Communication method and apparatus

Abstract

Provided in the present application are a communication method and apparatus. The method comprises: a terminal device receiving a cell map on a first cell, wherein the cell map comprises a correlation between first geographic location information and information of M cells; subsequently, on the basis of the cell map, and the first geographic location information corresponding to a geographic location where the terminal device is located, determining the M cells; and then receiving system information on a second cell, wherein the second cell is a cell satisfying a cell reselection criterion among the M cells. By using a cell map configured by a network device, M cells used for cell reselection can be determined in a timely and accurate manner, and a second cell can be determined from among the M cells on the basis of a cell reselection criterion to camp on. In this way, a terminal device can complete cell reselection without executing RRM measurement, thereby effectively reducing the terminal-side energy consumption. In addition, the network device does not need to continuously broadcast common signals for RRM measurement, thereby effectively reducing the network-side energy consumption.

Description

A communication method and apparatus

[0001] Cross-references to related applications

[0002] This application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 202510192357.2, filed on February 20, 2025, entitled "A Communication Method and Apparatus", the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] This application relates to the field of communication technology, and in particular to a communication method and apparatus. Background Technology

[0004] In the 5th generation (5G) new radio (NR) system, user equipment (UE) performs radio resource management (RRM) measurements of the serving cell and neighboring cells when in the radio resource control (RRC) idle state or RRC inactive state. The UE can decide whether to stay in the current serving cell or perform cell reselection based on the measurement results, so as to ensure that the UE can camp on a cell with better signal quality.

[0005] Currently, to ensure communication quality, UEs need to continuously perform cell reselection during movement, determining which cell to access based on the signal quality of different cells, and then initiating random access on the corresponding cell. However, to support a large number of UEs performing cell reselection based on RRM measurements, the network needs to continuously transmit common signals on multiple cells so that UEs can complete signal quality measurements for multiple cells. This results in UEs constantly performing RRM measurements during movement, leading to significant UE power consumption. Furthermore, the network's need to continuously transmit common signals on multiple cells also results in significant network power consumption.

[0006] Further research is needed on how to effectively reduce energy consumption on both the network and terminal sides. Summary of the Invention

[0007] This application provides a communication method and apparatus to effectively reduce energy consumption on both the network side and the terminal side.

[0008] Firstly, this application provides a communication method that can be executed by a terminal device or a module within the terminal device. The following example illustrates the method executed by a terminal device. The method may include the following steps: The terminal device receives a cell map on a first cell, wherein the cell map may include a correspondence between first geographical location information and information about M cells, where M is an integer greater than 1. Then, the terminal device determines the M cells based on the cell map and the first geographical location information corresponding to the terminal device's location. Finally, the terminal device can receive system information on a second cell, wherein the second cell is one of the M cells that satisfies the cell reselection criteria.

[0009] In this method, the terminal device utilizes the cell map configured by the network device to promptly and accurately identify multiple candidate cells (e.g., M cells) for cell reselection. Furthermore, based on cell reselection criteria, it can determine the target cell (e.g., a second cell) among these candidate cells for camping. This allows the terminal device to complete cell reselection without performing RRM measurements, effectively reducing terminal-side energy consumption by avoiding frequent RRM measurements. Additionally, the network device does not need to continuously broadcast public signals for RRM measurements, reducing the number of public signal transmissions and contributing to deep shutdown energy saving, thus effectively reducing network-side energy consumption.

[0010] In one possible implementation, the cell map may further include the synchronization signal configuration of M cells; the method further includes: the terminal device receiving synchronization signals on the M cells according to the synchronization signal configuration of the M cells.

[0011] In the above implementation, by carrying the synchronization signal configurations of M cells in the cell map, the terminal device can receive synchronization signals on the M cells in a timely and effective manner. Furthermore, this implementation eliminates the need for the terminal device to request the synchronization signal configurations of the M cells from the network device, thus reducing the air interface signaling overhead and energy consumption incurred by the terminal device due to synchronization signal configuration requests.

[0012] In one possible implementation, the method further includes: the terminal device sending first information on a first cell, wherein the first information is used to request the network device to send synchronization signals on M cells.

[0013] In the above implementation, the network device can send synchronization signals on M cells at the request of the terminal device. That is, the network device sends synchronization signals on demand, which helps to further save resource consumption and network energy consumption.

[0014] In one possible implementation, the method further includes: the terminal device sending second information on the first cell, wherein the second information is used to request the network device to send synchronization signal configurations for M cells; then, the terminal device can receive third information on the first cell, wherein the third information may include synchronization signal configurations for the M cells; and then, the terminal device can receive synchronization signals on the M cells according to the synchronization signal configurations for the M cells.

[0015] The above implementation method enables network devices to send synchronization signal configurations for M cells based on requests from terminal devices, which means that network devices can send synchronization signal configurations on demand. Therefore, it helps to save resource overhead and network energy consumption.

[0016] Secondly, this application provides a communication method that can be executed by a network device or a module within a network device. The following example illustrates this method using a network device. The method may include the following steps: the network device transmits a cell map in a first cell, wherein the cell map may include a correspondence between first geographical location information and information from M cells, where M is an integer greater than 1; subsequently, the network device may transmit system information in a second cell, wherein the second cell is included among the M cells.

[0017] In one possible implementation, the cell map also includes the synchronization signal configuration of the M cells; the method further includes: the network device transmitting synchronization signals on the M cells according to the synchronization signal configuration of the M cells.

[0018] In one possible implementation, the method further includes: a network device receiving first information on a first cell, wherein the first information is used to request the network device to send synchronization signals on M cells.

[0019] In one possible implementation, the method further includes: a network device receiving second information on a first cell, the second information being used to request the network device to send synchronization signal configurations for M cells; then, the network device may send third information on the first cell, the third information including the synchronization signal configurations for the M cells; and then, the network device may send synchronization signals on the M cells according to the synchronization signal configurations for the M cells.

[0020] The technical effects achievable by the above implementation method can be referred to the technical effects achievable by the corresponding implementation method provided in the first aspect above, and will not be repeated here.

[0021] Thirdly, this application provides a communication method that can be executed by a terminal device or a module within the terminal device. The following example illustrates the execution of the communication method by a terminal device. The method may include the following steps: the terminal device receives a cell map on a first cell, wherein the cell map may include a correspondence between first geographical location information and information about a third cell. Then, the terminal device can determine the third cell based on the cell map and the first geographical location information corresponding to the terminal's location. Finally, the terminal device can receive system information on the third cell.

[0022] In this method, the terminal device utilizes the cell map configured by the network device to promptly and accurately identify a candidate cell (e.g., a third cell) for cell reselection. This third cell can be used for the terminal device to camp, allowing it to complete cell reselection without performing RRM measurements. This helps avoid frequent RRM measurements and effectively reduces power consumption on the terminal side. Furthermore, the network device no longer needs to continuously broadcast public signals for RRM measurements, reducing the number of public signal transmissions and contributing to deep shutdown energy saving, thus effectively reducing network-side power consumption.

[0023] In one possible implementation, the cell map may further include the synchronization signal configuration of the third cell; the method further includes: the terminal device receiving a synchronization signal on the third cell according to the synchronization signal configuration of the third cell.

[0024] In the above implementation, by carrying the synchronization signal configuration of the third cell in the cell map, the terminal device can receive the synchronization signal on the third cell in a timely and effective manner. Furthermore, this implementation also eliminates the need for the terminal device to request the synchronization signal configuration of the third cell from the network device, helping to reduce the air interface signaling overhead and energy consumption incurred by the terminal device due to requesting synchronization signal configuration.

[0025] In one possible implementation, the method further includes: the terminal device sending fourth information on the first cell, wherein the fourth information is used to request the network device to send a synchronization signal on the third cell.

[0026] In the above implementation, the network device can send synchronization signals on the third cell at the request of the terminal device. That is, the network device sends synchronization signals on demand, which helps to further save resource consumption and network power consumption.

[0027] In one possible implementation, the method further includes: the terminal device sending fifth information on the first cell, wherein the fifth information is used to request the network device to send the synchronization signal configuration of the third cell; then, the terminal device can receive sixth information on the first cell, wherein the sixth information may include the synchronization signal configuration of the third cell; and then, the terminal device can receive the synchronization signal on the third cell according to the synchronization signal configuration of the third cell.

[0028] The above implementation method enables network devices to send synchronization signal configurations for the third cell based on requests from terminal devices, which means that network devices can send synchronization signal configurations on demand. Therefore, it helps to save resource consumption and network power consumption.

[0029] Fourthly, this application provides a communication method that can be executed by a network device or a module within a network device. The following example illustrates the communication method executed by a network device. The method may include the following steps: the network device transmits a cell map on a first cell, wherein the cell map may include a correspondence between first geographical location information and information from a third cell; subsequently, the network device may transmit system information on the third cell.

[0030] In one possible implementation, the cell map may further include the synchronization signal configuration of the third cell; the method further includes: the network device transmitting a synchronization signal on the third cell according to the synchronization signal configuration of the third cell.

[0031] In one possible implementation, the method further includes: the network device receiving fourth information on a first cell, wherein the fourth information is used to request the network device to send a synchronization signal on a third cell.

[0032] In one possible implementation, the method further includes: a network device receiving fifth information on a first cell, wherein the fifth information is used to request the network device to send a synchronization signal configuration for a third cell; then, the network device may send sixth information on the first cell, wherein the sixth information may include the synchronization signal configuration for the third cell; and then, the network device may send a synchronization signal on the third cell according to the synchronization signal configuration for the third cell.

[0033] The technical effects achievable by the above implementation method can be referred to the corresponding implementation method provided in the third aspect above, and will not be repeated here.

[0034] Based on the first, second, third, or fourth aspect, in one possible implementation, the cell map can be carried in a radio resource control reconfiguration message or a system information block.

