Communication method and related apparatus

Abstract

The present application provides a communication method and a related apparatus. In the communication method provided in the present application, when valid subframes are present in a radio frame to which a target time domain position of a first SIB indicated by SIB1 belongs, and a first subframe of the target time domain position is not a valid subframe, a network device transmits the first SIB in a delayed manner, so that all subframes occupied by the first SIB transmitted in a delayed manner are valid subframes, thereby enabling the network device to completely transmit the first SIB via the valid subframes, and enabling a terminal device to completely receive the first SIB and decode same.

Description

Communication methods and related devices

[0001] This application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 202510300172.9, filed on March 13, 2025, entitled "Communication Method and Related Apparatus", the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

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

[0003] Internet of Things NTN (IoT-NTN) based on non-terrestrial networks (NTN) is discussing a new time division duplex (TDD) mode. In this TDD mode, the cycle is based on nine radio frames, meaning a transmission cycle is 90 milliseconds (ms). However, within one transmission cycle of this TDD mode, the network device may fail to send a complete system information block (SIB), causing the terminal device to be unable to decode the received SIB. Summary of the Invention

[0004] This application provides a communication method and related apparatus to enable network devices to transmit SIBs completely, thereby facilitating terminal devices to receive and decode SIBs.

[0005] In a first aspect, embodiments of this application provide a communication method applied to a network-side device, such as a network device or a component (e.g., a chip, a chip system, etc.) within the network device, or a logic module or software capable of implementing all or part of the functions of the network device. Taking the application of this method to a network device as an example, the method includes: sending a system information block (SIB) 1, where SIB 1 indicates the target time-domain location of a first SIB; if there is a valid subframe in the radio frame to which the target time-domain location belongs, and the first subframe of the target time-domain location is not a valid subframe, delaying the transmission of the first SIB, where all subframes occupied by the first SIB are valid subframes, and valid subframes are subframes in an active state.

[0006] If a valid subframe exists within the radio frame corresponding to the target time location, but the first subframe at the target time location is not a valid subframe, the network device cannot completely transmit the first SIB at the target time location. By delaying the transmission of the first SIB, all subframes occupied by the first SIB can be considered valid subframes. This allows the network device to transmit all subframes occupied by the first SIB through active subframes, which is beneficial for the network device to transmit the first SIB completely.

[0007] In some implementations, the method further includes canceling the transmission of the first SIB if there is no valid subframe in the radio frame to which the target time-domain location belongs.

[0008] If there is no valid subframe in the radio frame to which the target time-domain location belongs, the network device can directly cancel the transmission of the first SIB, which helps to avoid the problem of not being able to transmit the first SIB in that radio frame.

[0009] In some implementations, SIB1 indicates the target temporal location of the first SIB, including: SIB1 indicates the repeating pattern of the first SIB and the number of subframes occupied by the first SIB is M, where M is a positive integer; all subframes occupied by the first SIB are valid subframes, including: when the first frame set includes N available subframes and N is not less than M, the M subframes occupied by the first SIB belong to the first frame set, and the first frame set is the set of consecutive valid subframes corresponding to the repeating pattern, where N is a positive integer not greater than 8.

[0010] In some implementations, SIB1 indicates the target temporal location of the first SIB, including: SIB1 indicates the repeating pattern of the first SIB and the number of subframes occupied by the first SIB is M, where M is a positive integer; all subframes occupied by the first SIB are valid subframes, including: when the second frame set includes N available subframes and N is less than M, the first N subframes occupied by the first SIB belong to the second frame set, and the remaining MN subframes occupied by the first SIB belong to the third frame set. The second frame set is the set of the first consecutive valid subframes corresponding to the repeating pattern, and the third frame set is the set of the second consecutive valid subframes corresponding to the repeating pattern. The third frame set includes N available subframes, where N is a positive integer not greater than 8.

