Communication method and related apparatus

Abstract

Disclosed are a communication method and a related apparatus, relating to the technical field of communications. The method comprises: a terminal receives configuration information of a synchronization signal from a first access network device, wherein the configuration information of the synchronization signal comprises a first resource configuration, the first resource configuration is used for determining a first resource, the first resource is used for a second access network device to send the synchronization signal, and a first network standard supported by the first access network device is different from a second network standard supported by the second access network device; and the terminal receives a downlink signal from the first access network device on a second resource, wherein the first resource is different from the second resource, and the first resource is an unavailable resource for the downlink signal.

Description

Communication methods and related devices

[0001] This disclosure claims priority to Chinese patent application No. 202510097626.7, filed on January 21, 2025, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

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

[0003] Regarding rate matching between 5G and 4G, the current standard only proposes rate matching between NR and the LTE cell-specific reference signal (CRS), but does not address rate matching between the LTE primary synchronization signal (PSS), secondary synchronization signal (SSS), and channel state information-reference signal (CSI-RS). Rate matching between NR and LTE CRS refers to the need for rate matching on the NR side of the resource element (RE) containing the CRS in dynamic spectrum sharing scenarios, where conflicts may occur between the LTE cell reference signal (CRS) and the NR physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH). Summary of the Invention

[0004] In a first aspect, embodiments of this disclosure provide a communication method applicable to a terminal device, which may be the terminal device itself or a chip within the terminal device. The method includes:

[0005] The system receives configuration information for a synchronization signal from a first access network device, the configuration information of which includes a first resource configuration. The first resource configuration is used to determine a first resource, and the synchronization signal is a synchronization signal sent by a second access network device. The system also receives a downlink signal from the first access network device on a second resource, where the first resource is an unavailable resource for the downlink signal. In some embodiments, the first resource may also be referred to as a rate-matched resource.

[0006] In some embodiments, in conjunction with the first aspect, the synchronization signal is a synchronization signal block (SSB) and / or a low-power synchronization signal (LP-SS).

[0007] In some embodiments, in conjunction with the first aspect, the first resource configuration includes at least one of first information, a first period, or a first bias, wherein the first information is used to indicate an index of the synchronization signal, the first period is used to indicate the period of the first resource, and the first bias is used to indicate the bias of the first resource relative to the start time-domain position of the first period.

[0008] In some embodiments, in conjunction with the first aspect, the first bias is the number of subframes, the number of time slots, or the number of symbols.

[0009] In some embodiments, in conjunction with the first aspect, the first resource configuration further includes second information, the second information being used to indicate the type of the synchronization signal;

[0010] The type of the synchronization signal is either a non-on-demand synchronization signal or an on-demand synchronization signal.

[0011] In some embodiments, in conjunction with the first aspect, when the second information indicates that the type of the synchronization signal is the on-demand transmission synchronization signal, the first resource configuration further includes third information, the third information indicating the number of synchronization signals to be transmitted, or the third information indicating the transmission duration of the synchronization signal.

[0012] In some embodiments, in conjunction with the first aspect, the first resource configuration further includes a second cycle;

[0013] The second period is used to indicate the period of the first resource.

[0014] In some embodiments, in conjunction with the first aspect, the method further includes:

[0015] Receive a first indication message, which indicates that the on-demand transmission of the synchronization signal is enabled, or the first indication message indicates that the second cycle is enabled.

[0016] In some embodiments, in conjunction with the first aspect, the first indication information is carried in a radio resource control (RRC) message, or a medium access control control element (MAC CE), or downlink control information (DCI).

[0017] In some embodiments, in conjunction with the first aspect, the configuration information of the synchronization signal includes a synchronization signal list, the synchronization signal list includes N resource configurations, the N resource configurations include the first resource configuration, and N is an integer greater than or equal to 1.

[0018] Secondly, embodiments of this disclosure provide a communication method applicable to a first access network device, which may be the access network device itself or a chip within the access network device. The method includes:

[0019] Configuration information for sending synchronization signals, wherein the configuration information for the synchronization signals includes a first resource configuration, the first resource configuration being used to determine a first resource, and the synchronization signal being a synchronization signal sent by a second access network device;

[0020] A downlink signal is transmitted on a second resource, wherein the first resource is an unavailable resource for the downlink signal.

[0021] In some embodiments, in conjunction with the second aspect, the synchronization signal is SSB and / or LP-SS.

[0022] In some embodiments, in conjunction with the second aspect, the first resource configuration includes at least one of first information, a first period, or a first bias, wherein the first information is used to indicate the index of the synchronization signal, the first period is used to indicate the period of the first resource, and the first bias is used to indicate the bias of the first resource relative to the start time-domain position of the first period.

[0023] In some embodiments, in conjunction with the second aspect, the first bias is the number of subframes, the number of time slots, or the number of symbols.

[0024] In some embodiments, in conjunction with the second aspect, the first resource configuration further includes second information, the second information being used to indicate the type of the synchronization signal;

[0025] The type of the synchronization signal is either a non-on-demand synchronization signal or an on-demand synchronization signal.

[0026] In some embodiments, in conjunction with the second aspect, when the second information indicates that the type of the synchronization signal is the on-demand transmission synchronization signal, the first resource configuration further includes third information, the third information indicating the number of synchronization signals to be transmitted, or the third information indicating the transmission duration of the synchronization signal.

[0027] In some embodiments, in conjunction with the second aspect, the first resource configuration further includes a second cycle;

[0028] The second period is used to indicate the period of the first resource.

[0029] In some embodiments, in conjunction with the second aspect, the method further includes:

[0030] Receive a first indication message, which indicates that the on-demand transmission of the synchronization signal is enabled, or the first indication message indicates that the second cycle is enabled.

[0031] In some embodiments, in conjunction with the second aspect, the first indication information is carried in an RRC message, or a MAC CE, or a DCI.

[0032] In some embodiments, in conjunction with the second aspect, the configuration information of the synchronization signal includes a synchronization signal list, the synchronization signal list includes N resource configurations, the N resource configurations include the first resource configuration, and N is an integer greater than or equal to 1.

[0033] Thirdly, embodiments of this disclosure provide a communication device, which may be the terminal device itself, or a chip within the terminal device. The device includes:

[0034] The transceiver unit is used to receive configuration information of a synchronization signal from a first access network device. The configuration information of the synchronization signal includes a first resource configuration, which is used to determine a first resource. The synchronization signal is a synchronization signal sent by a second access network device.

[0035] The transceiver unit is configured to receive downlink signals from the first access network device on a second resource, wherein the first resource is an unavailable resource for the downlink signals.

[0036] In some embodiments, in conjunction with the third aspect, the synchronization signal is SSB and / or LP-SS.

[0037] In some embodiments, in conjunction with the third aspect, the first resource configuration includes at least one of first information, a first period, or a first bias, wherein the first information is used to indicate the index of the synchronization signal, the first period is used to indicate the period of the first resource, and the first bias is used to indicate the bias of the first resource relative to the start time-domain position of the first period.

[0038] In some embodiments, in conjunction with the third aspect, the first bias is the number of subframes, the number of time slots, or the number of symbols.

[0039] In some embodiments, in conjunction with the third aspect, the first resource configuration further includes second information, the second information being used to indicate the type of the synchronization signal;

[0040] The type of the synchronization signal is either a non-on-demand synchronization signal or an on-demand synchronization signal.

[0041] In some embodiments, in conjunction with the third aspect, when the second information indicates that the type of the synchronization signal is the on-demand transmission synchronization signal, the first resource configuration further includes third information, the third information indicating the number of synchronization signals to be transmitted, or the third information indicating the transmission duration of the synchronization signal.

