Communication method and apparatus

Abstract

Provided in the present application are a communication method and apparatus, which can reduce the power consumption of a network apparatus. The method comprises: a first terminal apparatus sending an uplink signal; a first network apparatus receiving the uplink signal, determining, on the basis of the uplink signal, that a first cell is a target camping cell of the first terminal apparatus, and sending a feedback signal comprising identification information of the first cell; and the first terminal apparatus receiving the feedback signal for the uplink signal, and determining the target camping cell on the basis of the feedback signal for the uplink signal. In the present application, an uplink signal is sent by means of a first terminal apparatus, and a feedback signal for the uplink signal enables the first terminal apparatus to determine a target camping cell, such that a first network apparatus does not need to frequently send downlink signals for measurement performed by the terminal apparatus, thereby reducing the power consumption of the network apparatus.

Description

Communication methods and devices Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of communication technology, and in particular to a communication method and apparatus. Background Technology

[0002] To improve network quality for terminal devices, these devices typically need to measure the cell signal strength of the network equipment to achieve cell management. For example, when a neighboring cell has better signal quality than the serving cell, the terminal device can designate the neighboring cell with better signal quality as the serving cell, thereby improving the data transmission performance of the terminal device.

[0003] In the above method, in order to ensure that the terminal device can measure the signal quality of the cell at any time, the network device needs to continuously send downlink reference signals, which results in a large amount of signal transmission overhead for the network device. Summary of the Invention

[0004] This application provides a communication method and apparatus that can reduce the power consumption of network devices to a certain extent.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, this application adopts the following technical solution:

[0006] In a first aspect, embodiments of this application provide a communication method, which can be executed by a first terminal device. The method includes: the first terminal device sending an uplink signal; the first terminal device receiving a feedback signal of the uplink signal; and determining a target cell based on the feedback signal.

[0007] Based on the above technical solution, the target cell for the first terminal device is determined based on the uplink signal sent by the first terminal device. Compared to the first terminal device measuring the downlink signal sent by the network device, the network device does not need to frequently send downlink reference signals, thereby reducing the power consumption of the network device. In addition, since the first terminal device does not need to measure the downlink signal and can determine the target cell based on the feedback signal of the uplink signal, the performance requirements of the first terminal device during cell mobility management (i.e., determining the target cell) can also be reduced.

[0008] Based on the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the first terminal device can send an uplink signal within a first time window.

[0009] Based on the above technical solution, a first time window is introduced to achieve centralized transmission of uplink signals. Outside of the first time window, since the first terminal device does not need to transmit uplink signals, it can control its signal transmission module to enter a sleep state, thereby reducing the power consumption of the first terminal device outside of the first time window.

[0010] Based on the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the first terminal device may receive first configuration information. This first configuration information may include the window length and window period of a first time window.

[0011] Optionally, the first configuration information may also include a first offset. This first offset may indicate the starting position of the first time window.

[0012] Optionally, the first time window may include multiple time-domain resources. The first configuration information also indicates the order of the first time-domain resources from which the first terminal device transmits the uplink signal among the multiple time-domain resources included in the first time window.

[0013] Optionally, the first configuration information includes a first serial number corresponding to the first terminal device. This first serial number indicates the order of the first time-domain resource from which the first terminal device transmits uplink signals among the multiple time-domain resources included in the first time window.

[0014] Optionally, the multiple time-domain resources included in the first time window can be time-domain resources used by multiple terminal devices to send uplink signals. That is, the multiple time-domain resources included in the first time window can be time-domain resources used by the network device to receive uplink signals from different terminal devices. Different terminal devices use different time-domain resources to send uplink signals.

[0015] Based on the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the first terminal device can receive the feedback signal of the uplink signal within the second time window.

[0016] Based on the above technical solution, the first terminal device can centrally receive the feedback signal of the uplink signal based on the second time window. In this way, the first terminal device can control the signal receiving module to enter a sleep state outside the second time window, thereby reducing the power consumption of the first terminal device outside the second time window.

[0017] Based on the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, second configuration information can be received. This second configuration information may include the window length and window period of the first time window.

[0018] Optionally, the second configuration information may also include a second offset. This second offset may indicate the starting position of the second time window.

[0019] Optionally, the second time window may include multiple time-domain resources. The second configuration information also indicates the order of the second time-domain resources in which the first terminal device receives the feedback signal of the uplink signal among the multiple time-domain resources included in the second time window.

[0020] Optionally, the second configuration information may further include a second serial number corresponding to the first terminal device. This second serial number may indicate the order of the second time-domain resources in which the first terminal device receives the feedback signal of the uplink signal among the multiple time-domain resources included in the second time window.

[0021] Optionally, the multiple time-domain resources included in the second time window can be time-domain resources used by multiple terminal devices to receive feedback signals of uplink signals. That is, the multiple time-domain resources of the second time window are time-domain resources used by the network device to send feedback signals of uplink signals from different terminal devices. The time-domain resources used by different terminal devices to receive feedback signals of uplink signals are different.

[0022] Based on the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the first time window and the second time window can be the same time window.

[0023] Based on the above technical solution, the first terminal device can use the same time window to transmit uplink signals and receive uplink feedback signals, thereby improving the concentration of signal transmission and reception of the first terminal device and avoiding frequent activation of the signal transmission and reception module, which would increase the power consumption of the first terminal device.

[0024] Based on the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, it is possible to search for the target cell without receiving a feedback signal.

[0025] Based on the above technical solution, the first terminal device can flexibly adjust the method of determining the target cell based on the reception of feedback signals.

[0026] Based on the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the feedback signal may include the identification information of the first cell.

[0027] Secondly, embodiments of this application provide a communication method, which can be executed by a first network device. The method includes: the first network device receiving an uplink signal, which may be sent by a first terminal device; the first network device determining a first cell as the target cell for the first terminal device based on the uplink signal; and the first network device sending a feedback signal of the uplink signal, which may include identification information of the first cell.

[0028] Based on the above technical solution, the first network device receives uplink signals and determines the first cell based on the uplink signals, then sends the identification information of the first cell to the first terminal device via a feedback signal. In this way, the first network device does not need to constantly send downlink signals; cell management for the first terminal device can be achieved simply by sending a feedback signal based on the uplink signals when the first terminal device needs to determine the target cell, thus saving a significant amount of downlink signal transmission overhead.

[0029] Based on the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the first network device can receive uplink signals within a first time window.

[0030] Based on the above technical solution, the first network device can achieve centralized reception of uplink signals based on a first time window. Thus, outside the first time window, since there is no need to monitor the uplink signal, the first network device can control its signal receiving module to enter a sleep state, thereby reducing the power consumption of the first network device outside the first time window.

[0031] Based on the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the first network device may send first configuration information, which may include the window length and window period of a first time window.

[0032] Possible implementations of the first configuration information can be found in the description of the first configuration information in the first aspect above, and will not be repeated here.

[0033] Based on the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the first network device can send a feedback signal of the uplink signal within a second time window.

[0034] Based on the above technical solution, the first network device can centrally transmit the feedback signal of the uplink signal based on the second time window. Thus, outside the second time window, since there is no need to transmit the feedback signal of the uplink signal, the first network device can control its own signal transmission module to enter a sleep state, thereby reducing the power consumption of the first network device outside the second time window.

[0035] Based on the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the first network device may send second configuration information, which may include the window length and window period of the second time window.

[0036] Possible implementations of the second configuration information can be found in the description of the second configuration information in the first aspect above, and will not be repeated here.

[0037] Based on the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the network device receiving the uplink signal includes multiple devices, and the first network device is the network device to which the first cell belongs among the multiple network devices.

[0038] Based on the above scheme, the network device can send uplink signal feedback only when it is the network device to which the first cell belongs, so as to ensure the uniqueness of the uplink signal feedback signal and avoid the first terminal device being unable to determine the target cell due to too many feedback signals, thereby improving the accuracy of the target cell.

[0039] The second aspect provides some possible implementation methods and beneficial effects, which can be referred to in the first aspect and will not be repeated here.

[0040] Thirdly, embodiments of this application provide a communication system that may include multiple network devices and a first terminal device.

[0041] The first terminal device is used to send uplink signals.

[0042] Multiple network devices are used to receive uplink signals and determine the first cell and the first network device based on the uplink signals.

[0043] The first cell can be the target cell corresponding to the first terminal device, and the first network device can be the network device to which the first cell belongs.

[0044] The first network device is used to send a feedback signal for the uplink signal. This feedback signal may include the identification information of the first cell.

[0045] The first terminal device is also used to receive feedback signals from the uplink signals and determine the target cell to be camped on based on the feedback signals.

[0046] The third aspect provides some possible implementation methods and beneficial effects, which can be referred to in the first and second aspects and will not be repeated here.

[0047] Fourthly, a communication device is provided, which can be the first terminal device described in the first aspect or any implementation thereof. The communication device includes a transceiver module and a processing module.

[0048] The transceiver module is used to send uplink signals.

[0049] The transceiver module is also used to receive feedback signals from the uplink signal.

[0050] The processing module is used to determine the target cell to reside in based on the feedback signal.

[0051] Based on the fourth aspect, in some implementations of the fourth aspect, the transceiver module is used to send uplink signals within the first time window.

[0052] Based on the fourth aspect, in some implementations of the fourth aspect, the transceiver module is also used to receive first configuration information. This first configuration information may include the window length and window period of a first time window.

[0053] Possible implementations of the first configuration information can be found in the description of the first configuration information in the first aspect above, and will not be repeated here.

[0054] Based on the fourth aspect, in some implementations of the fourth aspect, the transceiver module is used to receive the feedback signal of the uplink signal within the second time window.

[0055] Based on the fourth aspect, in some implementations of the fourth aspect, the transceiver module is also used to receive second configuration information. This second configuration information may include the window length and window period of the second time window.

