Communication method and apparatus

Abstract

Provided in the present application are a communication method and apparatus. In the communication method provided in the present application, a network device can repeatedly send a plurality of identical PDCCHs to a terminal device on the basis of a preset pattern, wherein the preset pattern indicates time-domain positions of the plurality of PDCCHs. Correspondingly, the terminal device can receive the plurality of PDCCHs on the basis of the time-domain positions indicated by the preset pattern, such that the terminal device can perform decoding on the basis of the plurality of PDCCHs, thereby equivalently improving the decoding performance of the terminal device, helping the terminal device correctly decode the PDCCHs, and further improving the success rate of the terminal device accessing an NTN communication system.

Description

Communication methods and devices

[0001] This application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 202510070054.3, filed on January 15, 2025, entitled "Communication Method and Apparatus", the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0002] This application relates to the field of communications, and more particularly to a communication method and apparatus. Background Technology

[0003] Satellite communication systems, as non-terrestrial networks (NTNs), offer advantages such as wide coverage, long-distance transmission, and independence from geographical limitations. Integrating satellite communication systems with terrestrial communication systems (such as 5G) can create a globally covering, three-dimensional, all-around, and all-weather information network. However, NTN communication systems suffer from significant path loss, which may prevent terrestrial terminal equipment from accessing the system. Summary of the Invention

[0004] This application provides a communication method and apparatus to enable network devices to repeatedly send downlink control channels (PDCCH) to terminal devices, which helps terminal devices to correctly decode PDCCH and thus improves the success rate of terminal devices accessing the NTN communication system.

[0005] In a first aspect, embodiments of this application provide a communication method applied to a network-side device, such as a network device or a component (e.g., a chip, a chip system, etc.) within the network device, or a logic module or software capable of implementing all or part of the functions of the network device. Taking the application of this method to a network device as an example, the method includes: transmitting a first synchronization signal and a physical broadcast channel block (SSB), wherein the first SSB indicates parameter information for determining a preset pattern, the preset pattern indicates the time-domain positions of N first physical downlink control channels (PDCCHs), the N first PDCCHs being the same PDCCH corresponding to the first SSB, and N being an integer greater than 1; transmitting the N first PDCCHs, wherein the time-domain positions of the N first PDCCHs correspond to the preset pattern.

[0006] The network device repeatedly sends the first PDCCH to the terminal device according to the time domain position indicated by the preset pattern. This allows the terminal device to receive multiple identical first PDCCHs, which is beneficial for the terminal device to correctly decode the first PDCCH, thereby improving the success rate of the terminal device accessing the NTN communication system.

[0007] Secondly, the preset pattern is associated with the first search space, the second search space, the third search space, and the fourth search space; the first search space includes the candidate time-domain position of the first PDCCH corresponding to the first SSB, the second search space includes the candidate time-domain position of the second PDCCH corresponding to the second SSB, the third search space includes the candidate time-domain position of the third PDCCH corresponding to the third SSB, and the fourth search space includes the candidate time-domain position of the fourth PDCCH corresponding to the fourth SSB. The index values ​​corresponding to the first SSB to the fourth SSB are four consecutive non-negative integers.

[0008] When a preset pattern is associated with the first to fourth search spaces, the corresponding preset pattern can be obtained based on the search space, providing more methods for determining the preset pattern.

[0009] In some implementations, the parameter information includes M, where M is any value in the set {1 / 2, 1, 2}. When M is 1, the preset pattern indicates eight consecutive time units. The first and second time units correspond to the first search space, and the first K symbols of the first and second time units correspond to the temporal positions of two first PDCCHs, where K represents the number of symbols occupied by a PDCCH and is a positive integer. The second and third time units correspond to the second search space, and the first K symbols of the third time unit correspond to the temporal position of one second PDCCH. The third and fourth time units correspond to the third search space, and the fourth time unit... The first K symbols correspond to the time domain position of one third PDCCH; the third and fourth time units out of eight time units correspond to the third search space, and the first K symbols of the fourth time unit correspond to the time domain position of one third PDCCH; the fourth and fifth time units out of eight time units correspond to the fourth search space, and the first K symbols of the fifth time unit correspond to the time domain position of one fourth PDCCH; the first K symbols of the sixth time unit out of eight time units correspond to the time domain position of one second PDCCH; the first K symbols of the seventh time unit out of eight time units correspond to the time domain position of one third PDCCH; and the first K symbols of the eighth time unit out of eight time units correspond to the time domain position of one fourth PDCCH.

[0010] In some implementations, the parameter information includes M, where M is any value in the set {1 / 2, 1, 2}. When M is 1, the preset pattern indicates eight consecutive time units. The first and second time units correspond to the first search space, and the first K symbols of the first and second time units correspond to the temporal positions of two first PDCCHs. The third and fourth time units correspond to the third search space, and the first K symbols of the third and fourth time units correspond to two third PDCCHs. The time-domain position of the CCH, where K represents the number of symbols occupied by a PDCCH, and K is a positive integer; the first K symbols of the fifth and sixth time units correspond to the time-domain positions of two second PDCCHs respectively, and the first K symbols of the seventh and eighth time units correspond to the time-domain positions of two fourth PDCCHs respectively; or, the first K symbols of the fifth and sixth time units correspond to the time-domain positions of two fourth PDCCHs respectively, and the first K symbols of the seventh and eighth time units correspond to the time-domain positions of two second PDCCHs respectively.

[0011] In some implementations, the parameter information includes M, where M is any value in the set {1 / 2, 1, 2}. When M is 1 / 2, the preset pattern indicates four consecutive time units. The first and second time units correspond to the first and second search spaces, respectively. The first K symbols of the first and second time units correspond to the time domain positions of one first PDCCH, and the (K+1)th to (2*K)th symbols of the first and second time units correspond to the time domain positions of one second PDCCH. K represents the number of symbols occupied by one PDCCH, and K is a positive integer. The first K symbols of the third and fourth time units correspond to the time domain positions of one third PDCCH, and the (K+1)th to (2*K)th symbols of the third and fourth time units correspond to the time domain positions of one fourth PDCCH.

[0012] In some implementations, the parameter information includes M, where M is any value in the set {1 / 2, 1, 2}. When M is 1 / 2, the preset pattern indicates four consecutive time units. The first and second time units correspond to the first and second search spaces, respectively. The first K symbols and the (K+1)th to (2*K)th symbols of the first time unit correspond to the time domain positions of a first PDCCH. The first K symbols and the (K+1)th to (2*K)th symbols of the second time unit correspond to the time domain positions of a second PDCCH. K represents the number of symbols occupied by a PDCCH, and K is a positive integer. The first K symbols and the (K+1)th to (2*K)th symbols of the third time unit correspond to the time domain positions of a third PDCCH. The first K symbols and the (K+1)th to (2*K)th symbols of the fourth time unit correspond to the time domain positions of a fourth PDCCH.

[0013] In some implementations, the parameter information includes M, where M is any value in the set {1 / 2, 1, 2}. When M is 1 / 2, the preset pattern indicates eight consecutive time units. The first and second time units correspond to the first and second search spaces, respectively. The first K symbols of the first and fifth time units correspond to the time domain positions of one first PDCCH. The (K+1)th to (2*K)th symbols of the second and sixth time units correspond to the time domain positions of one second PDCCH. K represents the number of symbols occupied by one PDCCH, and K is a positive integer. The first K symbols of the third and seventh time units correspond to the time domain positions of one third PDCCH. The (K+1)th to (2*K)th symbols of the fourth and eighth time units correspond to the time domain positions of one fourth PDCCH.

[0014] In some implementations, the parameter information includes M, where M is any value in the set {1 / 2, 1, 2}. When M is 2, the preset pattern indicates eight consecutive time units. The first and second time units in the eight time units correspond to the first search space, and the first K symbols of the first and second time units correspond to the time domain position of one first PDCCH. The third and fourth time units in the eight time units correspond to the second search space, and the first K symbols of the third and fourth time units correspond to the time domain position of one second PDCCH. K represents the number of symbols occupied by one PDCCH, and K is a positive integer. The fifth and sixth time units in the eight time units correspond to the third search space, and the first K symbols of the fifth and sixth time units correspond to the time domain position of one third PDCCH. The seventh and eighth time units in the eight time units correspond to the fourth search space, and the first K symbols of the seventh and eighth time units correspond to the time domain position of one fourth PDCCH.

[0015] In the above implementation, the time domain position of the first PDCCH indicated in the preset pattern corresponds to the candidate time domain position of the first PDCCH indicated by the first search space, which enables the terminal device to receive the first PDCCH according to the first search space, thereby reducing the processing complexity of the terminal device.

[0016] At the same time, it also enables older terminal devices that do not support preset patterns to receive the first PDCCH based on the first search space, which helps improve the compatibility of network devices sending PDCCH.

[0017] In some implementations, when N is greater than 2, the preset pattern also indicates 4*(N-2) consecutive time units; the first K symbols in the m-th to m+3-th time units of the 4*(N-2) time units correspond to the time domain positions of the first PDCCH to the fourth PDCCH, where m is 1+4*(n-2) and n is an integer greater than 1 and less than N; or, the first K symbols in the 1-N-2-th time units of the 4*(N-2) time units correspond to the time domain positions of the first PDCCH. The time domain positions are as follows: the first K symbols from the (N-1)th time unit to the 2nd (N-2)th time unit in the 4*(N-2) time units correspond to the time domain positions of the second PDCCH; the first K symbols from the 2nd (N-3)th time unit to the 3rd (N-2)th time unit in the 4*(N-2) time units correspond to the time domain positions of the third PDCCH; and the first K symbols from the 3rd (N-5)th time unit to the 4th (N-2)th time unit in the 4*(N-2) time units correspond to the time domain positions of the fourth PDCCH.

[0018] In some implementations, the first SSB instructs the network device to repeatedly send the first PDCCH.

[0019] By instructing the network device to repeat the first PDCCH through the first SSB, the terminal device can determine that it needs to receive N first PDCCHs with preset pattern instructions.

[0020] In some implementations, a preset pattern indicates N first system message blocks (SIB1). The method further includes sending N first SIB1s, where the time-domain positions of the N first SIB1s correspond to the time-domain positions indicated by the N first PDCCHs, and the N first SIB1s are the SIB1s corresponding to the first SSBs.

[0021] Network devices can repeatedly send the first SIB1 to terminal devices, allowing terminal devices to receive multiple identical first SIB1s. This helps terminal devices to correctly decode the first SIB1 and further improves the success rate of terminal devices accessing the NTN communication system.

[0022] In a first aspect, embodiments of this application provide a communication method applied to a terminal-side device, such as a terminal device or a communication module in the terminal device, or a circuit or chip in the terminal device responsible for communication functions. Taking the application of this method to a terminal device as an example, the method includes: receiving a first SSB, wherein the first SSB indicates parameter information for determining a preset pattern, the preset pattern indicates the time-domain position of N first PDCCHs, the N first PDCCHs are the same PDCCHs corresponding to the first SSB, and N is an integer greater than 1; and receiving N first PDCCHs according to the preset pattern.

[0023] The terminal device receives N identical first PDCCHs according to the time domain position indicated by the preset pattern, which helps the terminal device to correctly decode the first PDCCH, thereby improving the success rate of the terminal device accessing the NTN communication system.

[0024] In some implementations, the preset pattern is associated with a first search space, a second search space, a third search space, and a fourth search space; the first search space includes the candidate time-domain position of the first PDCCH corresponding to the first SSB, the second search space includes the candidate time-domain position of the second PDCCH corresponding to the second SSB, the third search space includes the candidate time-domain position of the third PDCCH corresponding to the third SSB, and the fourth search space includes the candidate time-domain position of the fourth PDCCH corresponding to the fourth SSB, and the index values ​​corresponding to the first SSB to the fourth SSB are four consecutive non-negative integers.

