Communication method and apparatus

Abstract

A communication method and apparatus, relating to the field of communications. In the method, a physical broadcast channel message transmitted by a network device may comprise first information carried on a resource in a first frequency band, so that a terminal device of which the bandwidth is limited in the first frequency band can receive the first information and perform configuration on the basis of the first information. In some examples, the physical broadcast channel message may further comprise second information transmitted outside the first frequency band, thereby implementing unified configuration for the terminal device of which the bandwidth is limited in the first frequency band and a terminal device of which the bandwidth is not limited in the first frequency band. In addition, in the solution, the first information is used for determining a first system information block, and the first system information block and / or the control information of the first system information block can be used for indicating a first random access configuration, so that the terminal device of which the bandwidth is limited in the first frequency band can perform random access.

Description

Communication methods and devices

[0001] This application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 202510256559.9, filed on February 28, 2025, entitled "Communication Method and Apparatus", the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

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

[0003] In traditional 5G New Radio (NR) technology, communication devices typically require full connectivity capabilities, including high-speed data transmission and low latency. Release 17 introduced Reduced Capability (RedCap) technology. RedCap technology limits the capabilities of communication devices, providing a lighter-weight access solution for terminal devices that do not require full capabilities. By simplifying the functions of communication devices, RedCap technology reduces their complexity and cost, enabling devices using RedCap technology (or "RedCap devices") to access the communication network without full communication capabilities.

[0004] Therefore, how to design a configuration process for terminal devices with lower capabilities is an urgent problem to be solved. Summary of the Invention

[0005] This application provides a communication method and apparatus that can be configured for terminal devices with lower capabilities.

[0006] Firstly, a communication method is provided. The method provided in the first aspect can be executed by a first device. Unless otherwise specified, the first device in this application can be a communication device (e.g., a network device), a component within the communication device (e.g., a processor, chip, or chip system), or a logic module or software capable of implementing some or all of the functions of the communication device. For ease of description, the following description uses a network device as an example.

[0007] For example, the method includes: sending a physical broadcast channel message, wherein the physical broadcast channel message includes first information carried on resources within a first frequency band, the first information being used to determine a first system information block, the width of the first frequency band being smaller than the bandwidth of the physical broadcast channel; sending the first system information block within the first frequency band, the first system information block and / or control information of the first system information block being used to indicate a first random access configuration.

[0008] As an example, the bandwidth of the first frequency band can be the bandwidth supported by the first type of terminal.

[0009] As an example, the aforementioned physical broadcast channel can be the channel carried by a physical broadcast channel message. For instance, a network device can send a physical broadcast channel message on this physical broadcast channel.

[0010] As an example, the bandwidth of the physical broadcast channel is greater than that of the first bandwidth. This can be understood as the bandwidth of the physical broadcast channel including the first bandwidth and other bandwidths (i.e., the portion of the entire bandwidth of the physical broadcast channel excluding the first bandwidth).

[0011] As an example, the aforementioned physical broadcast channel message may include first information carried on resources within the first frequency band, and information carried on resources outside the first frequency band.

[0012] For example, a terminal device with lower capabilities may include a terminal device whose bandwidth is limited to the first frequency band. Based on the above scheme, the physical broadcast channel message sent by the network device may include first information carried on resources within the first frequency band, enabling the terminal device whose bandwidth is limited to the first frequency band to receive the first information (e.g., first configuration information) and perform configuration based on the first information.

[0013] In some implementations, the physical broadcast channel message also includes second information carried on resources outside the first frequency band, which is used to identify a second system information block.

[0014] Based on the above scheme, the physical broadcast channel message sent by the network device can include two parts: a first part consisting of first information sent within the first frequency band, and a second part consisting of second information sent outside the first frequency band. Thus, by sending the first information (e.g., first configuration information) and the second information (e.g., second configuration information), unified configuration can be achieved for terminal devices with bandwidth limited within the first frequency band and terminal devices with bandwidth not limited within the first frequency band. Furthermore, in the above scheme, the first system information block and / or the control information of the first system information block can be used to instruct the first random access configuration, thereby enabling terminal devices with bandwidth limited within the first frequency band to perform random access.

[0015] In some implementations, the first random access configuration is used for random access of a first type of terminal within the first frequency band; the first system information block and / or the control information of the first system information block are also used to indicate a second random access configuration, which is used for random access of a second type of terminal; wherein the bandwidth supported by the second type of terminal is greater than the bandwidth supported by the first type of terminal.

[0016] Based on the above scheme, the first type of terminal and the second type of terminal can use the same system information block and / or the same system information block control information to achieve random access, thereby saving signaling overhead.

[0017] In some implementations, the first random access configuration is used for random access by a first type of terminal within the first frequency band; wherein, the method further includes: sending a second system information block, the second system information block being used to indicate a second random access configuration, the second random access configuration being used for random access by a second type of terminal.

[0018] Based on the above scheme, the first type of terminal and the second type of terminal can use different system information blocks to achieve random access. This scheme decouples the system information blocks used for random access by the first type of terminal and those used for random access by the second type of terminal, thus providing greater configuration flexibility.

[0019] In some implementations, the first random access configuration is used to indicate a first random access resource, and the second random access configuration is used to indicate a second random access resource; wherein the second random access configuration includes a first offset and / or a first repetition count, wherein the first offset is the offset of the second random access resource relative to the first random access resource in the time domain and / or frequency domain, and the first repetition count is the number of times the second random access resource is repeated relative to the first random access resource in the time domain and / or frequency domain.

[0020] The first offset allows for the indication of the location of the second random access resource in the time and / or frequency domains using fewer bits. The first repetition count allows for the indication of the size of the second random access resource using fewer bits. This scheme achieves flexible configuration while saving signaling overhead.

[0021] In some implementations, the first random access opportunity in the first random access resource is associated with the first synchronization signal block, and the second random access opportunity in the second random access resource is obtained by repeating the first random access opportunity in the time domain and / or frequency domain, wherein the second random access opportunity is associated with the first synchronization signal block.

[0022] Based on the above scheme, the association between the random access opportunity and the synchronization signal block in the second random access resource can be obtained based on the association between the random access opportunity and the synchronization signal block in the first random access resource, and the relationship between the random access opportunity in the second random access resource and the random access opportunity in the first random access resource (i.e., the second random access opportunity in the second random access resource is obtained by repeating the first random access opportunity in the time domain and / or frequency domain). In the above scheme, the network device does not need to indicate the association between the random access opportunity and the synchronization signal block in the second random access resource through separate information display, thereby saving signaling overhead.

[0023] In some implementations, the first system information block is used to indicate a first random access configuration, including: the first system information block is used to indicate a first part of the first random access configuration; the control information of the first system information block is used to indicate the first random access configuration, including: the control information of the first system information block is used to indicate a second part of the first random access configuration.

[0024] Based on the above scheme, the first system information block and its control information can be used to indicate different parts of the first random access configuration. This scheme allows for flexible indication of the first random access configuration using different information. Furthermore, since a portion of the first random access configuration is indicated by the control information of the first system information block, this scheme can save on the signaling overhead of the first system information block.

[0025] In some implementations, the first random access configuration is used to indicate a first random access resource; wherein the first random access resource is used for random access of a first type of terminal and random access of a second type of terminal, the preamble corresponding to the first type of terminal is different from the preamble corresponding to the second type of terminal, and the bandwidth supported by the second type of terminal is greater than the bandwidth supported by the first type of terminal.

[0026] Based on the above scheme, when the first random access resource is used by both type 1 and type 2 terminals, the two different preambles can distinguish between them. This allows the network device to determine whether the sender of the preamble is a type 1 or type 2 terminal, which helps the network device determine the bandwidth capability of the sender of the preamble and take that bandwidth capability into account in subsequent communications.

[0027] Secondly, a communication method is provided. The method provided in this application can be executed by a second device. Unless otherwise specified, the second device in this application can be a communication device (e.g., a terminal device), a component within the communication device (e.g., a processor, chip, or chip system), or a logic module or software capable of implementing some or all of the functions of the communication device. For ease of description, the following description uses a terminal device as the executing entity.

[0028] For example, the method includes: receiving first information in a physical broadcast channel message within a first frequency band, the bandwidth of the first frequency band being smaller than the bandwidth of the physical broadcast channel; and based on the first information, receiving a first system information block, the first system information block and / or control information of the first system information block being used to indicate a first random access configuration.

[0029] In some implementations, the physical broadcast channel message also includes second information carried on resources outside the first frequency band, which is used to identify a second system information block.

[0030] In some implementations, the first system information block is also used to indicate a second random access configuration. The method is applied to a first type of terminal, and the method further includes: performing random access based on the first random access configuration; or, the method is applied to a second type of terminal, and the method further includes: performing random access based on the second random access configuration; wherein the bandwidth supported by the second type of terminal is greater than the bandwidth supported by the first type of terminal.

[0031] In some implementations, the method is applied to a second type of terminal, wherein the method further includes: receiving a second system information block, the second system information block being used to indicate a second random access configuration; and performing random access based on the second random access configuration.

[0032] In some implementations, the first random access configuration is used to indicate a first random access resource, and the second random access configuration is used to indicate a second random access resource; wherein the second random access configuration includes a first offset and / or a first repetition count, wherein the first offset is the offset of the second random access resource relative to the first random access resource in the time domain and / or frequency domain, and the first repetition count is the number of times the second random access resource is repeated relative to the first random access resource in the time domain and / or frequency domain.

[0033] In some implementations, the first random access opportunity in the first random access resource is associated with the first synchronization signal block, and the second random access opportunity in the second random access resource is obtained by repeating the first random access opportunity in the time domain and / or frequency domain, wherein the second random access opportunity is associated with the first synchronization signal block.

[0034] In some implementations, the first system information block is used to indicate a first random access configuration, including: the first system information block is used to indicate a first part of the first random access configuration; wherein, the method further includes: receiving control information of the first system information block within the first frequency band, the control information of the first system information block being used to indicate a second part of the first random access configuration.

[0035] In some implementations, the first random access configuration is used to indicate a first random access resource; wherein, the method is applied to a first type of terminal, and the method further includes: performing random access using a preamble corresponding to the first type of terminal based on the first random access resource; or, the method is applied to a second type of terminal, and the method further includes: performing random access using a preamble corresponding to the second type of terminal based on the first random access resource; wherein, the preamble corresponding to the first type of terminal is different from the preamble corresponding to the second type of terminal.

[0036] Thirdly, a communication device is provided, including processing circuitry (or a processor) and an input / output interface (also referred to as an interface circuit), the input / output interface being used for inputting and / or outputting signals, the processing circuitry being used to perform the first aspect and any possible method of the first aspect, or the processing circuitry being used to perform the second aspect and any possible method of the second aspect.

[0037] In some implementations, the processing circuitry is used to communicate with other devices via an interface circuitry and to perform the first aspect and any possible method of the first aspect, or to perform the second aspect and any possible method of the second aspect.

[0038] Fourthly, a communication device is provided. This communication device may include units, modules, or means for performing the functions of the communication device.

[0039] In some implementations, the communication device may include modules, units, or means for performing the methods / operations / steps / actions described in the first aspect and any possible implementation of the first aspect. These modules, units, or means may be hardware circuits, software, or a combination of hardware circuits and software.

[0040] For example, the apparatus includes a transceiver unit. The transceiver unit can be used to transmit a physical broadcast channel message, wherein the physical broadcast channel message includes first information carried on resources within a first frequency band, the first information being used to determine a first system information block, the width of the first frequency band being smaller than the bandwidth of the physical broadcast channel; the transceiver unit is further used to transmit the first system information block within the first frequency band, the first system information block and / or the control information of the first system information block being used to indicate a first random access configuration.

[0041] In some implementations, the first random access configuration is used for random access of a first type of terminal within the first frequency band; wherein, the transceiver unit is further configured to: transmit a second system information block, the second system information block being used to indicate a second random access configuration, the second random access configuration being used for random access of a second type of terminal.

[0042] In some implementations, the communication device may include modules, units, or means for performing the methods / operations / steps / actions described in the second aspect and any possible implementation of the second aspect, which may be hardware circuits, software, or a combination of hardware circuits and software.

[0043] For example, the device includes a processing unit and a transceiver unit. The transceiver unit can be used to receive first information in a physical broadcast channel message within a first frequency band, the bandwidth of which is smaller than the bandwidth of the physical broadcast channel; the processing unit can be used to receive a first system information block based on the first information, the first system information block and / or the control information of the first system information block being used to indicate a first random access configuration.

[0044] In some implementations, the first system information block is further used to indicate a second random access configuration, wherein the device is applied to a first type of terminal, and the processing unit is further used to: perform random access based on the first random access configuration; or, the device is applied to a second type of terminal, and the processing unit is further used to: perform random access based on the second random access configuration; wherein the bandwidth supported by the second type of terminal is greater than the bandwidth supported by the first type of terminal.

[0045] In some implementations, the device is applied to a second type of terminal, wherein the transceiver unit is further configured to: receive a second system information block, the second system information block being used to indicate a second random access configuration; and perform random access based on the second random access configuration.

[0046] In some implementations, the first random access configuration is used to indicate a first random access resource; wherein, the device is applied to a first type of terminal, and the processing unit is further configured to: perform random access using the preamble corresponding to the first type of terminal based on the first random access resource; or, the device is applied to a second type of terminal, and the processing unit is further configured to: perform random access using the preamble corresponding to the second type of terminal based on the first random access resource; wherein, the preamble corresponding to the first type of terminal is different from the preamble corresponding to the second type of terminal.

[0047] Fifthly, a computer-readable storage medium is provided that stores a computer program or instructions that, when executed, cause the first aspect and any possible method of the first aspect to be performed (or implemented), or cause the second aspect and any possible method of the second aspect to be performed (or implemented).

[0048] In a sixth aspect, a computer program product is provided, comprising a computer program or instructions that, when executed, cause the first aspect and any possible method of the first aspect to be performed (or implemented), or cause the second aspect and any possible method of the second aspect to be performed (or implemented).

[0049] A seventh aspect provides a communication device, including a processor for executing (or implementing) any of the possible methods of the first aspect above, or for executing (or implementing) any of the possible methods of the second aspect above, by executing a computer program (or computer-executable instructions) stored in a memory, and / or by logic circuitry.

[0050] In one possible implementation, the device also includes a memory. In another possible implementation, the processor and memory are integrated together. In yet another possible implementation, the memory is located outside the device. The processor may include one or more processors.

[0051] In some possible implementations, the memory may be used to store part or all of the computer programs or instructions necessary to implement the functions involved in the first aspect above.

[0052] In some possible implementations, the memory may be used to store part or all of the computer programs or instructions necessary to implement the functions involved in the second aspect above.

[0053] In one possible implementation, the communication device further includes a communication interface for communicating with other devices, such as transmitting or receiving data and / or signals. Exemplarily, the communication interface may be a transceiver, circuit, bus, module, input / output interface, or other types of communication interface.

[0054] In one implementation, the communication device of the third, fourth or seventh aspect mentioned above can be a terminal device or a communication module in a terminal device, or a chip or chip system in a terminal device.

[0055] In one implementation, the communication device of the third, fourth or seventh aspect mentioned above can be a network device or a communication module in a network device, or a chip or chip system in a network device.

[0056] Eighthly, a chip is provided, including a processor for calling a computer program or computer instructions in a memory to cause the processor to execute or implement any of the implementations of the first aspect above, or to cause the processor to execute or implement any of the implementations of the second aspect above.

[0057] In some implementations, the processor is coupled to the memory via an interface.

[0058] A ninth aspect provides a communication system, including a first device and a second device. The first device is configured to perform the first aspect and any possible implementation thereof, and the second device is configured to perform the second aspect and any possible implementation thereof.

[0059] The description of the beneficial effects of any of the second to ninth aspects can be referred to the description of the beneficial effects of the first aspect. Attached Figure Description

[0060] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a communication system.

[0061] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of another communication system.

[0062] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of another communication system.

[0063] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of another communication system.

[0064] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of the time and frequency resources in the random access procedure.

[0065] Figure 6 is a possible schematic diagram of a synchronization signal block (SSB).

[0066] Figure 7 is a schematic flowchart of a communication method provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0067] Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of the time-frequency resources of the physical broadcast channel (PBCH) provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0068] Figure 9 is a schematic diagram of the system information block (SIB1) provided in an embodiment of this application for indicating random access configuration.

[0069] Figure 10 is a schematic diagram of the SIB1 and / or SIB1 downlink control information (DCI) indicating the first random access configuration provided in the embodiments of this application.

[0070] Figure 11 is a schematic diagram of a second random access configuration indicating a second random access resource provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0071] Figure 12 is an example of the first random access resource and the second random access resource provided in the embodiments of this application.

[0072] Figure 13 is a schematic diagram of the center frequency of SIB1 and the center frequency of random access resources provided in the embodiments of this application.

[0073] Figure 14 is a schematic diagram of two association examples provided in the embodiments of this application.

[0074] Figure 15 is a schematic diagram of the association between the Random Access Configuration Indicator (SSB) and the Random Access Resource (RO) provided in the embodiments of this application.

[0075] Figure 16 is another schematic diagram showing the relationship between the Random Access Configuration Indicator (SSB) and the Random Access Resource (RO) provided in the embodiments of this application.

[0076] Figure 17 is a schematic block diagram of a communication device provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0077] Figure 18 is a schematic diagram of another communication device provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0078] Figure 19 is a schematic diagram of a chip system provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0079] Figure 20 is a schematic diagram of another chip system provided in an embodiment of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0080] In 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. Technical features in different embodiments can be combined to form new embodiments based on their inherent logical relationships.