[0035] Based on the first, second, third, or fourth aspect, in one possible implementation, the cell map may include N bitmaps, where each of the N bitmaps corresponds one-to-one with N cells, and N is a positive integer greater than or equal to M. The N bitmaps include a first bitmap, which may include K bits, each of which corresponds one-to-one with K geographic location information, where K is a positive integer. The K bits include a first bit, which is used to indicate whether the cell corresponding to the geographic location information corresponding to the first bitmap includes the cell corresponding to the first bitmap.

[0036] Based on the first, second, third, or fourth aspect, in one possible implementation, the cell map may further include the correspondence between second geographic location information and information of P cells, where P is a positive integer less than or equal to N, and the second geographic location information is different from the first geographic location information.

[0037] Based on the first, second, third, or fourth aspect, in one possible implementation, the cell map includes first geographical location information, the correspondence between the orientation of the terminal device and the information of M cells.

[0038] In the above implementation method, by introducing the attitude of the terminal device, the reselection cell determined for the terminal device can be more accurate and more in line with the actual situation of the terminal device, thereby effectively ensuring the communication quality of the terminal device.

[0039] Fifthly, this application provides a communication device that has the functions involved in the first to fourth aspects mentioned above. For example, the communication device includes modules, units, or means that perform the operations involved in the first to fourth aspects mentioned above. The functions, units, or means can be implemented by software, or by hardware, or by hardware executing corresponding software.

[0040] In one possible implementation, the communication device includes a transceiver unit and a processing unit. The transceiver unit can be used to transmit and receive signals to enable communication between the communication device and other devices, such as sending data to other communication devices. The processing unit can be used to perform some internal operations of the communication device. The functions performed by the transceiver unit and the processing unit can correspond to the operations involved in the first to fourth aspects described above.

[0041] In one possible implementation, the communication device includes at least one processor, which can be coupled to a memory. The memory can store necessary computer programs or instructions for implementing the functions described in the first to fourth aspects above. The processor can execute the computer programs or instructions stored in the memory, causing the communication device to implement the methods in any possible implementation of any of the first to fourth aspects above when the computer programs or instructions are executed.

[0042] In one possible implementation, the communication device includes at least one processor and a memory, the memory of which may store necessary computer programs or instructions for implementing the functions involved in the first to fourth aspects described above. The at least one processor may execute the computer programs or instructions stored in the memory, and when the computer programs or instructions are executed, cause the communication device to implement the methods in any possible implementation of any of the first to fourth aspects described above.

[0043] In one possible implementation, the communication device includes at least one processor and an interface circuit (or communication interface), wherein the at least one processor is configured to communicate with other devices via the interface circuit and execute the methods in any of the possible implementations of any of the first to fourth aspects described above. The interface circuit is used to enable communication between the communication device and other devices, for example, to receive signals from other communication devices and transmit them to the at least one processor, or to send signals from the at least one processor of the communication device to other communication devices, such as the transmission or reception of data and / or signals. Exemplarily, the communication interface may be a transceiver, circuit, bus, module, or other type of communication interface.

[0044] It is understood that, in the fifth aspect mentioned above, the processor can be implemented in hardware or software. When implemented in hardware, the processor can be a logic circuit, integrated circuit, etc.; when implemented in software, the processor can be a general-purpose processor that reads software code stored in memory. Furthermore, there can be one or more processors, and one or more memories. The memory can be integrated with the processor, or the memory and processor can be separate. In specific implementations, the memory can be integrated with the processor on the same chip, or it can be set on different chips. This application does not limit the type of memory or the arrangement of the memory and processor.

[0045] Sixthly, this application provides a possible communication system, which may include the terminal equipment and network equipment mentioned in the first, second, third, or fourth aspects above. The implementation of the relevant functions of the terminal equipment and network equipment can be found in the relevant descriptions mentioned in the first, second, third, or fourth aspects above, and will not be repeated here.

[0046] For example, the communication system may include one or more terminal devices and one or more network devices.

[0047] In a seventh aspect, this application provides a computer program product comprising a computer program or instructions that, when executed on a communication device, cause the communication device to perform the method in any possible implementation of any of the first to fourth aspects described above.

[0048] Eighthly, this application provides a computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program or instructions that, when executed by a communication device, cause the communication device to perform the method in any possible implementation of any of the first to fourth aspects described above.

[0049] Ninthly, this application provides a chip that may include at least one processor and may also include a memory (or the chip may be coupled to the memory), wherein the at least one processor executes program instructions in the memory to cause the chip to perform any possible implementation of any of the first to fourth aspects described above. Here, "coupling" means that two components are directly or indirectly connected to each other, such as coupling can refer to an electrical connection between two components.

[0050] In a tenth aspect, this application also provides a chip system including at least one processor for supporting a computer device in implementing any possible implementation of the methods in any of the first to fourth aspects described above. In one possible implementation, the chip system further includes a memory for storing programs and data necessary for the computer device. The chip system may be composed of chips or may include chips and other discrete devices. Attached Figure Description

[0051] Figure 1a is an exemplary schematic diagram of the structure of a cell map represented by a node tree according to an embodiment of this application;

[0052] Figure 1b is an exemplary schematic diagram of the structure of the cell map represented by the mapping table provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0053] Figure 1c is an exemplary schematic diagram of the structure of the cell map represented by the bitmap corresponding to cell c5 provided in the embodiment of this application;

[0054] Figure 1d is an exemplary schematic diagram of the uplink cell map provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0055] Figure 1e is an exemplary schematic diagram of the downlink cell map provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0056] Figure 2 illustrates a schematic diagram of a communication system architecture provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0057] Figure 3 illustrates a flowchart of a communication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0058] Figure 4 illustrates a flowchart of another communication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0059] Figure 5 illustrates a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0060] Figure 6 illustrates a schematic diagram of another communication device provided in an embodiment of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0061] Before introducing the technical solutions provided in this application, some of the terms used in this application will be explained in order to facilitate understanding by those skilled in the art.

[0062] (1) Community map:

[0063] A cell map can be a structure used to describe the correspondence between geographic location information and cells. For example, a cell map includes at least one correspondence (or mapping relationship), where each correspondence describes the correspondence between a geographic location piece of information and information of at least one cell. Alternatively, each correspondence can describe the correspondence between a geographic location piece of information and at least one cell. The cell information may include at least one of the following: the cell's identifier (ID) or number or index, the cell's frequency (or frequency point) or frequency band, the cell's bandwidth, or the cell's access information (such as resources required for cell access). Optionally, the geographic location information may refer to two-dimensional geographic location information (i.e., geographic location information including longitude and latitude), or it may refer to three-dimensional geographic location information (i.e., geographic location information including longitude, latitude, and altitude).

[0064] In this embodiment, the cell map can be used by a terminal device to determine the cell for reselection, camping, or handover. It is understood that various information (or factors) can influence the terminal device's cell determination, such as geographic location information, quality of service (QoS) requirements, and the terminal device's handheld posture (or attitude). From this perspective, the cell map can be used to indicate the correspondence between the factors influencing the terminal device's determination of the cell for reselection, camping, or handover and at least one cell. For example, the cell map can be used to indicate the correspondence between geographic location information and at least one cell, or it can be used to indicate the correspondence between QoS requirements and at least one cell, or it can be used to indicate the correspondence between the terminal device's handheld posture and at least one cell.

[0065] For example, geographic location information can be either natural or human geographic location information, as long as it can represent location information. Natural geographic location information can be either absolute or relative. Absolute geographic location information can be represented by at least one of the following: geographic location coordinates (e.g., two-dimensional or three-dimensional coordinates), the park or building where it is located, or the location range (or location area). Relative geographic location information can describe the location of a location relative to other geographic features. Human geographic location information can be, for example, economic geographic location information. QoS requirements can include at least one of the following: transmission rate requirements, transmission quality requirements, etc.

[0066] Holding postures for terminal devices include single-handed grip, two-handed grip, side grip, single-handed reverse grip, landscape grip, and portrait grip. Single-handed grip refers to holding the phone with one hand while the other hand is typically used for touchscreen operation. Single-handed grip can affect the stability of the terminal device, especially for larger devices (such as large-screen phones), thus affecting signal reception. Two-handed grip refers to holding the phone with both hands simultaneously. In this posture, the terminal device is usually held more firmly, contributing to more stable signal reception and a better user experience, and also reducing hand obstruction of the signal. Side grip refers to holding the terminal device vertically or horizontally to one side. In this posture, the user's hands usually grip both sides of the phone, with less impact on the signal, but if the palm excessively blocks the antenna, it may reduce signal strength. Single-handed reverse grip refers to holding the terminal device upside down, palm down, with the screen facing the user's face, typically used for selfies, photos, or video recording. In this posture, the device's antenna may be partially blocked by the hand, affecting signal strength. The landscape grip posture refers to holding the device horizontally, with both sides gripped by the hands. In landscape mode, the user's hands are usually more likely to hold the device steadily, reducing signal interference. The portrait grip posture refers to keeping the device vertical. In portrait mode, it is generally suitable for one-handed operation, as the user's fingers or palm can easily reach the screen, minimizing the possibility of affecting the antenna and signal reception.

[0067] It should be understood that the aforementioned information affecting the terminal device's determination of the cell is merely illustrative. This application does not impose specific limitations on the quantity and type of information affecting the terminal device's determination of the cell. For example, the information affecting the terminal device's determination of the cell may also include at least one of the following: data transmission service type, antenna characteristics of the terminal device, etc. Furthermore, the aforementioned cell information is also merely illustrative. This application does not impose specific limitations on the quantity and type of cell information. For example, cell information may also include at least one of the following: cell access control information, cell tariff information, etc.

[0068] In this context, a single geographic location information can correspond to one or more cells, and a single cell can correspond to one or more geographic location information. For example, taking the first geographic location information as an example, if both the first and second cells cover the geographic location corresponding to the first geographic location information, then the first geographic location information corresponds to both the first and second cells. When a terminal device moves to the geographic location corresponding to the first geographic location information, the terminal device can choose to access either the first or second cell corresponding to the first geographic location information. As another example, if the first cell covers both the geographic locations corresponding to the first and second geographic location information, then the first cell corresponds to both the first and second geographic location information. When a terminal device moves to the geographic location corresponding to the first geographic location information, it can choose to access the first cell; when it moves to the geographic location corresponding to the second geographic location information, it can choose to access the second cell.