[0025] In some implementations, the parameter information includes M, where M is any value in the set {1 / 2, 1, 2}. When M is 1, the preset pattern indicates eight consecutive time units. The first and second time units correspond to the first search space, and the first K symbols of the first and second time units correspond to the temporal positions of two first PDCCHs, where K represents the number of symbols occupied by a PDCCH and is a positive integer. The second and third time units correspond to the second search space, and the first K symbols of the third time unit correspond to the temporal position of one second PDCCH. The third and fourth time units correspond to the third search space, and the fourth time unit... The first K symbols correspond to the time domain position of one third PDCCH; the third and fourth time units out of eight time units correspond to the third search space, and the first K symbols of the fourth time unit correspond to the time domain position of one third PDCCH; the fourth and fifth time units out of eight time units correspond to the fourth search space, and the first K symbols of the fifth time unit correspond to the time domain position of one fourth PDCCH; the first K symbols of the sixth time unit out of eight time units correspond to the time domain position of one second PDCCH; the first K symbols of the seventh time unit out of eight time units correspond to the time domain position of one third PDCCH; and the first K symbols of the eighth time unit out of eight time units correspond to the time domain position of one fourth PDCCH.

[0026] In some implementations, the parameter information includes M, where M is any value in the set {1 / 2, 1, 2}. When M is 1, the preset pattern indicates eight consecutive time units. The first and second time units correspond to the first search space, and the first K symbols of the first and second time units correspond to the temporal positions of two first PDCCHs. The third and fourth time units correspond to the third search space, and the first K symbols of the third and fourth time units correspond to two third PDCCHs. The time-domain position of the CCH, where K represents the number of symbols occupied by a PDCCH, and K is a positive integer; the first K symbols of the fifth and sixth time units correspond to the time-domain positions of two second PDCCHs respectively, and the first K symbols of the seventh and eighth time units correspond to the time-domain positions of two fourth PDCCHs respectively; or, the first K symbols of the fifth and sixth time units correspond to the time-domain positions of two fourth PDCCHs respectively, and the first K symbols of the seventh and eighth time units correspond to the time-domain positions of two second PDCCHs respectively.

[0027] In some implementations, the parameter information includes M, where M is any value in the set {1 / 2, 1, 2}. When M is 1 / 2, the preset pattern indicates four consecutive time units. The first and second time units correspond to the first and second search spaces, respectively. The first K symbols of the first and second time units correspond to the time domain positions of one first PDCCH, and the (K+1)th to (2*K)th symbols of the first and second time units correspond to the time domain positions of one second PDCCH. K represents the number of symbols occupied by one PDCCH, and K is a positive integer. The first K symbols of the third and fourth time units correspond to the time domain positions of one third PDCCH, and the (K+1)th to (2*K)th symbols of the third and fourth time units correspond to the time domain positions of one fourth PDCCH.

[0028] In some implementations, the parameter information includes M, where M is any value in the set {1 / 2, 1, 2}. When M is 1 / 2, the preset pattern indicates four consecutive time units. The first and second time units correspond to the first and second search spaces, respectively. The first K symbols and the (K+1)th to (2*K)th symbols of the first time unit correspond to the time domain positions of a first PDCCH. The first K symbols and the (K+1)th to (2*K)th symbols of the second time unit correspond to the time domain positions of a second PDCCH. K represents the number of symbols occupied by a PDCCH, and K is a positive integer. The first K symbols and the (K+1)th to (2*K)th symbols of the third time unit correspond to the time domain positions of a third PDCCH. The first K symbols and the (K+1)th to (2*K)th symbols of the fourth time unit correspond to the time domain positions of a fourth PDCCH.

[0029] In some implementations, the parameter information includes M, where M is any value in the set {1 / 2, 1, 2}. When M is 1 / 2, the preset pattern indicates eight consecutive time units. The first and second time units correspond to the first and second search spaces, respectively. The first K symbols of the first and fifth time units correspond to the time domain positions of one first PDCCH. The (K+1)th to (2*K)th symbols of the second and sixth time units correspond to the time domain positions of one second PDCCH. K represents the number of symbols occupied by one PDCCH, and K is a positive integer. The first K symbols of the third and seventh time units correspond to the time domain positions of one third PDCCH. The (K+1)th to (2*K)th symbols of the fourth and eighth time units correspond to the time domain positions of one fourth PDCCH.

[0030] In some implementations, the parameter information includes M, where M is any value in the set {1 / 2, 1, 2}. When M is 2, the preset pattern indicates eight consecutive time units. The first and second time units in the eight time units correspond to the first search space, and the first K symbols of the first and second time units correspond to the time domain position of one first PDCCH. The third and fourth time units in the eight time units correspond to the second search space, and the first K symbols of the third and fourth time units correspond to the time domain positions of two second PDCCHs. K represents the number of symbols occupied by a PDCCH, and K is a positive integer. The fifth and sixth time units in the eight time units correspond to the third search space, and the first K symbols of the fifth and sixth time units correspond to the time domain position of one third PDCCH. The seventh and eighth time units in the eight time units correspond to the fourth search space, and the first K symbols of the seventh and eighth time units correspond to the time domain positions of two fourth PDCCHs.

[0031] In some implementations, when N is greater than 2, the preset pattern also indicates 4*(N-2) consecutive time units; the first K symbols in the m-th to m+3-th time units of the 4*(N-2) time units correspond to the time domain positions of the first PDCCH to the fourth PDCCH, where m is 1+4*(n-2) and n is an integer greater than 1 and less than N; or, the first K symbols in the 1-N-2-th time units of the 4*(N-2) time units correspond to the time domain positions of the first PDCCH. The time domain positions are as follows: the first K symbols from the (N-1)th time unit to the 2nd (N-2)th time unit in the 4*(N-2) time units correspond to the time domain positions of the second PDCCH; the first K symbols from the 2nd (N-3)th time unit to the 3rd (N-2)th time unit in the 4*(N-2) time units correspond to the time domain positions of the third PDCCH; and the first K symbols from the 3rd (N-5)th time unit to the 4th (N-2)th time unit in the 4*(N-2) time units correspond to the time domain positions of the fourth PDCCH.

[0032] In some implementations, the first SSB instructs the network device to repeatedly send the first PDCCH.

[0033] In some implementations, parameter information is also used to determine a first search space, which includes the candidate time-domain position of the first PDCCH corresponding to the first SSB; according to a preset pattern, N first PDCCHs are received, including: receiving the first PDCCH according to the first search space; and in the case of failure of decoding the first PDCCH, receiving N first PDCCHs according to the preset pattern.

[0034] In some implementations, a preset pattern indicates N first SIB1s; the method further includes: receiving N first SIB1s according to N first PDCCHs, where the N first SIB1s are the SIB1s corresponding to the first SSB.

[0035] Thirdly, embodiments of this application provide a communication device, including modules or units for implementing the methods of the first or second aspect and any possible implementation of the first or second aspect. Each module or unit can implement its corresponding function by executing a computer program.

[0036] For example, the communication device in the third aspect is a terminal device or a component configured in a terminal device, such as a chip, chip system, processor, etc.; or, the communication device in the third aspect is a network device or a component configured in a network device, such as a chip, chip system, processor, etc.

[0037] Fourthly, embodiments of this application provide a communication device, including a processor, which is configured to execute the communication method in the first or second aspect and any possible implementation of the first or second aspect.

[0038] Optionally, the communication device includes a memory for storing instructions and data. The memory is coupled to a processor, which, when executing the instructions stored in the memory, can implement the methods described in the foregoing aspects.

[0039] Optionally, the communication device includes a communication interface for communicating with other communication devices. For example, the communication interface may be a transceiver, circuit, bus, module, pin, or other type of communication interface.

[0040] For example, the communication device provided in the fourth aspect is a chip or chip system, or it may correspond to a terminal device or network device.

[0041] Fifthly, embodiments of this application provide a computer-readable storage medium including a computer program that, when run on a computer, causes the computer to implement the methods of the first or second aspect and any possible implementation of the first or second aspect.

[0042] In a sixth aspect, embodiments of this application provide a computer program product, which includes a computer program (also referred to as code or instructions) that, when run, causes a computer to perform the methods of the first or second aspect and any possible implementation thereof.

[0043] In a seventh aspect, embodiments of this application provide a communication system including the aforementioned terminal device and network device. The network device can be used to implement the methods in the first aspect and any possible implementation of the first aspect, and the terminal device can be used to implement the methods in the second aspect and any possible implementation of the second aspect.

[0044] The third to seventh aspects of this application correspond to the technical solutions of the first aspect of this application. The beneficial effects achieved by each aspect and the corresponding feasible implementation are similar, and will not be repeated here. Attached Figure Description

[0045] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a possible terrestrial network communication system architecture;

[0046] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the architecture of an NTN communication system;

[0047] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of the architecture of a 5G satellite communication system that integrates an NTN network system;

[0048] Figure 4 is a flowchart illustrating a communication method provided in one embodiment of this application;

[0049] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of the preset pattern when M is 1;

[0050] Figure 6 is another schematic diagram corresponding to the preset pattern when M is 1;

[0051] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of the preset pattern when M is 1 / 2;

[0052] Figure 8 shows another schematic diagram of the preset pattern when M is 1 / 2;

[0053] Figure 9 shows another schematic diagram of the preset pattern when M is 1 / 2;

[0054] Figure 10 is another schematic diagram corresponding to the preset pattern when M is 2;

[0055] Figure 11 is a schematic diagram of the preset pattern when N is greater than 2;

[0056] Figure 12 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0057] Figure 13 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device provided in another embodiment of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0058] Exemplary embodiments will now be described in detail, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. When the following description relates to the drawings, unless otherwise indicated, the same numbers in different drawings denote the same or similar elements. The embodiments described in the following exemplary embodiments do not represent all embodiments consistent with this application. Rather, they are merely examples of apparatuses and methods consistent with some aspects of this application as detailed in the appended claims.

[0059] It should be understood that in the embodiments of this application, "at least one" refers to one or more, and "more than one" refers to two or more. "And / or" describes the relationship between related objects, indicating that three relationships can exist. For example, A and / or B can represent: A alone, A and B simultaneously, or B alone, where A and B can be singular or plural. The character " / " generally indicates that the preceding and following related objects are in an "or" relationship, but it does not exclude the possibility of indicating that the preceding and following related objects are in an "and" relationship. The specific meaning can be understood in conjunction with the context. "At least one of the following" or similar expressions refer to any combination of these items, including any combination of single or plural items. For example, at least one of a, b, or c can represent: a, b, c; a and b; a and c; b and c; or a and b and c. Here, a, b, and c can be single or multiple.

[0060] In this embodiment of the application, the use of prefixes such as "first" and "second" is merely for the purpose of distinguishing and describing different things belonging to the same name category, and does not constrain the order, size, or quantity of things. For example, "first parameter" and "second parameter" are simply different parameters, and there is no temporal or quantitative relationship between them.

[0061] This application will present various aspects, embodiments, or features relating to systems that may include multiple devices, components, modules, etc. It should be understood and appreciated that individual systems may include additional devices, components, modules, etc., and / or may not include all the devices, components, modules, etc. discussed in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Furthermore, combinations of these approaches are also possible.

[0062] Furthermore, in the embodiments of this application, words such as "exemplarily" and "for example" are used to indicate examples, illustrations, or descriptions. Any embodiment or design scheme described as an "example" in this application should not be construed as being more preferred or advantageous than other embodiments or design schemes. Specifically, the use of the term "example" is intended to present concepts in a concrete manner. In the embodiments of this application, "of," "corresponding, relevant," and "corresponding" may sometimes be used interchangeably, and it should be noted that their intended meanings are consistent unless their distinction is emphasized.

[0063] "Instruction" can include direct instruction, indirect instruction, explicit instruction, and implicit instruction. When describing a certain instruction information to indicate A, it can be understood that the instruction information carries A, directly indicates A, or indirectly indicates A.

[0064] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a possible terrestrial network communication system architecture. As shown in Figure 1, the communication system 100 may include at least one wireless access network device (110a and 110b in the figure), and may also include at least one terminal (120a-120h in the figure). The terminal is wirelessly connected to the wireless access network device, and the terminals and the wireless access network devices can be interconnected by wired or wireless means.

