Wireless communication methods, terminal devices and network devices

Abstract

Provided are wireless communication methods, terminal devices and network devices. A wireless communication method comprises: a terminal device detecting, in a first frequency range, a first signal sent by a network device, wherein the first signal is used for carrying a synchronization signal and / or system information, the first frequency range comprises a first synchronization raster and a second synchronization raster, and a frequency spacing of the first synchronization raster is different from a frequency spacing of the second synchronization raster.

Description

Wireless communication methods, terminal devices, and network devices Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of communication technology, and more specifically, to a wireless communication method, terminal device, and network device. Background Technology

[0002] The network transmits (or broadcasts) synchronization signals and system information required for terminal devices to access the network on the synchronization grid. When designing the synchronization grid, channel bandwidth must be considered to ensure that at least one usable synchronization grid location is included within the channel bandwidth. To ensure flexibility in network deployment with limited channel bandwidth, synchronization grids can use smaller frequency intervals; however, this results in longer network search times for terminal devices. Summary of the Invention

[0003] This application provides a wireless communication method, terminal device, and network device. The various aspects covered by this application are described below.

[0004] In a first aspect, a wireless communication method is provided, comprising: a terminal device detecting a first signal transmitted by a network device in a first frequency range, the first signal being used to carry a synchronization signal and / or system information; wherein the first frequency range includes a first synchronization grid and a second synchronization grid, the frequency interval of the first synchronization grid being different from the frequency interval of the second synchronization grid.

[0005] In a second aspect, a wireless communication method is provided, comprising: a network device transmitting a first signal in a first frequency range, the first signal being used to carry a synchronization signal and / or system information; wherein the first frequency range includes a first synchronization grid and a second synchronization grid, and the frequency interval of the first synchronization grid is different from the frequency interval of the second synchronization grid.

[0006] Thirdly, a terminal device is provided, comprising: a detection module for detecting a first signal sent by a network device within a first frequency range, the first signal being used to carry a synchronization signal and / or system information; wherein the first frequency range includes a first synchronization grid and a second synchronization grid, the frequency interval of the first synchronization grid being different from the frequency interval of the second synchronization grid.

[0007] Fourthly, a network device is provided, comprising: a transmitting module for transmitting a first signal in a first frequency range, the first signal being used to carry a synchronization signal and / or system information; wherein the first frequency range includes a first synchronization grid and a second synchronization grid, and the frequency interval of the first synchronization grid is different from the frequency interval of the second synchronization grid.

[0008] Fifthly, a terminal device is provided, including a processor, a memory, and a communication interface, wherein the memory is used to store one or more computer programs, and the processor is used to invoke the computer programs in the memory to cause the terminal device to perform some or all of the steps in the method of the first aspect.

[0009] In a sixth aspect, a network device is provided, including a processor, a memory, and a communication interface, wherein the memory is used to store one or more computer programs, and the processor is used to invoke the computer programs in the memory to cause the network device to perform some or all of the steps in the method of the second aspect.

[0010] Seventhly, embodiments of this application provide a communication system including the aforementioned terminal device and / or network device. In another possible design, the system may further include other devices that interact with the terminal device or network device as described in the embodiments of this application.

[0011] Eighthly, embodiments of this application provide a computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program that causes a computer to perform some or all of the steps in the methods described above.

[0012] Ninthly, embodiments of this application provide a computer program product, wherein the computer program product includes a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program operable to cause a computer to perform some or all of the steps of the methods described in the foregoing aspects. In some implementations, the computer program product may be a software installation package.

[0013] In a tenth aspect, embodiments of this application provide a chip including a memory and a processor, the processor being able to call and run a computer program from the memory to implement some or all of the steps described in the methods of the foregoing aspects.

[0014] In this embodiment, the first frequency range may include a first synchronization grid and a second synchronization grid. That is, this embodiment can define multiple synchronization grids for the first frequency range. In this way, the terminal device can use different synchronization grids to receive synchronization signals and / or system information sent by the network device according to actual conditions, thereby helping to reduce the network search time of the terminal device while ensuring flexible network deployment. Attached Figure Description

[0015] Figure 1 is a system architecture example diagram of a wireless communication system applicable to embodiments of this application.

[0016] Figure 2 is an example diagram of a channel grid.

[0017] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of the channel corresponding to channel position 3 in Figure 2.

[0018] Figure 4 is an example of a synchronization grid.

[0019] Figure 5 is an example diagram showing the relationship between the size of the synchronization grid and the network deployment channel.

[0020] Figure 6 is a flowchart illustrating the wireless communication method provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0021] Figure 7 is an example diagram of the first synchronization grid and the second synchronization grid provided in the embodiments of this application.

[0022] Figure 8 is an example diagram of the candidate frequency point positions of the synchronization grid provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0023] Figure 9 is an example diagram of a terminal device provided in an embodiment of this application using the same first signal for network access.

[0024] Figure 10 is an example diagram of a terminal device using different first signals to access the network according to an embodiment of this application.

[0025] Figure 11 is an example diagram of transmitting a first signal on a synchronization grid according to an embodiment of this application.

[0026] Figure 12 is an example diagram of transmitting a first signal on a synchronization grid according to another embodiment of this application.

[0027] Figure 13 is an example diagram of a synchronization grid that distinguishes different terminal devices in the time domain, provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0028] Figure 14 is an example diagram of synchronization grids for different regions / networks provided in the embodiments of this application.

[0029] Figure 15 is a schematic diagram of the structure of the terminal device provided in the embodiment of this application.

[0030] Figure 16 is a schematic diagram of the network device provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0031] Figure 17 is a schematic structural diagram of the communication device provided in an embodiment of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0032] Communication system architecture

[0033] Figure 1 is a system architecture example diagram of a wireless communication system 100 to which embodiments of this application can be applied. The wireless communication system 100 may include a network device 110 and a terminal device 120. The network device 110 may be a device that communicates with the terminal device 120. The network device 110 may provide communication coverage for a specific geographical area and may communicate with the terminal device 120 located within that coverage area.

[0034] Figure 1 illustrates an exemplary network device and two terminal devices. Optionally, the wireless communication system 100 may include multiple network devices, and each network device may include other numbers of terminal devices within its coverage area. This application embodiment does not limit this.

[0035] Optionally, the wireless communication system 100 may also include other network entities such as a network controller and a mobility management entity, which is not limited in this embodiment.

[0036] It should be understood that the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application can be applied to various communication systems, such as: 5th generation (5G) systems or new radio (NR), long term evolution (LTE) systems, LTE frequency division duplex (FDD) systems, LTE time division duplex (TDD) systems, etc. The technical solutions provided in this application can also be applied to future communication systems, such as 6th generation mobile communication systems, satellite communication systems, and so on.

[0037] The terminal device in this application embodiment can also be referred to as user equipment (UE), access terminal, user unit, user station, mobile station, mobile station (MS), mobile terminal (MT), remote station, remote terminal, mobile device, user terminal, terminal, wireless communication device, user agent, or user device. The terminal device in this application embodiment can be a device that provides voice and / or data connectivity to a user, and can be used to connect people, objects, and machines, such as a handheld device with wireless connectivity, vehicle-mounted device, etc. The terminal devices in the embodiments of this application can be mobile phones, tablets, laptops, PDAs, mobile internet devices (MIDs), wearable devices, virtual reality (VR) devices, augmented reality (AR) devices, wireless terminals in industrial control, self-driving, remote medical surgery, smart grids, transportation safety, smart cities, and smart homes, etc. Optionally, the UE can act as a base station. For example, the UE can act as a scheduling entity, providing sidelink signals between UEs in V2X or D2D, etc. For example, cellular phones and cars communicate with each other using sidelink signals. Cellular phones and smart home devices communicate without relaying communication signals through a base station.

[0038] The network device in this application embodiment can be a device for communicating with a terminal device. This network device can also be called an access network device or a wireless access network device, such as a base station. In this application embodiment, the network device can refer to a radio access network (RAN) node (or device) that connects the terminal device to the wireless network. A base station can broadly encompass, or be replaced by, various names including: NodeB, evolved NodeB (eNB), next-generation NodeB (gNB), relay station, transmitting and receiving point (TRP), transmitting point (TP), master MeNB, auxiliary SeNB, multi-mode radio (MSR) node, home base station, network controller, access node, wireless node, access point (AP), transmission node, transceiver node, baseband unit (BBU), remote radio unit (RRU), active antenna unit (AAU), remote radio head (RRH), central unit (CU), distributed unit (DU), positioning node, etc. A base station can be a macro base station, micro base station, relay node, donor node, or similar, or a combination thereof. A base station can also refer to a communication module, modem, or chip installed within the aforementioned equipment or apparatus. Base stations can also be mobile switching centers, devices that perform base station functions in device-to-device (D2D), vehicle-to-everything (V2X), and machine-to-machine (M2M) communications, network-side devices in 6G networks, and devices that perform base station functions in future communication systems. Base stations can support networks using the same or different access technologies. The embodiments of this application do not limit the specific technologies or device forms used in the network equipment.