[0081] I. 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 mean: A exists alone, A and B exist simultaneously, or B exists alone, where A and B can be singular or plural. In the textual description of this application, the character " / " generally indicates that the preceding and following related objects are in an "or" relationship. "At least one of the following" or similar expressions refer to any combination of these items, including any combination of single or plural items. For example, at least one of a, b, and c can mean: a, or, b, or, c, or, a and b, or, a and c, or, b and c, or, a, b, and c. Here, a, b, and c can each be single or multiple.

[0082] II. In this application, the terms "first," "second," and various numerical designations (e.g., #1, #2, etc.) indicate distinctions made for ease of description and are not intended to limit the scope of the embodiments of this application. For example, they may distinguish different messages, rather than describing a specific order or sequence. It should be understood that such descriptions can be interchanged where appropriate to describe solutions other than those in the embodiments of this application.

[0083] Third, in this application, descriptions such as "when," "under the circumstances," and "if" all refer to the device making corresponding processing under certain objective circumstances, and are not time-limited, nor do they require the device to make a judgment action when implementing it, nor do they imply any other limitations.

[0084] IV. In this application, "instruction" or "for instruction" can include both direct (or explicit) and indirect (or implicit) instruction. When describing instruction information as indicating A, it can include whether the instruction information directly or indirectly indicates A, but does not necessarily mean that the instruction information carries A. For example, in the case of indirect (or implicit) instruction, the receiving end of the instruction information can obtain A based on the parameters indicated by the instruction information, combined with other rules or parameters, or through deduction.

[0085] V. The indication methods involved in the embodiments of this application should be understood to cover various methods that enable the party to be indicated to obtain the information to be indicated. The information to be indicated can be sent as a whole or divided into multiple sub-information and sent separately. Moreover, the sending period and / or sending time of these sub-information can be the same or different. This application does not limit the sending method, for example.

[0086] VI. In this application, "protocol" can refer to standard protocols in the field of communications, such as 5G protocols, new radio (NR) protocols, and related protocols applied to future communication systems; this application does not limit this term. "Predefined" can include predefined terms, such as protocol definitions. "Preconfiguration" can be implemented by pre-storing corresponding codes, tables, or other means that can be used to indicate relevant information in the device; this application does not limit the implementation method.

[0087] VII. In this application, "communication" can also be described as "data transmission," "information transmission," "data processing," etc. "Transmission" includes "sending" and / or "receiving." For example, transmission can be uplink transmission, such as a terminal device sending a signal to a network device; transmission can also be downlink transmission, such as a network device sending a signal to a terminal device; transmission can also be sidelink transmission, such as a terminal device sending a signal to another terminal device. For example, "transmission" can be air interface level transmission, or it can be signal transmission from a chip input (I) / output (O) port, rather than air interface level transmission.

[0088] 8. In this application, terms such as “message”, “information”, “signal” or “information element (IE)” can be used interchangeably. There are no restrictions on the name of the message or information, as long as it can achieve the corresponding function.

[0089] 9. "Sending information to XX (device)" can be understood as the destination of the information being that device. This can include sending information directly or indirectly to that device. "Receiving information from XX (device), or receiving information from XX (device)" can be understood as the source of the information being that device. This can include receiving information directly or indirectly from that device. Information may undergo necessary processing between the source and destination, such as format changes, but the destination can understand the valid information from the source. Similar expressions in this application can be understood in a similar way, and will not be repeated here. Furthermore, "sending" can also be understood as the "output" of the chip interface, and "receiving" can also be understood as the "input" of the chip interface. In other words, "sending" or "receiving" can occur between devices, for example, between network devices and terminal devices via an air interface. "Sending" or "receiving" can also occur within a device, for example, between components, modules, chips, software modules, or hardware modules within the device via a bus, wiring, or interface.

[0090] 10. In this application, terms such as "exemplarily" and "for example" are used to indicate examples, illustrations, or descriptions to present concepts in a specific manner. Any embodiment or design described as an "example" in this application should not be construed as being more preferred or advantageous than other embodiments or designs. In the embodiments of this application, the terms "of," "corresponding (relevant)," "corresponding," and "associated" may sometimes be used interchangeably, and it should be noted that their intended meanings are consistent unless their distinctions are emphasized.

[0091] XI. In this application, configuration can be signaling configuration or can be described as configuring signaling. For example, signaling configuration includes configuration using signaling sent by network devices, which can be radio resource control (RRC) messages, downlink control information (DCI) messages, or system information blocks (SIBs). Another example is signaling configuration between network devices. These network devices can include access network devices, core network devices, or management plane devices, etc. Optionally, signaling configuration can also be configured to terminal devices or network devices by pre-configured signaling, or configured to terminal devices or network devices through pre-configuration. Here, pre-configuration means defining or configuring the values ​​of corresponding parameters in advance using a protocol, and storing them in the terminal device or network device during communication. Pre-configured messages can be modified or updated when the terminal device or network device is connected to the network.

[0092] 12. This application will present various aspects, embodiments, or features relating to systems that may include multiple devices, components, modules, etc. Each system may include devices, components, modules, etc., other than those illustrated, and / or may not include all and all of the devices, components, modules, etc. discussed in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0093] Thirteen, the 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 emergence of new business scenarios, the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of this application are also applicable to similar technical problems.

[0094] XIV. In the various embodiments of this application, the sequence number of each process does not imply the order of execution. The execution order of each process should be determined by its function and internal logic, and should not constitute any limitation on the implementation process of the embodiments of this application. The terms "comprising," "including," "having," and their variations all mean "including but not limited to," unless otherwise specifically emphasized.

[0095] The technical solutions of this application embodiment can be applied to various communication systems, including but not limited to: Long Term Evolution (LTE) systems, NR systems, and 5G (5G) systems. thThis includes various mobile communication systems such as 5G, narrowband Internet of Things (NB-IoT), enhanced machine-type communication (eMTC), enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB), ultra-reliable low-latency communications (URLLC), satellite communication systems, LTE-machine-to-machine (LTE-M) systems, and other systems that evolve after 5G, such as future mobile communication systems.

[0096] The following describes the solutions of embodiments of this application with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0097] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a communication system 100. As shown in Figure 1, the communication system 100 includes a wireless access network 110 and a core network 120. Optionally, the communication system 100 may also include an Internet 130. The wireless access network 110 may include at least one access network device (111a and 111b in Figure 1) and at least one terminal device (112a-112j in Figure 1). The terminal device is connected to the access network device wirelessly. The access network device is connected to the core network 120 wirelessly or via a wired connection. The core network 120 may include one or more core network devices. The core network device and the access network device may be independent physical devices, or the functions of the core network device and the logical functions of the access network device may be integrated on the same physical device, or a single physical device may integrate some of the functions of the core network device and some of the functions of the access network device. Terminal devices and access network devices may be interconnected via wired or wireless connections. Wireless communication can occur between terminal devices, between access network devices, and between terminal devices and access network devices via air interface resources. For example, air interface resources may include at least one of time-domain resources, frequency-domain resources, code resources, and spatial resources. Figure 1 is a schematic diagram; the communication system 100 may also include other access network devices, such as wireless relay devices and wireless backhaul devices, which are not shown in Figure 1.

[0098] Access network equipment can be any device with wireless transceiver capabilities. For example, access network equipment can be a base station used to connect terminal devices to a radio access network (RAN). Access network equipment is sometimes also referred to as access network element, access network node, RAN node, or RAN. It is understood that the names of devices with access network functionality may differ in systems employing different wireless access technologies. For ease of description, devices that provide wireless communication access functionality to terminal devices can be collectively referred to as base stations or RANs.

[0099] Access network equipment can be used for the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP). rd Cellular systems related to the Generation Partnership Project (3GPP), such as 4G mobile communication systems, 5G mobile communication systems, non-terrestrial network (NTN) systems, or future communication systems, etc. Access network equipment can also be access network equipment in open RAN (O-RAN or ORAN), cloud radio access network (CRAN), or wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi) systems, or access network equipment in communication systems that integrate two or more of the above systems.

[0100] When the access network device is an access network device in an NTN system, the access network device can be in regeneration mode or transparent transmission mode, and this application does not limit it.

[0101] For example, access network equipment includes, but is not limited to: various forms of macro base stations (as shown in Figure 1, 111a), micro base stations or indoor stations (as shown in Figure 1, 111b), pico base stations, small cells, balloon stations, relay stations, access points, etc. Access network equipment may include evolved node B (eNB or eNodeB) in LTE, access point (AP), wireless relay node, wireless backhaul node, transmission point (TRP or TP) or transmission reception point (TRP) in wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi) systems, terminal equipment that implements network functions in device-to-device (D2D) or vehicle-to-everything (V2X) systems, next-generation base station nodes (gNB) or transmission points (TRP or TP) in 5G systems, one or a group of antenna panels (including multiple antenna panels) of base stations in 5G systems, network nodes constituting gNB or transmission points, such as baseband unit (BBU) or distributed unit (DU), and access network equipment, servers or vehicle-mounted equipment in networks evolved after 5G.

[0102] Optionally, access network equipment may also include servers, wearable devices, vehicles, or in-vehicle equipment. For example, access network equipment in V2X technology can be roadside units (RSUs).

[0103] Access network equipment can also be modules or units that perform some of the functions of a base station. For example, it can be a central unit (CU) or a DU.

[0104] In this embodiment, the apparatus for implementing the functions of the access network device can be the access network device itself, or it can be an apparatus capable of supporting the access network device in implementing the functions, such as a chip system, which can be installed in the access network device. The chip system can be composed of chips, or it can include chips and other discrete components.

[0105] In another possible scenario, multiple access network devices collaborate to assist the terminal in achieving wireless access, with each device performing a portion of the base station's functions. For example, the access network devices could be a CU, DU, CU (control plane, CP), CU (user plane, UP), or a radio unit (RU). The CU and DU can be separate entities or included in the same network element, such as a BBU. The RU can be included in radio equipment or radio units, such as a remote radio unit (RRU), an active antenna unit (AAU), or a remote radio head (RRH).

[0106] In different systems, CU (or CU-CP and CU-UP), DU, or RU may have different names, but those skilled in the art will understand their meaning. For example, in an open radio access network (O-RAN) system, CU can also be called O-CU (open CU), DU can also be called O-DU, CU-CP can also be called O-CU-CP, CU-UP can also be called O-CU-UP, and RU can also be called O-RU. For ease of description, this application uses CU, CU-CP, CU-UP, DU, and RU as examples. Any of the units among CU (or CU-CP, CU-UP), DU, and RU in this application can be implemented through software modules, hardware modules, or a combination of software modules and hardware modules. The embodiments of this application do not limit the specific technology or specific device form used in the access network equipment.

[0107] Terminal equipment can be a device that provides voice and / or data connectivity to a user; alternatively, it can be an entity on the user side used to receive or transmit signals. Terminal equipment can be deployed on land, including indoors or outdoors, handheld or vehicle-mounted; it can also be deployed on water (such as on ships); and it can be deployed in the air (e.g., on airplanes, balloons, and satellites). Terminal equipment can also be referred to as user equipment (UE), access terminal, terminal, subscriber unit, user station, mobile station, mobile station (MS), mobile terminal (MT), remote station, remote terminal, mobile device, user terminal, wireless network equipment, user agent, or user device. In this application embodiment, terminal devices include, but are not limited to: cellular phones, mobile phones, wireless data cards, wireless modems, tablets, laptop computers, notebook computers, handheld computers, mobile internet devices (MIDs), computers with wireless transceiver capabilities, cordless phones, session initiation protocol (SIP) phones, smartphones, wireless local loop (WLL) stations, personal digital assistants (PDAs), handsets with wireless communication capabilities, computing devices or other devices connected to wireless modems, in-vehicle devices (e.g., cars, bicycles, electric vehicles, airplanes, ships, trains, high-speed trains, etc.), wearable devices (e.g., smartwatches, smart bracelets, pedometers, smart glasses, etc.), satellite terminals, terminal devices in the Internet of Things or the Internet of Vehicles, as well as any form of terminal in future networks, relay user equipment, or terminals in future evolved public land mobile networks (PLMNs), etc.Terminal devices can also be virtual reality (VR) devices, augmented reality (AR) devices, smart point-of-sale (POS) machines, customer-premises equipment (CPE), light UE, reduced capability UE (REDCAP UE), machine-type communication (MTC) terminals, terminal devices in industrial control, terminal devices in self-driving, terminal devices in telemedicine, terminal devices in smart grids, wireless terminals in transportation safety, terminal devices in smart cities, terminal devices in smart homes, tactile terminal devices, smart home devices (e.g., refrigerators, televisions, air conditioners, electricity meters, etc.), smart robots, robotic arms, workshop equipment, wireless terminals in self-driving, or flying devices (e.g., smart robots, hot air balloons, drones, airplanes), etc. The terminal device can also be a vehicle device, such as a complete vehicle device, an in-vehicle module, an in-vehicle chip, an on-board unit (OBU), or a telematics box (T-BOX). The terminal device can also be other devices with terminal functions; for example, it can be a device that functions as a terminal in D2D communication. This application does not limit the scope of the embodiments.

[0108] In this application embodiment, the device for implementing the functions of the terminal device can be the terminal device itself, or it can be any device capable of supporting the terminal device in implementing the functions, such as a chip or chip system. This device can be installed in the terminal device. The chip system can consist of chips or include chips and other discrete components. In the technical solution of this application embodiment, the device for implementing the functions of the terminal device is referred to as the terminal device, which can also be called a terminal. The following description may use a UE (User Equipment) as an example to illustrate the technical solution provided in this application embodiment.

[0109] The roles of base stations and terminals can be relative. For example, the helicopter or drone 112i in Figure 1 can be configured as a mobile base station. For terminals 112j that access the wireless access network 110 via 112i, terminal 112i is a base station; however, for base station 111a, 112i is a terminal, meaning that 111a and 112i communicate via a wireless air interface protocol. Of course, 111a and 112i can also communicate via a base station-to-base station interface protocol. In this case, relative to 111a, 112i is also a base station. Therefore, both base stations and terminals can be collectively referred to as communication devices. 111a and 111b in Figure 1 can be called communication devices with base station functions, and 112a-112j in Figure 1 can be called communication devices with terminal functions.

[0110] Access network devices and terminal devices can communicate via wireless links. The transmission link from the access network device to the terminal device can be called a downlink (DL) or downlink channel, used for transmitting downlink signals. The transmission link from the terminal device to the access network device can be called an uplink (UL) or uplink channel, used for transmitting uplink signals. The transmission link from one terminal device to another can be called a sidelink (SL) or sidelink channel, used for transmitting sidelink signals.

[0111] Communication between access network devices and terminal devices can follow a specific protocol layer structure. This protocol layer may include a control plane protocol layer and a user plane protocol layer. The control plane protocol layer may include at least one of the following: radio resource control (RRC) layer, packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) layer, radio link control (RLC) layer, media access control (MAC) layer, or physical (PHY) layer, etc. The user plane protocol layer may include at least one of the following: service data adaptation protocol (SDAP) layer, PDCP layer, RLC layer, MAC layer, or physical layer, etc.

[0112] For example, the RRC layer of the access network device and the RRC layer of the terminal device can exchange RRC signaling or other messages. As another example, the PHY layer of the access network device can send a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) or a physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) to the PHY layer of the terminal device, and so on. Similarly, the PHY layer of the terminal device can send a physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) or a physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) to the PHY layer of the access network device, and so on.

[0113] Figure 2 is a schematic block diagram of another communication system. This communication system may also be referred to as an O-RAN system or other names. The communication system may include a core network, access network equipment (represented as RAN in Figure 2), and a UE. As an example, the communication system may also include other components besides those shown in Figure 2; specific details are not limited in this application.

[0114] Access network devices can communicate with the core network (CN) via a backhaul link. For example, a BBU in an access network device communicates with the core network via a backhaul link. Access network devices can also communicate with UEs via an air interface. For example, an RU in an access network device communicates with at least one UE via an air interface. The BBU communicates with at least one RU via a fronthaul link. The BBU and RU may or may not be co-located; this application does not limit this. The BBU may include at least one CU and at least one DU, and the CU and DU can communicate with each other via at least one midhaul link.

[0115] For example, the CU can be used to perform functions of the upper layer. For instance, the upper layer may include layer 2 (L2) and / or layer 3 (L3). The DU can be used to perform functions of layer 1 (L1) and / or part of L2. The RU can be used to perform computational and digital radio frequency (RF) functions of L1. In some possible implementations, the DU can be deployed as a single unit, i.e., the DU can perform the functions of the DU and RU described above.

[0116] For example, the CU and / or DU may include a chassis platform, motherboard, peripheral devices or cooling devices, etc. The motherboard may include processing units, memory, internal I / O interfaces or external connection ports, etc.

[0117] The processing unit can be a processor, such as one or more of the following: a central processing unit (CPU), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a digital signal processor (DSP), a microprocessor unit (MPU), a microcontroller unit (MCU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), an artificial intelligence processor (AI processor), a multi-core processor, or a neural processing unit (NPU). Exemplarily, the processor can also be an x86 processor, a non-x86 processor, an advanced instruction set computer (RISC) machine (ARM processor), or other processors.

[0118] In some possible implementations, the processor may connect to one or more hardware accelerators. As an example, the hardware accelerator may support interconnection with x86 or non-x86 processors. For instance, the hardware accelerator could be an FPGA, GPU, or other accelerator. Exemplarily, the processor and the hardware accelerator may have a peripheral component interconnect (PCI) express (PCIe) interface and communicate through this PCIe interface. Exemplarily, the hardware accelerator may communicate with the outside world via a gigabit Ethernet (GbE) interface.

[0119] For example, components of a hardware accelerator may include: software, hardware or memory for system debugging interfaces, or a single-board management controller.