[0065] Wireless access network (RAN) equipment can be devices with wireless transceiver capabilities. In the embodiments of this application, RAN equipment can be devices that provide wireless communication services, typically located on the network side, including but not limited to: next-generation base stations (gNodeB, gNB) in 5th generation (5G) communication systems, next-generation base stations in 6th generation (6G) mobile communication systems, base stations in future mobile communication systems, or access nodes in WiFi systems; evolved node B (eNB), radio network controller (RNC), node B (NB), base station controller (BSC), home base station (e.g., home evolved NodeB, or home Node B, HNB), base band unit (BBU), transmission reception point (TRP), transmitting point (TP), base transceiver station (BTS), etc. in long term evolution (LTE) systems. In one network architecture, the access network equipment may include centralized unit (CU) nodes, distributed unit (DU) nodes, RAN equipment including CU and DU nodes, or RAN equipment including control plane CU nodes, user plane CU nodes, and DU nodes. The access network equipment provides services to cells. Terminal devices communicate with base stations through the transmission resources (e.g., frequency domain resources, or spectrum resources) used by the cell. The cell can be a cell corresponding to a base station (e.g., a base station). The cell can belong to a macro base station or a base station corresponding to a small cell. Small cells can include metro cells, micro cells, pico cells, femto cells, etc. These small cells have the characteristics of small coverage area and low transmission power, making them suitable for providing high-speed data transmission services.The wireless access network equipment can be a macro base station (as shown in Figure 1, 110a), a micro base station or indoor station (as shown in Figure 1, 110b), a relay node or donor node, a device providing wireless communication services to terminal devices in a V2X communication system, a wireless controller, relay station, vehicle-mounted equipment, wearable devices, and network equipment in future evolved networks, etc. In this embodiment, the access network equipment can also be an open-radio access network (O-RAN) device, which can include an open-distributed unit (O-DU) and an open-central unit (O-CU). In the embodiments of this application, the base station's functions can be executed by modules (such as chips) within the base station, or by a control subsystem containing base station functions. This control subsystem containing base station functions can be a control center in the aforementioned application scenarios such as smart grids, industrial control, intelligent transportation, and smart cities. The embodiments of this application do not limit the specific technology or device form used in the wireless access network equipment. For ease of description, the following description uses a base station as an example of a wireless access network equipment.

[0066] A terminal can also be called a terminal device, user equipment, mobile station (MS), mobile terminal (MT), etc., and can be an entity on the user side used to receive or transmit signals, such as a mobile phone. Terminal devices include handheld devices, in-vehicle devices, wearable devices, or computing devices with wireless communication capabilities. For example, a UE can be a mobile phone, tablet computer, or computer with wireless transceiver capabilities. Terminal devices can also be virtual reality (VR) terminal devices, augmented reality (AR) terminal devices, wireless terminals in industrial control, wireless terminals in autonomous driving, wireless terminals in telemedicine, wireless terminals in smart grids, wireless terminals in smart cities, wireless terminals in smart homes, and so on. Terminals can be widely used in various scenarios, such as device-to-device (D2D), vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication, machine-type communication (MTC), Internet of Things (IoT), virtual reality, augmented reality, industrial control, autonomous driving, telemedicine, smart grids, smart furniture, smart offices, smart wearables, smart transportation, and smart cities. In this application's embodiments, the device used to implement the terminal's functions can be the terminal itself; it can also be a device capable of supporting the terminal in implementing these functions, such as a chip system, a communication module, or a modem, which can be installed in the terminal. In this application's embodiments, the chip system can consist of chips or include chips and other discrete components. This application's embodiments do not limit the specific technology or device form used in the terminal device.

[0067] Based on the description of the terrestrial network communication architecture shown in Figure 1, integrating the NTN communication system with the terrestrial network communication system can construct a three-dimensional, all-round, and all-weather information network covering the globe. Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the architecture of an NTN communication system. As shown in Figure 2, the NTN communication system includes a satellite 201 and terminals 202. The satellite 201 scans multiple areas through signaling beams, with each scanned area corresponding to a wave position. Each wave position can contain multiple terminals 202, which can be referred to as the terminal devices 120a-120h in Figure 1. The satellite 201 can be called a high-altitude platform, a high-altitude aircraft, or a satellite base station. Relating the NTN communication system to the terrestrial network communication system, the satellite 201 can be considered as one or more wireless access network devices in the terrestrial network communication system architecture. The satellite 201 provides communication services to the terminal devices and can also connect to core network equipment. The communication method between the satellite 201 and the terminals 202 can also be referred to the description in Figure 1, and will not be repeated here.

[0068] Taking 5G networks as an example, Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of the architecture of a 5G satellite communication system integrating an NTN network system. As shown in Figure 3, 5G base stations are deployed on satellites and connected to the ground core network via wireless links. Terminals access the network through the 5G New Radio (NR) interface. Simultaneously, wireless links exist between satellites to complete signaling interaction and user data transmission between base stations. The devices and interfaces in Figure 3 are described below:

[0069] The 5G core network is divided into two functional entities: the 5G control plane and the 5G data plane. The 5G control plane includes the Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF) unit and the Session Management Function (SMF) unit. The AMF unit is responsible for user access management and security authentication, while the SMF unit, together with the AMF unit, supports customized mobility management schemes. The 5G data plane includes the User Plane Function (UPF) unit and the data network. The UPF unit is responsible for managing user plane data transmission, traffic statistics, and other functions.

[0070] Ground station: Responsible for forwarding signaling and service data between satellite base stations and the 5G core network.

[0071] 5G New Radio: The wireless link between a terminal and a base station.

[0072] Xn interface: The interface between 5G base stations, mainly used for signaling interactions such as handover.

[0073] NG interface: The interface between 5G base stations and 5G core networks, mainly used for exchanging non-access stratum (NAS) signaling of the core network and user service data.

[0074] For a terrestrial terminal device to use the network services provided by the NTN communication system, it first needs to receive the synchronization signal and physical broadcast channel block (SSB) broadcast by the network device in the NTN communication system. After synchronization is achieved, the terminal device initiates a random access procedure to establish physical and logical channels with the network device for subsequent data transmission.

[0075] During the process of receiving broadcast messages, the terminal device searches for cells by detecting the primary synchronization signal (PSS) and secondary synchronization signal (SSS) in the SSB. Once the terminal device finds a cell and completes downlink synchronization, it retrieves the PDCCH based on the SSB index indicated by the SSB and the candidate time-domain position of the physical downlink control channel (PDCCH). This PDCCH is used to schedule system information block (SIB) 1. The PDCCH used to schedule SIB1 is referred to as "Type0-PDCCH" in the protocol. For ease of description, the term "Type0-PDCCH" used to indicate the scheduling of SIB1 will be used consistently in the following text.

[0076] Different frequency bands, different subcarrier spacings, and the time-frequency relative positions of the SSB and PDCCH all affect the candidate time-domain position of the PDCCH. For example, in pattern 1, the SSB and control resource set (CORESET) 0 are time-division multiplexed in the time domain, meaning that the SSB and CORESET 0 are located on different symbols in the time domain, and the frequency domain range of CORESET 0 must include the SSB.

[0077] As an example, in the first frequency band (frequency range 1, FR1), i.e., the frequency band below 6 GHz, and when the relative positional relationship between the SSB and PDCCH is pattern 1, the SSB can indicate the candidate time-domain position of the PDCCH to the terminal device using Table 1 below. The candidate time-domain position of the PDCCH is referred to as the PDCCH search space in the protocol, and will be used consistently as the PDCCH search space to indicate the candidate time-domain position of the PDCCH below.

[0078] Table 1

[0079] Here, the index is the row number in Table 1 indicated by the SSB. The terminal device can determine other parameters such as O and M in the table based on the index indicated by the SSB. i is the SSB index indicated by the SSB. This indicates the number of symbols used by a PDCCH.

[0080] It is understandable that the way the SSB indicates the search space of the PDCCH is an implicit indication. When the SSB indicates the index in Table 1 above, the terminal device can calculate and obtain the search space n0 of the PDCCH, which satisfies the following relationship:

[0081] Where n0 represents the time unit number corresponding to the search space, and in this embodiment, n0 is defined as the slot number. O and M are the parameters indicated in the corresponding row of the index in Table 1, and i is the SSB index indicated by the SSB. This indicates rounding down the product of two numbers, i and M (e.g., ...). μ is the parameter indicated by SSB. In this embodiment, μ∈{0, 1, 2, 3}, and mod represents the modulo operation. This indicates the number of time slots included in each frame as specified in the protocol, and The value of is related to μ.

[0082] When μ∈{0,1,2,3}, the subcarrier spacing is {15,30,60,120} kHz (where the subcarrier spacing is 15*2). μ The search space for PDCCH is n0 and n0+1, meaning that PDCCH may be scheduled on time slots numbered n0 or n0+1. The terminal device performs blind detection on the above time slots numbered n0 or n0+1 to obtain PDCCH.

[0083] For example: μ can take the value of 0. The value of is 10. The terminal device receives SSB#0, which indicates that the SSB index i is 0 and corresponds to index 0 in Table 1. Based on Table 1, the terminal device can determine that O is 0 and M is 1, according to the above relationship. That is, the search space for the PDCCH corresponding to SSB#0 is in the time slot numbered 0 (n0) or 1 (n0+1). At the same time, when M is 1, the number of search spaces corresponding to each time slot is 1, and the index of the first symbol in Table 1 is 0. Therefore, the terminal device can start blindly detecting the PDCCH from the symbol with index 0 in time slot 0 or time slot 1, which is the first symbol.

[0084] Alternatively, if SSB#0 corresponds to index 3 in Table 1, then the terminal device can determine O as 2 and M as 1 / 2 based on Table 1, according to the above relationship. That is, the search space for the PDCCH corresponding to SSB#0 is in time slot numbered 2 (n0) or 3 (n0+1). At the same time, since the index value i indicated by SSB#0 is even, according to the index of the first symbol in Table 1, the terminal device starts blindly checking the PDCCH from the first symbol of time slot 2 or time slot 3.

[0085] Assume the terminal device receives SSB#1, where SSB#1 indicates an SSB index i of 1, and the index in Table 1 is 3. According to the aforementioned formula for calculating the search space, the search space for the PDCCH corresponding to SSB#1 lies in time slots numbered 2 (n0) or 3 (n0+1). Accordingly, since the index value i indicated by SSB#1 is odd, based on the index of the first symbol in Table 1, the terminal device indexes from time slot 2 or time slot 3... The symbol, that is, from the first time slot in time slot 2 or time slot 3 The first symbol begins the blind check of PDCCH.

[0086] Understandably, the terminal device blindly detects the PDCCH in the corresponding time domain location based on the search space of the PDCCH indicated by the SSB, where the PDCCH indicates the time-frequency location corresponding to SIB1. After detecting the PDCCH, the terminal device can receive SIB1 to obtain necessary system information based on the time-frequency location indicated by the PDCCH, thereby initiating a random access request to the network device in the NTN communication system.

[0087] However, in NTN communication systems, the distance between network devices and ground terminal devices is relatively long, and the path loss during the process of sending PDCCH from network devices to ground terminal devices is relatively large. With a fixed link budget for PDCCH, the PDCCH received by ground terminal devices may not be correctly decoded, which is not conducive to the terminal devices accessing the NTN communication system.

[0088] To address the aforementioned technical problems, this application provides a communication method and apparatus to enable network devices to repeatedly send PDCCH to terminal devices, which facilitates the correct decoding of PDCCH by terminal devices and thereby improves the success rate of terminal devices accessing the NTN communication system.

[0089] The technical concept of this application is as follows: the network device repeatedly sends multiple identical PDCCHs to the terminal device according to a preset pattern. The preset pattern indicates the time domain position of the multiple PDCCHs. The terminal device receives the multiple PDCCHs according to the time domain position indicated by the preset pattern, so that the terminal device can decode based on multiple PDCCHs. This is equivalent to indirectly improving the decoding performance of the terminal device, which helps the terminal device to correctly decode PDCCHs, thereby improving the success rate of the terminal device accessing the NTN communication system.

[0090] In the embodiments described below, the interaction between a terminal device and a network device is used as an example. It should be understood that the terminal device described above can be replaced by components configured in the terminal device (such as chips, chip systems, processors, etc.), or logical modules or software capable of implementing all or part of the functions of the terminal device; the network device described above can also be replaced by components configured in the network device (such as chips, chip systems, processors, etc.), or logical modules or software capable of implementing all or part of the functions of the network device.