[0039] Base stations can be fixed or mobile. For example, a helicopter or drone can be configured to act as a mobile base station, and one or more cells can move depending on the location of the mobile base station. In other examples, a helicopter or drone can be configured as a device to communicate with another base station.

[0040] In some deployments, the network device in this application embodiment may refer to a CU or a DU, or the network device may include both a CU and a DU. The gNB may also include an AAU.

[0041] Network devices and terminal devices can be deployed on land, including indoors or outdoors, handheld or vehicle-mounted; they can also be deployed on water; and they can also be deployed in the air on airplanes, balloons, and satellites. This application does not limit the scenario in which the network devices and terminal devices are located.

[0042] It should be understood that all or part of the functions of the communication device in this application can also be implemented by software functions running on hardware, or by virtualization functions instantiated on a platform (e.g., a cloud platform).

[0043] Channel grid and channel bandwidth

[0044] A channel raster defines the optional location of the channel center frequency, that is, the center frequency location that a cell can be deployed in within the network. As shown in Figure 2, the arrows in Figure 2 indicate the locations of the channel raster. Figure 2 shows that a channel raster can include multiple channel locations, such as channel position 1, channel position 2, and channel position 3. To accommodate various possible spectrum allocation scenarios, the spacing between channel raster frames is usually relatively small. For example, in 5G NR, the channel raster can be consistent with the subcarrier spacing (e.g., 15kHz, 30kHz, 60kHz, etc.), or a 100kHz channel raster can be used.

[0045] Figure 3 shows a schematic diagram of channel position 3 in Figure 2. As shown in Figure 3, the center of this channel is located at channel position 3, but it also includes channel positions 2 and 4 of the channel grid. That is, the location of a channel is represented by the channel grid where the center of the channel is located, i.e., channel position 3.

[0046] To improve spectrum efficiency, communication systems can support various channel bandwidths. Taking 5G systems as an example, the initial channel bandwidths defined in Table 1 are shown in Table 1. As can be seen from Table 1, the minimum channel bandwidth supported by the initial 5G system is 5MHz. The maximum channel bandwidth supported by the initial 5G system is 100MHz.

[0047] Table 1 also shows the number of resource blocks (denoted by N) corresponding to different channel bandwidths under different subcarrier spacings (SCS). RB (Represented). See Table 1, when SCS is 15kHz, the corresponding N for a 5MHz channel bandwidth. RB N corresponds to a channel bandwidth of 25 and 10 MHz. RBThe value is 52. When the SCS is 30kHz, the N corresponding to a 5MHz channel bandwidth is... RB N corresponds to a channel bandwidth of 11 and 10 MHz. RB The number is 24. The number of resource blocks corresponding to the channel bandwidth under other SCSs can be found in Table 1.

[0048] Table 1

[0049] In the later stages of 5G, a smaller channel bandwidth of 3MHz, as well as some other channel bandwidths, were introduced to meet certain specific needs. As shown in Table 2, 3MHz, 35MHz, 45MHz, and 70MHz channel bandwidths were introduced in the later stages of 5G.

[0050] Table 2

[0051] Synchronization grid

[0052] When a terminal device accesses a network, it first needs to detect the network's synchronization signal and synchronize with the network. The network's synchronization signal is generally located at specific operating frequencies; these frequencies are called synchronization rasters (sync rasters). As shown in Figure 4, the network broadcasts synchronization signals and some system information necessary for the terminal device to access the network on the synchronization raster. These synchronization signals and system information are collectively called synchronization blocks (SSBs). Within the channel bandwidth, there should be at least one usable synchronization raster location so that the network can broadcast SSB signals.

[0053] Without prior information, when searching for a network, terminal devices typically search each synchronization grid frequency position (i.e., synchronization grid position) to detect the presence of a cell. Therefore, the design of the synchronization grid is crucial to the timing of the terminal device's network search. Smaller synchronization grid intervals allow operators to deploy networks with smaller channel bandwidths (ensuring a usable SSB position at any channel center even with limited bandwidth). Conversely, excessively large grid intervals may result in no usable SSB positions within the minimum channel bandwidth at certain channel locations, preventing network deployment. For example, in Figure 5, if synchronization grid A is used, there is one usable SSB position (SSB position 2) within the channel. However, if synchronization grid B is used, there is no usable SSB position within the channel, meaning the center frequency of this channel cannot be placed at channel position 3, thus impacting network deployment.

[0054] In the initial design of the 5G system, the minimum channel bandwidth defined for the entire system was 5MHz. To ensure that any 5MHz bandwidth cell could be deployed on any spectrum, the 5G system incorporated a corresponding design for the synchronization grid. For the frequency range of 0-3000MHz, a synchronization grid spacing of 1.2MHz was used; for the frequency range of 3000-24250MHz, a synchronization grid spacing of 1.44MHz was used; and for the frequency range of 24250-100000MHz, a synchronization grid spacing of 17.28MHz was used.

[0055] As can be seen from the above description, an overly fine synchronization grid design results in a long search time for terminal devices. Therefore, a good synchronization grid design should not only meet the flexibility of network deployment but also have a shorter search time for terminal devices. However, current synchronization grid designs employ very small synchronization grid intervals (e.g., 1.2MHz within the 0-3000MHz range). While this ensures flexibility in network deployment with limited bandwidth, it comes at the cost of terminal devices having to use very small step sizes to search for the network, leading to longer search times.

[0056] To reduce the network search time for terminal devices, 5G systems have introduced a method to increase the deployment interval of Service Serving Blocks (SSBs) by increasing the step size (i.e., using a certain number of synchronization grids at intervals within a specific frequency band). However, this method still has some problems.

[0057] For example, without prior information (such as no historical network access information upon initial power-on, or no information about a new network when roaming), a terminal device cannot actually know the current cell's status. In this situation, the terminal device can only search for the network according to the finest synchronization grid intervals, which will be very time-consuming.

[0058] For example, within the same frequency band, to accommodate the needs of different regions and achieve economies of scale, it is often necessary to be compatible with all requirements, thus defining a series of bandwidths ranging from very small to very large. The minimum channel bandwidth often directly affects the spacing of the synchronization grid, which means that to accommodate the needs of some countries or regions, all networks may be affected.

[0059] For example, different types of terminal devices (such as IoT devices or high-speed devices like mobile phones) have different bandwidth capabilities. For instance, IoT devices typically support a minimum bandwidth of only a few tens of kHz, while mobile phones can support a minimum bandwidth of 5 MHz or even wider. When both types of terminal devices exist in a communication system, the synchronization grid design must accommodate the lower-capacity devices, further exacerbating the network search time burden.

[0060] Therefore, this application will consider how to optimize the design of the synchronization grid to minimize the network search time of terminal devices while taking into account the flexibility of network deployment.

[0061] Based on this, embodiments of this application propose defining multiple sets of synchronization grids for a frequency range. In this way, terminal devices can use different synchronization grids to receive synchronization signals and / or system information sent by network devices according to actual conditions, thereby reducing the network search time of terminal devices while ensuring flexible network deployment. The method embodiments of this application will be described below.

[0062] Figure 6 is a schematic flowchart of a wireless communication method provided in an embodiment of this application. The method shown in Figure 6 is described from the perspective of interaction between a terminal device and a network device, which can be, for example, the terminal device 120 and the network device 110 shown in Figure 1. The method shown in Figure 6 may include step S610, which will be described below.

[0063] In step S610, the network device may transmit (or broadcast) a first signal within a first frequency range. Correspondingly, the terminal device detects (or receives, searches for) the first signal transmitted by the network device within the first frequency range.

[0064] In the embodiments of this application, the first signal can be used to carry a synchronization signal and / or system information. For example, the first signal can be used to carry a synchronization signal. As another example, the first signal can be used to carry system information. Yet another example, the first signal can be used to carry both a synchronization signal and system information.

[0065] In some embodiments, the synchronization signal carried by the first signal may include one or more of the following: primary synchronization signal (PSS) and secondary synchronization signal (SSS).

[0066] In some embodiments, the first signal may include a physical broadcast channel (PBCH). The PBCH can be used to carry system information. In some embodiments, the system information carried by the first signal may include a master information block (MIB). For example, the PBCH of the first signal may be used to carry the MIB.

[0067] In some embodiments, the first signal may be an SSB. However, the embodiments of this application are not limited to this. For example, the first signal may be a signal with the same or similar function as an SSB in a future communication system.

[0068] In some embodiments, the terminal device may detect the first signal in a beam scanning manner. Correspondingly, the network device may transmit the first signal in a beam scanning manner.

