Communication method and related apparatus

Abstract

Provided in the embodiments of the present application are a communication method and a related apparatus. In the method, a terminal device receives a synchronization signal block (SSB), wherein a first physical broadcast channel (PBCH) included in the SSB is related to a second PBCH. On the basis of the second PBCH, the terminal device can perform demodulation performance enhancement on PBCH payload information carried by the first PBCH, such that the demodulation performance equivalent to that of an NR PBCH is achieved.

Description

Communication method and related apparatus

[0001] This application claims priority from the Chinese patent application No. 202510146986.1 filed on February 10, 2025, and entitled "A communication method and related apparatus", the content of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The present application relates to the field of communication technology, and in particular to a communication method and related apparatus. BACKGROUND

[0003] In order for a terminal device to find a cell when it is powered on and enters a system, and to find a new cell when it moves within the system, each new radio (NR) cell periodically transmits a synchronization signal block (SSB) in the downlink. The SSB includes a primary synchronization signal (PSS), a secondary synchronization signal (SSS), and a physical broadcast channel (PBCH). Specifically, the SSB occupies 4 consecutive symbols in the time domain and 20 resource blocks (RBs) or 240 subcarriers in the frequency domain. Assuming a subcarrier spacing of 15 kilohertz (kHz), the bandwidth corresponding to the SSB is 240*15 kHz = 3.6 megahertz (MHz).

[0004] Currently, the minimum channel bandwidth that can be supported by NR is 5 MHz. As interest in deploying NR in dedicated spectrum with a channel bandwidth less than 5 MHz grows, according to the existing NR SSB design, the first four RBs and the last four RBs of 20 RBs in the frequency domain need to be removed. However, removing the above-mentioned 8 RBs in the frequency domain will worsen the demodulation performance of the PBCH. Therefore, NR cannot be extended to a dedicated bandwidth less than 5 MHz (such as 3 MHz) scenario. SUMMARY

[0005] Embodiments of the present application provide a communication method and related apparatus, by transmitting a synchronization signal block (SSB), the PBCH in the SSB includes a first physical broadcast channel (PBCH) and a second PBCH. And the first PBCH is related to the second PBCH.

[0006] The first aspect of the present application provides a communication method, which is applied to a terminal-side device, such as being executed by a terminal-side device, the terminal-side device being a terminal, a chip, a circuit, a part of components (such as a processor, a chip, or a chip system, etc.) in the terminal, or a logic module or software capable of realizing all or part of the terminal functions. In the first aspect and possible implementation manners thereof, the method is described by taking an example of being executed by a terminal device. In the method, the terminal device receives a synchronization signal block (SSB), a PBCH in the SSB includes a first PBCH and a second PBCH, and the second PBCH is related to the first PBCH. The first PBCH carries all PBCH payload information.

[0007] Based on the above scheme, the terminal device receives the SSB, and the first PBCH included in the SSB is related to the second PBCH. By using the association relationship between the first PBCH and the second PBCH, the terminal device can perform demodulation performance enhancement on the PBCH payload information carried by the first PBCH based on the second PBCH, and obtain demodulation performance comparable to that of an NR PBCH.

[0008] Optionally, in a possible implementation manner of the first aspect, the terminal device can further perform cell search on a carrier with a channel bandwidth of N megahertz (MHz), N being greater than or equal to 5.

[0009] In the possible implementation manner, when the terminal supports a channel bandwidth greater than or equal to 5 MHz, the terminal device receives the SSB.

[0010] The second aspect of the present application provides a communication method, which is applied to a network-side device, such as being executed by a network-side device, the network-side device being a network device, a chip, a circuit, a part of components (such as a processor, a chip, or a chip system, etc.) in the network device, or a logic module or software capable of realizing all or part of the network device functions. In the second aspect and possible implementation manners thereof, the method is described by taking an example of being executed by a network device. In the method, the network device sends a synchronization signal block (SSB), a PBCH in the SSB includes a first PBCH and a second PBCH, and the second PBCH is related to the first PBCH. The first PBCH carries all PBCH payload information.

[0011] Based on the above scheme, the network device sends the SSB, and the first PBCH included in the SSB is related to the second PBCH. The first PBCH carries all PBCH payload information. By using the association relationship between the first PBCH and the second PBCH, the terminal device can perform demodulation performance enhancement on the PBCH payload information carried by the first PBCH based on the second PBCH, and obtain demodulation performance comparable to that of an NR PBCH.

[0012] Optionally, in a possible implementation of the first aspect, the SSB is transmitted by the network device through a carrier with a channel bandwidth of N megahertz, N being greater than or equal to 5.

[0013] In the possible implementation, the network device transmits the SSB when the network device supports a channel bandwidth greater than or equal to 5 MHz.

[0014] Optionally, in a possible implementation of the first aspect, the terminal device receives the SSB when the terminal device supports a channel bandwidth greater than or equal to 5 MHz, i.e., the implementation supports a terminal device with an available bandwidth of 5 MHz or above to perform cell search. Because the first PBCH is related to the second PBCH, the terminal device can perform demodulation performance enhancement on the PBCH payload information carried by the first PBCH based on the second PBCH, wherein the first PBCH carries all the PBCH payload information.

[0015] Optionally, in a possible implementation of the first aspect, when the terminal device supports a channel bandwidth greater than or equal to 5 MHz, the terminal device can only receive the first PBCH in the SSB and not receive the second PBCH for some considerations, such as energy saving, i.e., the implementation supports a terminal device with an available bandwidth less than 5 MHz to perform cell search. Because the first PBCH carries all the PBCH payload information, the terminal device can also complete acquisition of all the PBCH payload information when it only receives the first PBCH, and suffers limited performance loss compared with receiving the complete PBCH (i.e., receiving the first PBCH and the second PBCH at the same time).

[0016] Optionally, in a possible implementation of the first aspect, when the terminal device supports a channel bandwidth less than 5 MHz, the terminal device can only receive the first PBCH in the SSB due to bandwidth limitation. Because the first PBCH carries all the PBCH payload information, the terminal device can also complete acquisition of all the PBCH payload information when it only receives the first PBCH, and suffers limited performance loss compared with receiving the complete PBCH.

[0017] In the possible implementation, the implementation supports a terminal device with an available bandwidth less than 5 MHz to perform cell search.

[0018] Optionally, in a possible implementation of the first aspect or the second aspect, the second PBCH is related to the first PBCH, including that data carried by the first PBCH is used to generate data carried by the second PBCH.

[0019] In the possible implementation, the data in the second PBCH is generated based on the data in the first PBCH, and the second PBCH can bring channel diversity gain and / or time diversity gain, improve the first PBCH demodulation performance, and does not deteriorate the peak-to-average power ratio (PAPR).

[0020] Optionally, in the possible implementation of the first aspect or the second aspect, the SSB occupies X frequency domain resource blocks (RBs), the first PBCH occupies Y RBs in the middle of the SSB, and the second PBCH occupies X-Y RBs, X is a positive integer greater than 0, and Y is less than X.

[0021] In the possible implementation, by limiting the relative position relationship between the first PBCH, the second PBCH, and the SSB, the terminal device can determine the frequency domain positions of the first PBCH and the second PBCH.

[0022] Optionally, in the possible implementation of the first aspect or the second aspect, the SSB occupies 4 time domain symbols, the first time domain symbol carries a primary synchronization signal (PSS), the second time domain symbol carries a first part of the first PBCH and a first part of the second PBCH, the third time domain symbol carries a secondary synchronization signal (SSS) and a second part of the second PBCH, and the fourth time domain symbol carries a second part of the first PBCH and a third part of the second PBCH.

[0023] In the possible implementation, by limiting the specific signals carried by the 4 time domain symbols occupied by the SSB, the terminal device can determine the time domain positions of the first PBCH and the second PBCH.

[0024] Optionally, in the possible implementation of the first aspect or the second aspect, Y=12, in the second time domain symbol, the first part of the first PBCH occupies 12 RBs, and the first part of the second PBCH occupies X-12 RBs; in the third time domain symbol, the SSS and a guard band thereof occupy 12 RBs, and the second part of the second PBCH occupies X-12 RBs; and in the fourth time domain symbol, the second part of the first PBCH occupies 12 RBs, and the third part of the second PBCH occupies X-12 RBs.

[0025] In the possible implementation, the terminal device with a 3MHz available bandwidth can perform cell search.

[0026] In the possible implementation, the terminal device can determine the time domain and frequency domain positions of the first PBCH and the second PBCH in the SSB.

[0027] Optionally, in a possible implementation manner of the first aspect or the second aspect, Y is greater than 12, and the third time-domain symbol further carries a third part of the first PBCH.

[0028] In this possible implementation manner, the first PBCH occupies more resources, which can reduce the coding rate of the payload information of the first PBCH when the first PBCH carries all the payload information of the PBCH, thereby improving the demodulation performance.

[0029] Optionally, in a possible implementation manner of the first aspect or the second aspect, in the second time-domain symbol, the first part of the first PBCH occupies a bandwidth of Y RBs, and the first part of the second PBCH occupies a bandwidth of X-Y RBs; in the third time-domain symbol, the SSS and the guard band thereof occupy a bandwidth of 12 RBs, the third part of the first PBCH occupies a bandwidth of Y-12 RBs, and the second part of the second PBCH occupies a bandwidth of X-Y RBs; and in the fourth time-domain symbol, the second part of the first PBCH occupies a bandwidth of Y RBs, and the third part of the second PBCH occupies a bandwidth of X-Y RBs.

[0030] In this possible implementation manner, the terminal device can determine the time-domain and frequency-domain positions of the first PBCH and the second PBCH in the SSB.

[0031] Optionally, in a possible implementation manner of the first aspect or the second aspect, the second PBCH includes a third PBCH and a fourth PBCH, and the third PBCH and the fourth PBCH occupy the same frequency-domain size.

[0032] In this possible implementation manner, the third PBCH and the fourth PBCH obtained by splitting the second PBCH occupy the same frequency-domain size, which can make the synchronization raster of the SSB coincide with the center of the first PBCH.

[0033] Optionally, in a possible implementation manner of the first aspect or the second aspect, the frequency corresponding to the frequency-domain resource occupied by the third PBCH is higher than the frequency corresponding to the frequency-domain resource occupied by the first PBCH, and the frequency corresponding to the frequency-domain resource occupied by the fourth PBCH is lower than the frequency corresponding to the frequency-domain resource occupied by the first PBCH. Alternatively, the frequency corresponding to the frequency-domain resource occupied by the third PBCH is lower than the frequency corresponding to the frequency-domain resource occupied by the first PBCH, and the frequency corresponding to the frequency-domain resource occupied by the fourth PBCH is higher than the frequency corresponding to the frequency-domain resource occupied by the first PBCH.

[0034] Optionally, in a possible implementation form of the first aspect or the second aspect, the first PBCH and the second PBCH carry a de-modulation reference signal (DMRS) respectively, and a density of the DMRS in the first PBCH is higher than a density of the DMRS in the second PBCH.

[0035] In this possible implementation form, the density of the DMRS in the first PBCH is higher than the density of the DMRS in the second PBCH, so that the channel estimation performance in the frequency domain range corresponding to the first PBCH can be improved, and thus the demodulation performance of the PBCH payload information carried by the first PBCH can be improved, especially in the case where the terminal device only receives the first PBCH.

[0036] The third aspect of the present application provides a communication method, which is applied to a terminal device, such as being executed by the terminal device, or the method is executed by the terminal device, which can be a terminal, a chip, a circuit, a part of components (such as a processor, a chip or a chip system, etc.) in the terminal, or the method can also be executed by a logic module or software that can realize all or part of the terminal functions. In the third aspect and possible implementation forms thereof, the method is taken as an example of being executed by the terminal device. In the method, the terminal device receives a first physical broadcast channel (PBCH), the first PBCH is used to carry a payload information of the PBCH, and a coding mode is determined based on only the first PBCH. Or it can be understood that the coding mode of the payload information of the PBCH is determined based on only the first PBCH.

[0037] Based on the above scheme, the terminal device can only receive the first PBCH due to the limitation of the channel bandwidth or for some factors (such as energy saving). Based on the above scheme, because the first PBCH is used to carry the payload information of the PBCH, the terminal device can still recover all the payload information of the PBCH in the case of only receiving the first PBCH. The coding mode is determined based on only the first PBCH, that is, the coding mode of the payload information of the PBCH is determined based on only the first PBCH, which can reduce the loss of the PBCH demodulation performance in the case of only receiving the first PBCH.

[0038] Optionally, in a possible implementation form of the third aspect, the terminal device performs cell search on a carrier with a channel bandwidth of N megahertz, N is less than 5 and greater than 0.

[0039] In this possible implementation form, the terminal device is supported to perform cell search in the case of an available bandwidth less than 5 MHz.

[0040] The fourth aspect of the present application provides a communication method, which is applied to a network side device, such as being executed by the network side device, the network side device can be a network device, a chip, a circuit, a part of components (such as a processor, a chip or a chip system, etc.) in the network device, or the method can also be implemented by a logic module or software capable of realizing all or part of the network device functions. In the fourth aspect and its possible implementation manners, the method is taken as an example of being executed by the network device. In the method, the network device transmits a first physical broadcast channel (PBCH), the first PBCH is used to carry payload information of the PBCH, and the payload information encoding mode of the PBCH is determined based on only the first PBCH.

[0041] Based on the above scheme, the network device only transmits the first PBCH because of the limitation of the channel bandwidth. Because the first PBCH is used to carry the payload information of the entire PBCH, the terminal device can still recover the entire PBCH payload information in the case that the network device only transmits the first PBCH and the terminal device only receives the first PBCH. The encoding mode is determined based on only the first PBCH, that is, the payload information encoding mode of the PBCH is determined by using the first PBCH, which can reduce the performance loss of PBCH demodulation in the case that the network device only transmits the first PBCH and the terminal device only receives the first PBCH.

[0042] Optionally, in a possible implementation manner of the fourth aspect, the first PBCH is transmitted by a carrier with a channel bandwidth of N megahertz, N is less than 5 and greater than 0.

[0043] In this possible implementation manner, the network device is supported to transmit the first PBCH by a carrier with a channel bandwidth less than 5 MHz.

