Communication method, and apparatus

Abstract

Provided in the present application are a communication method and an apparatus, used for solving the problem of higher power consumption of terminal devices receiving SSBs. In the present application, one SSB comprises a plurality of broadcast signals, such that multi-beam scanning can be implemented by using one SSB, thereby reducing the quantity of SSBs for multi-beam scanning. Compared with the mode of sending a plurality of SSBs to implement multi-beam scanning, the present application can at least save the receiving power consumption of synchronization signals of a plurality of SSBs, thereby reducing the power consumption of terminal devices receiving SSBs.

Description

A communication method and apparatus

[0001] Cross-reference to related applications

[0002] This application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 202411937039.6, filed on December 25, 2024, entitled "A Communication Method and Apparatus", the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] This application relates to the field of communication technology, and in particular to a communication method and apparatus. Background Technology

[0004] In current communication networks, terminal devices primarily perform cell searches based on synchronization signal / physical broadcast channel blocks (SSBs). Network devices transmit SSBs according to an SSB pattern using time-division beam scanning. Each SSB pattern contains multiple SSB indices, with different SSB indices corresponding to different network-side transmission beams. Terminal devices can detect SSBs and select the SSB index with better communication quality to complete network-side beam training. Alternatively, terminal devices can use multiple receiving beams to receive the same SSB index using different receiving beams, thus completing terminal-side receiving beam training.

[0005] As communication frequencies expand in the future, SSB beams will need to be narrower, which will further increase the number of SSBs in time-division beam scanning, resulting in higher power consumption for terminal devices receiving SSBs. Summary of the Invention

[0006] This application provides a communication method and apparatus to solve the problem of high power consumption when a terminal device receives an SSB.

[0007] Firstly, a communication method is provided. The execution subject of this method can be a terminal device or a chip, chip system, or circuit used in the terminal device. This method can be implemented through the following steps: receiving a first SSB and performing downlink timing synchronization based on the first SSB. The first SSB includes a synchronization signal, N broadcast signals, and N DMRSs. The N broadcast signals are frequency-division multiplexed, and the N DMRSs correspond one-to-one with the N broadcast signals, where N is an integer greater than 1.

[0008] This application enables multi-beam scanning by including multiple broadcast signals within a single SSB, thereby reducing the number of SSBs required for multi-beam scanning. Compared to transmitting multiple SSBs to achieve multi-beam scanning, this application can save power consumption from receiving synchronization signals of multiple SSBs, thus reducing the power consumption of the terminal device receiving SSBs.

[0009] In one possible design, the scrambling sequences of the N broadcast signals are different. By making the sequences of the broadcast signals different, the peak-to-average power ratio (PAPR) of the broadcast signals can be reduced.

[0010] In one possible design, the scrambling sequences for the N broadcast signals are different, including: the scrambling sequence for each of the N broadcast signals is generated based on the index of each broadcast signal or the index of each broadcast signal among the N broadcast signals. This design helps to reduce the PAPR of the broadcast signals.

[0011] In one possible design, the scrambling sequences of the N broadcast signals are identical. By making the sequences of the broadcast signals identical, the generation complexity of the broadcast signals can be reduced.

[0012] In one possible design, the scrambling sequences of the N broadcast signals are identical, including: the scrambling sequences of the N broadcast signals are generated based on the index of the first SSB. This design helps to reduce the complexity of broadcast signal generation.

[0013] In one possible design, N DMRSs are frequency-division multiplexed. This design helps reduce interference between the N DMRSs, thereby improving the detection performance of broadcast signals.

[0014] In one possible design, N broadcast signals and N DMRSs occupy a first frequency domain resource. The first broadcast signal and its corresponding DMRS occupy a second frequency domain resource. This second frequency domain resource includes first frequency domain units with indices n, n+N, n+2N, ..., n+X*N, where n is the index of the first broadcast signal among the N broadcast signals, and X is a positive integer. This approach allows the broadcast signals and DMRS resources to be mapped over a larger frequency range, which helps resist frequency-selective fading.

[0015] In one possible design, N broadcast signals and N DMRS occupy a first frequency domain resource. The first broadcast signal and its corresponding DMRS occupy a second frequency domain resource. This second frequency domain resource includes first frequency domain units with indices from n to n+X, where n is the index of the first broadcast signal among the N broadcast signals, and X is a positive integer. This frequency division mapping method can reduce interference between the N broadcast signals.

[0016] In one possible design, the first frequency domain unit is any one of the following frequency domain units: subcarrier, subcarrier group, resource block, resource block group, wherein the subcarrier group includes one or more subcarriers, and the resource block group includes one or more resource blocks.

[0017] In one possible design, N DMRS codes are multiplexed. This design helps reduce interference between the N DMRS codes, thereby improving the detection performance of the broadcast signal. Furthermore, it also improves resource utilization.

[0018] In one possible design, N broadcast signals occupy third frequency domain resources. The second broadcast signal among the N broadcast signals occupies P first subcarrier groups within the third frequency domain resources. Between the p-th and (p+1)-th first subcarrier groups, there are (N-1)*K+N*w subcarriers. Each first subcarrier group comprises K subcarriers, where K is an integer greater than or equal to 1, P is an integer greater than 0, p is an integer greater than 0 and not greater than P, and w is an integer greater than or equal to 0. This approach allows broadcast signals and DMRS resources to be mapped over a wider frequency range, helping to resist frequency-selective fading.

[0019] In one possible design, N broadcast signals can also be continuously mapped on the third frequency domain resources. This frequency-division mapping method described above can reduce interference between the N broadcast signals.

[0020] In one possible design, the reference signal sequences of the N DMRSs are different. Alternatively, the reference signal sequences of the N DMRSs are the same, but the scrambling sequences of the N DMRSs are different. By making the sequences of the DMRSs different, the PAPR of the DMRS signal can be reduced.

[0021] In one possible design, the reference signal sequences of the N DMRSs are identical, and the scrambling sequences of the N DMRSs are identical. By making the DMRS sequences identical, the generation complexity of the DMRS signals can be reduced.

[0022] In one possible design, the reference signal sequences of the N DMRSs are different, including: the reference signal sequence of each of the N DMRSs is generated based on the index of the broadcast signal corresponding to each DMRS or the index of the broadcast signal corresponding to each DMRS among the N broadcast signals. This design helps to reduce the PAPR of the DMRS signals.

[0023] In one possible design, the reference signal sequences for the N DMRSs are identical, including: the reference signal sequences for the N DMRSs are generated based on the index of the first SSB. This design helps reduce the complexity of DMRS signal generation.

[0024] In one possible design, the scrambling sequences of the N DMRSs are different, including: the scrambling sequence of each of the N DMRSs is generated based on the index of the broadcast signal corresponding to each DMRS or the index of the broadcast signal corresponding to each DMRS among the N broadcast signals. This design helps to reduce the PAPR of the DMRS signal.

[0025] In one possible design, the index of each of the N broadcast signals is associated with at least one of the following: the index of the first SSB, the frequency domain resource or frequency domain location of the DMRS corresponding to each broadcast signal, the reference signal sequence of the DMRS corresponding to each broadcast signal, the scrambling sequence of the DMRS corresponding to each broadcast signal, and the index of the code division multiplexing sequence of the DMRS corresponding to each broadcast signal.

[0026] In one possible design, N broadcast signals carry the same information. This allows the terminal device to perform beam combining based on multiple broadcast signals to obtain the gain from multi-beam energy accumulation, which improves the downlink reception performance of the broadcast signals.

[0027] In one possible design, the method further includes sending a first random access preamble, which is associated with a first broadcast signal among N broadcast signals. This approach helps improve random access performance.

[0028] In one possible design, the first random access preamble is the random access preamble corresponding to the first broadcast signal, and the random access preambles corresponding to different broadcast signals among the N broadcast signals are different; and / or, the first random access preamble is carried by the random access timing corresponding to the first broadcast signal, and the random access timings corresponding to different signals among the N broadcast signals are different. This approach, by associating the N broadcast signals with one or more preambles from the first preamble code set, and ensuring that the preambles associated with the N broadcast signals are all different, facilitates beam management by network devices.

[0029] In one possible design, the method further includes: receiving scheduling information of the first system information, the scheduling information of the first system information being carried on a first resource; the first resource is one of A resources, all N broadcast signals correspond to the first resource, the A resources correspond to A SSBs respectively, the first SSB is one of the A SSBs, the A SSBs are included in the first synchronization signal cluster, and A is a positive integer; or, the first resource is one of N resources, the N resources correspond to N broadcast signals respectively.

[0030] The above method, by associating N broadcast signals with different scheduling resources of the first system information, facilitates beam management by network devices.

[0031] In one possible design, the method further includes: receiving first indication information, which indicates that the first resource is one of A resources, or the first indication information indicates that the first resource is one of N resources. This approach is beneficial for network devices to perform beam management.

[0032] In one possible design, the method further includes: detecting the paging message within a first paging timing; the first paging timing includes A physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) detection timings, each of the A PDCCH detection timings corresponding to A SSBs, the first SSB being one of the A SSBs, and N broadcast signals each corresponding to the PDCCH detection timing of the paging message corresponding to the first SSB in the A PDCCH detection timings, where A is a positive integer; or, the first paging timing includes N PDCCH detection timings, and each of the N broadcast signals corresponds to one of the N PDCCH detection timings. This approach, by associating the N broadcast signals with different PDCCH detection timings, facilitates beam management by network devices.

[0033] In one possible design, the method further includes: receiving second indication information, which indicates that the first paging timing includes A PDCCH detection timings, or, the second indication information indicates that the first paging timing includes N PDCCH detection timings. This approach facilitates beam management by network devices.

[0034] In one possible design, the beamwidth of the synchronization signal transmission beam is greater than the beamwidth of any one of the N broadcast signals. This design enables wide-beam training on the network side.

[0035] In one possible design, the transmission beams of the N broadcast signals are different. The above method can achieve narrow beam training on the network side by using the narrow beams corresponding to the N broadcast signals. Compared with the method of narrow beam training using N SSBs, including broadcast signals corresponding to N narrow beams in one SSB can reduce the power consumption of the terminal device receiving the SSB.

[0036] In one possible design, the beam coverage of the synchronization signal transmission beam includes the beam coverage of the transmission beams of the N broadcast signals. This design is advantageous for enabling both wide-beam and narrow-beam training on the network side.

[0037] Secondly, a communication method is provided. The execution subject of this method can be a network device or a chip, chip system, or circuit used in a network device. This method can be implemented through the following steps: generating a first SSB and sending the first SSB. The first SSB includes a synchronization signal, N broadcast signals, and N DMRSs. The N broadcast signals are frequency-division multiplexed, and the N DMRSs correspond one-to-one with the N broadcast signals, where N is an integer greater than 1.

[0038] This application enables multi-beam scanning by including multiple broadcast signals within a single SSB, thereby reducing the number of SSBs required for multi-beam scanning. Compared to transmitting multiple SSBs to achieve multi-beam scanning, this application can save power consumption from receiving synchronization signals of multiple SSBs, thus reducing the power consumption of the terminal device receiving SSBs.

[0039] In one possible design, the scrambling sequences of the N broadcast signals are different. By making the sequences of the broadcast signals different, the PAPR of the broadcast signals can be reduced.

[0040] In one possible design, the scrambling sequences for the N broadcast signals are different, including: the scrambling sequence for each of the N broadcast signals is generated based on the index of each broadcast signal or the index of each broadcast signal among the N broadcast signals. This design helps to reduce the PAPR of the broadcast signals.

[0041] In one possible design, the scrambling sequences of the N broadcast signals are identical. By making the sequences of the broadcast signals identical, the generation complexity of the broadcast signals can be reduced.

[0042] In one possible design, the scrambling sequences of the N broadcast signals are identical, including: the scrambling sequences of the N broadcast signals are generated based on the index of the first SSB. This design helps to reduce the complexity of broadcast signal generation.

[0043] In one possible design, N DMRSs are frequency-division multiplexed. This design helps reduce interference between the N DMRSs, thereby improving the detection performance of broadcast signals.

[0044] In one possible design, N broadcast signals and N DMRSs occupy a first frequency domain resource. The first broadcast signal and its corresponding DMRS occupy a second frequency domain resource. This second frequency domain resource includes first frequency domain units with indices n, n+N, n+2N, ..., n+X*N, where n is the index of the first broadcast signal among the N broadcast signals, and X is a positive integer. This approach allows the broadcast signals and DMRS resources to be mapped over a larger frequency range, which helps resist frequency-selective fading.

[0045] In one possible design, N broadcast signals and N DMRS occupy a first frequency domain resource. The first broadcast signal and its corresponding DMRS occupy a second frequency domain resource. This second frequency domain resource includes first frequency domain units with indices from n to n+X, where n is the index of the first broadcast signal among the N broadcast signals, and X is a positive integer. This frequency division mapping method can reduce interference between the N broadcast signals.

[0046] In one possible design, N broadcast signals and N DMRSs occupy a first frequency domain resource. The first broadcast signal and its corresponding DMRS occupy a second frequency domain resource. This second frequency domain resource includes first frequency domain units with indices n, n+N, n+2N, ..., n+X*N, where n is the index of the first broadcast signal among the N broadcast signals, and X is a positive integer. This approach allows the broadcast signals and DMRS resources to be mapped over a larger frequency range, which helps resist frequency-selective fading.