[0069] Similarly, a QoS requirement can correspond to one or more cells, and a single cell can also correspond to one or more QoS requirements. For example, given a first cell, a second cell, and a third cell, where the first and third cells have relatively large bandwidths, and the second cell has a relatively small bandwidth, the first QoS requirement indicates that the transmission rate is greater than or equal to a first threshold. If the first and third cells can satisfy the first QoS requirement, but the second cell cannot, then the first QoS requirement corresponds to the first and third cells. As another example, if the first QoS requirement indicates that the transmission rate is greater than or equal to a first threshold, and the second QoS requirement indicates that the transmission rate is greater than or equal to a second threshold, and the first threshold is greater than the second threshold, then the bandwidth of the first cell can satisfy the first QoS requirement, and therefore the bandwidth of the first cell can also satisfy the second QoS requirement. Accordingly, the first cell corresponds to both the first and second QoS requirements.

[0070] Regarding handheld postures for terminal devices, one posture can correspond to one or more cells, and one cell can also correspond to one or more postures. For example, a side-grip posture has minimal impact on signal strength; even in cells with low signal strength, the impact on normal terminal device operations is minimal. Therefore, a side-grip posture can correspond to cells with both high and low signal strength. Conversely, a single-handed reverse grip posture has a greater impact on signal strength. Therefore, a single-handed reverse grip posture can correspond to cells with high signal strength to reduce the impact on normal terminal device operations. For cells with strong signal quality, multiple handheld postures can be used. For cells with low signal quality, handheld postures with less signal impact (such as a side-grip posture or a portrait grip posture) can be used.

[0071] There are no restrictions on the specific structure and content of the cell map. For example, a cell map can be a data structure, function, table, AI model, graph relationship, or graph structure. For instance, a cell map can include the correspondence between geographic location information and cell identifiers; or it can include the correspondence between QoS requirements and cell identifiers; or it can include the correspondence between the handheld gesture of the terminal device and cell identifiers; or it can include the correspondence between geographic location information, QoS requirements, and cell identifiers; or it can include the correspondence between geographic location information, the handheld gesture of the terminal device, and cell identifiers; or it can include the correspondence between geographic location information, QoS requirements, the handheld gesture of the terminal device, and cell identifiers. The following examples illustrate the structure and content of a cell map.

[0072] In one example, the cell map is a hash table. Taking the correspondence between geographic location information and cell identifiers in the cell map as an example, the geographic location information can be used as the key, and the cell identifiers as the values. The values ​​can be sets, lists, or arrays. For example, the cell map could be {A1:[B1,B2], A2:[B2,B3], A3:[B1,B3]}, where A1, A2, and A3 represent geographic location information, and B1, B2, and B3 represent cell identifiers.

[0073] In another example, the cell map is a table. For example, the rows of the table represent at least one piece of geographic location information (e.g., geographic location information corresponding to the geographic location of the terminal device) and at least one piece of information about the terminal device (e.g.), and the columns of the table represent cell identifiers; or, the rows of the table represent cell identifiers and the columns of the table represent at least one piece of geographic location information (e.g., geographic location information corresponding to the geographic location of the terminal device).

[0074] In yet another example, the cell map can be an artificial intelligence (AI) model, whose input is at least one piece of information about the terminal device (such as the terminal device's geographic location information and / or attitude, etc.), and whose output is at least one piece of information about the cell.

[0075] In another example, the cell graph is a graph structure represented by an adjacency list. Information about a terminal device can be considered a node, and information about a cell can also be considered a node. The nodes in this graph structure have a multi-level hierarchy. For example, information about a terminal device or a cell can be the root node. This root node can connect to one or more first-level child nodes. Each first-level child node can connect to one or more second-level child nodes, and so on, forming a tree structure called a node tree. It can be understood that a node tree includes at least one root node and one child node connected to that root node. The lowest-level child node can be called a leaf node of the root node. As an example, the cell ID is the root node, the location is a first-level child node, and the QoS requirement is a second-level child node. As another example, the location is the root node, the QoS requirement is a first-level child node, and the cell ID is a second-level child node. It should be understood that when the cell ID is not the root node, the cell ID should be the lowest-level child node.

[0076] Optionally, sub-nodes at multiple levels can be divided according to priority. For example, geographic location information has a higher priority than QoS requirements, and QoS requirements have a higher priority than the handheld posture of the terminal device. When determining which cell to reselect, camp on, or hand over, the terminal device can preferentially select the cell corresponding to the sub-node with the higher priority.

[0077] Please refer to Figure 1a, which uses a cell map as an example of a node tree. As shown in Figure 1a, the node tree in this cell map includes a root node and first-level, second-level, and third-level child nodes under the root node. A circle in the figure represents a node, and the text within the circle represents the information corresponding to that node, or in other words, the name of that node. For example, a circle containing the text "Location" is the root node, and this node is named "Location"; a circle containing the text "Quality of Service Requirement" is a first-level child node of this root node, and this node is named "Quality of Service Requirement," and so on. The node tree in Figure 1a is only one example. In other embodiments, the node tree associated with a cell may include more or fewer nodes, or have other topologies, which is not limited in this application.

[0078] In one possible implementation, the correspondence between at least one piece of information about the terminal device and at least one piece of information about the cell can be designed based on the location of base stations, obstacles, etc., deployed in the environment or network. Alternatively, the cell map can be designed based on the location of base stations, obstacles, etc., deployed in the environment or network. Typically, the locations of base stations, obstacles, etc., are relatively fixed, and the cells provided by base stations are also relatively fixed. Therefore, the correspondence between the geographical location information corresponding to the location of the terminal device and the cell identifier can be designed based on the location of base stations, obstacles, etc., deployed in the environment or network. For example, the correspondence between the geographical location information corresponding to the location of the terminal device and the cell identifier can be designed based on the location of base stations, obstacles, etc., deployed in the environment or network; or, the correspondence between the geographical location information corresponding to the location of the terminal device and the cell identifier is related to the location of base stations, obstacles, etc., deployed in the environment / network.

[0079] For example, location information of base stations, obstacles, etc., deployed in the environment or network, as well as the cells that base stations can provide, can be collected. The collected dataset can then be trained using machine learning to obtain a cell map. Alternatively, based on QoS requirements, the location information of base stations, obstacles, etc., and the cells that base stations can provide, a cell map can be obtained using machine learning to ensure that the cell map meets QoS requirements as much as possible, thereby improving user experience. This application does not restrict the method of generating the cell map.

[0080] Terminal devices can determine suitable cells for reselection, camping, or handover based on cell maps. In other words, in different scenarios, terminal devices can determine suitable cells for reselection, camping, or handover based on cell maps.

[0081] In another example, a cell map may include a correspondence between geographic location information (such as second geographic location information) and information about P cells. Here, P is a positive integer less than or equal to N, and the second geographic location information differs from the first geographic location information. For example, a cell map may be a mapping table (or a cell map may be represented by a mapping table). The mapping table may include multiple entries. Each entry corresponds to a geographic location information, and each entry may include information about the cell corresponding to that geographic location information. For example, Figure 1b shows the structure of a cell map represented by a mapping table provided in an embodiment of this application. In Figure 1b, x (which may refer to longitude), y (which may refer to latitude), and z (which may refer to the altitude or orientation of the terminal device) are three-dimensional coordinate axes; c1, c2, c3, c4, and c5 represent cell numbers. For example, coordinates (x, y, z) may correspond to one or more cells. For example, the geographic location information with coordinates (100, 20, 10) corresponds to cell c4, or the geographic location information with coordinates (100, 20, 7) corresponds to cells {c4, c5}. The terminal device can perform reselection, camping, or handover in cell c4, or the terminal device can perform reselection, camping, or handover in one of cells c4 and c5. As another example, coordinates (x, y, z) and QoS requirements correspond to one or more cells. For example, the geographic location information with coordinates (100, 20, 5) corresponds to cells {c1, c2}, where cell c1 has a smaller bandwidth and cell c2 has a larger bandwidth. When the QoS requirement is high, the terminal device can perform reselection, camping, or handover in cell c2.

[0082] In another example, the cell map may include N bitmaps. Each of the N bitmaps corresponds one-to-one with N cells, where N is a positive integer greater than or equal to M. The N bitmaps include a first bitmap, which may include K bits. Each of the K bits corresponds one-to-one with K geographic location information, where K is a positive integer. The K bits include a first bit, which indicates whether the cell corresponding to the geographic location information of the first bitmap includes the cell corresponding to the first bitmap. For example, taking the bitmap corresponding to cell c5 as an example, Figure 1c shows the structure of the cell map represented by the bitmap corresponding to cell c5 provided in this embodiment of the application. In Figure 1c, x (which may refer to longitude), y (which may refer to latitude), and z (which may refer to the altitude or orientation of the terminal device) are three-dimensional coordinate axes. Each bit in the bitmap corresponding to cell c5 corresponds to a geographic location information. For example, when a bit is 1, it indicates that the cell corresponding to the geographic location information of that bitmap includes cell c5. When the bit is 0, it indicates that the cell corresponding to the geographic location information of that bitmap does not include cell c5. It should be understood that a single geographic location corresponds to one or more neighborhoods.