[0042] In some embodiments, in conjunction with the third aspect, the first resource configuration further includes a second cycle;

[0043] The second period is used to indicate the period of the first resource.

[0044] In some embodiments, in conjunction with the third aspect, the transceiver unit is further configured to:

[0045] Receive a first indication message, which indicates that the on-demand transmission of the synchronization signal is enabled, or the first indication message indicates that the second cycle is enabled.

[0046] In some embodiments, in conjunction with the third aspect, the first indication information is carried in a Radio Resource Control (RRC) message, or a Media Access Control (MAC) CE message, or a Downlink Control Information (DCI) message.

[0047] In some embodiments, in conjunction with the third aspect, the configuration information of the synchronization signal includes a synchronization signal list, the synchronization signal list includes N resource configurations, the N resource configurations include the first resource configuration, and N is an integer greater than or equal to 1.

[0048] Fourthly, embodiments of this disclosure provide a communication device, which may be the access network device itself, or a chip within the access network device. The device includes:

[0049] A transceiver unit is used to send configuration information for a synchronization signal. The configuration information for the synchronization signal includes a first resource configuration, which is used to determine a first resource. The synchronization signal is a synchronization signal sent by a second access network device.

[0050] A downlink signal is transmitted on a second resource, wherein the first resource is an unavailable resource for the downlink signal.

[0051] In some embodiments, in conjunction with the fourth aspect, the synchronization signal is SSB and / or LP-SS.

[0052] In some embodiments, in conjunction with the fourth aspect, the first resource configuration includes at least one of first information, a first period, or a first bias, wherein the first information is used to indicate an index of the synchronization signal, the first period is used to indicate the period of the first resource, and the first bias is used to indicate the bias of the first resource relative to the start time-domain position of the first period.

[0053] In some embodiments, in conjunction with the fourth aspect, the first bias is the number of subframes, the number of time slots, or the number of symbols.

[0054] In some embodiments, in conjunction with the fourth aspect, the first resource configuration further includes second information, the second information being used to indicate the type of the synchronization signal;

[0055] The type of the synchronization signal is either a non-on-demand synchronization signal or an on-demand synchronization signal.

[0056] In some embodiments, in conjunction with the fourth aspect, when the second information indicates that the type of the synchronization signal is the on-demand transmission synchronization signal, the first resource configuration further includes third information, the third information indicating the number of synchronization signals to be transmitted, or the third information indicating the transmission duration of the synchronization signal.

[0057] In some embodiments, in conjunction with the fourth aspect, the first resource configuration further includes a second cycle;

[0058] The second period is used to indicate the period of the first resource.

[0059] In some embodiments, in conjunction with the fourth aspect, the transceiver unit is further configured to:

[0060] Receive a first indication message, which indicates that the on-demand transmission of the synchronization signal is enabled, or the first indication message indicates that the second cycle is enabled.

[0061] In some embodiments, in conjunction with the fourth aspect, the first indication information is carried in a Radio Resource Control (RRC) message, or a Media Access Control (MAC) CE message, or a Downlink Control Information (DCI) message.

[0062] In some embodiments, in conjunction with the fourth aspect, the configuration information of the synchronization signal includes a synchronization signal list, the synchronization signal list includes N resource configurations, the N resource configurations include the first resource configuration, and N is an integer greater than or equal to 1.

[0063] Fifthly, embodiments of this disclosure provide a chip including a processor and a communication interface, the processor being configured to cause the chip to perform the methods described in the first or second aspect above.

[0064] In a sixth aspect, embodiments of this disclosure provide a module device, which includes a communication module, a power module, a storage module, and a chip, wherein: the power module is used to provide power to the module device; the storage module is used to store data and instructions; the communication module is used to perform internal communication within the module device or to enable communication between the module device and external devices; and the chip is used to execute the methods described in the first or second aspect above.

[0065] In a seventh aspect, embodiments of this disclosure disclose a communication device including a memory and a processor. The memory is used to store a computer program, the computer program including program instructions, and the processor is configured to invoke the program instructions to execute the methods described in the first or second aspect.

[0066] Eighthly, embodiments of this disclosure provide a computer-readable storage medium storing computer-readable instructions that, when executed on a communication device, cause the communication device to perform the methods described in the first or second aspect.

[0067] In a ninth aspect, embodiments of this disclosure provide a computer program or computer program product, including code or instructions, which, when executed on a computer, cause the computer to perform the methods described in the first or second aspect above.

[0068] In a tenth aspect, this disclosure provides a communication system including a terminal device and a first access network device, wherein the terminal device is configured to perform the method described in the first aspect, and the first access network device is configured to perform the method described in the second aspect. Attached Figure Description

[0069] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this disclosure, the accompanying drawings used in the description of the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the accompanying drawings described below are only some embodiments of this disclosure. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0070] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a system architecture provided in an embodiment of this disclosure.

[0071] Figure 2 is a flowchart illustrating a communication method provided in an embodiment of this disclosure.

[0072] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of a scenario with a first cycle and a first bias provided in an embodiment of this disclosure.

[0073] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of the structure of the MAC CE provided in an embodiment of this disclosure.

[0074] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device provided in an embodiment of this disclosure.

[0075] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of the structure of another communication device provided in an embodiment of this disclosure.

[0076] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a module device provided in an embodiment of this disclosure. Detailed Implementation

[0077] The technical solutions of the embodiments of this disclosure will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of this disclosure, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of this disclosure, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this disclosure.

[0078] The terminology used in the following embodiments of this disclosure is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of this disclosure. As used in the specification and appended claims of this disclosure, the singular expressions “a,” “an,” “the,” “the,” “the,” and “this” are intended to include the plural expressions as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0079] In this disclosure, "and / or" describes the relationship between associated objects, indicating that three relationships can exist. For example, A and / or B can represent the following three situations: A exists alone; A and B exist simultaneously; B exists alone. A and B can be singular or plural.

[0080] In this embodiment of the disclosure, the symbol " / " can indicate that the preceding and following related objects have an "or" relationship.

[0081] In this disclosure, "at least one item" or similar expressions refer to any combination of these items, including any combination of a single item or a plurality of items. "One or more" means one or more, while "multiple" means two or more. For example, "at least one item" of a, b, or c can represent the following seven cases: a, b, c; a and b; a and c; b and c; a, b, and c. Each of a, b, and c can be an element or a set containing one or more elements.

[0082] In this disclosure, "equal to" can be used with "greater than" and is applicable to technical solutions where "greater than" is used; it can also be used with "less than" and is applicable to technical solutions where "less than" is used. When "equal to" is used with "greater than", it is not used with "less than"; when "equal to" is used with "less than", it is not used with "greater than".

[0083] It should be noted that the terms "first," "second," "third," etc., used in the specification, claims, and accompanying drawings of this disclosure are used to distinguish similar objects and are not necessarily used to describe a specific order or sequence. It should be understood that such data can be interchanged where appropriate so that the embodiments of this disclosure described herein can be implemented in orders other than those illustrated or described herein. Furthermore, the term "comprising" and any variations thereof are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion; for example, a process, method, system, product, or server that includes a series of steps or units is not necessarily limited to those steps or units explicitly listed, but may include other steps or units not explicitly listed or inherent to such processes, methods, products, or devices.

[0084] To facilitate understanding of the embodiments of this disclosure, the system architecture involved in this disclosure will be described below.

[0085] This disclosure can be applied to fifth-generation (5G) systems, also known as new radio (NR) systems; or to sixth-generation (6G) systems, or seventh-generation (7G) systems, or other future communication systems; or it can be applied to device-to-device (D2D) systems, machine-to-machine (M2M) systems, vehicle-to-everything (V2X) systems, etc. In some embodiments, the descriptions of 6G, 7G, etc. in this disclosure refer to future communication systems, and this disclosure does not limit 6G, 7G, etc., and there may be other ways of expressing them.

