Communication method and related apparatus

Abstract

Disclosed in the embodiments of the present application are a communication method and a related apparatus. The method comprises: a network device sending a synchronization signal and PBCH block, which comprises a first physical broadcast channel and at least one second physical broadcast channel, wherein the first physical broadcast channel is carried on a first frequency-domain resource, the at least one second physical broadcast channel is carried on at least one second frequency-domain resource, the first physical broadcast channel is the same as the at least one second physical broadcast channel, and the first frequency-domain resource is different from the at least one second frequency-domain resource. By means of the method, the same synchronization signal and PBCH block comprises at least two identical physical broadcast channels, which are carried on different frequency-domain resources. Therefore, a terminal device can perform decoding on the basis of a plurality of identical physical broadcast channels, thereby increasing the decoding speed and decoding success rate of the terminal device for the synchronization signal and PBCH block.

Description

A communication method and related apparatus

[0001] This application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. CN202411844238.2, filed on December 12, 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 communications, and more particularly to a communication method and related apparatus. Background Technology

[0003] Terminal devices obtain uplink synchronization with network devices through random access. In the random access process, firstly, the terminal device searches for a synchronization signal and PBCH block (SSB) to obtain downlink synchronization. Secondly, the terminal device determines the control resource set (CORESET) by decoding the master information block (MIB) included in the SSB. Thirdly, the terminal device determines the time-frequency resources of system information block 1 (SIB1) based on the CORESET and acquires SIB1 from the time-frequency resources of SIB1.

[0004] Network devices periodically transmit Service Blocks (SSBs). To reduce power consumption, network devices can extend the SSB transmission interval to decrease the number of SSB transmissions. However, since terminal devices often need to receive multiple SSBs to successfully decode the MIB, extending the SSB transmission interval degrades the decoding performance of the terminal device. This means the terminal device needs more time to receive enough SSBs to successfully decode them. Summary of the Invention

[0005] This application proposes a communication method and related apparatus, wherein an SSB includes multiple identical PBCHs, which carry resources in different frequency domains to improve the decoding capability of the terminal device for the SSB.

[0006] In a first aspect, embodiments of this application propose a communication method applied to a network device.

[0007] 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, module, control unit, circuit or processor that can be applied to the aforementioned device or apparatus, or at least one of a central unit (CU) or a distributed unit (DU), and this application does not limit the specifics.

[0008] The method includes: transmitting a synchronization signal block in a first period, the synchronization signal block including a first physical broadcast channel, or the synchronization signal block including a first physical broadcast channel and at least one second physical broadcast channel, the first physical broadcast channel being carried on a first frequency domain resource, the at least one second physical broadcast channel being carried on at least one second frequency domain resource, the number of second physical broadcast channels included in the synchronization signal block being associated with the first period.

[0009] Specifically, the first physical broadcast channel is the same as the at least one second physical broadcast channel, and the first frequency domain resource is different from the at least one second frequency domain resource.

[0010] Using the above method, a single SSB includes at least two identical physical broadcast channels, which are carried on different frequency domain resources. This allows the terminal device to decode based on multiple identical physical broadcast channels, improving the decoding speed and success rate of the SSB. When network devices transmit SSBs with longer periods to reduce energy consumption, the terminal device can successfully decode the SSB based on a smaller number of SSBs in a shorter time. While reducing network device energy consumption, increasing the number of PBCHs included in a single SSB enhances the terminal device's SSB decoding capability, balancing network device energy consumption and communication performance. The number of second physical broadcast channels included in the synchronization signal block is determined based on the first period. When the network device transmits the synchronization signal block with a longer period, the number of second physical broadcast channels included in the synchronization signal block is increased to ensure that the terminal device can successfully decode the synchronization signal block.

[0011] In conjunction with the first aspect, in one possible implementation of the first aspect, the number of the second physical broadcast channels included in the synchronization signal block is associated with the first period, including: if the first period is greater than or equal to a first threshold and less than a second threshold, then the synchronization signal block includes a first number of the second physical broadcast channels, the second threshold being greater than the first threshold; if the first period is greater than the second threshold, then the synchronization signal block includes a second number of the second physical broadcast channels, the second number being greater than the first number.

[0012] In the above method, the number of second physical broadcast channels included in the synchronization signal block is related to the transmission period of the synchronization signal block. When the network device transmits SSBs at a longer period in order to reduce energy consumption, the terminal device can also achieve successful decoding of SSBs in a shorter time based on a smaller number of SSBs.

[0013] In conjunction with the first aspect, in one possible implementation of the first aspect, the number of the second physical broadcast channels included in the synchronization signal block is associated with the first period, including: if the first period is less than the first threshold, then the synchronization signal block does not include the second physical broadcast channels.

[0014] In the above method, if the network device sends the synchronization signal block at a shorter period, the synchronization signal block may not include the second physical broadcast channel, so as to save frequency domain resources.

[0015] In conjunction with the first aspect, in one possible implementation of the first aspect, the interval between the center frequency of the first frequency domain resource and the center frequency of the at least one second frequency domain resource is greater than or equal to 240 subcarriers.

[0016] If the synchronization signal block includes at least two second physical broadcast channels, the interval between the center frequency points of two adjacent second frequency domain resources in the frequency domain is greater than 240 subcarriers.

[0017] In the above method, after setting a guard interval between the first frequency domain resource and the second frequency domain resource, the distance between the center frequency point of the first frequency domain resource and the center frequency point of at least one second frequency domain resource is greater than 240 subcarriers. This is to reduce interference between the first physical broadcast channel carried by the first frequency domain resource and the second physical broadcast channel carried by the second frequency domain resource.

[0018] In conjunction with the first aspect, in one possible implementation of the first aspect, the interval between the center frequency of the first frequency domain resource and the center frequency of the at least one second frequency domain resource is equal to 240 subcarriers; if the synchronization signal block includes at least two second physical broadcast channels, the interval between the center frequency of two adjacent second frequency domain resources in the frequency domain is equal to 240 subcarriers.

[0019] In conjunction with the first aspect, in one possible implementation of the first aspect, the synchronization signal block further includes a first primary synchronization signal and at least one second primary synchronization signal, wherein the first primary synchronization signal is carried on the first frequency domain resource, and the at least one second primary synchronization signal is carried on the at least one second frequency domain resource, and the first primary synchronization signal is the same as the at least one second primary synchronization signal.