[0047] In one possible design, N broadcast signals and N DMRS occupy a first frequency domain resource. The first broadcast signal and its corresponding DMRS occupy a second frequency domain resource. This second frequency domain resource includes first frequency domain units with indices from n to n+X, where n is the index of the first broadcast signal among the N broadcast signals, and X is a positive integer. This frequency division mapping method can reduce interference between the N broadcast signals.

[0048] In one possible design, N DMRS codes are multiplexed. This design helps reduce interference between the N DMRS codes, thereby improving the detection performance of the broadcast signal. Furthermore, it also improves resource utilization.

[0049] In one possible design, N broadcast signals occupy third frequency domain resources. The second broadcast signal among the N broadcast signals occupies P first subcarrier groups within the third frequency domain resources. Between the p-th and (p+1)-th first subcarrier groups, there are (N-1)*K+N*w subcarriers. Each first subcarrier group comprises K subcarriers, where K is an integer greater than or equal to 1, P is an integer greater than 0, p is an integer greater than 0 and not greater than P, and w is an integer greater than or equal to 0. This approach allows broadcast signals and DMRS resources to be mapped over a wider frequency range, helping to resist frequency-selective fading.

[0050] In one possible design, N broadcast signals can also be continuously mapped on the third frequency domain resources. This frequency-division mapping method described above can reduce interference between the N broadcast signals.

[0051] In one possible design, the reference signal sequences of the N DMRSs are different. Alternatively, the reference signal sequences of the N DMRSs are the same, but the scrambling sequences of the N DMRSs are different. By making the sequences of the DMRSs different, the PAPR of the DMRS signal can be reduced.

[0052] In one possible design, the reference signal sequences of the N DMRSs are identical, and the scrambling sequences of the N DMRSs are identical. By making the DMRS sequences identical, the generation complexity of the DMRS signals can be reduced.

[0053] In one possible design, the reference signal sequences of the N DMRSs are different, including: the reference signal sequence of each of the N DMRSs is generated based on the index of the broadcast signal corresponding to each DMRS or the index of the broadcast signal corresponding to each DMRS among the N broadcast signals. This design helps to reduce the PAPR of the DMRS signals.

[0054] In one possible design, the reference signal sequences for the N DMRSs are identical, including: the reference signal sequences for the N DMRSs are generated based on the index of the first SSB. This design helps reduce the complexity of DMRS signal generation.

[0055] In one possible design, the scrambling sequences of the N DMRSs are different, including: the scrambling sequence of each of the N DMRSs is generated based on the index of the broadcast signal corresponding to each DMRS or the index of the broadcast signal corresponding to each DMRS among the N broadcast signals. This design helps to reduce the PAPR of the DMRS signal.

[0056] In one possible design, the index of each of the N broadcast signals is associated with at least one of the following: the index of the first SSB, the frequency domain resource or frequency domain location of the DMRS corresponding to each broadcast signal, the reference signal sequence of the DMRS corresponding to each broadcast signal, the scrambling sequence of the DMRS corresponding to each broadcast signal, and the index of the code division multiplexing sequence of the DMRS corresponding to each broadcast signal.

[0057] In one possible design, N broadcast signals carry the same information. This allows the terminal device to perform beam combining based on multiple broadcast signals to obtain the gain from multi-beam energy accumulation, which improves the downlink reception performance of the broadcast signals.

[0058] In one possible design, the method further includes receiving a first random access preamble, which is associated with a first broadcast signal among N broadcast signals. This approach helps improve random access performance.

[0059] In one possible design, the first random access preamble is the random access preamble corresponding to the first broadcast signal, and the random access preambles corresponding to different broadcast signals among the N broadcast signals are different; and / or, the first random access preamble is carried by the random access timing corresponding to the first broadcast signal, and the random access timings corresponding to different signals among the N broadcast signals are different. This approach, by associating the N broadcast signals with one or more preambles from the first preamble code set, and ensuring that the preambles associated with the N broadcast signals are all different, facilitates beam management by network devices.

[0060] In one possible design, the method further includes: sending scheduling information for the first system information, which is carried on a first resource; the first resource is one of A resources, all N broadcast signals correspond to the first resource, the A resources correspond to A SSBs respectively, the first SSB is one of the A SSBs, the A SSBs are included in a first synchronization signal cluster, and A is a positive integer; or, the first resource is one of N resources, and the N resources correspond to N broadcast signals respectively. This approach, by associating the N broadcast signals with different scheduling resources of the first system information, facilitates beam management by network devices.

[0061] In one possible design, the method further includes: sending first indication information, which indicates that the first resource is one of A resources, or the first indication information indicates that the first resource is one of N resources. This approach is beneficial for network devices to perform beam management.

[0062] In one possible design, the method further includes: sending a paging message within a first paging time slot; the first paging time slot includes A PDCCH detection time slots, each of the A PDCCH detection time slots corresponds to A SSBs, the first SSB is one of the A SSBs, and N broadcast signals all correspond to the PDCCH detection time slot of the paging message corresponding to the first SSB in the A PDCCH detection time slots, where A is a positive integer; or, the first paging time slot includes N PDCCH detection time slots, and the N broadcast signals each correspond to one of the N PDCCH detection time slots. This method, by associating the N broadcast signals with different PDCCH detection time slots, facilitates beam management by network devices.

[0063] In one possible design, the method further includes: sending a second indication message, which indicates that the first paging timing includes A PDCCH detection timings, or the second indication message indicates that the first paging timing includes N PDCCH detection timings. This approach is beneficial for network devices to perform beam management.

[0064] In one possible design, the beamwidth of the synchronization signal transmission beam is greater than the beamwidth of any one of the N broadcast signals. This design enables wide-beam training on the network side.

[0065] In one possible design, the transmission beams of the N broadcast signals are different. The above method can achieve narrow beam training on the network side by using the narrow beams corresponding to the N broadcast signals. Compared with the method of narrow beam training using N SSBs, including broadcast signals corresponding to N narrow beams in one SSB can reduce the power consumption of the terminal device receiving the SSB.

[0066] In one possible design, the beam coverage of the synchronization signal transmission beam includes the beam coverage of the transmission beams of the N broadcast signals. This design is advantageous for enabling both wide-beam and narrow-beam training on the network side.

[0067] Thirdly, this application also provides a communication device, which is a terminal device or a chip within a terminal device. This communication device has the function of implementing any of the methods provided in the first aspect. The communication device can be implemented in hardware or by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more units or modules corresponding to the aforementioned functions.

[0068] In one possible design, the communication device includes a processor configured to support the communication device in performing corresponding functions of the terminal device described above. The communication device may also include a memory coupled to the processor, which stores necessary program instructions and data for the communication device. Optionally, the communication device further includes interface circuitry for supporting communication between the communication device and devices such as network devices, for example, the transmission and reception of data or signals. Exemplarily, the communication interface may be a transceiver, circuit, bus, module, or other type of communication interface.

[0069] In one possible design, the communication device includes corresponding functional modules, each used to implement the steps in the above method. The functions can be implemented in hardware or by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more modules corresponding to the functions described above.

[0070] In one possible design, the communication device includes a processing unit (or processing module) and a communication unit (or communication module). These units can perform the corresponding functions in the above method examples, as described in the method provided in the first aspect, and will not be repeated here.

[0071] Fourthly, this application also provides a communication device, which is a network device or a chip within a network device. This communication device has the function of implementing any of the methods provided in the second aspect above. The communication device can be implemented in hardware or by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more units or modules corresponding to the above-described functions.

[0072] In one possible design, the communication device includes a processor configured to support the communication device in performing the corresponding functions of the network device described above. The communication device may also include a memory coupled to the processor, which stores necessary program instructions and data for the communication device. Optionally, the communication device further includes interface circuitry for supporting communication between the communication device and devices such as terminal devices, for example, the transmission and reception of data or signals. Exemplarily, the communication interface may be a transceiver, circuit, bus, module, or other type of communication interface.

[0073] In one possible design, the communication device includes corresponding functional modules, each used to implement the steps in the above method. The functions can be implemented in hardware or by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more modules corresponding to the functions described above.

[0074] In one possible design, the communication device includes a processing unit (or processing module) and a communication unit (or communication module). These units can perform the corresponding functions in the above method examples, as described in the method provided in the second aspect, and will not be repeated here.

[0075] Fifthly, a communication device is provided, including a processor and an interface circuit. The interface circuit is used to receive signals from other communication devices outside the communication device and transmit them to the processor, or to send signals from the processor to other communication devices outside the communication device. The processor is used to implement the methods of the first aspect and any possible design through logic circuits or execution code instructions.

[0076] In a sixth aspect, a communication device is provided, including a processor and an interface circuit. The interface circuit is configured to receive signals from other communication devices outside the communication device and transmit them to the processor, or to send signals from the processor to other communication devices outside the communication device. The processor is configured to implement the methods of the second aspect and any possible design described above through logic circuits or execution code instructions.

[0077] In a seventh aspect, a computer-readable storage medium is provided that stores a computer program or instructions which, when executed by a processor, implement the methods of the first or second aspect and any possible design described above.

[0078] Eighthly, a computer program product storing instructions is provided, which, when executed by a processor, implement the methods of the first or second aspect and any possible design described above.

[0079] A ninth aspect provides a chip system including a processor and potentially a memory for implementing the methods described in the first or second aspect and any possible design. The chip system may be composed of chips or may include chips and other discrete devices.

[0080] In a tenth aspect, a communication system is provided, the system comprising the apparatus of the first aspect (such as a terminal device) and the apparatus of the second aspect (such as a network device).

[0081] The technical effects that can be achieved by any of the technical solutions in the third to tenth aspects mentioned above can be described with reference to the technical effects that can be achieved by the technical solution in the first aspect mentioned above, and the repeated parts will not be repeated. Attached Figure Description

[0082] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the architecture of a communication system provided in this application;

[0083] Figure 2 is a flowchart illustrating a communication method provided in this application;

[0084] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of a resource mapping provided in this application;

[0085] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of another resource mapping provided in this application;

[0086] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of another resource mapping provided in this application;

[0087] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of another resource mapping provided in this application;

[0088] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of another resource mapping provided in this application;

[0089] Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of another resource mapping provided in this application;

[0090] Figure 9 is a schematic diagram of another resource mapping provided in this application;

[0091] Figure 10 is a schematic diagram of another resource mapping provided in this application;

[0092] Figure 11 is a schematic diagram of another resource mapping provided in this application;

[0093] Figure 12 is a schematic diagram of another resource mapping provided in this application;

[0094] Figure 13 is a schematic diagram of another resource mapping provided in this application;

[0095] Figure 14 is a schematic diagram of another resource mapping provided in this application;

[0096] Figure 15 is a schematic diagram of another resource mapping provided in this application;

[0097] Figure 16 is a schematic diagram of another resource mapping provided in this application;

[0098] Figure 17 is a schematic diagram of another resource mapping provided in this application;

[0099] Figure 18 is a schematic diagram of another resource mapping provided in this application;

[0100] Figure 19 is a schematic diagram of another resource mapping provided in this application;

[0101] Figure 20 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device provided in this application;

[0102] Figure 21 is a schematic diagram of another communication device provided in this application. Detailed Implementation

[0103] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of this application clearer, the embodiments of this application will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0104] The following explanations of some terms used in the embodiments of this application are provided to facilitate understanding by those skilled in the art.

[0105] (1) SSB: To locate cells upon system startup and to find new cells while moving within the system, terminal devices can perform cell searches based on synchronization signal blocks (SSBs) sent by cells. In the NR system, an SSB contains a primary synchronization signal (PSS), a secondary synchronization signal (SSS), and a physical broadcast channel (PBCH). The PSS is used for symbol time synchronization, and the SSS can be used to obtain the physical cell identifier (PCI). The PBCH carries critical system messages required for terminal devices to access the network.

[0106] Optionally, the SSB may also include a demodulation reference signal (DMRS), which is used to demodulate the PBCH. The DMRS can be carried as part of the PBCH, meaning the PBCH carries critical system messages required for the terminal device to access the network, along with the DMRS. Alternatively, the channel carrying the DMRS may be independent of the PBCH; that is, the PBCH carries critical system messages required for the terminal device to access the network but does not carry the DMRS.

[0107] (2) Frequency domain unit

[0108] The unit of frequency domain resources is the frequency domain unit. A frequency domain unit can be a subcarrier, a subcarrier group, a resource block (RB), an RB group, etc.

[0109] A subcarrier group can include multiple subcarriers, and an RB group can include multiple RBs. An RB can include frequency domain subcarriers. A series of consecutive subcarriers. For example, a positive integer. It can equal 12.

[0110] In this application's embodiments, "at least one" refers to one or more, and "more than one" refers to two or more. "And / or" describes the relationship between related objects, indicating that three relationships can exist. For example, A and / or B can represent: A existing alone, A and B existing simultaneously, or B existing alone, where A and B can be singular or plural. The character " / " generally indicates that the preceding and following related objects are in an "or" relationship. "At least one of the following" or similar expressions refer to any combination of these items, including any combination of single or plural items. For example, at least one of a, b, or c can represent: a existing alone, a existing alone, c existing alone, a and b existing simultaneously, a and c existing simultaneously, b and c existing simultaneously, or a, b, and c existing simultaneously, where a, b, and c can be single or multiple.

[0111] Furthermore, unless otherwise stated, the ordinal numbers such as "first" and "second" mentioned in the embodiments of this application are used to distinguish multiple objects and are not used to limit the size, content, order, timing, priority, or importance of multiple objects.

[0112] The preceding text introduced some terms and concepts involved in the embodiments of this application. The following text introduces the technical background involved in the embodiments of this application.