[0091] Figure 4 is a flowchart illustrating a communication method provided in an embodiment of this application. This communication method is applicable to the communication system architecture shown in Figure 3. For example, as shown in Figure 4, the communication method may include the following steps:

[0092] S401, the network device sends a first SSB to the terminal device. The first SSB indicates parameter information used to determine a preset pattern. The preset pattern indicates the time-domain positions of N first PDCCHs, where the N first PDCCHs are the same PDCCHs corresponding to the first SSB, and N is an integer greater than 1. Accordingly, the terminal device receives the first SSB from the network device.

[0093] Corresponding to the communication system architecture shown in Figure 3, the operating frequency of network devices is typically limited to below 3 GHz. According to the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) technical specification (TS) 38.213, for frequency bands below 3 GHz, a synchronization signal burst can contain a maximum of 4 SSBs, meaning that network devices can only transmit a maximum of 4 SSBs in one cycle.

[0094] The four SSBs sent by the network devices correspond to four different directions. As an example, the network device broadcasts the first SSB in a certain direction. In this embodiment, it is assumed that the terminal device is located in the direction of the first SSB, and accordingly, the terminal device receives the first SSB broadcast by the network device.

[0095] As described above, the SSB can indicate the corresponding index in Table 1, thereby enabling the terminal device to calculate and obtain the search space of the PDCCH. In other words, the SSB implicitly indicates the search space of the PDCCH. As an example, in this step, the first SSB can indicate parameter information used to determine a preset pattern. After receiving the first SSB, the terminal device can perform calculations based on the parameter information indicated by the first SSB to determine the preset pattern corresponding to the above parameter information. This preset pattern indicates the time-domain positions of the N identical first PDCCHs corresponding to the first SSB.

[0096] As one possible implementation, the above-mentioned preset pattern is associated with the first search space, the second search space, the third search space, and the fourth search space.

[0097] For example, the parameter information indicated by the first SSB for determining the preset pattern may specifically include μ, the index i of the first SSB, and the index in Table 1 above. That is, the parameter information indicated by the first SSB is consistent with the information used to determine the search space of the PDCCH. Based on the above parameter information, the terminal device can not only determine the search space of the corresponding PDCCH in the existing protocol, but also determine the preset pattern. This is equivalent to the terminal device obtaining the corresponding preset pattern based on the search space after determining the search space of the PDCCH. Therefore, it can be understood that the preset pattern is associated with the search space of the PDCCH.

[0098] Considering that a network device can send a maximum of 4 SSBs in one cycle, the terminal device in the direction corresponding to each SSB can obtain a preset pattern according to the search space of the PDCCH corresponding to the corresponding SSB. Therefore, the preset pattern can be associated with the search space of the PDCCH corresponding to the 4 SSBs. The search spaces of the PDCCH corresponding to the 4 SSBs are the first search space, the second search space, the third search space, and the fourth search space, respectively.

[0099] The first search space includes the candidate time-domain position of the first PDCCH corresponding to the first SSB, the second search space includes the candidate time-domain position of the second PDCCH corresponding to the second SSB, the third search space includes the candidate time-domain position of the third PDCCH corresponding to the third SSB, and the fourth search space includes the candidate time-domain position of the fourth PDCCH corresponding to the fourth SSB. The index values ​​corresponding to the first SSB to the fourth SSB are four consecutive non-negative integers.

[0100] As an example, the first SSB corresponds to SSB#0, that is, the index value of the first SSB is 0; the second SSB corresponds to SSB#1, that is, the index value of the second SSB is 1; the third SSB corresponds to SSB#2, that is, the index value of the third SSB is 2; and the fourth SSB corresponds to SSB#3, that is, the index value of the fourth SSB is 3. The index values ​​of the first SSB to the fourth SSB are four consecutive non-negative integers from 0 to 3.

[0101] In some implementations, the parameter information includes M, where M is any value from the set {1 / 2, 1, 2}. It can be understood that M in this parameter information is equivalent to parameter M in Table 1, and its possible values ​​are 1 / 2, 1, or 2.

[0102] When M is 1, the preset pattern indicates eight consecutive time units. The first and second time units in the eight time units correspond to the first search space. The first K symbols of the first and second time units correspond to the time domain positions of the two first PDCCHs respectively. K represents the number of symbols occupied by a PDCCH, and K is a positive integer.

[0103] The second and third time units out of the eight time units correspond to the second search space, and the first K symbols of the third time unit correspond to the temporal position of one second PDCCH; the third and fourth time units out of the eight time units correspond to the third search space, and the first K symbols of the fourth time unit correspond to the temporal position of one third PDCCH; the third and fourth time units out of the eight time units correspond to the third search space, and the first K symbols of the fourth time unit correspond to the temporal position of one third PDCCH; the fourth and fifth time units out of the eight time units correspond to the fourth search space, and the first K symbols of the fifth time unit correspond to the temporal position of one fourth PDCCH.

[0104] The first K symbols of the sixth time unit out of eight time units correspond to the time domain position of the second PDCCH, the first K symbols of the seventh time unit out of eight time units correspond to the time domain position of the third PDCCH, and the first K symbols of the eighth time unit out of eight time units correspond to the time domain position of the fourth PDCCH.

[0105] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of the preset pattern when M is 1. As shown in Figure 5, when M is 1, the preset pattern includes 8 consecutive time slots, which can be understood as 8 consecutive time units.

[0106] Assuming the first to fourth SSBs correspond to SSB#0 to SSB#3, according to existing protocols, when M is 1, the corresponding index in Table 1 can be any value from 0, 2, 4, 6, and 10 to 15. For ease of description, in this embodiment, when M is 1, the first to fourth SSBs all indicate that μ is 0, and the corresponding index in Table 1 is 0, for illustrative purposes.

[0107] When μ is 0, each frame includes 10 time slots, and each time slot includes 14 symbols. For the first SSB (SSB#0), according to the aforementioned relationship of the search space n0, Therefore, the first search space includes time slots numbered 0 (n0) and 1 (n0+1). As shown in Figure 5, the time slots corresponding to these 8 time slots are numbered from slot 0 to slot 7. Therefore, the first time slot 0 and the second time slot 1 among the above 8 time slots correspond to the first search space.

[0108] In this embodiment, a black-filled rectangular square represents K symbols. As shown in Figure 5, when N is 2, i.e., when the preset pattern indicates the time-domain positions of two first PDCCHs, the black square in the first time slot 0 is marked with "0", indicating that the first K symbols in the first time slot 0 are the symbols occupied by the PDCCH corresponding to the first SSB (SSB#0) with index value 0. That is, the first K symbols in the first time slot 0 correspond to the time-domain position of one first PDCCH. Similarly, the black square in the second time slot 1 is marked with "0", indicating that the first K symbols in the second time slot 1 correspond to the time-domain position of another first PDCCH.

[0109] As can be seen from the foregoing, This indicates the number of symbols occupied by a PDCCH. In this implementation, K represents the number of symbols occupied by a PDCCH, and the value of K can be related to that in existing protocols. same.

[0110] For the second SSB (SSB#1), according to the aforementioned relation of the search space n0, it can be known that... Therefore, the second search space includes time slots numbered 1 (n0) and 2 (n0+1). As shown in Figure 5, the second time slot 1 and the third time slot 2 of the above 8 time slots correspond to the second search space, that is, the first search space and the second search space overlap in the second time slot 1.

[0111] For the third SSB (SSB#2), according to the aforementioned relation of the search space n0, it can be known that... Therefore, the third search space includes time slots numbered 2(n0) and 3(n0+1). As shown in Figure 5, the third time slot 2 and the fourth time slot 3 of the above 8 time slots correspond to the third search space, that is, the second search space and the third search space overlap in the third time slot 2.

[0112] For the fourth SSB (SSB#3), according to the aforementioned relation of the search space n0, it can be known that... Therefore, the fourth search space includes time slots numbered 3(n0) and 4(n0+1). As shown in Figure 5, the fourth time slot 3 and the fifth time slot 4 of the above 8 time slots correspond to the fourth search space, that is, the third search space and the fourth search space overlap in the fourth time slot 3.

[0113] It is understandable that, since the preset pattern is associated not only with the first search space but also with the second to fourth search spaces, in this embodiment, the preset pattern, in addition to indicating the time-domain positions of the above N first PDCCHs, can also indicate the time-domain positions of the second, third, and fourth PDCCHs, and the number of the above second to fourth PDCCHs is also N, consistent with the number of first PDCCHs. As shown in Figure 5, the black square in the third time slot 2 is marked with "1", indicating that the first K symbols in the third time slot 2 correspond to the time-domain position of one second PDCCH. The black square in the fourth time slot 3 is marked with "2", indicating that the first K symbols in the fourth time slot 3 correspond to the time-domain position of one third PDCCH. The black square in the fifth time slot 4 is marked with "3", indicating that the first K symbols in the fifth time slot 4 correspond to the time-domain position of one fourth PDCCH.

[0114] When N is 2, in slots 0 to 4, since the first K symbols of each slot are occupied by the corresponding PDCCH, the preset pattern indicates the remaining second to fourth PDCCHs in the last three slots of the eight slots. As shown in Figure 5, the black square in slot 5 is marked with "1", indicating that the first K symbols in slot 5 correspond to the time domain position of another second PDCCH. The black square in slot 6 is marked with "2", indicating that the first K symbols in slot 6 correspond to the time domain position of another third PDCCH. The black square in slot 7 is marked with "3", indicating that the first K symbols in slot 7 correspond to the time domain position of another fourth PDCCH.

[0115] In some implementations, the parameter information includes M, where M is any value in the set {1 / 2, 1, 2}. Specifically, when M is 1, the preset pattern indicates eight consecutive time units. The first and second time units correspond to the first search space, and the first K symbols of the first and second time units correspond to the temporal positions of two first PDCCHs. The third and fourth time units correspond to the third search space, and the first K symbols of the third and fourth time units correspond to the temporal positions of two third PDCCHs. K represents the number of symbols occupied by a PDCCH, and K is a positive integer.

[0116] The first K symbols of the fifth and sixth time units correspond to the time-domain positions of two second PDCCHs, respectively; the first K symbols of the seventh and eighth time units correspond to the time-domain positions of two fourth PDCCHs, respectively; or,

[0117] The first K symbols of the fifth and sixth time units correspond to the time domain positions of the two fourth PDCCHs, respectively, and the first K symbols of the seventh and eighth time units correspond to the time domain positions of the two second PDCCHs, respectively.

[0118] Figure 6 shows another schematic diagram of the preset pattern when M is 1. As shown in (A) and (B) of Figure 6, when M is 1, the preset pattern includes 8 consecutive time slots, which can be understood as 8 consecutive time units.

[0119] The first SSB to the fourth SSB correspond to SSB#0 to SSB#3. As shown in Figure 5 above, the first search space includes time slots numbered 0 (n0) and 1 (n0+1), and the third search space includes time slots numbered 2 (n0) and 3 (n0+1). Therefore, as shown in Figures (A) and (B) in Figure 6, the first time slot 0 and the second time slot 1 of the eight time slots correspond to the first search space, and the third time slot 2 and the fourth time slot 3 correspond to the third search space.

[0120] As shown in Figures 6(A) and (B), when N is 2, the black squares in slot 0 and slot 1 are marked with "0", indicating that the first K symbols in slot 0 and slot 1 respectively correspond to the time domain position of one first PDCCH. Similarly, the black squares in slot 2 and slot 3 are marked with "2", indicating that the first K symbols in slot 2 and slot 3 respectively correspond to the time domain position of one third PDCCH.

[0121] As shown in Figure 6(A), the black squares in slots 5 and 6 are marked with "1", indicating that the first K symbols in slots 4 and 5 correspond to the time domain positions of one second PDCCH. The black squares in slots 6 and 7 are marked with "3", indicating that the first K symbols in slots 6 and 7 correspond to the time domain positions of one fourth PDCCH.

[0122] As shown in Figure 6(B), the black squares in slots 4 (5th time slot) and 5 (6th time slot) are marked with "3", indicating that the first K symbols in slots 4 and 5 correspond to the time domain positions of one fourth PDCCH. The black squares in slots 6 (7th time slot) and 7 (8th time slot) are marked with "1", indicating that the first K symbols in slots 6 and 7 correspond to the time domain positions of one second PDCCH.