[0120] For example, a DU system can be implemented using a processor (e.g., a multi-core processor) and one or more hardware accelerators. For instance, portions of the DU protocol stack can be implemented in software running on the processor, while computationally intensive L1 and L2 functions can be offloaded to FPGA- and / or GPU-based hardware accelerators. Alternatively, all L1 functions can be offloaded to FPGA- and / or GPU-based hardware accelerators, while other protocol stack components are implemented in software running on the processor. Yet another example is that the entire protocol stack is implemented in software running on the processor.

[0121] For example, the RU may include an O-RAN processing unit (OPU), a digital processing unit (DPU), and an RF processing unit.

[0122] As an example, an OPU can be used to receive enhanced common public radio interface (eCPRI) frames from the O-RAN fronthaul, and / or to perform fronthaul interface, lowest-level L1 operations (e.g., encoding, scrambling, modulation, layer mapping, or precoding), synchronization, beamforming, or resource unit mapping, etc. Exemplarily, the OPU can be implemented as a CPU, FPGA, or ASIC. Exemplarily, the OPU can also be referred to as a RAN fronthaul link processing unit or other names.

[0123] As an example, a DPU can be used to perform synchronization, digital downconversion (DDC), digital upconversion (DUC), crest factor reduction (CFR), or digital pre-distortion (DPD), etc. In this way, the DPU can reduce the peak-to-average power ratio (PAPR) and / or adjacent channel leakage ratio (ACLR) of the RF front end. Exemplarily, the DPU may include an FPGA and / or an ASIC. The DPU may also be implemented in other forms.

[0124] As an example, an RF processing unit may include a transceiver module, an upconverter, a downconverter, a power amplifier (PA), a low noise amplifier (LNA), a transmit (Tx) filter, a receive (Rx) filter, or other devices.

[0125] For example, the transceiver module can be used to perform operations such as analog-to-digital conversion, digital-to-analog conversion, RF sampling, and frequency conversion using RF signals, intermediate frequency (IF) signals, and local oscillator (LO) signals in up-conversion and down-conversion.

[0126] The aforementioned physical device can also be a logic module, and the aforementioned logic module can also be a physical device; this application does not impose any limitations.

[0127] In some possible scenarios, O-RAN can incorporate artificial intelligence (AI). For ease of understanding, the following explanation is provided in conjunction with Figure 3.

[0128] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of another communication system. This system may include a RAN intelligent controller (RIC).

[0129] For example, a near-real-time RAN intelligent controller (RIC) can be used for model training and inference. For instance, it can be used to train an AI model and then use that AI model for inference. As an example, the near-real-time RIC can obtain network-side and / or terminal-side information from RAN nodes (e.g., CU, CU-CP, CU-UP, DU, and / or RU) and / or terminals. This information can be used as training data or inference data.

[0130] In some possible implementations, the near real-time RIC can deliver inference results to RAN nodes and / or terminals. Furthermore, in some possible implementations, inference results can be exchanged between CUs and DUs, and / or between DUs and RUs. For example, the near real-time RIC can deliver inference results to a DU, which then forwards the inference results to an RU.

[0131] For example, a non-real-time (NRT) RIC can be used for model training and inference. For instance, it can be used to train an AI model and then use that model for inference. The NRT RIC can obtain network-side and / or terminal-side information from RAN nodes (e.g., CU, CU-CP, CU-UP, DU, and / or RU) and / or terminals. This information can be used as training data or inference data, and the inference results can be delivered to the RAN nodes and / or terminals. Furthermore, in some possible implementations, inference results can be exchanged between CUs and DUs, and / or between DUs and RUs; for example, the NRT RIC delivers the inference results to the DU, which then sends the inference results to the RU.

[0132] In some examples, the near real-time RIC and non-real-time RIC described above can be configured as separate network elements. In other examples, the near real-time or non-real-time RIC can be part of other devices. For example, the near real-time RIC is set in a RAN node (e.g., in a CU or DU). As another example, the non-real-time RIC can be set in operations, administration and management (OAM) systems, cloud servers, core network devices, or other network devices.

[0133] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of another communication system. The network elements in the above communication system can be connected via interfaces (e.g., NG, Xn) or over-the-air interfaces. As an example, one or more devices in the core network equipment, access network nodes, terminals, or OAM may be equipped with one or more AI modules. For ease of description, only one AI module is shown in Figure 4, but this application does not limit the specific number of AI modules.

[0134] In some examples, an access network node can be a single network element or multiple network elements. For example, an access network node may include a CU and a DU. As an example, the CU and / or DU may be configured with one or more AI modules. Optionally, the CU may be split into CU-CP and CU-UP. One or more AI models may be configured in the CU-CP and / or CU-UP.

[0135] AI modules can implement corresponding AI functions. AI modules deployed in different network elements can be the same or different. The model of an AI module can be configured with different parameters, enabling the AI ​​module to achieve different functions. The model of an AI module can be configured based on one or more of the following parameters: structural parameters (e.g., at least one of the following: number of neural network layers, neural network width, inter-layer connections, neuron weights, neuron activation function, or bias in the activation function), input parameters (e.g., type and / or dimension of input parameters), or output parameters (e.g., type and / or dimension of output parameters). The bias in the activation function can also be referred to as the bias of the neural network.

[0136] An AI module may have one or more models. A model can infer an output, which may include one or more parameters. The learning, training, or inference processes of different models may be deployed on different nodes or devices, or they may be deployed on the same node or device; this application does not impose any restrictions.

[0137] To better understand the embodiments of this application, the following is an introduction to the technical terms involved in the embodiments of this application.

[0138] 1. Initial access.

[0139] With the increasing diversity of wireless communication applications, future wireless communication processes may introduce numerous new technologies to meet the diverse needs of scenarios such as high speed, low latency, and massive connectivity. Initial access is crucial for a terminal device's initial connection to the network. The initial access process determines whether the terminal device can successfully register with the network and establish a connection with network devices (e.g., base stations) to enable subsequent data transmission and service access.

[0140] The primary goal of initial access is to allocate necessary communication resources and establish a reliable communication link for a terminal device when it first accesses or re-accesses the network. The random access procedure is particularly important during initial access. Random access can resolve time-frequency synchronization issues between the terminal device and network devices and allocate uplink resources to the terminal device for further communication. Depending on the different requirements of the access procedure, random access can be divided into contention-based random access (CBRA) and contention-free random access (CFRA).

[0141] Taking a 5G communication system as an example, in the initial access process, the terminal device searches for the synchronization signal block (SSB) to obtain the basic information required for access, such as frequency, timing synchronization, and system information. The SSB may include the master information block (MIB), which can also be called the master system message or other names.

[0142] As an example, a terminal device can obtain other system messages necessary for cell access, such as System Information Block 1 (SIB1), by decoding the SSB. For ease of understanding, a specific example of a terminal device receiving an SSB is described below with reference to Figure 5.

[0143] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of the time-frequency resources in the random access procedure. Referring to the upper part of Figure 5, the terminal device can first receive the SSB and obtain the frequency domain resources and detection timing of the control resource set #0 (CORESET#0) for scheduling SIB1 from the MIB in the SSB. Based on the frequency domain resources and detection timing of CORESET#0, the terminal device can detect the PDCCH of SIB1 to obtain the scheduling information of SIB1. Further, the terminal device can obtain SIB1 based on the scheduling information of SIB1. As an example, the scheduling information may include at least one of the following: resource location, resource size, or modulation and coding scheme, etc.

[0144] SIB1 is used to instruct the terminal device to initiate resource configuration for random access. As an example, SIB1 may include carrier position, carrier bandwidth, initial uplink bandwidth part (BWP) and initial downlink BWP configuration, etc.

[0145] For example, the initial uplink BWP (or initial UL BWP) configuration described above may include a random access channel (RACH) configuration. As an example, the RACH configuration may include resource configurations for transmitting a random access (RA) preamble, such as time-frequency resources for the RACH occasion (RO) and available random access preambles. For example, the aforementioned random access preamble may also be referred to as a preamble, physical random access channel (PRACH) preamble, preamble sequence, random access sequence, message 1 (MSG1), or other names, without limitation in this application. For example, the aforementioned RACH configuration may also be referred to as PRACH configuration or RACH common configuration.

[0146] Referring to the lower part of Figure 5, the initial UL BWP configuration may include multiple Remote Access Entities (ROs) on periodic RACH slots. The terminal device can randomly select an RO and a preamble to initiate random access. As shown in Figure 5, assuming the shaded RO is the RO selected by the terminal device, the terminal device can initiate random access on that RO.

[0147] Taking a 5G communication system as an example, terminal devices can send preambles on the PRACH. Sending a preamble can be understood as the terminal device sending an access request to the network device. For example, the preamble can be a Zadoff-Chu sequence sent within a short period. The preamble can have good autocorrelation and cross-correlation properties, which helps the network device accurately detect the access request.

[0148] For example, after receiving the preamble, the network device can send a random access response (RAR) message to the terminal device. As an example, the RAR message can be used to indicate whether the terminal device successfully sent the preamble and allocate the corresponding uplink resources. For instance, the aforementioned RAR message can also be called message 2 (MSG2) or other names, which are not limited in this application.

[0149] For CBRA, if multiple terminal devices use the same preamble, subsequent steps are required to resolve the conflict. For example, after successfully receiving a RAR message, a terminal device can send an RRC connection request message based on the allocated uplink resources. This RRC connection request message can be used to request an RRC connection and / or request conflict resolution. For example, this RRC connection request message can also be called message 3 (MSG3) or other names, which are not limited in this application.

[0150] For example, in response to an RRC connection request message, the network device can send message 4 (MSG4) to the terminal device, thereby establishing an RRC connection. Based on the above four steps, the terminal device successfully accesses the network and can then perform subsequent communication and data transmission.

[0151] The above is a brief example of a four-step random access method in a 5G NR system. The initial access method in this application is not limited to the four-step random access method described above; for example, this application can also be applied to a two-step random access method or other random access methods proposed in the future.

[0152] As an example, the essence of two-step random access can be simply understood as follows: when the terminal device sends the preamble, it also sends the content for conflict resolution included in MSG3 of the four-step random access method to the network side. The network side can then send the content included in MSG2 and MSG4 of the four-step random access method to the terminal device. For example, in two-step random access, the resource configuration method of MSG1 is similar to that of MSG1 in the four-step random access method described above. A specific example will be provided below.

[0153] In some examples, the terminal device can send message A (MSG A) to the network device.

[0154] As an example, the MSG A may include at least one of the following: RA preamble, or the identity information of the terminal device, etc.

[0155] In some examples, the time-frequency resources used to transmit MSG A can be configured with SIB1. For example, SIB1 can be used to indicate the association between the time-frequency resources used to transmit the preamble and the time-frequency resources used to transmit other information in MSG A.

[0156] For example, the MSG A mentioned above may have other names, which are not limited in this application.

[0157] In some examples, the network side can send message B (MSG B) to the terminal device.

[0158] For example, MSG B may include at least one of the following: an identifier of the preamble received by the network side, a timing adjustment indication for uplink synchronization, a temporary network-side identity, or information for contention resolution, etc. As an example, the identifier of the preamble may be RAPID. As an example, the temporary network-side identity may be TC-RNTI. For example, MSG B may have other names, which are not limited in this application.

[0159] 2. SSB.

[0160] SSB is an information structure proposed by NR. SSB can also be called synchronization signal / physical broadcast channel block, synchronization signal block, SSB signal, SSB beam, or other names.

[0161] For example, an SSB may include a primary synchronization signal (PSS), a secondary synchronization signal (SSS), and a physical broadcast channel (PBCH). When a terminal device is moving, it can continuously perform cell search and measurement based on the SSB, select an appropriate SSB beam, and thus achieve initial access and mobility management for the terminal device.

[0162] Figure 6 is a possible schematic diagram of an SSB. The subcarrier positions occupied by PSS, SSS, and PBCH in an SSB can be shown in Figure 6.

[0163] For example, referring to Figure 6, each SSB can occupy four consecutive symbols in the time domain and 20 resource blocks (RBs) in the frequency domain. The 20 RBs can include 240 subcarriers. As an example, with a subcarrier spacing (SCS) of 15 kHz, an SSB can occupy a bandwidth of 3.6 MHz.

[0164] The PSS and SSS can occupy the first and third symbols of the SSB, respectively. Both the PSS and SSS can occupy 127 subcarriers. The PBCH can occupy the second and fourth symbols of the entire SSB, as well as the third symbol and 48 subcarriers at each end of the frequency domain resources. The PBCH can carry two parts of resources: a payload, including higher-layer payloads and physical layer payloads; and a demodulation reference signal (DMRS). For example, the higher-layer payload may include the MIB.

[0165] Unless otherwise specified, the term "symbol" in this application can be understood as a time-domain symbol, that is, a unit in the time domain. For example, a symbol can be an orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) symbol.

[0166] As an example, the PSS can be used for coarse synchronization and to carry some parameters of the physical cell identifier (PCI). For example, the PSS can carry a 127-bit M-sequence, specifically three different sequences. As an example, the SSS can be used for secondary synchronization and to carry the remaining parameters of the PCI. For example, the SSS can carry a 127-bit Gold sequence, specifically 336 different sequences. As an example, the PBCH can carry broadcast system messages (e.g., MIB). For example, the PBCH may include 24 bits of broadcast control channel (BCCH) – broadcast channel (BCH), 8 bits of physical layer timing-related information, and 24 bits of cyclic redundancy check (CRC) information.

[0167] 3. Low-bandwidth terminal equipment.

[0168] In traditional 5G NR technology, communication equipment typically requires full connectivity capabilities, including high-speed data transmission and low latency. Release 17 introduced reduced capability (RedCap) technology. RedCap technology limits the capabilities of communication equipment, providing a lighter-weight access solution for terminal devices that do not require full capabilities. By simplifying the functions of communication equipment, RedCap technology reduces the complexity and cost of the equipment, enabling devices using RedCap technology (or "RedCap devices") to access the communication network without full communication capabilities.

[0169] As an example, a RedCap device can be a low-cost, simple device that still needs to access a communication network. For instance, a RedCap device could be an IoT device.

[0170] Current solutions indicate dedicated initial uplink resources for RedCap devices in the public SIB1. The RedCap device then sends a preamble in the RO of this dedicated initial uplink resource to initiate uplink access. In these solutions, RedCap devices and normal terminal devices (i.e., devices not belonging to the RedCap group) use the same SSB and SIB1 specifications for access, resulting in a minimum overall bandwidth of 20MHz for initial access. When the terminal device's operating bandwidth is limited and less than the current minimum bandwidth of the SSB and SIB1, these solutions will not function correctly.

[0171] Therefore, how to design a configuration process for terminal devices with lower capabilities is an urgent problem to be solved.

[0172] For example, future communication networks may involve terminal devices that only perform uplink and downlink transmissions within a narrow bandwidth (e.g., X MHz). For example, X may be 3, 5, or other values. For ease of description, the aforementioned terminal devices may be referred to as Class I terminals (or narrowband terminal devices, bandwidth-limited terminal devices, low-capacity terminal devices, or other names).

[0173] The bandwidth of a Type I terminal is constrained during a certain uplink or downlink transmission. Possible reasons include: limitations of the Type I terminal's own capabilities; energy-saving requirements of the Type I terminal, etc. This application does not limit the reasons for the bandwidth limitation of the Type I terminal. Furthermore, conceptually, the Type I terminal may or may not belong to the RedCap device category; this application does not make any limitation.

[0174] For ease of description, this application refers to terminal devices capable of uplink and downlink transmissions beyond the aforementioned narrower bandwidth (e.g., X MHz) as second-type terminals (or broadband terminal devices, bandwidth-unrestricted terminal devices, high-capacity terminal devices, or other names). In other words, second-type terminals are terminal devices that support bandwidth greater than that supported by first-type terminals. It is understood that second-type terminals can be devices corresponding to first-type terminals. Compared to second-type terminals, first-type terminals are more energy-efficient and less susceptible to interference from signals beyond X MHz.

[0175] The first type of terminal mentioned above may be used in the same scenario as the second type of terminal. As an example, the initial BWP of the first type of terminal does not exceed X MHz; the initial BWP of the second type of terminal is not limited to X MHz and can be greater than X MHz.

[0176] In some possible scenarios, X MHz might be the portion between the two dashed lines in Figure 6. Currently, network devices uniformly broadcast SSBs to terminals with various capabilities (e.g., including Type 1 and Type 2 terminals). Thus, Type 2 terminals can receive and decode the complete PBCH signal. However, the PBCH signal received by Type 1 terminals within X MHz is essentially a punctured PBCH signal, resulting in poor decoding performance and potentially affecting the access performance of Type 1 terminals. Furthermore, for the communication system, the PBCH signal is transmitted after encoding; the portion transmitted within X MHz and the portion outside X MHz together form the complete codeword of the encoded PBCH signal. In other words, the PBCH signal within X MHz and outside X MHz carries the same payload.

[0177] In view of this, this application designs a PBCH structure. In some examples, the messages carried on the PBCH (referred to as "PBCH messages") may include some messages within the first frequency band. In some examples, the PBCH messages may also include some messages outside the first frequency band.

[0178] For example, for ease of description, some channels of PBCH within the first frequency band can be denoted as PBCH0; some channels of PBCH outside the first frequency band can be denoted as PBCH1. Or, PBCH that satisfies the frequency domain bandwidth within the first frequency band can be denoted as PBCH0; PBCH that satisfies the frequency domain bandwidth outside the first frequency band can be denoted as PBCH1.

[0179] As an example, data carried on PBCH0 (e.g., a message or information) can be referred to as PBCH0 message (or PBCH0 data, or PBCH0 information). Data carried on PBCH1 (e.g., a message or information) can be referred to as PBCH1 message (or PBCH1 data, or PBCH1 information).