[0069] In some embodiments, the first signal may be transmitted periodically. The transmission method of the first signal will be described later, and will not be detailed here.

[0070] The embodiments of this application do not limit the first frequency range, which can be any frequency range. For example, the first frequency range may include some or all of the frequencies in frequency range 1 (FR1). As another example, the first frequency range may include some or all of the frequencies in frequency range 2 (FR2). Yet another example, the first frequency range may include some or all of the frequencies in FR1 and some or all of the frequencies in FR2.

[0071] The embodiments of this application do not limit the size of the first frequency range. The first frequency range can be a large frequency range (e.g., several hundred MHz and above) or a small frequency range (e.g., several MHz and below, or even several kHz). As an example, the first frequency range may include a range of 0-100 MHz. As another example, the first frequency range may include a range of 0-3000 MHz. As yet another example, the first frequency range may include a range of 3000-24250 MHz. As yet another example, the first frequency range may include a range of 24250-100000 MHz. As yet another example, the first frequency range may include a range of 0-100 kHz, etc.

[0072] In this embodiment, the first frequency range may include a first synchronization grid and a second synchronization grid. That is, the first frequency range may include different synchronization grids; multiple (or sets of) synchronization grids can be defined for the first frequency range. In this way, the terminal device can use different synchronization grids to receive the first signal sent by the network device according to the actual situation, thereby helping to reduce the network search time of the terminal device while ensuring flexible network deployment.

[0073] In some embodiments, the inclusion of a first synchronization grid and a second synchronization grid in the first frequency range means that both the first synchronization grid and the second synchronization grid are included throughout the entire frequency range encompassed by the first frequency range. For example, if the first frequency range includes 0-100MHz, a first synchronization grid is deployed throughout the entire 0-100MHz frequency range, and a second synchronization grid is also deployed throughout the entire 0-100MHz frequency range. Similarly, if the first frequency range includes 0-3000MHz, a first synchronization grid is deployed throughout the entire 0-3000MHz frequency range, and a second synchronization grid is also deployed throughout the entire 0-3000MHz frequency range. And if the first frequency range includes 2000-5000MHz, a first synchronization grid is deployed throughout the entire 2000-5000MHz frequency range, and a second synchronization grid is also deployed throughout the entire 2000-5000MHz frequency range.

[0074] In some embodiments, the frequency interval of the first synchronization grid (i.e., the synchronization grid interval) is different from the frequency interval of the second synchronization grid. For example, the frequency interval of the first synchronization grid may be greater than the frequency interval of the second synchronization grid. As another example, the frequency interval of the first synchronization grid may be less than the frequency interval of the second synchronization grid. As one example, the frequency interval of the first synchronization grid is 1.2 MHz, and the frequency interval of the second synchronization grid is 1.5 MHz. As another example, the frequency interval of the first synchronization grid is 3 MHz, and the frequency interval of the second synchronization grid is 1.44 MHz. Figure 7 shows an example diagram of the relationship between the first and second synchronization grids. As shown in Figure 7, the frequency interval of the first synchronization grid is the first interval, the frequency interval of the second synchronization grid is the second interval, and the first interval is less than the second interval. In some embodiments, the first frequency range in Figure 7 may include part or all of the frequency range between frequencies f1 and f21.

[0075] In some embodiments, the minimum channel bandwidth to which the first synchronization grid applies is different from the minimum channel bandwidth to which the second synchronization grid applies. In other words, the minimum channel bandwidth corresponding to the first synchronization grid is different from the minimum channel bandwidth corresponding to the second synchronization grid.

[0076] In some implementations, the minimum channel bandwidth applicable to the first synchronization grid is greater than that applicable to the second synchronization grid. For example, the minimum channel bandwidth applicable to the first synchronization grid is 100MHz, and the minimum channel bandwidth applicable to the second synchronization grid is 5MHz.

[0077] In some implementations, the minimum channel bandwidth applicable to the first synchronization grid is less than that applicable to the second synchronization grid. For example, the minimum channel bandwidth applicable to the first synchronization grid is 5 MHz, and the minimum channel bandwidth applicable to the second synchronization grid is 100 MHz.

[0078] In some embodiments, some or all of the frequency points in one or more frequency points (or SSB positions) included in the first synchronization grid include one or more candidate frequencies of the first signal (i.e., a group of candidate frequencies of the first signal), and / or, some or all of the frequency points in one or more frequency points included in the second synchronization grid include one or more candidate frequencies of the first signal. As shown in FIG8, all of the frequency points in one or more frequency points included in the synchronization grid (which may be the first synchronization grid or the second synchronization grid) in FIG8 include one or more candidate frequencies of the first signal.

[0079] In some embodiments, the first synchronization grid and the second synchronization grid can be used on different terminal devices. Alternatively, the first synchronization grid and the second synchronization grid can be used on terminal devices with different capabilities (hereinafter referred to as terminal devices with different capabilities). That is, multiple synchronization grids can be defined for different terminal devices (or terminal devices with different capabilities), so that different terminal devices can use different synchronization grids.

[0080] In some embodiments, the first synchronization grid and the second synchronization grid can be applied to different types of terminal devices. That is, multiple synchronization grids can be defined for different types of terminal devices, so that different types of terminal devices can use different synchronization grids.

[0081] In some embodiments, the first synchronization grid and the second synchronization grid can be applied to terminal devices in different regions / networks. That is, multiple synchronization grids can be defined for different regions / networks, so that terminal devices in different regions / networks can use different synchronization grids.

[0082] The applicable objects of the first synchronization grid and the second synchronization grid are described below with reference to Embodiment 1 and Embodiment 2, respectively. It should be noted that Embodiment 1 and Embodiment 2 can be used individually or in combination. For example, the first synchronization grid and the second synchronization grid can be applied to terminal devices of different types (or different capabilities). As another example, the first synchronization grid and the second synchronization grid can be applied to terminal devices in different regions (or different networks). Furthermore, multiple synchronization grids can be defined in different regions (or different networks), and multiple synchronization grids can also be defined within the same region (or the same network) for use by different types (or different capabilities) of terminal devices.

[0083] Example 1: The first synchronization grid and the second synchronization grid are suitable for terminal devices with different capabilities / types.

[0084] In some embodiments, a first synchronization grid can be used by a first type of terminal device to detect a first signal, and a second synchronization grid can be used by a second type of terminal device to detect a first signal.

[0085] In some embodiments, the minimum channel bandwidth supported by the first type of terminal device and the second type of terminal device are different. For example, the minimum channel bandwidth supported by the first type of terminal device may be greater than that supported by the second type of terminal device. Alternatively, the minimum channel bandwidth supported by the first type of terminal device may be less than that supported by the second type of terminal device.

[0086] This application does not limit the first type of terminal device and the second type of terminal device, as long as the two types of terminal devices support different minimum channel bandwidths. For example, the first type of terminal device and the second type of terminal device can be IoT terminal devices and non-IoT terminal devices, respectively. The minimum channel bandwidth supported by IoT terminal devices is generally less than that supported by non-IoT terminal devices. As another example, the first type of terminal device and the second type of terminal device can be ambient-powered (AMP) devices and traditional terminal devices such as mobile phones, respectively.

[0087] In some embodiments, terminal device types with smaller supported minimum channel bandwidth can use synchronization grids with smaller frequency intervals; while terminal device types with larger supported minimum channel bandwidth can use synchronization grids with larger frequency intervals. For example, IoT terminal devices can use synchronization grids with smaller frequency intervals, while non-IoT terminal devices can use synchronization grids with larger frequency intervals.

[0088] In some embodiments, a first synchronization grid can be used by a terminal device with a first capability (hereinafter referred to as a terminal device with first capability) to detect a first signal, and a second synchronization grid can be used by a terminal device with a second capability (hereinafter referred to as a terminal device with second capability) to detect the first signal.

[0089] In some embodiments, the minimum channel bandwidth supported by the terminal device with the first capability and the terminal device with the second capability are different. For example, the minimum channel bandwidth supported by the terminal device with the first capability may be greater than the minimum channel bandwidth supported by the terminal device with the second capability. As another example, the minimum channel bandwidth supported by the terminal device with the first capability may be less than the minimum channel bandwidth supported by the terminal device with the second capability.

[0090] In some embodiments, the terminal device with the first capability and the terminal device with the second capability may be the same type of terminal device. That is, the terminal device with the first capability and the terminal device with the second capability may be terminal devices of the same type but with different minimum channel bandwidth capabilities. For example, for a type of terminal device, when the minimum channel bandwidth is variable, terminal device A may support a minimum channel bandwidth of 5MHz, while terminal device B may support a minimum channel bandwidth of 10MHz. In this scenario, multiple different synchronization grids can be defined for terminal devices with different minimum channel bandwidth capabilities. These different synchronization grids may include, for example, a first synchronization grid and a second synchronization grid, and the frequency spacing of the different synchronization grids is different.