[0086] This disclosure can be applied to the system architecture shown in Figure 1. The communication system 10 shown in Figure 1 may include, but is not limited to, access network device 110 and terminal device 120. The number and configuration of devices in Figure 1 are for illustrative purposes only and do not constitute a limitation on the embodiments of this disclosure. For example, in practical applications, multiple terminal devices may be included.

[0087] I. Terminal Equipment

[0088] Terminal equipment can be a device with transceiver capabilities, and can also be called a terminal, user equipment (UE), remote terminal equipment (relay UE), relay equipment (relay UE), access terminal equipment, user unit, user station, mobile station, mobile station, remote station, mobile device, user terminal equipment, smart terminal equipment, wireless communication equipment, user agent, or user device. It should be noted that relay equipment is a terminal device capable of providing relay forwarding services to other terminal equipment (including remote terminal equipment).

[0089] For example, terminal devices can be mobile phones, tablets, computers with wireless transceiver capabilities, virtual reality (VR) terminal devices, augmented reality (AR) terminal devices, mixed reality (MR) terminal devices, wireless terminal devices in industrial control, wireless terminal devices in autonomous driving, wireless terminal devices in remote medical care, wireless terminal devices in smart grids, wireless terminal devices in transportation safety, wireless terminal devices in smart cities, or wireless terminal devices in smart homes, etc.

[0090] For example, terminal devices can also be cellular phones, cordless phones, session initiation protocol (SIP) phones, wireless local loop (WLL) stations, personal digital assistants (PDAs), handheld devices with wireless communication capabilities, computing devices or other processing devices connected to a wireless modem, in-vehicle devices, wearable devices, terminal devices in next-generation communication systems (such as NR communication systems and 6G communication systems), or terminal devices in future evolved public land mobile networks (PLMNs), etc., without specific limitations.

[0091] In some implementations, the terminal device can be deployed on land, including indoors or outdoors, handheld, wearable, or vehicle-mounted; it can be deployed on water (such as ships); or it can be deployed in the air (such as airplanes, balloons, and satellites).

[0092] In some implementations, the terminal device may include means for wireless communication functionality, such as a chip system, a chip, or a chip module. For example, the chip system may include a chip, and may also include other discrete components.

[0093] In some implementations, the terminal device described in the embodiments of this disclosure may be a chip, chip module, device, unit, etc., and there are no specific limitations on it.

[0094] II. Access Network Equipment

[0095] Access network equipment can be a device with transceiver capabilities, which can be used to communicate with terminal devices.

[0096] In some implementations, access network devices can be responsible for radio resource management (RRM), quality of service (QoS) management, data compression and encryption, and data transmission and reception on the air interface side.

[0097] In some implementations, access network equipment may include base stations (BS) in a communication system or equipment deployed in a radio access network (RAN) to provide wireless communication functions; that is, access network equipment may include equipment in the RAN.

[0098] For example, devices in the RAN may include evolved node B (eNB or eNodeB) in long term evolution (LTE) communication systems, next generation evolved node B (ng-eNB) in NR communication systems, next generation node B (gNB) in NR communication systems, master node (MN) in dual connectivity architecture, and secondary node (SN) in dual connectivity architecture, etc., without specific restrictions.

[0099] In some implementations, access network devices may include devices in the core network (CN).

[0100] For example, devices in a CN may include access and mobility management function (AMF), user plane function (UPF), session management function (SMF), etc.

[0101] In some implementations, access network devices can also be access points (APs) in WLANs, relay stations, communication devices in future PLMN networks, communication devices in NTN networks, etc.

[0102] In some implementations, the access network device may include means for providing wireless communication capabilities to terminal devices, such as a chip system, a chip, or a chip module. For example, the chip system may include a chip, or it may include other discrete devices.

[0103] In some implementations, access network devices can communicate with Internet Protocol (IP) networks, such as the Internet, private IP networks, or other data networks.

[0104] In some implementations, the access network device may include a single node to implement the functions of the aforementioned base station, or it may include two or more independent nodes to implement the functions of the aforementioned base station. For example, the access network device includes a centralized unit (CU) and a distributed unit (DU), such as gNB-CU and gNB-DU. Furthermore, in some other embodiments of this disclosure, the access network device may also include an active antenna unit (AAU). The CU implements some of the functions of the access network device, and the DU implements other functions. For example, the CU is responsible for handling non-real-time protocols and services, implementing the functions of the radio resource control (RRC) layer, the service data adaptation protocol (SDAP) layer, and the packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) layer. The DU is responsible for handling physical layer protocols and real-time services, implementing the functions of the radio link control (RLC) layer, the medium access control (MAC) layer, and the physical (PHY) layer. Additionally, the AAU can implement some physical layer processing functions, radio frequency processing, and related functions of the active antenna. Since RRC layer information ultimately becomes PHY layer information, or is derived from PHY layer information, in this network deployment, higher-layer signaling (such as RRC signaling) can be considered to be generated by the CU and sent by the DU, or jointly sent by the DU and AAU. It is understood that access network equipment can include at least one of CU, DU, and AAU. Furthermore, the CU can be classified as RAN equipment, or it can be classified as core network equipment; there are no specific limitations on this.

[0105] In some implementations, the access network device can be any site in a multi-site coherent joint transmission (CJT) with the terminal device, or another site outside of that multi-site group, or other access network devices communicating with the terminal device via the network; no specific limitations are imposed. Multi-site coherent joint transmission can be multiple sites jointly transmitting coherently, or different data belonging to the same physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) being sent from different sites to the terminal device, or multiple sites being virtually merged into one site for transmission. Names with the same meaning as those specified in other standards also apply to this disclosure; that is, this disclosure does not limit the names of these parameters. The sites in multi-site coherent joint transmission can be remote radio heads (RRHs), transmission and reception points (TRPs), access network devices, etc., without specific limitations.

[0106] In some implementations, the access network device can be any of the multiple sites that perform noncoherent cooperative transmission with the terminal device, or other sites outside of those multiple sites, or other access network devices that communicate with the terminal device via the network; no specific restrictions are imposed. Multi-site noncoherent cooperative transmission can be joint noncoherent transmission by multiple sites, or different data belonging to the same PDSCH sent to the terminal device from different sites, or different data belonging to the same PDSCH sent to the terminal device from different sites. Names with the same meaning as those specified in other standards also apply to this disclosure; that is, this disclosure does not limit the names of these parameters. The sites in multi-site noncoherent cooperative transmission can be RRH, TRP, access network devices, etc., without specific limitations.

[0107] In some implementations, the access network equipment may have mobility characteristics; for example, the access network equipment may be a mobile device. In some embodiments, the access network equipment may be a satellite or a balloon station. For example, the satellite may be a low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite, a medium Earth orbit (MEO) satellite, a geostationary earth orbit (GEO) satellite, a highly elliptical orbit (HEO) satellite, etc. In some embodiments, the access network equipment may also be a base station located on land, water, or other similar locations.

[0108] In some implementations, access network equipment can provide services to a cell, and terminal devices within that cell can communicate with the access network equipment via transmission resources (such as spectrum resources). This cell can be a macro cell, small cell, metro cell, micro cell, pico cell, or femto cell, etc.

[0109] In some implementations, the access network device described in the embodiments of this disclosure may be a chip, chip module, device, unit, etc., and there are no specific limitations on it.

[0110] First, some terms used in the embodiments of this disclosure will be explained to facilitate understanding by those skilled in the art.