[0180] As an example, the bandwidth of the first frequency band can be X MHz. This allows the first type of terminal to receive the complete PBCH0 message, thereby improving decoding performance. The second type of terminal can receive PBCH0 messages within X MHz, and also PBCH1 messages outside X MHz, thus obtaining more configuration information. An example of a communication method provided in this application is described below with reference to Figure 7.

[0181] Figure 7 is a schematic flowchart of a communication method 700 provided in an embodiment of this application. Optional operations in method 700 are shown in dashed lines. The various operations of method 700 are described below with reference to Figure 7.

[0182] S710, the network device sends a PBCH message to the terminal device.

[0183] For example, a PBCH message can be understood as complete PBCH information carried on the PBCH, or complete PBCH information transmitted through the PBCH. As an example, complete PBCH information may include first information (or PBCH0 message) and second information (or PBCH1 message). For instance, in Figure 8, the PBCH may include PBCH0 and PBCH1, where PBCH0 carries the PBCH0 message (i.e., the first information), and PBCH1 carries the PBCH1 message (i.e., the second information). Therefore, a PBCH message can be complete PBCH information carried on the PBCH. As an example, the aforementioned PBCH0 may be called a narrowband PBCH or other names; the aforementioned PBCH1 may be called a wideband PBCH or other names.

[0184] In this application, messages and information can be interchanged. For example, a PBCH message can be replaced with a PBCH information, which will not be elaborated further.

[0185] As an example (1), the PBCH message can carry basic access-related information. As an example (2), the PBCH message can be the first message of bearer system information received by the terminal device after obtaining downlink synchronization. In this application, the PBCH message can also be replaced with "unified PBCH message", "unified PBCH information", "unified PBCH", "PBCH", "nested PBCH message", "nested PBCH information", "nested PBCH" or other names. For example, "the network device sends a PBCH message to the terminal device" can be understood as the network device sending a PBCH to the terminal device.

[0186] In future communication networks, a message that satisfies at least one of the following: (1) a message carrying basic access-related information, or (2) a message received after the terminal device has obtained downlink synchronization. This message may still be called a PBCH message, or it may have other names. The PBCH message in this application can be understood as, or replaced by, the name of a message in a future communication network that satisfies at least one of (1) to (2) above. For ease of understanding, this application uses the term PBCH message.

[0187] In some examples, the PBCH message can be carried within an SSB, and the time-frequency resources of the PBCH message can be as shown in Figure 6. In other examples, the PBCH message can be carried within an SSB, and the time-frequency resources of the PBCH message are not limited to those shown in Figure 6. In still other examples, the PBCH message can be carried within signals other than an SSB, and this application does not limit the time-frequency resources of the PBCH message.

[0188] To facilitate understanding, an example of the content of a PBCH message is provided below.

[0189] For example, a PBCH message may include first information. The resources for mapping the first information and the second information are described below.

[0190] In some examples, this first information may be carried on (or mapped to) resources within a first frequency band. For example, resources within the first frequency band can be understood as time-frequency resources located within the first frequency band. Correspondingly, resources outside the first frequency band can be understood as time-frequency resources located outside the first frequency band. For example, time-frequency resources may be resource blocks (RBs), resource elements (REs), or other units used to represent time-frequency resources.

[0191] In some examples, the width of the first frequency band may be smaller than the bandwidth of the PBCH; or, the bandwidth of the PBCH may be greater than the width of the first frequency band. As an example, the aforementioned PBCH may be the channel on which PBCH messages are carried. For instance, a network device may send PBCH messages on this PBCH.

[0192] As an example, the bandwidth of the PBCH is greater than that of the first bandwidth. This can be understood as the bandwidth of the PBCH including the first bandwidth and other bandwidths (i.e., the portion of the PBCH bandwidth excluding the first bandwidth).

[0193] As an example, the PBCH message described above may include first information carried on resources within the first frequency band, and information carried on resources outside the first frequency band.

[0194] For example, the width of the first frequency band can be smaller than the frequency band width of the PBCH message being transmitted. For instance, the frequency band width of the PBCH message transmission can be the width of the time-frequency resources occupied by the PBCH message transmission in the frequency domain.

[0195] Optionally, the PBCH message may also include second information. As an example, this second information may be carried on (or mapped to) resources outside the first frequency band.

[0196] In some examples, the above scheme can also be understood as follows: the PBCH may include two partial channels, one channel (denoted as PBCH0) carrying the first information and the other channel (denoted as PBCH1) carrying the second information. PBCH0 is transmitted within the first frequency band, and PBCH1 is transmitted outside the first frequency band.

[0197] This application does not limit the relative positions of the time-frequency resources of PBCH0 and PBCH1. For ease of understanding, examples of the time-frequency resources of PBCH0 and PBCH1 are given below with reference to Figure 8.

[0198] Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of the time-frequency resources of the PBCH provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0199] Referring to Figure 8, for example, in PBCH Example 1, PBCH0 and PBCH1 can be contiguous in the frequency domain, and PBCH1 can use fewer time-domain resources (e.g., fewer symbols) than PBCH0. As another example, in PBCH Example 2, PBCH0 and PBCH1 can use exactly the same time-domain resources. Yet another example, in PBCH Example 3, PBCH0 can use more time-domain resources than PBCH1. And yet another example, in PBCH Example 4, PBCH0 and PBCH1 can be discontinuous in the frequency domain (or, in other words, there is a gap).

[0200] It is understood that the time-frequency resources of PBCH0 and PBCH1 in this application are not limited to the PBCH examples 1 to 4 shown in Figure 8. For example, PBCH0 and PBCH1 may be discontinuous in the frequency domain, and PBCH1 may use fewer time-domain resources (e.g., fewer symbols) than PBCH0. As another example, PBCH0 and PBCH1 may be continuous or discontinuous in the frequency domain, and PBCH1 messages and PBCH0 messages may be transmitted on different time-domain resources. These different time-domain resources may be completely different time-domain resources (i.e., there is no intersection between the time-domain resources used to transmit PBCH0 messages and the time-domain resources used to transmit PBCH1 messages), or they may be partially different time-domain resources (i.e., there is an intersection between some time-domain resources used to transmit PBCH0 messages and some time-domain resources used to transmit PBCH1 messages).

[0201] As an example, the time-frequency resources for PBCH0 and PBCH1 can be predefined or preconfigured. As an example, during a single PBCH message transmission, the network device can use the same beam to transmit both PBCH0 and PBCH1 messages. As an example, multiple PBCH message transmissions by the network device can use different beams, where the PBCH0 message in each transmission can carry information identifying the PBCH message (e.g., the SSB index).

[0202] As an example, the aforementioned first frequency band is a specific frequency band with a width of X MHz. For example, X MHz could be the bandwidth supported by the first type of terminal. Alternatively, X MHz could be greater than the bandwidth supported by the first type of terminal. In other words, the bandwidth supported by the first type of terminal could be less than or equal to X MHz. Exemplarily, X could be 3, 5, or other values. A description of the first type of terminal can be found above, such as in section 3 of the glossary, and will not be repeated here.

[0203] For example, the location of the first frequency band in the frequency domain may be specified by the protocol, configured by the network device, pre-configured in the first type of terminal, or determined by other means, and this application does not limit it.

[0204] In some examples, the PBCH message is a single message, with the first and second information carried within the same message. In other examples, the PBCH message may include two messages, with the first and second information carried in separate messages. In other words, the first and second information can be carried in different messages.

[0205] The terminal device in the S710 mentioned above can be either a first-class terminal or a second-class terminal.

[0206] For example, the bandwidth supported by the second type of terminal is greater than that supported by the first type of terminal. For instance, the bandwidth supported by the first type of terminal is X MHz; the bandwidth supported by the second type of terminal is greater than X MHz.

[0207] For ease of understanding, the following descriptions will use the first type of terminal and the second type of terminal as examples.

[0208] In some examples, the terminal device in method 700 is a first-type terminal. S710 may include: the first-type terminal receiving first information in a first frequency band.

[0209] In other examples, the terminal device in method 700 is a second type of terminal. S710 may include: the second type of terminal receiving first information within a first frequency band. Alternatively, S710 may include: the second type of terminal receiving first information within a first frequency band and receiving second information outside the first frequency band.

[0210] The first information can be carried in (or contained in) a PBCH message.

[0211] The functions of the first and second information are described below.

[0212] For example, the first information can be used to determine the first system information block. For instance, the first information can be used to detect control information of the first system information block, and the control information of the first system information block can be used to schedule a terminal device to receive the first system information block.

[0213] As an example, the first system information block can be SIB1 (or, the PDSCH of SIB1). As an example, the control information of the first system information block can be the DCI of SIB1 (or, the PDCCH of SIB1). As an example, the first system information block can be called narrowband SIB1 or other names; the control information of the first system information block can be called narrowband SIB1 DCI or other names.

[0214] For example, the second information can be used to determine the second system information block. For instance, the second information can be used to detect control information of the second system information block, which can then be used to schedule a terminal device to receive the second system information block.

[0215] As an example, the second system information block can be SIB1 (or, the PDSCH of SIB1). Alternatively, the second system information block may not be SIB2. As an example, the control information of the second system information block can be the DCI of SIB1 (or, the PDCCH of SIB1). As an example, the second system information block can be called Broadband SIB1 or other names; the control information of the second system information block can be called Broadband SIB1 DCI or other names.

[0216] In future communication systems, the information indicating random access resources to terminal devices may still be called SIB1, or it may have other names. In this application, SIB1 can be replaced with or understood as information indicating random access resources to terminal devices in future communication systems.

[0217] It is understood that the first system information block and the second system information block can be two SIB1s. For ease of distinction, the first system information block will be denoted as SIB1_0 and the second system information block as SIB1_1. Furthermore, for ease of description, the control information of SIB1_0 will be denoted as SIB1_0DCI, and the control information of SIB1_1 will be denoted as SIB1_1DCI.

[0218] For ease of understanding, the following descriptions will use the first type of terminal and the second type of terminal as examples.

[0219] In some examples, the terminal device in method 700 is a first-type terminal. As an example, this first-type terminal can detect SIB1_0DCI based on the first information, and thus receive SIB1_0 based on SIB1_0DCI.

[0220] In other examples, the terminal device in method 700 is a second type of terminal. As an example, this second type of terminal can detect SIB1_0DCI based on the first information, and thus receive SIB1_0 based on SIB1_0DCI. Optionally, the second type of terminal can also detect SIB1_1DCI based on the second information, and thus receive SIB1_1 based on SIB1_1DCI.

[0221] S720: The network device sends a first system information block (or SIB1_0) to the terminal device within the first frequency band. Correspondingly, the terminal device receives SIB1_0 within the first frequency band based on the first information.

[0222] As an example, S720 may include: the terminal device blindly detecting the control information of SIB1_0 based on the CORESET and search space indicated by the first information; and the terminal device receiving SIB1_0 based on the resources indicated by the SIB1_0 DCI.

[0223] In some examples, SIB1_0 can be used to indicate a first random access configuration. For example, SIB1_0 may include the first random access configuration. As another example, SIB1_0 may include an index to the first random access configuration.

[0224] For example, the first random access configuration may be used to indicate (e.g., include) at least one of the following: a first random access resource, the association between an SSB and a RO, or the configuration of a preamble (e.g., including the format of the preamble), etc. As an example, the first random access resource may be a PRACH resource (e.g., including a RO). For example, the aforementioned first random access resource may be located within a first frequency band, thereby enabling the terminal device to perform random access based on the first random access resource within the first frequency band.

[0225] In other examples, SIB1_0DCI and SIB1_0 can be used to indicate a first random access configuration. For example, SIB1_0 can indicate a portion of the first random access configuration, and SIB1_0DCI can indicate another portion of the first random access configuration. As a specific example, SIB1_0 can carry a portion of the first random access configuration or an index corresponding to that portion, and SIB1_0DCI can carry another portion of the first random access configuration or an index corresponding to that portion.

[0226] In some further examples, SIB1_0DCI can be used to indicate a first random access configuration. For example, SIB1_0DCI may include the first random access configuration. Yet another example is that SIB1_0DCI may include an index of the first random access configuration.

[0227] Based on the above scheme, the PBCH message sent by the network device can include two parts: first information transmitted within the first frequency band and second information transmitted outside the first frequency band, thereby achieving unified configuration for both type I and type II terminals. Furthermore, in the above scheme, SIB1_0 and / or the control information of SIB1_0 can be used to indicate the first random access configuration, enabling type I terminals to perform random access.

[0228] In some possible implementations, method 700 further includes: S730, the network device sends SIB1_1 to the terminal device. Here, SIB1_1 and / or SIB1_1DCI may be used to indicate a random access configuration (e.g., denoted as the second random access configuration), or may not be used to indicate a random access configuration. For ease of understanding, two examples are described below, denoted as Random Access Configuration Indication Example 1 and Random Access Configuration Indication Example 2, respectively.

[0229] Example 1 of random access configuration instructions:

[0230] As an example, the first random access configuration indicated by SIB1_0 and / or SIB1_0DCI is used for random access by a first type of terminal within the first frequency band. SIB1_0 and / or SIB1_0DCI are also used to indicate a second random access configuration. Exemplarily, this second random access configuration can be used for random access by a second type of terminal. The second terminal can perform random access within the first frequency band, or random access outside the first frequency band, or random access partially within and partially outside the first frequency band.

[0231] For example, the second random access configuration can be used to indicate (e.g., include) at least one of the following: a second random access resource, the association between an SSB and a RO, or the configuration of a preamble (e.g., including the format of the preamble), etc. As an example, the second random access resource can be a PRACH resource (e.g., including a RO). For example, the aforementioned second random access resource can be located within the first frequency band, or outside the first frequency band, or partially within and partially outside the first frequency band; this application does not impose any limitations.

[0232] Understandably, in some examples, the second type of terminal may also use resources within the first frequency band. For example, the second type of terminal may also perform random access based on the first random access resources in the first random access configuration.

[0233] As an example, the first random access configuration can be called a narrowband random access configuration or other names; the second random access configuration can be called a broadband random access configuration or other names, which will not be elaborated further below.

[0234] As an example, the first random access resource may be called a narrowband random access resource or other names; the second random access resource may be called a broadband random access resource or other names, which will not be elaborated further below.

[0235] For ease of understanding, the following description uses the first type of terminal and the second type of terminal as examples.

[0236] In some examples, method 700 is applied to a first type of terminal, or in other words, the terminal device in S720 is a first type of terminal, and method 700 further includes: the first type of terminal performing random access in a first frequency band based on a first random access configuration indicated by SIB1_0 and / or SIB1_0DCI.

[0237] In other examples, method 700 is applied to a second type of terminal, or in other words, the terminal device in S720 is a second type of terminal, and method 700 further includes: the second type of terminal performing random access based on the second random access configuration indicated by SIB1_0 and / or SIB1_0DCI.

[0238] In Example 1 of the random access configuration indication, SIB1_1 and / or SIB1_1DCI may not be used for random access for both Type 1 and Type 2 terminals. In some examples, the second random access configuration and the first random access configuration may be the same random access configuration. For example, in a random access configuration, parameters used for random access for Type 1 terminals may belong to the first random access configuration, while other parameters may belong to the second random access configuration.

[0239] Based on the above-described random access configuration instruction example 1, both Type 1 and Type 2 terminals can use the same SIB1 (i.e., SIB1_0) and / or the same SIB1 control information. Network devices do not need to issue multiple SIB1s, thus saving signaling overhead.

[0240] Example 2 of random access configuration instructions:

[0241] As an example, the first random access configuration indicated by SIB1_0 and / or SIB1_0DCI is used for random access by a first type of terminal within a first frequency band. SIB1_1 and / or SIB1_1DCI can be used to indicate a second random access configuration. Exemplarily, this second random access configuration can be used for random access by a second type of terminal.

[0242] In some examples, SIB1_1 can be used to indicate a second random access configuration. For example, SIB1_1 may include the second random access configuration. As another example, SIB1_1 may include an index to the second random access configuration.

[0243] In other examples, SIB1_1DCI and SIB1_1 can be used to indicate a second random access configuration. For example, SIB1_1 can indicate a portion of the second random access configuration, and SIB1_1DCI can indicate another portion of the second random access configuration. As a specific example of the indication method, SIB1_1 can carry a portion of the second random access configuration or an index corresponding to that portion, and SIB1_1DCI can carry another portion of the second random access configuration or an index corresponding to that portion.

[0244] In some further examples, SIB1_1DCI can be used to indicate a second random access configuration. For example, SIB1_1DCI may include the second random access configuration. Yet another example is that SIB1_1DCI may include an index of the second random access configuration.

[0245] For ease of understanding, the following description uses the first type of terminal and the second type of terminal as examples.

[0246] As an example, method 700 is applied to a first type of terminal, or in other words, the terminal device in S720 is a first type of terminal. Method 700 also includes: the first type of terminal randomly accessing the first frequency band based on the first random access configuration indicated by SIB1_0 and / or SIB1_0DCI.

[0247] As another example, method 700 is applied to a second type of terminal, or in other words, the terminal device in S720 is a second type of terminal. Method 700 further includes: the second type of terminal receiving SIB1_1 and / or SIB1_1DCI from the network device; and the second type of terminal performing random access based on the second random access configuration indicated by SIB1_1 and / or SIB1_1DCI.