[0113] Currently, network devices can perform beam training based on SSBs. For example, network devices transmit SSBs using a time-division beam scanning method according to an SSB pattern. The SSB pattern contains multiple SSB indices, each corresponding to a different network-side transmission beam. Terminal devices can detect the SSBs corresponding to each SSB index, select the SSB index with better communication quality, and notify the network device of that SSB index, thus completing network-side beam training. Alternatively, terminal devices can use multiple receiving beams to receive the same SSB index using different receiving beams, selecting the receiving beam with better communication quality to complete terminal-side receiving beam training.

[0114] As communication frequencies expand in the future, SSB beams will need to be narrower, which will further increase the number of SSBs in time-division beam scanning, resulting in higher power consumption for terminal devices receiving SSBs.

[0115] Based on this, embodiments of this application provide a communication method and apparatus to solve the problem of high power consumption when a terminal device receives SSB. The method and apparatus are based on the same inventive concept. Since the principles by which the method and apparatus solve the problem are similar, implementations of the apparatus and method can be mutually referenced, and repeated details will not be elaborated further.

[0116] The communication method provided in this application can be applied to communication systems, which may be communication systems related to the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP). For example, the communication system may be a long-term evolution (LTE), a sixth-generation (5G) mobile communication system (such as a new radio (NR) communication system), or it can also be applied to future communication systems, or other similar communication systems. Other similar communication systems may include wireless fidelity (WIFI), vehicle-to-everything (V2X), internet of things (IoT) systems, narrowband internet of things (NB-IoT) systems, and so on.

[0117] Referring to Figure 1, a communication system provided in an embodiment of this application is illustrated. This communication system includes a network device and six terminal devices, namely UE1 to UE6. In this communication system, UE1 to UE6 can send uplink data to the network device, and the network device can receive uplink data sent by UE1 to UE6. Furthermore, UE4 to UE6 can also form a sub-communication system. The network device can send downlink information to UE1, UE2, UE3, and UE5. UE5 can send downlink information to UE4 and UE6 based on device-to-device (D2D) technology. Figure 1 is merely a schematic diagram and does not specifically limit the type of communication system, or the number and type of devices included in the communication system.

[0118] The network architecture and business scenarios described in the embodiments of this application are for the purpose of more clearly illustrating the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application, and do not constitute a limitation on the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of this application. As those skilled in the art will know, with the evolution of network architecture and the emergence of new business scenarios, the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of this application are also applicable to similar technical problems.

[0119] In this embodiment, the network device refers to a radio access network (RAN) device. The RAN can be a 3GPP-related cellular system, such as a 5G / new radio (NR) mobile communication system, or a future-oriented evolution system (e.g., a 6G mobile communication system). The RAN can also be an open RAN (O-RAN or ORAN), a cloud radio access network (CRAN), or a virtualized RAN (vRAN), etc. The RAN can also be a communication system that integrates two or more of the above systems. The RAN device can also be referred to as a RAN node, RAN entity, or access node, etc.

[0120] In one possible scenario, a RAN node can be a base station, an evolved NodeB (eNodeB), an access point (AP), a transmission reception point (TRP), a next-generation NodeB (gNB), a next-generation network device in a 6G mobile communication system, or a network device in a future mobile communication system. A RAN node can be a macro network device, a micro network device, an indoor station, a relay node, a donor / host node, or a radio controller. RAN nodes can also be servers, wearable devices, vehicles, or in-vehicle equipment. For example, in V2X technology, a RAN node can be a roadside unit (RSU).

[0121] In another possible scenario, a RAN node can be a module or unit that performs some functions of a network device; or multiple RAN nodes can collaborate to assist terminal devices in achieving wireless access, with different RAN nodes each performing some functions of the network device. For example, a RAN node can be a central unit (CU), a distributed unit (DU), or a radio unit (RU). The function of a CU can be implemented by a single entity or by different entities. For example, the function of a CU can be further divided, that is, the control plane and the user plane can be separated and implemented by different entities, namely the control plane CU entity (i.e., CU-control plane (CP) entity) and the user plane CU entity (i.e., CU-user plane (UP) entity). The CU-CP entity and the CU-UP entity can be coupled with the DU to jointly complete the function of the RAN node. The CU and DU can be set up separately or included in the same network element, such as in the baseband unit (BBU). Any of the units among the CU (or CU-CP, CU-UP), DU, and RU in this application can be implemented by software modules, hardware modules, or a combination of software modules and hardware modules.

[0122] In different systems, CU (or CU-CP and CU-UP), DU, or RU may have different names, but those skilled in the art will understand their meaning. For example, in an ORAN system, CU can also be called O-CU (open CU), DU can also be called O-DU, CU-CP can also be called O-CU-CP, CU-UP can also be called O-CU-UP, and RU can also be called O-RU. For ease of description, this application uses CU, CU-CP, CU-UP, DU, and RU as examples.

[0123] The CU and DU can be configured according to the protocol layer functions of the wireless network they implement: for example, the CU can be configured to implement the functions of the Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP) layer and above (such as the Radio Resource Control (RRC) layer and / or the Service Data Adaptation Protocol (SDAP) layer); the DU can be configured to implement the functions of the protocol layers below the PDCP layer (such as the Radio Link Control (RLC) layer, the Media Access Control (MAC) layer, and / or the Physical (PHY) layer). For specific descriptions of the above protocol layers, please refer to the relevant 3GPP technical specifications or the technical specifications of other applicable communication protocols.

[0124] Network devices can be divided into CUs and DUs. CUs are configured to implement PDCP layer and higher protocol layers (e.g., RRC and / or SDAP layers); DUs are configured to implement protocol layers below PDCP layer (e.g., RLC, MAC, and / or PHY layers). CUs and DUs communicate via the F1 interface. Alternatively, network devices can also be divided into CUs and DUs, where each CU includes CU-CP and CU-UP. CU-CP implements the control plane functions of the CU, and CU-UP implements the user plane functions. CU-CP and CU-UP can communicate via the E1 interface, CU-CP and DU communicate via the F1 interface supporting the control plane (also called F1-C), and CU-UP and DU communicate via the F1 interface supporting the user plane (also called F1-U). CU-CP is configured to implement the control plane and RRC layer functions of the PDCP layer, and CU-UP is configured to implement the user plane and SDAP layer functions of the PDCP layer. The DU is configured to implement the functions of protocol layers below the PDCP layer (such as the RLC layer, MAC layer, and / or PHY layer).

[0125] The above division of the processing functions of CU and DU according to protocol layers is merely an example; other division methods are also possible, and this application does not limit this. For example, in one design, CU or DU can be further divided into processing functions with protocol layers. In one design, some functions of the RLC layer and the functions of the protocol layer above the RLC layer are located in the CU, while the remaining functions of the RLC layer and the functions of the protocol layer below the RLC layer are located in the DU.

[0126] In another possible design, the DU and RU collaborate to implement the PHY layer functionality, or, more specifically, a portion of the PHY layer functionality of the DU can be moved to the RU. A DU can be connected to one or more RUs. The functions of the DU and RU can be configured in various ways depending on the design. For example, the DU may be configured to implement baseband functions, and the RU may be configured to implement mid-RF functions. Alternatively, the DU may be configured to implement higher-level functions in the PHY layer, and the RU may be configured to implement lower-level functions in the PHY layer, or both lower-level and RF functions. Higher-level functions in the physical layer may include a portion of the physical layer's functionality closer to the MAC layer, and lower-level functions may include another portion of the physical layer's functionality closer to the mid-RF side. This application does not limit the specific functions of the DU and RU. The interface between the DU and RU can be called a fronthaul interface. In one design, the CU may not have a PDCP layer; for example, the CU may only include an RRC layer. The CU-CP may not have PDCP-C. The CU-UP may not have PDCP-U, or may not have a CU-UP. In one design, the DU may not have an RLC layer; for example, the DU may only have a MAC and a higher PHY layer.

[0127] When the RAN is O-RAN, it can also have artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities. For example, O-RAN includes an intelligent controller. The intelligent controller can be a non-real-time RAN intelligent controller (RIC / non-RT RIC / NRT RIC) or a near-real-time RAN intelligent controller (RIC / near-RT RIC / nRT RIC). A non-real-time RIC can be used to implement non-real-time intelligent management of RAN functions, enabling workflows including model training and model updates, and guiding applications / functions in the nRT RIC based on policies. A near-real-time RIC can be used to implement near-real-time intelligent management of the RAN. Through data collection and related operations on the E2 interface, near-real-time control and optimization of O-RAN modules and resources are achieved.

[0128] In the embodiments of this application, the means for implementing the functions of the network device can be the network device itself, or it can be a means that supports the network device in implementing the functions, such as a chip system or a combination of devices or components that can implement the functions of the network device. This means can be installed in the network device. The embodiments of this application do not limit the specific technology or specific device form used in the network device.

[0129] In this application embodiment, any device capable of data communication with network devices can be considered a terminal device. Terminal devices are also called terminals, terminal equipment, user equipment (UE), user devices, mobile stations, or mobile terminals, etc. Terminal devices can be widely used in various scenarios. For example, terminal devices can be: mobile phones, computers, mobile internet devices (MID), wearable devices, virtual reality (VR) devices, augmented reality (AR) devices, stations (STA), robotic arms, cameras, robots, vehicles, drones, helicopters, airplanes, ships, or smart home devices (such as televisions, air conditioners, robot vacuums, speakers, set-top boxes), relays, customer premises equipment (CPE), etc.

[0130] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the terminal device can also be a terminal device in an IoT system, such as a water meter or electricity meter. IoT is an important component of future information technology development. Its main technical characteristic is connecting objects to networks through communication technology, thereby realizing an intelligent network that enables human-machine interconnection and object-to-object interconnection.

[0131] When the terminal device is applied to V2X, it can also be called a V2X device, such as a smart car, digital car, unmanned car, driverless car, pilotless car, autonomous car, pure electric vehicle, hybrid electric vehicle (HEV), range-extended electric vehicle (REEV), plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV), new energy vehicle, and RSU.

[0132] The various terminal devices described above, if located on a vehicle (e.g., placed / installed inside the vehicle), can all be considered in-vehicle terminal devices. In-vehicle terminal devices can be built into a vehicle's in-vehicle module, in-vehicle component, in-vehicle chip, or in-vehicle unit as one or more components or units. The vehicle can implement the methods of this application through the built-in in-vehicle module, in-vehicle component, in-vehicle chip, or in-vehicle unit. In-vehicle terminal devices can be vehicle equipment, in-vehicle modules, vehicles, in-vehicle units (on-board units, OBUs), remote sensing units (RSUs), in-vehicle infotainment systems (or in-vehicle transmission units) (telematics boxes, T-boxes), chips, or systems on a chip (SOCs), etc. These chips or SOCs can be installed in the vehicle, OBU, RSU, or T-box.

[0133] For example, in an O-RAN system, network devices can communicate with the core network (CN) via a backhaul link and with terminal devices via an air interface. For instance, a network device may include a baseband unit (BBU) and a radio unit (RU). The BBU includes at least one core unit (CU) and at least one dual unit (DU), which can communicate via at least one midhaul link. The RU can implement lower physical layer (PHY) and radio frequency (RF) functions. In some examples, the RU may be a 3GPP transmission reception point (TRP), a remote radio head (RRH), or other similar entities. In some examples, the Low-PHY may include PHY processing functions such as Fast Fourier Transform (FFT), Inverse Fast Fourier Transform (IFFT), digital beamforming, and filtering. The BBU can communicate with the CN via the backhaul link, and the RU can communicate with at least one terminal device via the air interface. The BBU can communicate with at least one RU via a fronthaul link. The BBU and RU may or may not be co-located. It should be understood that the O-RAN system may also include other components besides those mentioned above, which are not specifically limited here.

[0134] In the embodiments of this application, the device for implementing the functions of the terminal device can be the terminal device itself, or a device capable of supporting the terminal device in implementing the functions, such as a chip system or a combination of devices or components capable of implementing the functions of the terminal device. This device can be installed in the terminal device. The embodiments of this application do not limit the specific technology or specific device form used in the terminal device.

[0135] Taking a network device as an example and a UE as a terminal device, the network device and the UE can be fixed in location or mobile. The network device and the UE can be deployed on land, including indoors or outdoors, handheld or vehicle-mounted; they can also be deployed on water; and they can also be deployed on airplanes, balloons, and artificial satellites. The embodiments of this application do not limit the application scenarios of the network device and the UE.

[0136] The network architecture and business scenarios described in the embodiments of this application are for the purpose of more clearly illustrating the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application, and do not constitute a limitation on the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of this application. As those skilled in the art will know, with the evolution of network architecture and the emergence of new business scenarios, the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of this application are also applicable to similar technical problems.

[0137] It is understood that this application does not specifically limit the structure of the execution subject of the method provided in the embodiments of this application. In the following embodiments, the method executed by the terminal device can also be applied to the module or chip in the terminal device, and the method executed by the network device can also be applied to the module or chip in the network device, as long as it is possible to communicate according to the method provided in the embodiments of this application by running a program that records the code of the method provided in the embodiments of this application. The following description takes the interaction between the terminal device and the network device as an example.

[0138] In this application, the broadcast signal can be information carried on the PBCH, or can be understood as information transmitted on the PBCH. For example, if the PBCH is used to carry critical system messages required for terminal equipment to access the network, the broadcast signal can be the critical system messages carried on the PBCH. In one exemplary embodiment, if the channel carrying the DMRS is an independent channel from the PBCH, that is, the DMRS is not included in the PBCH, the broadcast signal can also be understood as the PBCH. In another exemplary embodiment, the DMRS can be carried on the PBCH as part of the PBCH, and the broadcast signal can be understood as part of the PBCH, for example, the broadcast signal can be understood as information transmitted on the PBCH.