[0020] In conjunction with the first aspect, in one possible implementation of the first aspect, the synchronization signal block further includes a first auxiliary synchronization signal and at least one second auxiliary synchronization signal, wherein the first auxiliary synchronization signal is carried on the first frequency domain resource, and the at least one second auxiliary synchronization signal is carried on the at least one second frequency domain resource, and the first auxiliary synchronization signal is the same as the at least one second auxiliary synchronization signal.

[0021] In conjunction with the first aspect, in one possible implementation of the first aspect, the method further includes: transmitting a frequency domain repetition rule, the frequency domain repetition rule indicating the at least one second physical broadcast channel and the at least one second frequency domain resource in the synchronization signal block.

[0022] In the above technical solution, the network device can also notify the terminal device in advance of the frequency domain repetition rule of the synchronization signal block, so that the terminal device can determine the center frequency point of receiving the synchronization signal block according to the frequency domain repetition rule, and ensure that the terminal device can receive the physical broadcast channel included in the synchronization signal block.

[0023] In conjunction with the first aspect, in one possible implementation of the first aspect, the frequency domain repetition rule is indicated by the sequence information of the first primary synchronization signal and / or the sequence information of the first secondary synchronization signal of the synchronization signal block.

[0024] In the above technical solutions, network devices can also implicitly indicate frequency domain repetition rules to save communication overhead.

[0025] In conjunction with the first aspect, in one possible implementation of the first aspect, the first physical broadcast channel is carried on a first time-domain resource; the at least one second physical broadcast channel is carried on a second time-domain resource, wherein the first time-domain resource is the same as or partially the same as the second time-domain resource.

[0026] Secondly, embodiments of this application propose a communication method, which is applied to a terminal device.

[0027] 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 aforementioned device or apparatus, etc., and this application does not limit the specifics.

[0028] The method includes: obtaining a frequency domain repetition rule for a synchronization signal block, wherein the synchronization signal block includes a first physical broadcast channel, or the synchronization signal block includes the first physical broadcast channel and at least one second physical broadcast channel, the first physical broadcast channel being carried on a first frequency domain resource, the at least one second physical broadcast channel being carried on at least one second frequency domain resource, the frequency domain repetition rule indicating the at least one second physical broadcast channel and the at least one second frequency domain resource in the synchronization signal block, and receiving the synchronization signal block according to the frequency domain repetition rule.

[0029] In a second aspect, in one possible implementation of the second aspect, obtaining the frequency domain repetition rule of the synchronization signal block includes: detecting a first period of the synchronization signal block, the first period being the transmission period during which the network device transmits the synchronization signal block; and determining the frequency domain repetition rule based on the first period.

[0030] In the above technical solution, the terminal device determines the frequency domain repetition rule of the synchronization signal block by detecting the transmission period (i.e., the first period) of the synchronization signal block. This frequency domain repetition rule indicates at least one second physical broadcast channel and at least one second frequency domain resource within the synchronization signal block. Specifically, determining the frequency domain repetition rule based on the first period includes:

[0031] If the first period is less than the first threshold, then the frequency domain repetition rule is that the synchronization signal block does not include the second physical broadcast channel;

[0032] If the first period is greater than or equal to the first threshold and less than the second threshold, then the frequency domain repetition rule is that the synchronization signal block includes a first number of the second physical broadcast channels, and the second threshold is greater than the first threshold;

[0033] If the first period is greater than the second threshold, then the frequency domain repetition rule is that the synchronization signal block includes a second number of the second physical broadcast channels, and the second number is greater than the first number.

[0034] Secondly, in one possible implementation of the second aspect, the frequency domain repetition rule is indicated by the sequence information of the first primary synchronization signal and / or the sequence information of the first secondary synchronization signal of the synchronization signal block.

[0035] In this embodiment, the terminal device can determine the frequency domain repetition rule of the synchronization signal block in a variety of ways to ensure that the terminal device can successfully receive the physical broadcast channel included in the synchronization signal block and improve communication quality.

[0036] 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.

[0037] Thirdly, embodiments of this application propose a communication system, comprising a network device and a terminal device. The communication system includes: the network device transmitting a synchronization signal block, the synchronization signal block including a first physical broadcast channel and at least one second physical broadcast channel, the first physical broadcast channel being carried on a first frequency domain resource, and the at least one second physical broadcast channel being carried on at least one second frequency domain resource, wherein the first physical broadcast channel and the at least one second physical broadcast channel are the same, and the first frequency domain resource is different from the at least one second frequency domain resource. The terminal device receives the synchronization signal block.

[0038] In conjunction with the third aspect, in one possible implementation of the third aspect, the communication system performs the methods shown in the first and / or second aspects described above, which will not be elaborated here.

[0039] Fourthly, this application provides a communication device, which is a network 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.

[0040] Fifthly, this application provides a communication device, which is a terminal 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.

[0041] In a sixth aspect, 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 aspects. Optionally, the communication device may include the memory.

[0042] In a seventh 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 possible implementation of any of the preceding first aspects.

[0043] In an eighth aspect, 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 enable the communication device to implement the method described in any possible implementation of any of the preceding second aspects. Optionally, the communication device may include the memory.

[0044] In a ninth 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 possible implementation of any of the preceding second aspects.

[0045] In a tenth aspect, this application provides a communication system that includes the aforementioned network equipment and / or terminal equipment.

[0046] Eleventhly, this application provides a computer-readable storage medium for storing one or more computer-executable instructions, which, when executed by a processor, perform the method as described in any possible implementation of any of the first and / or second aspects above.

[0047] In a twelfth 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 either the first aspect or the second aspect.

[0048] In a thirteenth 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 and / or second aspects described above.

[0049] 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.

[0050] The technical effects of any of the design methods in aspects three through thirteen can be found in the technical effects of the different design methods in aspects one through two above, and will not be repeated here. Attached Figure Description

[0051] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the architecture of the communication system 1000 used in the embodiments of this application;

[0052] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of random access;

[0053] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of the configuration information of RACH resources;

[0054] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of SSB, CORESET#0 and SIB1;

[0055] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of a communication system according to an embodiment of this application;

[0056] Figure 6 is a schematic flowchart of an embodiment of a communication method in this application;

[0057] Figure 7a is a schematic diagram of an SSB transmission;

[0058] Figure 7b shows another type of SSB transmission diagram;

[0059] Figure 8 is a time-domain and frequency-domain schematic diagram of SSB;

[0060] Figures 9 to 13c are schematic diagrams of a synchronization signal block in an embodiment of this application;

[0061] Figure 14 is a structural schematic diagram of a communication device according to an embodiment of this application;

[0062] Figure 15 is another structural schematic diagram of the communication device according to an embodiment of this application;

[0063] Figure 16 is another structural schematic diagram of the communication device according to an embodiment of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0064] 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.