[0083] Optionally, considering the different uplink and downlink coverage capabilities and load conditions at different frequencies, corresponding cell maps are configured for uplink and downlink respectively, which is uplink and downlink decoupling (or uplink and downlink cell map decoupling). Please refer to Figures 1d and 1e. Figure 1d shows the structure of the uplink cell map provided in this embodiment, and Figure 1e shows the structure of the downlink cell map provided in this embodiment. In Figures 1d and 1e, x (which can refer to longitude), y (which can refer to latitude), and z (which can refer to the altitude or attitude of the terminal device) are three-dimensional coordinate axes; c1, c2, c3, c4, c5, and c6 represent cell numbers. For example, in the uplink and downlink decoupling scenario, the terminal device queries the uplink cell map and the downlink cell map. Assume that the cell determined by the terminal device for uplink transmission is cell a, and the cell determined by the terminal device for downlink transmission is cell b. After a terminal device camps on cell b, when the terminal device needs to transmit data, it sends a connection establishment request to the network device managing cell a on the frequency of cell a. This connection establishment request may include the identifier of cell b, so that the network device managing cell b can send downlink data or signaling to the terminal device on the frequency of cell b. Cell a can be one of at least one cell determined by the terminal device based on the uplink cell map and the terminal device's geographical location information. Cell b can also be one of at least one cell determined by the terminal device based on the downlink cell map and the terminal device's geographical location information. It is understood that the network device managing cell a and the network device managing cell b can be the same. Alternatively, the network device managing cell a and the network device managing cell b can be different, and the network devices can communicate collaboratively.

[0084] In this embodiment, the cell map can be pre-stored in network devices (such as base stations). Optionally, the network device can update the cell map, for example, when a base station is added to the environment or the network is replanned. For instance, a terminal device can obtain the latest cell map from the network device and replace the stored cell map with the obtained cell map. For example, the network device can periodically send the cell map to the terminal device. Alternatively, the network device can send the changed (or updated) cell map to the terminal device when the cell map changes. Or, the network device can send the latest cell map to the terminal device upon request.

[0085] (2) RRC status:

[0086] Terminal devices may have three RRC states, for example: RRC connected state, RRC idle state, and RRC inactive state. The above are examples of RRC states; other RRC states or names are also possible, and this application embodiment does not limit them.

[0087] RRC connection state (or, can also be simply called connection state. In this article, "connection state" and "RRC connection state" are the same concept and the two terms can be used interchangeably): The terminal device has established an RRC connection with the network and can transmit data.

[0088] RRC idle state (or simply idle state; in this article, "idle state" and "RRC idle state" are the same concept and the two terms are interchangeable): The terminal device has not established an RRC connection with the network, and the base station has not stored the context of the terminal device. If the terminal device needs to transition from the RRC idle state to the RRC connected state, it needs to initiate an RRC connection establishment process.

[0089] RRC inactive state (or, also known as RRC inactive state, or simply inactive state or inactive state. In this article, "inactive state," "deactivated state," "deactivated state," "inactive state," "RRC inactive state," or "RRC deactivated state" are all the same concept and these terms are interchangeable): The terminal device previously entered the RRC connected state at the anchor base station, and then the anchor base station released the RRC connection, but the anchor base station preserved the context of the terminal device. If the terminal device needs to re-enter the RRC connected state from the RRC inactive state, it needs to initiate an RRC connection recovery process or an RRC connection re-establishment process at the currently camped base station. Because the terminal device may be in a mobile state, the base station currently camped by the terminal device and the anchor base station of the terminal device may be the same base station or different base stations. The RRC recovery process has shorter latency and lower signaling overhead than the RRC establishment process. The terminal device is initially in the RRC idle state, and the terminal device needs to search for the network serving it and then access the network. The terminal device first determines the cell where it can camp based on the search and measurement of common signals (such as synchronization signals). After the terminal device initiates random access to the cell and establishes an RRC connection, the terminal device enters the RRC connected state from the RRC idle state.

[0090] (3) RRM measurement:

[0091] In mobile communication networks, cell reselection, cell access, or cell handover for terminal devices is achieved based on Radio Frequency Recognition (RRM) measurements. Before performing cell reselection, cell access, or cell handover, the terminal device needs to measure the signals of the serving cell and neighboring cells, and determine the cell to reselect, access, or handover to based on the measurement results. RRM measurements can be divided into intra-frequency measurements and inter-frequency measurements. Intra-frequency measurements refer to the serving cell (i.e., the cell where the terminal is currently located) and the target cell being measured being on the same carrier frequency (center frequency); inter-frequency measurements refer to the serving cell and the target cell being on different carrier frequencies.

[0092] (4) Synchronization Signal and PBCH Block (SSB) (or Synchronization Signal Block): The SSB consists of three parts: primary synchronization signals (PSS), secondary synchronization signals (SSS), and PBCH. The PSS is used to transmit the cell number, and the SSS is used to transmit the cell group number. The cell number and cell group number together determine the multiple physical cell identities (PCIs) in the communication system. The PBCH is used by the terminal device to obtain information about the cell it is accessing. For example, the terminal device can receive the main information block (MIB) through the SSB, thereby obtaining the system information block (SIB) associated with the SSB. It can be understood that the SSB can be used by the terminal device to perform time-frequency tracking (or time-frequency synchronization), beam management, radio resource measurement, or radio link monitoring (RLM), etc.

[0093] Figure 2 illustrates a schematic diagram of a communication system architecture applicable to an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 2, the communication system architecture 10 includes a radio access network (RAN) 100 and a core network (CN) 200. Optionally, the communication system architecture may also include an Internet 300. RAN 100 includes at least one RAN node (110a and 110b in Figure 2, collectively referred to as 110) and at least one terminal device (120a-120j in Figure 2, collectively referred to as 120). RAN 100 may also include other RAN nodes, such as wireless relay devices and / or wireless backhaul devices (not shown in Figure 2). Terminal device 120 is wirelessly connected to RAN node 110. RAN node 110 is connected to core network 200 wirelessly or via wired connection. The core network equipment in core network 200 and RAN node 110 in RAN 100 can be different physical devices, or they can be the same physical device that integrates core network logical functions and radio access network logical functions, or they can be a single physical device that integrates some core network logical functions and some radio access network logical functions.

[0094] RAN100 can be a cellular system related to the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP), such as a 4G mobile communication system, a 5G mobile communication system, or a future-oriented evolution system. RAN100 can also be an open RAN (O-RAN or ORAN), a cloud radio access network (CRAN), or a wireless fidelity (WiFi) system. RAN100 can also be a communication system that integrates two or more of the above systems.

[0095] RAN node 110, sometimes also referred to as access network equipment, RAN entity, network equipment, or access node, constitutes part of the communication system and is used to help terminal equipment achieve wireless access. Multiple RAN nodes 110 in communication system 10 can be of the same type or different types. In some scenarios, the roles of RAN node 110 and terminal equipment 120 are relative. For example, network element 120i in Figure 2 can be a helicopter or drone, which can be configured as a mobile base station. For terminal equipment 120j accessing RAN 100 through network element 120i, network element 120i is a base station; but for base station 110a, network element 120i is a terminal equipment. RAN node 110 and terminal equipment 120 are sometimes both referred to as communication devices. For example, network elements 110a and 110b in Figure 2 can be understood as communication devices with base station functions, and network elements 120a-120j can be understood as communication devices with terminal equipment functions. Optionally, the RAN node 110 can be deployed on land, including indoors or outdoors, handheld or vehicle-mounted; it can also be deployed on water; or it can be deployed in the air on aircraft, drones, balloons and satellites. This application does not limit the application scenarios of the RAN node.

[0096] In one possible application scenario, RAN node 110 can be a base station, an evolved NodeB (eNodeB), a transmit / receive point, a transmit node, a future base station in a 5G mobile communication system, a base station in a future mobile communication system, or an access node in a WiFi system. RAN node 110 can be a macro base station (as shown in Figure 2, 110a), a micro base station or indoor station (as shown in Figure 2, 110b), a relay node or donor node, or a radio controller in a CRAN scenario. Optionally, RAN node 110 can also be a server, a wearable device, a vehicle, or in-vehicle equipment. For example, in V2X technology, the RAN node can be a roadside unit. All or part of the functions of RAN node 110 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). RAN node 110 in this application can also be a logical node, logical module, or software capable of implementing all or part of the RAN node functions.

[0097] In another possible application scenario, RAN node 110 can be a module or unit that performs some of the functions of a base station; or multiple RAN nodes 110 can cooperate to assist terminal 120 in achieving wireless access, with different RAN nodes 110 performing some of the functions of a base station. For example, RAN nodes can be centralized units (CU), distributed units (DU), or radio units (RU), etc. The functions of a CU can be implemented by a single entity or by different entities. For example, the functions of a CU can be further divided, that is, the control plane and the user plane can be separated and implemented by different entities, namely the control plane CU entity (i.e., CU-control plane (CP) entity) and the user plane CU entity (i.e., CU-user plane (UP) entity). The CU-CP entity and the CU-UP entity can be coupled with the DU to jointly complete the functions of the RAN node. CU and DU can be set up separately or included in the same network element, such as in a baseband unit (BBU). The RU can be included in a radio frequency device or radio frequency unit, such as a remote radio unit (RRU), an active antenna unit (AAU), or a remote radio head (RRH). Any of the units among the CU (or CU-CP, CU-UP), DU, and RU in this application can be implemented through a software module, a hardware module, or a combination of software and hardware modules.

[0098] In different systems, CU, DU, or RU may have different names, but those skilled in the art will understand their meanings. For example, in an ORAN system, CU can also be called an open-CU (O-CU), DU can also be called an open-DU (O-DU), and RU can also be called an open-RU (O-RU). In this application, any of the following units—CU (or CU-CP, CU user plane (CU-UP), DU, and RU)—can be implemented through software modules, hardware modules, or a combination of software and hardware modules. CU-CP can also be called an open-CU-CP (O-CU-CP), and CU-UP can also be called an open-CU-UP (O-CU-UP).

[0099] The CU and DU can be configured according to the protocol layer functions of the wireless network they implement. For example, the CU can be configured to implement the functions of the Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP) layer and above (e.g., RRC layer and / or Service Data Adaptation Protocol (SDAP) layer); the DU can be configured to implement the functions of the protocol layers below the PDCP layer (e.g., Radio Link Control (RLC), Media Access Control (MAC), and / or Physical (PHY) layer). Alternatively, the CU can be configured to implement the functions of the protocol layers above the PDCP layer (e.g., RRC layer and / or SDAP layer), and the DU can be configured to implement the functions of the protocol layers below the PDCP layer (e.g., RLC layer, MAC layer, and / or PHY layer). For specific descriptions of the above protocol layers, please refer to the relevant 3GPP technical specifications or the technical specifications of other applicable communication protocols. The above division of the processing functions of CU and DU according to protocol layers is merely an example; other division methods are also possible, and this application does not limit this. For example, in one design, CU or DU can be further divided into processing functions with protocol layers. In one design, some functions of the RLC layer and the functions of the protocol layer above the RLC layer are located in the CU, while the remaining functions of the RLC layer and the functions of the protocol layer below the RLC layer are located in the DU.