[0139] In this application, the broadcast signal involves two types of indexes: one is the actual index of the broadcast signal, and the other is the relative index of the broadcast signal among N broadcast signals.

[0140] For example, the relative index of a broadcast signal among N broadcast signals can be determined based on the position of the frequency domain resources occupied by the N broadcast signals. For instance, the relative indexes of the broadcast signals among the N broadcast signals can be arranged from low to high frequency according to the frequency of the occupied frequency domain resources, or from high to low. For example, taking the case where the relative indexes of the broadcast signals among the N broadcast signals are arranged from low to high frequency according to the frequency of the occupied frequency domain resources, and the indexes of the broadcast signals among the N broadcast signals start from 0, assuming the first SSB includes 3 broadcast signals with actual indices of 3, 10, and 21 respectively, the broadcast signal with actual index 3 has an index of 0 among these 3 broadcast signals, the broadcast signal with actual index 10 has an index of 1 among these 3 broadcast signals, and the broadcast signal with actual index 21 has an index of 2 among these 3 broadcast signals.

[0141] For ease of description, the actual index of the broadcast signal is referred to as the broadcast signal index, and the index of the broadcast signal among the N broadcast signals is referred to as the relative index of the broadcast signal. It should be noted that this application only uses the example of sorting the index of the broadcast signal among the N broadcast signals starting from 0 for illustration. In specific implementations, the index of the broadcast signal among the N broadcast signals can also start from other values ​​(such as 1), and this application does not make specific limitations.

[0142] The technical features involved in the embodiments of this application are described below.

[0143] Figure 2 shows a flowchart of a communication method provided in an embodiment of this application. This application includes multiple broadcast signals within a single SSB, thereby enabling multi-beam scanning with a single SSB and reducing the number of SSBs required for multi-beam scanning. Compared to transmitting multiple SSBs to achieve multi-beam scanning, this application can save power consumption from receiving synchronization signals of multiple SSBs, thus reducing the power consumption of the terminal device receiving SSBs.

[0144] The method includes:

[0145] S201, the network device generates the first SSB.

[0146] In this application, the first SSB includes a synchronization signal, N broadcast signals, and N DMRS. The N DMRS correspond one-to-one with the N broadcast signals, where N is an integer greater than 1. For example, the synchronization signal may include an SSS and / or a PSS.

[0147] Frequency division multiplexing of N broadcast signals means that N broadcast signals are carried on different frequency domain resources, but on the same time domain resources.

[0148] Optionally, N broadcast signals may carry the same information. In this way, the terminal device can perform beam combining based on multiple broadcast signals to obtain the gain from the accumulation of multi-beam energy, which is beneficial to improving the downlink reception performance of broadcast signals.

[0149] As an optional scheme, N DMRSs can be frequency-division multiplexed. Here, N DMRS frequency-division multiplexing means that N DMRSs are carried on different frequency domain resources but on the same time domain resources. Optionally, in the DMRS frequency-division multiplexing scheme, there is a correspondence between the frequency domain resources (or frequency domain locations) of the N DMRSs and the frequency domain resources (or frequency domain locations) of the N broadcast signals.

[0150] Since an SSB in this application includes N DMRSs, the terminal device needs to detect the sequence of N DMRSs on the frequency domain resource carrying a certain DMRS. In order to reduce the receiving power consumption of the terminal device, this application provides an optional solution, that is, at a frequency domain location (or frequency domain resource) carrying a DMRS, it is only necessary to receive / detect one of the N DMRSs, for example, receive or detect the DMRS corresponding to that frequency domain location, instead of detecting N DMRSs on every frequency domain resource carrying a DMRS.

[0151] As an alternative, N DMRSs can be code-division multiplexed. N DMRS code-division multiplexing means that N DMRSs are carried on the same frequency and time domain resources. Each of the N DMRSs can correspond to N codewords (i.e., codewords used for code-division multiplexing, or sequences used for code-division multiplexing), and these N codewords are all different. In one example, the codewords used by the DMRSs can be synchronization orthogonal codes, such as Walsh codes. Optionally, in the DMRS code-division multiplexing scheme, there is a correspondence between the codewords of the N DMRSs and the frequency domain resources (or frequency domain positions) of the N broadcast signals.

[0152] Optionally, the length of each codeword can be N. For example, with N=2, the DMRS corresponding to one broadcast signal uses codeword 1, and the DMRS corresponding to another broadcast signal uses codeword 2, where codeword 1 is [+1, +1] and codeword 2 is [+1, -1].

[0153] Each element of a DMRS can be mapped onto N subcarriers using N codewords. Therefore, if a DMRS contains R elements, then N DMRSs can be mapped onto R*N subcarriers.

[0154] For example, assuming the DMRS sequence is [a,b,c…], processing the DMRS sequence with the codeword [+1,+1] yields the DMRS signal [a,a,b,b,c,c…], and processing it with the codeword [+1,-1] yields the DMRS signal [a,-a,b,-b,c,-c,…]. By mapping the DMRS signals [a,a,b,b,c,c…] and [a,-a,b,-b,c,-c,…] onto the same time-frequency resources, code division multiplexing of N DMRS signals can be achieved.

[0155] In one exemplary embodiment, N DMRS can correspond one-to-one with N PBCH according to a preset index order. For example, N DMRS can correspond one-to-one with N PBCH in descending order of index, or N DMRS can correspond one-to-one with N PBCH in descending order of index.

[0156] In another exemplary description, the N DMRS can correspond one-to-one with the N PBCHs in descending order of their frequency domain resources (or frequency domain locations). For example, the preset order can be from low to high frequency, or from high to low frequency, etc.

[0157] In another exemplary description, the N DMRS can correspond one-to-one with the N PBCHs in descending order of the codeword index according to a preset order of the codeword index. For example, the preset order can be the order of the codeword index from low to high, or the preset order can be the order of the codeword index from high to low, etc.

[0158] The following section describes the resource mapping method for N broadcast signals and N DMRS in conjunction with the multiplexing method of N DMRS.

[0159] 1) N DMRS frequency division multiplexing.

[0160] In a frequency division multiplexing scheme with N DMRSs, N broadcast signals and N DMRSs occupy the first frequency domain resources. The N broadcast signals and N DMRSs can be mapped intermittently in the frequency domain, meaning the frequency domain resources mapped to a broadcast signal and its corresponding DMRS are discretely distributed in the first frequency domain resources (e.g., the mapping method described in Method 1 below). Alternatively, the N broadcast signals and N DMRSs can also be mapped continuously in the frequency domain, meaning the frequency domain resources mapped to a broadcast signal and its corresponding DMRS are continuously distributed in the first frequency domain resources (e.g., the mapping method described in Method 2 below).

[0161] The aforementioned "interval mapping" and "discrete distribution" refer to the fact that, for a broadcast signal and its corresponding DMRS occupying frequency domain resources, other broadcast signals and their corresponding DMRS occupy frequency domain resources interspersed between the starting and ending frequency domain resources. In other words, there are frequency domain resources occupied by other broadcast signals and their corresponding DMRS.

[0162] The aforementioned "continuous mapping" and "continuous distribution" refer to the fact that, for a broadcast signal and its corresponding DMRS, no other broadcast signals or their corresponding DMRS occupy frequency domain resources between the starting and ending frequency domain resources; that is, there are no frequency domain resources occupied by other broadcast signals or their corresponding DMRS. It should be noted that the aforementioned "continuous mapping" does not limit the actual index of the frequency domain resources occupied by a broadcast signal and its corresponding DMRS to be continuous.

[0163] Method 1: The first frequency domain resource includes N comb resources. A broadcast signal and its corresponding DMRS can be mapped onto a comb resource within the first frequency domain resource.

[0164] For example, the first frequency domain resource comprises N comb-shaped resources, with each first frequency domain cell as a unit. The comb-shaped resource with index 0 includes the first frequency domain cells with indices {0, N, 2N, ..., X*N}, the comb-shaped resource with index 1 includes the first frequency domain cells with indices {1, 1+N, 1+2N, ..., 1+X*N}, the comb-shaped resource with index 2 includes the first frequency domain cells with indices {2, 2+N, 2+2N, ..., 2+X*N}, and so on. The comb-shaped resource with index n includes the first frequency domain cells with indices {n, n+N, n+2N, ..., n+X*N}. Here, n is an integer not less than 0 and not greater than N, and X is an integer greater than 0.

[0165] Based on the above examples, a broadcast signal with a relative index of 0 and its corresponding DMRS occupy the comb resource with index 0 in the first frequency domain, that is, the first frequency domain unit with indices {0, N, 2N, ..., X*N} in the first frequency domain resource. A broadcast signal with a relative index of 1 and its corresponding DMRS occupy the comb resource with index 1 in the first frequency domain resource, that is, the first frequency domain unit with indices {1, 1+N, 1+2N, ..., 1+X*N} in the first frequency domain resource. And so on, a broadcast signal with a relative index of n and its corresponding DMRS occupy the comb resource with index n in the first frequency domain resource, that is, the first frequency domain unit with indices {n, n+N, n+2N, ..., n+X*N} in the first frequency domain resource.

[0166] Taking the first broadcast signal as an example, the first broadcast signal and the DMRS corresponding to the first broadcast signal occupy the second frequency domain resources. If the relative index of the first broadcast signal is n, then the second frequency domain resources include the first frequency domain units in the first frequency domain resources with indices {n, n+N, n+2N, ..., n+X*N}.

[0167] For example, the first frequency domain unit is any one of the following frequency domain units: subcarrier, subcarrier group, RB, RB group, wherein the subcarrier group includes one or more subcarriers, and the resource block group includes one or more resource blocks.

[0168] It should be noted that the above example illustrates the sorting of the first frequency domain units in the first frequency domain resource starting from 0. In specific implementations, the indexes of the first frequency domain units in the first frequency domain resource can also start from other values ​​(e.g., 1), and this application does not impose any specific limitations. Furthermore, the aforementioned indices {0, N, 2N, ..., X*N} are the indices of the first frequency domain units in the first frequency domain resource, or they can be understood as the sorting of the first frequency domain units in the first frequency domain resource, and do not represent the actual indexes of the subcarriers or RBs.

[0169] To facilitate understanding of the scheme, the following example uses the first SSB, which includes 3 broadcast signals and 3 DMRS, to illustrate the resource mapping method for N broadcast signals and N DMRS in different scenarios of the first frequency domain unit. In this example, it is assumed that one RB includes 12 subcarriers.

[0170] In this example, the first SSB includes three broadcast signals, namely broadcast signal #1 to broadcast signal #3, and three DMRSs, including the DMRS corresponding to broadcast signal #1 (referred to as DMRS #1), the DMRS corresponding to broadcast signal #2 (referred to as DMRS #2), and the DMRS corresponding to broadcast signal #3 (referred to as DMRS #3). In this example, the relative index of broadcast signal #1 is 0, the relative index of broadcast signal #2 is 1, and the relative index of broadcast signal #3 is 2.

[0171] It should be noted that "#1, #2, #3" are only used to distinguish different broadcast signals or DMRS, and do not represent the actual or relative index of the broadcast signal and DMRS.

[0172] Example 1-1: The first frequency domain unit is a subcarrier.

[0173] Taking each broadcast signal and its corresponding DMRS occupying 12 subcarriers in the frequency domain (i.e., X = 12) as an example, as shown in Figure 3, broadcast signal #1 and DMRS #1 occupy subcarriers with indices {0, 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, 24, 27, 30, 33} in the first frequency domain resource, which can also be described as subcarriers with indices {0, 1, 2} in the RB in the first frequency domain resource with indices {0, 3, 6, 9}. Broadcast signal #2 and DMRS #2 occupy subcarriers with indices {1, 4, 7, 10, 13, 16, 19, 22, 25, 28, 31, 34} in the first frequency domain resource, which can also be described as subcarriers with indices {1, 4, 7, 10} in the RB in the first frequency domain resource with indices {0, 1, 2}. Broadcast signal #3 and DMRS #3 occupy subcarriers with indices {2, 5, 8, 11, 14, 17, 20, 23, 26, 29, 32, 35} in the first frequency domain resources, which can also be described as subcarriers with indices {2, 5, 8, 11} in RB with indices {0, 1, 2} in the first frequency domain resources.

[0174] In Example 1-2, the first frequency domain unit is a subcarrier group, assuming that the subcarrier group includes 2 subcarriers.

[0175] Taking each broadcast signal and its corresponding DMRS occupying 12 subcarriers in the frequency domain, i.e., occupying 6 subcarrier groups (i.e., X=6), as shown in Figure 4, broadcast signal #1 and DMRS #1 occupy the subcarrier group with index {0, 3, 6, 9, 12, 15} in the first frequency domain resource, i.e., the subcarrier with index {0, 1, 6, 7, 12, 13, 18, 19, 24, 25, 30, 31} in the first frequency domain resource. It can also be described as the subcarrier with index {0, 1, 6, 7} in the RB with index {0, 1, 2} in the first frequency domain resource. Broadcast signal #2 and DMRS #2 occupy the subcarrier group with indices {1, 4, 7, 10, 13, 16} in the first frequency domain resource, which is the subcarrier with indices {2, 3, 8, 9, 14, 15, 20, 21, 26, 27, 32, 33} in the first frequency domain resource. This can also be described as the subcarrier with indices {2, 3, 8, 9} in the RB with indices {0, 1, 2} in the first frequency domain resource. Broadcast signal #3 and DMRS #3 occupy the subcarrier group with indices {2, 5, 8, 11, 14, 17} in the first frequency domain resource, which is the subcarrier with indices {4, 5, 10, 11, 16, 17, 22, 23, 28, 29, 34, 35} in the first frequency domain resource. This can also be described as the subcarrier with indices {4, 5, 10, 11} in the RB with indices {0, 1, 2} in the first frequency domain resource.