[0248] It is understood that Example 2 of the random access configuration indication does not limit SIB1_0 and / or SIB1_0DCI to indicating only the first random access configuration. For example, SIB1_0 and / or SIB1_0DCI can also be used to indicate a portion of the parameters of the second random access configuration. As an example, the aforementioned SIB1_1 and / or SIB1_1DCI are used to indicate the second random access configuration, which can be understood as SIB1_1 and / or SIB1_1DCI being used to indicate another portion of the parameters of the second random access configuration. In this way, the terminal device (e.g., a second type of terminal) can determine all the parameters of the second random access configuration based on a portion of the parameters of the second random access configuration indicated by SIB1_0 and / or SIB1_0DCI, and another portion of the parameters of the second random access configuration indicated by SIB1_1 and / or SIB1_1DCI.

[0249] In some examples, some parameters of the second random access configuration indicated by SIB1_0 and / or SIB1_0DCI may be parameters specifically set for the second random access configuration; or they may be parameters set for the first random access configuration, and these parameters may be reused as parameters of the second random access configuration.

[0250] Based on the above example 2 of random access configuration indication, the first type of terminal and the second type of terminal can use SIB1 and / or SIB1DCI that are not exactly the same. For example, the first type of terminal can use the first random access configuration indicated by SIB1_0 and / or SIB1_0DCI to achieve random access; the second type of terminal can use the second random access configuration indicated by SIB1_1 and / or SIB1_1DCI to achieve random access. As another example, the first type of terminal can use the first random access configuration indicated by SIB1_0 and / or SIB1_0DCI to achieve random access; the second type of terminal can use a portion of the parameters of the second random access configuration indicated by SIB1_0 and / or SIB1_0DCI, and another portion of the parameters of the second random access configuration indicated by SIB1_1 and / or SIB1_1DCI, to achieve random access. The above scheme decouples the SIB1 used for random access by the first type of terminal and the second type of terminal, thus providing higher configuration flexibility.

[0251] The following section, with reference to Figure 9, provides specific examples of the functions of SIB1_0 and SIB1_1.

[0252] Figure 9 is a schematic diagram of SIB1 used to indicate random access configuration according to an embodiment of this application. Referring to Figure 9, the shaded time-frequency resources can be constrained within the first frequency band. The unshaded time-frequency resources can be within the first frequency band, or outside the first frequency band, or partially within and partially outside the first frequency band; this application does not impose any limitations. For ease of description, SIB1_0 and / or SIB1_0DCI can be abbreviated as SIB1_0 in Figure 9. SIB1_1 and / or SIB1_1DCI can be abbreviated as SIB1_1 in Figure 9. Furthermore, arrows can indicate "indication". For example, an arrow pointing from SIB1_0 to the first random access resource can indicate that SIB1_0 and / or SIB1_0DCI are used to indicate the first random access resource.

[0253] In some examples, referring to Figure 9(a), SIB1_0 and / or SIB1_0DCI can indicate a first random access configuration and a second random access configuration. As an example, the first random access configuration can be used to indicate a first random access resource, and the second random access configuration can be used to indicate a second random access resource.

[0254] Figure 9(a) can be understood as an example under the aforementioned random access configuration instruction example 1. In the above example, both the first type terminal and the second type terminal can obtain the first random access resource from SIB1_0 and / or SIB1_0DCI. Further, either the first type terminal or the second type terminal can transmit MSG1 on the first random access resource. In the above example, the second type terminal can also obtain the second random access resource from SIB1_0 and / or SIB1_0DCI. Further, the second type terminal can transmit MSG1 on the second random access resource.

[0255] In other examples, see Figure 9(b), SIB1_0 and / or SIB1_0DCI can indicate a first random access configuration, and SIB1_1 can indicate a second random access configuration. As an example, the first random access configuration can be used to indicate a first random access resource, and the second random access configuration can be used to indicate a second random access resource.

[0256] Figure 9(b) can be understood as an example under the aforementioned random access configuration instruction example 2. In the above example, the first type of terminal can obtain the first random access resource from SIB1_0 and / or SIB1_0 DCI. Further, the first type of terminal can transmit MSG1 on the first random access resource. In the above example, the second type of terminal can obtain the second random access resource from SIB1_1 and / or SIB1_1 DCI. Further, the second type of terminal can transmit MSG1 on the second random access resource.

[0257] In some further examples, see Figure 9(c), SIB1_0 and / or SIB1_0DCI can indicate a first random access configuration and a second random access configuration, and SIB1_1 and / or SIB1_1DCI can indicate a second random access configuration.

[0258] For example, SIB1_0 and / or SIB1_0DCI can be used to indicate a portion of the parameters of the second random access configuration. As an example, SIB1_1 and / or SIB1_1DCI can be used to indicate another portion of the parameters of the second random access configuration. Thus, a terminal device (e.g., a second-type terminal) can determine all the parameters of the second random access configuration based on a portion of the parameters indicated by SIB1_0 and / or SIB1_0DCI, and another portion of the parameters indicated by SIB1_1 and / or SIB1_1DCI.

[0259] As an example, the first random access configuration can be used to indicate a first random access resource, and the second random access configuration can be used to indicate a second random access resource.

[0260] Figure 9(c) can be understood as an example under the aforementioned random access configuration instruction example 2. In the above example, a first type of terminal can obtain a first random access resource from SIB1_0 and / or SIB1_0 DCI. Further, the first type of terminal can transmit MSG1 on the first random access resource. In the above example, a second type of terminal can jointly obtain a second random access resource from SIB1_0 and / or SIB1_0 DCI, and from SIB1_1 and / or SIB1_1 DCI. Further, the second type of terminal can transmit MSG1 on the second random access resource.

[0261] It is understood that the positions of the resources in Figure 9 are merely examples and are not limited thereto in this application. For example, SIB1_0 and SIB1_1 may be offset in the frequency domain and / or time domain, or they may reuse the same frequency domain resources and time domain resources. As another example, the first random access resource and the second random access resource may be offset in the frequency domain and / or time domain, or they may reuse the same frequency domain resources and time domain resources.

[0262] The following example, using the case shown in Figure 9(b) as an example, is illustrated in conjunction with Figure 10, illustrating an example of SIB1 and / or SIB1 DCI indicating the first random access configuration.

[0263] Figure 10 is a schematic diagram of SIB1 and / or SIB1 DCI indicating the first random access configuration provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0264] In some examples, referring to Figure 10(a), SIB1_0 can be used to indicate a first random access configuration; SIB1_1 can be used to indicate a second random access configuration. As an example, the first random access configuration can be used to indicate a first random access resource, and the second random access configuration can be used to indicate a second random access resource.

[0265] In other examples, referring to Figure 10(a), SIB1_0DCI and SIB1_0 can be used to indicate a first random access configuration; SIB1_1DCI can be used to indicate a second random access configuration. As an example, the first random access configuration can be used to indicate a first random access resource, and the second random access configuration can be used to indicate a second random access resource.

[0266] Optionally, SIB1_0 is used to indicate a first random access configuration, including: the SIB1_0 is used to indicate a first portion of the first random access configuration. Optionally, the SIB1_0DCI is used to indicate a first random access configuration, including: the SIB1_0DCI is used to indicate a second portion of the first random access configuration.

[0267] In some examples, the first part and the second part can constitute the complete first random access configuration. In other examples, the first random access configuration may include other parts besides the first part and the second part.

[0268] As a specific example, the first part mentioned above could be a first random access resource; in other words, SIB1_0 could be used to indicate a first random access resource. As another specific example, the second part mentioned above could be the format of a preamble; in other words, SIB1_0DCI could be used to indicate the format of a preamble.

[0269] It is understood that this application does not limit the specific content of the first part and the second part. For example, the first part may be other than the first random access resource, and the second part may be other than the format of the preamble.

[0270] Furthermore, this application does not limit the location of the time-frequency resources of SIB1_0 and SIB1_0DCI. Figure 10(b) shows the case where SIB1_0 and SIB1_0DCI use the same time-domain resources. In other examples, SIB1_0 and SIB1_0DCI may use different time-domain resources. There may also be other cases for the time-frequency resources of SIB1_0 and SIB1_0DCI, which will not be listed here. Similarly, this application does not limit the location of the time-frequency resources of SIB1_1 and SIB1_1DCI, and the details will not be elaborated here.

[0271] Furthermore, the above examples are not limited to the situation shown in Figure 9(b). For example, in the situation shown in Figure 9(a), SIB1_0DCI and / or SIB1_0 can be used to indicate the first random access configuration and the second random access configuration. As another example, in the situation shown in Figure 9(c), SIB1_0DCI and / or SIB1_0 can be used to indicate the first random access configuration, and SIB1_1 and / or SIB1 DCI_1 can be used to indicate the first random access configuration and the second random access configuration.

[0272] For the cases shown in Figure 9(a) and (c), the specific manner in which the first random access configuration and / or the second random access configuration are indicated can be found in the relevant description in Figure 10, and will not be repeated here.

[0273] Below is an example of a second random access configuration indicating a second random access resource.

[0274] For example, the second random access configuration can be used to indicate a first offset and / or a first repetition count. For instance, the second random access configuration may include indication information for the first offset and / or indication information for the first repetition count.

[0275] As an example, the first offset can be the offset of the second random access resource relative to the first random access resource in the time domain and / or frequency domain. For example, the first offset can include a time domain offset or a frequency domain offset. As another example, the first offset can include both a time domain offset and a frequency domain offset.

[0276] In some examples, the aforementioned time-domain offset can be the offset between the start, end, or any intermediate position of the second random access resource in the time domain and the start, end, or any intermediate position of the first random access resource in the time domain.

[0277] This application does not limit the unit of time-domain offset. For example, the unit of time-domain offset can be a symbol, time slot, frame, millisecond, second, or other unit used to measure time-domain resources.

[0278] In some examples, the aforementioned frequency domain offset can be the offset between the start position, end position, or any intermediate position of the second random access resource in the frequency domain and the start position, end position, or any intermediate position of the first random access resource in the frequency domain.

[0279] This application does not limit the unit of frequency domain offset. For example, the unit of frequency domain offset can be RE, RB, or other units used to measure time-frequency resources or frequency domain resources.

[0280] For example, the first repetition count can be the number of times the second random access resource repetites relative to the first random access resource in the time domain and / or frequency domain. For instance, the first repetition count can be indicated by a time-domain repetition parameter or a frequency-domain repetition parameter, and the indication information for the first repetition count can include the time-domain repetition parameter or the frequency-domain repetition parameter. As another example, the first repetition count can be indicated by both a time-domain repetition parameter and a frequency-domain repetition parameter, and the indication information for the first repetition count can include both the time-domain repetition parameter and the frequency-domain repetition parameter.

[0281] In some examples, the time-domain resources occupied by the second random access resource can be obtained by repeating the time-domain resources of the first random access resource in the time domain based on the time-domain repetition parameter.

[0282] As an example, the unit of time-domain resources occupied by the aforementioned second random access resource can be a symbol, time slot, frame, millisecond, second, or other unit used to measure time-domain resources.

[0283] For example, a time-domain repetition parameter of 1 can indicate that the amount of time-domain resources occupied by the second random access resource is twice that of the first random access resource; a time-domain repetition parameter of 2 can indicate that the amount of time-domain resources occupied by the second random access resource is three times that of the first random access resource, and so on.

[0284] As a concrete example, assuming the time-domain repetition count is 3, the first random access resource occupies 2 symbols of time-domain resources, and the second random access resource can occupy 8 symbols. These 8 symbols can be consecutively distributed or non-consecutively distributed. The specific distribution of these 8 symbols can be predefined, pre-configured, configured by the network device, or configured through other means.

[0285] For example, a time-domain repetition parameter of 1 can indicate that the amount of time-domain resources occupied by the second random access resource is equal to the amount of time-domain resources occupied by the first random access resource; a time-domain repetition parameter of 2 can indicate that the amount of time-domain resources occupied by the second random access resource is twice the amount of time-domain resources occupied by the first random access resource, and so on.

[0286] As a concrete example, assuming the time-domain repetition count is 4, the first random access resource occupies 2 symbols of time-domain resources, and the second random access resource can occupy 8 symbols. These 8 symbols can be 8 symbols continuously distributed in the time domain, or they can be 8 symbols not continuously distributed in the time domain. The specific distribution of these 8 symbols in the time domain can be predefined, pre-configured, configured by the network device, or configured through other means.

[0287] In some examples, the time-frequency resources occupied by the second random access resource in the frequency domain can be obtained by repeating the time-frequency resources of the first random access resource in the time domain based on the frequency domain repetition parameter.

[0288] As an example, the unit of time-frequency resources occupied in the frequency domain where the aforementioned second random access resource is located can be RE, RB, or other units used to measure frequency domain resources or time-frequency resources.

[0289] For example, a frequency domain repetition parameter of 1 can indicate that the amount of time-frequency resources occupied by the second random access resource in the frequency domain is twice that occupied by the first random access resource in the frequency domain; a frequency domain repetition parameter of 2 can indicate that the amount of time-frequency resources occupied by the second random access resource in the frequency domain is three times that occupied by the first random access resource in the frequency domain, and so on.

[0290] As a concrete example, assuming the frequency domain repetition count is 3, the first random access resource occupies 2 time-frequency resources (REs) in the frequency domain, and the second random access resource can occupy 8 REs in the frequency domain. These 8 REs can be continuously distributed in the frequency domain or discontinuously distributed. The specific distribution of these 8 REs in the frequency domain can be predefined, pre-configured, configured by the network device, or configured through other means.

[0291] For example, a frequency domain repetition parameter of 1 can indicate that the amount of time domain resources occupied by the second random access resource is equal to the amount of time domain resources occupied by the first random access resource; a frequency domain repetition parameter of 2 can indicate that the amount of time domain resources occupied by the second random access resource is twice the amount of time domain resources occupied by the first random access resource, and so on.

[0292] As a concrete example, assuming the frequency domain repetition count is 4, the first random access resource occupies 2 time-frequency resources (REs) in the frequency domain, and the second random access resource can occupy 8 REs in the frequency domain. These 8 REs can be continuously distributed in the frequency domain or discontinuously distributed. The specific distribution of these 8 REs in the frequency domain can be predefined, pre-configured, configured by the network device, or configured through other means.

[0293] For ease of understanding, the following example, with reference to Figure 11, illustrates how the second random access configuration indicates the second random access resource via a first offset or a first repetition count.

[0294] Figure 11 is a schematic diagram of a second random access configuration indicating a second random access resource provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0295] In some examples, referring to Figure 11(a), SIB1_0 can indicate a first random access configuration. As an example, this first random access configuration can indicate a first random access resource. SIB1_1DCI can indicate a second random access configuration. As an example, the second random access configuration can include a first offset.

[0296] The first offset can be used to indicate the offset of the second random access resource relative to the first random access resource in the time domain and / or frequency domain. For example, referring to Figure 11(a), the first offset can include a frequency domain offset. This frequency domain offset can be the offset between the start position of the second random access resource in the frequency domain and the end position of the first random access resource in the frequency domain.

[0297] As an example, in the case shown in Figure 11(a), the second random access configuration may also include a first repetition. The specific meaning will not be elaborated further.

[0298] In other examples, see Figure 11(b), SIB1_0 can indicate a first random access configuration. As an example, this first random access configuration can indicate a first random access resource. SIB1_1DCI can indicate a second random access configuration. As an example, the second random access configuration can indicate a first repetition count.

[0299] The first repetition count can be the number of times the second random access resource is repeated relative to the first random access resource in the time domain and / or frequency domain. For example, referring to Figure 11(b), the first repetition count can be indicated by a time-domain repetition parameter and a frequency-domain repetition parameter.

[0300] In the example of the time-domain repetition parameter, the time-domain resources occupied by the second random access resource can be obtained by repeating the time-domain resources of the first random access resource twice in the time domain based on the time-domain repetition parameter. For example, a time-domain repetition parameter of 1 can indicate that the number of time-domain resources occupied by the second random access resource is twice that of the first random access resource. As another example, a time-domain repetition parameter of 2 can indicate that the number of time-domain resources occupied by the second random access resource is twice that of the first random access resource.

[0301] In the example of the frequency domain repetition parameter, the time-frequency resources occupied by the second random access resource in the frequency domain can be obtained by repeating the time-frequency resources of the first random access resource twice in the time domain based on the frequency domain repetition parameter. For example, a frequency domain repetition parameter of 1 indicates that the amount of time-frequency resources occupied by the second random access resource in the frequency domain is twice that of the first random access resource in the frequency domain. As another example, a frequency domain repetition parameter of 2 indicates that the amount of time-domain resources occupied by the second random access resource is twice that of the first random access resource in the time domain.

[0302] As an example, in the case shown in Figure 11(b), the second random access configuration may also include a first offset. The specific meaning will not be elaborated further.

[0303] This application does not limit the specific information indicating the first random configuration and the second random configuration. For example, SIB1_0 in Figure 11 can be replaced with "SIB1_0 and / or SIB1_0DCI", and SIB1_1DCI in Figure 11 can be replaced with "SIB1_1 and / or SIB1_1DCI".

[0304] In some examples, the above-described "second random access configuration includes a first offset and / or a first repetition count" example can be combined with random access configuration indication example 1 or random access configuration indication example 2. The second type of terminal can obtain the first random configuration via SIB1_0 and / or SIB1_0 DCI, and the second random configuration via SIB1_1 and / or SIB1_1 DCI. Further, the second type of terminal can determine the specific location and size of the first random access resource via the first random configuration, and determine the specific location and size of the second random access resource via the first offset and / or the first repetition count in the second random access configuration. Further, the second type of terminal can send MSG1 on the first random access resource or on the second random access resource to perform random access.

[0305] This application does not limit the specific location and size of the first random access resource and the second random access resource. For ease of understanding, examples of the first random access resource and the second random access resource are given below, referred to as Random Access Resource Example 1 and Random Access Resource Example 2, respectively.