[0044] The fifth aspect of the present application provides a communication device, which can be a terminal device, a chip, a circuit, a part of components (such as a processor, a chip or a chip system, etc.) in the terminal device, or a logic module or software capable of realizing all or part of the terminal device functions. Taking the communication device as an example of the terminal device, the terminal device includes a transceiver unit. Or the terminal device includes a transceiver unit and a processing unit.

[0045] The transceiver unit is configured to receive a synchronization signal block (SSB), the PBCH in the SSB includes a first PBCH and a second PBCH, and the second PBCH is related to the first PBCH. The first PBCH carries the entire PBCH payload information.

[0046] Optionally, in a possible implementation manner of the fifth aspect, the processing unit is configured to perform cell search on a carrier with a channel bandwidth of N megahertz, N is greater than or equal to 5.

[0047] Alternatively, when the channel bandwidth is less than 5MHz, the terminal device can acquire all PBCH payload information by receiving only the first PBCH through the transceiver unit. When the channel bandwidth is greater than or equal to 5MHz, the processing unit can enhance the demodulation performance of the PBCH payload information carried by the first PBCH based on the second PBCH by utilizing the association between the first PBCH and the second PBCH.

[0048] The sixth aspect of this application provides a communication device, which may be a network device, a chip, a circuit, a component of a network device (e.g., a processor, chip, or chip system), or a logic module or software capable of implementing all or part of the functions of a network device. Taking the network device as an example, the network device includes a transceiver unit. Alternatively, the network device includes a transceiver unit and a processing unit. The first PBCH carries all PBCH payload information.

[0049] The transceiver unit is used to transmit synchronization signal blocks (SSBs). The PBCH in the SSB includes a first PBCH and a second PBCH, and the second PBCH is related to the first PBCH.

[0050] Optionally, in one possible implementation of the sixth aspect, the aforementioned transceiver unit is specifically used to transmit SSB via a carrier with a channel bandwidth of N MHz, where N is greater than or equal to 5.

[0051] Optionally, in one possible implementation of the fifth or sixth aspect, the second PBCH described above is associated with the first PBCH, including: the data carried by the first PBCH is used to generate the data carried by the second PBCH.

[0052] Optionally, in one possible implementation of the fifth or sixth aspect, the frequency domain bandwidth occupied by the SSB is X frequency domain resource blocks RB, the first PBCH occupies Y RBs in the middle of the SSB, and the second PBCH occupies the remaining XY RBs, where X is a positive integer greater than 0 and Y is less than X.

[0053] Optionally, in one possible implementation of the fifth or sixth aspect, the SSB described above occupies four time-domain symbols: the first time-domain symbol carries the primary synchronization signal PSS; the second time-domain symbol carries the first part of the first PBCH and the first part of the second PBCH; the third time-domain symbol carries the auxiliary synchronization signal SSS and the second part of the second PBCH; and the fourth time-domain symbol carries the second part of the first PBCH and the third part of the second PBCH.

[0054] Optionally, in one possible implementation of the fifth or sixth aspect, Y = 12, in the second time domain symbol, the first part of the first PBCH occupies a bandwidth of 12 RBs, and the first part of the second PBCH occupies a bandwidth of X-12 RBs; in the third time domain symbol, the SSS and its guard band occupy a bandwidth of 12 RBs, and the second part of the second PBCH occupies a bandwidth of X-12 RBs; in the fourth time domain symbol, the second part of the first PBCH occupies a bandwidth of 12 RBs, and the third part of the second PBCH occupies a bandwidth of X-12 RBs.

[0055] Alternatively, in one possible implementation of the fifth or sixth aspect, Y is greater than 12, and the third time-domain symbol also carries the third part of the first PBCH.

[0056] Optionally, in one possible implementation of the fifth or sixth aspect, the bandwidth occupied by the first part of the first PBCH in the second time domain symbol is Y RBs, and the bandwidth occupied by the first part of the second PBCH is XY RBs; in the third time domain symbol, the bandwidth occupied by the SSS and its guard band is 12 RBs, the bandwidth occupied by the third part of the first PBCH is Y-12 RBs, and the bandwidth occupied by the second part of the second PBCH is XY RBs; in the fourth time domain symbol, the bandwidth occupied by the second part of the first PBCH is Y RBs, and the bandwidth occupied by the third part of the second PBCH is XY RBs.

[0057] Optionally, in one possible implementation of the fifth or sixth aspect, the second PBCH described above includes a third PBCH and a fourth PBCH, wherein the third PBCH and the fourth PBCH occupy the same frequency domain size.

[0058] Optionally, in one possible implementation of the fifth or sixth aspect, the frequency corresponding to the frequency domain resources occupied by the third PBCH is higher than the frequency corresponding to the frequency domain resources occupied by the first PBCH, and the frequency corresponding to the frequency domain resources occupied by the fourth PBCH is lower than the frequency corresponding to the frequency domain resources occupied by the first PBCH. Alternatively, the frequency corresponding to the frequency domain resources occupied by the third PBCH is lower than the frequency corresponding to the frequency domain resources occupied by the first PBCH, and the frequency corresponding to the frequency domain resources occupied by the fourth PBCH is higher than the frequency corresponding to the frequency domain resources occupied by the first PBCH.

[0059] Optionally, in one possible implementation of the fifth or sixth aspect, the first PBCH and the second PBCH described above each carry DMRS, with the density of DMRS in the first PBCH being higher than the density of DMRS in the second PBCH.

[0060] The seventh aspect of this application provides a communication device, which may be a terminal device, a chip, a circuit, a component of the terminal device (e.g., a processor, chip, or chip system), or a logic module or software capable of implementing all or part of the functions of the terminal device. Taking the terminal device as an example, the terminal device includes a transceiver unit. Alternatively, the terminal device includes both a transceiver unit and a processing unit.

[0061] The transceiver unit is used to receive the first physical broadcast channel (PBCH), which carries the payload information of the PBCH.

[0062] The processing unit is used to determine the payload information encoding method of the PBCH based solely on the first PBCH.

[0063] Optionally, in one possible implementation of the seventh aspect, the aforementioned processing unit is used to perform cell search on a carrier with a channel bandwidth of N MHz at the terminal, where N is less than 5 and greater than 0.

[0064] The eighth aspect of this application provides a communication device, which may be a network device, a chip, a circuit, a component of a network device (e.g., a processor, chip, or chip system), or a logic module or software capable of implementing all or part of the functions of a network device. Taking the network device as an example, the network device includes a transceiver unit. Alternatively, the network device includes both a transceiver unit and a processing unit.

[0065] The transceiver unit is used to transmit the first physical broadcast channel (PBCH), which carries the payload information of the PBCH and determines the encoding method of the payload information of the PBCH.

[0066] Optionally, in one possible implementation of the eighth aspect, the aforementioned transceiver unit is specifically used to transmit the first PBCH via a carrier with a channel bandwidth of N MHz, where N is less than 5 and greater than 0.

[0067] The ninth aspect of this application provides a communication device, including at least one processor, and a method for the at least one processor to implement any possible implementation of any of the first to fourth aspects described above.

[0068] In one possible design, the communication device further includes at least one memory, and at least one processor is coupled to the at least one memory; the at least one memory is used to store computer programs or instructions; the at least one processor is used to execute the computer programs or instructions to enable the communication device to implement any possible implementation of any of the first to fourth aspects described above.

[0069] The tenth aspect of this application provides a communication device including at least one logic circuit; the logic circuit is used to perform a method as described in any possible implementation of any of the first to fourth aspects. In some embodiments, the communication device further includes at least one input / output interface.

[0070] The eleventh aspect of this application provides a communication system comprising a communication device according to any possible implementation of the fifth aspect and a communication device according to any possible implementation of the sixth aspect. Alternatively, the communication system comprises a communication device according to any possible implementation of the seventh aspect and a communication device according to any possible implementation of the eighth aspect.

[0071] The twelfth aspect of this application provides a computer-readable storage medium for storing one or more computer programs or instructions, wherein when a computer executes a program or instruction executed by a processor, the processor executes a method as described in any one of the possible implementations of the first to fourth aspects above.

[0072] The thirteenth aspect of this application provides a computer program product (or computer program) in which, when the computer program or instructions in the computer program product are executed, the method of any possible implementation of any of the first to fourth aspects described above is implemented.

[0073] The fourteenth aspect of this application provides a chip or chip system including at least one processor for supporting a communication device in implementing the method described in any possible implementation of any of the first to fourth aspects.

[0074] In one possible design, the chip system may further include at least one memory for storing program instructions and data necessary for the communication device. The chip system may be composed of chips or may include chips and other discrete components. Optionally, the chip system may also include interface circuitry that provides program instructions and / or data to at least one processor.

[0075] The technical effects of any of the design methods in aspects five through fourteen can be found in the technical effects of the different design methods in aspects one through four above, and will not be repeated here. Attached Figure Description

[0076] Figure 1A is a schematic diagram of the communication system involved in this application;

[0077] Figure 1B is another schematic diagram of the communication system involved in this application;

[0078] Figure 1C is another schematic diagram of the communication system involved in this application;

[0079] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of an SSB involved in this application;

[0080] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of the SSB frequency domain modification involved in this application;

[0081] Figure 4 is a flowchart illustrating the communication method involved in this application;

[0082] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of the SSB time-frequency structure involved in this application;

[0083] Figure 6 is another schematic diagram of the SSB time-frequency structure involved in this application;

[0084] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of the PBCH splitting involved in this application;

[0085] Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of the demodulation performance after PBCH splitting involved in this application;

[0086] Figure 9 is a schematic diagram of obtaining the data in #3-1 and #4-1 based on #1-1 in this application;

[0087] Figures 10 to 13 are several structural schematic diagrams of the communication device involved in this application. Detailed Implementation

[0088] The technical solutions in the embodiments of this application will be clearly described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0089] First, the communication systems that may be involved in the embodiments of this application will be described.

[0090] The technical solution of this application can be applied to cellular communication systems related to the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP). For example, 4th generation (4G) communication systems, 5G communication systems, and communication systems beyond the 5th generation. For example, future communication systems. For example, 4th generation communication systems may include Long Term Evolution (LTE) communication systems. 5th generation communication systems may include New Radio (NR) communication systems. The technical solutions of this application can also be applied to wireless fidelity (WiFi) systems, standalone (SA) scenarios, dual connectivity (DC) scenarios, macro-micro scenarios composed of base stations of different forms (e.g., scenarios where wide-coverage base stations and small-coverage base stations coexist), device-to-device (D2D) systems, vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication systems, non-terrestrial networks (NTN), integrated access and backhaul (IAB) communication scenarios, reconfigurable intelligent surface (RIS) communication scenarios, etc., and are not specifically limited here.

[0091] For example, please refer to Figure 1A, which is a schematic diagram of the architecture of the communication system 10 used in the embodiments of this application. As shown in Figure 1A, the communication system includes a radio access network (RAN) 100 and a core network 200. Optionally, the communication system 10 may also include an Internet 300. The RAN 100 includes at least one RAN node (110a and 110b in Figure 1A, collectively referred to as 110), and may also include at least one terminal device (120a-120j in Figure 1A, collectively referred to as 120). The RAN 100 may also include other RAN nodes, such as wireless relay devices and / or wireless backhaul devices (not shown in Figure 1A). The terminal device 120 is wirelessly connected to the RAN node 110, and the RAN node 110 is wirelessly or wired connected to the core network 200. The core network device in the core network 200 and the RAN node 110 in the RAN 100 can be independent and different physical devices, or they can be the same physical device integrating the logical functions of the core network device and the logical functions of the RAN node. Terminal devices and RAN nodes can be interconnected via wired or wireless means.

[0092] RAN100 can be an evolved universal terrestrial radio access (E-UTRA) system, an NR system, or a future radio access system as defined in 3GPP. RAN100 can also include two or more of the above-mentioned different radio access systems. RAN100 can also be an open RAN (O-RAN).

[0093] RAN nodes, also known as radio access network devices, RAN entities, or access nodes, are used to help terminal devices access communication systems wirelessly. Furthermore, RAN nodes can also be called network devices, which are apparatuses deployed in a radio access network to provide wireless communication functions for terminal devices. Network devices can include various forms of macro base stations, micro base stations (also known as small cells), relay stations, access points, etc. The names of network devices may differ in systems employing different radio access technologies. It is understood that all or part of the functions of the access network devices in this application can also be implemented through software functions running on hardware, or through virtualization functions instantiated on a platform (e.g., a cloud platform). The embodiments of this application do not limit the specific technologies or specific device forms used in the radio access network devices.

[0094] In one application scenario, a RAN node can be a base station, an evolved NodeB (eNodeB), a transmission reception point (TRP), a next-generation NodeB (gNB) in a 5G mobile communication system, or a base station in a future mobile communication system. A RAN node can be a macro base station (as shown in Figure 1A, 110a), a micro base station or an indoor station (as shown in Figure 1A, 110b), a relay node or a donor node, or a radio controller in a cloud radio access network (CRAN) scenario. Of course, in future communication systems, RAN nodes may also be wearable devices or vehicle-mounted devices, etc.

[0095] In another application scenario, multiple RAN nodes can collaborate to help terminal devices achieve wireless access, with different RAN nodes implementing different functions of the base station. For example, a RAN node can be a central unit (CU), a distributed unit (DU), or a radio unit (RU). Here, the CU performs the functions of the base station's Radio Resource Control Protocol (RRCP) and Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP), and can also perform the functions of the Service Data Adaptation Protocol (SDAP). The DU performs the functions of the base station's Radio Link Control (RAN) and MAC layers, and can also perform some or all of the physical layer functions. For specific descriptions of these protocol layers, refer to the relevant 3GPP technical specifications. The RU can be used to implement radio frequency signal transmission and reception. The CU and DU can be two independent RAN nodes or integrated into the same RAN node, such as within a baseband unit (BBU). The RU can be included in radio frequency equipment, such as in a remote radio unit (RRU) or an active antenna unit (AAU). The CU can be further divided into two types of RAN nodes: CU-control plane and CU-user plane.

[0096] In different systems, RAN nodes may have different names. For example, in an O-RAN system, a CU can be called an open CU (O-CU), a DU can be called an open DU (O-DU), and an RU can be called an open RU (O-RU). The RAN nodes in the embodiments of this application can be implemented through software modules, hardware modules, or a combination of software and hardware modules. For example, a RAN node can be a server loaded with the corresponding software modules. The embodiments of this application do not limit the specific technology or device form used in the RAN nodes.