[0176] In Example 1-3, the first frequency domain unit is RB, and it is assumed that an RB includes 12 subcarriers.

[0177] Taking each broadcast signal and its corresponding DMRS occupying 48 subcarriers in the frequency domain, i.e., occupying 4 RBs (i.e., X=4), as shown in Figure 5, broadcast signal #1 and DMRS #1 occupy RBs with indices {0, 3, 6, 9} in the first frequency domain resources, broadcast signal #2 and DMRS #2 occupy RBs with indices {1, 4, 7, 10} in the first frequency domain resources, and broadcast signal #3 and DMRS #3 occupy RBs with indices {2, 5, 8, 11} in the first frequency domain resources.

[0178] In Examples 1-4, the first frequency domain unit is the RB group. It is assumed that one resource block group includes two RBs, and one RB includes 12 subcarriers.

[0179] Taking each broadcast signal and its corresponding DMRS occupying 48 subcarriers, or 4 RBs, in the frequency domain as an example (i.e., occupying 2 RB groups, i.e., X=2), as shown in Figure 6, broadcast signal #1 and DMRS #1 occupy the RB group with index {0, 3} in the first frequency domain resource, i.e., the RB with index {0, 1, 6, 7} in the first frequency domain resource; broadcast signal #2 and DMRS #2 occupy the RB group with index {1, 4} in the first frequency domain resource, i.e., the RB with index {2, 3, 8, 9} in the first frequency domain resource; and broadcast signal #3 and DMRS #3 occupy the RB group with index {2, 5} in the first frequency domain resource, i.e., the RB with index {4, 5, 10, 11} in the first frequency domain resource.

[0180] Method 2: N broadcast signals and N DMRS occupy a first frequency domain resource, which includes N groups of resources, where each group of resources is contiguous. A broadcast signal and its corresponding DMRS can be mapped onto one group of resources within the first frequency domain resource. For example, taking the first broadcast signal as an example, the first broadcast signal and its corresponding DMRS occupy a second frequency domain resource, which can be one group of resources from the N groups.

[0181] Let's take an example where the first SSB includes three broadcast signals and three DMRSs. In this example, the three broadcast signals in the first SSB are broadcast signals #1 to #3, and the three DMRSs include the DMRS corresponding to broadcast signal #1 (referred to as DMRS #1), the DMRS corresponding to broadcast signal #2 (referred to as DMRS #2), and the DMRS corresponding to broadcast signal #3 (referred to as DMRS #3). In this example, the relative index of broadcast signal #1 is 0, the relative index of broadcast signal #2 is 1, and the relative index of broadcast signal #3 is 2.

[0182] It should be noted that "#1, #2, #3" are only used to distinguish different broadcast signals or DMRS, and do not represent the actual or relative index of the broadcast signal and DMRS.

[0183] Assuming an RB comprises 12 subcarriers, and each broadcast signal and its corresponding DMRS occupy a total of 48 subcarriers, or 4 RBs, as shown in Figure 7, broadcast signal #1 and DMRS #1 occupy RBs with indices 0 to 3 in the first frequency domain resources, broadcast signal #2 and DMRS #2 occupy RBs with indices 4 to 7 in the first frequency domain resources, and broadcast signal #3 and DMRS #3 occupy RBs with indices 8 to 11 in the first frequency domain resources.

[0184] The above methods 1 and 2 introduce resource mapping methods from the overall perspective of broadcast signals and the resources occupied by corresponding DMRS. The following describes the mapping method of DMRS in broadcast signals and the resources occupied by corresponding DMRS.

[0185] As an alternative approach, the DMRS can be mapped at intervals of J subcarriers within the frequency domain resources occupied by the broadcast signal and its corresponding DMRS. For example, taking the first broadcast signal as an example, the DMRS corresponding to the first broadcast signal is mapped onto the second frequency domain resources at intervals of J subcarriers. J is an integer greater than 0.

[0186] For example, taking the first broadcast signal as an example, the DMRS corresponding to the first broadcast signal occupies subcarriers with indices {k, k+J, k+2J, ..., k+Y*J} in the second frequency domain resources, where k is an integer not less than 0 and not greater than J, and Y is an integer greater than 0. As an example, assuming k = 0 and J = 4, the DMRS corresponding to the first broadcast signal occupies subcarriers with indices {0, 4, 8, ..., 4Y} in the second frequency domain resources.

[0187] It should be noted that the above example uses the subcarrier index in the second frequency domain resource as an example of sorting from 0. In specific implementations, the subcarrier index in the second frequency domain resource can also be sorted starting from other values ​​(e.g., 1), and this application does not impose any specific limitations. Furthermore, the above indices {k, k+J, k+2J, ..., k+Y*J} are the subcarrier indices in the second frequency domain resource, or they can be understood as the subcarrier sorting in the first frequency domain resource, and do not represent the actual subcarrier indexes.

[0188] The following section uses J=4 as an example to introduce the mapping method of DMRS in conjunction with the two mapping methods mentioned above.

[0189] Taking Example 1-1 of Method 1 as an example, as shown in Figure 8, DMRS#1 occupies the subcarrier with index {0, 12, 24} in the first frequency domain resource, which can also be described as the subcarrier with index {0} in the RB with index {0, 1, 2} in the first frequency domain resource. Broadcast signal #1 occupies the subcarrier with index {3, 6, 9, 15, 18, 21, 27, 30, 33} in the first frequency domain resource, which can also be described as the subcarrier with index {3, 6, 9} in the RB with index {0, 1, 2} in the first frequency domain resource. DMRS#2 occupies the subcarrier with index {1, 13, 25} in the first frequency domain resource, which can also be described as the subcarrier with index {1} in the RB with index {0, 1, 2} in the first frequency domain resource. Broadcast signal #2 occupies the subcarrier with indices {4, 7, 10, 16, 19, 22, 28, 31, 34} in the first frequency domain resource, which can also be described as the subcarrier with index {4, 7, 10} in the RB with index {0, 1, 2} in the first frequency domain resource. DMRS #3 occupies the subcarrier with index {2, 14, 26} in the first frequency domain resource, which can also be described as the subcarrier with index {2} in the RB with index {0, 1, 2} in the first frequency domain resource. Broadcast signal #3 occupies the subcarrier with indices {5, 8, 11, 17, 20, 23, 29, 32, 35} in the first frequency domain resource, which can also be described as the subcarrier with index {5, 8, 11} in the RB with index {0, 1, 2} in the first frequency domain resource.

[0190] Taking Example 1-2 of Method 1 as an example, as shown in Figure 9, DMRS#1 occupies the subcarrier with index {0} in RB with index {0, 1, 2} in the first frequency domain resource. Broadcast signal #1 occupies the subcarrier with index {1, 6, 7} in RB with index {0, 1, 2} in the first frequency domain resource. DMRS#2 occupies the subcarrier with index {2} in RB with index {0, 1, 2} in the first frequency domain resource. DMRS#3 occupies the subcarrier with index {4} in RB with index {0, 1, 2} in the first frequency domain resource. Broadcast signal #3 occupies the subcarrier with index {5, 10, 11} in RB with index {0, 1, 2} in the first frequency domain resource.

[0191] Taking Examples 1-3, 1-2, and 2 of Method 1 as examples, for a broadcast signal and its corresponding DMRS occupying frequency domain resources, the DMRS can occupy subcarriers with indices {0, 4, 8} in each RB of that frequency domain resource, and the broadcast signal occupies subcarriers with indices {1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11} in each RB of that frequency domain resource. For example, taking broadcast signal #1 and DMRS #1 as examples, in Example 1-3 of Method 1, DMRS #1 occupies subcarriers with indices {0, 3, 6, 9} in the first frequency domain resource with indices {0, 3, 6, 9} with indices {0, 4, 8}, and broadcast signal #1 occupies subcarriers with indices {1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11} in the first frequency domain resource with indices {0, 3, 6, 9} with indices {0, 3, 6, 9}. In Examples 1-4 of Mode 1, DMRS#1 occupies the subcarrier with index {0, 4, 8} in RB with index {0, 1, 6, 7} in the first frequency domain resource, and broadcast signal #1 occupies the subcarrier with index {1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11} in RB with index {0, 1, 6, 7} in the first frequency domain resource. In Mode 2, DMRS#1 occupies the subcarrier with index {0, 4, 8} in RB with indexes 0-3 in the first frequency domain resource, and broadcast signal #1 occupies the subcarrier with index {1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11} in RB with indexes 0-3 in the first frequency domain resource. For example, the mapping method of DMRS can be shown in Figure 10, which illustrates the RB with index 0 in the first frequency domain resource occupied by DMRS#1 and broadcast signal #1 in Example 1-3 of Mode 1.

[0192] The two mapping methods described above can reduce interference between N DMRSs through frequency division mapping. Furthermore, the interval mapping method described in method 1 above can map broadcast signals and DMRS resources over a larger frequency range, which helps to resist frequency-selective fading.

[0193] 2) N DMRS code division multiplexing.

[0194] In a scheme using N DMRS code division multiplexing, the N DMRSs can be mapped onto the same resources, while the N broadcast signals are mapped onto different frequency domain resources. The frequency domain resources occupied by the N broadcast signals are referred to as the third frequency domain resources, the frequency domain resources occupied by the N DMRSs are referred to as the fourth frequency domain resources, and the frequency domain resources occupied by the N broadcast signals and N DMRSs are referred to as the fifth frequency domain resources. In other words, the fifth frequency domain resources are the union of the third and fourth frequency domain resources.

[0195] The fourth frequency domain resources can be discretely distributed in the fifth frequency domain resources. That is, there are frequency domain resources that carry broadcast signals between the frequency domain resources occupied by at least two elements of DMRS in the fifth frequency domain resources.

[0196] In one possible implementation, the fourth frequency domain resource can satisfy the following condition: there are G subcarriers between the frequency domain resources occupied by the i-th element and the (i+1)-th element of the DMRS in the fifth frequency domain resource. As described above, an element of the DMRS is mapped onto N subcarriers via N codewords. Therefore, the above implementation can also be described as having G subcarriers between the N subcarriers occupied by the i-th element and the N subcarriers occupied by the (i+1)-th element of the DMRS in the fifth frequency domain resource. i is an integer greater than or equal to 0, and G is an integer greater than 0. For example, G can be equal to TN, where T is the number of subcarriers included in an RB. This can also be described as an RB in the fifth frequency domain resource carrying an element of the DMRS. Alternatively, G can be greater than TN. Or, G can be less than TN.

[0197] Assume the first SSB includes two broadcast signals and two DMRSs (i.e., N=2), and one RB includes 12 subcarriers (i.e., T=12). In this example, the two broadcast signals included in the first SSB are broadcast signal #1 to broadcast signal #2, and the two DMRSs include the DMRS corresponding to broadcast signal #1 (referred to as DMRS #1) and the DMRS corresponding to broadcast signal #2 (referred to as DMRS #2). It should be noted that "#1" and "#2" are only used to distinguish different broadcast signals or DMRSs and do not represent the actual or relative indexes of the broadcast signals and DMRSs.

[0198] As an example, G = TN.

[0199] In this example, G = 10, as shown in Figure 11. Elements with index 0 in DMRS#0 to DMRS#1 are mapped to subcarriers with index {0, 1} in RB with index 0 in the fifth frequency domain resource through two codewords. Elements with index 1 in DMRS#0 to DMRS#1 are mapped to subcarriers with index {0, 1} in RB with index 1 in the fifth frequency domain resource through two codewords, and so on. Elements with index r in DMRS#0 to DMRS#1 are mapped to subcarriers with index {0, 1} in RB with index r in the fifth frequency domain resource through two codewords, where r is an integer greater than 0.

[0200] As another example, G is less than TN.

[0201] This example uses G=6 as an example, as shown in Figure 12. Elements with index 0 in DMRS#1 to DMRS#2 are mapped to subcarriers with index {0, 1} in the fifth frequency domain resource through two codewords, that is, subcarriers with index {0, 1} in the RB with index 0 in the fifth frequency domain resource. Elements with index 1 in DMRS#1 to DMRS#2 are mapped to subcarriers with index {8, 9} in the fifth frequency domain resource through two codewords, that is, subcarriers with index {8, 9} in the RB with index 0 in the fifth frequency domain resource. Elements with index 2 in DMRS#1 to DMRS#2 are mapped to subcarriers with index {16, 17} in the fifth frequency domain resource through two codewords, that is, subcarriers with index {4, 5} in the RB with index 1 in the fifth frequency domain resource. Similarly, the elements with index r in DMRS#1 to DMRS#2 are mapped to subcarriers with indexes {r*(G+N), r*(G+N)+1}, i.e. {8r, 8r+1}, in the fifth frequency domain resource through two codewords.

[0202] N broadcast signals can be mapped at intervals in the frequency domain, meaning that the frequency domain resources mapped by one broadcast signal are discretely distributed in the third frequency domain resources (for example, the mapping method described in Method 3 below). Alternatively, N broadcast signals can also be mapped continuously in the frequency domain, meaning that the frequency domain resources mapped by one broadcast signal are continuously distributed in the third frequency domain resources (for example, the mapping method described in Method 4 below).