[0111] 1. Synchronization signal

[0112] The synchronization signal described in the embodiments of this disclosure may refer to SSB and / or LP-SS.

[0113] 2. Synchronization signals sent on demand, and synchronization signals sent on demand.

[0114] The non-on-demand synchronization signals described in this disclosure can also be called always-on synchronization signals or normally-open synchronization signals. For example, taking the synchronization signal as SSB, a non-on-demand synchronization signal can refer to an always-on SSB, or be understood as the Synchronization signals defined in protocol 38.211 7.4.2, or the SS / PBCH block defined in protocol 7.4.3. An on-demand synchronization signal can refer to an on-demand SSB (abbreviated as OD-SSB). On-demand transmission means that the SSB needs to be indicated / triggered by signaling before it can start transmitting. As another example, taking the synchronization signal as LP-SS, a non-on-demand synchronization signal can refer to an always-on LP-SS, while an on-demand synchronization signal can refer to an LP-SS that needs to be indicated / triggered by signaling before it can start transmitting.

[0115] Regarding rate matching between 5G and 4G, only rate matching between NR and LTE cell-specific reference signals (CRS) is proposed, but rate matching between LTE primary synchronization signal (PSS), secondary synchronization signal (SSS), and channel state information-reference signal (CSI-RS) is not proposed. Rate matching between NR and LTE CRS refers to the need for rate matching on the NR side of the resource element (RE) where the CRS resides, in dynamic spectrum sharing scenarios, because conflicts may occur between the LTE cell reference signal (CRS) and the NR physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH). With the development of communication technology, in order to support spectrum sharing between future communication systems (such as 6th generation mobile communication (6G) communication systems) and 5G communication systems, the downlink transmission of 6G must not affect the transmission of key channels or signals of 5G (that is, the downlink of 6G needs to be rate-matched with the downlink of 5G). However, the specific implementation scheme of how to ensure that the downlink transmission of 6G does not affect the downlink transmission of 5G has not yet been discussed.

[0116] This disclosure proposes a communication method that enables 6G downlink transmission without affecting 5G downlink transmission, thereby improving communication performance.

[0117] Please refer to Figure 2, which is a flowchart illustrating a communication method provided in an embodiment of this disclosure. The communication method includes steps S201 to S202. The method execution entities shown in Figure 2 can be a terminal device and a first access network device, or the entities can be chips in the terminal device and chips in the first access network device. Alternatively, the method execution entities shown in Figure 2 can also be other types of products, and those skilled in the art can further expand upon this based on the content disclosed in the specification. The method execution entities shown in Figure 2 are, for example, a terminal device and a first access network device.

[0118] S201. The first access network device sends configuration information for the synchronization signal to the terminal. Correspondingly, the terminal device receives the configuration information for the synchronization signal from the first access network device.

[0119] The configuration information of the synchronization signal includes a first resource configuration, which is used to determine the first resource. It should be understood that the synchronization signal is a synchronization signal sent by the second access network device, or that the first resource is used by the second access network device to send the synchronization signal. In this embodiment, the first network standard supported by the first access network device and the second network standard supported by the second access network device are different. For example, the first network standard supported by the first access network device may be 6G, and the second network standard supported by the second access network device may be 5G. For ease of description, the following description mainly uses the example of a 6G cell under the first access network device and a 5G cell (or NR cell) under the second access network device. In some embodiments, the synchronization signal may be an SSB and / or LP-SS. For ease of understanding, the following description mainly uses SSB as the synchronization signal. In some embodiments, the first access network device and the second access network device may share spectrum. Taking a 6G access network device as the first access network device and a 5G access network device as the second access network device as an example, assuming that the 5G access network device needs to use the first resource to send a synchronization signal, since 5G and 6G share the spectrum, the downlink transmission resources used by the 6G access network device need to avoid the resources used by the 5G access network device to send a synchronization signal.

[0120] In one design (a), the first resource configuration includes at least one of first information, a first period, or a first offset, wherein the first information is used to indicate the index of the synchronization signal, the first period is used to indicate the period of the first resource, and the first offset is used to indicate the offset of the first resource relative to the starting time domain position of the first period. For example, the first resource configuration includes: first information; or a first period; or a first offset; or first information and a first period; or a first period and a first offset; or first information and a first offset; or first information, a first period, and a first offset. For example, taking the synchronization signal as an SSB, the first information can be ssb-PositionsInBurst, which indicates the actual SSB transmitted within the SSB burst; or the first information can also be duration, which indicates the number of time units occupied by the configured SSB.

[0121] For example, the first offset involved in the embodiments of this disclosure can be the number of time units of the first network standard, such as one or more of the number of subframes, the number of time slots, or the number of symbols. That is, the first offset in the embodiments of this disclosure can be at the subframe level, or at the time slot level, or at the symbol level, or the first offset can be a combination of subframes, time slots, or symbols, such as a combination of the number of subframes and the number of symbols, or a combination of the number of subframes and the number of time slots, or a combination of subframes, time slots, and symbols. For ease of understanding, the following text mainly uses the number of subframes as the first offset as an example. Furthermore, the first offset can also include the number of time slots and / or the number of symbols.

[0122] For example, as shown in Figure 3(a), assuming the time unit of a 5G cell is a time slot, with each time slot being 1ms, and the SSB transmission period of the second access network device corresponding to the 5G cell being 10ms, and the SSB being transmitted at time slot 0 and time slot 1 every 10ms. Also assuming the time unit of a 6G cell is also a time slot, with each time slot being 1ms, then the first resource configuration of the first access network device corresponding to the 6G cell has a first period of 10 time slots and a first offset of 5 time slots.

[0123] For example, as shown in Figure 3(b), assuming the time unit of a 5G cell is a time slot, with each time slot being 1ms, and the SSB transmission period of the second access network device corresponding to the 5G cell being 10ms, and the SSB being transmitted at times slot 0 and times slot 1 every 10ms. Also assuming the time unit of a 6G cell is also a time slot, with each time slot being 0.5ms, then the first resource configuration of the first access network device corresponding to the 6G cell has a first period of 20 time slots and a first offset of 10 time slots.

[0124] For example, as shown in Figure 3(c), assuming the time unit of a 5G cell is a time slot, with each time slot being 1ms, and the SSB transmission period of the second access network device corresponding to the 5G cell being 10ms, and the SSB being transmitted at time slot 0 and time slot 1 every 10ms. Also assuming the time unit of a 6G cell is also a time slot, with each time slot being 1ms, then the first period in the first resource configuration of the first access network device corresponding to the 6G cell is 10 time slots, and the first offset can be 5 time slots and 3 symbols.

[0125] In some embodiments, the first resource configuration may also include information such as the SSB frequency point and the SSB subcarrier spacing (SCS). For example, the first resource configuration includes the SSB frequency point, SSB SCS, SSB-PositionsInBurst, first period, and first offset. As another example, the first resource configuration includes the SSB frequency point, SSB SCS, duration, first period, and first offset.

[0126] In one design (ii), based on the above design (i), the first resource configuration further includes second information, which indicates the type of synchronization signal. The type of synchronization signal is either a non-demand transmission synchronization signal or an on-demand transmission synchronization signal. For example, taking the synchronization signal as SSB, a non-demand transmission synchronization signal can refer to always-on SSB, and an on-demand transmission synchronization signal can refer to on-demand SSB. In some embodiments, when the second information indicates that the type of synchronization signal is an on-demand transmission synchronization signal, the first resource configuration may further include third information, which indicates the number of synchronization signals transmitted, or the transmission duration of the synchronization signal (or the activation duration of the on-demand transmission synchronization signal). For example, the first resource configuration includes the SSB frequency point, SSB SCS, SSB-PositionsInBurst, first period, first offset, second information, and third information.