[0097] A terminal device is a device with wireless transceiver capabilities, capable of sending signals to or receiving signals from RAN nodes. Terminal devices can also be called user equipment (UE), mobile stations, mobile terminal devices, etc. They can be widely used in various scenarios, such as WiFi systems, D2D, V2X communication, machine-type communication (MTC), Internet of Things (IoT), virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), industrial control, autonomous driving, telemedicine, smart grids, smart furniture, smart offices, smart wearables, intelligent transportation, and smart cities. Terminal devices can be mobile phones, tablets, computers with wireless transceiver capabilities, wearable devices, vehicles, aircraft, ships, robots, robotic arms, smart home devices, etc. The embodiments of this application do not limit the specific technologies or device forms used in the terminal devices.

[0098] For example, a terminal device is a wearable device. Wearable devices, also known as wearable smart devices or smart wearable devices, are a general term for devices that utilize wearable technology to intelligently design and develop everyday wearables, such as glasses, gloves, watches, clothing, and shoes. Wearable devices are portable devices that are worn directly on the body or integrated into the user's clothing or accessories. Wearable devices are not just hardware devices, but also achieve powerful functions through software support, data interaction, and cloud interaction. Broadly speaking, wearable smart devices include those that are feature-rich, large in size, and can achieve complete or partial functions without relying on a smartphone, such as smartwatches or smart glasses, as well as those that focus on only one type of application function and need to be used in conjunction with other devices such as smartphones, such as various smart bracelets, smart helmets, and smart jewelry.

[0099] For ease of description, the communication system illustrated in Figure 1A is described using a base station as an example of an access network device. It is understood that when the communication system includes an IAB network, the base station can be an IAB node. It should be noted that in the embodiments of this application, the base station and the access network device can be interchanged.

[0100] Base stations and terminal equipment can be fixed or mobile. They can be deployed on land, including indoors or outdoors, handheld or vehicle-mounted; they can also be deployed on water; and they can be deployed on aircraft, balloons, and satellites. The embodiments of this application do not limit the application scenarios of the base stations and terminal equipment.

[0101] The roles of base stations and terminal devices can be relative. For example, the helicopter or drone 120i in Figure 1A can be configured as a mobile base station. For terminal devices 120j that access the wireless access network 100 through 120i, terminal device 120i is a base station; however, for base station 110a, 120i is a terminal device, meaning that 110a and 120i communicate via a wireless air interface protocol. Of course, 110a and 120i can also communicate via a base station-to-base station interface protocol. In this case, relative to 110a, 120i is also a base station. Therefore, both base stations and terminal devices can be collectively referred to as communication devices. 110a and 110b in Figure 1A can be called communication devices with base station functions, and 120a-120j in Figure 1A can be called communication devices with terminal device functions.

[0102] Communication between base stations and terminal devices, between base stations, and between terminal devices can be conducted using licensed spectrum, unlicensed spectrum, or both simultaneously. Communication can be conducted using spectrum below 6 GHz, spectrum above 6 GHz, or both simultaneously. The embodiments of this application do not limit the spectrum resources used for wireless communication.

[0103] In the embodiments of this application, the functions of the base station can be executed by modules (such as chips) within the base station, or by a control subsystem that includes base station functions. This control subsystem, including base station functions, can be a control center in the aforementioned application scenarios such as smart grids, industrial control, intelligent transportation, and smart cities. Similarly, the functions of the terminal device can be executed by modules (such as chips or modems) within the terminal device, or by a device that includes terminal device functions.

[0104] In this application, the base station sends downlink signals or downlink information to the terminal, with the downlink information carried on the downlink channel; the terminal sends uplink signals or uplink information to the base station, with the uplink information carried on the uplink channel. In order to communicate with the base station, the terminal needs to establish a radio connection on a cell controlled by the base station. The cell with which the terminal has established a radio connection is called the terminal's serving cell.

[0105] As can be understood, RAN100, as previously described, includes at least one RAN node (110a and 110b in Figure 1A, collectively referred to as 110), and may also include at least one terminal device (120a-120j in Figure 1A, collectively referred to as 120).

[0106] In one possible implementation, the communication system shown in Figure 1A can also be as shown in Figure 1B, comprising a RAN node 110 and multiple terminal devices (120A and 120B in Figure 1B). In this case, a single RAN node can transmit data or control signaling to one or more terminal devices.

[0107] In another possible implementation, the communication system shown in Figure 1A can also be as shown in Figure 1C, comprising multiple RAN nodes (110A, 110B, and 110C in Figure 1C) 110 and a terminal device 120. In this case, the multiple RAN nodes can simultaneously transmit data or control signaling to a single terminal device.

[0108] Secondly, some terms used in the embodiments of this application will be explained to facilitate understanding by those skilled in the art.

[0109] 1. Configuration and Pre-configuration

[0110] This application uses both configuration and pre-configuration. Configuration refers to the network device / server sending configuration information or parameter values ​​to the terminal via messages or signaling, so that the terminal can determine communication parameters or resources for transmission based on these values ​​or information. Pre-configuration is similar to configuration; it can be parameter information or values ​​pre-negotiated between the network device / server and the terminal device, parameter information or values ​​specified by standard protocols for use by the base station / network device or terminal device, or parameter information or values ​​pre-stored in the base station / server or terminal device. This application does not limit this.

[0111] Furthermore, these values ​​and parameters can be changed or updated.

[0112] 2. In this application, "for indicating" can include both direct and indirect indication. When describing an indication information as indicating A, it can be understood that the indication information carries A, directly indicates A, or indirectly indicates A.

[0113] In this application, the information indicated by the instruction information is called the information to be instructed. In specific implementation, there are many ways to instruct the information to be instructed. For example, it can be implemented through direct instruction, such as through the information to be instructed itself or its index. It can also be implemented indirectly by instructing other information, where there is a relationship between the other information and the information to be instructed. Alternatively, only a part of the information to be instructed can be indicated, while the other parts are known or pre-agreed upon. For example, the instruction of specific information can be achieved by using a pre-agreed (e.g., protocol-defined) arrangement of various pieces of information, thereby reducing instruction overhead to some extent.

[0114] The information to be instructed can be sent as a whole or divided into multiple sub-information messages, and the sending period and / or timing of these sub-information messages can be the same or different. This application does not limit the specific sending method. The sending period and / or timing of these sub-information messages can be predefined, for example, according to a protocol, or configured by the transmitting device by sending configuration information to the receiving device. This configuration information can include, for example, but not limited to, one or a combination of at least two of radio resource control (RRC) signaling, medium / media access control (MAC) layer signaling, and physical layer signaling. MAC layer signaling includes, for example, MAC layer control elements (CEs); physical layer signaling includes, for example, downlink control information (DCI).

[0115] 3. In the embodiments of this application, "sending" and "receiving" indicate the direction of signal transmission. In this application, entity A sends information to entity B, either directly to B or indirectly through other entities. Similarly, entity B receives information from entity A, either directly or indirectly through other entities. Entities A and B can be RAN nodes or terminals, or modules within RAN nodes or terminals. Information sending and receiving can be information interaction between RAN nodes and terminals, such as information interaction between a base station and a terminal; information sending and receiving can also be information interaction between two RAN nodes, such as information interaction between a CU and a DU; information sending and receiving can also be information interaction between different modules within a device, such as information interaction between a terminal chip and other modules of the terminal, or information interaction between a base station chip and other modules in the base station. "Sending" can also be understood as the "output" of the chip interface, such as the baseband chip outputting information to the radio frequency chip, and "receiving" can also be understood as the "input" of the chip interface; for example, "sending" can also be understood as the baseband part inside the device outputting information to the radio frequency part, and "receiving" can also be understood as the radio frequency part inside the device receiving the information output by the baseband part.

[0116] 4. The terms "system" and "network" in the embodiments of this application can be used interchangeably. "At least one" means one or more, and "more than one" means two or more. "And / or" describes the relationship between related objects, indicating that there can be three relationships. For example, A and / or B can mean: A exists alone, A and B exist simultaneously, or B exists alone, where A and B can be singular or plural. The character " / " generally indicates that the related objects before and after are in an "or" relationship. "At least one of the following" or similar expressions refer to any combination of these items, including any combination of single or plural items. For example, "at least one of A, B and C" includes A, B, C, AB, AC, BC or ABC. And, unless otherwise specified, the ordinal numbers such as "first" and "second" mentioned in the embodiments of this application are used to distinguish multiple objects and are not used to limit the order, sequence, priority or importance of multiple objects.

[0117] 5. Synchronization Signal Block (SSB)

[0118] SSB can be understood to include: primary synchronization signal (PSS), secondary synchronization signal (SSS), and PBCH.

[0119] In NR, SSB occupies 4 consecutive time-domain symbols in the time domain and 20 resource blocks (RBs) in the frequency domain.

[0120] Furthermore, network devices transmit SSBs using beam scanning, that is, by transmitting SSBs on different beams through time-division multiplexing. By using beamforming technology on the SSBs, the coverage of a single SSB transmission is increased. The set of SSBs in beam scanning is called the synchronization signal (SS) burst set.

[0121] 6. Reference signal (RS)

[0122] The reference signal can also be called a pilot signal. For consistency, it will be referred to as the reference signal below. The reference signal can be used for measurements, such as channel measurements or channel estimation.

[0123] Reference signals can be used for channel measurement, channel estimation, or beam quality monitoring. According to Long Term Evolution (LTE) or NR protocols, uplink reference signals may include, for example, a sounding reference signal (SRS), a physical uplink control channel (PUCCH)-demodulation reference signal (DMRS), a physical uplink share channel (PUSCH)-demodulation reference signal (PUSCH-DMRS), a phase tracking reference signal (PTRS), an uplink positioning signal, etc.; downlink reference signals may include, for example, a synchronization block (SSB), a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH)-demodulation reference signal (PDCCH-DMRS), a physical downlink share channel (PDSCH)-demodulation reference signal (PDSCH-DMRS), PTRS, a channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS), a cell-specific reference signal (CRS) in LTE, and a time / frequency domain tracking synchronization signal (TRS) in NR. downlink positioning signal (TRS), downlink positioning signal (RS), etc.

[0124] Alternatively, it can be understood as information being sent from the sender, transmitted through a channel, and received at the receiver. Because information may change during transmission (due to noise, fading, etc.), the received information may differ from the sent information. To accurately reconstruct the correct information, it is necessary to understand what changes the information underwent during transmission; therefore, a reference signal is introduced.

[0125] The transmitting and receiving ends agree on a known signal (e.g., RS). RS is transmitted along with the information to be sent in the transmission channel. After receiving the signal (e.g., RS'), the receiving end compares the differences between RS and RS' to understand the changes in the information during transmission, performs channel characteristic estimation, and obtains the channel characteristic H. Based on the channel characteristic H, the received information can be restored to the correct transmitted information.

[0126] For ease of description, the embodiments of this application are only described exemplarily with DMRS as the reference signal. It is understood that in other embodiments, the reference signal may be other reference signals besides DMRS, and no specific limitation is made here.

[0127] DMRS is used for channel estimation during data demodulation. Specifically, the receiver first estimates the channel at the DMRS, then obtains the channel at the data location through an interpolation algorithm, and finally demodulates the data.

[0128] To enable terminal devices to locate a cell upon powering on and to find new cells while moving within the system, each NR cell periodically transmits a Sub-Session Bus (SSB) on the downlink. The SSB includes the Pre-Session Bus (PSS), Sub-Session Bus (SSB), and Principal Module CH (PBCH). Specifically, as shown in Figure 2, the SSB occupies four consecutive symbols in the time domain and 20 Rectifier Blocks (RBs) or 240 subcarriers in the frequency domain. Assuming a subcarrier spacing of 15kHz, the bandwidth corresponding to the SSB is 240 * 15kHz = 3.6MHz. Currently, the minimum channel bandwidth supported by NR is 5MHz. With increasing interest in deploying NR in dedicated spectrum with channel bandwidths less than 5MHz, existing NR SSB designs, as shown in Figure 3, require removing the first four and last four RBs of the 20 RBs in the frequency domain. However, removing eight RBs in the frequency domain degrades the demodulation performance of the PBCH. Therefore, NR cannot be extended to dedicated bandwidth scenarios less than 5MHz (e.g., 3MHz).

[0129] This application provides a communication method and related equipment. Preliminary descriptions are given below on the network device side and the terminal device side, respectively.

[0130] On the network device side: If the first preset condition is met, the network device sends X RBs (i.e., the frequency domain bandwidth occupied by the first PBCH and the second PBCH) to the terminal device. If the first preset condition is not met, the network device sends Y RBs (i.e., the frequency domain bandwidth occupied by the first PBCH) to the terminal device. The first preset condition is related to one or more of the following: the network device's hardware capabilities, the channel bandwidth supported by the network device (which may be related to the spectrum), or the network device's energy-saving requirements, etc.

[0131] On the terminal device side: If the second preset condition is met, the terminal device receives X RBs (i.e., the frequency domain bandwidth occupied by the first PBCH and the second PBCH). If the second preset condition is not met, the terminal device receives Y RBs (i.e., the frequency domain bandwidth occupied by the first PBCH). The second preset condition is related to one or more of the following: the hardware capabilities of the terminal device, the channel bandwidth supported by the terminal device (which may be related to the spectrum), the service requirements of the terminal device, or the energy-saving requirements of the terminal device, etc.

[0132] Please refer to Figure 4, a flowchart illustrating a communication method provided in this application embodiment. This method may include steps 401 to 403. Steps 401 to 403 can be applied to a communication device, such as being executed by the communication device itself. This communication device can be a communication equipment or a component within a communication equipment (e.g., a processor, chip, or chip system), or it can be a logic module or software capable of implementing all or part of the functions of the communication device. The following description uses execution by a communication device as an example. The processing performed by a single execution entity in steps 401 to 403 can also be divided into processing by multiple execution entities, which can be logically and / or physically separated. For example, when the communication device is an access node (e.g., a RAN node), the processing performed by the communication device can be divided into processing by at least one of network elements such as CU, DU, and RU. This method can be applied to any of the system architectures shown in Figures 1A to 1C, and is not specifically limited here. The method in Figure 4 is illustrated using network devices and terminal devices as examples.

[0133] Due to the long intervals between the steps, steps 401 to 403 will be briefly described here first, and then described in detail later. Step 401: The network device sends an SSB to the terminal device. Step 402: The terminal device demodulates the SSB based on the association between the first PBCH and the second PBCH. Step 403: The terminal device demodulates the SSB based only on the first PBCH.