[0056] Possible implementations of the second configuration information can be found in the description of the second configuration information in the first aspect above, and will not be repeated here.

[0057] Based on the fourth aspect, in some implementations of the fourth aspect, the processing module can search for the target cell without receiving a feedback signal.

[0058] Based on the fourth aspect, in some implementations of the fourth aspect, the feedback signal may include the identification information of the first cell, and the processing module may determine the first cell as the target cell to be camped.

[0059] Fifthly, a communication device is provided, which can be the first network device described in the second aspect or any implementation thereof. The communication device includes a transceiver module and a processing module.

[0060] The transceiver module is used to receive uplink signals. This first uplink signal is sent by the first terminal device. For example, this first uplink signal can be sent by the transceiver module described in the fourth aspect.

[0061] The processing module is used to determine the first cell based on the uplink signal. This first cell is the target cell for the first terminal device.

[0062] The transceiver module is also used to send feedback signals for the uplink signal. These feedback signals include the identification information of the first cell.

[0063] Based on the fifth aspect, in some implementations of the fifth aspect, the transceiver module is used to receive uplink signals within the first time window.

[0064] Based on the fifth aspect, in some implementations of the fifth aspect, the transceiver module is also used to send first configuration information. This first configuration information may include the window length and window period of a first time window.

[0065] Possible implementations of the first configuration information can be found in the description of the first configuration information in the first aspect above, and will not be repeated here.

[0066] Based on the fifth aspect, in some implementations of the fifth aspect, the transceiver module is used to send a feedback signal of the uplink signal within the second time window.

[0067] Based on the fifth aspect, in some implementations of the fifth aspect, the transceiver module is also used to send second configuration information. This second configuration information may include the window length and window period of the second time window.

[0068] Possible implementations of the second configuration information can be found in the description of the second configuration information in the first aspect above, and will not be repeated here.

[0069] In a sixth aspect, a communication device is provided, the communication device including a processor for implementing the methods as described in the first aspect or any possible implementation thereof.

[0070] Optionally, the communication device further includes an interface circuit for receiving signals from other communication devices and transmitting them to the processor, or sending signals from the processor to other communication devices.

[0071] In a seventh aspect, a communication device is provided, the communication device including a processor for implementing the methods as described in the second aspect or any possible implementation thereof.

[0072] Optionally, the communication device further includes an interface circuit for receiving signals from other communication devices and transmitting them to the processor, or sending signals from the processor to other communication devices.

[0073] Eighthly, a communication device is provided, the communication device including a processor for implementing the methods as described in the third aspect or any possible implementation thereof.

[0074] Optionally, the communication device further includes an interface circuit for receiving signals from other communication devices and transmitting them to the processor, or sending signals from the processor to other communication devices.

[0075] A ninth aspect provides a computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program. When the computer program is executed by a processor, the methods of the first or second aspect and any implementation thereof are performed.

[0076] In a tenth aspect, a computer program product is provided, comprising a computer program that, when executed, causes the methods of the first or second aspect and any implementation thereof to be performed.

[0077] The solutions provided in the third to tenth aspects above are used to implement or cooperate with the methods provided in the first or second aspects above, and therefore can achieve the same or corresponding beneficial effects as the first or second aspects, which will not be elaborated here. Attached Figure Description

[0078] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the architecture of a communication system provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0079] Figure 2 is a schematic flowchart of a communication method provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0080] Figure 3 is a schematic flowchart of another communication method provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0081] Figure 4A is a schematic flowchart of another communication method provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0082] Figure 4B is a schematic flowchart of another communication method provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0083] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of a first time window provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0084] Figure 6 is a schematic flowchart of a communication method provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0085] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of the architecture of another communication system provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0086] Figure 8 is a schematic block diagram of a communication device provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0087] Figure 9 is a schematic block diagram of another communication device provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0088] Figure 10 is a schematic block diagram of another communication device provided in an embodiment of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0089] The technical solutions of the embodiments of this application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of this application, not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of this application, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0090] In this article, the term "and / or" is merely a description of the relationship between related objects, indicating that there can be three relationships. For example, A and / or B can represent three situations: A exists alone, A and B exist simultaneously, and B exists alone.

[0091] The terms "first" and "second," etc., used in the specification and claims of this application are used to distinguish different objects, not to describe a specific order of objects. For example, "first target object" and "second target object," etc., are used to distinguish different target objects, not to describe a specific order of target objects.

[0092] In the embodiments of this application, the words "exemplarily" or "for example" are used to indicate examples, illustrations, or explanations. Any embodiment or design described as "exemplarily" or "for example" in the embodiments of this application should not be construed as being more preferred or advantageous than other embodiments or design solutions. Specifically, the use of the words "exemplarily" or "for example" is intended to present the relevant concepts in a specific manner.

[0093] In the description of the embodiments in this application, unless otherwise stated, "multiple" means two or more. For example, multiple processing units means two or more processing units; multiple systems means two or more systems.

[0094] In the various method embodiments of this application, the order of the sequence numbers does not imply the order of execution. The execution order should be determined by its function and internal logic, and should not constitute any limitation on the implementation process of the embodiments of this application.

[0095] It is understood that in the embodiments of this application, descriptions such as "under the circumstances," "if," "when," and "if..." can be used interchangeably. Furthermore, these descriptions all refer to the corresponding processing that will be carried out under certain objective circumstances, and are not limited to a specific time, nor do they require any judgment action during implementation, nor do they imply any other limitations.

[0096] It is understood that some optional features in the embodiments of this application can be implemented independently in certain scenarios without relying on other features, such as the current solution on which they are based, to solve the corresponding technical problems and achieve the corresponding effects. Alternatively, they can be combined with other features as needed in certain scenarios. Correspondingly, the apparatus given in the embodiments of this application can also implement these features or functions, which will not be elaborated here.

[0097] In this application, "sending" and "receiving" refer to the direction of signal transmission. In this application, entity A sends information to entity B, either directly or indirectly through other entities. Similarly, entity B receives information from entity A, either directly or indirectly through other entities. Entities A and B can be radio access network (RAN) nodes or terminals, or modules within RAN nodes or terminals. Information sending and receiving can be information exchange between RAN nodes and terminals, such as between a base station and a terminal; it can also be information exchange between two RAN nodes, such as between a CU and a DU; or it can be information exchange between different modules within a device, such as between a terminal chip and other modules of the terminal, or between a base station chip and other modules of the base station. "Sending" can also be understood as the "output" of a chip interface, such as a baseband chip outputting information to a radio frequency chip, and "receiving" can be understood as the "input" of a chip interface.

[0098] For example, "sending information to...(terminal)" can be understood as the destination of the information being the terminal, and may include sending information directly or indirectly to the terminal. "Receiving information from...(terminal)" can be understood as the source of the information being the terminal, and may include receiving information directly or indirectly from the terminal. Information may undergo necessary processing between the source and destination, such as format changes, but the destination can understand the valid information from the source. Similar expressions in this application can be understood in a similar way, and will not be elaborated further here.

[0099] In the embodiments of this application, unless otherwise specified, the same or similar parts between the various embodiments can be referred to each other. In the various embodiments of this application, and in the various implementation methods / methods / implementations within each embodiment, unless otherwise specified or logically conflicting, the terminology and / or descriptions between different embodiments and between the various implementation methods / methods / implementations within each embodiment are consistent and can be mutually referenced. The technical features in different embodiments and the various implementation methods / methods / implementations within each embodiment can be combined according to their inherent logical relationships to form new embodiments, implementation methods, methods, or implementation approaches. The embodiments of this application described below do not constitute a limitation on the scope of protection of this application.

[0100] In this application, "for indicating" can include both direct and indirect indication. When describing an indication information as indicating A, it can be understood that the indication information carries A, directly indicates A, or indirectly indicates A.

[0101] In this application, the information indicated by the instruction information is called the information to be instructed. In specific implementation, there are many ways to instruct the information to be instructed. For example, it can be implemented through direct instruction, such as through the information to be instructed itself or its index. It can also be implemented indirectly by instructing other information, where there is a relationship between the other information and the information to be instructed. Alternatively, only a part of the information to be instructed can be indicated, while the other parts are known or pre-agreed upon. For example, the instruction of specific information can be achieved by using a pre-agreed (e.g., protocol-defined) arrangement of various pieces of information, thereby reducing instruction overhead to some extent.

[0102] The information to be instructed can be sent as a whole or divided into multiple sub-information messages, and the sending period and / or timing of these sub-information messages can be the same or different. This application does not limit the specific sending method. The sending period and / or timing of these sub-information messages can be predefined, for example, according to a protocol, or configured by the transmitting device by sending configuration information to the receiving device.

[0103] The embodiments of this application can be applied to various communication systems, such as wireless local area network (WLAN), narrowband Internet of Things (NB-IoT), global system for mobile communications (GSM), enhanced data rate for GSM evolution (EDGE), wideband code division multiple access (WCDMA), code division multiple access 2000 (CDMA2000), time division-synchronization code division multiple access (TD-SCDMA), long term evolution (LTE), universal mobile telecommunication system (UMTS), worldwide interoperability for microwave access (WiMAX), satellite communication systems, 5th generation (5G) communication systems, or future communication network systems, etc.

[0104] The network elements involved in the embodiments of this application may include network devices, terminal devices, relay devices, and other communication devices containing signal transmission modules and receiving modules, such as transmitting network elements and receiving network elements.