[0127] In one design (iii), when the SSB transmitted by the second access network device is SSB adaptation (i.e., the NR SSB is SSB adaptation), based on the above design (i), the first resource configuration may further include a second period, which is used to indicate the period of the first resource, wherein the first period and the second period are different. In some embodiments, the first resource configuration may further include a second offset, which is used to indicate the offset of the first resource relative to the starting time domain position of the second period, wherein the first offset and the second offset are different. For example, the first resource configuration includes SSB frequency point, SSB SCS, ssb-PositionsInBurst, first period, first offset, second period, and second offset.

[0128] As another example, the updated first resource can also be indicated by configuring another resource configuration associated with the first resource configuration. For example, the first resource configuration (i.e., RateMatchPatternNR-SSB) includes the SSB frequency point, SSB SCS, ssb-PositionsInBurst, first period, and first offset; the other resource configuration associated with the first resource configuration (i.e., RateMatchPatternNR-SSB2) includes the SSB frequency point, SSB SCS, ssb-PositionsInBurst, second period, and second offset.

[0129] In one design (four), an NR cell may contain both CD-SSB (cell-defined-SSB) and NCD-SSB (non-cell-defined-SSB), thus there may be cases where multiple SSBs are included. Similarly, a 6G cell may contain multiple NR cells, thus there may also be cases where multiple SSBs are included. Based on this, the configuration information of the synchronization signal may also include a synchronization signal list (e.g., an SSB list), which includes N resource configurations, including a first resource configuration, where N is an integer greater than or equal to 1. Generally, one resource configuration corresponds to one SSB. In some embodiments, considering that the synchronization signals corresponding to different TRPs / beams may be different, multiple SSB lists may also be configured, with one TRP corresponding to one SSB list, and one SSB list may contain multiple resource configurations corresponding to multiple SSBs. The contents included in the resource configuration of each SSB can be found in the description of any one of the aforementioned designs (one) to (three), and will not be elaborated here.

[0130] For designs (ii) and / or (iii), since the on-demand SSB or SSB adaptation is not always present but requires activation / enabling, the first access network device may also send a first indication message to the terminal, which indicates activation / enabling of the on-demand synchronization signal, and / or, indicates activation / enabling of the second cycle. Exemplarily, the first indication message is carried in an RRC message, or a MAC CE, or a DCI. In some embodiments, the first indication message may also be applicable to a combination of designs (ii) and (iv), and / or to a combination of designs (iii) and (iv).

[0131] In one implementation ①, when the first indication information is carried in the MAC CE, the MAC CE may include N (N≥1) bits, where each bit corresponds to a synchronization signal. For example, assuming it is a combination of design (ii) and design (iv), when the value of one bit corresponding to a certain synchronization signal in the N bits is "1", it indicates that the corresponding on-demand SSB is activated, and when the value of one bit corresponding to a certain synchronization signal is "0", it indicates that the on-demand SSB is deactivated. Alternatively, when the value of one bit corresponding to a certain synchronization signal is "0", it indicates that the corresponding on-demand SSB is activated, and when the value of one bit corresponding to a certain synchronization signal is "1", it indicates that the on-demand SSB is deactivated.

[0132] For example, assuming a combination of Design (III) and Design (IV), when the value of one bit corresponding to a certain synchronization signal in N bits is "1", it indicates that the second cycle of the synchronization signal is enabled; when the value of one bit corresponding to a certain synchronization signal in N bits is "0", it indicates that the first cycle of the synchronization signal is enabled. Alternatively, when the value of one bit corresponding to a certain synchronization signal in N bits is "0", it indicates that the second cycle of the synchronization signal is enabled; when the value of one bit corresponding to a certain synchronization signal in N bits is "1", it indicates that the first cycle of the synchronization signal is enabled.

[0133] For example, on-demand SSB and SSB adaptation can also use the same MAC-CE indicator. That is, if it is a combination of design (III), design (III) and design (IV), there may be 2N bits (for ease of distinction, they will be referred to as N1 and N2 respectively in the following text). When the value of one bit corresponding to a certain synchronization signal in N1 bits is "1", it indicates that the second cycle of the synchronization signal is enabled. When the value of one bit corresponding to a certain synchronization signal in N1 bits is "0", it indicates that the first cycle of the synchronization signal is enabled. Alternatively, when the value of one bit corresponding to a certain synchronization signal in N1 bits is "0", it indicates that the second cycle of the synchronization signal is enabled. When the value of one bit corresponding to a certain synchronization signal in N1 bits is "1", it indicates that the first cycle of the synchronization signal is enabled. When the value of one bit corresponding to a certain synchronization signal in N2 bits is "1", it indicates that the second cycle of the synchronization signal is enabled. When the value of one bit corresponding to a certain synchronization signal in N2 bits is "0", it indicates that the first cycle of the synchronization signal is enabled. Alternatively, when the value of one bit corresponding to a certain synchronization signal in N2 bits is "0", it indicates that the second cycle of the synchronization signal is enabled. When the value of one bit corresponding to a certain synchronization signal in N2 bits is "1", it indicates that the first cycle of the synchronization signal is enabled.

[0134] Furthermore, the MAC CE may also include an identifier of the 6G cell under the first access network device. In some embodiments, the MAC CE may also include a BWP ID.

[0135] For ease of understanding, a MAC CE pattern can be shown in Figure 4(a). This MAC CE is only applicable to the case with only one SSB (i.e., SSB0), or the case where N=1. In addition, the MAC CE also includes the Serving Cell ID, which is the 6G cell ID, and also includes the BWP ID.

[0136] Another MAC CE style is shown in Figure 4(b). This MAC-CE is only applicable to the case where there is only one SSB list. In Figure 4(b), N=16 (SSB0 to SSB15 respectively). In addition, the MAC CE also includes the Severing Cell ID, which is the 6G cell ID, and also includes the BWP ID.

[0137] Another type of MAC CE is shown in Figure 4(c). This MAC-CE can be applied to multiple SSB lists, with one SSB list corresponding to one MAC CE. As shown in Figure 4(c), the MAC CE contains an SSB list ID. The SSB list corresponding to the SSB list ID contains SSB0 to SSB15, that is, N=16. In addition, the MAC CE also includes the serving cell ID, which is the 6G cell ID.

[0138] In some embodiments, when the first indication information is carried on a MAC CE, the content indicated by the MAC CE does not typically take effect immediately after the terminal receives it. Instead, a certain effective delay is required to ensure that the start time when the first access network device stops using the first resource to send downlink signals is the same as / consistent with the start time when the terminal understands that it will not receive downlink signals from the first access network device on the first resource. In some embodiments, the aforementioned MAC CE can be transmitted via a physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH).

[0139] For example, suppose the terminal receives a PDSCH from the first access network device at time t1 (this PDSCH is the PDSCH containing the aforementioned MAC-CE, and the MAC-CE contains the aforementioned first indication information), and sends a hybrid automatic repeat request-acknowledgement (HARQ-ACK) for the PDSCH to the first access network device at time t2. Then, the start time when the first access network device does not send downlink signals on the first resource, or the start time when the terminal does not receive downlink signals from the first access network device on the first resource, can be t2+3ms, that is, the effective delay is 3 milliseconds after the terminal sends the HARQ-ACK for the PDSCH.

[0140] Generally speaking, after MAC-CE takes effect, the resource where the first SSB that meets the first resource configuration is located is an unavailable resource (i.e., the first resource). For example, taking the time slot where t2+3ms is located as time slot 5, assuming that the first period in the first resource configuration is 20ms, the first offset is 0, and the SSB SCS is 15kHz, then the resource where the first SSB that meets the first resource configuration is located (here mainly refers to the time domain resource) is time slot 20.