[0134] Step 401: The network device sends an SSB to the terminal device.

[0135] The network device sends an SSB to the terminal device. The terminal device can be one of the terminal devices in Figures 1A to 1C, and the network device can be a RAN node or base station in Figures 1A to 1C.

[0136] The SSB includes either the first PBCH or the second PBCH; the first PBCH is related to the second PBCH.

[0137] For example, the first PBCH carries all the information of the PBCH or the payload information. In this way, even if the SSB only includes the first PBCH, the terminal device can recover all the information.

[0138] Optionally, the first PBCH and / or the second PBCH may carry data and / or reference signals (e.g., DMRS).

[0139] In this embodiment, the relationship between the first PBCH and the second PBCH can be interpreted in several ways. For example, the first PBCH may include information used to generate the second PBCH. Another example is that the data carried by the first PBCH may be used to generate the data carried by the second PBCH (described later in step 402, and will not be elaborated here). Yet another example is that the reference signal carried by the first PBCH may be used to generate the reference signal carried by the second PBCH, and so on. Specific details are not limited here. In this way, the terminal device can enhance the demodulation performance of the PBCH payload information carried by the first PBCH based on the second PBCH, achieving demodulation performance comparable to that of an NR PBCH.

[0140] Optionally, the first PBCH and / or the second PBCH may include DMRS.

[0141] For example, the DMRS density in the first PBCH is higher than that in the second PBCH. For instance, the DMRS density in the first PBCH is 1 / 3, while the DMRS density in the second PBCH is 1 / 4. The advantage of this is that when only transmitting / receiving the first PBCH, the channel estimation performance within the corresponding frequency domain of the first PBCH can be improved, which is beneficial for improving the demodulation performance of the PBCH and enhancing the SSB symbol timing performance.

[0142] The density of DMRS can be interpreted in several ways. It can be understood as the ratio of the number of subcarriers occupied by DMRS to the total number of subcarriers within a frequency domain. For example, a DMRS density of 1 / Δ could mean that one DMRS is mapped every (Δ-1) subcarriers. It can also be understood as the spacing between DMRS, such as a spacing of Δ subcarriers between two adjacent DMRS.

[0143] It is understood that the higher density of DMRS in the first PBCH compared to the second PBCH is merely an example. In other embodiments, the density of DMRS in the first PBCH may be lower than or equal to the density of DMRS in the second PBCH. For example, the overhead of DMRS in the first PBCH may be 1 / 4, while the density of DMRS in the second PBCH may be 1 / 4, etc., and no specific limitation is made here.

[0144] Furthermore, the second PBCH can be divided into two parts of equal frequency domain size, denoted as the third PBCH and the fourth PBCH. The third PBCH and the fourth PBCH are located on both sides of the first PBCH, so that the center of the SSB synchronization raster coincides with the center of the first PBCH.

[0145] For example, the frequency corresponding to the frequency domain resources occupied by the third PBCH is higher than the frequency corresponding to the frequency domain resources occupied by the first PBCH, and the frequency corresponding to the frequency domain resources occupied by the fourth PBCH is lower than the frequency corresponding to the frequency domain resources occupied by the first PBCH.

[0146] For example, the frequency corresponding to the frequency domain resources occupied by the third PBCH is lower than the frequency corresponding to the frequency domain resources occupied by the first PBCH, and the frequency corresponding to the frequency domain resources occupied by the fourth PBCH is higher than the frequency corresponding to the frequency domain resources occupied by the first PBCH.

[0147] This step is divided into two parts: the time-frequency structure of the SSB and the triggering conditions of the step are described separately.

[0148] Part 1: The Time-Frequency Structure of SSB.

[0149] Optionally, in the frequency domain, the bandwidth occupied by the SSB includes X RBs. The first PBCH occupies Y RBs out of the X RBs occupied by the SSB, and the second PBCH occupies XY RBs, where X is a positive integer greater than 0 and Y is less than X.

[0150] Correspondingly, the network device sends an SSB to the terminal device. The terminal device can receive the SSB or the first PBCH.

[0151] Similarly, the network device sends the first PBCH to the terminal device. The terminal device receives the first PBCH.

[0152] The first PBCH occupies Y RBs in the middle of the X RBs occupied by the SSB, which can also be understood as the center of the SSB's synchronization grid coinciding with the center of the first PBCH.

[0153] Furthermore, the PSS and SSS in the SSB follow the NR design, that is, the size of the PSS and its protective band includes 12 RBs, and the size of the SSS and its protective band includes 12 RBs.

[0154] In this application embodiment, the time domain symbols occupied by the first PBCH and the second PBCH can vary, and are described below:

[0155] In the first case, the first PBCH is carried on two of the four time-domain symbols occupied by the SSB.

[0156] Optionally, in the time domain, the SSB occupies 4 time-domain symbols, for example, 4 orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) symbols. The first time-domain symbol carries the PSS, the second time-domain symbol carries the first part of the first PBCH, the third time-domain symbol carries the SSS, and the fourth time-domain symbol carries the second part of the first PBCH.

[0157] In some embodiments, the SSB includes a first PBCH and a second PBCH, the second PBCH being divided into a first part, a second part and a third part, a first time-domain symbol carrying the PSS, a second time-domain symbol carrying the first part of the first PBCH and the first part of the second PBCH, a third time-domain symbol carrying the SSS and the second part of the second PBCH, and a fourth time-domain symbol carrying the second part of the first PBCH and the third part of the second PBCH.

[0158] For example, taking the SSB as an example including a first PBCH and a second PBCH, the time-frequency structure of the SSB can be as shown in Figure 5. In the second time-domain symbol, the first part of the first PBCH occupies a bandwidth of 12 RBs (i.e., Y = 12), and the first part of the second PBCH occupies a bandwidth of X-12 RBs; in the third time-domain symbol, the SSS and its guard band occupy a bandwidth of 12 RBs, and the second part of the second PBCH occupies a bandwidth of X-12 RBs; in the fourth time-domain symbol, the second part of the first PBCH occupies a bandwidth of 12 RBs, and the third part of the second PBCH occupies a bandwidth of X-12 RBs. For example, Y = 12.

[0159] In the second case, the first PBCH is carried on 3 out of the 4 time-domain symbols occupied by the SSB.

[0160] Optionally, in the time domain, the SSB occupies 4 time-domain symbols, for example, 4 OFDM symbols. The first time-domain symbol carries the PSS, the second time-domain symbol carries the first part of the first PBCH, the third time-domain symbol carries the SSS and the third part of the first PBCH, and the fourth time-domain symbol carries the second part of the first PBCH.

[0161] In some embodiments, the SSB includes a first PBCH and a second PBCH, the first PBCH being divided into a first part, a second part, and a third part, the second PBCH being divided into a first part, a second part, and a third part, a first time-domain symbol carrying the PSS, a second time-domain symbol carrying the first part of the first PBCH and the first part of the second PBCH, a third time-domain symbol carrying the SSS, the second part of the second PBCH, and the third part of the first PBCH, and a fourth time-domain symbol carrying the second part of the first PBCH and the third part of the second PBCH.

[0162] Alternatively, it can be understood that, compared to the first case, the third time-domain symbol in this second case also carries the third part of the first PBCH.

[0163] For example, taking the SSB as an example including a first PBCH and a second PBCH, the time-frequency structure of the SSB can be as shown in Figure 6. In the second time-domain symbol, the first part of the first PBCH occupies a bandwidth of Y RBs, and the first part of the second PBCH occupies a bandwidth of XY RBs; in the third time-domain symbol, the SSS and its guard band occupy a bandwidth of 12 RBs, the third part of the first PBCH occupies a bandwidth of Y-12 RBs, and the second part of the second PBCH occupies a bandwidth of XY RBs; in the fourth time-domain symbol, the second part of the first PBCH occupies a bandwidth of Y RBs, and the third part of the second PBCH occupies a bandwidth of XY RBs. For example, Y is greater than 12.

[0164] The following example, using Figures 5 and 6 as examples, assumes that the first PBCH carries data and DMRS, and provides an exemplary description of the number of REs used to carry data within the first PBCH.

[0165] For example, the data carried by the second PBCH is related to the data carried by the first PBCH; for instance, the data carried by the second PBCH can be determined based on the data carried by the first PBCH. In this case, the coding rate of the first PBCH is related to the PBCH payload. For example, suppose the density of DMRS in the first PBCH is 1 / Δ, that is, one DMRS is mapped every (Δ-1) subcarriers.

[0166] For example, taking Figure 5 as an example, the number of REs used to carry data in the first PBCH. satisfy:

[0167] in, Y represents the number of REs used to carry data within the first PBCH, Y represents the frequency domain bandwidth occupied by the first PBCH, and 1 / Δ is the density of DMRS within the first PBCH.

[0168] For example, taking Figure 6 as an example, the number of REs used to carry data in the first PBCH. satisfy:

[0169] For example, if Y = 12 and Δ = 4, then the number of REs used to carry data in the first PBCH is 12. For example, if the PBCH carries Z information bits, or Z bits of payload, and each RE carries a quadrature phase shift keying (QPSK) symbol, then the coding code rate for the information bits is... For example, Z = 56, and The coding rate of the information bits is approximately 0.13.

[0170] Part Two: Triggering conditions for SSB transmission between network devices and terminal devices.

[0171] In one possible implementation, if a first preset condition is met, the network device sends an SSB to the terminal device. If the first preset condition is not met, the network device sends the signals corresponding to Y RBs in the SSB (i.e., the frequency bandwidth occupied by the first PBCH) to the terminal device.

[0172] In this embodiment, the signals corresponding to the Y RBs include at least the signals carried by the first PBCH. Optionally, they may also include PSS and SSS.

[0173] Alternatively, this can be understood as follows: on the network device side, if the first preset condition is met, the network device sends an SSB to the terminal device. If the first preset condition is not met, the network device sends a first PBCH to the terminal device (or, in other words, does not send a second PBCH).

[0174] Alternatively, it can be understood that there are preset conditions for a network device to send an SSB to a terminal device, or for a terminal device to receive an SSB sent by a network device. That is, if the preset conditions are met, the network device sends an SSB to the terminal device. If the preset conditions are not met, the network device sends a first PBCH to the terminal device (but does not send a second PBCH).

[0175] Alternatively, this can be understood as the network device sending an SSB to the terminal device on a carrier with a channel bandwidth of N MHz. If a first preset condition is met, the network device sends the complete SSB to the terminal device. If the first preset condition is not met, the network device sends only a portion of the SSB (which includes the first PBCH) to the terminal device.

[0176] The first preset condition is related to one or more of the following: the hardware capabilities of the network device, the channel bandwidth supported by the network device (which may be related to the spectrum), or the energy-saving requirements of the network device.

[0177] For example, taking the first preset condition as being related to the channel bandwidth supported by the network device as an example, the first preset condition is that the channel bandwidth supported by the network device is greater than or equal to 5MHz, or the first preset condition is that the maximum transmission bandwidth corresponding to the channel bandwidth supported by the network device is greater than or equal to X RBs.

[0178] Alternatively, it can be understood that network devices can determine whether to send the complete SSB or only a portion of the SSB (occupying the middle Y RBs of the X RBs occupied by the SSB) based on the channel bandwidth supported by the network device. That is, sending a portion of the SSB can be understood as the SSB containing the first PBCH but not the second PBCH.

[0179] For example, the maximum transmission bandwidth N corresponding to the channel bandwidth supported by the network device. RB If there are X or more RBs, then send the complete SSB; otherwise, send the middle Y RBs (i.e., the first PBCH).

[0180] For example, the network device supports a channel bandwidth of 5MHz, a subcarrier spacing (SCS) of 15kHz, and N RB =25. If X is 20, the network device sends the complete SSB.

[0181] For example, the network device supports a channel bandwidth of 3MHz and an SCS of 15kHz. If X is 20 and Y is 12 (i.e., the bandwidth of the non-puncturing PBCH part of the SSB in the current NR 3GPP R18 protocol), then the network device will only send the SSB corresponding to the middle Y RBs and will not send the second PBCH.

[0182] For example, the network device supports a channel bandwidth of 5MHz, an SCS of 15kHz, and N... RB =25. If X is 24 (for example, the frequency domain bandwidth occupied by SSB in a future communication system), then the network device sends the complete SSB.

[0183] For example, the network device supports a channel bandwidth of 5MHz, an SCS of 15kHz, and N... RB =25. If X is 30 (for example, the frequency domain bandwidth occupied by SSB in a future communication system), and Y = 20 (that is, the frequency domain bandwidth occupied by the current 5G NR SSB), then the network device will only send the middle Y RBs, that is, it will not send the second PBCH.

[0184] In another possible implementation, if the second preset condition is met, the terminal device receives X RBs sent by the network device. If the second preset condition is not met, the terminal device receives Y RBs (i.e., the frequency domain bandwidth occupied by the first PBCH) sent by the network device.

[0185] Alternatively, this can be understood as follows: on the terminal device side, if the second preset condition is met, the terminal device receives the SSB sent by the network device. If the second preset condition is not met, the terminal device receives the first PBCH sent by the network device (or, in other words, does not receive the second PBCH).

[0186] Alternatively, this can be understood as the terminal device performing cell search on a carrier with a channel bandwidth of N MHz. If the second preset condition is met, the terminal device receives the complete SSB. If the second preset condition is not met, the terminal device only receives a portion of the PBCH (i.e., the first PBCH).

[0187] Alternatively, it can be understood as the terminal device receiving SSB on a carrier with a channel bandwidth of N MHz.

[0188] The second preset condition is related to one or more of the following: the hardware capabilities of the terminal device, the channel bandwidth supported by the terminal device (which may be related to the spectrum), the service requirements of the terminal device, or the energy-saving requirements of the terminal device.

[0189] For example, taking the second preset condition as being related to the channel bandwidth supported by the terminal device, the second preset condition is that the channel bandwidth supported by the terminal device is greater than or equal to 5MHz, or the second preset condition is that the maximum transmission bandwidth corresponding to the channel bandwidth supported by the terminal device is greater than or equal to X RBs.

[0190] For example, at SCS of 15kHz, N RB =25. The terminal device supports a channel bandwidth of 3MHz, while X is 20 and Y is 12. Therefore, the terminal device only receives the middle Y RBs.