[0065] In the description of this application, unless otherwise stated, " / " means "or". For example, A / B can mean A or B. "And / or" in this document is merely a description of the relationship between related objects, indicating that three relationships can exist. For example, A and / or B can represent: A alone, A and B simultaneously, and B alone. Furthermore, "at least one" means one or more, and "multiple" means two or more. "At least one of the following" or similar expressions refer to any combination of these items, including any combination of single or multiple items. For example, at least one of a, b, or c can represent: a, b, c, a and b, a and c, b and c, or a and b and c. Where a, b, and c can be single or multiple.

[0066] First, the communication system involved in the embodiments of this application is introduced. This application can be applied to long-term evolution (LTE) systems, new radio (NR) systems, or future communication systems after 5G. The communication system includes at least one of network equipment or terminal equipment.

[0067] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the architecture of the communication system 1000 used in the embodiments of this application.

[0068] As shown in Figure 1, the communication system includes a wireless access network 100 and a core network 200. Optionally, the communication system 1000 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 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 adopted by the wireless network device.

[0069] 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.

[0070] 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.

[0071] 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.

[0072] 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.

[0073] 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.

[0074] In this application, the base station sends downlink signals or downlink information to the terminal, with the downlink information carried on the downlink channel; the terminal sends 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 radio connection on a cell controlled by the base station. The cell with which the terminal has established a radio 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.

[0075] 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, 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 convergence of multiple wireless technologies, device-to-device (D2D) systems, or vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication systems.

[0076] The terminal equipment and network equipment involved in this application are described below.

[0077] 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. 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.

[0078] 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, or network node, etc.

[0079] Specifically, network equipment can be network equipment for cellular systems related to the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP). 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.

[0080] 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 unit (CU), distributed unit (DU), centralized unit control plane (CU-CP), centralized unit user plane (CU-UP), or radio unit (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 (RRUs), active antenna units (AAUs), or remote radio heads (RRHs). Alternatively, network equipment can be servers, wearable devices, vehicles, or in-vehicle equipment. For example, network equipment in V2X technology can be roadside units (RSUs). 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.

[0081] 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.

[0082] Optionally, for network elements in the ORAN system, each network element can implement the protocol layer functions shown in Table 1 below.

[0083] Table 1

[0084] It should be noted that in the ORAN system, the network device in this application can be one or more network elements listed in Table 1 above. For example, after the CU determines the first period, the first SSB, the second period, and the second SSB, the CU sends the first SSB to the terminal device via the DU and RU in the first period; the CU also sends the second SSB to the terminal device via the DU and RU in the second period. This application does not limit the CU to generating and sending the first SSB and / or the second SSB. The first SSB and / or the second SSB can also be generated by the DU and sent to the terminal device via the RU, or some information can be generated by the CU and sent to the terminal device via the DU and RU, while other information can be generated by the DU and sent to the terminal device via the RU.

[0085] The architecture of the CU and DU of a network device is described below. A network device includes at least one CU and at least one DU. Optionally, the network device may also include at least one RU.

[0086] The following example uses a network device consisting of a CU and a DU. The CU has some core network functions and can include CU-CP and CU-UP. The CU and DU can be configured according to the protocol layer functions of the wireless network they implement. For example, the CU may be configured to implement the functions of at least one layer of the Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP) layer and above (e.g., at least one of the RRC or SDAP layers). The DU may be configured to implement the functions of at least one layer of the protocol layer below the PDCP layer (e.g., at least one of the RLC, MAC, or physical (PHY) layers). Alternatively, the CU may be configured to implement the functions of at least one layer of the protocol layer above the PDCP layer (e.g., at least one of the RRC or SDAP layers), and the DU may be configured to implement the functions of at least one layer of the protocol layer below the PDCP layer (e.g., at least one of the RLC, MAC, or PHY layers).

[0087] When a CU includes CU-CP and CU-UP, CU-CP is used to implement the control plane functions of the CU, and CU-UP is used to implement the user plane functions of the CU. For example, when a CU is configured to implement the functions of the PDCP layer, RRC layer, and SDAP layer, CU-CP is used to implement the RRC layer functions and the control plane functions of the PDCP layer, and CU-UP is used to implement the SDAP layer functions and the user plane functions of the PDCP layer.

[0088] The CU-CP can interact with network elements in the core network used to implement control plane functions. These network elements can be access and mobility function (AMF) network elements, such as the AMF in a 5G system. The AMF is responsible for mobility management in the mobile network, such as terminal device location updates, terminal device registration with the network, and terminal device handover.

[0089] CU-UP can interact with network elements in the core network used to implement user plane functions. These network elements, such as the user plane function (UPF) in a 5G system, are responsible for forwarding and receiving data in terminal devices.

[0090] Optionally, the ORAN architecture also includes a RAN intelligent controller (RIC) module.

[0091] It should be noted that the access network equipment can be a device or apparatus with a chip, or a device or apparatus with integrated circuits, or a chip, chip system, module, or control unit in the aforementioned device or apparatus; this application does not impose any specific limitation. It should also be noted that in this application, the term "access network equipment" can refer to the access network equipment itself, or to the chip, functional module, or integrated circuit within the access network equipment that performs the method provided in this application; this application does not impose any specific limitation.

[0092] It should be noted that:

[0093] In the embodiments of this application, "send" and "receive" indicate the direction of signal transmission. For example, "sending information to a terminal" can be understood as the destination of the information being the terminal device, which may include sending directly via the air interface or sending indirectly via the air interface from other units or modules. "Receiving information from a network device" can be understood as the source of the information being the network device, which may include receiving directly from the network device via the air interface or receiving indirectly from the network device via the air interface from 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.

[0094] In other words, sending and receiving can occur between devices, such as between 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.

[0095] It is understandable that information may undergo processing, such as encoding and modulation, between the source and destination, but the destination can still 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.