[0091] In some embodiments, the terminal device with the first capability and the terminal device with the second capability can be different types of terminal devices. That is, the terminal device with the first capability and the terminal device with the second capability can be terminal devices of different types with different minimum channel bandwidth capabilities. For example, terminal device A is an IoT terminal device, and terminal device B is a non-IoT terminal device, and terminal device A and terminal device B support different minimum channel bandwidths.

[0092] In some embodiments, terminal devices with a smaller supported minimum channel bandwidth may use a synchronization grid with a smaller frequency interval; while terminal devices with a larger supported minimum channel bandwidth may use a synchronization grid with a larger frequency interval.

[0093] In some embodiments, the frequency spacing of the first synchronization grid is determined based on the minimum channel bandwidth supported by the first capability / first type of terminal device and the second capability / second type of terminal device.

[0094] In some embodiments, the frequency spacing of the second synchronization grid is determined based on the minimum channel bandwidth supported by the first capability / first type of terminal device and the second capability / second type of terminal device.

[0095] In some embodiments, the frequency spacing of the first synchronization grid and the frequency spacing of the second synchronization grid are determined based on the minimum channel bandwidth supported by the first capability / first type of terminal device and the second capability / second type of terminal device. For example, the frequency spacing of the first synchronization grid and the frequency spacing of the second synchronization grid are determined based on the minimum channel bandwidth supported by the first capability and the second capability of terminal devices. Yet another example is that the frequency spacing of the first synchronization grid and the frequency spacing of the second synchronization grid are determined based on the minimum channel bandwidth supported by the first type and the second type of terminal devices.

[0096] In one implementation, the ratio of the frequency spacing of the first synchronization grid to the frequency spacing of the second synchronization grid is determined based on the ratio of the minimum channel bandwidth supported by the first capability / first type of terminal equipment to the minimum channel bandwidth supported by the second capability / second type of terminal equipment. Taking the ratio of the frequency spacing of the first synchronization grid to the frequency spacing of the second synchronization grid as the first ratio, and the ratio of the minimum channel bandwidth supported by the first capability / first type of terminal equipment to the minimum channel bandwidth supported by the second capability / second type of terminal equipment as the second ratio, the first ratio is determined based on the second ratio.

[0097] In some embodiments, the first ratio is directly proportional to the second ratio. That is, the first ratio = N * the second ratio. This application does not limit the value of N; for example, N can be a constant, such as a positive number (i.e., a positive number greater than 0 or a decimal). As a specific example, N can be a positive integer.

[0098] The following describes how to use the first and second synchronization grids to speed up network searching for terminal devices.

[0099] In some embodiments, where the first frequency range includes a first synchronization grid and a second synchronization grid, if there is only one type of terminal device in the network, the network device can transmit the first signal only at the corresponding synchronization grid location. Accordingly, the terminal device can access the network according to the corresponding synchronization grid capability. For example, if there are only first-type terminal devices in the network, the network device can transmit the first signal only at the frequency point location of the first synchronization grid; that is, the first signal can be transmitted at one or more frequency point locations included in the first synchronization grid. Accordingly, the terminal device can access the network according to the first synchronization grid capability. As another example, if there are only second-type terminal devices in the network, the network device can transmit the first signal only at the frequency point location of the second synchronization grid; that is, the first signal can be transmitted at one or more frequency point locations included in the second synchronization grid. Accordingly, the terminal device can access the network according to the second synchronization grid capability. Taking the first type of terminal device as an IoT terminal device and the second type of terminal device as a non-IoT terminal device as an example, if there are only IoT terminal devices in the network, the network device can send the first signal only at the frequency point of the first synchronization grid. The IoT terminal device can detect the first signal at the frequency point of the first synchronization grid and complete network access when accessing the network. If there are only non-IoT terminal devices in the network, the network device can send the first signal only at the frequency point of the second synchronization grid. The non-IoT terminal device can detect the first signal at the frequency point of the second synchronization grid and complete network access when accessing the network.

[0100] In some embodiments, where the first frequency range includes a first synchronization grid and a second synchronization grid, if two types of terminal devices exist simultaneously in the network, it is necessary to specify the usage of the different synchronization grids.

[0101] In some embodiments, different types of terminal devices can use the same first signal for broadcasting and access. In some embodiments, as shown in FIG9, when different types of terminal devices use the same first signal for broadcasting and access, the network needs to be compatible with both types of terminal devices performing synchronization and reading system broadcasts at the same frequency point.

[0102] In some embodiments, different types of terminal devices can use independent first signals for broadcasting and access. In some embodiments, as shown in FIG10, when different types of terminal devices use independent first signals for broadcasting and access, a flexible synchronization grid design can be implemented for the different types of terminal devices. However, implementing a flexible synchronization grid design for different types of terminal devices may result in the first signal occupying more spectrum resources.

[0103] Regardless of whether different types of terminal devices use the same first signal for broadcasting and access, or different types of terminal devices use independent first signals for broadcasting and access, in some embodiments, the transmission interval of the first signal can be determined based on the frequency interval of the first synchronization grid and the frequency interval of the second synchronization grid. Alternatively, the transmission position of the first signal can be determined based on the positions of one or more frequency points contained in the first synchronization grid and the positions of one or more frequency points contained in the second synchronization grid.

[0104] In some embodiments, the network device can simultaneously transmit a first signal at one or more frequency points (e.g., all frequency points) included in a first synchronization grid and at one or more frequency points (e.g., all frequency points) included in a second synchronization grid. In other words, the first signal can be transmitted at both one or more frequency points included in the first synchronization grid and one or more frequency points included in the second synchronization grid. For example, the first signal can be transmitted at all frequency points included in the first synchronization grid and all frequency points included in the second synchronization grid. As shown in FIG11, the frequency points included in the first synchronization grid include frequency point 1, frequency point 2, frequency point 3, and frequency point 4, and the frequency points included in the second synchronization grid include frequency point a, frequency point b, and frequency point c. The first signal can be transmitted at all of the following frequency points: frequency point 1, frequency point 2, frequency point 3, frequency point 4, frequency point a, frequency point b, and frequency point c.

[0105] The network device sends the first signal at all frequency points contained in the first synchronization grid and at all frequency points contained in the second synchronization grid. This is beneficial because different types of terminal devices can detect the corresponding synchronization grid when accessing the network. The advantage of this method is that different types of terminal devices can use different synchronization grids for optimization.

[0106] In some embodiments, the first signal may be transmitted at one or more frequency points included in the first synchronization grid and at one or more frequency points included in the second synchronization grid, and some frequency points in the one or more frequency points included in the first synchronization grid overlap with some frequency points in the one or more frequency points included in the second synchronization grid. For example, the first signal may be transmitted at all frequency points included in the first synchronization grid and at all frequency points included in the second synchronization grid, and some frequency points in the all frequency points included in the first synchronization grid overlap with some frequency points in the all frequency points included in the second synchronization grid. As shown in Figure 12, the first synchronization grid includes frequency positions 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5, and the second synchronization grid includes frequency positions a, b and c. The first signal can be transmitted at all of the following frequency positions: 1, 2, 3, 4, a, b and c. Frequency positions 1 overlap with frequency position a, 3 overlap with frequency position b, and 5 overlap with frequency position c.

[0107] In some embodiments, when different types of terminal devices use the same set of first signals for broadcasting and access, the first signal can be transmitted at one or more frequency points contained in the first synchronization grid and at one or more frequency points contained in the second synchronization grid, and some frequency points in the one or more frequency points contained in the first synchronization grid overlap with some frequency points in the one or more frequency points contained in the second synchronization grid.

[0108] In some embodiments, the network device can transmit a first signal at one or more frequency locations (e.g., all frequency locations) included in a first synchronization grid and one or more frequency locations (e.g., all frequency locations) included in a second synchronization grid. For example, the network device can transmit the first signal at a subset of the frequency locations included in the first and second synchronization grids. In other words, the first signal can be transmitted at a subset of the frequency locations included in the first and second synchronization grids. Transmitting the first signal at a subset of the frequency locations included in the first and second synchronization grids helps save network device overhead. For example, the first signal can be transmitted at all frequency locations included in the first and second synchronization grids. Referring again to Figure 12, the frequency positions included in the first synchronization grid are frequency position 1, frequency position 2, frequency position 3 and frequency position 4, and the frequency positions included in the second synchronization grid are frequency position a, frequency position b and frequency position c. The first signal can be transmitted at frequency position 1, frequency position 3, frequency position 5, frequency position a, frequency position b and frequency position c.

[0109] In some embodiments, the transmission of the first signal at one or more frequency points in the first synchronization grid and a portion of the frequency points in the second synchronization grid can mean that the first signal can be transmitted at overlapping frequency points in the first synchronization grid and the second synchronization grid.