[0105] The terminal device involved in this application embodiment is a user-side entity used to receive or transmit signals. It is used to send uplink signals to network devices, receive downlink signals from network devices, send signals to another terminal device, receive signals from another terminal device, or receive echo signals of its own transmitted signals. The terminal device can be a mobile phone, tablet computer, virtual reality terminal device, augmented reality terminal device, wearable device, vehicle-mounted device, wireless terminal in industrial control, or a mobile object with communication capabilities such as a vehicle or drone, or a wireless device (e.g., a communication module, modem, or chip system) built into the aforementioned devices. The terminal device may sometimes be referred to as user equipment (UE), user terminal, user device, user unit, user station, terminal, access terminal, access station, UE station, remote station, mobile device, or wireless communication device, etc. A terminal device is a user-side device with wireless transceiver capabilities, and can be a fixed device, mobile device, handheld device (e.g., mobile phone), wearable device, vehicle-mounted device, or a wireless device (e.g., a communication module, modem, or chip system) built into the aforementioned devices. Terminal devices are used to connect people, things, and machines, and can be widely used in various scenarios, such as: cellular communication, device-to-device (D2D) communication, vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication, machine-to-machine / machine-type communications (M2M / MTC) communication, Internet of Things (IoT), VR, augmented reality (AR), industrial control, self-driving, remote medical, smart grid, smart furniture, smart office, smart wearables, smart transportation, smart cities, drones, robots, etc. For example, terminal devices can be handheld terminals in cellular communication, communication devices in D2D, IoT devices in MTC, surveillance cameras in smart transportation and smart cities, or communication devices on drones, etc.

[0106] In this embodiment, the communication device used to implement the functions of the terminal device can be the terminal device itself, or it can be a device (e.g., a chip system) that supports the terminal device in implementing the functions. This device can be installed in the terminal device or used in conjunction with the terminal device. In this embodiment, the chip system can be composed of chips, or it can include chips and other discrete components.

[0107] The network devices involved in this application embodiment are used to receive uplink signals from terminal devices, send downlink signals to terminal devices, or receive echo signals of signals sent by themselves. The network devices can be nodes in a radio access network, also known as base stations or RAN nodes (or devices). The network devices can be evolved Node B (eNB or eNodeB) in LTE; next-generation node B (gNB) in 5G networks; base stations in future evolved public land mobile networks (PLMNs); broadband network gateways (BNGs); aggregation switches; or non-3rd generation partnership project (3GPP) access devices, etc. Optionally, the network equipment in this application embodiment may include various forms of base stations, such as: relay stations, access points, equipment that implements base station functions in communication systems evolved after 5G, mobile switching centers, home evolved NodeBs (HNBs), baseband units (BBUs), equipment that performs base station functions in D2D, access points (APs), wireless relay nodes, wireless backhaul nodes, transmission points (TPs), or transmission and reception points (TRPs) in WIFI systems, equipment that performs base station functions in V2X and M2M communications, etc. It may also include centralized units (CUs) and distributed units (DUs) in cloud radio access networks (C-RAN) systems, and network equipment in non-terrestrial network (NTN) communication systems, that is, it may be deployed on high-altitude platforms or satellites. It can also be a gNB or transmission point in NR, one or a group (including multiple) of antenna panels of a base station in NR, or it can be a network node constituting a gNB or transmission point. Alternatively, the network device can also be a vehicle-mounted device, a wearable device, or a network device in a future communication network, or a network device in a future evolved PLMN network, or a network device deployed on a satellite. This application embodiment does not limit this.Furthermore, based on the size of the service coverage area provided, base stations can be divided into macro base stations for providing macro cells, micro base stations for providing pico cells, and femto base stations for providing femto cells. As wireless communication technology continues to evolve, future base stations may also adopt other names.

[0108] Network equipment comes in a wide variety of forms. For example, in product implementation, the BBU can be integrated with a radio frequency unit (RFU) within the same device, which is connected to the antenna array via cables (e.g., but not limited to feeders). Alternatively, the BBU can be separate from the RFU, connected via fiber optic cable, and communicate using, for example, but not limited to, the Common Public Radio Interface (CPRI) protocol. In this case, the RFU is typically called a remote radio unit (RRU), which is connected to the antenna array via cables. Furthermore, the RRU can also be integrated with the antenna array; for example, this structure is used in active antenna unit (AAU) products.

[0109] Furthermore, the BBU can be further decomposed into multiple parts. For example, the BBU can be further subdivided into CU and DU based on the real-time nature of the services it handles. The CU is responsible for handling non-real-time protocols and services, while the DU is responsible for handling physical layer protocols and real-time services. Moreover, some physical layer functions can be separated from the BBU or DU and integrated into the AAU.

[0110] In another possible scenario, multiple network devices collaborate to assist terminal devices in achieving wireless access, with each network device performing a portion of the base station's functions. For example, network devices can be CUs, DUs, CUs (control plane, CP), CUs (user plane, UP), or radio units (RUs). CUs and DUs can be configured separately or included in the same network element, such as a BBU. RUs can be included in radio equipment or radio units, such as RRUs, AAUs, or remote radio heads (RRHs). It is understood that network devices can be CU nodes, DU nodes, or devices comprising both CU and DU nodes. Furthermore, CUs can be classified as network devices in the access network (RAN) or in the core network (CN); this is not a limitation.

[0111] In different communication 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 open radio access network (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. Any of the units among CU (or CU-CP, CU-UP), DU, and RU in this application can be implemented through software modules, hardware modules, or a combination of software modules and hardware modules.

[0112] Network devices can communicate and interact with core network devices to provide communication services to terminal devices. Core network devices, for example, are those in the core network of a 5G network. As a bearer network, the core network provides an interface to the data network, offering terminals communication connectivity, authentication, management, policy control, and the ability to carry data services.

[0113] In this embodiment, the device for implementing the functions of the network device can be the network device itself; or it can be a device capable of supporting the network device in implementing the functions, such as a chip system. This device can be installed in the network device or used in conjunction with the network device.

[0114] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the architecture of the communication system 1000 used in an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 1, the communication system includes a wireless access network 100 and a core network 200. Optionally, the communication system 1000 may also include the Internet 300. The wireless access network 100 may include at least one wireless access network device (100a and 100b in Figure 1) and at least one terminal device (120a-120j in Figure 1). The terminal device is wirelessly connected to the wireless access network device, and the wireless access network device is wirelessly or wiredly connected to the core network. The core network device and the wireless access network device may be independent physical devices, or the functions of the core network device and the logical functions of the wireless access network device may be integrated on the same physical device, or a single physical device may integrate some of the functions of the core network device and some of the functions of the wireless access network device. Terminal devices and wireless access network devices may be interconnected via wired or wireless means. Figure 1 is just a schematic diagram. The communication system may also include other network devices, such as wireless relay devices and wireless backhaul devices, which are not shown in Figure 1.

[0115] To facilitate understanding of the embodiments of this application, the technical solutions related to the embodiments of this application will be briefly introduced below.

[0116] In communication technology, when a terminal device establishes a radio resource control (RRC) connection with a network device, it can enter an idle mode or an inactive mode to reduce signaling overhead and lower the power consumption of the terminal device.

[0117] In addition, network devices can reduce power consumption through cell-level hibernation technology. For example, network devices can control cells with no data traffic or very light data traffic to enter a hibernation state, shutting down the transmission of data signals and most control signals on that cell, thereby reducing the power consumption of the network devices.

[0118] In some scenarios, terminal devices need to measure the signal quality of a cell for cell management. For example, terminal devices need to measure the signal quality of the serving cell and neighboring cells. When the signal quality of the serving cell is poor while the signal quality of the neighboring cell is high, cell reselection can be used to switch the serving cell to a neighboring cell with better signal quality in order to improve the data transmission performance of the terminal device.

[0119] Because network devices cannot detect terminal devices in the IDLE or INACTIVE state, they cannot determine whether such devices exist within the cell. Therefore, regardless of whether the network device detects a terminal device, it needs to continuously transmit downlink reference signals to ensure that all terminal devices within the cell can measure the cell signal in order to prevent IDLE or INACTIVE devices from performing cell reselection. This results in significant signal transmission overhead for the network device, and because this downlink reference signal needs to be continuously transmitted, the network device cannot completely enter a sleep state to reduce power consumption.

[0120] Based on this, embodiments of this application propose a communication method in which a terminal device sends an uplink signal, and a network device sends a feedback signal based on the uplink signal to indicate cell management information to the terminal device, enabling the terminal device to perform cell management based on the feedback signal. In this way, cell management by the terminal device can be achieved without the network device sending a downlink reference signal, thereby reducing the signal transmission overhead of the network device.

[0121] Figure 2 shows a schematic flowchart of a communication method 200 provided in an embodiment of this application. The execution entities of the communication method provided in this embodiment are a first terminal device and a first network device. The first terminal device in this application can be a terminal device or a module (e.g., a circuit, chip, chip system, or processor) within a terminal device, or it can be a logical node, logical module, or software capable of implementing all or part of the terminal device's functions. The first network device in this application can be a network device or a module (e.g., a circuit, chip, chip system, or processor) within a network device, or it can be a logical node, logical module, or software capable of implementing all or part of the network device's functions. The chip can be a modem chip, also known as a baseband chip; or it can be a system-on-a-chip (SoC) chip containing a modem core; or it can be a system-in-package (SIP) chip. The network device in this embodiment can be a base station.

[0122] As shown in Figure 2, the method includes:

[0123] S201: The first terminal device sends an uplink signal.

[0124] The uplink signal is used by the network device to determine the target cell for the first terminal device, so that the first terminal device can determine the current target cell based on the feedback signal from the network device. The target cell can be the best cell for the first terminal device to camp on at the moment, such as the cell with the best signal quality.

[0125] The type of uplink signal can be flexibly selected based on actual usage requirements and the method of determining the target cell. For example, the uplink signal can be an uplink reference signal, so that the network device can determine the target cell of the first terminal device based on the measurement of the uplink reference signal.