[0141] In one implementation ②, when the first indication information is carried in a DCI, the DCI can be a scheduling DCI, which is a DCI used to schedule data transmission. For example, a specific field within the scheduling DCI can be used, such as reusing reserved bits in the time-domain resource field, or adding a new column to the table of the time-domain resource field to indicate the enabled on-demand transmission synchronization signal, or to indicate the enabled second-cycle synchronization signal. Alternatively, a new field can be added to the scheduling DCI to indicate the enabled on-demand transmission synchronization signal, or to indicate the enabled second-cycle synchronization signal. In this embodiment of the disclosure, when the first indication information is carried in a DCI, the DCI can also be a non-scheduling DCI, which is a DCI without scheduled data.

[0142] S202, the first access network device transmits a downlink signal on the second resource. Correspondingly, the terminal device receives the downlink signal from the first access network device on the second resource.

[0143] It should be understood that the first resource and the second resource are different. The first resource is the unavailable resource for downlink signals (or rate matching resource), or it can be understood as the resource used by the second access network device to send synchronization signals.

[0144] In this embodiment, the first network standard supported by the first access network device can be, for example, 6G, and the second network standard supported by the second access network device can be, for example, 5G. By configuring the terminal with a first resource for the second access network device to transmit synchronization signals, the terminal can subsequently receive downlink signals from the first access network device on a second resource different from the first resource, instead of on the first resource. Therefore, 6G downlink transmission can be implemented without affecting 5G downlink transmission (e.g., the transmission of 5G synchronization signals), thereby improving communication performance.

[0145] The embodiment corresponding to Figure 2 above mainly introduces a scheme for rate matching of 6G to 5G synchronization signals. In some embodiments, and in some feasible implementations, 6G can also perform rate matching of 5G CSI-RS, tracking reference signal (TRS), etc., so that 6G downlink transmission does not affect 5G downlink transmission (e.g., 5G CSI-RS / TRS transmission), thereby improving communication performance. For example, the following implementation methods can be included:

[0146] Method 1: The first access network device sends the configuration information of the zero power channel state information-reference signal resource (ZP CSI-RS) set to the terminal. Unlike the configuration information of the ZP CSI-RS resource set which is based on BWP, the configuration information of the ZP CSI-RS resource set in Method 1 is based on the cell configuration. The resource indicated by the configuration information of the ZP CSI-RS resource set is the unavailable resource for the second access network device to send downlink signals.

[0147] Method 2: The first access network device sends RateMatchPattern configuration information to the terminal. Unlike existing RateMatchPattern configuration information which is based on the resource block (RB) level, Method 2 uses RE-level configuration information. This RE-level RateMatchPattern configuration information is used to indicate unavailable / available resources when the first access network device sends downlink signals. For example, existing RB-level configuration uses 273 bits to indicate which of the 273 RBs are available and which are unavailable when the first access network device sends downlink signals, with one bit corresponding to one RB. However, the RE-level configuration requires 12*273 (i.e., 3276) bits to indicate which of the 3276 REs are available and which are unavailable when the first access network device sends downlink signals, with one bit corresponding to one RE. For example, when the value of the bit corresponding to a certain RE is "1", it indicates that the RE is an unavailable resource for the first access network device to transmit downlink signals, and when the value of the bit corresponding to a certain RE is "0", it indicates that the RE is an available resource for the first access network device to transmit downlink signals. Alternatively, it could also be that when the value of the bit corresponding to a certain RE is "0", it indicates that the RE is an unavailable resource for the first access network device to transmit downlink signals, and when the value of the bit corresponding to a certain RE is "1", it indicates that the RE is an available resource for the first access network device to transmit downlink signals.

[0148] Please refer to Figure 5, which is a schematic diagram of a communication device provided in an embodiment of this disclosure. This communication device can be a terminal device or a device with terminal device functions (e.g., a chip). For example, as shown in Figure 5, the communication device 500 may include a transceiver unit 501 and a processing unit 502, wherein:

[0149] In the first implementation, when the communication device is a terminal device:

[0150] The transceiver unit 501 is configured to receive configuration information of a synchronization signal from a first access network device, wherein the configuration information of the synchronization signal includes a first resource configuration, the first resource configuration being used to determine a first resource, and the synchronization signal being a synchronization signal sent by a second access network device; the transceiver unit 501 is configured to receive a downlink signal from the first access network device on a second resource, wherein the first resource is an unavailable resource of the downlink signal.

[0151] In one implementation, the synchronization signal is SSB and / or LP-SS.

[0152] In one implementation, the first resource configuration includes at least one of first information, a first period, or a first bias, wherein the first information is used to indicate the index of the synchronization signal, the first period is used to indicate the period of the first resource, and the first bias is used to indicate the bias of the first resource relative to the start time-domain position of the first period.

[0153] In one implementation, the first bias is the number of subframes, the number of time slots, or the number of symbols.

[0154] In one implementation, the first resource configuration further includes second information, which indicates the type of the synchronization signal;

[0155] The type of the synchronization signal is either a non-on-demand synchronization signal or an on-demand synchronization signal.

[0156] In one implementation, when the second information indicates that the type of the synchronization signal is the on-demand transmission synchronization signal, the first resource configuration further includes third information, which indicates the number of times the synchronization signal is transmitted, or the third information indicates the transmission duration of the synchronization signal.

[0157] In one implementation, the first resource configuration also includes a second cycle;

[0158] The second period is used to indicate the period of the first resource.

[0159] In one implementation, the transceiver unit 501 is further configured to:

[0160] Receive a first indication message, which indicates that the on-demand transmission of the synchronization signal is enabled, or the first indication message indicates that the second cycle is enabled.

[0161] In one implementation, the first indication information is carried in an RRC message, or a MAC CE, or a DCI.

[0162] In one implementation, the configuration information of the synchronization signal includes a synchronization signal list, the synchronization signal list includes N resource configurations, the N resource configurations include the first resource configuration, and N is an integer greater than or equal to 1.

[0163] In the second implementation, when the communication device is an access network device:

[0164] The transceiver unit 501 is used to transmit configuration information for a synchronization signal, the configuration information of which includes a first resource configuration. The first resource configuration is used to determine a first resource, and the synchronization signal is a synchronization signal transmitted by a second access network device. The transceiver unit 501 is also used to transmit a downlink signal on a second resource, where the first resource is an unavailable resource for the downlink signal. In some embodiments, the processing unit 502 is used to process the received downlink signal, synchronization signal, etc.

[0165] In one implementation, the synchronization signal is SSB and / or LP-SS.

[0166] In one implementation, the first resource configuration includes at least one of first information, a first period, or a first bias, wherein the first information is used to indicate the index of the synchronization signal, the first period is used to indicate the period of the first resource, and the first bias is used to indicate the bias of the first resource relative to the start time-domain position of the first period.

[0167] In one implementation, the first bias is the number of subframes, the number of time slots, or the number of symbols.

[0168] In one implementation, the first resource configuration further includes second information, which indicates the type of the synchronization signal;

[0169] The type of the synchronization signal is either a non-on-demand synchronization signal or an on-demand synchronization signal.

[0170] In one implementation, when the second information indicates that the type of the synchronization signal is the on-demand transmission synchronization signal, the first resource configuration further includes third information, which indicates the number of times the synchronization signal is transmitted, or the third information indicates the transmission duration of the synchronization signal.

[0171] In one implementation, the first resource configuration also includes a second cycle;

[0172] The second period is used to indicate the period of the first resource.