[0191] For example, at an SCS of 15kHz, N RB =25. The terminal device supports a channel bandwidth of 5MHz, and X is 20, Y is 12, so the terminal device receives the complete SSB.

[0192] For example, at an SCS of 15kHz, N RB =25. The terminal device supports a channel bandwidth of 5MHz, while X is 24 (for example, the frequency domain bandwidth occupied by SSB in future communication systems) and Y is 20. Then the terminal device receives the complete SSB.

[0193] For example, at an SCS of 15kHz, N RB=25. The terminal device supports a channel bandwidth of 5MHz, while X is 30 (for example, the frequency domain bandwidth occupied by SSB in future communication systems) and Y is 20. Then the terminal device only receives the middle Y RBs.

[0194] For example, if a terminal device has energy-saving requirements, it may not receive all X RBs, but only the middle Y RBs.

[0195] Alternatively, it can be understood that the transmission process between the network device side and the terminal device side can have multiple possibilities:

[0196] For example, if the network device supports a channel bandwidth of 5MHz and sends a complete SSB, and the terminal device supports a channel bandwidth of 5MHz and receives a complete SSB.

[0197] For example, if the network device supports a channel bandwidth of 5MHz and sends the complete SSB, while the terminal device supports a channel bandwidth of 3MHz or, for energy-saving considerations, receives only a portion of the SSB (or a partial PBCH or the first PBCH).

[0198] For example, if the channel bandwidth supported by the network device and the channel bandwidth supported by the terminal device are both 3MHz, the network device may only transmit a portion of the PBCH (i.e., the first PBCH), or the terminal device may only receive a portion of the PBCH.

[0199] Step 402: The terminal device demodulates the SSB based on the association between the first PBCH and the second PBCH. This step is optional.

[0200] Optionally, when the SSB includes a first PBCH and a second PBCH, the terminal device demodulates the SSB based on the association between the first PBCH and the second PBCH.

[0201] When the SSB includes only the first PBCH, or when the SSB includes both the first PBCH and the second PBCH, the terminal device can demodulate all PBCH payload information based solely on the first PBCH.

[0202] In this context, the terminal device demodulates all PBCH payload information based only on the first PBCH. This can be understood as the terminal device demodulating all PBCH payload information based only on the first PBCH and does not need to consider the second PBCH.

[0203] Specifically, the terminal device can receive the first PBCH and the second PBCH in the corresponding time and frequency domains, and can also enhance the demodulation performance of the PBCH payload information carried by the first PBCH based on the second PBCH to achieve demodulation performance comparable to NR PBCH.

[0204] In this embodiment of the application, there are several ways in which the terminal device can demodulate the PBCH payload information carried by the first PBCH based on the second PBCH, which are described below:

[0205] The first method involves splitting the first PBCH and the second PBCH into multiple parts.

[0206] For example, the SSB time-frequency structure in Figure 6 above is used as an example to describe the following: The terminal device can enhance the demodulation performance of the PBCH payload information carried by the first PBCH based on the second PBCH to achieve demodulation performance comparable to that of the NR PBCH.

[0207] For example, as shown in Figure 7, the first PBCH is divided into three parts: #1-1, #1-2, and #1-3 (of course, the SSB time-frequency structure shown in Figure 5 does not include #1-3). #1-1 is located on the second time-domain symbol of the four time-domain symbols occupied by the SSB, #1-2 is located on the fourth time-domain symbol of the four time-domain symbols occupied by the SSB, and #1-3 is located on the third time-domain symbol of the four time-domain symbols occupied by the SSB. Alternatively, #1-3 can be understood as being located on the time-domain symbol where the SSS is located.

[0208] The third PBCH in the second PBCH is split into three parts: #3-1, #3-2, and #3-3. #3-1 is located on the second time symbol of the four time symbols occupied by the SSB, #3-2 is located on the fourth time symbol of the four time symbols occupied by the SSB, and #3-3 is located on the third time symbol of the four time symbols occupied by the SSB. Alternatively, #3-3 can be understood as being located on the time symbol where the SSS is located.

[0209] The fourth PBCH in the second PBCH is split into three parts: #4-1, #4-2, and #4-3. #4-1 is located on the second time symbol of the four time symbols occupied by the SSB, #4-2 is located on the fourth time symbol of the four time symbols occupied by the SSB, and #4-3 is located on the third time symbol of the four time symbols occupied by the SSB. Alternatively, #4-3 can be understood as being located on the time symbol where the SSS is located.

[0210] Accordingly, the terminal device demodulates the second PBCH based on the data carried by the first PBCH. This may include one or more of the following:

[0211] First, the terminal device obtains the data in #3-1 and #4-1 based on the data in #1-1; the terminal device obtains the data in #3-2 and #4-2 based on the data in #1-2.

[0212] 2. If #1-3 does not exist, the terminal device obtains the data in #3-3 and #4-3 based on the data in #1-1 and the data in #1-2.

[0213] 3. If #1-3 exists, the terminal device obtains the data in #3-3 and the data in #4-3 based on the data in #1-3.

[0214] The density of DMRS within the first PBCH is... The density of DMRS within the second PBCH is #1-1 contains N1 REs used to carry data, where Assuming sequence d 1-1 (0), d 1-1 (1), ..., d 1-1 (N1-1) represents the sequence. The sequence is mapped to non-DMRS-occupied REs in ascending order of subcarrier index. For example, Y=12, and... Assuming the indices of the REs occupied by DMRS are 0, 4, 8, ..., 140, then the sequence d of length 108... 1-1 (0), d 1-1 (1), ..., d 1-1 (107) maps to REs with indices 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, ..., 141, 142, 143. For example, d 1-1 (0) is mapped to the RE with index 1.

[0215] #1-2 contains N1 data points, assuming a sequence d is used. 1-2 (0), d 1-2 (1), ..., d 1-2 (N1-1) represents the sequence, which is mapped to REs not occupied by DMRS in ascending order of subcarrier index.

[0216] If #1-3 exists, #1-3 contains N2 REs used to carry data, where Assuming sequence d 1-3 (0), d 1-3 (1), ..., d 1-3 (N2-1) represents the sequence, which is mapped to REs not occupied by DMRS in ascending order of subcarrier index.

[0217] The number of REs used to carry data in #3-1, #4-1, #3-2, #4-2, #3-3, and #4-3 is N3, where Similarly, the data in #3-1 is represented by sequence d. 3-1 (0), d 3-1(1), ..., d 3-1 (N3-1) indicates that the sequence is mapped to non-DMRS-occupied REs in ascending order of subcarrier index. Data in #4-1 is represented by sequence d. 4-1 (0), d 4-1 (1), ..., d 4-1 (N3-1) indicates that the sequence is mapped to non-DMRS-occupied REs in ascending order of subcarrier index. Data in #3-2 is represented by sequence d. 3-2 (0), d 3-2 (1), ..., d 3-2 (N3-1) indicates that the sequence is mapped to non-DMRS-occupied REs in ascending order of subcarrier index. Data in #4-2 uses sequence d. 4-2 (0), d 4-2 (1), ..., d 4-2 (N3-1) indicates that the sequence is mapped to non-DMRS-occupied REs in ascending order of subcarrier index. Data in #3-3 is represented by sequence d. 3-3 (0), d 3-3 (1), ..., d 3-3 (N3-1) indicates that the sequence is mapped to non-DMRS-occupied REs in ascending order of subcarrier index. Data in #4-3 is represented by sequence d. 4-3 (0), d 4-3 (1), ..., d 4-3 (N3-1) indicates that the sequence is mapped to the RE not occupied by DMRS in ascending order of subcarrier index.

[0218] Optionally, the first PBCH contains 2Y*12 REs, the second PBCH contains 3*(XY)*12 REs, and the number of REs occupied by the first PBCH and the second PBCH can be the same or different.

[0219] The above provides a preliminary description of the splitting of the first PBCH, the third PBCH, and the fourth PBCH, as well as the generation of the split data. The following is a detailed description of each splitting part:

[0220] 1. The terminal device obtains the data in #3-1 based on the data in #1-1.

[0221] Optionally, the terminal device can process the first N3 data points from the N1 data points in #1-1 (i.e., the number of REs used to carry data in #1-1 is N1, with 1 RE carrying 1 data point by default) to obtain the N3 data points in #3-1. There are many possible implementations for this processing; here, PAPR and / or demodulation performance are taken into consideration.

[0222] For example, d 3-1 (k)=conj(d1-1 (k)), k∈{0,1,...,N3-1};

[0223] For example, d 3-1 (k)=-conj(d 1-1 (k)), k∈{0,1,...,N3-1};

[0224] For example,

[0225] For example,

[0226] For example,

[0227] For example, etc;

[0228] Here, conj() represents the conjugate transpose. For example, the conjugate transpose of the complex number 1+1j is 1-1j.

[0229] It is understood that the above expressions are just examples, and other expressions may be used in other embodiments, which are not limited here.

[0230] As can be seen from the above design, d 3-1 (k) occupies RE and d 1-1 (k) The REs occupied are spaced Y*12 subcarriers or Y RBs. When the terminal device performs joint demodulation based on #1-1 and #3-1, it can obtain the channel diversity gain.

[0231] Compared to d 3-1 (k)=d 1-1 (k) or d 3-1 (k)=-d 1-1 (k) The above design can avoid PAPR degradation, as shown in Figure 8. Where X = 20RBs. d 3-1 (k)=d 1-1 (k) introduces a PAPR loss, and this loss increases as Y decreases. For example, at Y = 12 RBs (Figure 8, 3), the PAPR deteriorates by 0.8 dB @ CCDF = 0.01 compared to Y = 20 RBs (Figure 8, 1). In contrast, 4 and 5 in Figure 8 above do not worsen the PAPR.

[0232] 2. The terminal device obtains the data in #4-1 based on the data in #1-1.

[0233] Optionally, the terminal device can process the first N3 data points from the N1 data points in #1-1 to obtain the N3 data points in #4-1. There are many possible implementations for this processing; here, PAPR and / or demodulation performance are taken into consideration.

[0234] For example, d 4-1 (k)=conj(d 1-1 (N1-N3+k)), k∈{0,1,...,N3-1};

[0235] For example, d 4-1 (k)=-conj(d 1-1 (N1-N3+k)), k∈{0,1,...,N3-1};

[0236] For example,

[0237] For example,

[0238] For example,

[0239] For example, etc;

[0240] Here, conj() represents the conjugate transpose. For example, the conjugate transpose of the complex number 1+1j is 1-1j.

[0241] It is understood that the above expressions are just examples, and other expressions may be used in other embodiments, which are not limited here.

[0242] As can be seen from the above design, d 4-1 (k) occupies RE and d 1-1 The REs occupied by (N1-N3+k) are spaced Y*12 subcarriers or Y RBs. When the terminal device performs joint demodulation based on #1-1 and #4-1, it can obtain the channel diversity gain.

[0243] The processing steps 1 and 2 above can be illustrated in Figure 9. That is, the terminal device can process the first N1 data in #1-1 to obtain the N3 data in #3-1, and process the last N3 data in #1-1 to obtain the N3 data in #4-1.

[0244] 3. The terminal device obtains the data in #3-2 based on the data in #1-2.

[0245] Optionally, the terminal device can process the first N3 data points from the N1 data points in #1-2 to obtain the N3 data points in #3-2. There are many possible implementations for this processing, similarly considering PAPR and / or demodulation performance. For example, the implementation given in section 1 above, which obtains the data in #3-1 based on the data in #1-1, can be used. Specifically, the d values ​​in each expression in section 1... 3-1 (k) is replaced with d 3-2 (k), d 1-1 (k) is replaced with d 1-2 (k).

[0246] For example, d 3-2 (k)=conj(d 1-2 (k)), k∈{0,1,...,N3-1};

[0247] For example, d 3-2 (k)=-conj(d 1-2 (k)), k∈{0,1,...,N3-1};

[0248] For example,

[0249] For example,

[0250] For example,

[0251] For example, etc;

[0252] It is understood that the above expressions are just examples, and other expressions may be used in other embodiments, which are not limited here.

[0253] Through the above design, it can be seen that d 3-2 (k) occupies RE and d 1-2 (k) The REs occupied are spaced Y*12 subcarriers or Y RBs. When the terminal device performs joint demodulation based on #1-2 and #3-2, it can obtain the channel diversity gain.

[0254] 4. The terminal device obtains the data in #4-2 based on the data in #1-2.

[0255] Optionally, the terminal device can process the first N3 data points from the N1 data points in #1-2 to obtain the N3 data points in #4-2. There are many possible implementations for this processing, similarly considering PAPR and / or demodulation performance. For example, the implementation given in section 2 above, which obtains the data in #4-1 based on the data in #1-1, can be used. Specifically, the d values ​​in the expressions in section 2 above... 4-1(k) is replaced with d 4-2 (k), d 1-1 (k) is replaced with d 1-2 (k).

[0256] For example, d 4-2 (k)=conj(d 1-2 (N1-N3+k)), k∈{0,1,...,N3-1};

[0257] For example, d 4-2 (k)=-conj(d 1-2 (N1-N3+k)), k∈{0,1,...,N3-1};

[0258] For example,

[0259] For example,

[0260] For example,

[0261] For example, etc;

[0262] It is understood that the above expressions are just examples, and other expressions may be used in other embodiments, which are not limited here.

[0263] Through the above design, it can be seen that d 4-2 (k) occupies RE and d 1-2 The REs occupied by (N1-N3+k) are spaced by Y*12 subcarriers or Y RBs. When the terminal device performs joint demodulation based on #1-2 and #4-2, it can obtain the channel diversity gain.

[0264] 5. If #1-3 does not exist, the terminal device obtains the data in #3-3 and #4-3 based on the data in #1-1 and the data in #1-2.

[0265] For example, the terminal device obtains data from #3-3 based on data from #1-1; the terminal device obtains data from #4-3 based on data from #1-2. As another example, the terminal device obtains data from #4-3 based on data from #1-1; the terminal device obtains data from #3-3 based on data from #1-2. These will be described in more detail later, but will not be elaborated on here.

[0266] Furthermore, the 2-to-2 design (#3-3, #4-3) = f(#1-1, #1-2) can be simplified to a 1-to-1 design, where f() represents a function. For example, (#3-3) = f1(#1-1), where f1() is a function. Another example is (#4-3) = f2(#1-2), where f2() is a function.