[0126] Optionally, the uplink signal can be transmitted in a flexible manner. For example, when the first terminal device needs to determine the target cell, it can broadcast the uplink signal so that one or more network devices can know the first terminal device's cell dwell requirements and determine the target cell based on the feedback signal of the uplink signal.

[0127] For example, the first terminal device can send an uplink signal when there is a cell reselection requirement.

[0128] In some embodiments, the first terminal device may send uplink signals while in a disconnected state.

[0129] S202: The first network device receives the uplink signal.

[0130] In some embodiments, the first terminal device and the first network device can transmit and receive uplink signals based on a first time window, thereby achieving centralized transmission and reception of uplink signals, enabling the first terminal device and the first network device to take energy-saving measures outside the first time window, and reducing the power consumption of signal transmission and reception between the first terminal device and the first network device.

[0131] In some scenarios, the first network device may need to receive uplink signals from multiple terminal devices. In such cases, the multiple terminal devices can use the same first time window to achieve centralized transmission and reception of uplink signals. For example, if all the terminal devices transmit uplink signals within the same first time window, the first time window is unified. In this way, the first network device can achieve centralized reception of uplink signals from all terminal devices based on a single time window, thereby improving the signal reception efficiency of the first network device.

[0132] Furthermore, in some scenarios, the uplink signal sent by the first terminal device may be received by multiple network devices. In such cases, these multiple network devices can also use the same first time window to further improve the centralization of uplink signal transmission and reception. For example, multiple network devices can monitor the uplink signal sent by the first terminal device within the same first time window, thereby further improving the uniformity of the first time window. In this way, the first terminal device can transmit uplink signals with all network devices based on the first time window (e.g., the first terminal device can broadcast uplink signals within the first time window), thereby improving the signal transmission efficiency of the first terminal device.

[0133] Based on this, in some embodiments, synchronization within a certain area (such as service area-level synchronization) can be achieved through a first time window. For example, all terminal devices and network devices within the area can use the same first time window to achieve centralized transmission and reception of uplink signals, thereby further improving the transmission and reception efficiency of uplink signals.

[0134] Optionally, the first terminal device and the first network device can synchronize a first time window based on first configuration information. For example, the first network device can determine a first time window for receiving uplink signals and send first configuration information to indicate the first time window. The first terminal device receives the first configuration information to determine the first time window for the first network device to receive uplink signals based on the first configuration information, and then sends uplink signals within the first time window.

[0135] The details regarding the first time window and the first configuration information will be described in detail below, and will not be elaborated here.

[0136] S203: The first network device determines the first cell as the target cell for the first terminal device based on the uplink signal.

[0137] In some embodiments, the first cell is the optimal cell that the first terminal device can camp on. The criteria for determining the optimal cell can be flexibly set based on actual usage requirements.

[0138] For example, the first cell is the cell with the best signal quality among the multiple cells of the first network device, where the first terminal device can camp. The first network device can measure the uplink signal transmitted by the first terminal device through multiple cells (that is, the uplink signal is transmitted to multiple cells), obtain the measurement results of the uplink signal measured by multiple cells, and then select the cell with the best measurement result as the first cell. The measurement results can be the reference signal receiving power (RSRP), reference signal receiving quality (RSRQ), signal to interference plus noise ratio (SINR), received signal strength indicator (RSSI), etc. of the uplink signal; among which, the signal to interference plus noise ratio can be simply referred to as the signal-to-interference-plus-noise ratio.

[0139] Optionally, there may be multiple first cells. Among the multiple cells of the first network device, the first terminal device can camp on the cell with better signal quality. For example, the multiple first cells may be multiple cells of the first network device with signal quality greater than a quality threshold, and / or, the multiple first cells may be multiple cells of the first network device with the most beams.

[0140] In some embodiments, the first network device may further filter cells based on cell status information to ensure that the first terminal device can camp on the first cell. For example, the first network device may perform cell filtering based on the following conditions to determine the cells on which the first terminal device can camp.

[0141] (1) The public land mobile network (PLMN) to which the cell belongs is the PLMN selected by the first terminal device.

[0142] (2) The cell does not prohibit the first terminal device from accessing the cell, such as the cell is not in a barred state for the first terminal device.

[0143] S204: Feedback signal for the first network device to send uplink signal.

[0144] The feedback signal can indicate the first cell; for example, the feedback signal may include the identification information of the first cell. Optionally, the cell identification information can be flexibly set based on actual usage requirements. For example, the cell identification information can be cell identity (cell ID), cell global identification (CGI), or other identification information that can indicate the cell.

[0145] In some embodiments, as shown in FIG3, there can be multiple network devices receiving uplink signals. FIG3 only illustrates the first network device and the second network device receiving uplink signals as examples. In this scenario, as shown in FIG3, multiple network devices can negotiate with each other to determine the network device to which the first cell belongs, and then the network device to which the first cell belongs sends the feedback signal of the uplink signal.

[0146] For example, the first network device and the second network device can respectively measure the uplink signal sent by the first terminal device to obtain the measurement result of the uplink signal, and then determine the first cell with the best measurement result of the uplink signal through election, and the network device to which the first cell belongs sends the feedback signal of the uplink signal.

[0147] The election method among multiple network devices can be flexibly configured based on the actual network architecture.

[0148] For example, each network device can send the measurement results of the uplink signal to other network devices, and based on the measurement results of the uplink signal sent by other network devices, determine whether it is the network device to which the optimal camp cell corresponding to the first terminal device belongs, thereby determining whether it needs to send the feedback signal of the uplink signal.

[0149] For example, each network device can send the measurement results of the uplink signal to the network management device (such as the network management system, core network element, etc.). The network management device determines the optimal cell for the first terminal device based on the measurement results sent by each network device, and then, through broadcasting or other means, enables the network device to determine whether it is the network device belonging to the optimal cell, thereby determining the network device that needs to send the feedback signal of the uplink signal.

[0150] Optionally, each network device may include multiple cells. In this scenario, the network device can measure the uplink signal sent by the first terminal device based on multiple cells, obtain the measurement results of multiple cells, and take the best measurement result among the multiple cell measurement results as the measurement result for subsequent election. Then, the network device can determine whether the cell corresponding to the best measurement result is the first cell through election.

[0151] For example, referring to Figure 3, if network device A is the network device belonging to the first cell, then network device A, as the first network device, executes S204A and sends an uplink signal feedback signal to the first terminal device. If network device B is the network device belonging to the first cell, then network device B, as the first network device, executes S204B and sends an uplink signal feedback signal to the first terminal device.

[0152] In some embodiments, the feedback signal may further include a signal identifier to distinguish the feedback signals of different uplink signals.

[0153] Considering that the first network device may receive uplink signals from multiple terminal devices and send multiple feedback signals for those uplink signals, the first network device can add a signal identifier to the feedback signals to distinguish between different uplink signals in order to avoid confusion between them. This signal identifier can be flexibly selected based on actual usage requirements.

[0154] For example, the signal identifier can be an identifier of the first terminal device, a pseudo-noise (PN) code, or other information. This allows the first terminal device to determine the feedback signal of its own uplink signal from multiple feedback signals sent by the first network device based on the signal identifier.

[0155] S205: The first terminal device receives the feedback signal of the uplink signal and determines the target cell to be camped on based on the feedback signal.

[0156] In some embodiments, the first terminal device and the first network device can centrally transmit and receive uplink signal feedback signals based on a second time window. For example, the first network device can send uplink signal feedback signals within the second time window, and the first terminal device can receive uplink signal feedback signals within the second time window, thereby centrally transmitting and receiving uplink signal feedback signals and reducing signal transmission and reception power consumption between the first terminal device and the first network device.

[0157] Optionally, the first terminal device and the first network device can synchronize the second time window based on the second configuration information. For example, the first network device can determine the second time window used to send the feedback signal of the uplink signal, and indicate the second time window by sending the second configuration information. The first terminal device receives the second configuration information to determine the second time window for the feedback signal of the uplink signal sent by the first network device based on the second configuration information, and thus receives the feedback signal of the uplink signal within the second time window.

[0158] In some embodiments, the first time window and the second time window can be flexibly set based on actual usage requirements. For example, the first time window can be set to realize centralized transmission and reception of uplink signals, and the second time window can be set to realize centralized transmission and reception of feedback signals of uplink signals.

[0159] That is, in some scenarios, the first terminal device and the first network device only transmit and receive uplink signals through the first time window, and do not transmit and receive uplink feedback signals directly through the second time window.

[0160] For example, in this scenario, after the first terminal device sends an uplink signal within the first time window, it can continuously monitor the feedback signal of the uplink signal and receive the feedback signal of the uplink signal sent by the first network device in a timely manner.

[0161] In other scenarios, the first terminal device and the first network device do not directly transmit and receive uplink signals through the first time window, but only transmit and receive feedback signals of uplink signals through the second time window.

[0162] For example, in this scenario, the first network device can continuously monitor the uplink signal and receive the uplink signal from the first terminal device in a timely manner.

[0163] In some other scenarios, the first terminal device and the first network device transmit and receive uplink signals through both a first time window and a second time window.

[0164] Based on the comparison of the three scenarios above, it can be seen that when the first time window is used to realize the centralized transmission and reception of uplink signals, the first network device can save signal monitoring power consumption because it only needs to monitor the uplink signals within the first time window. Similarly, when the second time window is used to realize the centralized transmission and reception of uplink signal feedback signals, the first terminal device can also save signal monitoring power consumption because it only needs to monitor the uplink signal feedback signals within the second time window.

[0165] Optionally, based on the above description of the first time window, in some scenarios, the first network device needs to send uplink signal feedback signals to multiple terminal devices. In this case, the first network device and the multiple terminal devices can use the same second time window to achieve synchronization of the second time window, thereby realizing centralized transmission and reception of uplink signal feedback signals. For example, the first network device can send all uplink signal feedback signals within the same second time window, improving the signal transmission efficiency of the first network device and reducing its power consumption.