[0096] In the embodiments of this application, "instruction" can include direct and indirect instructions, as well as explicit and implicit instructions. The information indicated by a certain piece of information is called the information to be instructed. In specific implementation, there are many ways to instruct the information to be instructed, such as, but not limited to, directly instructing the information to be instructed, such as the information to be instructed itself or its index. It can also indirectly instruct the information to be instructed by instructing other information, where there is a correlation between the other information and the information to be instructed; or it can only instruct a part of the information to be instructed, while the other parts are known or pre-agreed upon. For example, the instruction can be implemented by using a pre-agreed (e.g., protocol predefined) arrangement of various information, thereby reducing the instruction overhead to a certain extent. This application does not limit the specific method of instruction. It is understood that for the sender of the instruction information, the instruction information can be used to instruct the information to be instructed; for the receiver of the instruction information, the instruction information can be used to determine the information to be instructed.

[0097] First, let me introduce some of the technical concepts involved in this application.

[0098] 1. Random access.

[0099] Random access is a crucial process for terminal devices to connect to the network. Currently, random access can be divided into four-step random access or two-step random access. The following explanation uses four-step random access as an example. Please refer to Figure 2, which is a schematic diagram of random access.

[0100] In step 201, the terminal device sends message 1 to the network device.

[0101] First, the terminal device searches for the synchronization signal / physical broadcast channel block (SS / PBCH block or SSB) to obtain downlink synchronization. After receiving the SSB, the terminal device decodes the master information block (MIB) included in the SSB to obtain system information block 1 (SIB1). SIB1 indicates the resource configuration for the terminal device to initiate random access. This resource configuration includes: carrier position, carrier bandwidth, initial uplink bandwidth part (BWP) configuration information, and initial downlink BWP configuration information. The initial uplink BWP configuration includes the configuration information of the random access channel (RACH) resources. For easier understanding, please refer to Figure 3, which is a schematic diagram of RACH resource configuration information. The RACH resource configuration information includes: the time-frequency resources of the RACH occasion (RO) and the available preamble. The terminal device randomly selects an RO and sends the preamble, which is also called message 1 (Msg1).

[0102] For clarity, please refer to Figure 4, which illustrates SSB, CORESET#0, and SIB1. The terminal device determines the resource location of control resource set (CORESET)#0 based on the "pdcch-ConfigSIB1" field included in the SSB's MIB. CORESET#0 is the CORESET corresponding to SIB1. The terminal device receives CORESET#0 based on its resource location. CORESET#0 indicates the time-frequency resources of the physical downlink control channel (PDCCH). Then, the terminal device receives downlink control information (DCI) on the time-frequency resources of the PDCCH indicated by CORESET#0. This DCI is used to schedule SIB1. The terminal device determines the time-frequency resources of SIB1 based on this DCI and then receives SIB1 on those resources.

[0103] In step 202, the network device sends message 2 to the terminal device.

[0104] After detecting the preamble, the network device sends a random access response (Msg2). Msg2 includes the identification information (ID) of the preamble received by the network device and the random access response (RAR). The RAR includes a timing adjustment indication for uplink synchronization, a temporary cell radio network temporary identifier (TC-RNTI), and an uplink grant (UL grant). This UL grant is used by the terminal device to send message 3 (Msg3).

[0105] In step 203, the terminal device sends message 3 to the network device.

[0106] If the terminal device receives Msg2 within the time window indicated by SIB1, and the identification information of the preamble included in Msg2 is the same as the identification information of the preamble sent by the terminal device in step 201, the terminal device sends message 3 (Msg3) in the UL Grant resource scheduled by Msg2. Msg3 is used for conflict resolution and includes the terminal device's identity information, such as TC-RNTI.

[0107] In step 204, the network device sends message 4 (Msg4) to the terminal device.

[0108] The terminal device checks Msg 4 sent by the network device within a specific time window. If the "UE contention resolution identity" field included in Msg 4 and the terminal device's identity information reported in Msg 3 are correct, the terminal device considers its access request to have won the contention, and the access conflict has been successfully resolved. The terminal device uses the TC-RNTI received in Msg 2 as its unique identifier within the cell, namely the cell radio network temporary identifier (C-RNTI).

[0109] In random access procedures, network devices periodically send SSBs. To reduce power consumption, network devices can extend the SSB transmission interval to decrease the number of SSB transmissions. However, since terminal devices often need to receive multiple SSBs to successfully decode the MIB, extending the SSB transmission interval degrades the decoding performance of the terminal device. This results in the terminal device needing more time to receive enough SSBs to successfully decode them.

[0110] Based on this, this application proposes a communication method in which a network device sends a synchronization signal block. The synchronization signal block includes a first physical broadcast channel and at least one second physical broadcast channel. The first physical broadcast channel is carried on a first frequency domain resource, and the at least one second physical broadcast channel is carried on at least one second frequency domain resource. The first physical broadcast channel and the at least one second physical broadcast channel are the same, and the first frequency domain resource and the at least one second frequency domain resource are different. Through this method, the same SSB includes at least two identical physical broadcast channels, which are carried on different frequency domain resources. This allows the terminal device to decode based on multiple identical physical broadcast channels, improving the decoding speed and success rate of the terminal device for SSBs. When the network device sends SSBs with a longer cycle to reduce energy consumption, the terminal device can successfully decode the SSB based on a smaller number of SSBs in a shorter time.

[0111] First, the communication system involved in this application is introduced. Please refer to Figure 5, which is a schematic diagram of a communication system according to an embodiment of this application. The communication system includes a network device and a terminal device, wherein the network device and the terminal device are wirelessly connected. The network device may be referred to as a first device or an access network device, and may also be a chip or chip system applicable to network devices. The terminal device may also be a chip or chip system applicable to terminal devices.

[0112] Based on the communication system described above, the communication method proposed in this application will now be introduced. Please refer to Figure 6, which is a schematic flowchart of an embodiment of the communication method in this application. The communication method proposed in this application includes:

[0113] S1. The network device sends a frequency domain repetition rule to the terminal device. The frequency domain repetition rule indicates at least one second physical broadcast channel and at least one second frequency domain resource in the synchronization signal block.

[0114] Step S1 is optional. When step S1 is not executed, the terminal device and network device can pre-configure the frequency domain repetition rule, or the frequency domain repetition rule can be predefined by the protocol.