[0267] The advantage of doing this is that it is simple to implement and can achieve a balance in demodulation performance between #1-1 and #1-2.

[0268] For example, if a terminal device obtains data from #3-3 based on data from #1-1, then #3-3 can be considered a redundancy of #1-1. This redundancy can be used to improve the demodulation performance of #1-1, assuming an improvement of a dB. As another example, if a terminal device obtains data from #4-3 based on data from #1-2, then #4-3 can be considered a redundancy of #1-2. This redundancy can be used to improve the demodulation performance of #1-2, assuming an improvement of b dB.

[0269] Without considering redundancy, the demodulation performance of #1-1 and #1-2 is comparable. When the redundancy is the same (i.e., #3-3 and #4-3 have the same size), a can be considered equal to or approximately equal to b. In summary, considering redundancy, the demodulation performance of #1-1 and #1-2 is comparable or balanced.

[0270] If the demodulation performance of #1-1 and #1-2 is unbalanced, for example, #1-1 is worse, then the demodulation performance of the first PBCH is determined by #1-1.

[0271] The following describes several specific cases of 5:

[0272] 1) The terminal device obtains the data in #3-3 based on the data in #1-1.

[0273] Optionally, the terminal device can process the middle N3 data points from the N1 data points in #1-1 to obtain the N3 data points in #3-3.

[0274] For example,

[0275] For example,

[0276] For example,

[0277] For example, etc;

[0278] It is understood that the above expressions are just examples, and other expressions may be used in other embodiments, which are not limited here.

[0279] In this approach, on one hand, the terminal device processes the middle N3 data points from the N1 data points within #1-1 to obtain the N3 data points in #3-3. This can be understood as the terminal device adding redundancy to the middle N3 data points within #1-1 using #3-3. The terminal device can then improve the demodulation performance of the middle N3 data points within #1-1 based on #3-3.

[0280] On the other hand, d 3-3 (k) occupied RE and The occupied REs are spaced Y / 2 RBs apart in the frequency domain and belong to different symbols in the time domain. When the terminal device performs joint demodulation based on #1-1 and #3-3, it can obtain the channel diversity gain and time diversity gain.

[0281] Furthermore, redundancy was added to the first N3 and last N3 data points within #1-1 using #3-1 and #4-1 respectively. Here, redundancy is added to the middle N3 data points within #1-1 using #3-3. In summary, redundancy is added to most, or even all, of the data within #1-1 (if N1 ≥ 2N3) using #3-1, #4-1, and #3-3. Adding redundancy to the middle N3 data points within #1-1 using #3-3 helps achieve a balance in data demodulation performance within #1-1.

[0282] 2) The terminal device obtains the data in #4-3 based on the data in #1-2.

[0283] Optionally, the terminal device can process the middle N3 data points from the N1 data points in #1-2 to obtain the N3 data points in #4-3. Specifically, in the implementation, d in the expression above 1) can be... 3-3 (k) is replaced with d 4-3 (k), and Replace with

[0284] For example,

[0285] For example,

[0286] For example,

[0287] For example, etc;

[0288] It is understood that the above expressions are just examples, and other expressions may be used in other embodiments, which are not limited here.

[0289] In this approach, on the one hand, the N3 middle data points from the N1 data points within #1-2 are processed to obtain the N3 data points in #4-3. This can be understood as the terminal device adding redundancy to the N3 middle data points from the N1 data points within #1-2 using #4-3. The terminal device can then improve the demodulation performance of the N3 middle data points from the N1 data points within #1-2 based on #4-3.

[0290] On the other hand, d 4-3 (k) occupied RE and The occupied REs are spaced Y / 2 RBs apart in the frequency domain and belong to different symbols in the time domain. When the terminal device performs joint demodulation based on #1-2 and #4-3, it can obtain the channel diversity gain and time diversity gain.

[0291] Furthermore, redundancy was added to the first N3 and last N3 data points within #1-2 using #3-2 and #4-2 respectively. Here, redundancy is added to the middle N3 data points within #1-2 using #4-3. In summary, redundancy is added to most, or even all, of the data within #1-2 (if 3N3 ≥ N1) using #3-2, #4-2, and #4-3. Adding redundancy to the middle N3 data points within #1-2 using #4-3 helps achieve a balance in data demodulation performance within #1-2.

[0292] 3) The terminal device obtains the data in #4-3 based on the data in #1-1;

[0293] Optionally, the terminal device can process the middle N3 data points from the N1 data points in #1-1 to obtain the N3 data points in #4-3. Specifically, in the implementation, d in the expression above 1) can be... 3-3 (k) is replaced with d 4-3 (k).

[0294] For example,

[0295] For example,

[0296] For example,

[0297] For example, etc;

[0298] It is understood that the above expressions are just examples, and other expressions may be used in other embodiments, which are not limited here.

[0299] The advantages of this method are similar to those described above for "obtaining data within #3-3 based on data within #1-1", and will not be repeated here.

[0300] 4) The terminal device obtains the data in #3-3 based on the data in #1-2.

[0301] Optionally, the terminal device can process the middle N3 data points from the N1 data points in #1-2 to obtain the N3 data points in #3-3. Specifically, in implementation, the expression in 1) above can be... Replace with

[0302] For example

[0303] For example,

[0304] For example,

[0305] For example, etc;

[0306] It is understood that the above expressions are just examples, and other expressions may be used in other embodiments, which are not limited here.

[0307] The advantages of this method are similar to those described above for "obtaining data from #4-3 based on data from #1-2", and will not be repeated here.

[0308] 6. If #1-3 exists and N1≥2N3, the terminal device obtains the data in #3-3 and #4-3 based on the data in #1-3.

[0309] 1) The terminal device obtains the data in #3-3 based on the data in #1-3.

[0310] Optionally, PAPR and / or demodulation performance are considered together here. For example, the implementation of "the terminal device obtains the data in #3-1 based on the data in #1-1" given in section 1 above can be used. In specific implementation, the d in the expression in section 1 above can be... 3-1 (k) is replaced with d 3-3 (k), d 1-1 (k) is replaced with d 1-3 (k).

[0311] For example, d 3-3 (k)=conj(d 1-3 (k)), k∈{0,1,...,N3-1};

[0312] For example, d 3-3 (k)=-conj(d 1-3 (k)), k∈{0,1,...,N3-1};

[0313] For example,

[0314] For example,

[0315] For example,

[0316] For example, etc;

[0317] It is understood that the above expressions are just examples, and other expressions may be used in other embodiments, which are not limited here.

[0318] Through the above design, it can be seen that d 3-3 (k) occupies RE and d 1-3 (k) The REs occupied are spaced Y*12 subcarriers or Y RBs. When the terminal device performs joint demodulation based on #1-3 and #3-3, it can obtain the channel diversity gain.

[0319] 2) The terminal device obtains the data in #4-3 based on the data in #1-3.

[0320] Optionally, PAPR and / or demodulation performance are considered together here. For example, the implementation of "the terminal device obtains the data in #4-1 based on the data in #1-1" given in section 2 above can be used. In specific implementation, the d in the expression in section 2 above can be... 4-1 (k) is replaced with d 4-3 (k), d 1-1 (N1-N3+k) is replaced with d 1-3 (N1-N3+k).

[0321] For example, d 4-3 (k)=conj(d 1-3 (N1-N3+k)), k∈{0,1,...,N3-1};

[0322] For example, d 4-3 (k)=-conj(d 1-3 (N1-N3+k)), k∈{0,1,...,N3-1};

[0323] For example,

[0324] For example,

[0325] For example,

[0326] For example, etc;

[0327] It is understood that the above expressions are just examples, and other expressions may be used in other embodiments, which are not limited here.

[0328] Through the above design, it can be seen that d 4-3 (k) occupies RE and d 1-3 The REs occupied by (N1-N3+k) are spaced by Y*12 subcarriers or Y RBs. When the terminal device performs joint demodulation based on #1-3 and #4-3, it can obtain the channel diversity gain.

[0329] 7. When #1-3 exists and N1<2N3, the terminal device obtains the data in #3-3 and #4-3 based on the data in #1-1, the data in #1-2, and the data in #1-3.

[0330] 1) The terminal device obtains the remaining N2 / 2 data points within #3-3 based on the first N2 / 2 data points within #1-3. For example, it follows the implementation given in section 1 above, where "the terminal device obtains the data within #3-1 based on the data within #1-1". In specific implementation, the d in the expression in section 1 above can be... 3_1 (k) is replaced with d 1-1 (k) is replaced with d 1-3 (k), and the range of k is replaced by k∈{0,1,…,N2 / 2-1}.

[0331] For example,

[0332] For example,

[0333] For example,

[0334] For example,

[0335] For example,

[0336] For example, etc;

[0337] It is understood that the above expressions are just examples, and other expressions may be used in other embodiments, which are not limited here.

[0338] In this method, the terminal device adds redundancy to #1-3 based on #3-3. When the terminal device performs joint demodulation of #1-3 based on #3-3, it can obtain the channel diversity gain.

[0339] 2) The terminal device obtains the preceding information from #3-3 based on #1-1. N1 data points. Optionally, the terminal device bases its data on the middle data point within #1-1. After processing, the data yields #3-3 (previous data). Data points.

[0340] For example,

[0341] For example,

[0342] For example,

[0343] For example, etc;

[0344] It is understood that the above expressions are just examples, and other expressions may be used in other embodiments, which are not limited here.

[0345] In this method, when the terminal device demodulates #1-1 jointly based on #3-3, it can obtain the channel diversity gain.

[0346] Of course, the terminal device can also obtain the preceding information in #3-3 based on #1-2. For example, the terminal device is based on the middle of N1 data points within #1-2. After processing, the data yields #3-3 (previous data). This is a data point. Similar to point 5 above, it will not be repeated here.

[0347] 3) The terminal device obtains the first N2 / 2 data points of #4-3 based on the last N2 / 2 data points of #1-3. For example, it follows the implementation given in 1 above, where "the terminal device obtains the data in #3-1 based on the data in #1-1". In specific implementation, d in the expression in 1 above can be... 3-1 (k) is replaced with d 4-3 (k), d 1-1 (k) is replaced with In addition, the range of k is replaced with k∈{0,1,…,N2 / 2-1}.

[0348] In this method, the terminal device adds redundancy to #1-3 based on #4-3. When the terminal device performs joint demodulation of #1-3 based on #4-3, it can obtain the channel diversity gain.

[0349] 4) The terminal device obtains the following information from #4-3 based on #1-2. N1 data points. Optionally, the terminal device bases its data on the middle data point among N1 data points #1-2. After processing, the data yields #4-3. Data points.

[0350] For example,

[0351] For example,

[0352] For example,

[0353] For example, etc;

[0354] It is understood that the above expressions are just examples, and other expressions may be used in other embodiments, which are not limited here.

[0355] In this method, when the terminal device demodulates #1-2 jointly based on #4-3, it can obtain the channel diversity gain.

[0356] Of course, the terminal device can also obtain the subsequent information in #4-3 based on #1-1. For example, the terminal device is based on the middle of N1 data points within #1-1. After processing, the data yields #4-3. This is a data point. Similar to point 5 above, it will not be repeated here.

[0357] In addition, considering the performance balance between #1-1 and #1-2, when some data in #3-3 is generated based on some data in #1-1, then some data in #4-3 is generated based on some data in #1-2; or when some data in #3-3 is generated based on some data in #1-2, then some data in #4-3 is generated based on some data in #1-1.

[0358] It is understood that the above-described methods of generating split data are merely illustrative examples. Other implementations may have different scenarios, which are not limited here.

[0359] The second approach treats both the first and second PBCHs as a single entity.

[0360] Based on the description of the first type above, the number of data N contained in the first PBCH is... 1,PBCH satisfy:

[0361] The second PBCH contains N data points. 2,PBCH , where N 2,PBCH =6N3.

[0362] For ease of explanation, assume that #1-3 exist. Arrange the data contained in the first PBCH in the frequency domain first, then the time domain, to obtain a sequence of length 2N1+N2, s1(n), n=0,1,…,2N1+N2-1, specifically:

[0363] Similarly, the data contained in the second PBCH are arranged first in the frequency domain and then in the time domain, resulting in a sequence of length 6N3, denoted as s2(n), n = 0, 1, ..., 6N3-1, specifically:

[0364] First, the terminal device generates a sequence s3(n) of length 6N3 based on s1(n). For example, s3(n) can be obtained by cyclic expansion or truncation, where s3(n) = s1((n+L)mod 6N3), n = 0, 1, ..., 6N3-1. Here, L is a preset integer. Then, the terminal device further processes s3(n) to obtain a sequence s2(n) of length 6N3. For example, further processing includes one or more of the following: interleaving, phase rotation, conjugation, etc.

[0365] For example, we can perform interleaving on s3(n) to obtain s2(n). For instance, if 6N3 = 12, consider interleaving a 4*3 matrix (as shown below).

[0366] Enter the matrix column by column and exit the matrix row by row to obtain the sequence s2(n). That is, s3(0), s3(3), s3(6), s3(9), s3(1), s3(4), s3(7), s3(10), s3(2), s3(5), s3(8), s3(11).

[0367] For example, performing a phase rotation on s3(n), i.e., s2(n) = e jθ(n) s3(n), where θ(n) may be related to n or not, for example, θ(n) = pi / 2 or -pi / 2.

[0368] For example, conjugate of s3(n): for example, s2(n) = conj(s3(n)).

[0369] It is understandable that the above-mentioned further processing can be implemented individually or in combination. For example, when conjugation and phase rotation are implemented in combination, i.e., s2(n) = e jθ(n) conj(s3(n)). For example, interleaving can be performed first, followed by conjugation. Furthermore, the aforementioned phase rotation or conjugation can prevent PAPR degradation.

[0370] Step 403: The terminal device demodulates the SSB based solely on the first PBCH. This step is optional.

[0371] Optionally, if the SSB only includes the first PBCH, or if the terminal device only receives the first PBCH (corresponding to Y RBs), the terminal device can demodulate all PBCH payload information based solely on the first PBCH.

[0372] In this context, the terminal device demodulates all PBCH payload information based only on the first PBCH. This can be understood as the terminal device demodulating all PBCH payload information based only on the first PBCH and does not need to consider the second PBCH.