[0166] Furthermore, in some scenarios, the feedback signals of the uplink signals received by the first terminal device may come from different first network devices. Therefore, the network devices can also use the same second time window to improve the consistency of the second time window. For example, if multiple network devices need to send feedback signals of the uplink signals, they can use the same second time window. In this way, the first terminal device can transmit and receive feedback signals of the uplink signals with all network devices based on the same second time window.

[0167] Based on this, in some embodiments, synchronization within a certain area (such as service area-level synchronization) can be achieved through a second time window. For example, all terminal devices and network devices within the area can use the same second time window to achieve centralized transmission and reception of uplink signal feedback signals, thereby further improving the transmission and reception efficiency of feedback signals.

[0168] The details regarding the second time window and the second configuration information will be described in detail below, and will not be elaborated here.

[0169] In other embodiments, the network device may also directly send an uplink signal feedback signal to the first terminal device if the measurement result of the uplink signal meets the threshold condition, and the first terminal device determines the target cell based on the uplink signal feedback signal.

[0170] For example, if the first terminal device currently receives feedback signals of uplink signals sent by multiple network devices, the first terminal device can determine the target cell to camp on from the first cells indicated by the multiple feedback signals based on actual usage needs. The method by which the first terminal device determines the target cell to camp on from the first cells indicated by the multiple feedback signals can be flexibly selected based on actual usage needs. For example, the first terminal device can select the first cell closest in its current direction of movement as the target cell to camp on.

[0171] In some scenarios, after sending an uplink signal, the first terminal device may fail to receive a feedback signal from the uplink signal. In this case, the first terminal device can re-search for cells to determine the target cell to camp on.

[0172] For example, if the first terminal device does not receive an uplink signal feedback signal for a long period of time, such as when the duration of the continuous lack of uplink signal feedback signal is greater than a first duration threshold, the first terminal device can continuously perform signal detection. If it detects the first configuration information and / or the second configuration sent by the network device, it can synchronize the first time window based on the first configuration information and / or synchronize the second time window based on the second configuration information. If it detects the downlink signal sent by the network device, it can determine the target cell based on the downlink signal, such as determining the target cell based on the measurement of the downlink signal.

[0173] As the first terminal device moves, it may become unable to communicate with the first network device, such as when the network device that the first terminal device can currently communicate with becomes the second network device.

[0174] If the second network device cannot receive the uplink signal sent by the first terminal device, such as if the second network device is a network device that regularly sends downlink signals, in this scenario, the first terminal device can stop sending uplink signals and detect the downlink signal sent by the second network device, determining the target cell based on the measurement of the downlink signal.

[0175] For example, as described above, the first network device can send an uplink signal within a first time window and receive a feedback signal of the uplink signal within a second time window. In this scenario, if the signal transmission and reception window of the second network device is inconsistent with that of the first terminal device, normal communication between the first terminal device and the second network device will also be impossible.

[0176] For example, if the first time window for the first terminal device to send uplink signals is inconsistent with the first time window for the second network device to receive uplink signals, the uplink signals sent by the first terminal device cannot be accurately received by the second network device; or if the second time window for the first terminal device to receive the feedback signal of the uplink signal is inconsistent with the second time window for the feedback signal of the uplink signal sent by the second network device, the feedback signal of the uplink signal sent by the second network device cannot be accurately received by the first terminal device.

[0177] Based on this, the first terminal device can determine the type of currently communicable network device by signal monitoring when it cannot receive feedback signals of uplink signals. For example, it can determine whether the currently communicable network device receives and feeds back uplink signals based on the signal transmission and reception window, or whether it sends downlink signals. Based on the different types of currently communicable network devices, it can search for the target cell in different ways.

[0178] In some scenarios, network devices can periodically broadcast first configuration information or second configuration information to ensure that network devices and terminal devices can periodically align the time windows for transmitting and receiving signals, such as the first time window for transmitting and receiving uplink signals and the second time window for transmitting and receiving feedback signals of uplink signals.

[0179] In this embodiment, the first terminal device sends an uplink signal, and the first network device determines the first cell of the first terminal device based on the uplink signal. By sending a feedback signal of the uplink signal, the first terminal device can determine the target cell to camp on based on the feedback signal, thereby realizing cell mobility management based on uplink signals. In this way, the first network device does not need to constantly send downlink signals, saving signal transmission overhead and reducing power consumption. Furthermore, the first network device can enter a sleep state when it does not receive an uplink signal, further reducing power consumption.

[0180] In addition, since the first terminal device sends uplink signals, the first network device can also realize the perception of the first terminal device based on the uplink signals, such as the perception of the first terminal device in a non-connected state, so as to realize the management of the first terminal device based on the perception of the first terminal device and enhance the terminal management capability of the first network device.

[0181] Furthermore, the first terminal device and the first network device can also achieve centralized signal transmission and reception based on time windows. For example, the first terminal device and the first network device can achieve centralized transmission and reception of uplink signals based on a first time window, and / or achieve centralized transmission and reception of feedback signals of uplink signals based on a second time window. In this way, through centralized signal transmission and reception, the first terminal device and the first network device can control the corresponding signal transceiver modules to enter a sleep state outside the first time window and / or outside the second time window, so as to further reduce the power consumption of the first terminal device and the second terminal device and improve the signal transmission and reception efficiency of the first terminal device and the second terminal device.

[0182] The first and second time windows described above are described in detail below.

[0183] In some embodiments, in conjunction with the above description, the first terminal device can send uplink signals based on a first time window, and the first network device can receive uplink signals based on the first time window, thereby realizing centralized transmission and reception of uplink signals between the terminal device and the network device, and reducing the power consumption of signal transmission and reception between the terminal device and the network device.

[0184] For example, the first terminal device can send uplink signals within a first time window to achieve centralized reception of uplink signals. In this way, the first terminal device can control the signal transmission module used to send uplink signals to enter a sleep state outside the first time window, thereby reducing the power consumption of the first terminal device.

[0185] Similarly, the first network device can receive uplink signals within the first time window to achieve centralized reception of uplink signals. In this way, the first network device can control the signal receiving module used to receive uplink signals to enter a sleep state outside the first time window, thereby reducing the power consumption of the first network device.

[0186] In some scenarios, the first network device may need to receive uplink signals from multiple terminal devices. Referring to Figure 4A, the first network device needs to receive not only the first uplink signal from the first terminal device but also the second uplink signal from the second terminal device. Considering that the timing of uplink signal transmission by the first and second terminal devices may vary flexibly, as shown in Figure 4A, the first network device needs to ensure that its signal receiving module is continuously operational, such as continuously in signal monitoring mode, to receive uplink signals from the terminal devices in a timely manner. This results in significant signal monitoring overhead for the first network device.

[0187] Based on this, as shown in Figure 4B, the first network device can set a first time window so that the first terminal device and the second terminal device can send uplink signals within the same time window (such as the first time window), thereby achieving unified reception of uplink signals and reducing the signal reception power consumption of the first network device.

[0188] Similarly, in some scenarios, the first terminal device may need to send uplink signals to multiple network devices. Therefore, by determining a first time window, the first terminal device can send uplink signals to multiple network devices within the first time window, achieving unified transmission of uplink signals and thus reducing the signal transmission power consumption of the first terminal device.

[0189] The method for determining the first time window can be flexibly adjusted based on actual usage requirements. In some embodiments, as shown in FIG4B, the first network device can send first configuration information, and the first terminal device can determine the first time window for sending uplink signals based on the first configuration information by receiving the first configuration information.

[0190] Optionally, the first network device may broadcast first configuration information to ensure that all terminal devices in the current cell can receive the first configuration information, and determine a first time window for sending uplink signals based on the first configuration information to achieve synchronization of the first configuration information among the terminal devices.

[0191] The content of this first configuration information can be flexibly set based on actual usage requirements. For example, the first configuration information may include the window length and window period of the first time window.

[0192] As shown in Figure 5, the window length of the first time window can be used to indicate the duration of the first time window, and the window period of the first time window can be used to indicate the interval between two adjacent first time windows. In this way, the first terminal device can determine whether the current time is within the first time window based on the window length and window period, and send an uplink signal if the current time is within the signal transmission window.

[0193] The actual unit reference for window length and window period can be flexibly selected. For example, the window length and window period can be based on the system frame number (SFN).

[0194] Optionally, the method by which the first terminal device determines the first time window can be flexibly determined based on actual usage requirements.

[0195] For example, taking the unit reference of the window length and window period of the first time window as SFN, the first terminal device can determine the starting point of the most recent first time window based on the current SFN and window period; and determine the ending point of the most recent first time window based on the window length, so as to determine whether it is currently within the first time window.

[0196] The first terminal device can determine the starting point of the most recent first time window based on the following formula (Formula 1), and then determine the first time window based on the starting point and the window length of the first time window, so as to determine whether the first terminal device is currently within the first time window. Start_SFN = floor(current_SFN / periodicity) * periodicity (Formula 1)

[0197] Where Start_SFN is the starting point of the most recent first time window, current_SFN is the current SFN, periodicity is the window period of the first time window, and floor(current_SFN / periodicity) is the floor function of the ratio of current_SFN and periodicity.

[0198] Taking a current SFN of 345, a window length of 10 SFN, and a window period of 100 SFN as an example, floor(current_SFN / periodicity) = floor(345 / 100) = 3. Therefore, the first terminal device can determine the starting point of the most recent first time window as Start_SFN = 3 * 100 = 300 (SFN), and further determine the ending point of the most recent first time window as 300 + 10 = 310 (SFN). Since the current SFN is 345, it does not belong to the most recent first time window, i.e., the interval [300, 310]. Therefore, the first terminal device is not currently within the first time window.