[0123] In some implementations, the parameter information includes M, where M is any value in the set {1 / 2, 1, 2}. When M is 1 / 2, the preset pattern indicates four consecutive time units. The first and second time units correspond to the first and second search spaces, respectively. The first K symbols of the first and second time units each correspond to the temporal position of a first PDCCH, and the (K+1)th to (2*K)th symbols of the first and second time units each correspond to the temporal position of a second PDCCH. K represents the number of symbols occupied by a PDCCH, and K is a positive integer.

[0124] The first K symbols of the third and fourth time units correspond to the time domain positions of one third PDCCH, and the K+1 to 2*K symbols of the third and fourth time units correspond to the time domain positions of one fourth PDCCH.

[0125] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of a preset pattern when M is 1 / 2. As shown in Figure 7, when M is 1 / 2, the preset pattern includes 4 consecutive time slots, which can be understood as 4 consecutive time units.

[0126] The first to fourth SSBs correspond to SSB#0 to SSB#3. According to existing protocols, when M is 1 / 2, the corresponding index in Table 1 can be any value among 1, 3, 5, and 7. For ease of description, in this embodiment of the application, when M is 1 / 2, the first to fourth SSBs all indicate that μ is 0, and the corresponding index in Table 1 is 1, as an example.

[0127] For the first SSB (SSB#0), according to the aforementioned relation of the search space n0, we know that... Therefore, the first search space includes time slots numbered 0 (n0) and 1 (n0+1). For the second SSB (SSB#1), according to the aforementioned relationship for the search space n0, Therefore, the second search space includes time slots numbered 0 (n0) and 1 (n0+1). As shown in Figure 7, the first time slot 0 and the second time slot 1 of the above four time slots correspond to the first search space and the second search space, that is, the first search space and the second search space overlap on the first time slot 0 and the second time slot 1.

[0128] As shown in Figure 7, when N is 2, both the first time slot 0 and the second time slot 1 contain two black squares. In these two time slots, the first black square is marked with "0" and the second black square is marked with "1". Since each black square represents K symbols, the first K symbols in the first time slot 0 and the second time slot 1 correspond to the time domain position of a first PDCCH, and the (K+1)th to the 2*Kth symbols in the first time slot 0 and the second time slot 1 correspond to the time domain position of a second PDCCH.

[0129] Similarly, both the third time slot (slot 2) and the fourth time slot (slot 3) contain two black squares. In these two time slots, the first black square is marked with "2" and the second black square is marked with "3". Since each black square represents K symbols, the first K symbols in the third time slot (slot 2) and the fourth time slot (slot 3) correspond to the time domain position of a third PDCCH, and the (K+1)th to (2*K)th symbols in the third time slot (slot 2) and the fourth time slot (slot 3) correspond to the time domain position of a fourth PDCCH.

[0130] As described above, when M is 1 / 2, the number of search spaces in each time slot is 2. When the index i of the SSB is even, the first symbol index of the PDCCH is 0, corresponding to the first PDCCH in the first time slot (SSB#0) in Figure 7, which is located in the first K symbols of slot 0 and slot 1 of the second time slot. When the index i of the SSB is odd, the first symbol index of the PDCCH is... The time-domain position of the second PDCCH corresponding to the second SSB (SSB#1) in Figure 7 corresponds to the (K+1)th to (2*K)th symbols in the first time slot (slot 0) and the second time slot (slot 1), where the value of K is related to... same.

[0131] In some implementations, the parameter information includes M, where M is any value in the set {1 / 2, 1, 2}. When M is 1 / 2, the preset pattern indicates four consecutive time units. The first and second time units correspond to the first and second search spaces, respectively. The first K symbols and the (K+1)th to (2*K)th symbols of the first time unit correspond to the temporal positions of a first PDCCH, and the first K symbols and the (K+1)th to (2*K)th symbols of the second time unit correspond to the temporal positions of a second PDCCH. K represents the number of symbols occupied by a PDCCH, and K is a positive integer.

[0132] The first K symbols of the third time unit and the K+1 to 2*K symbols each correspond to the time domain position of a third PDCCH, and the first K symbols of the fourth time unit and the K+1 to 2*K symbols each correspond to the time domain position of a fourth PDCCH.

[0133] Figure 8 shows another schematic diagram of the preset pattern when M is 1 / 2. As shown in Figure 8, when M is 1 / 2, the preset pattern includes 4 consecutive time slots, which can be understood as 4 consecutive time units.

[0134] The first SSB to the fourth SSB correspond to SSB#0 to SSB#3. As shown in Figure 7 above, the first search space includes time slots numbered 0 (n0) and 1 (n0+1), and the second search space includes time slots numbered 0 (n0) and 1 (n0+1). Therefore, as shown in Figure 8, the first time slot 0 and the second time slot 1 of the above four time slots correspond to the first search space and the second search space, and the first search space and the second search space overlap on the first time slot 0 and the second time slot 1.

[0135] As shown in Figure 8, when N is 2, the first time slot 0 includes two black squares, both marked with "0". This means that the first K symbols and the K+1 to 2*K symbols in the first time slot 0 correspond to the time domain positions of the first PDCCH.

[0136] Similarly, the second time slot, slot 1, contains two black squares, both marked with "1", indicating that the first K symbols and the (K+1)th to (2*K)th symbols in slot 1 each correspond to a time-domain position of a second PDCCH. The third time slot, slot 2, contains two black squares, both marked with "2", meaning the first K symbols and the (K+1)th to (2*K)th symbols in slot 2 correspond to a time-domain position of a third PDCCH. The fourth time slot, slot 3, contains two black squares, both marked with "3", meaning the first K symbols and the (K+1)th to (2*K)th symbols in slot 3 correspond to a time-domain position of a fourth PDCCH.

[0137] In some implementations, the parameter information includes M, where M is any value in the set {1 / 2, 1, 2}. When M is 1 / 2, the preset pattern indicates eight consecutive time units. The first and second time units correspond to the first and second search spaces, respectively. The first K symbols of the first and fifth time units correspond to the temporal positions of one first PDCCH, and the (K+1)th to (2*K)th symbols of the second and sixth time units correspond to the temporal positions of one second PDCCH. K represents the number of symbols occupied by a PDCCH, and K is a positive integer.

[0138] The first K symbols of the third and seventh time units correspond to the time domain position of one third PDCCH, and the K+1 to 2*K symbols of the fourth and eighth time units correspond to the time domain position of one fourth PDCCH.

[0139] Figure 9 shows another schematic diagram of the preset pattern when M is 1 / 2. As shown in Figure 9, when M is 1 / 2, the preset pattern includes 8 consecutive time slots, which can be understood as 8 consecutive time units.

[0140] The first SSB to the fourth SSB correspond to SSB#0 to SSB#3. As shown in Figure 7 above, the first search space includes time slots numbered 0 (n0) and 1 (n0+1), and the second search space includes time slots numbered 0 (n0) and 1 (n0+1). Therefore, as shown in Figure 9, the first time slot 0 and the second time slot 1 of the above four time slots correspond to the first search space and the second search space, and the first search space and the second search space overlap on the first time slot 0 and the second time slot 1.

[0141] As shown in Figure 9, when N is 2, the first K symbols of the first time slot 0 and the fifth time slot 4 correspond to the time domain position of the first PDCCH, the K+1 to 2*K symbols of the second time slot 1 and the sixth time slot 5 correspond to the time domain position of the second PDCCH, the first K symbols of the third time slot 2 and the seventh time slot 6 correspond to the time domain position of the third PDCCH, and the K+1 to 2*K symbols of the fourth time slot 3 and the eighth time slot 7 correspond to the time domain position of the fourth PDCCH.

[0142] It is understandable that, unlike the implementations corresponding to Figures 7 and 8 above, when M is 1 / 2, the preset pattern corresponding to Figure 9 includes 8 time slots. This preset pattern, based on whether the index value of the corresponding SSB is odd or even, refers to the first symbol corresponding to the PDCCH in the existing protocol, indicating that the first K symbols or the (K+1)th symbol of each time slot correspond to the time domain position of the corresponding PDCCH. Since the preset pattern shown in Figure 9 does not indicate the time domain positions of two PDCCHs in the same time slot, it is equivalent to reserving K idle symbols in one time slot, allowing network devices to use the K idle symbols when needed, which is beneficial for flexible resource scheduling by network devices.

[0143] In some implementations, the parameter information includes M, where M is any value in the set {1 / 2, 1, 2}. When M is 2, the preset pattern indicates eight consecutive time units. The first and second time units correspond to the first search space, and the first K symbols of the first and second time units each correspond to the temporal position of a first PDCCH. The third and fourth time units correspond to the second search space, and the first K symbols of the third and fourth time units each correspond to the temporal position of a second PDCCH. K represents the number of symbols occupied by a PDCCH, and K is a positive integer.

[0144] The fifth and sixth time units out of the eight time units correspond to the third search space, and the first K symbols of the fifth and sixth time units correspond to the time domain position of one third PDCCH. The seventh and eighth time units out of the eight time units correspond to the fourth search space, and the first K symbols of the seventh and eighth time units correspond to the time domain position of one fourth PDCCH.

[0145] Figure 10 shows another schematic diagram of the preset pattern when M is 2. As shown in Figure 10, when M is 2, the preset pattern includes 8 consecutive time slots, which can be understood as 8 consecutive time units.

[0146] The first SSB to the fourth SSB correspond to SSB#0 to SSB#3. According to existing protocols, when M is 2, the corresponding index in Table 1 can be 8 or 9. For ease of description, in this embodiment of the application, when M is 2, the first SSB to the fourth SSB all indicate that μ is 0, and the corresponding index in Table 1 is 8.

[0147] For the first SSB (SSB#0), according to the aforementioned relation of the search space n0, we know that... Therefore, the first search space includes time slots numbered 0 (n0) and 1 (n0+1). For the second SSB (SSB#1), according to the aforementioned relationship for the search space n0, Therefore, the second search space includes time slots numbered 2(n0) and 3(n0+1). For the third SSB (SSB#2), The second search space includes time slots numbered 4(n0) and 5(n0+1). For the fourth SSB (SSB#3), The second search space includes time slots numbered 6(n0) and 7(n0+1).

[0148] As shown in Figure 10, the first time slot 0 and the second time slot 1 of the eight time slots correspond to the first search space, the third time slot 2 and the fourth time slot 3 correspond to the second search space, the fifth time slot 4 and the sixth time slot 5 correspond to the third search space, and the seventh time slot 6 and the eighth time slot 7 correspond to the fourth search space.

[0149] In the first to fourth search spaces, there is no overlap between any two search spaces. As shown in Figure 10, when N is 2, the black squares in the first slot 0 and the second slot 1 are marked with "0", indicating that the first K symbols in the first slot 0 and the second slot 1 correspond to the time domain positions of one first PDCCH.

[0150] Similarly, the black squares marked with "1" in slots 2 and 3 indicate that the first K symbols in slots 2 and 3 respectively correspond to the time domain position of a second PDCCH. The black squares marked with "2" in slots 4 and 5 indicate that the first K symbols in slots 4 and 5 respectively correspond to the time domain position of a third PDCCH. The black squares marked with "3" in slots 6 and 7 indicate that the first K symbols in slots 6 and 7 respectively correspond to the time domain position of a fourth PDCCH.

[0151] It is understandable that in the implementation methods corresponding to Figures 5 to 10 above, the value of N is 2. Therefore, the number of time-domain positions of the first PDCCH to the second PDCCH indicated in the preset patterns in Figures 5 to 10 is 2.

[0152] As one possible implementation, when N is greater than 2, the preset pattern can also indicate 4*(N-2) consecutive time units. Here, the first K symbols in the m-th to m+3-th time units of the 4*(N-2) time units correspond sequentially to the time domain positions of the first PDCCH to the fourth PDCCH, where m is 1+4*(n-2) and n is an integer greater than 1 and less than N.

[0153] Alternatively, the first K symbols from the 1st to the (N-2nd)th time unit in the 4*(N-2) time units correspond to the time domain position of the first PDCCH, the first K symbols from the (N-1st)th to the 2nd (N-2nd)th time unit in the 4*(N-2) time units correspond to the time domain position of the second PDCCH, the first K symbols from the 2nd (N-3rd)th to the 3rd (N-2nd)th time unit in the 4*(N-2) time units correspond to the time domain position of the third PDCCH, and the first K symbols from the 3rd (N-5th)th to the 4th (N-2nd)th time unit in the 4*(N-2) time units correspond to the time domain position of the fourth PDCCH.