[0306] Example 1 of random access resources: The first random access resource and the second random access resource do not overlap in the time domain and / or frequency domain. In other words, the first random access resource and the second random access resource do not overlap in the time domain and / or frequency domain.

[0307] For example, SIB1_0 and / or SIB1_0DCI can be used to indicate that there is no intersection between the first random access resource and the second random access resource in the time domain and / or frequency domain. For example, SIB1_1 and / or SIB1_1DCI can be used to indicate that there is no intersection between the first random access resource and the second random access resource in the time domain and / or frequency domain.

[0308] Figure 12 is an example of the first random access resource and the second random access resource provided in the embodiments of this application. Some examples of random access resource example 1 are described below with reference to Figure 12(a).

[0309] In some examples, the first random access resource and the second random access resource are not connected in the time domain and the frequency domain. In other words, the first random access resource and the second random access resource are not adjacent in the time domain or not adjacent in the frequency domain. The first random access resource and the second random access resource are not continuous in the time domain or not continuous in the frequency domain.

[0310] For example, see the examples of random access resources 1a and 1b shown in Figure 12(a). The first random access resource and the second random resource may have an intersection in the time domain, but no intersection in the frequency domain, and are not connected in the frequency domain.

[0311] As an example, in the above scenario, the first random access resource and the second random access resource can be configured independently. For instance, the first random access configuration can indicate the first random access resource; the second random access configuration can independently indicate the second random access resource without reusing the parameters in the first random access configuration.

[0312] As another example, in the above scenario, the first random access resource and the second random access resource can be configured based on a reference location. For example, the first random access configuration can indicate the offset of the first random access resource relative to the reference location in the time and / or frequency domains; the second random access configuration can indicate the offset of the second random access resource relative to the reference location in the time and / or frequency domains. As an example, the aforementioned reference location can include a predefined, preconfigured, network device-configured, or otherwise configured time-domain and / or frequency-domain location.

[0313] In other examples, the first random access resource and the second random access resource are connected in the time domain or frequency domain. In other words, the first random access resource and the second random access resource are adjacent in the time domain or frequency domain. The first random access resource and the second random access resource are continuous in the time domain or frequency domain.

[0314] For example, see example 1c of random access resources shown in Figure 12(a). The first random access resource and the second random resource may intersect in the time domain, but not in the frequency domain, and are connected in the frequency domain. As another example, see example 1d of random access resources in Figure 12(a). The first random access resource and the second random resource may not intersect in the time domain, but intersect in the frequency domain, and are connected in the time domain.

[0315] As an example, in the above scenario, the first random access resource and the second random access resource can be configured independently. For instance, the first random access configuration can indicate the first random access resource; the second random access configuration can independently indicate the second random access resource without reusing the parameters in the first random access configuration.

[0316] As another example, in the above scenario, the first random access resource and the second random access resource can be configured together. For instance, the above example can be combined with Random Access Configuration Indication Example 1, where SIB1_0 and / or SIB1_0DCI indicate the first and second random access configurations. The second and first random access configurations can be treated as the same configuration, indicating the first and second random access resources connected in the time or frequency domain.

[0317] Based on the above example, the first random access resource and the second random access resource do not overlap in the time domain or frequency domain. On the one hand, the above example facilitates the configuration of the first and second random access resources. On the other hand, the first and second random access resources are easily distinguishable in the above example. For example, for any given time-frequency resource, it exists in only one of the following ways: the time-frequency resource belongs to the first random access resource; the time-frequency resource belongs to the second random access resource; or the time-frequency resource does not belong to either the first or the second random access resource. Thus, the terminal device can easily identify the first and second random access resources.

[0318] Example 2 of random access resources: The first random access resource and the second random access resource have overlap in the time domain and frequency domain. In other words, the first random access resource and the second random access resource overlap in the time domain and frequency domain.

[0319] For example, SIB1_0 and / or SIB1_0DCI can be used to indicate that there is an intersection between the first random access resource and the second random access resource in the time and frequency domains. For example, SIB1_1 and / or SIB1_1DCI can be used to indicate that there is an intersection between the first random access resource and the second random access resource in the time and frequency domains.

[0320] To facilitate understanding, some examples from Random Access Resource Example 2 will be introduced below with reference to Figure 12(b).

[0321] In some examples, the second random access resource includes the first random access resource. For example, see examples 2a and 2c of random access resources shown in Figure 12(b). The first and second random access resources may have overlap in the time and frequency domains, and the second random access resource includes the first random access resource.

[0322] As an example, in the above scenario, the first random access resource and the second random access resource can be configured independently. For instance, the first random access configuration can indicate the first random access resource; the second random access configuration can independently indicate the second random access resource without reusing the parameters in the first random access configuration.

[0323] As another example, in the above scenario, overlapping (or redundant) portions of the first and second random access resources can be reused. For instance, the first random access configuration may indicate the first random access resource; the second random access configuration may indicate at least one of the following: the relative position of the second random access resource within the first random access resource, the size of the second random access resource, or the index of the resource occupied by the second random access resource within the first random access resource.

[0324] In other examples, some resources in the first random access resource do not belong to the second random access resource. For example, see the random access resource example 1b shown in Figure 12(b). The first and second random access resources may have intersection in the time and frequency domains, and some resources in the first random access resource do not belong to the second random access resource.

[0325] As an example, in the above scenario, the first random access resource and the second random access resource can be configured independently. For instance, the first random access configuration can indicate the first random access resource; the second random access configuration can independently indicate the second random access resource without reusing the parameters in the first random access configuration.

[0326] As another example, in the above scenario, overlapping (or duplicated) portions of the first and second random access resources can be reused. For instance, the first random access configuration may indicate the first random access resource; the second random access configuration may indicate at least one of the following: the relative position of the overlapping portion within the first random access resource, the size of the overlapping portion, or the index of the resource occupied by the overlapping portion within the first random access resource. Furthermore, the second random access configuration may also indicate time-frequency resources within the second random access resource that do not belong to the second random access resource.

[0327] Based on the above example, the first random access resource and the second random access resource overlap in both the time and frequency domains. Since time and frequency resources are limited, when the first and second random access resources overlap, the number of time and frequency resources included in the first and second random access resources can be greater, thereby improving resource utilization.

[0328] Below, we introduce an example of random access performed by Type I terminals and Type II terminals on overlapping random access resources.

[0329] As can be seen from the example 2 of the aforementioned random access resources, the first random access resource and the second random access resource can overlap in the time domain and frequency domain.

[0330] In some examples, the overlapping portion of the first random access resource and the second random access resource can be divided into resources for random access for a first type of terminal and resources for random access for a second type of terminal.

[0331] For example, referring to Figure 12(b) showing random access example 2c, the overlapping portion of the first random access resource and the second random access resource may include a RO (e.g., shaded) for random access for a first type of terminal and a RO (e.g., unshaded) for random access for a second type of terminal.

[0332] The above example can also be understood as distinguishing terminal devices with different capabilities by the RO time-frequency position within the overlapping part.

[0333] In other examples, the overlap between the first random access resource and the second random access resource can be used for random access for both types of terminals. For example, the preamble corresponding to the first type of terminal is different from the preamble corresponding to the second type of terminal.

[0334] As an example, the overlapping portion of the first random access resource and the second random access resource can be part or all of the first random access resource.

[0335] For ease of understanding, the following description combines the operation of the first type of terminal and the second type of terminal.

[0336] In some possible implementations, the method 700 is applied to a first type of terminal, and the method 700 further includes: the first type of terminal performing random access based on the first random access resource using the preamble corresponding to the first type of terminal.

[0337] In some other possible implementations, the method 700 is applied to a second type of terminal, and the method 700 further includes: the second type of terminal performing random access based on the first random access resource using the preamble corresponding to the second type of terminal.

[0338] The above example can also be understood as distinguishing terminal devices with different capabilities through the preamble sequence.

[0339] In some other examples, the time-frequency resources used by the first type of terminal to transmit MSG3 are different from those used by the second type of terminal to transmit MSG3. For example, after receiving MSG1 from the first type of terminal, the network device can configure one type of time-frequency resource for MSG3 for the first type of terminal through MSG2; after receiving MSG1 from the second type of terminal, the network device can configure another type of time-frequency resource for MSG3 for the second type of terminal through MSG2.

[0340] The above example can also be understood as using MSG3 to distinguish terminal devices with different capabilities.

[0341] Figure 13 is a schematic diagram of the center frequency of SIB1 and the center frequency of random access resources provided in the embodiments of this application.

[0342] In some examples, the positional relationship between the center frequency of SIB1 and the center frequency of the random access resource can have two modes, which are referred to below as center frequency mode 1 and center frequency mode 2, respectively.

[0343] Center frequency mode 1:

[0344] In some examples, the center frequency of the random access resource is the same as the center frequency of the corresponding SIB1. For example, the center frequency of the first random access resource is the same as the center frequency of the SIB1 indicating the first random access resource; the center frequency of the second random access resource is the same as the center frequency of the SIB1 indicating the second random access resource.

[0345] For example, Figure 13(a) shows an example of combining Random Access Configuration Indication Example 2 with Center Frequency Mode 1. Referring to Figure 13(a), the center frequencies of SIB1_0DCI, SIB1_0, and the first random access resource are the same; and / or, the center frequencies of SIB1_1DCI, SIB1_1, and the second random access resource are the same.

[0346] Based on the center frequency mode 1 described above, the initial center frequencies of the uplink and downlink BWPs are the same, which facilitates configuration.

[0347] As an example, the above-mentioned center frequency mode 1 can be called the same frequency mode or other names, and this application does not limit it.

[0348] Center frequency mode 2:

[0349] In some examples, the center frequency of the random access resource is different from the center frequency of the corresponding SIB1. For example, the center frequency of the first random access resource is different from the center frequency of the SIB1 indicating the first random access resource; and / or, the center frequency of the second random access resource is different from the center frequency of the SIB1 indicating the second random access resource.

[0350] For example, Figure 13(b) shows an example of combining Random Access Configuration Indication Example 2 with Center Frequency Mode 2. Referring to Figure 13(b), the center frequencies of SIB1_0DCI, SIB1_0, and the first random access resource are different; the center frequencies of SIB1_1DCI, SIB1_1, and the second random access resource are different.

[0351] For example, the first type of terminal can receive SIB1_0DCI and SIB1_0 within X MHz as shown on the left side of Figure 13(b). Furthermore, the first type of terminal can change its operating frequency, for example, by raising the operating frequency to X MHz as shown on the right side of Figure 13(b), thereby transmitting MSG1 on the first random access resource.

[0352] Based on the above center frequency mode 2, the initial uplink and downlink BWP center frequencies can be different, allowing network devices to flexibly configure resources.

[0353] As an example, the above-mentioned center frequency mode 2 can be called uplink frequency hopping mode or other names, and this application does not limit it.

[0354] Below is an example of how an SSB is associated with a first random access resource and a second random access resource.

[0355] In some examples, the first random access resource may include at least one random access opportunity (e.g., RO). Taking a first frequency band with a bandwidth of 3 MHz (i.e., X = 3) as an example, there may be 1 to 2 ROs within the first frequency band. For example, the parameters of the ROs in the first random access resource may be as shown in Table 1.

[0356] Table 1

[0357] As an example, 1FDM can be understood as the first random access resource comprising one RO in the frequency domain. Exemplarily, the aforementioned "1" can be referred to as the FDM number of the RO. For example, the FDM number can be configured by the parameter "msg1-FDM".

[0358] For example, FDM can indicate the number of times a PRACH resource (or RO) is reused in the frequency domain. For instance, an FDM of 4 can indicate that the PRACH resource is reused 4 times in a continuously increasing frequency manner, starting from the initial time-frequency position.

[0359] For example, the FDM number may also be referred to as the frequency domain reuse number, frequency domain reuse factor, or other names, which are not limited in this application.

[0360] As an example, 2FDM can be understood as the first random access resource comprising two routes in the frequency domain. For instance, the "2" mentioned above can also be referred to as the FDM number of the routes.

[0361] In other examples, the second random access resource may include at least one random access opportunity (e.g., RO). As an example, the RO in the second random access resource can be found in existing standards.

[0362] As an example, the RO in the first random access resource can be called a narrowband RO or other names; the RO in the second random access resource can be called a broadband RO or other names.

[0363] For ease of understanding, two examples of associating an SSB with the first random access resource and the second random access resource are introduced below, referred to as association example 1 and association example 2, respectively.

[0364] Example 1:

[0365] In Example 1, an SSB can be associated with a RO in a first random access resource and with a RO in a second random access resource. In other words, an SSB can be associated with ROs of different bandwidths. In other words, an SSB can be associated with both a broadband RO and a narrowband RO simultaneously.

[0366] Figure 14 is a schematic diagram of two association examples provided in the embodiments of this application. In Figure 14, an SSB (e.g., SSB1) can represent one or more SSBs; an RO within a box in Figure 14 can represent one or more ROs.

[0367] Referring to Figure 14(a), assume that there are SSB0 to SSB3. Taking SSB1 as an example, SSB1 can be associated with RO in the first frequency domain resource (shown in shaded area in the figure), and SSB1 can also be associated with RO in the second frequency domain resource (shown in unshaded area in the figure).

[0368] As an example, the granularity of resources occupied by the RO associated with SSB1 in the time and frequency domains can be defined through predefinition, preconfiguration, network device indication (e.g., via SIB1 indication), or other means. For instance, taking each RO in each box of Figure 14(a) as representing one RO, SSB1 can associate four ROs in the first frequency domain resources, where these four ROs occupy the time domain resources of two ROs and the frequency domain resources of two ROs; SSB1 can also associate four ROs in the second frequency domain resources, where these four ROs occupy the time domain resources of two ROs and the frequency domain resources of two ROs.

[0369] As an example, when the same SSB is associated with random access resources in the same frequency band, the parameters of the first random access resource and the second random access resource can correspond to different random access configurations. For example, if SSB1 is associated with four ROs of the first random access resource, the terminal device (e.g., a first-type terminal or a second-type terminal) can transmit preamble #1 on the aforementioned ROs; if SSB1 is associated with four ROs of the second random access resource, the terminal device (e.g., a second-type terminal) can transmit preamble #2 on the aforementioned ROs. Here, preamble #1 and preamble #2 are different; that is, the preamble format in the random access configuration corresponding to the first random access resource (i.e., the first random access configuration) is different from the preamble format in the random access configuration corresponding to the second random access resource (i.e., the second random access configuration).

[0370] In some examples, a first random access configuration can be used to indicate the association between an SSB and a RO in a first random access resource; a second random access configuration can be used to indicate the association between an SSB and a RO in a second random access resource.

[0371] In some possible implementations, the first type of terminal may send MSG1 on the RO associated with the SSB determined by the first type of terminal, based on the association between the SSB indicated by the first random access configuration and the RO in the first random access resource.

[0372] In some possible implementations, the second type of terminal may send MSG1 on the RO associated with the SSB determined by the first type of terminal, based on the association between the SSB indicated by the second random access configuration and the RO in the second random access resource.

[0373] As an example, a second type of terminal can obtain the association relationship between an SSB and a RO in the first random access resource and a RO in the second random access resource from the first random access configuration and the second random access configuration. Further, as an example, the second type of terminal can send MSG1 on the RO in the second random access resource associated with the determined SSB.

[0374] As an example, the above association example 1 may be called association pattern 1 or other names, and this application does not limit it.

[0375] Example 2:

[0376] In association example 2, an SSB can be associated with a RO in a first random access resource, or with a RO in a second random access resource. In other words, an SSB can be associated with a RO under a single bandwidth. Alternatively, an SSB can be associated only with a broadband RO, or with a narrowband RO.

[0377] Referring to Figure 14(b), assume that there are SSB0 to SSB3. Taking SSB1 and SSB2 as examples, SSB1 can be associated with the RO in the first frequency domain resource (shown in shaded area in the figure), and SSB2 can be associated with the RO in the second frequency domain resource (shown in unshaded area in the figure).

[0378] As an example, the granularity of resources occupied by the RO associated with SSB1 in the time and frequency domains can be defined through predefinition, preconfiguration, network device indication (e.g., via SIB1 indication), or other means. For instance, taking each RO in each box of Figure 14(b) as representing one RO, SSB1 can associate four ROs in the first frequency domain resources, where these four ROs occupy the time domain resources of two ROs and the frequency domain resources of two ROs; SSB2 can associate four ROs in the second frequency domain resources, where these four ROs occupy the time domain resources of two ROs and the frequency domain resources of two ROs.

[0379] For example, the above-described example 2 can be equivalent to dividing SSBs into narrowband SSBs (or having other names) and wideband SSBs (or having other names). As an example, a narrowband SSB can be shown as SSB2 in Figure 14(b), and a wideband SSB can be shown as SSB1 in Figure 14(b).

[0380] In some examples, narrowband SSB and wideband SSB can serve different types (or, in other words, different capabilities) of terminal devices (or users). For example, a first type of terminal can use a narrowband SSB. Yet another example is a second type of terminal that can use either a narrowband SSB or a wideband SSB.

[0381] In some examples, a first random access configuration can be used to indicate the association between an SSB and a RO in a first random access resource; a second random access configuration can be used to indicate the association between an SSB and a RO in a second random access resource.

[0382] In some possible implementations, the first type of terminal may send MSG1 on the RO associated with the SSB determined by the first type of terminal, based on the association between the SSB indicated by the first random access configuration and the RO in the first random access resource.

[0383] In some possible implementations, the second type of terminal may send MSG1 on the RO associated with the SSB determined by the first type of terminal, based on the association between the SSB indicated by the second random access configuration and the RO in the second random access resource.