[0199] Taking a current SFN of 212, a window length of 15 SFN, and a window period of 70 SFN as an example, floor(current_SFN / periodicity) = floor(212 / 70) = 3. Therefore, the first terminal device can determine the starting point of the most recent first time window as Start_SFN = 3 * 70 = 210 (SFN), and further determine the ending point of the most recent first time window as 210 + 15 = 225 (SFN). Since the current SFN is 212, it belongs to the most recent first time window, i.e., the interval [210, 225]. Therefore, the first terminal device is currently within the first time window.

[0200] For example, the first terminal device may determine whether it is currently within the first time window based on modular arithmetic, such as whether the remainder between the current SFN and the window period of the first time window is less than the window length of the first time window.

[0201] Taking the current SFN as 345, the window length as 10SFN, and the window period as 100SFN as an example, the remainder between the current SFN and the window period of the first time window is 345mod100=45, which is greater than the window length of the first time window (10). Therefore, the first terminal device is not currently within the first time window.

[0202] Taking the current SFN as 212, the window length as 15 SFN, and the window period as 70 SFN as an example, the remainder between the current SFN and the window period of the first time window is 212 mod 70 = 2, which is less than the window length (15) of the first time window. Therefore, the first terminal device is currently within the first time window.

[0203] In some embodiments, the first configuration information may further include a first offset, which may indicate the starting position of the first time window.

[0204] When determining the first time window, the first terminal device can correct the starting position of the first time window based on the first offset, thereby improving the flexibility of the first time window.

[0205] For example, in conjunction with the above description of Formula 1, when the first configuration information includes a first offset, the first terminal device can determine the starting point of the most recent first time window based on Formula 2 below, and then determine the first time window based on the starting point and the window length of the first time window, so as to determine whether the first terminal device is currently within the first time window. Start_SFN = floor(current_SFN / periodicity)*periodicity + offset Formula 2

[0206] Where Start_SFN is the starting point of the most recent first time window, current_SFN is the current SFN, periodicity is the window period of the first time window, floor(current_SFN / periodicity) is the floor function of the ratio of current_SFN and periodicity, and offset is the first offset.

[0207] Taking the current SFN of 345, window length of 10 SFN, and window period of 100 SFN as an example, floor(current_SFN / periodicity) = floor(345 / 100) = 3. If offset = 2, the first terminal device can determine the starting point of the most recent first time window as Start_SFN = 3*100+2 = 302 (SFN), and then determine the ending point of the most recent first time window as 302+12 = 310 (SFN). Since the current SFN is 345, it does not belong to the most recent first time window, i.e., the interval [302, 312]. Therefore, the first terminal device is not currently within the first time window.

[0208] In some embodiments, the first network device may need to receive uplink signals from multiple terminal devices. In this scenario, the first network device may send first configuration information to each terminal device, such as broadcasting the first configuration information, to indicate a first time window for receiving uplink signals. This allows the terminal devices to determine the first time window based on the first configuration information and then send uplink signals within the first time window.

[0209] Optionally, the first configuration information corresponding to different terminal devices can be the same, such as the same window length and window period. This enables centralized reception of uplink signals within the same time window, further reducing the power consumption of the first network device in receiving uplink signals.

[0210] Alternatively, the first configuration information corresponding to different terminal devices can be different first configuration information to achieve distributed transmission of uplink signals from different first terminal devices and reduce interference between uplink signals from different first terminal devices. For example, the first network device can transmit multiple first configuration information. When a terminal device transmits an uplink signal, it can select one first configuration information from the multiple first configuration information and transmit the uplink signal based on the first time window indicated by the first configuration information.

[0211] Optionally, the first network device may further divide the first time window into multiple time-domain resources, wherein the multiple time-domain resources included in the first time window can be time-domain resources for different terminal devices to send uplink signals. The first configuration information may also indicate the order of the first time-domain resources in which the first terminal device sends uplink signals among the multiple time-domain resources included in the first time window.

[0212] If the first configuration information includes a first serial number corresponding to the first terminal device, the first serial number can be used to indicate the order of the first time domain resources in the first time window for sending uplink signals by the first time domain resource.

[0213] In this way, while ensuring that the first network device only needs to receive uplink signals within the same time window, the sequence number in the first configuration information indicates the order of time domain resources used by different terminal devices to send uplink signals, so that different terminal devices can send uplink signals through different time domain resources, reducing interference between uplink signals sent by different terminal devices and improving the uplink signal transmission and reception performance.

[0214] The number of time-domain resources in the first time window can be set based on actual usage needs. For example, the first network device can divide the first time window into multiple time-domain resources based on the number of terminal devices in the current cell. Alternatively, the first network device can also divide the first time window into multiple time-domain resources based on its own network carrying capacity and the size of the first time window.

[0215] Referring to Figure 6, the first network device currently needs to receive uplink signals from two terminal devices, namely the first terminal device and the second terminal device. Therefore, the first network device can divide the first time window into two time-domain resources (as shown by the dashed lines in the figure) and assign different sequence numbers to the first terminal device and the second terminal device to indicate the different time-domain resources used by the first terminal device and the second terminal device within the first time window.

[0216] For example, as shown in FIG6, the first sequence number in the first configuration information sent by the first network device to the first terminal device can be 1, so as to instruct the first terminal device to send an uplink signal using the first time domain resource in the first time window; the third sequence number in the first configuration information sent by the first network device to the second terminal device can be 2, so as to instruct the second terminal device to send an uplink signal using the second time domain resource in the first time window.

[0217] In some embodiments, the method for determining the time-domain resource order used by the terminal device to send uplink signals can also be flexibly adjusted.

[0218] For example, the terminal device can determine the time domain resources used to transmit the uplink signal based on the transmission order of the uplink signal.

[0219] For example, within the first time window, the terminal device monitors the uplink signal transmission status of other terminal devices to determine the usage status of multiple time domain resources in the first time window, and then determines the first time domain resource available for its own uplink signal transmission, and transmits the uplink signal based on the first time domain resource.

[0220] For example, if the first terminal device is the first terminal device to send an uplink signal within the first time window, then the first terminal device can use the first time domain resource in the first time window to send the uplink signal. That is, if the first terminal device does not detect any other terminal device sending an uplink signal before sending the uplink signal within the first time window, then the first terminal device can use the ninth time domain resource to send the uplink signal.

[0221] For example, if the first terminal device is the ninth terminal device to send an uplink signal within the first time window, then the first terminal device can use the ninth time domain resource in the first time window to send the uplink signal. That is, if the first terminal device detects that eight terminal devices have sent uplink signals within the first time window before sending the uplink signal, then the first terminal device can use the ninth time domain resource to send the uplink signal.

[0222] In some embodiments, in conjunction with the above description, the first network device can send uplink signal feedback signals based on a second time window, and the terminal device can receive uplink signal feedback signals based on the second time window, thereby realizing centralized transmission and reception of uplink signal feedback signals between the terminal device and the network device and reducing signal transmission and reception power consumption between the terminal device and the network device.

[0223] For example, the first network device can send a feedback signal of the uplink signal within a second time window to achieve centralized transmission of the feedback signal. In this way, the first network device can control the signal transmission module used to send the feedback signal to enter a sleep state outside the second time window, thereby reducing the power consumption of the first network device.

[0224] Similarly, the first terminal device can receive the feedback signal of the uplink signal within the second time window to achieve centralized reception of the feedback signal. In this way, the first terminal device can control the signal receiving module used to receive the feedback signal to enter a sleep state outside the first time window, thereby reducing the power consumption of the first terminal device.

[0225] In some scenarios, the first network device may need to receive uplink signals from multiple terminal devices and send uplink signal feedback signals to multiple terminal devices. Referring to Figure 4A, the first network device not only needs to receive the first uplink signal sent by the first terminal device and send a feedback signal to the first terminal device, but also needs to receive the second uplink signal sent by the first terminal device and send a feedback signal to the second terminal device. Considering that the timing of uplink signal transmission by the first and second terminal devices may vary flexibly, as shown in Figure 4A, if the first network device sends uplink signal feedback signals to the terminal devices in real time upon receiving an uplink signal, the signal transmission module of the first network device would need to be continuously operational, resulting in significant signal transmission overhead.

[0226] Based on this, as shown in Figure 4B, the first network device can set a second time window so that it can uniformly send the feedback signal of the first uplink signal and the feedback signal of the second uplink signal within the second time window, thereby realizing the centralized transmission of feedback signals and reducing the signal transmission power consumption of the first network device.

[0227] Similarly, in some scenarios, the first terminal device may need to receive feedback signals from multiple network devices. Therefore, by determining a second time window, the first terminal device can receive feedback signals from multiple network devices within the second time window, achieving unified transmission of feedback signals and thus reducing the signal reception power consumption of the first terminal device.

[0228] Optionally, the first time window and the second time window can be the same time window or different time windows, which can be flexibly set according to actual usage needs.

[0229] The method for determining the second time window can also be flexibly adjusted based on actual usage needs. In some embodiments, as shown in Figure 4B, the first network device can send second configuration information, and the first terminal device can determine the second time window for receiving the feedback signal of the uplink signal based on the second configuration information.

[0230] Optionally, as shown in Figure 4B, when the terminal device and the network device achieve centralized transmission and reception of uplink signals through a first time window and centralized transmission and reception of uplink signal feedback signals through a second time window, the first network device can simultaneously send first configuration information and second configuration information to the terminal device. For example, it can simultaneously broadcast the first configuration information and the second configuration information to ensure that all terminal devices in the current cell can receive the first configuration information and the second configuration information. This allows the terminal device to determine the first time window for transmitting uplink signals based on the first configuration information and the second time window for receiving uplink signal feedback signals based on the second configuration information, thereby achieving synchronization of the first time window and the second time window between the terminal devices.