[0115] In one specific implementation, the frequency domain repetition rule indicates the number of physical broadcast channels included in the synchronization signal block, and the frequency domain resources carried by the physical broadcast channels. For example, the frequency domain repetition rule indicates at least one second physical broadcast signal and at least one second frequency domain resource in the synchronization signal block. For ease of understanding, please refer to Figure 8, which is a time-domain and frequency-domain schematic diagram of the SSB. The SSB includes a primary synchronization signal (PSS), a physical broadcast channel (PBCH), and a secondary synchronization signal (SSS). The PSS is used for coarse synchronization of the terminal equipment; the PSS is a sequence of length 127, occupying 127 subcarriers in the first symbol of the SSB. The SSS is used for secondary synchronization of the terminal equipment; the SSS is a sequence of length 127, occupying 127 subcarriers in the third symbol of the SSB. The PBCH occupies the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th symbols of the SSB, and carries the master information block (MIB).

[0116] In one example, the frequency domain repetition rules are shown in Table 2.

[0117] Table 2

[0118] In one example, please refer to Figures 7a and 7b. Figure 7a shows one possible transmission pattern for an SSB, and Figure 7b shows another. In normal mode, the network device transmits an SSB with a period of T1. When the network device enters power-saving mode, it transmits an SSB with a period of T2, where T2 is longer than T1. When the network device transmits an SSB with a period of T1, it can use frequency domain repetition rule 0 as shown in Table 2 above, and this SSB includes PBCH1. If the network device transmits an SSB with a period of T2, it can use frequency domain repetition rule 1 as shown in Table 2 above, and this SSB includes PBCH1 and PBCH2.

[0119] Optionally, the frequency domain repetition rule is also used to indicate the frequency domain resources carried by the primary synchronization signal included in the synchronization signal block. For example, the synchronization signal block also includes a first primary synchronization signal and at least one second primary synchronization signal, the first primary synchronization signal being carried in a first frequency domain resource, and at least one second primary synchronization signal being carried in at least one second frequency domain resource, wherein the first primary synchronization signal and at least one second primary synchronization signal are the same.

[0120] Optionally, the frequency domain repetition rule is also used to indicate the frequency domain resources carried by the secondary synchronization signals included in the synchronization signal block. For example, the synchronization signal block also includes a first secondary synchronization signal and at least one second secondary synchronization signal, the first secondary synchronization signal being carried in a first frequency domain resource, and at least one second secondary synchronization signal being carried in at least one second frequency domain resource, wherein the first secondary synchronization signal and at least one second secondary synchronization signal are the same.

[0121] Optionally, the frequency domain repetition rule can also be associated with the transmission period of the synchronization signal block. If the first period is greater than or equal to a first threshold and less than a second threshold, the synchronization signal block includes a first number of second physical broadcast channels, where the second threshold is greater than the first threshold; if the first period is greater than the second threshold, the synchronization signal block includes a second number of second physical broadcast channels, where the second number is greater than the first number. If the first period is less than the first threshold, the synchronization signal block does not include second physical broadcast channels.

[0122] For example, when the transmission period of the synchronization signal block is less than the first threshold, the specific format of the synchronization signal block adopts frequency domain repetition rule 1; when the transmission period of the synchronization signal block is greater than or equal to the first threshold and less than the second threshold, the specific format of the synchronization signal block adopts frequency domain repetition rule 2; when the transmission period of the synchronization signal block is greater than or equal to the second threshold, the specific format of the synchronization signal block adopts frequency domain repetition rule 3.

[0123] In one possible implementation, the frequency domain repetition rule is indicated by the payload portion of the synchronization signal block. For example, the payload portion of the synchronization signal block carries a first field indicating the frequency domain repetition rule.

[0124] In another possible implementation, the frequency domain repetition rule is indicated by the index of the PSS and / or the index of the SSS of the synchronization signal block.

[0125] In one example scenario, the network device sends the frequency domain repetition rule to the terminal device before sending the synchronization signal block to the terminal device.

[0126] Optionally, when step S1 is not executed, the terminal device can determine the frequency domain repetition rule of the synchronization signal block by detecting the transmission period of the synchronization signal block after step S2. Specifically, the terminal device detects the first period of the synchronization signal block, which is the transmission period of the synchronization signal block sent by the network device. Then, the terminal device determines the frequency domain repetition rule based on the first period.

[0127] Specifically, based on the first period, the frequency domain repetition rule is determined, including: if the first period is less than a first threshold, the frequency domain repetition rule is that the synchronization signal block does not include the second physical broadcast channel; if the first period is greater than or equal to the first threshold and less than the second threshold, the frequency domain repetition rule is that the synchronization signal block includes a first number of second physical broadcast channels, and the second threshold is greater than the first threshold; if the first period is greater than the second threshold, the frequency domain repetition rule is that the synchronization signal block includes a second number of second physical broadcast channels, and the second number is greater than the first number.

[0128] S2. The network device sends a synchronization signal block to the terminal device. The synchronization signal block includes a first physical broadcast channel and at least one second physical broadcast channel. The first physical broadcast channel is carried on a first frequency domain resource, and the second physical broadcast channel is carried on a second frequency domain resource. The first frequency domain resource and the second frequency domain resource are different.

[0129] In step S2, the network device determines the synchronization signal block according to the frequency domain repetition rule, and then sends the synchronization signal block. The synchronization signal block in the embodiments of this application is described below.

[0130] In one possible implementation, please refer to Figure 9, which is a schematic diagram of a synchronization signal block in an embodiment of this application. The synchronization signal block includes a first physical broadcast channel, a first PSS, a first SSS, and a second physical broadcast channel. The first physical broadcast channel, the first PSS, and the first SSS are carried on first frequency domain resources, and the second physical broadcast channel is carried on second frequency domain resources. The first physical broadcast channel and the second physical broadcast channel are the same, and the first frequency domain resources and the second frequency domain resources are different. In the frequency domain, the subcarrier number occupied by the first frequency domain resources is greater than the subcarrier number occupied by the second frequency domain resources.

[0131] In another possible implementation, please refer to Figure 10, which is a schematic diagram of a synchronization signal block in an embodiment of this application. The synchronization signal block includes a first physical broadcast channel, a first PSS, a first SSS, and a second physical broadcast channel. The first physical broadcast channel, the first PSS, and the first SSS are carried on first frequency domain resources, and the second physical broadcast channel is carried on second frequency domain resources. The first physical broadcast channel and the second physical broadcast channel are the same, and the first frequency domain resources and the second frequency domain resources are different. In the frequency domain, the subcarrier number occupied by the first frequency domain resources is less than the subcarrier number occupied by the second frequency domain resources.