[0100] In this application, the means for implementing the functions of the RAN equipment can be the RAN equipment itself, or a means that enables the RAN equipment to implement the functions, such as a chip system or a combination of devices or components that can implement the functions of the RAN equipment. This means can be installed in the RAN equipment. This application does not limit the specific technology or specific equipment form adopted by the RAN equipment.

[0101] In this application, any device capable of data communication with the RAN node can be considered a terminal device. Terminal devices can also be called terminals, user equipment, mobile stations, mobile terminals, etc. Terminal devices can be widely used in various scenarios, such as device-to-device (D2D), vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication, machine-type communication (MTC), Internet of Things (IoT), virtual reality, augmented reality, industrial control, autonomous driving, telemedicine, smart grids, smart furniture, smart offices, smart wearables, smart transportation, smart cities, etc. Terminal devices can be mobile phones, tablets, computers with wireless transceiver capabilities, wearable devices, vehicles, airplanes, ships, robots, robotic arms, smart home devices, etc. This application does not limit the specific technology or form of the terminal device.

[0102] In this application, the terminal device can be fixed in location or mobile, and this application does not limit it in this regard. For example, the terminal device can be deployed on land, including indoors or outdoors, handheld, wearable or vehicle-mounted, or it can also be deployed on water (such as ships), or it can also be deployed in the air (such as airplanes, balloons or satellites).

[0103] In this application, the means for implementing the functions of the terminal device can be the terminal device itself, or a means that enables the terminal device to implement the functions, such as a chip system or a combination of devices or components that can implement the functions of the terminal device. This application does not limit the specific technology or specific device form adopted by the terminal device.

[0104] In this application, core network equipment refers to equipment in the core network that provides service support to terminals. For example, in the case where CN200 is the core network of a future communication system, or a 5G core network, or an evolved 5G core network, some examples of core network equipment include: access and mobility management function (AMF) entities, session management function (SMF) entities, user plane function (UPF) entities, policy control function (PCF) entities, etc., which are not listed here. Among them, the AMF entity can be responsible for terminal access management and mobility management; the SMF entity can be responsible for session management, such as user session establishment; the UPF entity can be a user plane functional entity, mainly responsible for connecting to external networks. For example, in the case of CN200 as the 4G core network, some core network devices include: Mobility Management Entity (MME), Home Subscriber Server (HSS), Serving Gateway (S-GW), Policy and Charging Rules Function (PCRF), Public Data Network Gateway (PDN Gateway, P-GW), etc., which will not be listed here. It should be noted that in this application, entities can also be referred to as network elements or functional entities. For example, an AMF entity can also be called an AMF network element or AMF functional entity, and similarly, an SMF entity can also be called an SMF network element or SMF functional entity. The aforementioned core network devices can operate independently or be combined to implement certain control functions. For example, AMF, SMF, and PCF can be combined into a single core network device.

[0105] In this application, a network element may also be referred to as an entity or a functional entity. For example, an AMF network element may also be referred to as an AMF entity or an AMF functional entity. Optionally, the device name mentioned in the embodiments of this application may omit "network element". For example, AMF network element and AMF have the same meaning.

[0106] The network elements / functional entities in the above network architecture can be network components in hardware devices, software functions running on dedicated hardware, or virtualized functions instantiated on a platform (e.g., a cloud platform). Optionally, the above network elements or functional entities can be implemented by one device, multiple devices working together, or different functional modules within a single device; this application embodiment does not specifically limit this. In actual deployment, the above network elements can be co-located.

[0107] It is understood that RAN nodes and terminal devices can communicate using licensed spectrum, unlicensed spectrum, or both simultaneously. RAN nodes and terminal devices can communicate using spectrum below 6 GHz, spectrum above 6 GHz, or both simultaneously. This application does not limit the spectrum resources used between RAN nodes and terminal devices.

[0108] In this application, communication between the terminal device and the RAN node refers to the terminal device sending uplink signals or uplink information to the RAN node, with the uplink information carried on the uplink channel, and / or the RAN node sending downlink signals or downlink information to the terminal device, with the downlink information carried on the downlink channel. For the terminal device to communicate with the RAN node, it needs to establish a radio connection with a cell controlled by the RAN node (i.e., the terminal device camps on a cell controlled by the RAN node). The cell with which the terminal device establishes a radio connection is called the serving cell of the terminal device (i.e., the cell that provides service to the terminal device).

[0109] It should be noted that the communication system and business scenarios described in the embodiments of this application are for the purpose of more clearly illustrating the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application, and do not constitute a limitation on the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of this application. As those skilled in the art will know, with the evolution of network architecture and the emergence of new business scenarios, the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of this application are also applicable to similar technical problems.

[0110] Currently, cell reselection by terminal devices is performed based on measurement results obtained from RRM measurements. The RRM measurement process involves the RAN equipment configuring measurements and then sending signals for RRM measurements based on these configurations, enabling the terminal device to measure the received signals. This incurs energy consumption for both the RAN and terminal devices. Furthermore, as terminal devices move continuously within the network, the RAN equipment needs to send signals for RRM measurements across multiple cells, requiring the terminal device to measure the signal quality of multiple cells. This further increases the energy consumption of both the terminal and RAN equipment.

[0111] In view of this, this application provides a communication method that constructs a cell map (which includes the correspondence between geographical location information and cell information) by utilizing historical statistical information (such as the geographical location information corresponding to the historical geographical location of the terminal device and the information of the optimal reselection cell (or optimal target cell) corresponding to that geographical location information). This allows the terminal device to determine the reselection cell in a timely and accurate manner based on the cell map, enabling the terminal device to perform cell reselection without performing RRM measurement. Therefore, it can effectively reduce the energy consumption on both the network side and the terminal side.

[0112] The specific implementation of the communication method in the embodiments of this application will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. It is understood that this application uses a terminal device and a network device as examples to illustrate the execution of the interaction, but this application does not limit the execution subject of the interaction. For example, the method executed by the terminal device in this application can also be a module applied to the terminal device (such as a communication module, circuit or chip responsible for communication functions (such as a modem chip, or a system-on-chip (SoC) chip or system-in-package (SIP) chip containing a modem core), a chip system, or a processor, etc.), or it can be a logic module or software that can implement all or part of the functions of the terminal device. Similarly, the method executed by the network device in this application can also be a module applied to the network device (such as a communication module, circuit or chip responsible for communication functions (such as a modem chip, or a SoC chip or SIP chip containing a modem core), a chip system, or a processor, etc.), or it can be a logic module or software that can implement all or part of the functions of the network device. For example, the terminal device can be terminal device 120a as shown in Figure 2, and the network device can be RAN node 110a as shown in Figure 2.

[0113] Figure 3 illustrates a flowchart of a communication method provided in an embodiment of this application. This method is applicable to the communication system architecture shown in Figure 2. As shown in Figure 3, the method includes:

[0114] S301: The network device sends a cell map in the first cell. Correspondingly, the terminal device receives the cell map in the first cell.

[0115] For example, a cell map may include the correspondence between first geographic location information and information about M cells, where M is an integer greater than 1. Optionally, the cell map may also include the correspondence between other geographic location information (such as second or third geographic location information) and information about multiple cells. Optionally, the cell map may also include the synchronization signal configuration of at least one cell. For example, the synchronization signal configuration may include at least one of the following: the time-domain location of the synchronization signal, or the frequency-domain location of the synchronization signal. Optionally, the synchronization signal configuration may also include the transmission period of the synchronization signal. For example, the time-domain location of the synchronization signal may be specifically defined by the SSB format, as defined in Section 4.1 of TS38.213. The frequency-domain location of the synchronization signal may be specifically defined by the global synchronization channel number (GSCN).

[0116] It is understandable that the relevant descriptions of geographical location information can be found in the previous explanation of terms related to geographical location information, the relevant descriptions of community information can be found in the previous explanation of terms related to community information, and the relevant descriptions of community maps that are not described in detail can be found in the previous explanation of terms related to community maps. They will not be repeated here.

[0117] In one example, the cell map may include at least one correspondence. Each of the at least one correspondence may describe the correspondence between a geographic location and the information of M cells; alternatively, each of the at least one correspondence may also describe the correspondence between a geographic location and a cell; alternatively, each of the at least one correspondence may describe the correspondence between a geographic location, the attitude of the terminal device, and the information of M cells; or alternatively, each of the at least one correspondence may describe the correspondence between a geographic location, the attitude of the terminal device, and the information of M cells. Optionally, the cell map may also include the correspondence between first geographic location information, the attitude of the terminal device, and the information of M cells.

[0118] In another example, the cell map may include a correspondence between P geographic location information and Q cell information. The P geographic location information may include first geographic location information. The Q cell information may include information about M cells corresponding to the first geographic location information. Here, P and Q are positive integers. It is understood that P and Q may be unequal, or they may be equal. Optionally, the cell map may also include a correspondence between the P geographic location information, the terminal device's orientation, and the Q cell information.

[0119] In this embodiment, the first cell can be a basic coverage cell. The terminal device remains camped on the basic coverage cell and can detect the synchronization signal and system information of the basic coverage cell. The synchronization signal can be used to help the terminal device synchronize time and frequency with network equipment (or one or more cells included in the coverage area of ​​the network equipment) to ensure the accuracy and reliability of communication. The system information can be used by the terminal device to access the cell or network. Alternatively, the system information can be used by the terminal device to perform cell selection or cell reselection; for example, the system information can include parameters for cell selection and cell reselection to help the terminal device select the most suitable cell to camp on.