[0231] Optionally, the first network device may also send the first configuration information and the second configuration information respectively. For example, it may send the first configuration information and, upon receiving the uplink signal from the terminal device, send the second configuration information to the terminal device that sent the uplink signal, thereby improving the security of the second configuration information.

[0232] Based on the description of the first configuration information, the second configuration information can also be flexibly set according to actual usage requirements. For example, the second configuration information may include the window length and window period of the second time window.

[0233] The descriptions of the window length and window period of the second time window can be found in the descriptions of the window length and window period of the first time window mentioned above, and will not be repeated here.

[0234] In some embodiments, the second configuration information may further include a second offset, which may indicate the starting position of the second time window.

[0235] This allows the second terminal device to correct the starting position of the second time window based on the second offset when determining the second time window, thereby improving the flexibility of the second time window.

[0236] For details regarding the second offset, please refer to the above description of the first offset; it will not be repeated here.

[0237] In some embodiments, the first network device may need to receive uplink signals from multiple terminal devices. In this scenario, the first network device may send second configuration information to each terminal device separately, such as broadcasting the second configuration information to indicate a second time window for sending feedback signals of the uplink signals. This allows the terminal devices to determine the second time window based on the second configuration information and then receive the feedback signals of the uplink signals within the first time window.

[0238] Optionally, referring to the relevant descriptions of the first configuration information corresponding to different terminal devices, the second configuration information corresponding to different terminal devices can be the same or different, and can be flexibly selected according to actual usage requirements.

[0239] Optionally, in conjunction with the above description of the time-domain resources of the first time window, the first network device can also divide the second time window into multiple time-domain resources, and use the second configuration information to indicate the order of the second time-domain resources in which the feedback signal of the uplink signal received by the first terminal device is located among the multiple time-domain resources included in the second time window.

[0240] For example, the second configuration information may include a second serial number corresponding to the first terminal device, which may indicate the order of the second time domain resources in the plurality of time domain resources included in the second time window for the first terminal device to receive the feedback signal of the uplink signal.

[0241] Optionally, in conjunction with the above description of the third sequence number, the second configuration information may also include a fourth sequence number to indicate the order of the second time-domain resources in the multiple time-domain resources included in the second time window for the second terminal device to receive the feedback signal of the uplink signal.

[0242] In this way, while ensuring that the first network device only needs to send the feedback signal of the uplink signal within the same time window, the sequence number in the second configuration information indicates the order of time domain resources used by different terminal devices to send the uplink signal, so that different terminal devices can receive the feedback signal of the uplink signal through different time domain resources, thereby reducing the interference of uplink signals sent between different terminal devices and improving the uplink signal transmission and reception performance.

[0243] Optionally, in conjunction with the above description of the time-domain resources used by the terminal device to send uplink signals, the method for determining the order of time-domain resources used by the terminal device to receive the feedback signal of the uplink signal can also be flexibly adjusted.

[0244] The time-domain resource order used by the first terminal device to receive the feedback signal of the uplink signal can be directly indicated by the second sequence number of the second configuration information, or it can be determined by the first terminal device based on the transmission time of the uplink signal.

[0245] In some embodiments, the order in which the first network device sends the feedback signal of the uplink signal can correspond one-to-one with the order in which it receives the uplink signal.

[0246] For example, if the uplink signal received by the first network device from the first terminal device is received in the first time domain resource within the first time window, the first network device may send a feedback signal of the uplink signal in the first time domain resource within the second time window.

[0247] In this scenario, based on the above description of how the terminal device determines the time domain resources used to transmit the uplink signal according to the transmission time of the uplink signal, the terminal device can determine the order of the time domain resources used to transmit the uplink signal and use the order of the time domain resources used to transmit the uplink signal as the order of the time domain resources used to receive the feedback signal of the uplink signal.

[0248] For example, if the first terminal device is the first terminal device to send an uplink signal within the first time window, that is, the time domain resource used by the first terminal device to send the uplink signal is the first time domain resource of the first time window, then when the first terminal device receives the feedback signal of the uplink signal, it can also use the first time domain resource in the second time window to receive it.

[0249] In some embodiments, the first network device may periodically broadcast first configuration information and second configuration information to achieve periodic synchronization of the first time window and the second time window. This ensures that when a new terminal device moves into the communication range of the first network device, the first time window and the second time window can be determined based on the periodic broadcast messages of the first network device. This allows all terminal devices within the current communication range of the first network device to transmit and receive signals based on the same first time window and the same second time window, improving the consistency of the first time window and the second time window.

[0250] Optionally, the first network device can also update the first configuration information and the second configuration information in real time based on actual usage needs to achieve flexible adjustment of the first time window and the second time window. For example, during signal transmission and reception, the first network device can flexibly adjust parameters such as the window length, window period, and start position of the first time window and the second time window based on the updates to the first configuration information and the second configuration information, thereby improving the flexibility of the first time window and the second time window.

[0251] The communication method provided by the embodiments of this application has been described above. The execution subject used to perform the above communication method will be described below.

[0252] Based on the same inventive concept, this application also provides a communication system. Referring to Figure 7, which is a schematic diagram of the architecture of the communication system provided in this application embodiment, the system includes multiple network devices 710 and a first terminal device 720.

[0253] The first terminal device 720 is used to send uplink signals.

[0254] That is, the first terminal device 720 is used to execute the relevant steps of S201 in the above method embodiment.

[0255] Multiple network devices 710 are used to receive uplink signals and determine a first cell and a first network device 710 among the multiple network devices 710 based on the uplink signals.

[0256] The first cell is the target cell corresponding to the first terminal device 720, and the first network device 710 is the network device to which the first cell belongs.

[0257] That is, multiple network devices 710 are used to perform the relevant steps of S202 and S203 in the above method embodiments.

[0258] The first network device 710 is used to send feedback signals for uplink signals.

[0259] The feedback signal includes the identification information of the first cell.

[0260] That is, the first network device 710 is used to perform the relevant steps of S204 in the above method embodiment.

[0261] The first terminal device 720 is also used to receive a feedback signal of the uplink signal and determine the target cell based on the feedback signal.

[0262] That is, the first terminal device is used to execute the relevant steps of S205 in the above method embodiment.

[0263] In some embodiments, multiple network devices 710 can communicate with each other to determine a first network device 710 among the multiple network devices 710 through negotiation, and the first network device 710 sends an uplink signal feedback signal.

[0264] Regarding the implementation of multiple network devices 710 determining the first cell and the first network device 711, please refer to the relevant descriptions of the execution steps of the first cell and the first network device in the above method embodiments, which will not be repeated here.

[0265] Optionally, for a more detailed description of the steps performed by the plurality of network devices 710, the first network device 710 among the plurality of network devices 710, and the first terminal device 720, please refer to the relevant descriptions in the methods shown in Figures 2 to 6 above, which will not be repeated here.

[0266] Optionally, embodiments of this application can divide the execution body of the communication method into functional modules based on the above method examples. For example, each function can be divided into its own functional modules, or two or more functions can be integrated into one processing module. The integrated modules can be implemented in hardware or as software functional modules. It should be noted that the module division in this application embodiment is illustrative and only represents one logical functional division; other division methods may be used in actual implementation.

[0267] Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of the architecture of a communication device 800 provided in an embodiment of this application, wherein each functional module is divided according to its corresponding function. The communication device 800 can be used to implement the communication method provided in the above embodiment.

[0268] For example, the communication device 800 can be used to perform the steps performed by the first terminal device in the above method embodiments.

[0269] As shown in Figure 8, the communication device 800 includes a transceiver module 801 and a processing module 802.

[0270] The transceiver module 801 is used to send uplink signals.

[0271] The transceiver module 801 is also used to receive feedback signals from the uplink signal.

[0272] The processing module 802 is used to determine the target cell based on the feedback signal.

[0273] In some embodiments, the transceiver module 801 is used to send an uplink signal within a first time window.

[0274] In some embodiments, the transceiver module 801 is further configured to receive first configuration information. The first configuration information may include the window length and window period of a first time window.

[0275] Possible implementations of the first configuration information can be found in the descriptions of the first configuration information in the above method embodiments, which will not be repeated here.

[0276] Optionally, the transceiver module 801 may determine a first time window based on the first configuration information in order to send an uplink signal within the first time window.

[0277] In some embodiments, the transceiver module 801 is used to receive a feedback signal of the uplink signal within a second time window.

[0278] In some embodiments, the transceiver module 801 is further configured to receive second configuration information. The second configuration information may include the window length and window period of the second time window.

[0279] Possible implementations of the second configuration information can be found in the descriptions of the second configuration information in the above embodiments, which will not be repeated here.

[0280] Optionally, the transceiver module 801 may determine a second time window based on the second configuration information, so as to receive the feedback signal of the uplink signal within the second time window.

[0281] In some embodiments, the processing module 802 can search for target cells without receiving a feedback signal.

[0282] In some embodiments, the feedback signal may include the identification information of the first cell, and the processing module 802 may determine that the first cell is the target cell.

[0283] Optionally, for a more detailed description of the steps performed by the transceiver module 801 and the processing module 802, please refer to the relevant descriptions of the methods shown in Figures 2 to 6 above, which will not be repeated here.

[0284] Based on the same inventive concept, this application also provides another communication device. Figure 9 is a schematic diagram of the architecture of another communication device 900 provided in this application. This communication device 900 can be used to implement the communication method provided in the above embodiments.

[0285] For example, the communication device 900 can be used to perform the steps performed by the first network device in the above method embodiments.

[0286] As shown in Figure 9, the communication device 900 includes a transceiver module 901 and a processing module 902.