[0373] It should be noted that the communication method provided in this application embodiment has multiple variations. For example, the communication method provided in this application embodiment includes steps 401 to 403. As another example, the communication method provided in this application embodiment includes steps 401 and 403.

[0374] For example, the network device sends X RBs, the terminal device receives X RBs, and demodulates the PBCH payload information carried by the first PBCH based on the second PBCH.

[0375] For example, if a network device sends Y RBs and a terminal device receives Y RBs, and demodulates all PBCH payload information based only on the first PBCH, it can be understood that the terminal device demodulates all PBCH payload information based only on the first PBCH and does not need to consider the second PBCH.

[0376] For example, if a network device sends X RBs and a terminal device receives Y RBs, and demodulates all PBCH payload information based only on the first PBCH, it can be understood that the terminal device demodulates all PBCH payload information based only on the first PBCH and does not need to consider the second PBCH.

[0377] In this embodiment, on the one hand, the network device can determine whether to send a complete SSB (i.e., X RBs) or a partial SSB (i.e., Y RBs or the first PBCH) based on whether a first preset condition is met. Correspondingly, the terminal device can determine whether to receive a complete SSB (i.e., X RBs) or a partial SSB (i.e., Y RBs or the first PBCH) based on whether a second preset condition is met. On the other hand, the terminal device may only receive the first PBCH due to channel bandwidth limitations or for certain factors (such as energy saving). Based on the above scheme, since the first PBCH is used to carry the PBCH payload information, the entire PBCH payload information can still be recovered even when the terminal device only receives the first PBCH. Determining the encoding method based solely on the first PBCH, i.e., using the first PBCH to determine the PBCH payload information encoding method, can reduce the PBCH demodulation performance loss when only the first PBCH is received. On the other hand, the terminal device receives an SSB, and the first PBCH included in the SSB is related to the second PBCH. The terminal device can enhance the demodulation performance of the PBCH payload information carried by the first PBCH based on the second PBCH, achieving demodulation performance comparable to NR PBCH. On the other hand, by providing exemplary descriptions of various expressions related to the first PBCH and the second PBCH, the degradation of PBCH demodulation performance can be reduced and channel diversity gain can be obtained.

[0378] The communication method in the embodiments of this application has been described above. The communication device in the embodiments of this application is described below. Please refer to FIG10, which shows an embodiment of the communication device 1000 in this application. This communication device 1000 can implement the functions of the network device or terminal device in the above method embodiments, and therefore can also achieve the beneficial effects of the above method embodiments. In the embodiments of this application, the communication device 1000 can be a communication device, or it can be an integrated circuit or component inside the communication device, such as a chip. The communication device 1000 includes: a transceiver unit 1001 and a processing unit 1002.

[0379] In one possible implementation, the communication device 1000 is the terminal device in the embodiments shown in Figures 1A to 9 above, and in this case, the functions of each unit are as follows:

[0380] The transceiver unit 1001 is used to receive a synchronization signal block (SSB). The PBCH in the SSB includes a first PBCH and a second PBCH, and the second PBCH is related to the first PBCH. The first PBCH carries all PBCH payload information.

[0381] Optionally, the processing unit 1002 is used to perform cell search on a carrier with a channel bandwidth of N MHz, where N is greater than or equal to 5.

[0382] Optionally, the second PBCH is associated with the first PBCH, including: the data carried by the first PBCH is used to generate the data carried by the second PBCH.

[0383] Optionally, the frequency domain bandwidth occupied by the SSB is X frequency domain resource blocks (RBs), the first PBCH occupies Y RBs in the middle of the SSB, and the second PBCH occupies the remaining XY RBs, where X is a positive integer greater than 0 and Y is less than X.

[0384] Optionally, the SSB occupies 4 time-domain symbols. The first time-domain symbol carries the primary synchronization signal PSS, the second time-domain symbol carries the first part of the first PBCH and the first part of the second PBCH, the third time-domain symbol carries the auxiliary synchronization signal SSS and the second part of the second PBCH, and the fourth time-domain symbol carries the second part of the first PBCH and the third part of the second PBCH.

[0385] Optionally, Y=12, in the second time domain symbol, the first part of the first PBCH occupies a bandwidth of 12 RBs, and the first part of the second PBCH occupies a bandwidth of X-12 RBs; in the third time domain symbol, the SSS and its guard band occupy a bandwidth of 12 RBs, and the second part of the second PBCH occupies a bandwidth of X-12 RBs; in the fourth time domain symbol, the second part of the first PBCH occupies a bandwidth of 12 RBs, and the third part of the second PBCH occupies a bandwidth of X-12 RBs.

[0386] Optionally, if Y is greater than 12, the third time-domain symbol also carries the third part of the first PBCH.

[0387] Optionally, in the second time-domain symbol, the first part of the first PBCH occupies a bandwidth of Y RBs, and the first part of the second PBCH occupies a bandwidth of XY RBs; in the third time-domain symbol, the SSS and its guard band occupy a bandwidth of 12 RBs, the third part of the first PBCH occupies a bandwidth of Y-12 RBs, and the second part of the second PBCH occupies a bandwidth of XY RBs; in the fourth time-domain symbol, the second part of the first PBCH occupies a bandwidth of Y RBs, and the third part of the second PBCH occupies a bandwidth of XY RBs.

[0388] Optionally, the second PBCH includes the third PBCH and the fourth PBCH, and the third PBCH and the fourth PBCH occupy the same frequency domain size.

[0389] Optionally, the frequency corresponding to the frequency domain resources occupied by the third PBCH is higher than the frequency corresponding to the frequency domain resources occupied by the first PBCH, and the frequency corresponding to the frequency domain resources occupied by the fourth PBCH is lower than the frequency corresponding to the frequency domain resources occupied by the first PBCH. Alternatively, the frequency corresponding to the frequency domain resources occupied by the third PBCH is lower than the frequency corresponding to the frequency domain resources occupied by the first PBCH, and the frequency corresponding to the frequency domain resources occupied by the fourth PBCH is higher than the frequency corresponding to the frequency domain resources occupied by the first PBCH.

[0390] Optionally, the first PBCH and the second PBCH each carry DMRS, with the density of DMRS in the first PBCH being higher than the density of DMRS in the second PBCH.

[0391] In this embodiment, the operations performed by each unit in the communication device are similar to those described in the terminal devices shown in the embodiments of Figures 1A to 9 above, and will not be repeated here.

[0392] In this embodiment, the transceiver unit 1001 receives an SSB, and the SSB includes a first PBCH associated with a second PBCH. Utilizing the association between the first PBCH and the second PBCH, the terminal device can enhance the demodulation performance of the PBCH payload information carried by the first PBCH based on the second PBCH, achieving demodulation performance comparable to that of an NR PBCH.

[0393] In another possible implementation, the communication device 1000 is a network device in the embodiments shown in Figures 1A to 9 above, in which case the functions of each unit are as follows:

[0394] The transceiver unit 1001 is used to transmit a synchronization signal block SSB, which includes a first PBCH and a second PBCH, and the second PBCH is determined based on the first PBCH.

[0395] Optionally, the transceiver unit 1001 is specifically used to transmit SSB via a carrier with a channel bandwidth of N MHz, where N is greater than or equal to 5.

[0396] Optionally, the second PBCH is associated with the first PBCH, including: the data carried by the first PBCH is used to generate the data carried by the second PBCH.

[0397] Optionally, the frequency domain bandwidth occupied by the SSB is X frequency domain resource blocks (RBs), the first PBCH occupies Y RBs in the middle of the SSB, and the second PBCH occupies the remaining XY RBs, where X is a positive integer greater than 0 and Y is less than X.

[0398] Optionally, the SSB occupies 4 time-domain symbols. The first time-domain symbol carries the primary synchronization signal PSS, the second time-domain symbol carries the first part of the first PBCH and the first part of the second PBCH, the third time-domain symbol carries the auxiliary synchronization signal SSS and the second part of the second PBCH, and the fourth time-domain symbol carries the second part of the first PBCH and the third part of the second PBCH.

[0399] Optionally, Y=12, in the second time domain symbol, the first part of the first PBCH occupies a bandwidth of 12 RBs, and the first part of the second PBCH occupies a bandwidth of X-12 RBs; in the third time domain symbol, the SSS and its guard band occupy a bandwidth of 12 RBs, and the second part of the second PBCH occupies a bandwidth of X-12 RBs; in the fourth time domain symbol, the second part of the first PBCH occupies a bandwidth of 12 RBs, and the third part of the second PBCH occupies a bandwidth of X-12 RBs.

[0400] Optionally, if Y is greater than 12, the third time-domain symbol also carries the third part of the first PBCH.

[0401] Optionally, in the second time-domain symbol, the first part of the first PBCH occupies a bandwidth of Y RBs, and the first part of the second PBCH occupies a bandwidth of XY RBs; in the third time-domain symbol, the SSS and its guard band occupy a bandwidth of 12 RBs, the third part of the first PBCH occupies a bandwidth of Y-12 RBs, and the second part of the second PBCH occupies a bandwidth of XY RBs; in the fourth time-domain symbol, the second part of the first PBCH occupies a bandwidth of Y RBs, and the third part of the second PBCH occupies a bandwidth of XY RBs.

[0402] Optionally, the second PBCH includes the third PBCH and the fourth PBCH, and the third PBCH and the fourth PBCH occupy the same frequency domain size.

[0403] Optionally, the frequency corresponding to the frequency domain resources occupied by the third PBCH is higher than the frequency corresponding to the frequency domain resources occupied by the first PBCH, and the frequency corresponding to the frequency domain resources occupied by the fourth PBCH is lower than the frequency corresponding to the frequency domain resources occupied by the first PBCH. Alternatively, the frequency corresponding to the frequency domain resources occupied by the third PBCH is lower than the frequency corresponding to the frequency domain resources occupied by the first PBCH, and the frequency corresponding to the frequency domain resources occupied by the fourth PBCH is higher than the frequency corresponding to the frequency domain resources occupied by the first PBCH.

[0404] Optionally, the first PBCH and the second PBCH each carry DMRS, with the density of DMRS in the first PBCH being higher than the density of DMRS in the second PBCH.

[0405] In this embodiment, the operations performed by each unit in the communication device are similar to those described in the network devices shown in the embodiments of Figures 1A to 9 above, and will not be repeated here.

[0406] In this embodiment, the transceiver unit 1001 transmits an SSB, and the SSB includes a first PBCH associated with a second PBCH. Utilizing the association between the first PBCH and the second PBCH, the terminal device can enhance the demodulation performance of the PBCH payload information carried by the first PBCH based on the second PBCH, achieving demodulation performance comparable to that of an NR PBCH.

[0407] In another possible implementation, the communication device 1000 is the terminal device in the embodiments shown in Figures 1A to 9 above, in which case the functions of each unit are as follows:

[0408] Transceiver unit 1001 is used to receive the first physical broadcast channel PBCH, which carries the payload information of the PBCH.

[0409] Processing unit 1002 is used to determine the encoding method based solely on the first PBCH.

[0410] Optionally, the processing unit 1002 is used to perform cell search on a carrier with a channel bandwidth of N MHz, where N is less than 5 and greater than 0.

[0411] In this embodiment, the operations performed by each unit in the communication device are similar to those described in the terminal devices shown in the embodiments of Figures 1A to 9 above, and will not be repeated here.

[0412] In this embodiment, the transceiver unit 1001 may only receive the first PBCH due to channel bandwidth limitations of the terminal device or for other reasons (such as energy saving). Based on the above scheme, since the first PBCH is used to carry the PBCH payload information, the entire PBCH payload information can still be recovered even when the terminal device only receives the first PBCH. Determining the encoding method based solely on the first PBCH, i.e., using the first PBCH to determine the PBCH payload information encoding method, can reduce the PBCH demodulation performance loss when only the first PBCH is received.

[0413] In another possible implementation, the communication device 1000 is a network device in the embodiments shown in Figures 1A to 9 above, in which case the functions of each unit are as follows:

[0414] The transceiver unit 1001 is used to transmit the first physical broadcast channel PBCH, which is used to carry the payload information of the PBCH and to determine the encoding method.

[0415] Optionally, the transceiver unit 1001 is specifically used to transmit the first PBCH through a carrier with a channel bandwidth of N MHz, where N is less than 5 and greater than 0.

[0416] In this embodiment, the operations performed by each unit in the communication device are similar to those described in the network devices shown in the embodiments of Figures 1A to 9 above, and will not be repeated here.

[0417] In this embodiment, the transceiver unit 1001 only transmits the first PBCH because the network device is limited by the channel bandwidth. Since the first PBCH carries the payload information of all PBCHs, the terminal device can still recover the entire PBCH payload information even when the network device only transmits the first PBCH and the corresponding terminal device only receives the first PBCH. Determining the encoding method based solely on the first PBCH, i.e., using the first PBCH to determine the PBCH payload information encoding method, can reduce the PBCH demodulation performance loss when the network device only transmits the first PBCH and the corresponding terminal device only receives the first PBCH.

[0418] Please refer to Figure 11, which is another schematic structural diagram of the communication device 1100 provided in this application. The communication device 1100 includes a logic circuit 1101 and an input / output interface 1102. The communication device 1100 can be a chip or an integrated circuit.

[0419] Optionally, the input / output interface 1102 in FIG11 can be equivalent to the transceiver unit 1001 shown in FIG10, and the input / output interface 1102 may include an input interface and an output interface. Alternatively, the communication interface may also be a transceiver circuit, which may include an input interface circuit and an output interface circuit. The logic circuit 1101 in FIG11 can be equivalent to the processing unit 1002 shown in FIG10.

[0420] The logic circuit 1101 and the input / output interface 1102 can also perform other steps performed by the network device or terminal device in any embodiment and achieve corresponding beneficial effects, which will not be elaborated here.

[0421] Optionally, the logic circuit 1101 can be a processing device, the functions of which can be partially or entirely implemented in software.

[0422] Optionally, the processing apparatus may include a memory and a processor, wherein the memory is used to store computer programs or instructions, and the processor reads and executes the computer programs or instructions stored in the memory to perform the corresponding processing and / or steps in any of the method embodiments.

[0423] Optionally, the processing device may consist of only a processor. A memory for storing computer programs or instructions is located outside the processing device, and the processor is connected to the memory via circuitry / wires to read and execute the computer programs or instructions stored in the memory. The memory and processor may be integrated together or physically independent of each other.