[0154] Figure 11 is a schematic diagram of a preset pattern when N is greater than 2. As an example, (A) and (B) in Figure 11 are illustrated with M being 1.

[0155] Assuming N is 4, as shown in Figures 11(A) and (B), the preset pattern indicates 16 consecutive time slots, which can be understood as 16 consecutive time units. The first 8 time slots are consistent with the 8 consecutive time slots shown in Figure 5, and will not be elaborated here. The last 8 time slots are equivalent to indicating 4*(N-2) consecutive time slots based on the 8 time slots shown in Figure 5.

[0156] As shown in Figure 11(A), when m is 1+4*(2-2)=1, the black square in slot 8 of the first time slot out of the last 8 time slots is marked with "0", indicating that the first K symbols of slot 8 correspond to the time domain position of the first PDCCH. The black square in slot 9 of the second (m+1) time slot out of the last 8 time slots is marked with "1", indicating that the first K symbols of slot 9 correspond to the time domain position of the second PDCCH. The black square in slot 10 of the third (m+2) time slot out of the last 8 time slots is marked with "2", indicating that the first K symbols of slot 10 correspond to the time domain position of the third PDCCH. The black square marked with "3" in slot 11, the fourth (m+3) slot in the last 8 slots, indicates that the first K symbols of slot 10, the fourth slot in the last 8 slots, correspond to the time domain position of the fourth PDCCH.

[0157] When m is 1 + 4*(3-2) = 5, the black square in slot 12 of the fifth time slot out of the last 8 time slots is marked with "0", indicating that the first K symbols of slot 12 correspond to the time domain position of the first PDCCH. The black square in slot 13 of the sixth (m+1) time slot out of the last 8 time slots is marked with "1", indicating that the first K symbols of slot 13 correspond to the time domain position of the second PDCCH. The black square in slot 14 of the seventh (m+2) time slot out of the last 8 time slots is marked with "2", indicating that the first K symbols of slot 14 correspond to the time domain position of the third PDCCH. The black square marked with "3" in slot 15, the eighth (m+3) slot in the last eight slots, indicates that the first K symbols of slot 15 in the eighth slot of the eight slots correspond to the time domain position of the fourth PDCCH.

[0158] As shown in Figure 11(B), the black squares in the first time slot (slot 8) and the second time slot (slot 9) of the last 8 time slots are both marked with "0", indicating that the first K symbols in the first time slot (slot 8) and the second time slot (slot 9) of the last 8 time slots correspond to the time domain position of one first PDCCH. The black squares in the third (N-1) time slot (slot 10) and the fourth (2*(N-2)) time slot (slot 11) of the last 8 time slots are both marked with "1", indicating that the first K symbols in the third time slot (slot 10) and the fourth time slot (slot 11) of the last 8 time slots correspond to the time domain position of one second PDCCH. In the last eight time slots, the black squares of slot 12 (the 2nd * N - 3rd) and slot 13 (the 3rd * (N - 2nd)) are both marked with "2", indicating that the first K symbols in slots 12 and 13 correspond to the time domain position of a third PDCCH. Similarly, the black squares of slot 14 (the 3rd * N - 5th) and slot 15 (the 4th * (N - 2nd)) are both marked with "3", indicating that the first K symbols in slots 14 and 15 correspond to the time domain position of a fourth PDCCH.

[0159] S402, the network device sends N first PDCCHs to the terminal device, and the time domain positions of the N first PDCCHs correspond to a preset pattern. Accordingly, the terminal device receives the N first PDCCHs according to the preset pattern.

[0160] In this step, the network device sends the corresponding first PDCCH at the specified time domain location according to the time domain location indicated by the preset pattern.

[0161] As one possible implementation, the first SSB in step S401 can also instruct the network device to repeatedly send the first PDCCH. After receiving the first SSB, the terminal device can determine that the network device sends N first PDCCHs according to the preset pattern. Accordingly, the terminal device receives the first PDCCH at the specified time domain position according to the preset pattern, thereby receiving N first PDCCHs.

[0162] As another possible implementation, the terminal device receives N first PDCCHs according to a preset pattern, including: receiving the first PDCCH according to a first search space; and receiving N first PDCCHs according to the preset pattern if the decoding of the first PDCCH fails.

[0163] In this implementation, since the first SSB does not instruct the network device to retransmit the first PDCCH, the terminal device calculates and obtains the first search space according to the parameter information indicated by the first SSB in accordance with the existing protocol, and blindly detects the first PDCCH according to the candidate time domain position of the first PDCCH indicated by the first search space.

[0164] It is understandable that since the network device sends N first PDCCHs according to the time domain positions indicated by the preset pattern, and as can be seen from the preset patterns shown in Figures 5 to 11, the time domain positions of the first PDCCHs indicated in the preset pattern correspond to the candidate time domain positions of the first PDCCHs indicated by the first search space. Therefore, the terminal device can detect the first first PDCCH in the n0th time unit indicated by the first search space. Due to path loss, the terminal device cannot correctly decode the received first first PDCCH. In the case of first PDCCH decoding failure, the terminal device can determine the preset pattern based on the parameter information, and thus receive N first PDCCHs according to the time domain positions of the N first PDCCHs indicated by the preset pattern.

[0165] In this embodiment, the network device repeatedly sends PDCCH to the terminal device according to a preset pattern, which allows the terminal device to receive multiple identical PDCCHs. This is beneficial for the terminal device to correctly decode the PDCCH, thereby improving the success rate of the terminal device accessing the NTN communication system.

[0166] It should be noted that the network device transmits the PDCCH according to the time-domain position indicated by the preset pattern. In the preset patterns shown in Figures 5 to 11 above, the time-domain position of the first PDCCH indicated in the preset pattern corresponds to the candidate time-domain position of the first PDCCH indicated by the first search space, which helps to reduce the processing complexity of the terminal device. At the same time, it also enables older terminal devices that do not support the embodiments of this application to receive the first PDCCH according to the existing protocol, which helps to improve the compatibility of the network device in transmitting PDCCH.

[0167] As described above, after the terminal device correctly decodes the PDCCH, it can schedule SIB1 according to the time domain position of SIB1 indicated by the PDDCH. The SIB1 scheduled by the PDCCH is located within the same time unit as the PDCCH. As shown in the preset patterns in Figures 5 to 11, the white matrix squares represent the remaining symbols in a time slot. Taking Figure 5 as an example, the white squares in the first time slot (slot 0) are marked with "0", indicating that the symbols correspond to the first SIB1, which is the SIB1 corresponding to the first SSB. The white squares in the third time slot (slot 2) are marked with "1", indicating that the symbols correspond to the second SIB1, which is the SIB1 corresponding to the second SSB. The white squares in the fourth time slot (slot 3) are marked with "2", indicating that the symbols correspond to the third SIB1, which is the SIB1 corresponding to the third SSB. The white square in the fifth slot 4 is marked with "3", indicating that this part of the symbol corresponds to the fourth SIB1, and the fourth SIB1 is the SIB1 corresponding to the fourth SSB.

[0168] However, similar to how terminal devices cannot correctly decode PDCCH due to path loss, terminal devices schedule SIB1 according to the time domain position indicated by PDCCH. However, during the process of receiving SIB1, there is also path loss, which may cause the terminal device to be unable to correctly decode SIB1 after receiving it.

[0169] To address the issue of SIB1 potentially failing to decode correctly, in one possible implementation of the communication method proposed in this application, the preset pattern in step S401 indicates not only N first PDCCHs but also N first SIB1s. The network device sends N first SIB1s to the terminal device, where the time-domain positions of the N first SIB1s correspond to the time-domain positions indicated by the N first PDCCHs, and the N first SIB1s are the same SIB1s corresponding to the first SSBs. Accordingly, the terminal device receives the N first SIB1s based on the N first PDCCHs.

[0170] Taking the preset pattern shown in Figure 5 above as an example, when N is 2, the preset pattern indicates two first SIB1s. Excluding the first SIB1 corresponding to the white square part in the first time slot 0, the white square part in the second time slot 1 corresponds to another first SIB1.

[0171] Since the preset pattern is associated not only with the first search space but also with the second to fourth search spaces, in this embodiment, the preset pattern can also indicate N second SIB1s, N third SIB1s, and N fourth SIB1s. For example, in Figure 5, the white square portion in the third time slot 2 corresponds to one second SIB1, and the white square portion in the sixth time slot 5 corresponds to the remaining second SIB1. Similarly, in Figure 5, the white square portion in the fourth time slot 3 corresponds to one third SIB1, and the white square portion in the seventh time slot 6 corresponds to the remaining third SIB1. In Figure 5, the white square portion in the fifth time slot 4 corresponds to one fourth SIB1, and the white square portion in the eighth time slot 7 corresponds to another fourth SIB1.

[0172] Similarly, the white squares marked with numbers in Figures 6 to 11 represent the corresponding SIB1s. The number of white squares representing the first SIB1 to the fourth SIB1 is greater than 1. This can be understood as the preset pattern being able to indicate N first SIB1s, N second SIB1s, N third SIB1s, and N fourth SIB1s in the implementation corresponding to Figures 6 to 11. The indication method is the same as that in Figure 5. To avoid redundancy, it will not be described again here.

[0173] This implementation allows network devices to repeatedly send SIB1 to terminal devices, enabling terminal devices to receive multiple identical SIB1s. This facilitates correct decoding of SIB1s by the terminal devices and further improves the success rate of terminal devices accessing the NTN communication system.

[0174] It should be noted that when a network device repeatedly sends SIB1 to a terminal device, the number of times SIB1 is repeatedly sent can be the same as or different from the number of times the network device repeatedly sends PDCCH. For example, in the preset patterns shown in Figures 5 to 10 above, the preset pattern can indicate 2 first PDCCHs and 1 first SIB1, or it can indicate 2 first PDDCHs and 2 first SIB1s, or it can indicate 2 first PDCCHs and 3 first SIB1s. In this embodiment, the number of times the network device repeatedly sends PDCCHs and SIB1s is not limited.

[0175] Figures 12 and 13 are schematic diagrams of possible communication devices provided in embodiments of this application. These communication devices can be used to implement the functions of terminal devices or network devices in the above method embodiments, and thus can also achieve the beneficial effects of the above method embodiments. In the embodiments of this application, the communication device can be the terminal device or network device in the method embodiments shown in Figure 4, or it can be a component (such as a chip, chip system, processor, etc.) configured in the terminal device or network device, or it can be a logic module or software capable of implementing some or all of the functions of the terminal device or network device.

[0176] Figure 12 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device provided in an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 12, the communication device 1200 includes a processing module 1201 and a transceiver module 1202.

[0177] The transceiver module 1202 can implement corresponding communication functions and can also be referred to as an input / output interface or communication unit. The processing module 1201 can be used to perform processing operations. It should be understood that if the device 1200 is a component configured in a network device or terminal device, such as a chip, the transceiver module 1202 can be an input / output interface.

[0178] Optionally, the transceiver module 1202 may include a sending module and a receiving module. The sending module is used to perform the sending operation of the network device or terminal device in Figure 4 above, and the receiving module is used to perform the receiving operation of the network device or terminal device in Figure 4 above.

[0179] It should be understood that when the device 1200 is a component configured in a network device or terminal device, such as a chip, the transmitting module can be an output interface, and the transmitting operation involved in the embodiments of this application can be performed by the output interface; the receiving module can be an input interface, and the receiving operation involved in the embodiments of this application can be performed by the input interface.

[0180] Optionally, the device 1200 may further include a storage module for storing instructions and / or data, and the processing module 1201 may read the instructions and / or data from the storage module to enable the device to implement the method embodiment shown in FIG4.

[0181] In one possible design, the device 1200 can be used to implement the functions of the terminal device in the method embodiment shown in FIG4. Alternatively, the device 1200 can include a unit for implementing any function or operation of the terminal device in the method embodiment shown in FIG4. This unit can be implemented entirely or partially by software, hardware, firmware, or any combination thereof.

[0182] When device 1200 is used to implement the function of terminal device in the method embodiment shown in FIG4, transceiver module 1202 (specifically, receiving module) can be used to execute step S401 in FIG4 to receive the first SSB from network device, and can also be used to execute step S402 in FIG4 to receive N first PDCCH according to preset pattern.