[0384] As an example, the second type of terminal can obtain the association relationship between the SSB and the RO in the first random access resource, and the association relationship between the SSB and the RO in the second random access resource, respectively, from the first random access configuration and the second random access configuration. Further, as an example, the second type of terminal can send MSG1 on the RO in the second random access resource associated with the determined SSB.

[0385] Below are examples illustrating the association between the Random Access Configuration Indicator (SSB) and the Random Access Resource (RO) in the Random Access Resource. For ease of understanding, two examples are presented below, denoted as Association Indicator Example 1 and Association Indicator Example 2, respectively.

[0386] Example 1 of association indicator:

[0387] In the association indication example 1, the first random access configuration can independently indicate the association relationship between the SSB, the first random access resource, and the preamble corresponding to the first type of terminal. The second random access configuration can independently indicate the association relationship between the SSB, the second random access resource, and the preamble corresponding to the second type of terminal.

[0388] Taking the first random access configuration as an example, the first random access configuration may include the starting time-frequency position of the first random access resource, the number of ROs associated with the SSB, and the number of preambles associated with the SSB on a RO.

[0389] As an example, the starting frequency domain location of the first random access resource can be indicated using the parameter "Msg1-FrequencyStart-nb". Here, Msg1 can represent MSG1, "FrequencyStart" can represent the frequency start, and "nb" can represent narrow band.

[0390] As an example, the number of ROs associated with an SSB and the number of preambles associated with an SSB on a RO can be indicated by the parameter "ssb-perRACH-OccasionAndCB-PreamblesPerSSB-nb". "ssb-perRACH-Occasion" indicates that N SSBs are associated with one RO. N can be a positive real number. For example, N < 1 indicates that an SSB is associated with 1 / N ROs in the frequency domain direction. "CB-PreamblesPerSSB" indicates the number of contention-based (CB) preambles for each SSB on a RO.

[0391] The names of the parameters mentioned above are merely examples, and this application does not limit the names of the parameters. The parameters may also have other names.

[0392] For ease of understanding, the following description is based on Figure 15.

[0393] Figure 15 is a schematic diagram illustrating the association between the Random Access Configuration Indicator (SSB) and the Random Access Resource (RO) provided in an embodiment of this application. In Figure 15, an SSB (e.g., SSB1) can represent one or more SSBs; an RO within a box in Figure 15 can represent one RO.

[0394] Referring to Figure 15(a), the parameter “Msg1-FrequencyStart-nb” indicates the starting position of the RO in the frequency domain within the first random access resource. For example, assuming the FDM number is 2 (i.e., there are 2 ROs in the frequency domain direction), the parameter “ssb-perRACH-OccasionAndCB-PreamblesPerSSB-nb” is set to 1, indicating that one SSB is associated with one RO at a time in the frequency domain direction. For instance, assuming it starts with SSB0 (shown as a diagonal shaded line in Figure 15), SSB0 can be associated with one RO represented by the diagonal shaded line. Further, SSB1 (shown as a square shaded line in Figure 15) can be associated with one RO represented by the square shaded line. Further, SSB2 (shown as a horizontal shaded line in Figure 15) can be associated with one RO represented by the horizontal shaded line. Further, SSB3 (shown as a vertical shaded line in Figure 15) can be associated with one RO represented by the vertical shaded line. And so on, without further details.

[0395] Taking the second random access configuration as an example, the second random access configuration may include the starting time-frequency position of the second random access resource, the number of ROs associated with the SSB, and the number of preambles associated with the SSB on a RO.

[0396] As an example, the starting frequency domain location of the second random access resource can be indicated using the parameter "Msg1-FrequencyStart-wb". Here, "wb" can represent wideband. The meanings of other parameters can be found in the example of the first random access configuration, and will not be repeated here.

[0397] As an example, the number of ROs associated with an SSB, and the number of preambles associated with an SSB on a single RO, can be indicated using the parameter "ssb-perRACH-OccasionAndCB-PreamblesPerSSB-wb". The meanings of other parameters can be found in the example of the first random access configuration, and will not be repeated here.

[0398] Referring to Figure 15(a), the parameter “Msg1-FrequencyStart-wb” indicates the starting position of the RO in the frequency domain within the second random access resource. For example, assuming an FDM number of 4 (i.e., 4 ROs in the frequency domain direction), the parameter “ssb-perRACH-OccasionAndCB-PreamblesPerSSB-wb” has a value of 2, indicating that an SSB is associated with 2 ROs at a time in the frequency domain direction. For instance, assuming it starts with SSB0 (shown as a diagonal shading in Figure 15), SSB0 can be associated with the 2 ROs shown in the diagonal shading. Further, SSB1 (shown as a square shading in Figure 15) can be associated with the 2 ROs shown in the square shading. Further, SSB2 (shown as a horizontal shading in Figure 15) can be associated with the 2 ROs shown in the horizontal shading. Further, SSB3 (shown as a vertical shading in Figure 15) can be associated with the 2 ROs shown in the vertical shading.

[0399] Based on the above association instruction example 1, the association relationship between the SSB and the RO in the first random access resource or the RO in the second random access resource can be configured independently. The configuration in the above example is quite flexible.

[0400] Example 2 of association instructions:

[0401] In the association indication example 2, the first random access configuration can indicate the association relationship between the SSB, the first random access resource, and the preamble corresponding to the first type of terminal. As an example, the association relationship between the SSB and the second random access resource can be obtained from the association relationship between the first random access resource and the second random access resource.

[0402] In some examples, the first RO in the first random access resource is associated with the first SSB. For example, the first RO can be some or all of the ROs in the first random access resource. As an example, the first RO can include one or more ROs. As an example, the first SSB can be one or more SSBs.

[0403] As an example, the second RO in the second random access resource can be obtained by repeating the first RO in the time domain and / or frequency domain. For example, the second RO can be obtained by repeating the first repetition number in the time domain and / or frequency domain. Examples of the first repetition number can be found in the descriptions before and after Figure 11, and will not be repeated here. As an example, the second RO may include one or more ROs.

[0404] The second RO is associated with the first SSB. Therefore, the first repetition count indicated by the second random access configuration can also indicate the association between the second RO and the SSB.

[0405] For ease of understanding, the following description is based on Figure 15.

[0406] Figure 15(b) illustrates the case where the second RO is obtained by repeating the first RO in the frequency domain. As an example, referring to Figure 5(b), the second RO can be four ROs (shaded with vertical lines) outside a bandwidth of X MHz, and correspondingly, the first RO can be two ROs (shaded with vertical lines) within a bandwidth of X MHz. As another example, referring to Figure 5(b), the second RO can be four ROs (shaded with horizontal lines) outside a bandwidth of X MHz, and correspondingly, the first RO can be two ROs (shaded with horizontal lines) within a bandwidth of X MHz.

[0407] For example, the parameter "ssb-perRACH-OccasionAndCB-PreamblesPerSSB-nb" in the first random access configuration can be 2, indicating that an SSB is associated with two ROs at a time in the frequency domain direction. Taking SSB2 and SSB3 as examples, SSB2 (shown as a horizontal shaded line in Figure 15) can be associated with the two ROs shown as horizontal shaded lines within a bandwidth of X MHz. Further, SSB3 (shown as a vertical shaded line in Figure 15) can be associated with the two ROs shown as vertical shaded lines within a bandwidth of X MHz.

[0408] For example, the second random access configuration may include indication information of a first repetition count. This indication information may include frequency domain repetition parameters.

[0409] As an example, the frequency domain repetition parameter can be called "ssb-perRACH-wb-freqrep" or other names. "freqrep" can stand for "frequency repetition".

[0410] In some examples, it is assumed that the time-frequency resources occupied by the second RO in the frequency domain are twice those occupied by the first RO in the frequency domain. For example, the frequency domain repetition parameter can be 1, indicating that the second RO is obtained by repeating the first RO once in the frequency domain. As another example, the frequency domain repetition parameter can be 2, indicating that the amount of time-frequency resources occupied by the second RO in the frequency domain is twice that occupied by the first RO in the frequency domain.

[0411] For example, the second RO may be associated with the SSB associated with the first RO.

[0412] For example, the second RO can be one of the four ROs (shown as shading) outside the X MHz bandwidth, and the first RO can be one of the two ROs (shown as shading) within the X MHz bandwidth. Specifically, according to the parameter "ssb-perRACH-OccasionAndCB-PreamblesPerSSB-nb", the two ROs (shown as shading) within the X MHz bandwidth are associated with SSB2; therefore, the four ROs (shown as shading) outside the X MHz bandwidth are also associated with SSB2.

[0413] For example, the second RO can be one of the four ROs (shown as vertical shading) outside the X MHz bandwidth, and the first RO can be one of the two ROs (shown as vertical shading) within the X MHz bandwidth. As can be seen from the parameter "ssb-perRACH-OccasionAndCB-PreamblesPerSSB-nb", the two ROs (shown as vertical shading) within the X MHz bandwidth are associated with SSB3. Therefore, the four ROs (shown as vertical shading) outside the X MHz bandwidth are also associated with SSB3.

[0414] Figure 15(c) illustrates the case where the second RO is obtained by repeating the first RO in the time domain. As an example, referring to Figure 5(c), the second RO can be four ROs outside the X MHz bandwidth (shown as vertical shading), and correspondingly, the first RO can be two ROs within the X MHz bandwidth (shown as vertical shading). As another example, referring to Figure 5(c), the second RO can be four ROs outside the X MHz bandwidth (shown as horizontal shading), and correspondingly, the first RO can be two ROs within the X MHz bandwidth (shown as horizontal shading).

[0415] For example, the parameter "ssb-perRACH-OccasionAndCB-PreamblesPerSSB-nb" in the first random access configuration can be 2, indicating that an SSB is associated with two ROs at a time in the frequency domain direction. Taking SSB2 and SSB3 as examples, SSB2 (shown as a horizontal shaded line in Figure 15) can be associated with the two ROs shown as horizontal shaded lines within a bandwidth of X MHz. Further, SSB3 (shown as a vertical shaded line in Figure 15) can be associated with the two ROs shown as vertical shaded lines within a bandwidth of X MHz.

[0416] For example, the second random access configuration may include indication information of a first repetition count. This indication information may include time-domain repetition parameters.

[0417] As an example, the time-domain repetition parameter can be called "ssb-perRACH-wb-timerep" or other names. "Timerep" can stand for "time repetition".

[0418] In some examples, it is assumed that the second RO occupies twice the time-domain resources of the first RO. For example, the time-domain repetition parameter can be 1, indicating that the second RO is obtained by repeating the first RO once in the time domain. Alternatively, the time-domain repetition parameter can be 2, indicating that the second RO occupies twice the time-domain resources of the first RO.

[0419] For example, the second RO may be associated with the SSB associated with the first RO.

[0420] For example, the second RO can be one of the four ROs (shown as shading) outside the X MHz bandwidth, and the first RO can be one of the two ROs (shown as shading) within the X MHz bandwidth. Specifically, according to the parameter "ssb-perRACH-OccasionAndCB-PreamblesPerSSB-nb", the two ROs (shown as shading) within the X MHz bandwidth are associated with SSB2; therefore, the four ROs (shown as shading) outside the X MHz bandwidth are also associated with SSB2.

[0421] For example, the second RO can be one of the four ROs (shown as vertical shading) outside the X MHz bandwidth, and the first RO can be one of the two ROs (shown as vertical shading) within the X MHz bandwidth. As can be seen from the parameter "ssb-perRACH-OccasionAndCB-PreamblesPerSSB-nb", the two ROs (shown as vertical shading) within the X MHz bandwidth are associated with SSB3. Therefore, the four ROs (shown as vertical shading) outside the X MHz bandwidth are also associated with SSB3.

[0422] Based on the above scheme, the association between the random access opportunity and the synchronization signal block in the second random access resource can be obtained based on the association between the random access opportunity and the synchronization signal block in the first random access resource, and the relationship between the random access opportunity in the second random access resource and the random access opportunity in the first random access resource (i.e., the second random access opportunity in the second random access resource is obtained by repeating the first random access opportunity in the time domain and / or frequency domain). In the above scheme, the network device does not need to indicate the association between the random access opportunity and the synchronization signal block in the second random access resource through separate information display, thereby saving signaling overhead.

[0423] Figure 16 is another more schematic diagram illustrating the association between the Random Access Configuration Indicator (SSB) and the Random Access Resource (RO) provided in the embodiments of this application. In Figure 16, an SSB (e.g., SSB1) may represent one or more SSBs; an RO within a box in Figure 16 may represent a single RO.

[0424] In some examples, see Figure 16(a), the parameter “ssb-perRACH-OccasionAndCB-PreamblesPerSSB-nb” in the first random access configuration can be 1, indicating that an SSB is associated with one RO of the first random access resource once in the frequency domain direction. As an example, the second random access configuration can reuse the above parameter “ssb-perRACH-OccasionAndCB-PreamblesPerSSB-nb”, that is, an SSB is associated with one RO of the second random access resource once in the frequency domain direction. As another example, the second random access configuration may include the parameter “ssb-perRACH-OccasionAndCB-PreamblesPerSSB-wb”, which can be 1.

[0425] In some examples, some or all of the Remote Routes (ROs) in the first random access resource can be used by a second type of terminal. In one possible scenario, the second type of terminal can obtain the first random access resource through a first random access configuration and use some or all of the ROs in that first random access resource. In another possible scenario, some or all of the ROs in the first random access resource also belong to the second random access resource.

[0426] As an example, a type-1 terminal device sends a preamble corresponding to its type on the first random access resource; a type-2 terminal device sends a preamble corresponding to its type on the first random access resource. This example can also be understood as distinguishing between type-1 and type-2 terminals using preambles.

[0427] For example, referring to Figure 16(a), RO#1 can be used by both Type I and Type II terminals. Type I terminals can send preamble #1 on RO#1, and Type II terminals can send preamble #2 on RO#1. Preamble #1 and preamble #2 are different, allowing network devices to distinguish between Type I and Type II terminals via MSG1 (i.e., the preamble).

[0428] For example, distinguishing terminal devices by preamble can avoid affecting the association between SSB and RO.

[0429] In some examples, see Figure 16(b), the parameter “ssb-perRACH-OccasionAndCB-PreamblesPerSSB-nb” in the first random access configuration can be 2, indicating that an SSB associates two ROs of the first random access resource at a time in the frequency domain direction. As an example, the second random access configuration may include the parameter “ssb-perRACH-OccasionAndCB-PreamblesPerSSB-wb”, which can be 4, indicating that an SSB associates four ROs of the second random access resource at a time in the frequency domain direction.

[0430] In some examples, there is an overlap between the first random access resource and the second random access resource. For instance, the time-frequency resources of this overlap can be divided into a portion for random access by a type of terminal and a portion for random access by a type of terminal. For example, the portion for random access by a type of terminal may include a RO dedicated to type-1 terminals. Similarly, the portion for random access by a type of terminal may include a RO dedicated to type-2 terminals.

[0431] The communication device provided in the embodiments of this application will be described in detail below with reference to Figures 17 to 20. The description of the device embodiments corresponds to the description of the method embodiments. Therefore, for contents not described in detail, please refer to the method embodiments above. For the sake of brevity, some contents will not be repeated.

[0432] This application embodiment can divide the communication device into functional modules according to the above method example. For example, each function can be divided into its own functional modules, or two or more functions can be integrated into one processing module. The integrated modules can be implemented in hardware, software, or a combination of both. The module division in this application embodiment is illustrative and only represents one logical functional division; other division methods may be used in actual implementation. The following description uses the division of functional modules according to each function as an example.

[0433] Figure 17 is an exemplary block diagram of the communication device 10 provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0434] As shown in Figure 17, for example, the communication device 10 may include a chip system 110, a memory 120, a bus 130, a power management module 140, or a transceiver 150, etc.

[0435] The chip system 110 can be an integrated circuit chip with signal processing capabilities. In implementation, each step of the above method can be completed through integrated logic circuits in the hardware of the chip system 110 or through software instructions.

[0436] By way of example and not limitation, chip system 110 may include circuitry or chips responsible for signal processing (such as a modem chip, also known as a baseband chip, or a system-on-chip (SoC) chip or system-in-package (SIP) chip containing a modem core).

[0437] Optionally, the chip system 110 may also include a memory (such as a cache) for storing instructions and data. In some embodiments, the memory in the chip system 110 is a cache memory. This memory can store instructions or data that the chip system 110 has just used or that are used repeatedly. If the chip system 110 needs to use the instruction or data again, it can retrieve it directly from this memory. This avoids repeated accesses, reduces the waiting time of the chip system 110, and thus improves the efficiency of the system.

[0438] In some embodiments, the chip system 110 may include one or more interfaces. Interfaces may include an inter-integrated circuit (I2C) interface, an inter-integrated circuit sound (I2S) interface, a pulse code modulation (PCM) interface, a universal asynchronous receiver / transmitter (UART) interface, a mobile industry processor interface (MIPI), a general-purpose input / output (GPIO) interface, a subscriber identity module (SIM) interface, and / or a universal serial bus (USB) interface, etc.

[0439] The memory 120 may include random access memory (RAM) and read-only memory (ROM). The memory 120 may store computer-readable and computer-executable code, including instructions that, when executed, cause the processor to perform the various functions of this application.

[0440] Optionally, the code may include instructions for implementing various aspects of the embodiments of this application, such as instructions for sending PBCH messages. The code may be stored in a non-transitory computer-readable medium such as system memory or other types of memory. In some cases, the code may not be directly executable by the chip system 110, but may enable a computer (e.g., at compile and execution time) to perform the functions of this application. In some cases, memory 120 may contain a basic I / O system that controls basic hardware or software operations, such as interaction with peripheral components or devices.