[0110] In some embodiments, transmitting the first signal at one or more frequency points included in the first synchronization grid and a subset of frequency points included in the second synchronization grid can mean that the transmission interval of the first signal is the least common multiple of the frequency intervals of the first and second synchronization grids. That is, the first signal can be transmitted at a subset of frequency points included in the first and second synchronization grids, where the transmission interval between two adjacent frequency points is the least common multiple of the frequency intervals of the first and second synchronization grids. For example, if the frequency interval of the first synchronization grid is 1.2 MHz and the frequency interval of the second synchronization grid is 3.6 MHz, then the transmission interval of the first signal is 3.6 MHz.

[0111] In some embodiments, the first signal transmitted on the first synchronization grid and the second synchronization grid can be the same.

[0112] In some embodiments, the first signals transmitted on the first synchronization grid and the second synchronization grid may be different.

[0113] In some embodiments, time division multiplexing (TDM) can be used in the time domain to distinguish different terminal devices (such as terminal devices with different capabilities / types). For example, the time period and / or time position used by a terminal device with a first capability to detect a first signal may differ from that used by a terminal device with a second capability to detect a first signal. As another example, the time period and / or time position used by a terminal device of a first type to detect a first signal may differ from that used by a terminal device of a second type to detect a first signal. By using different time periods and / or time positions, different first signals from the two types of terminal devices can be distinguished. As an example, the time period used by a terminal device of a first capability / first type to detect a first signal may differ from that used by a terminal device of a second capability / second type to detect a first signal. As another example, the time position used by a terminal device of a first capability / first type to detect a first signal may differ from that used by a terminal device of a second capability / second type to detect a first signal. As yet another example, both the time period and time position used by a terminal device of a first capability / first type to detect a first signal may differ from those used by a terminal device of a second capability / second type to detect a first signal. Figure 13 illustrates an example of differentiating terminal devices in the time domain. Referring to Figure 13, one or more frequency points of the first synchronization grid and one or more frequency points of the second synchronization grid are located at different time domain positions, which distinguish different terminal devices in the time domain using TDM.

[0114] However, the embodiments of this application are not limited thereto. In some embodiments, the time period and / or time position used by the terminal device with the first capability to detect the first signal are the same as those used by the terminal device with the second capability to detect the first signal. In some embodiments, the time period and / or time position used by the terminal device of the first type to detect the first signal are the same as those used by the terminal device of the second type to detect the first signal. For example, the time period used by the terminal device of the first capability / first type to detect the first signal is the same as that used by the terminal device of the second capability / second type to detect the first signal. Another example is that the time position used by the terminal device of the first capability / first type to detect the first signal is the same as that used by the terminal device of the second capability / second type to detect the first signal. Yet another example is that both the time period and time position used by the terminal device of the first capability / first type to detect the first signal are the same as those used by the terminal device of the second capability / second type to detect the first signal.

[0115] Example 2: The first and second synchronization grids are applicable to different areas / networks.

[0116] Suppose that frequency band A has a large actual bandwidth (e.g., 100MHz) due to spectrum allocation in the first region (e.g., region 1), but a smaller bandwidth (e.g., 5MHz) due to spectrum allocation in the second region (e.g., region 2). If frequency band A is designed as a single channel, its minimum channel bandwidth will be 5MHz. If the synchronization grid is further designed according to this minimum bandwidth of 5MHz, the terminal device will have to perform network search using a very small synchronization grid, regardless of whether it accesses the network in the first or second region, resulting in a longer search time. Therefore, in some embodiments, different synchronization grids can be used to detect the first signal in different regions / networks for the same frequency range (e.g., the first frequency range), or in other words, different synchronization grids can be defined for different regions / networks within the same frequency range.

[0117] In some embodiments, the first synchronization grid is suitable for the terminal device to detect the first signal within a first region / first network, and the second synchronization grid is suitable for the terminal device to detect the first signal within a second region / or second network. That is, the first and second synchronization grids can be used for the terminal device to detect the first signal in different regions / networks, or in other words, terminal devices in different regions / networks can use different synchronization grids to detect the first signal. For example, when terminal device A is located in the first region / first network, terminal device A can use the first synchronization grid to detect the first signal; when terminal device A is located in the second region / second network, terminal device A can use the second synchronization grid to detect the first signal. Alternatively, terminal devices in the first region / first network can use the first synchronization grid to detect the first signal, and terminal devices in the second region / second network can use the second synchronization grid to detect the first signal. Figure 14 shows an example diagram of synchronization grids in different regions / networks. As shown in Figure 14, the frequency interval of the synchronization grids in the first region / network is smaller than the frequency interval of the synchronization grids in the second region / network.

[0118] In some embodiments, regions / networks with smaller actual supported minimum channel bandwidth can use synchronization grids with smaller frequency intervals. In some embodiments, regions / networks with larger actual supported minimum channel bandwidth can use synchronization grids with larger frequency intervals. Assume that the channel bandwidth defined by frequency band A includes 5MHz, 10MHz, ..., 100MHz, etc., where 5MHz is the minimum channel bandwidth of frequency band A. If the minimum supported channel bandwidth in the first region is 5MHz, and the actual supported channel bandwidth in the second region is 100MHz, then different synchronization grids can be used in the first and second regions during synchronization grid design (as shown in Figure 14).

[0119] In some embodiments, the synchronization grids of different regions / networks can be independent of each other.

[0120] In some embodiments, synchronization grids in different regions / networks may be correlated. For example, the frequency spacing of synchronization grids in different regions / networks may be determined based on the minimum channel bandwidth applicable to the different regions / networks. Exemplarily, the ratio between the frequency spacing of the synchronization grids in a first region / network and the frequency spacing of the synchronization grids in a second region / network may be determined based on the ratio between the minimum channel bandwidth applicable to the synchronization grids in the first region / network and the minimum channel bandwidth applicable to the synchronization grids in the second region / network. As an example, the ratio between the frequency spacing of the synchronization grids in the first region / network and the frequency spacing of the synchronization grids in the second region / network may be equal to K times the ratio between the minimum channel bandwidth applicable to the synchronization grids in the first region / network and the minimum channel bandwidth applicable to the synchronization grids in the second region / network, where K is a constant (e.g., a positive number), specifically, K is a positive integer.

[0121] This application does not limit the method of dividing the regions. For example, different regions can refer to different geographical areas, different cells, or different tracking areas, etc. As another example, different regions can refer to different countries or different areas.

[0122] In some embodiments, when a terminal device enters a certain area / network, it can detect a first signal according to the synchronization grid corresponding to that area / network to access the network. In some embodiments, whether the terminal device uses a first synchronization grid or a second synchronization grid to detect the first signal is determined based on the terminal device's location information. This is because, in actual use, terminal devices (especially mobile phones) generally have positioning functions, so the measured location information (i.e., geographical location) can be used to distinguish areas / networks and further determine the size of the synchronization grid used (such as the first synchronization grid or the second synchronization grid).

[0123] In some embodiments, if there are terminal devices in the network that do not have positioning capabilities, when such terminal devices cannot determine their current location and the specific synchronization grid used by the network, they can fallback to a network search method based on the minimum channel bandwidth.

[0124] The method embodiments of this application have been described in detail above with reference to Figures 1 to 14. The apparatus embodiments of this application will be described in detail below with reference to Figures 15 to 17. It should be understood that the descriptions of the method embodiments correspond to the descriptions of the apparatus embodiments; therefore, any parts not described in detail can be referred to the preceding method embodiments.

[0125] Figure 15 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a terminal device provided in an embodiment of this application. The terminal device 1500 shown in Figure 15 includes a detection module 1510. The detection module 1510 can be used to detect a first signal sent by a network device in a first frequency range, the first signal being used to carry a synchronization signal and / or system information; wherein, the first frequency range includes a first synchronization grid and a second synchronization grid, and the frequency interval of the first synchronization grid is different from the frequency interval of the second synchronization grid.

[0126] In some embodiments, the minimum channel bandwidth applicable to the first synchronization grid is different from the minimum channel bandwidth applicable to the second synchronization grid.

[0127] In some embodiments, the first synchronization grid is used for a first type of terminal device or a terminal device with a first capability to detect the first signal, and the second synchronization grid is used for a second type of terminal device or a terminal device with a second capability to detect the first signal; wherein the minimum channel bandwidth supported by the first type of terminal device or the terminal device with the first capability is different from that supported by the second type of terminal device or the terminal device with the second capability.

[0128] In some embodiments, the frequency spacing of the first synchronization grid is determined based on the minimum channel bandwidth supported by the first type or terminal device with the first capability and the second type or terminal device with the second capability; and / or the frequency spacing of the second synchronization grid is determined based on the minimum channel bandwidth supported by the first type or terminal device with the first capability and the second type or terminal device with the second capability.