[0203] The aforementioned "interval mapping" refers to the interleaving of frequency domain resources occupied by other broadcast signals between the starting and ending frequency domain resources occupied by a broadcast signal. In other words, there are frequency domain resources occupied by other broadcast signals.

[0204] The aforementioned "continuous mapping" refers to a situation where, for a broadcast signal's frequency domain resources, there are no other broadcast signals' frequency domain resources interspersed between the starting and ending frequency domain resources; in other words, there are no frequency domain resources occupied by other broadcast signals. It should be noted that the aforementioned "continuous mapping" does not limit the actual index of the frequency domain resources occupied by a broadcast signal to be continuous.

[0205] Method 3: The third frequency domain resources consist of N groups of resources. A broadcast signal can be mapped onto one group of resources within the third frequency domain. Each group of resources includes P first subcarrier groups, and each first subcarrier group includes K subcarriers. P is an integer greater than 0. K is an integer greater than or equal to 1.

[0206] In each resource group, there are (N-1) first subcarrier groups (i.e., (N-1)*K subcarriers) between the p-th and p+1-th first subcarrier groups and the resources occupied by w elements of DMRS (i.e., N*w subcarriers, where w is an integer greater than or equal to 0). p is an integer greater than 0 and not greater than P.

[0207] To facilitate understanding of the scheme, the following example uses a first SSB comprising two broadcast signals and two DMRSs, and combines the DMRS mapping methods described in Figures 11 and 12 to introduce the resource mapping method for N broadcast signals. In this example, it is assumed that one RB comprises 12 subcarriers.

[0208] In this example, the first SSB includes two broadcast signals, namely broadcast signal #1 to broadcast signal #2, and two DMRS, including the DMRS corresponding to broadcast signal #1 (referred to as DMRS #1) and the DMRS corresponding to broadcast signal #2 (referred to as DMRS #2).

[0209] It should be noted that "#1" and "#2" are only used to distinguish different broadcast signals or DMRS, and do not represent the actual or relative index of the broadcast signal and DMRS.

[0210] Example 3-1: Suppose that each broadcast signal occupies a total of 20 subcarriers, and the first subcarrier group includes 1 subcarrier (i.e., K=1).

[0211] Taking the DMRS mapping method described in Figure 11 as an example, as shown in Figure 13, broadcast signal #1 occupies the subcarrier with index {2, 4, 6, 8, 10} in the RB with index {0, 1, 2, 3} in the first frequency domain resource, and broadcast signal #2 occupies the subcarrier with index {3, 5, 7, 9, 11} in the RB with index {0, 1, 2, 3} in the first frequency domain resource.

[0212] Taking the DMRS mapping method described in Figure 12 as an example, as shown in Figure 14, broadcast signal #1 occupies subcarriers with indices {2, 4, 6, 10} in RB with index {0, 2} and subcarriers with indices {0, 2, 6, 8, 10} in RB with index {1, 3} in the first frequency domain resource. Broadcast signal #2 occupies subcarriers with indices {3, 5, 7, 11} in RB with index {0, 2} and subcarriers with indices {1, 3, 7, 9, 11} in RB with index {1, 3} in the first frequency domain resource.

[0213] Example 3-2: Suppose that each broadcast signal occupies a total of 20 subcarriers, and the first subcarrier group includes 10 subcarriers (i.e., K = 10).

[0214] Taking the DMRS mapping method described in Figure 11 as an example, as shown in Figure 15, broadcast signal #1 occupies subcarriers with indices 2 to 11 in RB with indices {0, 2} in the first frequency domain resource, and broadcast signal #2 occupies subcarriers with indices 2 to 11 in RB with indices {1, 3} in the first frequency domain resource.

[0215] Example 3-3: Suppose that each broadcast signal occupies a total of 12 subcarriers, and the first subcarrier group includes 6 subcarriers (i.e., K=6).

[0216] Taking the DMRS mapping method described in Figure 12 as an example, as shown in Figure 16, broadcast signal #1 occupies subcarriers with indices 2 to 7 in RB with index 0 and subcarriers with indices 6 to 11 in RB with index 1 in the first frequency domain resource. Broadcast signal #2 occupies subcarriers with indices 10 and 11 in RB with index 0 in the first frequency domain resource, subcarriers with indices 0 to 3 in RB with index 1, and subcarriers with indices 2 to 7 in RB with index 2.

[0217] Method 4: A broadcast signal can be continuously mapped onto third frequency domain resources.

[0218] Taking the first SSB, which includes two broadcast signals and two DMRSs, as an example, we assume that each broadcast signal occupies a total of 12 subcarriers. In this example, the two broadcast signals included in the first SSB are broadcast signal #1 to broadcast signal #2, and the two DMRSs include the DMRS corresponding to broadcast signal #1 (referred to as DMRS #1) and the DMRS corresponding to broadcast signal #2 (referred to as DMRS #2).

[0219] It should be noted that "#1" and "#2" are only used to distinguish different broadcast signals or DMRS, and do not represent the actual or relative index of the broadcast signal and DMRS.

[0220] Taking the DMRS mapping method described in Figure 11 as an example, as shown in Figure 17, broadcast signal #1 occupies subcarriers with indices 2 to 11 in RB with index 0 and subcarriers with indices 2 to 3 in RB with index 1 in the first frequency domain resource. Broadcast signal #2 occupies subcarriers with indices 4 to 11 in RB with index 1 and subcarriers with indices 2 to 5 in RB with index 2 in the first frequency domain resource.

[0221] Taking the DMRS mapping method described in Figure 12 as an example, as shown in Figure 18, broadcast signal #1 occupies subcarriers with indices 2 to 7 and 10 to 11 in RB with index 0 in the first frequency domain resource and subcarriers with indices 0 to 1 in RB with index 1. Broadcast signal #2 occupies subcarriers with indices 2 to 3 and 6 to 11 in RB with index 1 in the first frequency domain resource and subcarriers with indices 2 to 5 in RB with index 2.

[0222] S202, the network device sends the first SSB. Correspondingly, the terminal device receives the first SSB.

[0223] Optionally, the beamwidth of the synchronization signal's transmission beam is greater than the beamwidth of any one of the N broadcast signals' transmission beams. The beam coverage of the synchronization signal's transmission beam can include the beam coverage of the N broadcast signals' transmission beams. The transmission beams of the N broadcast signals can be different. For example, taking two broadcast signals (i.e., N=2) as an example, the beam coverage of the first SSB is shown in Figure 19.

[0224] The above method can achieve narrow beam training on the network side by using narrow beams corresponding to N broadcast signals. Compared with the method of narrow beam training using N SSBs, this application can reduce the power consumption of the terminal device receiving the SSB by including broadcast signals corresponding to N narrow beams in one SSB.

[0225] S203, the terminal device performs downlink timing synchronization based on the first SSB.

[0226] For example, the terminal device can perform downlink timed synchronization based on the index of the first SSB.

[0227] Optionally, terminal devices can obtain physical cell identifiers (PCI), frame synchronization, etc. through synchronization signals, which will not be explained in detail here.

[0228] This application enables multi-beam scanning by including multiple broadcast signals within a single SSB, thereby reducing the number of SSBs required for multi-beam scanning. Compared to transmitting multiple SSBs to achieve multi-beam scanning, this application can save power consumption from receiving synchronization signals of multiple SSBs, thus reducing the power consumption of the terminal device receiving SSBs.

[0229] The following describes how network devices generate N DMRS and N broadcast signals.

[0230] 1) N DMRS

[0231] Optionally, the sequence of N DMRS can be generated in any of four ways.

[0232] In mode A1, the reference signal sequences of the N DMRS are different.

[0233] Optionally, the reference signal sequences of the N DMRSs can be made different in the following way: the reference signal sequence of each of the N DMRSs is generated based on the index of the broadcast signal corresponding to that DMRS or the relative index of the broadcast signal corresponding to that DMRS.

[0234] For example, taking the reference signal sequence of the DMRS as generated based on the index of the broadcast signal corresponding to the DMRS, assume that the index of the first SSB is m, and the indices of the N broadcast signals included in the first SSB are n, n+1, ..., n+N-1, where n equals m*N and m is an integer greater than or equal to 0.

[0235] Taking the first broadcast signal out of N broadcast signals as an example, the DMRS sequence corresponding to the first broadcast signal can be generated according to the following formula, or the DMRS sequence corresponding to the first broadcast signal satisfies the following formula:

[0236] Where, c(n)=(x1(n+N) c )+x2(n+N c ))mod2, x1() can be a predefined m-sequence, x2() can be generated by the following formula, or x2() can satisfy the following formula:

[0237] Where a can be 30, c init As the sequence initialization factor, c init It can be This is the index of the first broadcast signal. This is the physical identifier for the residential community.

[0238] Furthermore, N DMRS sequences can be scrambled with the same scrambling code sequence, or N DMRS sequences can be scrambled with different scrambling code sequences.

[0239] Optionally, the scrambling sequences of the N DMRS can be made identical by generating the scrambling sequences of the N DMRS based on the index of the first SSB or a first preset value.

[0240] For example, taking the first broadcast signal among N broadcast signals as an example, the reference signal sequence of the DMRS corresponding to the first broadcast signal includes elements r(0), ..., r(M-1), where M is an integer greater than 0. The reference signal sequence of the DMRS corresponding to the first broadcast signal can be scrambled in the following way: r(i) = (r(i) + c(i)) mod 2;

[0241] Where r(i) = {r(0), ..., r(M-1)}, and c(i) can be the sequence initialization factor c. init An initial pseudo-random sequence. The DMRS corresponding to N broadcast signals can use the same c. init ′, for example, c init′ can be the index of the first SSB or the first preset value, etc.

[0242] Optionally, the scrambling sequences of the N DMRSs can be made different in the following way: the scrambling sequence of each of the N DMRSs is generated based on the index of the broadcast signal corresponding to that DMRS or the relative index of the broadcast signal corresponding to that DMRS.

[0243] For example, taking the first broadcast signal out of N broadcast signals as an example, the reference signal sequence of the DMRS corresponding to the first broadcast signal includes elements r(0), ..., r(M-1), where M is an integer greater than 0. The reference signal sequence of the DMRS corresponding to the first broadcast signal can be scrambled in the following way:

[0244] r(i) = (r(i) + c(i)) mod 2;

[0245] Where r(i) = r(0), ..., r(M-1), c(i) can be the sequence initialization factor c init An initial pseudo-random sequence. The DMRS corresponding to N broadcast signals can use different c... init For example, the DMRS c corresponding to the first broadcast signal. init ′ can be the index of the first broadcast signal or the relative index of the first broadcast signal.

[0246] In mode A2, the reference signal sequences of the N DMRS are the same, but the scrambling sequences of the N DMRS are different.

[0247] For the reference signal sequence of DMRS:

[0248] Optionally, the reference signal sequences of the N DMRS can be made identical by generating the reference signal sequences of the N DMRS based on the index of the first SSB or a second preset value.

[0249] For example, taking the reference signal sequence of the DMRS as generated based on the index of the broadcast signal corresponding to the DMRS, assume that the index of the first SSB is m, and the indices of the N broadcast signals included in the first SSB are n, n+1, ..., n+N-1, where n equals m*N and m is an integer greater than or equal to 0.

[0250] Taking the first broadcast signal out of N broadcast signals as an example, the DMRS sequence corresponding to the first broadcast signal can be generated according to the following formula, or the DMRS sequence corresponding to the first broadcast signal satisfies the following formula:

[0251] Where, c(n)=(x1(n+N) c )+x2(n+Nc ))mod2, x1() can be a predefined m-sequence, x2() can be generated by the following formula, or x2() can satisfy the following formula:

[0252] Where a can be 30, c init As the sequence initialization factor, c init It can be This is either the index of the first SSB or the second preset value. This is the physical identifier for the residential community.

[0253] For the scrambling sequence of DMRS:

[0254] Optionally, the scrambling sequences of the N DMRS can be made different in the following way: the scrambling sequence of each of the N DMRS is generated according to the index of the broadcast signal corresponding to the DMRS or the relative index of the broadcast signal corresponding to the DMRS. For details, please refer to the relevant description of method A1.

[0255] In mode A3, the reference signal sequences of N DMRS are identical.

[0256] Optionally, the reference signal sequences of the N DMRS can be made identical in the following way: the reference signal sequences of the N DMRS are generated based on the index of the first SSB or a preset value, and the relevant description of method A2 can be found in the following description.

[0257] Furthermore, N DMRS sequences can be scrambled using the same scrambling code sequence.

[0258] Optionally, the scrambling sequences of the N DMRS can be made identical in the following way: the scrambling sequences of the N DMRS are generated based on the index of the first SSB or the first preset value. For details, please refer to the relevant description of method A1.

[0259] Of the three implementation methods described above, methods A1 to A3 reduce the PAPR of N frequency division multiplexed DMRS signals by making the DMRS sequences different. Method A3, by making the DMRS sequences identical, reduces the generation complexity of the DMRS signals. Furthermore, method A3 ensures orthogonality between the N code division multiplexed DMRS signals.

[0260] 2) N broadcast signals

[0261] As mentioned above, the N broadcast signals carry the same information. Optionally, the N broadcast signals may have the same scrambling sequence, or they may have different scrambling sequences.

[0262] As an example, the reference signal sequences of N broadcast signals can be made different as follows: the scrambling sequence of each of the N broadcast signals is generated based on the index of the broadcast signal or the relative index of the broadcast signal.