[0132] In another possible implementation, please refer to Figure 11, which is a schematic diagram of a synchronization signal block in an embodiment of this application. The synchronization signal block includes a first physical broadcast channel, a first PSS, a first SSS, and two second physical broadcast channels, wherein the two second physical broadcast channels include: second physical broadcast channel #1 and second physical broadcast channel #2. The first physical broadcast channel, the first PSS, and the first SSS are carried on a first frequency domain resource, the second physical broadcast channel #1 is carried on a second frequency domain resource #1, and the second physical broadcast channel #2 is carried on a second frequency domain resource #2. The first physical broadcast channel, the second physical broadcast channel #1, and the second physical broadcast channel #2 are the same, while the first frequency domain resource, the second frequency domain resource #1, and the second frequency domain resource #2 are different. In the frequency domain, the subcarrier number occupied by the first frequency domain resource is less than the subcarrier number occupied by the second frequency domain resource #1, and the subcarrier number occupied by the first frequency domain resource is greater than the subcarrier number occupied by the second frequency domain resource #2.

[0133] It is understood that the synchronization signal block in the embodiments of this application may also include more second physical broadcast channels, second PSS and second SSS. The embodiments of this application do not limit the number of second physical broadcast channels included in a synchronization signal block, the number of second PSS included in a synchronization signal block, or the number of second SSS included in a synchronization signal block.

[0134] In another possible implementation, please refer to Figure 12, which is a schematic diagram of a synchronization signal block in an embodiment of this application. The synchronization signal block includes a first physical broadcast channel, a first PSS, a first SSS, a second PSS, and a second physical broadcast channel. The first physical broadcast channel, the first PSS, and the first SSS are carried on first frequency domain resources, while the second physical broadcast channel and the second PSS are carried on second frequency domain resources. The first physical broadcast channel and the second physical broadcast channel are the same, and the first PSS and the second PSS are the same. The first frequency domain resources and the second frequency domain resources are different. In the frequency domain, the subcarrier index occupied by the first frequency domain resources is less than the subcarrier index occupied by the second frequency domain resources.

[0135] In another possible implementation, please refer to Figure 13a, which is a schematic diagram of a synchronization signal block in an embodiment of this application. The synchronization signal block includes a first physical broadcast channel, a first PSS, a first SSS, a second PSS, a second SSS, and a second physical broadcast channel. The first physical broadcast channel, the first PSS, and the first SSS are carried on first frequency domain resources, while the second physical broadcast channel, the second SSS, and the second PSS are carried on second frequency domain resources. The first physical broadcast channel and the second physical broadcast channel are the same, the first PSS and the second PSS are the same, and the first SSS and the second SSS are the same. The first frequency domain resources and the second frequency domain resources are different. In the frequency domain, the subcarrier index occupied by the first frequency domain resources is less than the subcarrier index occupied by the second frequency domain resources.

[0136] Optionally, the first physical broadcast channel is carried on a first time-domain resource, and at least one second physical broadcast channel is carried on a second time-domain resource. The first time-domain resource and the second time-domain resource are the same or partially the same. For example, as shown in Figure 13b, which is a schematic diagram of a synchronization signal block in an embodiment of this application, the first time-domain resource carrying the first physical broadcast channel is different from the second time-domain resource carrying the second physical broadcast channel.

[0137] Optionally, a guard interval can be set between the center frequency of the first frequency domain resource and the center frequency of the at least one second frequency domain resource, as shown in Figure 13c, which is a schematic diagram of the guard interval in an embodiment of this application. In the synchronization signal block with the guard interval set, the interval between the center frequency of the first frequency domain resource and the center frequency of the at least one second frequency domain resource is greater than 240 subcarriers. This is to reduce the interference between the first physical broadcast channel carried by the first frequency domain resource and the second physical broadcast channel carried by the second frequency domain resource.

[0138] Using the above method, a single SSB includes at least two identical physical broadcast channels, which are carried on different frequency domain resources. This allows the terminal device to decode based on multiple identical physical broadcast channels, improving the decoding speed and success rate of the SSB. When network devices transmit SSBs at longer intervals to reduce energy consumption, the terminal device can successfully decode the SSB within a shorter time based on a smaller number of SSBs. By increasing the number of PBCHs included in a single SSB while reducing network device energy consumption, the terminal device's SSB decoding capability is improved, balancing network device energy consumption and communication performance.

[0139] Next, the communication device according to the embodiments of this application will be described. This communication device can be used in at least one of the network devices or terminal devices described in the foregoing embodiments.

[0140] Figure 14 is a schematic diagram of a communication device according to an embodiment of this application. Referring to Figure 14, the communication device 1400 includes a transceiver module 1401 and a processing module 1402.

[0141] The communication device 1400 includes a network device or components (e.g., a chip or chip system), module, or unit within a network device. Alternatively, the communication device 1400 includes a terminal device or components (e.g., a chip or chip system), module, or unit within a terminal device.

[0142] The communication device 1400 can be used to perform all or part of the steps performed by the network device in the embodiments shown in Figures 6 to 13c. For details, please refer to the relevant descriptions in the embodiments shown in Figures 6 to 13c.

[0143] The communication device 1400 can be used to perform all or part of the steps performed by the terminal device in the embodiments shown in Figures 6 to 13c. For details, please refer to the relevant descriptions in the embodiments shown in Figures 6 to 13c.

[0144] The processing module 1402 is used for data processing. The transceiver module 1401 is used to implement the corresponding communication functions.

[0145] Optionally, the transceiver module 1401 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.

[0146] It should be noted that the communication device 1400 may include a transmitting module but not a receiving module. Alternatively, the communication device 1400 may include a receiving module but not a transmitting module. Specifically, it depends on whether the above-described scheme executed by the communication device 1400 includes both transmitting and receiving actions.

[0147] Optionally, the communication device 1400 may further include a storage module, which can be used to store at least one of the instructions or data. The processing module 1402 can read at least one of the instructions or data in the storage module so that the communication device 1400 can implement the aforementioned method embodiment.