[0129] In some embodiments, the ratio of the frequency spacing of the first synchronization grid to the frequency spacing of the second synchronization grid is a first ratio, and the ratio of the minimum channel bandwidth supported by the first capability or the first type of terminal device to the minimum channel bandwidth supported by the second capability or the second type of terminal device is a second ratio, wherein the first ratio and the second ratio are directly proportional.

[0130] In some embodiments, the first ratio is equal to N times the second ratio, where N is a positive integer.

[0131] In some embodiments, the transmission interval of the first signal is determined based on the frequency interval of the first synchronization grid and the frequency interval of the second synchronization grid.

[0132] In some embodiments, the first signal is transmitted at one or more frequency points contained in the first synchronization grid and at one or more frequency points contained in the second synchronization grid.

[0133] In some embodiments, one or more frequency points contained in the first synchronization grid overlap with a portion of the frequency points contained in one or more frequency points of the second synchronization grid.

[0134] In some embodiments, the first signal is transmitted at one or more frequency points contained in the first synchronization grid and / or one or more frequency points contained in the second synchronization grid.

[0135] In some embodiments, the transmission interval of the first signal is the least common multiple of the frequency interval of the first synchronization grid and the frequency interval of the second synchronization grid.

[0136] In some embodiments, the time period and / or time position of the first signal detected by the first type or terminal device with the first capability are different from those of the second type or terminal device with the second capability.

[0137] In some embodiments, the first synchronization grid is used by the terminal device to detect the first signal in a first region or a first network, and the second synchronization grid is used by the terminal device to detect the first signal in a second region or a second network.

[0138] In some embodiments, the terminal device detects the first signal using the first synchronization grid or the second synchronization grid based on the positioning information of the terminal device.

[0139] In some embodiments, some or all of the frequency points in one or more frequency points included in the first synchronization grid include one or more candidate frequency points of the first signal; and / or some or all of the frequency points in one or more frequency points included in the second synchronization grid include one or more candidate frequency points of the first signal.

[0140] In some embodiments, the detection module 1510 may be a transceiver 1730. The terminal device 1500 may also include a processor 1710 and a memory 1720, as shown in FIG17.

[0141] Figure 16 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a network device provided in an embodiment of this application. The network device 1600 shown in Figure 16 may include a transmitting module 1610. The transmitting module 1610 can be used to transmit a first signal in a first frequency range, the first signal being used to carry a synchronization signal and / or system information; wherein, the first frequency range includes a first synchronization grid and a second synchronization grid, and the frequency interval of the first synchronization grid is different from the frequency interval of the second synchronization grid.

[0142] In some embodiments, the minimum channel bandwidth applicable to the first synchronization grid is different from the minimum channel bandwidth applicable to the second synchronization grid.

[0143] In some embodiments, the first synchronization grid is used for a first type of terminal device or a terminal device with a first capability to detect the first signal, and the second synchronization grid is used for a second type of terminal device or a terminal device with a second capability to detect the first signal; wherein the minimum channel bandwidth supported by the first type of terminal device or the terminal device with the first capability is different from that supported by the second type of terminal device or the terminal device with the second capability.

[0144] In some embodiments, the frequency spacing of the first synchronization grid is determined based on the minimum channel bandwidth supported by the first type or terminal device with the first capability and the second type or terminal device with the second capability; and / or the frequency spacing of the second synchronization grid is determined based on the minimum channel bandwidth supported by the first type or terminal device with the first capability and the second type or terminal device with the second capability.

[0145] In some embodiments, the ratio of the frequency spacing of the first synchronization grid to the frequency spacing of the second synchronization grid is a first ratio, and the ratio of the minimum channel bandwidth supported by the first capability or the first type of terminal device to the minimum channel bandwidth supported by the second capability or the second type of terminal device is a second ratio, wherein the first ratio and the second ratio are directly proportional.

[0146] In some embodiments, the first ratio is equal to N times the second ratio, where N is a positive integer.

[0147] In some embodiments, the transmission interval of the first signal is determined based on the frequency interval of the first synchronization grid and the frequency interval of the second synchronization grid.

[0148] In some embodiments, the first signal is transmitted at one or more frequency points contained in the first synchronization grid and at one or more frequency points contained in the second synchronization grid.

[0149] In some embodiments, one or more frequency points contained in the first synchronization grid overlap with a portion of the frequency points contained in one or more frequency points of the second synchronization grid.

[0150] In some embodiments, the first signal is transmitted at one or more frequency points contained in the first synchronization grid and / or one or more frequency points contained in the second synchronization grid.

[0151] In some embodiments, the transmission interval of the first signal is the least common multiple of the frequency interval of the first synchronization grid and the frequency interval of the second synchronization grid.

[0152] In some embodiments, the time period and / or time position of the first signal detected by the first type or terminal device with the first capability are different from those of the second type or terminal device with the second capability.

[0153] In some embodiments, the first synchronization grid is used by the terminal device to detect the first signal in a first region or a first network, and the second synchronization grid is used by the terminal device to detect the first signal in a second region or a second network.

[0154] In some embodiments, the terminal device detects the first signal using the first synchronization grid or the second synchronization grid based on the positioning information of the terminal device.

[0155] In some embodiments, some or all of the frequency points in one or more frequency points included in the first synchronization grid include one or more candidate frequency points of the first signal; and / or some or all of the frequency points in one or more frequency points included in the second synchronization grid include one or more candidate frequency points of the first signal.

[0156] In some embodiments, the transmitting module 1610 may be a transceiver 1730. The network device 1600 may also include a processor 1710 and a memory 1720, as shown in FIG17.

[0157] Figure 17 is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device according to an embodiment of this application. The dashed lines in Figure 17 indicate that the unit or module is optional. This device 1700 can be used to implement the methods described in the above method embodiments. Device 1700 can be a chip, a terminal device, or a network device.

[0158] Apparatus 1700 may include one or more processors 1710. The processor 1710 may support apparatus 1700 in implementing the methods described in the preceding method embodiments. The processor 1710 may be a general-purpose processor or a special-purpose processor. For example, the processor may be a central processing unit (CPU). Alternatively, the processor may be other general-purpose processors, digital signal processors (DSPs), application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), or other programmable logic devices, discrete gate or transistor logic devices, discrete hardware components, etc. The general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor or any conventional processor.

[0159] The apparatus 1700 may further include one or more memories 1720. The memories 1720 store a program that can be executed by the processor 1710, causing the processor 1710 to perform the methods described in the preceding method embodiments. The memories 1720 may be independent of the processor 1710 or integrated within the processor 1710.

[0160] The device 1700 may also include a transceiver 1730. The processor 1710 can communicate with other devices or chips via the transceiver 1730. For example, the processor 1710 can send and receive data with other devices or chips via the transceiver 1730.

[0161] This application also provides a computer-readable storage medium for storing a program. This computer-readable storage medium can be applied to a terminal device or network device provided in this application embodiment, and the program causes a computer to execute the methods performed by the terminal device or network device in the various embodiments of this application.

[0162] This application also provides a computer program product. The computer program product includes a program. This computer program product can be applied to a terminal device or network device provided in the embodiments of this application, and the program causes a computer to execute the methods performed by the terminal device or network device in the various embodiments of this application.

[0163] This application also provides a computer program. This computer program can be applied to a terminal device or network device provided in this application, and the computer program causes a computer to execute the methods performed by the terminal device or network device in various embodiments of this application.

[0164] It should be understood that the terms "system" and "network" in this application can be used interchangeably. Furthermore, the terminology used in this application is only for explaining specific embodiments of the application and is not intended to limit the application. The terms "first," "second," "third," and "fourth," etc., in the specification, claims, and accompanying drawings of this application are used to distinguish different objects, not to describe a specific order. In addition, the terms "comprising" and "having," and any variations thereof, are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion.

[0165] In the embodiments of this application, the term "instruction" can be a direct instruction, an indirect instruction, or an indication of a relationship. For example, A instructing B can mean that A directly instructs B, such as B being able to obtain information through A; it can also mean that A indirectly instructs B, such as A instructing C, so B can obtain information through C; or it can mean that there is a relationship between A and B.

[0166] In the embodiments of this application, "B corresponding to A" means that B is associated with A, and B can be determined based on A. However, it should also be understood that determining B based on A does not mean that B is determined solely based on A; B can also be determined based on A and / or other information.

[0167] In the embodiments of this application, the term "correspondence" can indicate a direct or indirect correspondence between two things, or an association between two things, or a relationship such as instruction and being instructed, configuration and being configured.

[0168] In the embodiments of this application, the term "comprising" can refer to direct inclusion or indirect inclusion. Optionally, "comprising" in the embodiments of this application can be replaced with "instructing" or "used to determine". For example, "A includes B" can be replaced with "A instructs B" or "A is used to determine B".