[0263] For example, taking the first broadcast signal out of N broadcast signals as an example, the payload of the first broadcast signal includes b(0), ..., b(M-1). The first broadcast signal can be scrambled using the following formula: b(i) = (b(i) + c(i + vM)) mod 2

[0264] Where b(i) = {b(0), ..., b(M-1)}, c(i+vM) is the first scrambling sequence, i = {0, ..., M-1}, and v is generated based on the index or relative index of the first broadcast signal. For example, v is equal to the value of the lower t bits of the index of the first broadcast signal, where t = log2(N).

[0265] The PAPR of a broadcast signal can be reduced by making the scrambling sequences of N broadcast signals different.

[0266] As an example, the reference signal sequence of N broadcast signals can be made the same as follows: the scrambling sequence of the N broadcast signals is generated based on the index of the first SSB or a third preset value.

[0267] For example, taking the first broadcast signal out of N broadcast signals as an example, the payload of the first broadcast signal includes b(0), ..., b(M-1). The first broadcast signal can be scrambled using the following formula: b(i) = (b(i) + c(i + vM)) mod 2

[0268] Where b(i) = {b(0), ..., b(M-1)}, c(i+vM) is the first scrambling sequence, i = {0, ..., M-1}, and v is generated based on the index of the first SSB or the third preset value. For example, v is equal to the index of the first SSB.

[0269] By making the scrambling sequences of N broadcast signals identical, the generation complexity of broadcast signals can be reduced.

[0270] The above describes how to generate sequences of N broadcast signals and N DMRS. The following describes how the terminal device determines the indices of the N broadcast signals after receiving the first SSB.

[0271] In one possible implementation, the index of each of the N broadcast signals is associated with at least one of the following: the index of the first SSB, the frequency domain resource or frequency domain location of the DMRS corresponding to each broadcast signal, the reference signal sequence of the DMRS corresponding to each broadcast signal, the scrambling sequence of the DMRS corresponding to each broadcast signal, and the index of the code division multiplexing sequence of the DMRS corresponding to each broadcast signal.

[0272] For example, in a DMRS frequency division multiplexing implementation, the terminal device can determine the indices of N broadcast signals based on the index of the first SSB and the frequency domain resources (or frequency domain positions) of N DMRSs. Alternatively, the indices of the N broadcast signals can be determined based on the index of the first SSB and the frequency domain resources (or frequency domain positions) of the N broadcast signals. Taking the index of the first SSB and the frequency domain resources (or frequency domain positions) of N DMRSs as an example, the N DMRSs are respectively carried on frequency domain resource 0, frequency domain resource 1, ..., frequency domain resource N-1. The index of the first SSB is m, and the index of the broadcast signal is m*N + the index of the frequency domain resources of the DMRSs.

[0273] Similarly, network devices can determine (or generate) the indices of N broadcast signals based on the index of the first SSB and the frequency domain resources (or frequency domain locations) of N DMRSs, or the indices of N broadcast signals can be determined based on the index of the first SSB and the frequency domain resources (or frequency domain locations) of N broadcast signals.

[0274] For example, in a DMRS code division multiplexing implementation, the terminal device can determine the indices of N broadcast signals based on the index of the first SSB and the codeword indices of the N DMRSs. Alternatively, the terminal device can also determine the indices of the N broadcast signals based on the index of the first SSB and the frequency domain resources (or frequency domain positions) of the N broadcast signals. Taking the index of the first SSB and the codeword indices of the N DMRSs as an example, the N DMRSs correspond to codeword 0, codeword 1, ..., codeword N-1, respectively. The index of the first SSB is m, and the index of the broadcast signal is m*N + codeword index.

[0275] For example, in implementations of DMRS frequency division multiplexing and DMRS code division multiplexing, the terminal device can determine the indices of N broadcast signals based on N DMRS reference signal sequences and / or scrambling sequences. Optionally, this method can be applied to schemes where the DMRS sequences are generated using methods A1 to A3 described above.

[0276] Similarly, network devices can determine (or generate) the indices of N broadcast signals based on the reference signal sequences and / or scrambling sequences of N DMRS.

[0277] Optionally, the terminal device can determine the index of the first SSB based on the index of the broadcast signal. For example, the index m of the first SSB satisfies:

[0278] To improve random access performance, the first random access preamble sent by the terminal device to the network device can be associated with a first broadcast signal among N broadcast signals. Optionally, the first random access preamble is the random access preamble corresponding to the first broadcast signal, and the random access preambles corresponding to different broadcast signals among the N broadcast signals are different; and / or, the first random access preamble carries the random access timing corresponding to the first broadcast signal, and the random access timings corresponding to different signals among the N broadcast signals are different.

[0279] The above method, by associating N broadcast signals with one or more preambles from a first preamble set, and ensuring that the preambles associated with the N broadcast signals are distinct, facilitates beam management by network devices. Furthermore, in this implementation, network devices can use the narrow beam of the broadcast signals to receive the preambles, eliminating the need for the wide beam of the synchronization signals, thus providing higher antenna gain, which improves preamble reception and coverage performance. Additionally, this method allows terminal devices to transmit preambles at lower power, contributing to energy conservation.

[0280] As an alternative, the terminal device can select a preamble associated with the broadcast signal with the best signal strength among N broadcast signals. In other words, the broadcast signal associated with the first random access preamble is the broadcast signal with the best signal strength among the N broadcast signals. By sending this preamble, the network device can determine the best beam for communication and thus perform beam management.

[0281] Optionally, the configuration information of the first preamble set can be carried in system information block 1. System information block 1 can be scheduled by PDCCH scrambled by SI-RNTI. The configuration information of this PDCCH can be carried in the MIB information carried by the broadcast signal.

[0282] To improve random access performance, network devices can send scheduling information of the first system information to terminal devices. This scheduling information of the first system information is carried on the first resource. For example, the first system information can be system information block 1.

[0283] In this configuration, the first resource is one of A resources, and each of the A resources carries scheduling information for A first system information. N broadcast signals each correspond to a first resource, and each of the A resources corresponds to A SSBs. The first SSB is one of the A SSBs, and the A SSBs are included within the first synchronization signal cluster, where A is a positive integer. That is, each of the A SSBs can be one-to-one with one of the A resources. Alternatively, it can be understood that the beams of the A SSBs are the same as the beams of the A resources (or the channels are similar, or there is a quasi-co-location relationship), meaning the beams of the synchronization signals of the A SSBs are the same as the beams of the A resources (or the channels are similar, or there is a quasi-co-location relationship). It should be understood that in this mode, the network device only sends A system message blocks 1, which are scheduled by the scheduling information in the A resources. The transmission beams of the A scheduling information and the A system information blocks can be the same as the beams of the synchronization signals in the A SSBs. Because the network device only sends A system information blocks, the network overhead is low. Furthermore, the terminal device only needs to receive A scheduling information and A system information blocks 1, thus reducing the power consumption of the terminal device.

[0284] Alternatively, the first resource can be one of N resources, each corresponding to one of the N broadcast signals. That is, there is a one-to-one correspondence between the A*N broadcast signals of A SSBs and the A*N resources. Alternatively, it can be understood that the beams of the A*N broadcast signals of A SSBs are the same as the beams of the A*N resources (or the channels are similar or there is a quasi-co-location relationship). It should be understood that in this mode, the network device sends A*N system message blocks 1, each scheduled by the scheduling information in the A*N resources. The transmission beams of the A*N scheduling information and the A*N system information blocks can be the same as the beams of the A*N broadcast signals. Since the A*N scheduling information and the A*N system information blocks 1 use the narrow beams of broadcast signals, higher antenna gain can be obtained, which is beneficial to the coverage performance of system information blocks 1.

[0285] Optionally, the network device may indicate that the first resource is one of A resources through the first indication information, or indicate that the first resource is one of N resources.

[0286] Optionally, the first system information block 1 is scheduled via a PDCCH scrambled by SI-RNTI. Optionally, the PDCCH configuration information is carried in the MIB information carried in the broadcast signal.

[0287] To improve paging performance, the terminal device can detect paging messages within a first paging timeframe. This first paging timeframe includes A PDCCH detection timeframes, each corresponding to one of A SSBs. The first SSB is one of the A SSBs, and N broadcast signals each correspond to the PDCCH detection timeframe of the paging message corresponding to the first SSB within the A PDCCH detection timeframes, where A is a positive integer. In other words, there is a one-to-one correspondence between the A SSBs and the A PDCCH detection timeframes. Alternatively, it can be understood that the beams of the A SSBs are the same as the beams of the paging messages within the A PDCCH detection timeframes (or the channels are similar, or there is a quasi-co-location relationship), meaning the beams of the synchronization signals of the A SSBs are the same as the beams of the paging messages within the A PDCCH detection timeframes (or the channels are similar, or there is a quasi-co-location relationship). It should be understood that in this mode, the network device only sends A paging messages, which are respectively scheduled by the PDCCH within the A PDCCH detection timeframes. The transmission beam of A paging messages can be the same as the beam of the synchronization signal in A SSBs. Since the network device only sends A paging messages, the network overhead is low. Furthermore, the terminal device only needs to detect paging messages during A PDCCH detection times, thus reducing the power consumption of the terminal device.

[0288] Alternatively, the first paging opportunity includes N PDCCH detection opportunities, with each of the N broadcast signals corresponding to one of the N PDCCH detection opportunities. That is, there is a one-to-one correspondence between the A*N broadcast signals of A SSBs and the A*N PDCCH detection opportunities. Alternatively, it can be understood that the beams of the A*N broadcast signals of A SSBs are the same as the beams of the paging messages within the A*N PDCCH detection opportunities (or the channels are similar or there is a quasi-co-location relationship). It should be understood that in this method, the network device sends A*N paging messages, and these A*N paging messages are respectively scheduled by the PDCCH within the A*N PDCCH detection opportunities. The transmission beams of the A*N paging messages can be the same as the beams of the A*N broadcast signals. Since the A*N paging messages use the narrow beams of the broadcast signals, higher antenna gain can be obtained, which is beneficial to the coverage performance of the paging messages.

[0289] The above method, by associating N broadcast signals with different PDCCH detection times, facilitates beam management for network devices.

[0290] Optionally, the network device may indicate, through the second indication information, that the first paging timing includes A PDCCH detection timings, or indicate that the first paging timing includes N PDCCH detection timings.

[0291] This application enables multi-beam scanning by including multiple broadcast signals within a single SSB, thereby reducing the number of SSBs required for multi-beam scanning. Compared to transmitting multiple SSBs to achieve multi-beam scanning, this application can save power consumption from receiving synchronization signals of multiple SSBs, thus reducing the power consumption of the terminal device receiving SSBs.

[0292] Furthermore, frequency division mapping can reduce interference between N broadcast signals. Moreover, interval mapping can map broadcast signals and DMRS resources over a wider frequency range, which helps to resist frequency-selective fading.

[0293] Furthermore, the PAPR of the DMRS signal can be reduced by making the DMRS sequence different. Alternatively, the generation complexity of the DMRS signal can be reduced by making the DMRS sequence the same.

[0294] Furthermore, by making the scrambling sequences of the N broadcast signals different, the PAPR of the broadcast signals can be reduced. Alternatively, by making the scrambling sequences of the N broadcast signals the same, the generation complexity of the broadcast signals can be reduced.

[0295] Based on the same inventive concept as the method embodiment, this application provides a communication device, the structure of which can be as shown in FIG20, including a communication unit 2001 and a processing unit 2002.

[0296] In one embodiment, the communication device can specifically be used to implement the method executed by the terminal device in the embodiment of FIG2. The device can be the terminal device itself, or a chip or chipset within the terminal device, or a part of the chip used to execute the relevant method function. Specifically, the communication unit 2001 is used to receive a first SSB, wherein the first SSB includes a synchronization signal, N broadcast signals, and N DMRSs, the N broadcast signals being frequency-division multiplexed, and the N DMRSs corresponding one-to-one with the N broadcast signals, where N is an integer greater than 1. The processing unit 2002 is used to perform downlink timing synchronization based on the first SSB.

[0297] Optionally, the communication unit 2001 is further configured to transmit a first random access preamble, the first random access preamble being associated with a first broadcast signal among the N broadcast signals.

[0298] Optionally, the communication unit 2001 is further configured to receive scheduling information of the first system information, the scheduling information of the first system information being carried on a first resource; the first resource is one of A resources, the N broadcast signals all correspond to the first resource, the A resources respectively correspond to A SSBs, the first SSB is one of the A SSBs, the A SSBs are included in a first synchronization signal cluster, and A is a positive integer; or, the first resource is one of N resources, the N resources respectively correspond to the N broadcast signals.

[0299] Optionally, the communication unit 2001 is further configured to receive first indication information, the first indication information being used to indicate that the first resource is one of A resources, or the first indication information being used to indicate that the first resource is one of N resources.

[0300] Optionally, the communication unit 2001 is further configured to detect a paging message within a first paging timing; the first paging timing includes A PDCCH detection timings, the A PDCCH detection timings respectively correspond to A SSBs, the first SSB is one of the A SSBs, and the N broadcast signals each correspond to the PDCCH detection timing of the paging message corresponding to the first SSB in the A PDCCH detection timings, where A is a positive integer; or, the first paging timing includes N PDCCH detection timings, and the N broadcast signals respectively correspond to the N PDCCH detection timings.

[0301] Optionally, the communication unit 2001 is further configured to receive second indication information, the second indication information being used to indicate that the first paging timing includes the A PDCCH detection timings, or the second indication information being used to indicate that the first paging timing includes the N PDCCH detection timings.