[0424] Optionally, the processing device may be one or more chips, or one or more integrated circuits. For example, the processing device may be one or more field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), system-on-chips (SoCs), central processing units (CPUs), network processors (NPs), digital signal processors (DSPs), microcontroller units (MCUs), programmable logic devices (PLDs), or other integrated chips, or any group of the above chips or processors.

[0425] Please refer to Figure 12, which shows the communication device 1200 involved in the above embodiments provided in the embodiments of this application. Specifically, the communication device 1200 can be a communication device that serves as a network device or a terminal device in the above embodiments.

[0426] The present invention provides a possible logical structure diagram of the communication device 1200, which may include, but is not limited to, at least one processor 1201 and a communication port 1202.

[0427] Optionally, the communication port 1202 in FIG12 can be equivalent to the transceiver unit 1001 shown in FIG10, and the communication port 1202 may include an input interface and an output interface. Alternatively, the communication port 1202 may also be a transceiver circuit, which may include an input interface circuit and an output interface circuit.

[0428] Further optionally, the device may also include at least one of a memory 1203 and a bus. In embodiments of this application, the at least one processor 1201 is used to control the operation of the communication device 1200. Optionally, the processor 1201 may be equivalent to the processing unit 1002 shown in FIG10.

[0429] Furthermore, the processor 1201 can be a central processing unit, a general-purpose processor, a digital signal processor, an application-specific integrated circuit, a field-programmable gate array, or other programmable logic devices, transistor logic devices, hardware components, or any combination thereof. It can implement or execute various exemplary logic blocks, modules, and circuits described in conjunction with the disclosure of this application. The processor can also be a combination that implements computing functions, such as a combination of one or more microprocessors, a combination of a digital signal processor and a microprocessor, etc. Those skilled in the art will clearly understand that, for the sake of convenience and brevity, the specific working processes of the systems, devices, and units described above can be referred to the corresponding processes in the foregoing method embodiments, and will not be repeated here.

[0430] It is understood that this application does not limit the number of the various components shown in Figure 12. For example, the number of processors 1201, the number of communication ports 1202, and the number of memory 1203 can each be one or more, and no specific limitation is made here.

[0431] It should be noted that the communication device 1200 shown in Figure 12 can be used to implement the steps implemented by the network device or terminal device in the aforementioned method embodiments and achieve the corresponding technical effects. The specific implementation of the communication device shown in Figure 12 can be referred to the description in the aforementioned method embodiments, and will not be repeated here.

[0432] Please refer to Figure 13, which is a schematic diagram of the structure of the communication device 1300 involved in the above embodiments provided in the embodiments of this application. Specifically, the communication device 1300 can be a communication device as a network device in the above embodiments, and the structure of the communication device can be referred to the structure shown in Figure 13.

[0433] The communication device 1300 includes at least one processor 1311 and at least one network interface 1314. Further optionally, the communication device also includes at least one memory 1312, at least one transceiver 1313, and one or more antennas 1315. The processor 1311, memory 1312, transceiver 1313, and network interface 1314 are connected, for example, via a bus. In this embodiment, the connection may include various interfaces, transmission lines, or buses, etc., and this embodiment is not limited thereto. The antenna 1315 is connected to the transceiver 1313. The network interface 1314 enables the communication device to communicate with other communication devices through a communication link. For example, the network interface 1314 may include a network interface between the communication device and core network equipment, such as an S1 interface; the network interface may also include a network interface between the communication device and other communication devices (e.g., other network devices or core network equipment), such as an X2 or Xn interface.

[0434] Optionally, the network interface 1314 shown in FIG13 can be equivalent to the transceiver unit 1001 shown in FIG10, and the network interface 1314 may include an input interface and an output interface. Alternatively, the network interface 1314 may also be a transceiver circuit, which may include an input interface circuit and an output interface circuit.

[0435] Processor 1311 is primarily used for processing communication protocols and communication data, controlling the entire communication device, executing software programs, and processing data from the software programs, for example, to support the actions described in the embodiments of the communication device. The communication device may include a baseband processor and a central processing unit (CPU). The baseband processor is primarily used for processing communication protocols and communication data, while the CPU is primarily used for controlling the entire communication device, executing software programs, and processing data from the software programs. Processor 1311 in Figure 13 can integrate the functions of both a baseband processor and a CPU. Those skilled in the art will understand that the baseband processor and CPU can also be independent processors interconnected via technologies such as buses. Those skilled in the art will understand that the communication device may include multiple baseband processors to adapt to different network standards, and multiple CPUs to enhance its processing capabilities. The various components of the communication device can be connected via various buses. The baseband processor can also be described as a baseband processing circuit or a baseband processing chip. The CPU can also be described as a central processing circuit or a central processing chip. The function of processing communication protocols and communication data can be built into the processor or stored in memory as a software program, which is then executed by the processor to implement the baseband processing function.

[0436] The memory is primarily used to store software programs and data. The memory 1312 can exist independently or be connected to the processor 1311. Optionally, the memory 1312 can be integrated with the processor 1311, for example, integrated into a single chip. The memory 1312 can store program code that executes the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application, and its execution is controlled by the processor 1311. The various types of computer program code being executed can also be considered as drivers for the processor 1311.

[0437] Figure 13 shows only one memory and one processor. In actual communication devices, there can be multiple processors and multiple memories. Memory can also be called storage medium or storage device, etc. Memory can be a storage element on the same chip as the processor, i.e., an on-chip storage element, or it can be a separate storage element; the embodiments of this application do not limit this.

[0438] Transceiver 1313 can be used to support the reception or transmission of radio frequency (RF) signals between a communication device and a terminal. Transceiver 1313 can be connected to antenna 1315. Transceiver 1313 includes a transmitter Tx and a receiver Rx. Specifically, one or more antennas 1315 can receive RF signals. The receiver Rx of transceiver 1313 receives the RF signals from the antennas, converts the RF signals into digital baseband signals or digital intermediate frequency (IF) signals, and provides the digital baseband signals or IF signals to processor 1311 so that processor 1311 can perform further processing on the digital baseband signals or IF signals, such as demodulation and decoding. Furthermore, the transmitter Tx in transceiver 1313 is also used to receive modulated digital baseband signals or IF signals from processor 1311, convert the modulated digital baseband signals or IF signals into RF signals, and transmit the RF signals through one or more antennas 1315. Specifically, the receiver Rx can selectively perform one or more stages of downmixing and analog-to-digital conversion on the radio frequency signal to obtain a digital baseband signal or a digital intermediate frequency (IF) signal. The order of these downmixing and IF conversion processes is adjustable. The transmitter Tx can selectively perform one or more stages of upmixing and digital-to-analog conversion on the modulated digital baseband signal or digital IF signal to obtain a radio frequency signal. The order of these upmixing and IF conversion processes is also adjustable. The digital baseband signal and the digital IF signal can be collectively referred to as digital signals.

[0439] The transceiver 1313 can also be called a transceiver unit, transceiver, transceiver device, etc. Optionally, the device in the transceiver unit that performs the receiving function can be regarded as the receiving unit, and the device in the transceiver unit that performs the transmitting function can be regarded as the transmitting unit. That is, the transceiver unit includes a receiving unit and a transmitting unit. The receiving unit can also be called a receiver, input port, receiving circuit, etc., and the transmitting unit can be called a transmitter, transmitter, or transmitting circuit, etc.

[0440] It should be noted that the communication device 1300 shown in Figure 13 can be used to implement the steps implemented by the network device in the aforementioned method embodiments and to achieve the corresponding technical effects of the network device. The specific implementation of the communication device 1300 shown in Figure 13 can be referred to the description in the aforementioned method embodiments, and will not be repeated here.

[0441] When the aforementioned communication device is a chip applied to a terminal, the terminal chip implements the functions of the terminal in the above method embodiments. The terminal chip receives information from other modules (such as an RF module or antenna) in the terminal, information sent to the terminal by the base station; or, the terminal chip sends information to other modules (such as an RF module or antenna) in the terminal, information sent to the base station by the terminal. For example, in the case of a terminal, sending information can be understood as the process of the terminal's chip outputting information.

[0442] When the aforementioned communication device is a module applied to a base station, the base station module implements the functions of the base station in the above method embodiments. The base station module receives information from other modules (such as radio frequency modules or antennas) in the base station, information sent by the terminal to the base station; or, the base station module sends information to other modules (such as radio frequency modules or antennas) in the base station, information sent by the base station to the terminal. Here, the base station module can be the baseband chip of the base station, or a DU or other module, where the DU can be a DU under the O-RAN architecture. For example, in the case of a base station, the base station sending information can be understood as the process of the base station's chip outputting information.

[0443] The method steps in the embodiments of this application can be implemented in hardware or in software instructions executable by a processor. The software instructions can consist of corresponding software modules, which can be stored in random access memory, flash memory, read-only memory, programmable read-only memory, erasable programmable read-only memory, electrically erasable programmable read-only memory, registers, hard disks, portable hard disks, CD-ROMs, or any other form of storage medium known in the art. An exemplary storage medium is coupled to a processor, enabling the processor to read information from and write information to the storage medium. The storage medium can also be a component of the processor. The processor and storage medium can reside in an ASIC. Alternatively, the ASIC can reside in a base station or terminal. The processor and storage medium can also exist as discrete components in a base station or terminal.

[0444] 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 programs or instructions. When the computer program or instructions are loaded and executed on a computer, the processes or functions described in the embodiments of this application are performed entirely or partially. The computer can be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network, a network device, a user equipment, or other programmable device. The computer program or instructions can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium or transferred from one computer-readable storage medium to another. For example, the computer program or instructions can be transferred from one website, computer, server, or data center to another website, computer, server, or data center via wired or wireless means. The computer-readable storage medium can be any available medium that a computer can access or a data storage device such as a server or data center that integrates one or more available media. The available medium can be a magnetic medium, such as a floppy disk, hard disk, or magnetic tape; it can also be an optical medium, such as a digital video optical disc; or it can be a semiconductor medium, such as a solid-state drive. The computer-readable storage medium may be a volatile or non-volatile storage medium, or may include both types of storage media.

[0445] In the various embodiments of this application, unless otherwise specified or in case of logical conflict, the terminology and / or descriptions of different embodiments are consistent and can be referenced by each other. The technical features of different embodiments can be combined to form new embodiments according to their inherent logical relationship.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that, The method includes: A synchronization signal block (SSB) is received, wherein the SSB includes a first physical broadcast channel (PBCH) and a second PBCH, and the second PBCH is associated with the first PBCH.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The method further includes: Cell search is performed on a carrier with a channel bandwidth of N MHz, where N is greater than or equal to 5.

3. A communication method, characterized in that, The method includes: A synchronization signal block (SSB) is sent, the SSB including a first PBCH and a second PBCH, the second PBCH being associated with the first PBCH.

4. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that, The transmission synchronization signal block (SSB) includes: The SSB is transmitted via a carrier with a channel bandwidth of N MHz, where N is greater than or equal to 5.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, The second PBCH is related to the first PBCH, including: the data carried by the first PBCH is used to generate the data carried by the second PBCH.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, The SSB occupies a frequency domain bandwidth of X frequency domain resource blocks (RBs), the first PBCH occupies Y RBs in the middle of the SSB, and the second PBCH occupies XY RBs, where X is a positive integer greater than 0 and Y is less than X.

7. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that, The SSB occupies 4 time domain symbols. The first time domain symbol carries the primary synchronization signal PSS, the second time domain symbol carries the first part of the first PBCH and the first part of the second PBCH, the third time domain symbol carries the auxiliary synchronization signal SSS and the second part of the second PBCH, and the fourth time domain symbol carries the second part of the first PBCH and the third part of the second PBCH.

8. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that, Y=12, and within the second time-domain symbol, the bandwidth occupied by the first part of the first PBCH is 12 RBs, and the bandwidth occupied by the first part of the second PBCH is X-12 RBs. Within the third time-domain symbol, the SSS and its guard band occupy a bandwidth of 12 RBs, and the second part of the second PBCH occupies a bandwidth of X-12 RBs. Within the fourth time-domain symbol, the second part of the first PBCH occupies a bandwidth of 12 RBs, and the third part of the second PBCH occupies a bandwidth of X-12 RBs.

9. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that, Y is greater than 12, and the third time-domain symbol also carries the third part of the first PBCH.

10. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that, Within the second time-domain symbol, the first part of the first PBCH occupies a bandwidth of Y RBs, and the first part of the second PBCH occupies a bandwidth of XY RBs. Within the third time-domain symbol, the SSS and its guard band occupy a bandwidth of 12 RBs, the third part of the first PBCH occupies a bandwidth of Y-12 RBs, and the second part of the second PBCH occupies a bandwidth of XY RBs. Within the fourth time-domain symbol, the second part of the first PBCH occupies a bandwidth of Y RBs, and the third part of the second PBCH occupies a bandwidth of XY RBs.

11. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that, The second PBCH includes a third PBCH and a fourth PBCH, and the third PBCH and the fourth PBCH occupy the same frequency domain size.

12. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that, The first PBCH and the second PBCH each carry a demodulation reference signal DMRS, and the density of DMRS in the first PBCH is higher than that in the second PBCH.

13. A communication method, characterized in that, The method includes: Receive the first physical broadcast channel (PBCH), which is used to carry the payload information of the PBCH. The encoding method is determined solely based on the first PBCH.

14. The method according to claim 13, characterized in that, The method further includes: Cell search is performed on a carrier with a channel bandwidth of N MHz, where N is less than 5 and greater than 0.

15. A communication method, characterized in that, The method includes: The first physical broadcast channel (PBCH) is transmitted. The first PBCH is used to carry the payload information of the PBCH and to determine the encoding method.

16. The method according to claim 15, characterized in that, The transmission of the first physical broadcast channel PBCH includes: The first PBCH is transmitted via a carrier with a channel bandwidth of N MHz, where N is less than 5 and greater than 0.

17. A communication device, characterized in that, Includes a module for performing the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 16.

18. A communication device, characterized in that, It includes at least one processor for executing a computer program or instructions in memory to implement the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 16.

19. A chip or chip system, characterized in that, The chip or chip system is used to perform the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 16.

20. A readable storage medium, characterized in that, The storage medium stores a computer program or instructions, which, when executed by a communication device, implement the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 16.

21. A computer program product, characterized in that, It includes a computer program or instructions that, when run on a computer, cause the computer to perform the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 16.

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