[0183] In another possible design, the device 1200 can be used to implement the functions of the network device in the method embodiment shown in FIG4, or the device 1200 can include a unit for implementing any function or operation of the network device in the method embodiment shown in FIG4, which can be implemented in whole or in part by software, hardware, firmware or any combination thereof.

[0184] When device 1200 is used to implement the function of network device in the method embodiment shown in FIG4, transceiver module 1202 (specifically, it can be a sending module) can be used to execute step S401 in FIG4 to send a first SSB to terminal device. The first SSB indicates parameter information used to determine a preset pattern. The preset pattern indicates the time domain position of N first PDCCHs. The N first PDCCHs are the same PDCCHs corresponding to the first SSB, and N is an integer greater than 1. It can also be used to execute step S402 in FIG4 to send N first PDCCHs to terminal device. The time domain position of the N first PDCCHs corresponds to the preset pattern.

[0185] A more detailed description of the above-mentioned processing module 1201 and transceiver module 1202 can be obtained directly from the relevant description in the method embodiment shown in Figure 4, and will not be repeated here.

[0186] It should be noted that the transceiver module can also be called a transceiver unit, transceiver, transceiver machine, or transceiver device, etc. The processing module can also be called a processor, processing board, processing unit, or processing device, etc. Optionally, the transceiver module is used to perform the sending and receiving operations on the terminal device or network device side in the above method. The device in the communication module used to implement the receiving function can be considered as the receiving module, and the device in the communication module used to implement the sending function can be considered as the sending module; that is, the transceiver module includes both a receiving module and a sending module.

[0187] In another possible design, the aforementioned transceiver module and / or processing module can be implemented using virtual modules. For example, the processing module can be implemented using software functional modules or virtual devices, and the transceiver module can also be implemented using software functional modules or virtual devices. In another possible design, the processing module or transceiver module can also be implemented using physical devices. For example, if the device is implemented using a chip / chip circuit, the transceiver module can be an input / output circuit and / or a communication interface, performing input operations (corresponding to the aforementioned receiving operation) and output operations (corresponding to the aforementioned sending operation); the processing module is an integrated processor, microprocessor, or integrated circuit.

[0188] It should be understood that the module division in the embodiments of this application is illustrative and only represents a logical functional division. In actual implementation, there may be other division methods. Furthermore, the functional modules in the various embodiments of this application can be integrated into a single processor, exist as separate physical entities, or be integrated into a single module. The integrated modules described above can be implemented in hardware or as software functional modules.

[0189] Figure 13 is a schematic diagram of a communication device provided in another embodiment of this application. This device 1300 can be a chip system, or it can be a device configured with a chip system to implement the above-described method embodiments. In this embodiment, the chip system can be composed of chips, or it can include chips and other discrete devices.

[0190] As shown in FIG13, the device 1300 may include a processor 1302, which can be used to execute computer programs or instructions in memory to implement the steps executed by the terminal device or the network device in the method embodiment shown in FIG4.

[0191] Optionally, the device 1300 further includes a communication interface 1303. The communication interface 1303 can be used to communicate with other devices via a transmission medium, thereby enabling the device 1300 to communicate with other devices. The communication interface 1303 may be, for example, a transceiver, interface, bus, circuit, or a device capable of transmitting and receiving functions. The processor 1302 can use the communication interface 1303 to input and output data and to implement the communication method of the embodiment shown in FIG4. Specifically, the device 1300 can be used to implement the functions of the network device or terminal device of the above method embodiment.

[0192] When the device 1300 is used to implement the method shown in FIG4, the communication interface 1303 is used to implement the functions of the transceiver module 1130, for example, to execute steps S401 and S402 in FIG4. Optionally, steps S402-0 in FIG10 can also be executed.

[0193] Optionally, the device 1300 further includes at least one memory 1301 for storing program instructions and / or data. The memory 1301 is coupled to the processor 1302. The coupling in this embodiment is an indirect coupling or communication connection between devices, units, or modules, and can be electrical, mechanical, or other forms, used for information exchange between devices, units, or modules. The processor 1302 may operate in conjunction with the memory 1301. The processor 1302 may execute program instructions stored in the memory 1301. At least one of the at least one memory may be included in the processor.

[0194] It should be understood that the coupling in the embodiments of this application is an indirect coupling or communication connection between devices, units, or modules, which can be electrical, mechanical, or other forms, used for information interaction between devices, units, or modules. The processor 1302 may operate in conjunction with the memory 1301. The embodiments of this application do not limit the specific connection medium between the processor 1302, communication interface 1303, and memory 1301. In Figure 8, the processor 1302, communication interface 1303, and memory 1301 are connected via a bus 1304. The bus 1304 is represented by a thick line in Figure 8. The connection methods between other components are only illustrative and not intended to be limiting. The bus can be a peripheral component interconnect (PCI) bus or an extended industry standard architecture (EISA) bus, etc. Buses can be divided into address buses, data buses, control buses, etc. For ease of illustration, only one line with an arrow is used in Figure 13, but this does not indicate that there is only one bus or one type of bus.

[0195] It should be understood that when the communication device 1300 is a chip applied to a terminal device, the chip implements the functions of the terminal device in the above method embodiments. The chip of the terminal device receives signals from other modules (such as radio frequency modules or antennas) in the terminal device, and these signals may be sent to the terminal device by the network device; or, the chip of the terminal device sends signals to other modules (such as radio frequency modules or antennas) in the terminal device, and these signals may be sent to the network device by the terminal device.

[0196] When the communication device 1300 is a chip used in a network device, the chip implements the functions of the network device in the above method embodiments. The chip of the network device receives signals from other modules (such as radio frequency modules or antennas) in the network device, and these signals may be sent by the terminal to the network device; or, the chip of the network device sends signals to other modules (such as radio frequency modules or antennas) in the network device, and these signals may be sent by the network device to the terminal.

[0197] It should be noted that when the communication device 1300 is a terminal device or a network device, the communication interface 1303 can be a transceiver, specifically including a transmitter and a receiver. The transmitter is used to send signals, and the receiver is used to receive signals. When the communication device 1300 is a chip applied to a terminal device or a network device, the communication interface 1303 can be an input / output circuit, a bus, a module, a pin, or other types of communication interface input / output circuit. The input circuit in the input / output circuit can be used for receiving, and the output interface can be used for sending.

[0198] This application also provides a computer-readable storage medium storing computer instructions, which, when executed by a processor, implement the various steps of the methods described above.

[0199] This application also provides a computer program product, including computer instructions that, when executed by a processor, implement the various steps in the methods described above.

[0200] This application also provides a communication system, which includes the aforementioned terminal device and network device.

[0201] It should be noted that the modules or components shown in the above embodiments can be one or more integrated circuits configured to implement the above methods, such as one or more application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), one or more microprocessors, or one or more field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs). Furthermore, when a module is implemented by a processing element calling program code, the processing element can be a general-purpose processor, such as a central processing unit (CPU) or other processor capable of calling program code, such as a controller. Additionally, these modules can be integrated together and implemented as a System-on-a-Chip (SoC).

[0202] In the above embodiments, implementation can be achieved, in whole or in part, through software, hardware, firmware, software modules, or any combination thereof. When implemented in software, it can be implemented, in whole or in part, as a computer program product. A computer program product includes one or more computer instructions. When the computer program instructions are loaded and executed on a computer, all or part of the flow or function according to the embodiments of this application is generated. The computer can be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network, or other programmable device. The computer instructions can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium or transmitted from one computer-readable storage medium to another. For example, computer instructions can be transmitted from one website, computer, server, or data center to another website, computer, server, or data center via wired (e.g., coaxial cable, fiber optic, digital subscriber line (DSL)) or wireless (e.g., infrared, wireless, microwave, etc.) means. The computer-readable storage medium can be any available medium that a computer can access or a data storage device such as a server or data center that integrates one or more available media. The available medium can be a magnetic medium (e.g., floppy disk, hard disk, magnetic tape), an optical medium (e.g., DVD), or a semiconductor medium (e.g., solid-state disk (SSD)).

[0203] Other embodiments of this application will readily occur to those skilled in the art upon consideration of the specification and practice of the disclosure herein. This application is intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of this application that follow the general principles of this application and include common knowledge or customary techniques in the art not disclosed herein. The specification and examples are to be considered exemplary only, and the true scope and intent of this application are indicated by the following claims.

[0204] It should be understood that this application is not limited to the precise structure described above and shown in the accompanying drawings, and various modifications and changes can be made without departing from its scope. The scope of this application is limited only by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that, The method includes: Send a first synchronization signal and a physical broadcast channel block (SSB). The first SSB indicates parameter information for determining a preset pattern. The preset pattern indicates the time-domain position of N first physical downlink control channels (PDCCHs). The N first PDCCHs are the same PDCCHs corresponding to the first SSB, and N is an integer greater than 1. The N first PDCCHs are sent, and the time-domain positions of the N first PDCCHs correspond to the preset pattern.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The preset pattern is associated with the first search space, the second search space, the third search space, and the fourth search space; The first search space includes the candidate time-domain position of the first PDCCH corresponding to the first SSB, the second search space includes the candidate time-domain position of the second PDCCH corresponding to the second SSB, the third search space includes the candidate time-domain position of the third PDCCH corresponding to the third SSB, and the fourth search space includes the candidate time-domain position of the fourth PDCCH corresponding to the fourth SSB. The index values ​​corresponding to the first SSB to the fourth SSB are four consecutive non-negative integers.

3. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that, The parameter information includes M, where M is any value in the set {1 / 2, 1, 2}; When M is 1, the preset pattern indicates eight consecutive time units. The first and second time units in the eight time units correspond to the first search space. The first K symbols of the first and second time units correspond to the time domain positions of the two first PDCCHs, respectively. K represents the number of symbols occupied by a PDCCH, and K is a positive integer. The second and third time units of the eight time units correspond to the second search space, and the first K symbols of the third time unit correspond to the time domain position of one second PDCCH; the third and fourth time units of the eight time units correspond to the third search space, and the first K symbols of the fourth time unit correspond to the time domain position of one third PDCCH; the third and fourth time units of the eight time units correspond to the third search space, and the first K symbols of the fourth time unit correspond to the time domain position of one third PDCCH; the fourth and fifth time units of the eight time units correspond to the fourth search space, and the first K symbols of the fifth time unit correspond to the time domain position of one fourth PDCCH. The first K symbols of the sixth time unit in the eight time units correspond to the time domain position of the second PDCCH, the first K symbols of the seventh time unit in the eight time units correspond to the time domain position of the third PDCCH, and the first K symbols of the eighth time unit in the eight time units correspond to the time domain position of the fourth PDCCH.

4. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that, The parameter information includes M, where M is any value in the set {1 / 2, 1, 2}; When M is 1, the preset pattern indicates eight consecutive time units. The first and second time units in the eight time units correspond to the first search space. The first K symbols of the first and second time units correspond to the time domain positions of two first PDCCHs. The third and fourth time units in the eight time units correspond to the third search space. The first K symbols of the third and fourth time units correspond to the time domain positions of two third PDCCHs. K represents the number of symbols occupied by a PDCCH, and K is a positive integer. The first K symbols of the fifth and sixth time units out of the eight time units correspond to the time-domain positions of two second PDCCHs, respectively; the first K symbols of the seventh and eighth time units out of the eight time units correspond to the time-domain positions of two fourth PDCCHs, respectively; or, The first K symbols of the fifth and sixth time units correspond to the time domain positions of the two fourth PDCCHs, respectively, and the first K symbols of the seventh and eighth time units correspond to the time domain positions of the two second PDCCHs, respectively.

5. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that, The parameter information includes M, where M is any value in the set {1 / 2, 1, 2}; When M is 1 / 2, the preset pattern indicates four consecutive time units. The first and second time units correspond to the first search space and the second search space, respectively. The first K symbols of the first and second time units correspond to the time domain position of one first PDCCH, and the (K+1)th to (2*K)th symbols of the first and second time units correspond to the time domain position of one second PDCCH, respectively. K represents the number of symbols occupied by one PDCCH, and K is a positive integer. The first K symbols of the third and fourth time units of the four time units each correspond to a time domain position of the third PDCCH, and the K+1 to 2*K symbols of the third and fourth time units each correspond to a time domain position of the fourth PDCCH.

6. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that, The parameter information includes M, where M is any value in the set {1 / 2, 1, 2}; When M is 1 / 2, the preset pattern indicates four consecutive time units. The first and second time units in the four time units correspond to the first search space and the second search space, respectively. The first K symbols and the (K+1)th to (2*K)th symbols of the first time unit correspond to the time domain position of one first PDCCH, respectively. The first K symbols and the (K+1)th to (2*K)th symbols of the second time unit correspond to the time domain position of one second PDCCH, respectively. K represents the number of symbols occupied by one PDCCH, and K is a positive integer. The first K symbols and the K+1 to 2*K symbols of the third time unit in the four time units correspond to the time domain positions of the third PDCCH, and the first K symbols and the K+1 to 2*K symbols of the fourth time unit in the four time units correspond to the time domain positions of the fourth PDCCH.

7. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that, The parameter information includes M, where M is any value in the set {1 / 2, 1, 2}; When M is 1 / 2, the preset pattern indicates eight consecutive time units. The first and second time units in the eight time units correspond to the first search space and the second search space, respectively. The first K symbols of the first and fifth time units correspond to the time domain position of one first PDCCH, and the (K+1)th to (2*K)th symbols of the second and sixth time units correspond to the time domain position of one second PDCCH, respectively. K represents the number of symbols occupied by one PDCCH, and K is a positive integer. The first K symbols of the third and seventh time units of the eight time units correspond to the time domain position of the third PDCCH, and the K+1 to 2*K symbols of the fourth and eighth time units of the eight time units correspond to the time domain position of the fourth PDCCH.

8. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that, The parameter information includes M, where M is any value in the set {1 / 2, 1, 2}; When M is 2, the preset pattern indicates eight consecutive time units. The first and second time units in the eight time units correspond to the first search space. The first K symbols of the first and second time units correspond to the time domain position of one first PDCCH. The third and fourth time units in the eight time units correspond to the second search space. The first K symbols of the third and fourth time units correspond to the time domain position of one second PDCCH. K represents the number of symbols occupied by one PDCCH, and K is a positive integer. The fifth and sixth time units of the eight time units correspond to the third search space, and the first K symbols of the fifth and sixth time units each correspond to a time domain position of the third PDCCH. The seventh and eighth time units of the eight time units correspond to the fourth search space, and the first K symbols of the seventh and eighth time units each correspond to a time domain position of the fourth PDCCH.

9. The method according to any one of claims 3 to 8, characterized in that, When N is greater than 2, the preset pattern also indicates 4*(N-2) consecutive time units; The first K symbols in the m-th to m+3-th time units of the 4*(N-2) time units correspond sequentially to the time domain positions of the first PDCCH to the fourth PDCCH, where m is 1+4*(n-2) and n is an integer greater than 1 and less than N; or, The first K symbols in the first to the (N-2)th time units of the 4*(N-2) time units correspond to the time domain position of the first PDCCH, the first K symbols in the (N-1)th to the 2*(N-2)th time units of the 4*(N-2) time units correspond to the time domain position of the second PDCCH, the first K symbols in the 2*N-3th to the 3*(N-2)th time units of the 4*(N-2) time units correspond to the time domain position of the third PDCCH, and the first K symbols in the 3*N-5th to the 4*(N-2)th time units of the 4*(N-2) time units correspond to the time domain position of the fourth PDCCH.

10. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that, The first SSB instructs the network device to repeatedly send the first PDCCH.

11. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that, The preset pattern indicates N first system message blocks SIB1; The method further includes: The N first SIB1s are sent, and the time-domain positions of the N first SIB1s correspond to the time-domain positions indicated by the N first PDCCHs. The N first SIB1s are the SIB1s corresponding to the first SSB.

12. A communication method, characterized in that, The method includes: Receive a first SSB, the first SSB indicates parameter information for determining a preset pattern, the preset pattern indicates the time domain position of N first PDCCHs, the N first PDCCHs are the same PDCCHs corresponding to the first SSB, and N is an integer greater than 1; According to the preset pattern, receive the N first PDCCHs.

13. The method according to claim 12, characterized in that, The preset pattern is associated with the first search space, the second search space, the third search space, and the fourth search space; The first search space includes the candidate time-domain position of the first PDCCH corresponding to the first SSB, the second search space includes the candidate time-domain position of the second PDCCH corresponding to the second SSB, the third search space includes the candidate time-domain position of the third PDCCH corresponding to the third SSB, and the fourth search space includes the candidate time-domain position of the fourth PDCCH corresponding to the fourth SSB. The index values ​​corresponding to the first SSB to the fourth SSB are four consecutive non-negative integers.

14. The method according to claim 13, characterized in that, The parameter information includes M, where M is any value in the set {1 / 2, 1, 2}; When M is 1, the preset pattern indicates eight consecutive time units. The first and second time units in the eight time units correspond to the first search space. The first K symbols of the first and second time units correspond to the time domain positions of the two first PDCCHs, respectively. K represents the number of symbols occupied by a PDCCH, and K is a positive integer. The second and third time units of the eight time units correspond to the second search space, and the first K symbols of the third time unit correspond to the time domain position of one second PDCCH; the third and fourth time units of the eight time units correspond to the third search space, and the first K symbols of the fourth time unit correspond to the time domain position of one third PDCCH; the third and fourth time units of the eight time units correspond to the third search space, and the first K symbols of the fourth time unit correspond to the time domain position of one third PDCCH; the fourth and fifth time units of the eight time units correspond to the fourth search space, and the first K symbols of the fifth time unit correspond to the time domain position of one fourth PDCCH. The first K symbols of the sixth time unit in the eight time units correspond to the time domain position of the second PDCCH, the first K symbols of the seventh time unit in the eight time units correspond to the time domain position of the third PDCCH, and the first K symbols of the eighth time unit in the eight time units correspond to the time domain position of the fourth PDCCH.

15. The method according to claim 13, characterized in that, The parameter information includes M, where M is any value in the set {1 / 2, 1, 2}; When M is 1, the preset pattern indicates eight consecutive time units. The first and second time units in the eight time units correspond to the first search space. The first K symbols of the first and second time units correspond to the time domain positions of two first PDCCHs. The third and fourth time units in the eight time units correspond to the third search space. The first K symbols of the third and fourth time units correspond to the time domain positions of two third PDCCHs. K represents the number of symbols occupied by a PDCCH, and K is a positive integer. The first K symbols of the fifth and sixth time units out of the eight time units correspond to the time-domain positions of two second PDCCHs, respectively; the first K symbols of the seventh and eighth time units out of the eight time units correspond to the time-domain positions of two fourth PDCCHs, respectively; or, The first K symbols of the fifth and sixth time units correspond to the time domain positions of the two fourth PDCCHs, respectively, and the first K symbols of the seventh and eighth time units correspond to the time domain positions of the two second PDCCHs, respectively.

16. The method according to claim 13, characterized in that, The parameter information includes M, where M is any value in the set {1 / 2, 1, 2}; When M is 1 / 2, the preset pattern indicates four consecutive time units. The first and second time units correspond to the first search space and the second search space, respectively. The first K symbols of the first and second time units correspond to the time domain position of one first PDCCH, and the (K+1)th to (2*K)th symbols of the first and second time units correspond to the time domain position of one second PDCCH, respectively. K represents the number of symbols occupied by one PDCCH, and K is a positive integer. The first K symbols of the third and fourth time units of the four time units each correspond to a time domain position of the third PDCCH, and the K+1 to 2*K symbols of the third and fourth time units each correspond to a time domain position of the fourth PDCCH.

17. The method according to claim 13, characterized in that, The parameter information includes M, where M is any value in the set {1 / 2, 1, 2}; When M is 1 / 2, the preset pattern indicates four consecutive time units. The first and second time units in the four time units correspond to the first search space and the second search space, respectively. The first K symbols and the (K+1)th to (2*K)th symbols of the first time unit correspond to the time domain position of one first PDCCH, respectively. The first K symbols and the (K+1)th to (2*K)th symbols of the second time unit correspond to the time domain position of one second PDCCH, respectively. K represents the number of symbols occupied by one PDCCH, and K is a positive integer. The first K symbols and the K+1 to 2*K symbols of the third time unit in the four time units correspond to the time domain positions of the third PDCCH, and the first K symbols and the K+1 to 2*K symbols of the fourth time unit in the four time units correspond to the time domain positions of the fourth PDCCH.

18. The method according to claim 13, characterized in that, The parameter information includes M, where M is any value in the set {1 / 2, 1, 2}; When M is 1 / 2, the preset pattern indicates eight consecutive time units. The first and second time units in the eight time units correspond to the first search space and the second search space, respectively. The first K symbols of the first and fifth time units correspond to the time domain position of one first PDCCH, and the (K+1)th to (2*K)th symbols of the second and sixth time units correspond to the time domain position of one second PDCCH, respectively. K represents the number of symbols occupied by one PDCCH, and K is a positive integer. The first K symbols of the third and seventh time units of the eight time units correspond to the time domain position of the third PDCCH, and the K+1 to 2*K symbols of the fourth and eighth time units of the eight time units correspond to the time domain position of the fourth PDCCH.

19. The method according to claim 13, characterized in that, The parameter information includes M, where M is any value in the set {1 / 2, 1, 2}; When M is 2, the preset pattern indicates eight consecutive time units. The first and second time units in the eight time units correspond to the first search space. The first K symbols of the first and second time units correspond to the time domain position of one first PDCCH. The third and fourth time units in the eight time units correspond to the second search space. The first K symbols of the third and fourth time units correspond to the time domain positions of two second PDCCHs. K represents the number of symbols occupied by one PDCCH, and K is a positive integer. The fifth and sixth time units of the eight time units correspond to the third search space, and the first K symbols of the fifth and sixth time units each correspond to one time-domain position of the third PDCCH. The seventh and eighth time units of the eight time units correspond to the fourth search space, and the first K symbols of the seventh and eighth time units each correspond to two time-domain positions of the fourth PDCCH.

20. The method according to any one of claims 14 to 19, characterized in that, When N is greater than 2, the preset pattern also indicates 4*(N-2) consecutive time units; The first K symbols in the m-th to m+3-th time units of the 4*(N-2) time units correspond sequentially to the time domain positions of the first PDCCH to the fourth PDCCH, where m is 1+4*(n-2) and n is an integer greater than 1 and less than N; or, The first K symbols in the first to the (N-2)th time units of the 4*(N-2) time units correspond to the time domain position of the first PDCCH, the first K symbols in the (N-1)th to the 2*(N-2)th time units of the 4*(N-2) time units correspond to the time domain position of the second PDCCH, the first K symbols in the 2*N-3th to the 3*(N-2)th time units of the 4*(N-2) time units correspond to the time domain position of the third PDCCH, and the first K symbols in the 3*N-5th to the 4*(N-2)th time units of the 4*(N-2) time units correspond to the time domain position of the fourth PDCCH.

21. The method according to any one of claims 12 to 20, characterized in that, The first SSB instructs the network device to repeatedly send the first PDCCH.

22. The method according to any one of claims 12 to 20, characterized in that, The parameter information is also used to determine the first search space, which includes the candidate temporal position of the first PDCCH corresponding to the first SSB. The step of receiving the N first PDCCHs according to the preset pattern includes: Receive the first PDCCH according to the first search space; If the first PDCCH fails to decode, the N first PDCCHs are received according to the preset pattern.

23. The method according to any one of claims 12 to 22, characterized in that, The preset pattern indicates N first SIB1s; The method further includes: According to the N first PDCCHs, the N first SIB1s are received, and the N first SIB1s are the SIB1s corresponding to the first SSB.

24. A communication device, characterized in that, The communication device includes a module for implementing the communication method as described in any one of claims 1 to 23.

25. A communication device, characterized in that, include: Processor, the processor being coupled to memory; The memory stores computer-executed instructions; The processor executes computer execution instructions stored in the memory, causing the communication device to perform the communication method as described in any one of claims 1 to 23.

26. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, The computer-readable storage medium stores computer-executable instructions, which, when executed by a processor, are used to implement the communication method as described in any one of claims 1 to 23.

27. A computer program product, characterized in that, It includes a computer program that, when executed by a processor, implements the communication method as described in any one of claims 1 to 23.

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