[0173] In one implementation, the transceiver unit 501 is further configured to:

[0174] Receive a first indication message, which indicates that the on-demand transmission of the synchronization signal is enabled, or the first indication message indicates that the second cycle is enabled.

[0175] In one implementation, the first indication information is carried in an RRC message, or a MAC CE, or a DCI.

[0176] In one implementation, the configuration information of the synchronization signal includes a synchronization signal list, the synchronization signal list includes N resource configurations, the N resource configurations include the first resource configuration, and N is an integer greater than or equal to 1.

[0177] This disclosure also provides a chip capable of performing the steps of the terminal device or access network device described in the foregoing method embodiments. The chip includes a processor and a communication interface, the processor being configured to cause the chip to perform the following operations:

[0178] In the first implementation, when the chip is used to execute the relevant steps of the terminal device in the foregoing method embodiments, the processor is configured to cause the chip to perform the following operations:

[0179] The configuration information for receiving a synchronization signal from a first access network device includes a first resource configuration, which is used to determine a first resource. The synchronization signal is a synchronization signal sent by a second access network device.

[0180] The downlink signal from the first access network device is received on a second resource, where the first resource is an unavailable resource for the downlink signal.

[0181] In one implementation, the synchronization signal is SSB and / or LP-SS.

[0182] In one implementation, the first resource configuration includes at least one of first information, a first period, or a first bias, wherein the first information is used to indicate the index of the synchronization signal, the first period is used to indicate the period of the first resource, and the first bias is used to indicate the bias of the first resource relative to the start time-domain position of the first period.

[0183] In one implementation, the first bias is the number of subframes, the number of time slots, or the number of symbols.

[0184] In one implementation, the first resource configuration further includes second information, which indicates the type of the synchronization signal;

[0185] The type of the synchronization signal is either a non-on-demand synchronization signal or an on-demand synchronization signal.

[0186] In one implementation, when the second information indicates that the type of the synchronization signal is the on-demand transmission synchronization signal, the first resource configuration further includes third information, which indicates the number of times the synchronization signal is transmitted, or the third information indicates the transmission duration of the synchronization signal.

[0187] In one implementation, the first resource configuration also includes a second cycle;

[0188] The second period is used to indicate the period of the first resource.

[0189] In one implementation, the method further includes:

[0190] Receive a first indication message, which indicates that the on-demand transmission of the synchronization signal is enabled, or the first indication message indicates that the second cycle is enabled.

[0191] In one implementation, the first indication information is carried in an RRC message, or a MAC CE, or a DCI.

[0192] In one implementation, the configuration information of the synchronization signal includes a synchronization signal list, the synchronization signal list includes N resource configurations, the N resource configurations include the first resource configuration, and N is an integer greater than or equal to 1.

[0193] In the second implementation, when the chip is used to perform the relevant steps of the access network device in the aforementioned method embodiments, the processor is configured to cause the chip to perform the following operations:

[0194] Configuration information for sending synchronization signals, wherein the configuration information for the synchronization signals includes a first resource configuration, the first resource configuration being used to determine a first resource, and the synchronization signal being a synchronization signal sent by a second access network device;

[0195] A downlink signal is transmitted on a second resource, wherein the first resource is an unavailable resource for the downlink signal.

[0196] In one implementation, the synchronization signal is SSB and / or LP-SS.

[0197] In one implementation, the first resource configuration includes at least one of first information, a first period, or a first bias, wherein the first information is used to indicate the index of the synchronization signal, the first period is used to indicate the period of the first resource, and the first bias is used to indicate the bias of the first resource relative to the start time-domain position of the first period.

[0198] In one implementation, the first bias is the number of subframes, the number of time slots, or the number of symbols.

[0199] In one implementation, the first resource configuration further includes second information, which indicates the type of the synchronization signal;

[0200] The type of the synchronization signal is either a non-on-demand synchronization signal or an on-demand synchronization signal.

[0201] In one implementation, when the second information indicates that the type of the synchronization signal is the on-demand transmission synchronization signal, the first resource configuration further includes third information, which indicates the number of times the synchronization signal is transmitted, or the third information indicates the transmission duration of the synchronization signal.

[0202] In one implementation, the first resource configuration also includes a second cycle;

[0203] The second period is used to indicate the period of the first resource.

[0204] In one implementation, the method further includes:

[0205] Receive a first indication message, which indicates that the on-demand transmission of the synchronization signal is enabled, or the first indication message indicates that the second cycle is enabled.

[0206] In one implementation, the first indication information is carried in an RRC message, or a MAC CE, or a DCI.

[0207] In one implementation, the configuration information of the synchronization signal includes a synchronization signal list, the synchronization signal list includes N resource configurations, the N resource configurations include the first resource configuration, and N is an integer greater than or equal to 1.

[0208] In some embodiments, the chip includes at least one processor, at least one first memory, and at least one second memory; wherein the at least one first memory and the at least one processor are interconnected by a circuit, and the first memory stores instructions; the at least one second memory and the at least one processor are interconnected by a circuit, and the second memory stores data that needs to be stored in the above method embodiments.

[0209] For each device or product applied to or integrated into a chip, each of its modules can be implemented using hardware methods such as circuits, or at least some modules can be implemented using software programs that run on a processor integrated inside the chip, while the remaining (if any) modules can be implemented using hardware methods such as circuits.

[0210] Please refer to Figure 6, which is a schematic diagram of another communication device provided in an embodiment of this disclosure. This communication device can be a terminal device or an access network device. The communication device 600 may include a memory 601 and a processor 602. In some embodiments, it also includes a communication interface 603. The memory 601, processor 602, and communication interface 603 are connected via one or more communication buses. The communication interface 603 is controlled by the processor 602 for sending and receiving information.

[0211] Memory 601 may include read-only memory and random access memory, and provides instructions and data to processor 602. A portion of memory 601 may also include non-volatile random access memory.

[0212] Communication interface 603 is used to receive or send data.

[0213] Processor 602 may be a Central Processing Unit (CPU), but it can also 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; in some embodiments, processor 602 may also be any conventional processor.

[0214] Memory 601 is used to store program instructions.

[0215] Processor 602 is used to call program instructions stored in memory 601.

[0216] The processor 602 calls the program instructions stored in the memory 601, causing the communication device 600 to execute the method executed by the terminal device or access network device in the above method embodiment.

[0217] Please refer to Figure 7, which is a schematic diagram of the structure of a module device provided in an embodiment of this disclosure. The module device 700 can perform the relevant steps of the terminal device or access network device in the foregoing method embodiments. The module device 700 includes: a communication module 701, a power module 702, a storage module 703, and a chip 704.

[0218] The power module 702 is used to provide power to the module device; the storage module 703 is used to store data and instructions; the communication module 701 is used for internal communication within the module device or for communication between the module device and external devices; and the chip 704 is used to execute the methods executed by the terminal device or access network device in the above method embodiments.

[0219] It should be noted that the contents not mentioned in the embodiments corresponding to Figures 6 and 7, as well as the implementation methods of each step, can be found in the embodiment shown in Figure 2 and the foregoing content, and will not be repeated here.

[0220] This disclosure also provides a computer-readable storage medium (e.g., a non-volatile / non-transitory computer-readable storage medium) storing instructions that, when executed on a processor, enable the implementation of the method flow described in the above method embodiments.

[0221] This disclosure also provides a computer program product storing computer-readable instructions that, when executed on a computer, cause the computer to perform the method flow described in the above method embodiments.