[0148] The communication device 1400 can be used to perform the actions performed by the network device side in the embodiments shown in Figures 6 to 13c. The processing module 1402 is used to perform processing-related operations on the network device side in the embodiments shown in Figures 6 to 13c. The transceiver module 1401 is used to perform receiving or sending-related operations on the network device side in the embodiments shown in Figures 6 to 13c.

[0149] The communication device 1400 can be used to perform the actions performed by the terminal device in the embodiments shown in Figures 6 to 13c. The processing module 1402 is used to perform processing-related operations on the terminal device side in the embodiments shown in Figures 6 to 13c. The transceiver module 1401 is used to perform receiving or sending-related operations on the terminal device side in the embodiments shown in Figures 6 to 13c.

[0150] For example, the communication device 1400 is used to execute the following scheme.

[0151] In one example, when the communication device 1400 is applied to a network device, the communication device 1400 includes:

[0152] The transceiver module 1401 is configured to transmit a synchronization signal block in a first cycle. The synchronization signal block includes a first physical broadcast channel, or the synchronization signal block includes a first physical broadcast channel and at least one second physical broadcast channel. The first physical broadcast channel is carried on a first frequency domain resource, and the at least one second physical broadcast channel is carried on at least one second frequency domain resource. The first physical broadcast channel is the same as the at least one second physical broadcast channel, and the first frequency domain resource is different from the at least one second frequency domain resource.

[0153] The possible implementations and descriptions of the synchronization signal block, the first physical broadcast channel, at least one second physical broadcast channel, the first frequency domain resource, and the second frequency domain resource can be found in the corresponding contents of the embodiments in Figures 6 to 13c, and will not be repeated here.

[0154] In another example, the communication device 1400 is applied to a terminal device, the communication device 1400 comprising:

[0155] The transceiver module 1401 is used to acquire the frequency domain repetition rule of a synchronization signal block, wherein the synchronization signal block includes a first physical broadcast channel, or the synchronization signal block includes the first physical broadcast channel and at least one second physical broadcast channel, the first physical broadcast channel being carried on a first frequency domain resource, and the at least one second physical broadcast channel being carried on at least one second frequency domain resource, and the frequency domain repetition rule indicating the at least one second physical broadcast channel and the at least one second frequency domain resource in the synchronization signal block.

[0156] The transceiver module 1401 is also used to receive the synchronization signal block according to the frequency domain repetition rule.

[0157] For other implementation methods, please refer to the relevant descriptions in the embodiments shown in Figures 6 to 13c above, which will not be repeated here.

[0158] 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.

[0159] The processing module 1402 in the above embodiments can be implemented by at least one processor or processor-related circuitry. The transceiver module 1401 can be implemented by a transceiver or transceiver-related circuitry. The transceiver module 1401 can also be referred to as a communication module or communication interface. The storage module can be implemented by at least one memory.

[0160] This application also provides another communication device. FIG15 is another structural schematic diagram of the communication device according to an embodiment of this application. Referring to FIG15, the communication device 1500 includes a processor 1501.

[0161] Optionally, the communication device 1500 may also include a memory 1502.

[0162] Optionally, the communication device 1500 may also include a transceiver 1503.

[0163] In one possible implementation, the processor 1501, memory 1502, and transceiver 1503 are connected via a bus, and the memory 1502 stores computer instructions.

[0164] In one possible implementation, when the communication device 1500 includes a network device, or the network device includes a CU or DU, or a component (e.g., a chip or chip system), module or unit within the network device, the communication device 1500 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.

[0165] Optionally, the processing module 1402 in the embodiment shown in FIG14 may be the processor 1501, and the transceiver module 1401 in the embodiment shown in FIG14 may be the transceiver 1503.

[0166] This application also provides a communication device. Figure 16 is another structural schematic diagram of the communication device according to an embodiment of this application. Referring to Figure 16, the communication device 1600 can be a terminal device in the above method embodiments, or a component (e.g., a chip or chip system), module, or unit of the terminal device in the above method embodiments. The communication device 1600 can be used to perform the steps performed by the terminal device in the above method embodiments, and the relevant descriptions in the above method embodiments can be referred to.

[0167] Processors are mainly used to process data or signals, control communication devices, execute corresponding software programs, and process data from software programs.

[0168] It should be noted that this processor has weak signal processing capabilities and is unable to perform complex signal processing algorithms.

[0169] 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.

[0170] Antennas are primarily used for transmitting and receiving radio frequency signals in the form of electromagnetic waves.

[0171] Optionally, the communication device 1600 may also include input / output devices, such as a touch screen, a display screen, a keyboard, etc., primarily used to receive user input data and output data to the user.

[0172] 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.

[0173] For ease of explanation, only one memory and processor are shown in Figure 16. 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.

[0174] 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 FIG16, the communication device 1600 includes a transceiver unit 1610 and a processing unit 1620. 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.

[0175] Optionally, the devices in transceiver unit 1610 used for receiving functions can be considered as receiving units, and the devices in transceiver unit 1610 used for transmitting functions can be considered as transmitting units. That is, transceiver unit 1610 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.

[0176] It should be understood that the transceiver unit 1610 is used to perform the sending and receiving operations of at least one device in the terminal device in the above method embodiment, and the processing unit 1620 is used to perform other operations on at least one device in the terminal device in the above method embodiment besides the sending and receiving operations.

[0177] When the communication device is a chip or chip system, the chip or chip system 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 or chip system. In the above method embodiments, 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.

[0178] This application also provides another 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 Figures 6 to 13c, and the terminal device is used to perform all or part of the steps performed by the terminal device in the embodiments shown in Figures 6 to 13c.

[0179] 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 6 to 13c above.

[0180] 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 Figures 6 to 13c above.

[0181] 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 method of the embodiments shown in Figures 6 to 13c above.

[0182] Optionally, the processor is coupled to the memory via an interface.

[0183] Optionally, the chip device may also include a memory in which computer programs or computer instructions are stored.

[0184] 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 6 to 13c. 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).

[0185] 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.

[0186] 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.

[0187] 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.

[0188] 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.

[0189] 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

1. A communication method, characterized in that, The method is applied to a network device, and the method includes: A synchronization signal block is transmitted in a first period, the synchronization signal block including a first physical broadcast channel, or the synchronization signal block including the first physical broadcast channel and at least one second physical broadcast channel, the first physical broadcast channel being carried on a first frequency domain resource, the at least one second physical broadcast channel being carried on at least one second frequency domain resource, and the number of second physical broadcast channels included in the synchronization signal block being associated with the first period.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, If the first period is less than the first threshold, then the synchronization signal block does not include the second physical broadcast channel.

3. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that, If the first period is greater than or equal to the first threshold and less than the second threshold, then the synchronization signal block includes a first number of the second physical broadcast channels, where the second threshold is greater than the first threshold. If the first period is greater than the second threshold, then the synchronization signal block includes a second number of the second physical broadcast channels, the second number being greater than the first number.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that, The interval between the center frequency of the first frequency domain resource and the center frequency of the at least one second frequency domain resource is greater than 240 subcarriers; If the synchronization signal block includes at least two second physical broadcast channels, the interval between the center frequency points of two adjacent second frequency domain resources in the frequency domain is greater than 240 subcarriers.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that, The interval between the center frequency of the first frequency domain resource and the center frequency of the at least one second frequency domain resource is equal to 240 subcarriers; If the synchronization signal block includes at least two second physical broadcast channels, the interval between the center frequency points of two adjacent second frequency domain resources in the frequency domain is equal to 240 subcarriers.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1-5, characterized in that, The synchronization signal block further includes a first primary synchronization signal and at least one second primary synchronization signal. The first primary synchronization signal is carried on the first frequency domain resource, and the at least one second primary synchronization signal is carried on the at least one second frequency domain resource. The first primary synchronization signal is the same as the at least one second primary synchronization signal.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1-6, characterized in that, The synchronization signal block further includes a first auxiliary synchronization signal and at least one second auxiliary synchronization signal. The first auxiliary synchronization signal is carried on the first frequency domain resource, and the at least one second auxiliary synchronization signal is carried on the at least one second frequency domain resource. The first auxiliary synchronization signal is the same as the at least one second auxiliary synchronization signal.

8. The method according to any one of claims 1-7, characterized in that, The method further includes: A frequency domain repetition rule is transmitted, which indicates the at least one second physical broadcast channel and the at least one second frequency domain resource in the synchronization signal block.

9. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that, The frequency domain repetition rule is indicated by the sequence information of the first primary synchronization signal and / or the sequence information of the first secondary synchronization signal of the synchronization signal block.

10. The method according to any one of claims 1-9, characterized in that, The first physical broadcast channel is carried on the first time domain resource; The at least one second physical broadcast channel is carried on a second time-domain resource, and the first time-domain resource is the same as or partially the same as the second time-domain resource.

11. A communication method, characterized in that, The method is applied to a terminal device, and the method includes: Obtain the frequency domain repetition rule of a synchronization signal block, wherein the synchronization signal block includes a first physical broadcast channel, or the synchronization signal block includes the first physical broadcast channel and at least one second physical broadcast channel, the first physical broadcast channel being carried on a first frequency domain resource, and the at least one second physical broadcast channel being carried on at least one second frequency domain resource, and the frequency domain repetition rule indicating the at least one second physical broadcast channel and the at least one second frequency domain resource in the synchronization signal block. The synchronization signal block is received according to the frequency domain repetition rule.

12. The method according to claim 11, characterized in that, Obtaining the frequency domain repetition rule of the synchronization signal block includes: The first period of the synchronization signal block is detected, where the first period is the transmission period during which the network device sends the synchronization signal block; The frequency domain repetition rule is determined based on the first period.

13. The method according to claim 12, characterized in that, Determining the frequency domain repetition rule based on the first period includes: If the first period is less than the first threshold, then the frequency domain repetition rule is that the synchronization signal block does not include the second physical broadcast channel; If the first period is greater than or equal to the first threshold and less than the second threshold, then the frequency domain repetition rule is that the synchronization signal block includes a first number of the second physical broadcast channels, and the second threshold is greater than the first threshold; If the first period is greater than the second threshold, then the frequency domain repetition rule is that the synchronization signal block includes a second number of the second physical broadcast channels, and the second number is greater than the first number.

14. The method according to claim 11, characterized in that, The frequency domain repetition rule is indicated by the sequence information of the first primary synchronization signal and / or the sequence information of the first secondary synchronization signal of the synchronization signal block.

15. The method according to any one of claims 11-14, characterized in that, The interval between the center frequency of the first frequency domain resource and the center frequency of the second frequency domain resource is greater than or equal to 240 subcarriers; If the synchronization signal block includes at least two second physical broadcast channels, the interval between the center frequency points of two adjacent second frequency domain resources in the frequency domain is greater than or equal to 240 subcarriers.

16. The method according to any one of claims 14-15, characterized in that, The synchronization signal block further includes a first primary synchronization signal and at least one second primary synchronization signal. The first primary synchronization signal is carried on the first frequency domain resource, and the at least one second primary synchronization signal is carried on the at least one second frequency domain resource. The first primary synchronization signal is the same as the at least one second primary synchronization signal.

17. The method according to any one of claims 14-16, characterized in that, The synchronization signal block further includes a first auxiliary synchronization signal and at least one second auxiliary synchronization signal. The first auxiliary synchronization signal is carried on the first frequency domain resource, and the at least one second auxiliary synchronization signal is carried on the at least one second frequency domain resource. The first auxiliary synchronization signal is the same as the at least one second auxiliary synchronization signal.

18. The method according to any one of claims 11-17, characterized in that, The first physical broadcast channel is carried on the first time domain resource; The at least one second physical broadcast channel is carried on a second time-domain resource, and the first time-domain resource is the same as or partially the same as the second time-domain resource.

19. A communication device, characterized in that, It includes a communication unit and a processing unit, the communication unit and the processing unit being used to perform the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 10, or the method as described in any one of claims 11 to 18.

20. A communication device, characterized in that, It includes a processor and an interface circuit, the interface circuit being used to receive signals from other communication devices and transmit them to the processor or to send signals from the processor to other communication devices, the processor being used to implement the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 10, or the method as described in any one of claims 11 to 18, through logic circuits or execution code instructions.

21. The communication device according to claim 20, characterized in that, The communication device is a chip or chip system.

22. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, The computer-readable storage medium stores a computer program or instructions that, when executed by a communication device, implement the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 10, or the method as described in any one of claims 11 to 18.

23. A computer program product, characterized in that, Includes instructions that, when executed on a computer, cause the computer to perform the method as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 10, or the method as claimed in any one of claims 11 to 18.

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