[0287] The transceiver module 901 is used to receive uplink signals. These first uplink signals are sent by the first terminal device. For example, these first uplink signals can be sent by the transceiver module 801 in the communication device 800.

[0288] The processing module 902 is used to determine the first cell based on the uplink signal. The first cell is the target cell for the first terminal device.

[0289] The transceiver module 901 is also used to send a feedback signal for the uplink signal. This feedback signal includes the identification information of the first cell.

[0290] In some embodiments, the transceiver module 901 is used to receive uplink signals within a first time window.

[0291] Optionally, the transceiver module 901 is further configured to send first configuration information. The first configuration information may include the window length and window period of a first time window.

[0292] Possible implementations of the first configuration information can be found in the descriptions of the first configuration information in the above method embodiments, which will not be repeated here.

[0293] In some embodiments, the transceiver module 901 is used to send a feedback signal of the uplink signal within a second time window.

[0294] Optionally, the transceiver module 901 is also configured to send second configuration information. The second configuration information may include the window length and window period of the second time window.

[0295] Possible implementations of the second configuration information can be found in the descriptions of the second configuration information in the above embodiments, which will not be repeated here.

[0296] In some embodiments, the first time window and the second time window can be the same time window.

[0297] In some embodiments, the communication device receiving the uplink signal includes a plurality of communication devices, and the communication device 900 is the communication device belonging to the first cell among the plurality of communication devices.

[0298] Optionally, for a more detailed description of the steps performed by the transceiver module 901 and the processing module 902, please refer to the relevant descriptions of the methods shown in Figures 2 to 6 above, which will not be repeated here.

[0299] Figure 10 is a schematic block diagram of another communication device 1000 provided in an embodiment of this application. The communication device 1000 can be either the first device or the second device described above. The communication device 1000 includes a processor 1010, which implements the communication method provided in the embodiment of this application through logic circuits or executing code instructions. Optionally, the communication device 1000 may further include an interface circuit 1020. The processor 1010 and the interface circuit 1020 are coupled to each other. It is understood that the interface circuit 1020 can be a transceiver or an input / output interface.

[0300] Optionally, the communication device 1000 may further include a memory 1030 for storing instructions executed by the processor 1010, or storing input data required by the processor 1010 to execute instructions, or storing data generated after the processor 1010 executes instructions.

[0301] The aforementioned processor 1010 may be an integrated circuit chip with signal processing capabilities. In implementation, each step of the above method embodiments can be completed by integrated logic circuits in the processor's hardware or by software instructions. The aforementioned processor may be a general-purpose processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), or other programmable logic devices, discrete gate or transistor logic devices, or discrete hardware components. It can implement or execute the methods, steps, and logic block diagrams disclosed in the embodiments of this application. The general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor or any conventional processor. The steps of the methods disclosed in the embodiments of this application can be directly embodied in the execution of a hardware decoding processor, or executed by a combination of hardware and software modules in the decoding processor. The software modules may reside in random access memory, flash memory, read-only memory, programmable read-only memory, electrically erasable programmable memory, registers, or other mature storage media in the art. This storage medium is located in memory; the processor reads information from the memory and, in conjunction with its hardware, completes the steps of the above method.

[0302] This application also provides a computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program for implementing the methods in the above-described method embodiments. When the computer program is run on a computer, the computer can implement the methods in the above-described method embodiments.

[0303] This application also provides a computer program product, which includes a computer program that, when run on a computer, causes the methods in the above method embodiments to be executed.

[0304] This application also provides a chip, including a processor connected to a memory for storing computer programs, and the processor for executing the computer programs stored in the memory, so that the chip performs the methods described in the above method embodiments.

[0305] Those skilled in the art will recognize that the units and algorithm steps of the various examples described in conjunction with the embodiments disclosed herein can be implemented in electronic hardware, or a combination of computer software and electronic hardware. Whether these functions are implemented in hardware or software depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Those skilled in the art can use different methods to implement the described functions for each specific application, but such implementation should not be considered beyond the scope of this application.

[0306] Those skilled in the art will clearly understand that, for the sake of convenience and brevity, the specific working processes of the systems, devices, and units described above can be referred to the corresponding processes in the foregoing method embodiments, and will not be repeated here.

[0307] In the several embodiments provided in this application, it should be understood that the disclosed systems, apparatuses, and methods can be implemented in other ways. For example, the apparatus embodiments described above are merely illustrative; for instance, the division of units is only a logical functional division, and in actual implementation, there may be other division methods. For example, multiple units or components may be combined or integrated into another system, or some features may be ignored or not executed. Furthermore, the coupling or direct coupling or communication connection shown or discussed may be through some interfaces; the indirect coupling or communication connection between apparatuses or units may be electrical, mechanical, or other forms.

[0308] In addition, the functional units in the various embodiments of this application can be integrated into one processing unit, or each unit can exist physically separately, or two or more units can be integrated into one unit.

[0309] If the aforementioned functions are implemented as software functional units and sold or used as independent products, they can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. Based on this understanding, the technical solution of this application, in essence, or the part that contributes to the prior art, or a portion of the technical solution, can be embodied in the form of a software product. This computer software product is stored in a storage medium and includes several instructions to cause a computer device (which may be a personal computer, server, or network device, etc.) to execute all or part of the steps of the methods described in the various embodiments of this application. The aforementioned storage medium includes various media capable of storing program code, such as USB flash drives, portable hard drives, read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), magnetic disks, or optical disks.

[0310] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of this application, but the scope of protection of this application is not limited thereto. Any variations or substitutions that can be easily conceived by those skilled in the art within the technical scope disclosed in this application should be included within the scope of protection of this application. Therefore, the scope of protection of this application should be determined by the scope of the claims.

Claims

A communication method, characterized in that, Applied to a first terminal device, including: Send an uplink signal; The system receives a feedback signal from the uplink signal and determines the target cell to be camped on based on the feedback signal. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The sending of the uplink signal includes: The uplink signal is sent within the first time window. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The feedback signal for receiving the uplink signal includes: Within the second time window, a feedback signal of the uplink signal is received. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that, The first time window and the second time window are the same time window. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that, The method further includes: Receive first configuration information, which includes the window length and window period of the first time window. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that, The first configuration information also includes a first offset, which is used to indicate the starting position of the first time window. The method according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that, The first time window includes multiple time-domain resources; the first configuration information also indicates the order of the first time-domain resource in which the first terminal device sends the uplink signal among the multiple time-domain resources included in the first time window. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that, The method further includes: Receive second configuration information, which includes the window length and window period of the second time window. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that, The second configuration information also includes a second offset, which is used to indicate the starting position of the second time window. The method according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that, The second time window includes multiple time-domain resources; the second configuration information also indicates the order in which the second time-domain resource for receiving the feedback signal by the terminal device is among the multiple time-domain resources included in the second time window. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The method further includes: If the feedback signal is not received, search for the target cell where it resides. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The feedback signal includes the identification information of the first cell, and the step of determining the target cell based on the feedback signal includes: The first cell is identified as the target residential cell. A communication method, characterized in that, Applied to a first network device, including: Receive an uplink signal, wherein the uplink signal is sent by the first terminal device; Based on the uplink signal, the first cell is determined to be the target cell for the first terminal device; A feedback signal is sent to the uplink signal, the feedback signal including the identification information of the first cell. The method according to claim 13, characterized in that, The receiving of uplink signals includes: Within the first time window, the uplink signal is received. The method according to claim 13 or 14 is characterized in that, The feedback signal for sending the uplink signal includes: Within the second time window, a feedback signal for the uplink signal is sent. The method according to claim 15, characterized in that, The first time window and the second time window are the same time window. The method according to claim 14, characterized in that, The method further includes: Send first configuration information, which includes the window length and window period of the first time window. The method according to claim 17, characterized in that, The first configuration information also includes a first offset, which is used to indicate the starting position of the first time window. The method according to claim 17 or 18 is characterized in that, The first time window includes multiple time-domain resources; the first configuration information also indicates the order of the first time-domain resource in which the first terminal device sends the uplink signal among the multiple time-domain resources included in the first time window. The method according to claim 15, characterized in that, The method further includes: Send second configuration information, which includes the window length and window period of the second time window. The method according to claim 20, characterized in that, The second configuration information also includes a second offset, which is used to indicate the starting position of the second time window. The method according to claim 20 or 21, characterized in that, The second time window includes multiple time-domain resources; the second configuration information also indicates the order in which the second time-domain resource for the first terminal device to receive the feedback signal is among the multiple time-domain resources included in the second time window. The method according to claim 13, characterized in that, The network device receiving the uplink signal includes multiple devices, and the first network device is the network device to which the first cell belongs among the multiple network devices. A communication system, characterized in that, Includes multiple network devices and a first terminal device; The first terminal device is used to send uplink signals; The plurality of network devices are used to receive the uplink signal and determine a first cell and a first network device based on the uplink signal. The first cell is the target cell corresponding to the first terminal device and the first network device is the network device to which the first cell belongs. The first network device is used to send a feedback signal of the uplink signal, the feedback signal including the identification information of the first cell; The first terminal device is also used to receive feedback signals from uplink signals and determine the target cell to be camped on based on the feedback signals. A communication device, characterized in that, include: A module for performing the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 12, or a module for performing the method as described in any one of claims 13 to 23. A communication device, characterized in that, Includes a processor, said processor being configured to implement the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 12, or to implement the method as described in any one of claims 13 to 23. A communication system, characterized in that, The system includes a terminal device and a network device, the terminal device being configured to perform the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 12, and the network device being configured to perform the method as described in any one of claims 13 to 23. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, include: The computer-readable medium stores a computer program; When the computer program is run by the processor, the method of any one of claims 1 to 23 is performed. A computer program product, characterized in that, Includes a computer program, which, when executed, causes the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 23 to be performed.

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