[0169] In this application embodiment, "predefined" or "preconfigured" can be implemented by pre-storing corresponding codes, tables, or other means that can be used to indicate relevant information in the device (e.g., including terminal devices and network devices). This application does not limit the specific implementation method. For example, predefined can refer to what is defined in the protocol.

[0170] In this application embodiment, the "protocol" may refer to a standard protocol in the field of communication, such as the LTE protocol, the NR protocol, and related protocols applied to future communication systems. This application does not limit this.

[0171] In the embodiments of this application, the term "and / or" is merely a description of the relationship between related objects, indicating that three relationships can exist. For example, A and / or B can represent: A existing alone, A and B existing simultaneously, or B existing alone. Additionally, the character " / " in this document generally indicates that the preceding and following related objects have an "or" relationship.

[0172] In the various embodiments of this application, the order of the above-mentioned processes does not imply the order of execution. The execution order of each process should be determined by its function and internal logic, and should not constitute any limitation on the implementation process of the embodiments of this application.

[0173] In the several embodiments provided in this application, it should be understood that the disclosed systems, apparatuses, and methods can be implemented in other ways. For example, the apparatus embodiments described above are merely illustrative; for instance, the division of units is only a logical functional division, and in actual implementation, there may be other division methods. For example, multiple units or components may be combined or integrated into another system, or some features may be ignored or not executed. Furthermore, the coupling or direct coupling or communication connection shown or discussed may be through some interfaces; the indirect coupling or communication connection between apparatuses or units may be electrical, mechanical, or other forms.

[0174] The units described as separate components may or may not be physically separate. The components shown as units may or may not be physical units; that is, they may be located in one place or distributed across multiple network units. Some or all of the units can be selected to achieve the purpose of this embodiment according to actual needs.

[0175] In addition, the functional units in the various embodiments of this application can be integrated into one processing unit, or each unit can exist physically separately, or two or more units can be integrated into one unit.

[0176] In the above embodiments, implementation can be achieved entirely or partially through software, hardware, firmware, or any combination thereof. When implemented using software, it can be implemented entirely or partially in the form of a computer program product. The 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 processes or functions described in the embodiments of this application are 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, the 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 read or a data storage device such as a server or data center that integrates one or more available media. The available media may be magnetic media (e.g., floppy disks, hard disks, magnetic tapes), optical media (e.g., digital video discs, DVDs) or semiconductor media (e.g., solid-state disks, SSDs), etc.

[0177] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of this application, but the scope of protection of this application is not limited thereto. Any variations or substitutions that can be easily conceived by those skilled in the art within the scope of the technology disclosed in this application should be included within the scope of protection of this application. Therefore, the scope of protection of this application should be determined by the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A method for wireless communication, characterized in that, include: The terminal device detects a first signal sent by the network device in a first frequency range, the first signal being used to carry synchronization signals and / or system information; The first frequency range includes a first synchronization grid and a second synchronization grid, wherein the frequency interval of the first synchronization grid is different from the frequency interval of the second synchronization grid.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The minimum channel bandwidth applicable to the first synchronization grid is different from that applicable to the second synchronization grid.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The first synchronization grid is used by a first type of terminal device or a terminal device with a first capability to detect the first signal, and the second synchronization grid is used by a second type of terminal device or a terminal device with a second capability to detect the first signal; wherein the minimum channel bandwidth supported by the first type of terminal device or the terminal device with a first capability is different from that supported by the second type of terminal device or the terminal device with a second capability.

4. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that: The frequency spacing of the first synchronization grid is determined based on the minimum channel bandwidth supported by the first type or terminal device with the first capability and the second type or terminal device with the second capability; and / or The frequency spacing of the second synchronization grid is determined based on the minimum channel bandwidth supported by the first type or terminal device with the first capability and the second type or terminal device with the second capability.

5. The method according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that, The ratio of the frequency spacing of the first synchronization grid to the frequency spacing of the second synchronization grid is a first ratio, and the ratio of the minimum channel bandwidth supported by the first type or terminal device with the first capability to the minimum channel bandwidth supported by the second type or terminal device with the second capability is a second ratio, and the first ratio and the second ratio are directly proportional.

6. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that, The first ratio is equal to N times the second ratio, where N is a positive integer.

7. The method according to any one of claims 3-6, characterized in that, The transmission interval of the first signal is determined based on the frequency interval of the first synchronization grid and the frequency interval of the second synchronization grid.

8. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that, The first signal is transmitted at one or more frequency points contained in the first synchronization grid and at one or more frequency points contained in the second synchronization grid.

9. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that, One or more frequency points contained in the first synchronization grid overlap with some frequency points contained in one or more frequency points of the second synchronization grid.

10. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that, The first signal is transmitted at one or more frequency points contained in the first synchronization grid and / or one or more frequency points contained in the second synchronization grid.

11. The method according to claim 10, characterized in that, The transmission interval of the first signal is the least common multiple of the frequency interval of the first synchronization grid and the frequency interval of the second synchronization grid.

12. The method according to any one of claims 3-11, characterized in that, The time period and / or time position used by the first type of terminal device or the terminal device with the first capability to detect the first signal are different from those used by the second type of terminal device or the terminal device with the second capability to detect the first signal.

13. The method according to any one of claims 1-12, characterized in that, The first synchronization grid is used by the terminal device to detect the first signal in a first area or a first network, and the second synchronization grid is used by the terminal device to detect the first signal in a second area or a second network.

14. The method according to claim 13, characterized in that, The method of the terminal device to detect the first signal using the first synchronization grid or the second synchronization grid is determined based on the positioning information of the terminal device.

15. The method according to any one of claims 1-14, characterized in that: The first synchronization grid includes some or all of the frequency points at one or more frequency points, which include one or more candidate frequency points of the first signal; and / or The second synchronization grid includes some or all of the frequency points in one or more frequency points, which include one or more candidate frequency points of the first signal.

16. A method for wireless communication, characterized in that, include: The network device transmits a first signal within a first frequency range, the first signal being used to carry synchronization signals and / or system information; The first frequency range includes a first synchronization grid and a second synchronization grid, wherein the frequency interval of the first synchronization grid is different from the frequency interval of the second synchronization grid.

17. The method according to claim 16, characterized in that, The minimum channel bandwidth applicable to the first synchronization grid is different from that applicable to the second synchronization grid.

18. The method according to claim 16 or 17, characterized in that, The first synchronization grid is used by a first type of terminal device or a terminal device with a first capability to detect the first signal, and the second synchronization grid is used by a second type of terminal device or a terminal device with a second capability to detect the first signal; wherein the minimum channel bandwidth supported by the first type of terminal device or the terminal device with a first capability is different from that supported by the second type of terminal device or the terminal device with a second capability.

19. The method according to claim 18, characterized in that: The frequency spacing of the first synchronization grid is determined based on the minimum channel bandwidth supported by the first type or terminal device with the first capability and the second type or terminal device with the second capability; and / or The frequency spacing of the second synchronization grid is determined based on the minimum channel bandwidth supported by the first type or terminal device with the first capability and the second type or terminal device with the second capability.

20. The method according to claim 18 or 19, characterized in that, The ratio of the frequency spacing of the first synchronization grid to the frequency spacing of the second synchronization grid is a first ratio, and the ratio of the minimum channel bandwidth supported by the first type or terminal device with the first capability to the minimum channel bandwidth supported by the second type or terminal device with the second capability is a second ratio, and the first ratio and the second ratio are directly proportional.

21. The method according to claim 20, characterized in that, The first ratio is equal to N times the second ratio, where N is a positive integer.

22. The method according to any one of claims 18-21, characterized in that, The transmission interval of the first signal is determined based on the frequency interval of the first synchronization grid and the frequency interval of the second synchronization grid.

23. The method according to claim 22, characterized in that, The first signal is transmitted at one or more frequency points contained in the first synchronization grid and at one or more frequency points contained in the second synchronization grid.

24. The method according to claim 23, characterized in that, One or more frequency points contained in the first synchronization grid overlap with some frequency points contained in one or more frequency points of the second synchronization grid.

25. The method according to claim 22, characterized in that, The first signal is transmitted at one or more frequency points contained in the first synchronization grid and / or one or more frequency points contained in the second synchronization grid.

26. The method according to claim 25, characterized in that, The transmission interval of the first signal is the least common multiple of the frequency interval of the first synchronization grid and the frequency interval of the second synchronization grid.

27. The method according to any one of claims 18-26, characterized in that, The time period and / or time position used by the first type of terminal device or the terminal device with the first capability to detect the first signal are different from those used by the second type of terminal device or the terminal device with the second capability to detect the first signal.