[0441] For example, the chip system 110 executes various functional applications and data processing of the communication device 10 by running instructions stored in the memory 120. For instance, when the communication device 10 transfers files with other devices (which may also be terminals or access network devices), the chip system 110 of the communication device 10 can call the computer-executable program code stored in the memory 120 to implement the communication method provided in the embodiments of this application.

[0442] In addition, the memory 120 can be integrated into the chip system 110 or independent of the chip system 110.

[0443] For example, bus 130 may be USB for supporting communication between various parts of communication device 10.

[0444] The power management module 140 is used to receive charging input from the charger. Optionally, the power management module 140 can also supply power to the communication device 10 while charging it (e.g., the battery module of the communication device 10). By way of example and not limitation, the power management module 140 can also supply power to other devices besides the communication device 10.

[0445] Transceiver 150 can communicate bidirectionally via one or more antennas, wired links, or wireless links. For example, transceiver 150 can represent a wireless transceiver and can communicate bidirectionally with another wireless transceiver. Transceiver 150 may also include a modem for modulating packets and providing the modulated packets to the antenna for transmission, and for demodulating packets received from the antenna. Transceiver 150 may include a receiver and a transmitter, the receiver performing the function of receiving information and the transmitter performing the function of transmitting information.

[0446] In some cases, a wireless device may include a single antenna. However, in other cases, the device may have more than one antenna, such as antenna 1 and antenna 2 shown in FIG. 17, which may be capable of simultaneously transmitting or receiving multiple wireless transmissions. Exemplarily, antenna 1 and antenna 2 are used to transmit and receive electromagnetic wave signals. Each antenna in communication device 10 can be used to cover one or more communication frequency bands. Different antennas can also be multiplexed to improve antenna utilization. For example, antenna 1 can be multiplexed as a diversity antenna for a wireless local area network. In other embodiments, the antennas can be used in conjunction with a tuning switch. Communication device 10 can transfer files to other devices via wireless communication functions.

[0447] In one design, the communication device 20 may correspond to the first device in the above method embodiment.

[0448] The device 10 can implement the steps or processes corresponding to those performed by the first device in the above method embodiments. The transceiver 150 can be used to perform transmission and reception related operations of the first device in the above method embodiments, such as performing step S710 in the above method embodiments. The chip system 110 can be used to perform processing related operations of the first device in the above method embodiments.

[0449] In another design, the communication device 10 may correspond to the second device in the above method embodiment.

[0450] The device 10 can implement the steps or processes corresponding to those performed by the second device in the above method embodiments. The transceiver 150 can be used to perform transmission and reception related operations of the second device in the above method embodiments, such as performing step S710 in the above method embodiments. The chip system 110 can be used to perform processing related operations of the second device in the above method embodiments.

[0451] In a design where the communication device 20 corresponds to the second device (e.g., a terminal device), the communication device 10 may include modules such as a short-range communication module 164, a sensor 161, a display 162, or a camera 163 as shown in FIG17.

[0452] The short-range communication module 164 may include modules that support short-range communication, such as Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.

[0453] For example, sensor 161 may include pressure sensor, gyroscope sensor, barometric pressure sensor, magnetic sensor, accelerometer, distance sensor, proximity sensor, fingerprint sensor, temperature sensor, touch sensor, ambient light sensor, bone conduction sensor, etc.

[0454] For example, display 162 is used to display images, videos, etc. The display includes a display panel. The display panel may be a liquid crystal display (LCD), an organic light-emitting diode (OLED), an active-matrix organic light-emitting diode (AMOLED), a flexible light-emitting diode (FLED), a mini light-emitting diode (LED), a micro LED, a micro OLED, a quantum dot light-emitting diode (QLED), etc. For example, in this embodiment, the display can be used to display the interface required by the communication device 10. For example, the communication device 10 implements display functions through a graphics processing unit (GPU), a display, and an application processor. The GPU is a microprocessor for image processing, connected to the display and the application processor. The GPU is used to perform mathematical and geometric calculations for graphics rendering. The chip system 110 may include one or more GPUs that execute program instructions to generate or modify display information.

[0455] For example, camera 163 is used to acquire images, videos, etc.

[0456] It is understood that the structure shown in Figure 17 does not constitute a specific limitation on the communication device 10, and the specific structure of the terminal device and / or access network device can be referred to Figure 17. In some embodiments, the communication device 10 may also include more or fewer components than shown in Figure 17, or combine some components, or split some components, or have different component arrangements, etc. Alternatively, some components shown in Figure 17 may be implemented in hardware, software, or a combination of software and hardware, and the terminal device and / or access network device may add or reduce components based on the structure given in Figure 17.

[0457] Figure 18 is a schematic block diagram of the communication device 20 provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0458] As shown in Figure 18, the communication device 20 may include a baseband unit 210, which can communicate with external devices via a cellular radio frequency (RF) transceiver 220 (e.g., if the communication device 20 is a terminal device, the baseband unit 210 can communicate with access network devices via the cellular RF transceiver 220; or, if the communication device 20 is an access network device, the baseband unit 210 can communicate with terminal devices and / or core network devices via the cellular RF transceiver 220).

[0459] Exemplarily, baseband unit 210 may include a computer-readable medium / memory. Baseband unit 210 may be responsible for general processing, including the execution of software stored on the computer-readable medium / memory. When executed by baseband unit 304, the software causes baseband unit 210 to perform the various functions described above. The computer-readable medium / memory may also be used to store data manipulated by baseband unit 210 during software execution.

[0460] Optionally, the baseband unit 210 further includes a receiving unit 201, a management unit 202, and a transmitting unit 203. When the communication device 20 is used to implement the functions of the second device, the management unit 202 includes the one or more sub-units shown in FIG. 18. For example, a detection sub-unit, wherein the detection sub-unit can be used for the operation of detecting control information of a first system information block based on first information in the above method embodiments. The units within the management unit 201 can be stored in a computer-readable medium / memory and / or configured as hardware within the baseband unit 210. The management unit 201 can also be referred to as a processing unit. The receiving unit 201 and the transmitting unit 203 can be referred to as transceiver units.

[0461] When the communication device 20 is used to implement the function of the first device in the above method embodiments, the receiving unit 201 is used to execute the receiving step of the first device, the sending unit 203 is used to execute the sending step of the first device, and the management unit 202 is used to execute the processing step of the first device.

[0462] For example, when the communication device 20 is used to implement the function of the first device in the above method embodiments, the sending unit 203 is used to send a physical broadcast channel message, wherein the physical broadcast channel message includes first information, the first information is carried on resources in a first frequency band, the width of the first frequency band is smaller than the bandwidth of the physical broadcast channel, the first information is used to determine a first system information block, and the second information is used to determine a second system information block; the sending unit 203 is also used to send the first system information block in the first frequency band, and the first system information block and / or the control information of the first system information block are used to indicate a first random access configuration.

[0463] For example, when the device 20 is used to perform the method in FIG7, the receiving unit 201 can be used to perform the step of receiving information in the method; the management unit 202 can be used to perform the processing step in the method; and the sending unit 203 can be used to perform the step of sending information in the method.

[0464] When the communication device 20 is used to implement the function of the second device in the above method embodiments, the receiving unit 201 is used to execute the receiving step of the second device, the sending unit 203 is used to execute the sending step of the second device, and the management unit 202 is used to execute the processing step of the second device.

[0465] For example, when the communication device 20 is used to implement the function of the second device in the above method embodiments, the receiving unit 201 is used to receive first information in a first frequency band, the bandwidth of the first frequency band is smaller than the bandwidth of the physical broadcast channel; the management unit 202 is used to receive a first system information block based on the first information, the first system information block and / or the control information of the first system information block are used to indicate a first random access configuration.

[0466] For example, when the device 20 is used to perform the method in FIG7, the receiving unit 201 can be used to perform the step of receiving information in the method; the management unit 202 can be used to perform the processing step in the method; and the sending unit 203 can be used to perform the step of sending information in the method.

[0467] For a more detailed description of the receiving unit 201, management unit 202 and sending unit 203, please refer to the relevant descriptions in the above method embodiments, which will not be repeated here.

[0468] By way of example and not limitation, the chip system in this application is shown in FIG19, which is a schematic block diagram of the chip system 30 provided in an embodiment of this application. The chip system includes, but is not limited to, a modem chip, also known as a baseband chip, or a system-on-chip (SoC) chip or a system-in-package (SIP) chip containing a modem core.

[0469] As can be seen from Figure 19, the chip system (or processing system) includes a processor 310 and an input / output interface 330.

[0470] The processor 310 can be a processing circuit in the chip system (including at least one processor core, such as processor core 1 and processor core 2 as shown in FIG. 19). Optionally, the chip system also includes a memory 320. For example, the processor 310 can be coupled to the memory 320 to call instructions in the memory 320, enabling the chip system to implement the methods and functions of the embodiments of this application. The input / output interface 330 can be an input / output circuit in the chip system, outputting information processed by the chip system, or inputting data or signaling information to be processed into the chip system for processing.

[0471] As one approach, the chip system is used to implement the operations performed by the first or second device in the various method embodiments described above.

[0472] For example, processor 310 is used to implement the processing-related operations performed by the first device or the second device in the above method embodiments, as described in the foregoing embodiments; input / output interface 330 is used to implement the sending and / or receiving-related operations performed by the first device or the second device in the above method embodiments, as described in the foregoing embodiments.

[0473] As an example and not a limitation, the chip system in this application is shown in FIG20, which is a schematic block diagram of the chip system 40 provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0474] As shown in Figure 20, the chip system (or processing system) includes an input / output interface 410 and logic circuitry 420. The input / output interface 410 can be an input / output circuit within the chip system, outputting processed information or inputting data or signaling information to be processed into the chip system for processing. For details, please refer to the description in the preceding embodiments, such as the embodiment shown in Figure 7. The logic circuitry 420 is used to execute the aforementioned communication method, and for details, please refer to the description in the preceding embodiments.

[0475] As one approach, the chip system is used to implement the operations performed by the first or second device in the various method embodiments described above.

[0476] For example, logic circuit 420 is used to implement processing-related operations performed by the first device or the second device in the above method embodiments; input / output interface 410 is used to implement sending and / or receiving-related operations performed by the first device or the second device in the above method embodiments.

[0477] This application also provides a computer-readable storage medium storing computer instructions for implementing the methods executed by the device in the above-described method embodiments.

[0478] For example, when the computer program is executed by a computer, it enables the computer to implement the methods performed by the first or second device in the various embodiments of the above methods.

[0479] This application also provides a computer program product comprising instructions which, when executed by a computer, implement the methods performed by the first or second device in the above-described method embodiments.

[0480] This application also provides a communication system, including the aforementioned first device and second device.

[0481] The explanations and beneficial effects of the relevant contents in any of the devices provided above can be found in the corresponding method embodiments provided above, and will not be repeated here.

[0482] Those skilled in the art will recognize that the units and algorithm steps of the various examples described in conjunction with the embodiments disclosed herein can be implemented in electronic hardware, or a combination of computer software and electronic hardware. Whether these functions are implemented in hardware or software depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Those skilled in the art can use different methods to implement the described functions for each specific application, but such implementation should not be considered beyond the scope of this application.

[0483] Those skilled in the art will understand that, for the sake of convenience and brevity, the specific working processes of the systems, devices, and units described above can be referred to the corresponding processes in the foregoing method embodiments, and will not be repeated here.

[0484] In the several embodiments provided in this application, the disclosed systems, apparatuses, and methods can be implemented in other ways. For example, the apparatus embodiments described above are merely illustrative; for instance, the division of the units described above is only a logical functional division, and in actual implementation, there may be other division methods. For example, multiple units or components may be combined or integrated into another system, or some features may be ignored or not executed. Furthermore, the coupling or direct coupling or communication connection shown or discussed may be through some interfaces; the indirect coupling or communication connection between devices or units may be electrical, mechanical, or other forms.

[0485] The units described above as separate components may or may not be physically separate. The components shown as units may or may not be physical units; that is, they may be located in one place or distributed across multiple network units. Some or all of the units can be selected to achieve the purpose of this embodiment according to actual needs.

[0486] In addition, the functional units in the various embodiments of this application can be integrated into one processing unit, or each unit can exist physically separately, or two or more units can be integrated into one unit.

[0487] If the aforementioned functions are implemented as software functional units and sold or used as independent products, they 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 a portion 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, server, or network device, etc.) 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 USB flash drives, portable hard drives, read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), magnetic disks, or optical disks.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that, The method includes: Sending a physical broadcast channel message, wherein the physical broadcast channel message includes first information, the first information is carried on resources within a first frequency band, the first information is used to determine a first system information block, and the bandwidth of the first frequency band is smaller than the bandwidth of the physical broadcast channel; The first system information block is transmitted within the first frequency band, and the first system information block and / or the control information of the first system information block are used to indicate the first random access configuration.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The physical broadcast channel message also includes second information, which is carried on resources outside the first frequency band and is used to determine the second system information block.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The first random access configuration is used for random access of the first type of terminal within the first frequency band; The first system information block and / or the control information of the first system information block are also used to indicate a second random access configuration, which is used for random access of a second type of terminal; The second type of terminal supports a higher bandwidth than the first type of terminal.

4. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The first random access configuration is used for random access of the first type of terminal within the first frequency band; The method further includes: Send a second system information block, which is used to indicate a second random access configuration for random access of a second type of terminal.

5. The method according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that, The first random access configuration is used to indicate a first random access resource, and the second random access configuration is used to indicate a second random access resource; The second random access configuration includes a first offset and / or a first repetition count, wherein the first offset is the offset of the second random access resource relative to the first random access resource in the time domain and / or frequency domain, and the first repetition count is the number of times the second random access resource is repeated relative to the first random access resource in the time domain and / or frequency domain.

6. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that, The first random access opportunity in the first random access resource is associated with the first synchronization signal block, and the second random access opportunity in the second random access resource is obtained by repeating the first random access opportunity in the time domain and / or frequency domain, wherein the second random access opportunity is associated with the first synchronization signal block.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that, The first system information block is used to indicate a first random access configuration, including: the first system information block is used to indicate a first part of the first random access configuration; The control information of the first system information block is used to indicate the first random access configuration, including: the control information of the first system information block is used to indicate a second part of the first random access configuration.

8. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that, The first random access configuration is used to indicate the first random access resource; The first random access resource is used for random access of the first type of terminal and random access of the second type of terminal. The preamble corresponding to the first type of terminal is different from the preamble corresponding to the second type of terminal. The bandwidth supported by the second type of terminal is greater than the bandwidth supported by the first type of terminal.

9. A communication method, characterized in that, The method includes: The first information in the physical broadcast channel message is received within a first frequency band, wherein the bandwidth of the first frequency band is smaller than the bandwidth of the physical broadcast channel. Based on the first information, a first system information block is received, and the first system information block and / or the control information of the first system information block are used to indicate a first random access configuration.

10. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that, The physical broadcast channel message also includes second information, which is carried on resources outside the first frequency band and is used to determine the second system information block.

11. The method according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that, The first system information block is also used to indicate the second random access configuration. The method is applied to a first type of terminal, and the method further includes: Random access is performed based on the first random access configuration; Alternatively, the method may be applied to a second type of terminal, and the method may further include: Random access is performed based on the second random access configuration; The second type of terminal supports a higher bandwidth than the first type of terminal.

12. The method according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that, The method is applied to a second type of terminal, wherein the method further includes: Receive a second system information block, which is used to indicate a second random access configuration; Random access is performed based on the second random access configuration.

13. The method according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that, The first random access configuration is used to indicate a first random access resource, and the second random access configuration is used to indicate a second random access resource; The second random access configuration includes a first offset and / or a first repetition count, wherein the first offset is the offset of the second random access resource relative to the first random access resource in the time domain and / or frequency domain, and the first repetition count is the number of times the second random access resource is repeated relative to the first random access resource in the time domain and / or frequency domain.

14. The method according to claim 13, characterized in that, The first random access opportunity in the first random access resource is associated with the first synchronization signal block, and the second random access opportunity in the second random access resource is obtained by repeating the first random access opportunity in the time domain and / or frequency domain, wherein the second random access opportunity is associated with the first synchronization signal block.

15. The method according to any one of claims 9 to 14, characterized in that, The first system information block is used to indicate a first random access configuration, including: the first system information block is used to indicate a first part of the first random access configuration; The method further includes: The control information of the first system information block is received within the first frequency band, and the control information of the first system information block is used to indicate the second part of the first random access configuration.

16. The method according to any one of claims 9 to 15, characterized in that, The first random access configuration is used to indicate the first random access resource; The method is applied to a first type of terminal, and the method further includes: performing random access using a preamble corresponding to the first type of terminal based on the first random access resource; Alternatively, the method can be applied to a second type of terminal, and the method further includes: performing random access using a preamble corresponding to the second type of terminal based on the first random access resource; The preamble corresponding to the first type of terminal is different from the preamble corresponding to the second type of terminal.

17. A communication device, characterized in that, It includes at least one module or at least one unit, said at least one module or at least one unit being used to perform the method of any one of claims 1 to 8, or said at least one module or at least one unit being used to perform the method of any one of claims 9 to 16.

18. A communication device, characterized in that, include: At least one processor, the at least one processor being configured to execute a computer program or instructions to cause the method of any one of claims 1 to 8 to be executed, or to cause the method of any one of claims 9 to 16 to be executed.

19. The communication device according to claim 18, characterized in that, The communication device further includes a memory for storing the computer program or the instructions.

20. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, The computer-readable storage medium stores a computer program or instructions that, when the computer program or instructions are run, execute the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 8, or execute the method as described in any one of claims 9 to 16.

21. A computer program product, characterized in that, It includes a computer program or instructions that, when the computer program or instructions are executed, implement the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 8, or implement the method as described in any one of claims 9 to 16.

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