[0302] In one embodiment, the communication device can specifically be used to implement the method executed by the network device in the embodiment of FIG2. The device can be the network device itself, or a chip or chipset within the network device, or a part of the chip used to execute the relevant method function. Specifically, the processing unit 2002 is used to generate a first SSB, wherein the first SSB includes a synchronization signal, N broadcast signals, and N DMRSs, the N broadcast signals being frequency-division multiplexed, and the N DMRSs corresponding one-to-one with the N broadcast signals, where N is an integer greater than 1; the communication unit 2001 is used to transmit the first SSB.

[0303] Optionally, the communication unit 2001 is further configured to receive a first random access preamble, the first random access preamble being associated with a first broadcast signal among the N broadcast signals.

[0304] Optionally, the communication unit 2001 is further configured to transmit scheduling information of the first system information, the scheduling information of the first system information being carried on a first resource; the first resource is one of A resources, the N broadcast signals all correspond to the first resource, the A resources respectively correspond to A SSBs, the first SSB is one of the A SSBs, the A SSBs are included in a first synchronization signal cluster, and A is a positive integer; or, the first resource is one of N resources, the N resources respectively correspond to the N broadcast signals.

[0305] Optionally, the communication unit 2001 is further configured to send first indication information, the first indication information being used to indicate that the first resource is one of A resources, or the first indication information being used to indicate that the first resource is one of N resources.

[0306] Optionally, the communication unit 2001 is further configured to send a paging message within a first paging timing; the first paging timing includes A PDCCH detection timings, the A PDCCH detection timings respectively correspond to A SSBs, the first SSB is one of the A SSBs, and the N broadcast signals all correspond to the PDCCH detection timing of the paging message corresponding to the first SSB in the A PDCCH detection timings, where A is a positive integer; or, the first paging timing includes N PDCCH detection timings, and the N broadcast signals respectively correspond to the N PDCCH detection timings.

[0307] Optionally, the communication unit 2001 is further configured to send second indication information, the second indication information being used to indicate that the first paging timing includes the A PDCCH detection timings, or the second indication information being used to indicate that the first paging timing includes the N PDCCH detection timings.

[0308] The module division in this application embodiment is illustrative and represents only one logical functional division. In actual implementation, other division methods may be used. Furthermore, the functional modules in the various embodiments of this application can be integrated into a single processor, exist as separate physical entities, or be integrated into a single module. The integrated modules described above can be implemented in hardware or as software functional modules. It is understood that the functions or implementations of the modules in the embodiments of this application can be further described in the relevant descriptions of the method embodiments.

[0309] In one possible embodiment, the communication device can be as shown in FIG21. This device can be a communication equipment or a chip within a communication equipment, wherein the communication equipment can be the terminal device or the network device described in the above embodiments. The device includes a processor 2101 and a communication interface 2102, and may also include a memory 2103. The processing unit 2002 can be the processor 2101. The communication unit 2001 can be the communication interface 2102. Optionally, the processor 2101 and the memory 2103 can also be integrated together.

[0310] The processor 2101 can be a CPU, a digital processing unit, or something similar. The communication interface 2102 can be a transceiver, an interface circuit such as a transceiver circuit, or a transceiver chip, etc. The device also includes a memory 2103 for storing the program executed by the processor 2101. The memory 2103 can be non-volatile memory, such as a hard disk drive (HDD) or a solid-state drive (SSD), or it can be volatile memory, such as random-access memory (RAM). The memory 2103 can be any other medium capable of carrying or storing desired program code in the form of instructions or data structures that can be accessed by a computer, but is not limited to this.

[0311] The processor 2101 is used to execute the program code stored in the memory 2103, specifically to perform the actions of the aforementioned processing unit 2002, which will not be described in detail here. The communication interface 2102 is specifically used to perform the actions of the aforementioned communication unit 2001, which will not be described in detail here.

[0312] This embodiment does not limit the specific connection medium between the communication interface 2102, processor 2101, and memory 2103. In Figure 21, the memory 2103, processor 2101, and communication interface 2102 are connected via a bus 2104, which is represented by a thick line. The connection methods between other components are merely illustrative and not intended to be limiting. Buses can be categorized as address buses, data buses, control buses, etc. For ease of illustration, only one thick line is used in Figure 21, but this does not imply that there is only one bus or one type of bus.

[0313] This application also provides a computer-readable storage medium for storing computer software instructions required to execute the processor, including a program required to execute the processor.

[0314] This application also provides a communication system, including a communication device for implementing the terminal device function in the embodiment of FIG2 and a communication device for implementing the network device function in the embodiment of FIG2.

[0315] Those skilled in the art will understand that embodiments of this application can be provided as methods, systems, or computer program products. Therefore, this application can take the form of a completely hardware embodiment, a completely software embodiment, or an embodiment combining software and hardware aspects. Furthermore, this application can take the form of a computer program product embodied on one or more computer-usable storage media (including but not limited to disk storage, CD-ROM, optical storage, etc.) containing computer-usable program code.

[0316] This application is described with reference to flowchart illustrations and / or block diagrams of methods, apparatus (systems), and computer program products according to this application. It should be understood that each block of the flowchart illustrations and / or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in the flowchart illustrations and / or block diagrams, can be implemented by computer program instructions. These computer program instructions can be provided to a processor of a general-purpose computer, special-purpose computer, embedded processor, or other programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, such that the instructions, which execute via the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing apparatus, create means for implementing the functions specified in one or more blocks of the flowchart illustrations and / or one or more blocks of the block diagrams.

[0317] These computer program instructions may also be stored in a computer-readable storage medium that can direct a computer or other programmable data processing device to function in a particular manner, such that the instructions stored in the computer-readable storage medium produce an article of manufacture including instruction means that implement the functions specified in one or more flowcharts and / or one or more block diagrams.

[0318] These computer program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer or other programmable data processing apparatus to cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer or other programmable apparatus to produce a computer-implemented process, such that the instructions, which execute on the computer or other programmable apparatus, provide steps for implementing the functions specified in one or more flowcharts and / or one or more block diagrams.

[0319] Obviously, those skilled in the art can make various modifications and variations to this application without departing from the scope of this application. Therefore, if such modifications and variations fall within the scope of the claims of this application and their equivalents, this application also intends to include such modifications and variations.

Claims

1. A communication method characterized by comprising: include: Receive a first synchronization signal / physical broadcast channel block (SSB), wherein the first SSB includes a synchronization signal, N broadcast signals and N demodulation reference signals (DMRS), the N broadcast signals are frequency-division multiplexed, the N DMRS correspond one-to-one with the N broadcast signals, and N is an integer greater than 1; Downlink timing synchronization is performed based on the first SSB.

2. A communication method characterized by comprising: include: Generate a first synchronization signal / physical broadcast channel block (SSB), wherein the first SSB includes a synchronization signal, N broadcast signals and N demodulation reference signals (DMRS), the N broadcast signals are frequency-division multiplexed, the N DMRS correspond one-to-one with the N broadcast signals, and N is an integer greater than 1; Send the first SSB.

3. The method of claim 1 or 2, wherein, The scrambling sequences of the N broadcast signals are different.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein, The N broadcast signals have different scrambling sequences, including: The scrambling sequence for each of the N broadcast signals is generated based on the index of each broadcast signal or the index of each broadcast signal among the N broadcast signals.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, The N DMRS frequency division multiplexing.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein, The N broadcast signals and the N DMRS occupy a first frequency domain resource. The first broadcast signal and the DMRS corresponding to the first broadcast signal occupy a second frequency domain resource. The second frequency domain resource includes a first frequency domain unit in the first frequency domain resource with indices n, n+N, n+2N, ..., n+X*N, where n is the index of the first broadcast signal in the N broadcast signals, and X is an integer greater than 0.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein, The first frequency domain unit is any one of the following frequency domain units: subcarrier, subcarrier group, resource block, and resource block group, wherein the subcarrier group includes one or more subcarriers, and the resource block group includes one or more resource blocks.

8. The method according to any one of claims 1-4, characterized in that, The N DMRS code division multiplexing.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein, The N broadcast signals occupy the third frequency domain resources. Among the N broadcast signals, the second broadcast signal occupies P first subcarrier groups in the third frequency domain resources. Among the P first subcarrier groups, there are (N-1)*K+N*w subcarriers between the p-th first subcarrier group and the p+1-th first subcarrier group. The first subcarrier group includes K subcarriers, where K is an integer greater than or equal to 1, P is an integer greater than 0, p is an integer greater than 0 and not greater than P, and w is an integer greater than or equal to 0.

10. The method of any one of claims 1-9, wherein, The reference signal sequences of the N DMRS are different; Alternatively, the reference signal sequences of the N DMRS are the same, but the scrambling sequences of the N DMRS are different.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein, The reference signal sequences of the N DMRS are different, including: The reference signal sequence for each of the N DMRSs is generated based on the index of the broadcast signal corresponding to each DMRS or the index of the broadcast signal corresponding to each DMRS in the N broadcast signals.

12. The method as described in claim 10 or 11, characterized in that, The reference signal sequences of the N DMRS are identical, including: The reference signal sequences of the N DMRS are generated based on the index of the first SSB.

13. The method according to any one of claims 10 to 12, wherein, The N scrambling sequences of the DMRS are different, including: The scrambling sequence for each of the N DMRSs is generated based on the index of the broadcast signal corresponding to each DMRS or the index of the broadcast signal corresponding to each DMRS among the N broadcast signals.

14. The method of any one of claims 1-13, wherein, The index of each of the N broadcast signals is associated with at least one of the following: the index of the first SSB, the frequency domain resource or frequency domain location of the DMRS corresponding to each broadcast signal, the reference signal sequence of the DMRS corresponding to each broadcast signal, the scrambling sequence of the DMRS corresponding to each broadcast signal, and the index of the code division multiplexing sequence of the DMRS corresponding to each broadcast signal.

15. The method of any one of claims 1-14, wherein, The N broadcast signals carry the same information.

16. The method of any one of claims 1, 3-15, wherein, The method further includes: Send a first random access preamble, which is associated with a first broadcast signal among the N broadcast signals.

17. The method as described in claim 16, characterized in that, The first random access preamble is the random access preamble corresponding to the first broadcast signal, and the random access preambles corresponding to different broadcast signals among the N broadcast signals are different; and / or, The first random access preamble carries the random access timing corresponding to the first broadcast signal, and the random access timings corresponding to different signals among the N broadcast signals are different.

18. The method of any one of claims 1, 3-17, wherein, The method further includes: The scheduling information of the first system information is received and carried on the first resource. The first resource is one of A resources, and all N broadcast signals correspond to the first resource. Each of the A resources corresponds to one of A SSBs, and the first SSB is one of the A SSBs. The A SSBs are included within a first synchronization signal cluster, where A is a positive integer; or... The first resource is one of N resources, and the N resources correspond to the N broadcast signals respectively.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein, The method further includes: Receive first indication information, the first indication information being used to indicate that the first resource is one of A resources, or, the first indication information being used to indicate that the first resource is one of N resources.

20. The method of any one of claims 1, 3-19, wherein, The method further includes: Detect the paging message during the first paging opportunity; The first paging timing includes A Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH) detection timings, each of which corresponds to A Service Blocks (SSBs). The first SSB is one of the A SSBs. The N broadcast signals each correspond to the PDCCH detection timing of the paging message corresponding to the first SSB in the A PDCCH detection timings, where A is a positive integer; or, The first paging timing includes N PDCCH detection timings, and the N broadcast signals correspond to the N PDCCH detection timings respectively.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein, The method further includes: Receive second indication information, the second indication information being used to indicate that the first paging timing includes the A PDCCH detection timings, or, the second indication information being used to indicate that the first paging timing includes the N PDCCH detection timings.

22. The method of any one of claims 1-21, wherein, The beamwidth of the transmission beam of the synchronization signal is greater than the beamwidth of the transmission beam of any one of the N broadcast signals.

23. A communications device, characterized by include: A communication unit is configured to receive a first synchronization signal / physical broadcast channel block (SSB), wherein the first SSB includes a synchronization signal, N broadcast signals and N demodulation reference signals (DMRS), the N broadcast signals are frequency-division multiplexed, the N DMRS correspond one-to-one with the N broadcast signals, and N is an integer greater than 1; The processing unit is used to perform downlink timing synchronization based on the first SSB.

24. A communication device, characterized in that, include: The processing unit is used to generate a first synchronization signal / physical broadcast channel block (SSB), wherein the first SSB includes a synchronization signal, N broadcast signals and N demodulation reference signals (DMRS), the N broadcast signals are frequency-division multiplexed, the N DMRS correspond one-to-one with the N broadcast signals, and N is an integer greater than 1; A communication unit is used to transmit the first SSB.

25. A communication device, characterized in that, include: A module for performing the method as described in any one of claims 1, 3 to 22, or including a module for performing the method as described in any one of claims 2 to 22.

26. A communication device, characterized in that, It includes at least one processor; and a communication interface communicatively connected to the at least one processor; the at least one processor causes the method as described in any one of claims 1, 3 to 22 to be executed, or causes the method as described in any one of claims 2 to 22 to be executed, by executing instructions stored in memory.

27. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, The computer contains a computer program or instructions that, when executed on a computer, cause the computer to perform the method as described in any one of claims 1, 3 to 22, or the method as described in any one of claims 2 to 22.

28. A computer program product, characterized in that, When the computer reads and executes the computer program product, the method as described in any one of claims 1, 3 to 22 or the method as described in any one of claims 2 to 22 is performed.

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