[0120] For example, a synchronization signal can refer to a traditional SSB, or any form of compact SSB, or a PSS, or an SSS, or other synchronization sequences.

[0121] For example, system information may include at least one of the following: MIB or SIB. For instance, after performing downlink synchronization, the terminal device can obtain the MIB from the PBCH. Exemplarily, the MIB may include necessary parameters for receiving SIB1 (such as the location information of the physical downlink control channel (PDCCH), the cellBarred parameter indicating whether the current cell allows the terminal device to camp, system bandwidth, and system frame number, etc.

[0122] In one possible implementation, the terminal device can receive SIB1 on the physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) based on information in the MIB (such as location information of the PDCCH). For example, SIB1 may include necessary information for the terminal device to determine whether the signal of its cell meets the cell camping conditions, scheduling information for receiving other system information, and cell access-related information (such as public land mobile network (PLMN) identity, tracking area code, cell identity, etc.).

[0123] In one possible implementation, the terminal device can receive other SIB information in the PDSCH based on the information in SIB1. Other SIB information may include, for example, the cell reselection priority of the current serving cell, information on co-frequency neighbor cells, the frequency and cell reselection priority of inter-frequency neighbor cells, the frequency and cell reselection priority of inter-system neighbor cells, the threshold for initiating co-frequency measurements, and the threshold for initiating inter-frequency or inter-system measurements.

[0124] Optionally, when transmitting cell maps, network devices may send the cell maps in radio resource control reconfiguration messages or in system information blocks.

[0125] The following examples illustrate the process of network devices transmitting cell maps.

[0126] Example a1: When the terminal device is in the Radio Resource Control (RRC) connected state, the network device can send a RRC reconfiguration message or a system information block on the first cell. The RRC reconfiguration message or system information block includes a cell map.

[0127] Example a2: When the terminal device is in a radio resource control inactive state or a radio resource control idle state, the network device may transmit a system information block on the first cell. The system information block includes a cell map.

[0128] S302: The terminal device determines M cells based on the cell map and the first geographical location information corresponding to the geographical location of the terminal device.

[0129] In one possible implementation, after receiving the cell map in the first cell, the terminal device can determine the corresponding geographical location information, such as the first geographical location information, based on the terminal device's geographical location. Then, the terminal device determines M cells based on the cell map and the first geographical location information.

[0130] Optionally, after determining the M cells, the terminal device can detect or receive synchronization signals on the M cells. Further, the terminal device can detect or receive synchronization signals on the M cells according to the synchronization signal configuration of the M cells.

[0131] The following describes the implementation of a terminal device receiving synchronization signals on M cells through several possible implementation methods.

[0132] Method b1: If the cell map also includes the synchronization signal configurations of M cells, the network device can transmit synchronization signals on the M cells according to their configurations. Then, the terminal device can receive synchronization signals on the M cells according to their configurations. In other words, the terminal device can obtain the synchronization signal configurations of the M cells from the cell map.

[0133] In one example, if the cell map also includes synchronization signal configurations for M cells, the network device can transmit synchronization signals on multiple cells based on the synchronization signal configurations of multiple cells within the coverage area. Here, multiple cells include M cells. Then, the terminal device can receive synchronization signals on the M cells based on the synchronization signal configurations of the M cells included in the cell map. Optionally, in this example, the cell map may also include synchronization signal configurations for one or more cells corresponding to other geographical location information.

[0134] In another example, if the cell map also includes synchronization signal configurations for M cells, the terminal device can send first information on the first cell. This first information can be used to request the network device to send synchronization signals on the M cells. For example, the first information may include information about the M cells. After receiving the first information on the first cell, the network device can then send synchronization signals on the M cells according to the synchronization signal configurations for the M cells. Then, the terminal device can receive synchronization signals on the M cells according to the synchronization signal configurations of the M cells included in the cell map.

[0135] For example, the first information could be message 3 (msg3) in the random access process, or the first information could be carried in message 3. The resources carrying message 3 could be indicated by message 2 (msg2). In one possible implementation, after receiving message 1, the network device can send message 2 to the terminal device; message 2 is also called the random access response information. Message 2 can indicate relevant information carrying message 3 (such as advance timing, random access radio network temporary identity (RA-RNTI), temporary cell radio network temporary identifier (TC-RNTI), uplink authorization for scheduling message 3, etc.). Then, the terminal device can send the first information as message 3, or send message 3 carrying the first information, based on the relevant information indicated by message 2.

[0136] Method b1 described above enables network devices to proactively send synchronization signal configurations for multiple cells to terminal devices without requiring the terminal devices to request the sending, which helps reduce the air interface signaling overhead and energy consumption of the terminal devices caused by requesting synchronization signal configurations.

[0137] Method b2: If the cell map does not include the synchronization signal configurations of M cells, the terminal device can send second information on the first cell. This second information can be used to request the network device to send the synchronization signal configurations of the M cells. For example, the second information may include information about the M cells. After receiving the second information on the first cell, the network device can then send third information on the first cell. This third information may include the synchronization signal configurations of the M cells. The terminal device can then receive the third information on the first cell.

[0138] Furthermore, the network device can transmit synchronization signals on M cells based on the synchronization signal configuration of the M cells. Then, the terminal device can receive synchronization signals on the M cells based on the synchronization signal configuration of the M cells included in the third information. It can be understood that the terminal device can obtain the synchronization signal configuration of the M cells from the third information.

[0139] For example, the second information could be message 3 in the random access procedure, or the second information could be carried in message 3. The resource carrying message 3 could be indicated by message 2. For example, the third information could be message 4 in the random access procedure, or the third information could be carried in message 4.

[0140] In one possible implementation, after receiving message 1, the network device can send message 2 to the terminal device. Message 2 may indicate relevant information carrying message 3, the specific content of which can be found in the preceding description. Then, the terminal device can send second information as message 3, or send message 3 carrying the second information, based on the relevant information indicated by message 2. Then, the network device can send third information as message 4, or send message 4 carrying the third information, to the terminal device.

[0141] Method b2 described above enables network devices to send synchronization signal configurations based on requests from terminal devices, which means that network devices can send synchronization signal configurations on demand, thus helping to save resource consumption and network power consumption.

[0142] Optionally, after receiving synchronization signals on M cells, the terminal device can perform time and frequency synchronization with the M cells based on the synchronization signals on the M cells.

[0143] Optionally, after receiving synchronization signals on M cells, the terminal device can also measure the synchronization signals on each of the M cells to obtain the signal quality of the M cells. The signal quality of the M cells can then be used by the terminal device to select a target cell to camp on among the M cells.

[0144] For example, parameters used to represent signal quality may include, but are not limited to, at least one of the following: reference signal receiving power (RSRP), reference signal receiving quality (RSRQ), or received signal strength indication (RSSI).

[0145] Optionally, after the network device sends synchronization signals on M cells, it can send (or broadcast) system information on multiple cells within the coverage area. These multiple cells include the M cells. Further, the network device can send system information on each of the M cells separately. That is, the network device can send the system information corresponding to each of the M cells. Then, the terminal device can receive the system information corresponding to the target cell on the target cell. The target cell is the cell among the M cells that meets the cell reselection criteria. For example, the system information corresponding to the target cell can be used by the terminal device to access the target cell. See S303 for a detailed implementation.

[0146] S303: The network device sends system information on the second cell. Correspondingly, the terminal device receives system information on the second cell.

[0147] In one possible implementation, the network device can transmit system information on multiple cells within the coverage area. These multiple cells include a second cell (which can be understood as the target cell). Alternatively, the network device can transmit system information on M cells. Each cell corresponds to one set of system information. The system information corresponding to different cells is different. The system information on the second cell is associated with the second cell itself. Then, the terminal device can receive the system information corresponding to the second cell. For example, the system information corresponding to the second cell can be used by the terminal device to access the second cell.

[0148] The second cell is the cell among the M cells that meets the cell reselection criteria (or cell reselection principle).

[0149] It is understandable that cell reselection criteria are mainly related to the priority and signal quality of the current serving cell and neighboring cells. For example, cell reselection criteria may include the following:

[0150] (1) If the priority of the neighboring cell (or the reselection priority) is higher than (or greater than) the priority of the current serving cell, the terminal device can measure (or calculate) the signal quality of the neighboring cell according to the S criterion. As long as the signal quality of the neighboring cell is higher than the set threshold (or set limit), the terminal device can perform cell reselection, that is, the terminal device reselects from the current serving cell to the neighboring cell.

[0151] (2) If the priority of a neighboring cell is equal to the priority of the current serving cell, the terminal device can calculate the signal quality of the neighboring cells according to the S criterion and filter out neighboring cells with signal quality higher than a set threshold. Then, the terminal device can perform cell reselection based on the R criterion, the current serving cell, and neighboring cells with signal quality higher than the set threshold. The R criterion refers to calculating a rank (R) value for the serving cell and each neighboring cell based on their signal quality, and sorting them according to the size of the R values. If there is only one neighboring cell with an R value greater than the current serving cell, the terminal device can reselect from the current serving cell to that neighboring cell. If there are multiple neighboring cells with an R value greater than the current serving cell, the terminal device can select the neighboring cell with the highest signal quality from among the multiple neighboring cells and can reselect from the current serving cell to the neighboring cell with the highest signal quality.

[0152] (3) If the priority of a neighboring cell is lower than (or less than) the priority of the current serving cell, the terminal device can first determine that there are no neighboring cells with a higher or equal priority than the current serving cell. Then, the terminal device can calculate the signal quality of the current serving cell and the signal quality of the low-priority neighboring cells according to the S criterion. If the signal quality of the current serving cell is less than a set threshold and the signal quality of the low-priority neighboring cells is higher than a set threshold, the terminal device can perform cell reselection.

[0153] As can be seen from S301 to S303 above, the terminal device, utilizing the cell map configured by the network device, can promptly and accurately identify multiple candidate cells (e.g., M cells) for cell reselection. Furthermore, based on cell reselection criteria, it can determine the target cell (e.g., a second cell) among these candidate cells for camping. This allows the terminal device to complete cell reselection without performing RRM measurements, helping to avoid frequent RRM measurements and effectively reducing power consumption on the terminal side. In addition, the network device does not need to continuously broadcast public signals for RRM measurements, reducing the number of public signal transmissions and contributing to deep shutdown energy saving, thereby effectively reducing network-side power consumption.