28. The method according to any one of claims 16-27, characterized in that, The first synchronization grid is used by the terminal device to detect the first signal in a first area or a first network, and the second synchronization grid is used by the terminal device to detect the first signal in a second area or a second network.

29. The method according to claim 28, characterized in that, The method of the terminal device to detect the first signal using the first synchronization grid or the second synchronization grid is determined based on the positioning information of the terminal device.

30. The method according to any one of claims 16-29, characterized in that: The first synchronization grid includes some or all of the frequency points at one or more frequency points, which include one or more candidate frequency points of the first signal; and / or The second synchronization grid includes some or all of the frequency points in one or more frequency points, which include one or more candidate frequency points of the first signal.

31. A terminal device, characterized in that, include: The detection module is used to detect a first signal sent by a network device within a first frequency range, the first signal being used to carry a synchronization signal and / or system information; The first frequency range includes a first synchronization grid and a second synchronization grid, wherein the frequency interval of the first synchronization grid is different from the frequency interval of the second synchronization grid.

32. The terminal device according to claim 31, characterized in that, The minimum channel bandwidth applicable to the first synchronization grid is different from that applicable to the second synchronization grid.

33. The terminal device according to claim 31 or 32, characterized in that, The first synchronization grid is used by a first type of terminal device or a terminal device with a first capability to detect the first signal, and the second synchronization grid is used by a second type of terminal device or a terminal device with a second capability to detect the first signal; wherein the minimum channel bandwidth supported by the first type of terminal device or the terminal device with a first capability is different from that supported by the second type of terminal device or the terminal device with a second capability.

34. The terminal device according to claim 33, characterized in that: The frequency spacing of the first synchronization grid is determined based on the minimum channel bandwidth supported by the first type or terminal device with the first capability and the second type or terminal device with the second capability; and / or The frequency spacing of the second synchronization grid is determined based on the minimum channel bandwidth supported by the first type or terminal device with the first capability and the second type or terminal device with the second capability.

35. The terminal device according to claim 33 or 34, characterized in that, The ratio of the frequency spacing of the first synchronization grid to the frequency spacing of the second synchronization grid is a first ratio, and the ratio of the minimum channel bandwidth supported by the first type or terminal device with the first capability to the minimum channel bandwidth supported by the second type or terminal device with the second capability is a second ratio, and the first ratio and the second ratio are directly proportional.

36. The terminal device according to claim 35, characterized in that, The first ratio is equal to N times the second ratio, where N is a positive integer.

37. The terminal device according to any one of claims 33-36, characterized in that, The transmission interval of the first signal is determined based on the frequency interval of the first synchronization grid and the frequency interval of the second synchronization grid.

38. The terminal device according to claim 37, characterized in that, The first signal is transmitted at one or more frequency points contained in the first synchronization grid and at one or more frequency points contained in the second synchronization grid.

39. The terminal device according to claim 38, characterized in that, One or more frequency points contained in the first synchronization grid overlap with some frequency points contained in one or more frequency points of the second synchronization grid.

40. The terminal device according to claim 37, characterized in that, The first signal is transmitted at one or more frequency points contained in the first synchronization grid and / or one or more frequency points contained in the second synchronization grid.

41. The terminal device according to claim 40, characterized in that, The transmission interval of the first signal is the least common multiple of the frequency interval of the first synchronization grid and the frequency interval of the second synchronization grid.

42. The terminal device according to any one of claims 33-41, characterized in that, The time period and / or time position used by the first type of terminal device or the terminal device with the first capability to detect the first signal are different from those used by the second type of terminal device or the terminal device with the second capability to detect the first signal.

43. The terminal device according to any one of claims 31-42, characterized in that, The first synchronization grid is used by the terminal device to detect the first signal in a first area or a first network, and the second synchronization grid is used by the terminal device to detect the first signal in a second area or a second network.

44. The terminal device according to claim 43, characterized in that, The method of the terminal device to detect the first signal using the first synchronization grid or the second synchronization grid is determined based on the positioning information of the terminal device.

45. The terminal device according to any one of claims 31-44, characterized in that: The first synchronization grid includes some or all of the frequency points at one or more frequency points, which include one or more candidate frequency points of the first signal; and / or The second synchronization grid includes some or all of the frequency points in one or more frequency points, which include one or more candidate frequency points of the first signal.

46. ​​A network device, characterized in that, include: A transmitting module is configured to transmit a first signal within a first frequency range, the first signal being used to carry a synchronization signal and / or system information; The first frequency range includes a first synchronization grid and a second synchronization grid, wherein the frequency interval of the first synchronization grid is different from the frequency interval of the second synchronization grid.

47. The network device according to claim 46, characterized in that, The minimum channel bandwidth applicable to the first synchronization grid is different from that applicable to the second synchronization grid.

48. The network device according to claim 46 or 47, characterized in that, The first synchronization grid is used by a first type of terminal device or a terminal device with a first capability to detect the first signal, and the second synchronization grid is used by a second type of terminal device or a terminal device with a second capability to detect the first signal; wherein the minimum channel bandwidth supported by the first type of terminal device or the terminal device with a first capability is different from that supported by the second type of terminal device or the terminal device with a second capability.

49. The network device according to claim 48, characterized in that: The frequency spacing of the first synchronization grid is determined based on the minimum channel bandwidth supported by the first type or terminal device with the first capability and the second type or terminal device with the second capability; and / or The frequency spacing of the second synchronization grid is determined based on the minimum channel bandwidth supported by the first type or terminal device with the first capability and the second type or terminal device with the second capability.

50. The network device according to claim 48 or 49, characterized in that, The ratio of the frequency spacing of the first synchronization grid to the frequency spacing of the second synchronization grid is a first ratio, and the ratio of the minimum channel bandwidth supported by the first type or terminal device with the first capability to the minimum channel bandwidth supported by the second type or terminal device with the second capability is a second ratio, and the first ratio and the second ratio are directly proportional.

51. The network device according to claim 50, characterized in that, The first ratio is equal to N times the second ratio, where N is a positive integer.

52. The network device according to any one of claims 48-51, characterized in that, The transmission interval of the first signal is determined based on the frequency interval of the first synchronization grid and the frequency interval of the second synchronization grid.

53. The network device according to claim 52, characterized in that, The first signal is transmitted at one or more frequency points contained in the first synchronization grid and at one or more frequency points contained in the second synchronization grid.

54. The network device according to claim 53, characterized in that, One or more frequency points contained in the first synchronization grid overlap with some frequency points contained in one or more frequency points of the second synchronization grid.

55. The network device according to claim 52, characterized in that, The first signal is transmitted at one or more frequency points contained in the first synchronization grid and / or one or more frequency points contained in the second synchronization grid.

56. The network device according to claim 55, characterized in that, The transmission interval of the first signal is the least common multiple of the frequency interval of the first synchronization grid and the frequency interval of the second synchronization grid.

57. The network device according to any one of claims 48-56, characterized in that, The time period and / or time position used by the first type of terminal device or the terminal device with the first capability to detect the first signal are different from those used by the second type of terminal device or the terminal device with the second capability to detect the first signal.

58. The network device according to any one of claims 46-57, characterized in that, The first synchronization grid is used by the terminal device to detect the first signal in a first area or a first network, and the second synchronization grid is used by the terminal device to detect the first signal in a second area or a second network.

59. The network device according to claim 58, characterized in that, The method of the terminal device to detect the first signal using the first synchronization grid or the second synchronization grid is determined based on the positioning information of the terminal device.

60. The network device according to any one of claims 46-59, characterized in that: The first synchronization grid includes some or all of the frequency points at one or more frequency points, which include one or more candidate frequency points of the first signal; and / or The second synchronization grid includes some or all of the frequency points in one or more frequency points, which include one or more candidate frequency points of the first signal.

61. A terminal device, characterized in that, The device includes a transceiver, a memory, and a processor. The memory stores a program, and the processor invokes the program in the memory and controls the transceiver to receive or send signals so that the terminal device performs the method as described in any one of claims 1-15.

62. A network device, characterized in that, The device includes a transceiver, a memory, and a processor. The memory stores a program, and the processor invokes the program in the memory and controls the transceiver to receive or transmit signals so that the network device performs the method as described in any one of claims 16-30.

63. An apparatus, characterized in that, Includes a processor for calling a program from memory to cause the apparatus to perform the method as described in any one of claims 1-15 or 16-30.

64. A chip, characterized in that, Includes a processor for calling a program from memory, causing a device on which the chip is mounted to perform the method as described in any one of claims 1-15 or 16-30.

65. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, It contains a program that causes a computer to perform the method as described in any one of claims 1-15 or 16-30.

66. A computer program product, characterized in that, Includes a program that causes a computer to perform the method as described in any one of claims 1-15 or 16-30.

67. A computer program, characterized in that, The computer program causes the computer to perform the method as described in any one of claims 1-15 or 16-30.

Images