indicating an absolute time, the local clock of the network device being a synchronization reference source for the network device to communicate with a terminal device; sending the first signal to the terminal device. The method of claim 28, wherein the absolute time comprises: an absolute sending time of the network device sending the first signal, a start time of a first time domain resource unit, or an absolute time of a start boundary of the first time domain resource unit, the first time domain resource unit being used to carry the first signal. The method according to claim 28 or 29, characterized in that an indication unit of the absolute time is 0.001 millisecond or 1 microsecond, and a length of the first signal is 54 bits. The method according to claim 28 or 29, characterized in that The indication unit of the absolute time is (16·64·T c / 2 μ ), wherein T c is a basic time unit, μ is an indication value of a subcarrier spacing SCS of a carrier, and the length of the first signal is 55 bits. A communication device, characterized by comprising a module for performing the method of any one of claims 1 to 31. A communication device, characterized by comprising at least one processor coupled with a memory, the at least one processor being configured to perform the method of any one of claims 1 to 31. The communication apparatus according to claim 33, characterized in that, the communication device is a chip or a chip system. A readable storage medium characterized by, the storage medium stores a computer program or instructions, when the computer program or instructions are executed by the communication device, the method of any one of claims 1 to 31 is implemented. A computer program product, characterized in that the computer program product, when running on a computer, causes the computer to perform the method of any one of claims 1 to 31.

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