[0222] Regarding the modules / units included in the various devices and products described in the above embodiments, they can be software modules / units, hardware modules / units, or a combination of both. For example, for various devices and products applied to or integrated into a chip, all of their modules / units can be implemented using hardware methods such as circuits, or at least some modules / units can be implemented using software programs that run on the chip's integrated processor, while the remaining (if any) modules / units can be implemented using hardware methods such as circuits. For various devices and products applied to or integrated into a chip module, all of their modules / units can be implemented using hardware methods such as circuits. Different modules / units can be located in the same part (e.g., chip, circuit module, etc.) or different components of the chip module, or at least some modules / units... It can be implemented using software programs that run on the processor integrated within the chip module. The remaining (if any) modules / units can be implemented using hardware methods such as circuits. For various devices and products applied to or integrated into the terminal, the modules / units they contain can all be implemented using hardware methods such as circuits. Different modules / units can be located in the same component (e.g., chip, circuit module, etc.) or different components within the terminal. Alternatively, at least some modules / units can be implemented using software programs that run on the processor integrated within the terminal, while the remaining (if any) modules / units can be implemented using hardware methods such as circuits.

[0223] It should be noted that, for the sake of simplicity, the foregoing method embodiments are all described as a series of actions. However, those skilled in the art should understand that this disclosure is not limited to the described order of actions, because according to this disclosure, some operations can be performed in other orders or simultaneously. Furthermore, those skilled in the art should also understand that the embodiments described in the specification are exemplary embodiments, and the actions and modules involved are not necessarily essential to this disclosure.

[0224] The descriptions of the various embodiments provided in this disclosure can be referenced interchangeably. Each embodiment has its own emphasis, and parts not detailed in a particular embodiment can be found in the relevant descriptions of other embodiments. For ease of description and brevity, the functions and operations of the various devices and equipment provided in the embodiments of this disclosure can be referred to the relevant descriptions of the method embodiments of this disclosure. The method embodiments and device embodiments can also be referenced, combined, or cited from each other. All embodiments of this disclosure can be executed individually or in combination with other embodiments, and all are considered to be within the scope of protection claimed by this disclosure.

[0225] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of this disclosure, and are not intended to limit them. Although this disclosure has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications can still be made to the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments, or equivalent substitutions can be made to some or all of the technical features therein. Such modifications or substitutions do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of this disclosure.

Claims

1. A communication method, comprising: The configuration information for receiving a synchronization signal from a first access network device includes a first resource configuration, which is used to determine a first resource. The synchronization signal is a synchronization signal sent by a second access network device. The downlink signal from the first access network device is received on a second resource, where the first resource is an unavailable resource for the downlink signal.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein, The synchronization signal is a synchronization signal block SSB and / or a low-power synchronization signal LP-SS.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The first resource configuration includes at least one of first information, a first period, or a first offset, wherein the first information is used to indicate the index of the synchronization signal, the first period is used to indicate the period of the first resource, and the first offset is used to indicate the offset of the first resource relative to the starting time domain position of the first period.

4. The method according to claim 3, wherein, The first bias is the number of subframes, the number of time slots, or the number of symbols.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1-4, wherein, The first resource configuration also includes second information, which is used to indicate the type of the synchronization signal; The type of the synchronization signal is either a non-on-demand synchronization signal or an on-demand synchronization signal.

6. The method according to claim 5, wherein, When the second information indicates that the type of the synchronization signal is the on-demand transmission synchronization signal, the first resource configuration further includes third information, which indicates the number of synchronization signals to be transmitted, or the third information indicates the transmission duration of the synchronization signal.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1-4, wherein, The first resource allocation also includes a second cycle; The second period is used to indicate the period of the first resource.

8. The method according to any one of claims 5-7, further comprising: Receive a first indication message, which indicates that the on-demand transmission of the synchronization signal is enabled, or the first indication message indicates that the second cycle is enabled.

9. The method according to claim 8, wherein, The first indication information is carried in a Radio Resource Control (RRC) message, or a Media Access Control (MAC) CE message, or a Downlink Control Information (DCI) message.

10. The method according to any one of claims 1-9, wherein, The configuration information of the synchronization signal includes a synchronization signal list, which includes N resource configurations, including the first resource configuration, where N is an integer greater than or equal to 1.

11. A communication method, comprising: Configuration information for sending synchronization signals, wherein the configuration information for the synchronization signals includes a first resource configuration, the first resource configuration being used to determine a first resource, and the synchronization signal being a synchronization signal sent by a second access network device; A downlink signal is transmitted on a second resource, wherein the first resource is an unavailable resource for the downlink signal.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein, The synchronization signal is a synchronization signal block SSB and / or a low-power synchronization signal LP-SS.

13. The method according to claim 11 or 12, wherein, The first resource configuration includes at least one of first information, a first period, or a first offset, wherein the first information is used to indicate the index of the synchronization signal, the first period is used to indicate the period of the first resource, and the first offset is used to indicate the offset of the first resource relative to the starting time domain position of the first period.

14. The method according to claim 11, wherein, The first bias is the number of subframes, the number of time slots, or the number of symbols.

15. The method according to any one of claims 11-14, wherein, The first resource configuration also includes second information, which is used to indicate the type of the synchronization signal; The type of the synchronization signal is either a non-on-demand synchronization signal or an on-demand synchronization signal.

16. The method according to claim 15, wherein, When the second information indicates that the type of the synchronization signal is the on-demand transmission synchronization signal, the first resource configuration further includes third information, which indicates the number of synchronization signals to be transmitted, or the third information indicates the transmission duration of the synchronization signal.

17. The method according to any one of claims 11-14, wherein, The first resource allocation also includes a second cycle; The second period is used to indicate the period of the first resource.

18. The method according to any one of claims 15-17, further comprising: Receive a first indication message, which indicates that the on-demand transmission of the synchronization signal is enabled, or the first indication message indicates that the second cycle is enabled.

19. The method according to claim 18, wherein, The first indication information is carried in a Radio Resource Control (RRC) message, or a Media Access Control (MAC) CE message, or a Downlink Control Information (DCI) message.

20. The method according to any one of claims 11-19, wherein, The configuration information of the synchronization signal includes a synchronization signal list, which includes N resource configurations, including the first resource configuration, where N is an integer greater than or equal to 1.

21. A communication device, comprising: The transceiver unit is used to receive configuration information of a synchronization signal from a first access network device. The configuration information of the synchronization signal includes a first resource configuration, which is used to determine a first resource. The synchronization signal is a synchronization signal sent by a second access network device. The transceiver unit is configured to receive downlink signals from the first access network device on a second resource, wherein the first resource is an unavailable resource for the downlink signals.

22. A communication device, comprising: A transceiver unit is used to send configuration information for a synchronization signal. The configuration information for the synchronization signal includes a first resource configuration, which is used to determine a first resource. The synchronization signal is a synchronization signal sent by a second access network device. The transceiver unit is configured to transmit downlink signals on a second resource, wherein the first resource is an unavailable resource for the downlink signals.

23. A chip comprising an interface circuit and at least one processor, the interface circuit and the at least one processor being connected, the processor executing program instructions to perform the method according to any one of claims 1 to 10, or to perform the method according to any one of claims 11 to 20.

24. A communication device, comprising: One or more processors, one or more memories, and one or more transceivers; Wherein, the one or more memories are used to store a computer program, and the one or more processors and one or more transceivers are used to execute the computer program stored in the one or more memories, so that the communication device performs the method according to any one of claims 1 to 10, or performs the method according to any one of claims 11 to 20.

25. A non-volatile computer-readable storage medium, wherein, The computer-readable storage medium stores computer-readable instructions that, when executed on a computer, cause the computer to perform the method according to any one of claims 1 to 10, or to perform the method according to any one of claims 11 to 20.

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