[0154] Figure 4 is a flowchart illustrating another communication method provided in an embodiment of this application. This method is applicable to the communication system architecture shown in Figure 2. As shown in Figure 4, the method includes:

[0155] S401: The network device sends a cell map in the first cell. Correspondingly, the terminal device receives the cell map in the first cell.

[0156] For example, a cell map may include the correspondence between first geographic location information and information about a third cell. Optionally, a cell map may also include the correspondence between other geographic location information (such as second or third geographic location information) and information about a cell.

[0157] It is understandable that the relevant descriptions of geographical location information can be found in the explanation of terms above, the relevant descriptions of community information can be found in the explanation of terms above, the relevant descriptions of the first community can be found in the relevant explanation of the first community above in S401, and the relevant content of the community map that is not described in detail can be found in the relevant explanation of the community map above in S401. It will not be repeated here.

[0158] In one possible implementation, the cell map may include at least one correspondence. Each of the at least one correspondence may describe the correspondence between a geographic location and cell information; alternatively, each of the at least one correspondence may describe the correspondence between a geographic location and a cell; alternatively, each of the at least one correspondence may describe the correspondence between a geographic location, the attitude of the terminal device, and cell information; or alternatively, each of the at least one correspondence may describe the correspondence between a geographic location, the attitude of the terminal device, and a cell. Optionally, the cell map may also include a correspondence between first geographic location information, the attitude of the terminal device, and information of a third cell.

[0159] Optionally, when sending cell maps, network devices can either include the cell map in a radio resource control reconfiguration message or in a system information block. For specific implementation details, please refer to Examples a1 and a2 above, which will not be elaborated here.

[0160] S402: The terminal device determines the third cell based on the cell map and the first geographical location information corresponding to the geographical location of the terminal device.

[0161] In one possible implementation, after receiving the cell map in the first cell, the terminal device can determine the corresponding geographical location information, such as the first geographical location information, based on the terminal device's geographical location. Then, the terminal device determines the third cell based on the cell map and the first geographical location information.

[0162] Optionally, after determining the third cell, the terminal device can detect or receive synchronization signals on the third cell. Further, the terminal device can detect or receive synchronization signals on the third cell based on the synchronization signal configuration of the third cell.

[0163] The following describes several possible implementation methods for terminal devices to receive synchronization signals on a third cell.

[0164] Method d1: If the cell map also includes the synchronization signal configuration of the third cell, the network device can transmit a synchronization signal on the third cell based on the synchronization signal configuration of the third cell. Then, the terminal device can receive the synchronization signal on the third cell based on the synchronization signal configuration of the third cell included in the cell map. It can be understood that the terminal device can obtain the synchronization signal configuration of the third cell from the cell map.

[0165] In one example, if the cell map also includes the synchronization signal configuration of a third cell, the network device can transmit synchronization signals on multiple cells, including the third cell, based on the synchronization signal configuration of multiple cells within the coverage area. Subsequently, the terminal device can receive synchronization signals on the third cell, based on the synchronization signal configuration of the third cell included in the cell map.

[0166] In another example, if the cell map also includes the synchronization signal configuration of a third cell, the terminal device can send a fourth message (similar to the first message, but replaceable with the first message) on the first cell. This fourth message can be used to request the network device to send a synchronization signal on the third cell. For example, the fourth message may include information about the third cell. After receiving the fourth message on the first cell, the network device can then send a synchronization signal on the third cell according to its synchronization signal configuration. The terminal device can then receive the synchronization signal on the third cell according to the synchronization signal configuration of the third cell included in the cell map.

[0167] For example, the fourth information can be message 3 in the random access process, or the fourth information can be carried in message 3. For specific implementation, please refer to the relevant description of method b1 above, which will not be repeated here.

[0168] Method d2: If the cell map does not include the synchronization signal configuration of the third cell, the terminal device can send a fifth message (similar to the second message, but can be replaced with the second message) on the first cell. The fifth message can be used to request the network device to send the synchronization signal configuration of the third cell. For example, the fifth message may include information about the third cell. After receiving the fifth message on the first cell, the network device can then send a sixth message (similar to the third message, but can be replaced with the third message) on the first cell. The sixth message may include the synchronization signal configuration of the third cell. The terminal device can then receive the sixth message on the first cell.

[0169] Furthermore, the network device can transmit a synchronization signal on the third cell based on the synchronization signal configuration of the third cell. Then, the terminal device can receive the synchronization signal on the third cell based on the synchronization signal configuration of the third cell included in the sixth information. It can be understood that the terminal device can obtain the synchronization signal configuration of the third cell from the sixth information.

[0170] For example, the fifth piece of information could be message 3 in the random access procedure, or the fifth piece of information could be carried in message 3. The sixth piece of information could be message 4 in the random access procedure, or the sixth piece of information could be carried in message 4. For specific implementation details, please refer to the relevant description of method b2 above, which will not be repeated here.

[0171] Optionally, after receiving the synchronization signal on the third cell, the terminal device can perform time synchronization and frequency synchronization with the third cell based on the synchronization signal on the third cell.

[0172] Optionally, after receiving the synchronization signal on the third cell, the terminal device can also measure the synchronization signal on the third cell to obtain the signal quality of the third cell. The signal quality of the third cell can be used by the terminal device to determine whether to camp on the third cell.

[0173] S403: The network device sends system information on the third cell. Correspondingly, the terminal device receives system information on the third cell.

[0174] It's understandable that each cell corresponds to a specific system information set. The system information for different cells is different. The system information for the third cell is associated with the third cell itself.

[0175] In one possible implementation, after the network device sends a synchronization signal on the third cell, it can then send its corresponding system information on multiple cells within the coverage area. These multiple cells include the third cell. Alternatively, the network device can send the system information corresponding to the third cell on the third cell itself. Subsequently, the terminal device can receive the system information corresponding to the third cell on the third cell. For example, the system information corresponding to the third cell can be used by the terminal device to access the third cell.

[0176] As can be seen from S401 to S403 above, the terminal device can use the cell map configured by the network device to promptly and accurately determine a candidate cell (such as a third cell) for cell reselection. This third cell can be used for the terminal device to camp, allowing it to complete cell reselection without performing RRM measurements. This helps avoid frequent RRM measurements and effectively reduces power consumption on the terminal side. Furthermore, the network device does not need to continuously broadcast public signals for RRM measurements, reducing the number of public signal transmissions and contributing to deep shutdown energy saving, thus effectively reducing network-side power consumption.

[0177] Optionally, the communication methods shown in Figure 3 and Figure 4 can be implemented separately or in combination, and this application does not limit this. For example, when the communication methods shown in Figure 3 and Figure 4 are implemented in combination, M can be an integer greater than or equal to 1. The first geographical location information may correspond to the information of one cell (such as the third cell) or multiple cells. The cell determined by the terminal device based on the cell map and the first geographical location information corresponding to the geographical location of the terminal device may be one or multiple. If the terminal device determines one cell, the specific implementation can be referred to the relevant description in S403, which will not be repeated here. If the terminal device determines multiple cells, the specific implementation can be referred to the relevant description in S302, which will not be repeated here.

[0178] It is understood that, in order to achieve the functions in the above embodiments, the terminal device and network device include hardware structures and / or software modules corresponding to perform each function. Those skilled in the art should readily recognize that, based on the units and method steps of the various examples described in conjunction with the embodiments disclosed in this application, this application can be implemented in hardware or a combination of hardware and computer software. Whether a function is executed in hardware or by computer software driving hardware depends on the specific application scenario and design constraints of the technical solution.

[0179] Figures 5 and 6 are schematic diagrams of possible communication devices provided in embodiments of this application. These communication devices can be used to implement the functions of terminal devices or network devices in the above method embodiments, and thus can also achieve the beneficial effects of the above method embodiments. The communication device can be a terminal device or network device, or it can be a module in a terminal device or network device, or it can be a logical node, logical module, or software that can implement all or part of the functions of a terminal device or network device.

[0180] The communication device 500 shown in Figure 5 includes a transceiver unit 510 (or a communication module, transceiver module, or communication unit, used for sending and receiving data) and a processing unit 520 (or a processing module). The communication device 500 can be used to implement the functions of the terminal device or network device in the method embodiments shown in Figures 3 or 4. For example, the transceiver unit 510 can perform the receiving and sending actions performed by the terminal device or network device in the above method embodiments. The processing unit 520 can perform other actions besides the sending and receiving actions performed by the terminal device or network device in the above method embodiments.

[0181] When the communication device 500 is used to implement the functions of the terminal device in the method embodiment shown in FIG3 above: the transceiver unit 510 is used to receive a cell map on a first cell. The cell map may include a correspondence between first geographical location information and information of M cells. M is an integer greater than 1. The processing unit 520 is used to determine the M cells based on the cell map and the first geographical location information corresponding to the geographical location of the terminal device. The transceiver unit 510 is also used to receive system information on a second cell. The second cell is a cell among the M cells that meets the cell reselection criteria.

[0182] When the communication device 500 is used to implement the functions of the network device in the method embodiment shown in FIG3: the transceiver unit 510 is used to transmit a cell map on a first cell. The cell map may include a correspondence between first geographical location information and information from M cells. M is an integer greater than 1. The transceiver unit 510 is also used to transmit system information on a second cell. The second cell is included in the M cells. The processing unit 520 is used to perform corresponding processing operations, such as calling the transceiver unit 510 to execute the transmit / receive actions required by the network device in the method embodiment shown in FIG3, or determining or updating the cell map, etc.

[0183] When the communication device 500 is used to implement the functions of the terminal device in the method embodiment shown in FIG4 above: the transceiver unit 510 is used to receive a cell map on a first cell. The cell map may include a correspondence between first geographical location information and information of a third cell. The processing unit 520 is used to determine the third cell based on the cell map and the first geographical location information corresponding to the geographical location of the terminal. The transceiver unit 510 is also used to receive system information on the third cell.

[0184] When the communication device 500 is used to implement the functions of the network device in the method embodiment shown in FIG4: the transceiver unit 510 is used to transmit a cell map on the first cell. The cell map may include the correspondence between first geographical location information and information of the third cell. The transceiver unit 510 is also used to transmit system information on the third cell. The processing unit 520 is used to perform corresponding processing operations, such as calling the transceiver unit 510 to execute the transmission and reception actions required by the network device in the method embodiment shown in FIG4, or determining or updating the cell map, etc.

[0185] For a more detailed description of the processing unit 520 and the transceiver unit 510, please refer to the relevant descriptions in the method embodiments shown in Figures 3 or 4 above, which will not be repeated here.

[0186] It should be understood that the transceiver unit 510 in the embodiments of this application can be implemented by an interface circuit or interface circuit-related circuit components, and the processing unit 520 can be implemented by a processor or processor-related circuit components.

[0187] It should be noted that the module division in the embodiments of this application is illustrative and only represents one logical functional division. In actual implementation, there may be other division methods. Furthermore, the functional units in the various embodiments of this application can be integrated into one processing unit, exist as separate physical entities, or have two or more units integrated into one unit. The integrated units described above can be implemented in hardware or as software functional units.

[0188] If the integrated unit is implemented as a software functional unit and sold or used as an independent product, it can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. Based on this understanding, the technical solution of this application, in essence, or the part that contributes to the prior art, or all or part of the technical solution, can be embodied in the form of a software product. This computer software product is stored in a storage medium and includes several instructions to cause a computer device (which may be a personal computer, or a server, etc.) or processor to execute all or part of the steps of the methods of the various embodiments of this application. The aforementioned storage medium includes various media capable of storing program code, such as a USB flash drive, a portable hard drive, a read-only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), a magnetic disk, or an optical disk.

[0189] The communication device 600 shown in Figure 6 includes at least one processor 620 and interface circuitry 610. The at least one processor 620 and interface circuitry 610 may be coupled to each other. It is understood that interface circuitry 610 may be a transceiver or input / output interface for receiving and transmitting data. Exemplarily, the communication device 600 may also include a memory 630. Memory 630 is used to store instructions executed by at least one processor 620, or to store input data required for at least one processor 620 to execute instructions, or to store data generated after at least one processor 620 executes instructions.

[0190] When the communication device 600 is used to implement the method embodiment shown in FIG3 or FIG4, at least one processor 620 is used to implement the function of the processing unit 520, and the interface circuit 610 is used to implement the function of the transceiver unit 510.

[0191] For example, taking a network device as a base station and a terminal device as a UE, when the aforementioned communication device is a chip applied to the UE, the UE chip implements the functions corresponding to the UE in the above method embodiments. For example, when the UE chip receives information from the base station, it can be understood that the information is first received by other modules in the UE (such as an RF module or antenna), and then sent to the UE chip by these modules. When the UE chip sends information to the base station, it can be understood that the information is first sent to other modules in the UE (such as an RF module or antenna), and then sent to the base station by these modules.

[0192] When the aforementioned communication device is a chip applied to a base station, the base station chip implements the functions corresponding to the base station in the above method embodiments. For example, when the base station chip receives information from the UE, it can be understood that the information is first received by other modules in the base station (such as an RF module or antenna), and then sent to the base station chip by these modules. When the base station chip sends information to the UE, it can be understood that the information is sent down to other modules in the base station (such as an RF module or antenna), and then sent to the UE by these modules.

[0193] In this application, entity A sends information to entity B, either directly or indirectly through other entities. Similarly, entity B receives information from entity A, either directly or indirectly through other entities. Entities A and B can be terminal devices or network devices, or modules within those devices. Information transmission and reception can be between a terminal device and a network device, such as between a UE and a base station. Information transmission and reception can also be between two base stations, such as between a CU and a DU. Furthermore, information transmission and reception can be between different modules within a single device, such as between a UE chip and other UE modules, or between a base station chip and other modules within that base station.

[0194] Based on the same concept, this application also provides a possible communication system. This communication system may include a terminal device and a network device. The terminal device can be used to implement the technical solutions related to the terminal device in the above embodiments. The network device can be used to implement the technical solutions related to the network device in the above embodiments.

[0195] Based on the same concept, this application also provides a computer program product, which includes a computer program or instructions that, when run on a communication device, cause the communication device to perform the methods provided in the above embodiments.

[0196] Based on the same concept, embodiments of this application also provide a computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program or instructions, which, when executed by a communication device, causes the communication device to perform the methods provided in the above embodiments.

[0197] The storage medium can be any available medium that a computer can access. For example, but not limited to, computer-readable media can include RAM, ROM, electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM) or other optical disc storage, magnetic disk storage media or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium that can be used to carry or store desired program code in the form of instructions or data structures and that can be accessed by a computer.

[0198] Based on the same concept, embodiments of this application also provide a chip, which may include a processor and a memory (or the chip may be coupled to the memory). The processor executes program instructions in the memory to cause the chip to perform the methods provided in the above embodiments. Here, "coupling" means that two components are directly or indirectly connected to each other, such as coupling can refer to an electrical connection between two components.

[0199] Based on the same concept, embodiments of this application also provide a chip system, which includes a processor for supporting a computer device in implementing the functions involved in the terminal device or network device in the above embodiments. In one possible implementation, the chip system further includes a memory for storing necessary programs and data of the computer device. This chip system may be composed of chips or may include chips and other discrete components.

[0200] It is understood that the processor in the embodiments of this application may be a central processing unit (CPU), or other general-purpose processors, digital signal processors (DSPs), application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), or other programmable logic devices, transistor logic devices, hardware components, or any combination thereof. A general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor or any conventional processor.

[0201] The method steps in the embodiments of this application can be implemented in hardware or by a processor executing software instructions. 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. Of course, 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 communication device. Of course, the processor and storage medium can also exist as discrete components in the communication device.

[0202] 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. A computer program is a set of instructions that directs each step of an action of an electronic computer or other device with message processing capabilities. It is typically written in a programming language and runs on a target architecture. 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, in whole or in part. The computer can be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network, 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 accessible to a computer or a data storage device such as a server or data center integrating 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 can be volatile or non-volatile, or it can include both types of storage media.

[0203] 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.

[0204] In this application, "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 three relationships can exist. For example, A and / or B can represent: A alone, A and B simultaneously, or B alone, where A and B can be singular or plural. In the textual description of this application, the character " / " generally indicates an "or" relationship between the preceding and following related objects; in the formulas of this application, the character " / " indicates a "division" relationship between the preceding and following related objects.

[0205] It is understood that the various numerical designations used in the embodiments of this application are merely for descriptive convenience and are not intended to limit the scope of the embodiments of this application. The order of the process numbers described above does not imply the order of execution; the execution order of each process should be determined by its function and internal logic.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that, The method, executed by a terminal device or a chip applied to a terminal device, includes: A cell map is received in the first cell, the cell map including the correspondence between the first geographical location information and the information of M cells, where M is an integer greater than 1; The M cells are determined based on the cell map and the first geographical location information corresponding to the geographical location of the terminal device; System information is received on the second cell, which is one of the M cells that meets the cell reselection criteria.

2. The method as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The cell map also includes the synchronization signal configuration of the M cells; The method further includes: According to the synchronization signal configuration of the M cells, the synchronization signal is received on the M cells.

3. The method as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The method further includes: Send a first message on the first cell, the first message being used to request the network device to send a synchronization signal on the M cells.

4. The method as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The method further includes: Send a second message on the first cell, the second message being used to request the network device to send the synchronization signal configuration for the M cells; Receive third information on the first cell, the third information including the synchronization signal configuration of the M cells; According to the synchronization signal configuration of the M cells, the synchronization signal is received on the M cells.

5. A communication method, characterized in that, The method, performed by a network device or a chip applied to a network device, includes: A cell map is sent on the first cell, the cell map including the correspondence between the first geographical location information and the information of M cells, where M is an integer greater than 1; System information is transmitted on a second cell, which is included in the M cells.

6. The method as described in claim 5, characterized in that, The cell map also includes the synchronization signal configuration of the M cells; The method further includes: Synchronization signals are transmitted on the M cells according to the synchronization signal configuration of the M cells.

7. The method as described in claim 6, characterized in that, The method further includes: The network device receives first information on the first cell, the first information being used to request the network device to send synchronization signals on the M cells.

8. The method as described in claim 5, characterized in that, The method further includes: Receive second information on the first cell, the second information being used to request the network device to send the synchronization signal configuration for the M cells; Send third information on the first cell, the third information including the synchronization signal configuration of the M cells; Synchronization signals are transmitted on the M cells according to the synchronization signal configuration of the M cells.

9. The method according to any one of claims 1-8, characterized in that, The cell map includes N bitmaps, each corresponding to one of the N cells, where N is a positive integer greater than or equal to M. Each bitmap includes a first bitmap, which includes K bits, each corresponding to one of K geographic location information, where K is a positive integer. The K bits include a first bit, which indicates whether the cell corresponding to the geographic location information of the first bitmap includes the cell corresponding to the first bitmap.

10. The method according to any one of claims 1-8, characterized in that, The cell map also includes the correspondence between the second geographical location information and the information of P cells, where P is a positive integer less than or equal to N, and the second geographical location information is different from the first geographical location information.

11. The method according to any one of claims 1-10, characterized in that, The cell map includes first geographical location information and the correspondence between the orientation of the terminal device and the information of M cells.

12. A communication device, characterized in that, Includes modules or units for performing the method as described in any one of claims 1-11.

13. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, The computer-readable storage medium stores a computer program or instructions that, when executed by a communication device, cause the method as described in any one of claims 1-11 to be implemented.

14. A computer program product, characterized in that, The computer program product includes a computer program or instructions that, when executed on a communication device, cause the method as described in any one of claims 1-11 to be implemented.

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