[0011] If the number of available subframes in the second frame set is less than the number of subframes occupied by the first SIB, the remaining subframes of the first SIB are postponed to the third frame set. The first SIB is then sent through the second and third frame sets, which helps the network device to send the first SIB completely.

[0012] In some implementations, all subframes occupied by the first SIB are considered valid subframes. Further implementations include: if the remaining MN subframes occupied by the first SIB belong to the third frame set, and there are still remaining usable subframes in the third frame set, then the third frame set includes the first 2*NM subframes occupied by the repeated first SIB, and the remaining subframes occupied by the repeated first SIB belong to the fourth frame set. The fourth frame set is the set of the third consecutive valid subframes corresponding to the repeated pattern, and the fourth frame set includes N usable subframes; or, if the remaining MN subframes occupied by the first SIB belong to the third frame set, and there are no remaining usable subframes in the third frame set, then the first N subframes occupied by the repeated first SIB belong to the fourth frame set, and the remaining MN subframes occupied by the repeated first SIB belong to the fifth frame set. The fifth frame set is the set of the fourth consecutive valid subframes corresponding to the repeated pattern, and the fifth frame set includes N usable subframes.

[0013] The network device sends the first SIB repeatedly through the fourth frame set and the fifth frame set, which helps to repeatedly send the first SIB according to the repeating pattern of the first SIB, and increases the probability that the network device will send the first SIB completely.

[0014] In some implementations, SIB1 indicates the target temporal location of the first SIB, including: SIB1 indicates the repeating pattern of the first SIB and the number of subframes occupied by the first SIB is M, where M is a positive integer; all subframes occupied by the first SIB are valid subframes, including: when the first frame set includes N available subframes and N is less than M, the first N subframes occupied by the first SIB belong to the first frame set, and the remaining MN subframes occupied by the first SIB belong to the supplementary frame set. The first frame set is the set of consecutive valid subframes corresponding to the repeating pattern, and the supplementary frame set is the set of the next consecutive valid subframes adjacent to the first frame set, where N is a positive integer not greater than 8.

[0015] If the number of available subframes in the first frame set is less than the number of subframes occupied by the first SIB, the remaining subframes of the first SIB are deferred to the supplementary frame set. The first SIB is then sent through the first frame set and the supplementary frame set, which helps the network device to send the first SIB completely.

[0016] In some implementations, the above SIB1 indicates that the number of subframes occupied by the first SIB is M, including: SIB1 indicates the transport block TB size corresponding to the first SIB, the TB size is related to the number of subframes occupied by the first SIB, the TB size is any bit in the set {208, 256, 328, 440}, the association includes: 208 bits, 256 bits and 328 bits are associated with 4 subframes, and 440 bits are associated with 6 subframes.

[0017] Based on the correlation between the TB size corresponding to the first SIB and the number of subframes it occupies, reducing the number of subframes occupied by the first SIB of the same size is beneficial for network devices to transmit the first SIB completely with a limited number of available subframes.

[0018] In some implementations, the above association is a preset association, or SIB1 indicates the association.

[0019] Secondly, embodiments of this application provide a communication method applied to a terminal-side device, such as a terminal device or a communication module in the terminal device, or a circuit or chip in the terminal device responsible for communication functions. Taking the application of this method to a terminal device as an example, the method includes: receiving SIB1, where SIB1 indicates the target time-domain location of a first SIB; if there is a valid subframe in the radio frame to which the target time-domain location belongs, and the first subframe of the target time-domain location is not a valid subframe, delaying the reception of the first SIB, where all subframes occupied by the first SIB are valid subframes, and valid subframes are subframes in an active state.

[0020] By delaying the reception of the first SIB, all subframes occupied by the first SIB can be considered valid subframes, which is beneficial for network devices to fully receive the first SIB, thereby improving the decoding success rate.

[0021] In some implementations, SIB1 indicates the target temporal location of the first SIB, including: SIB1 indicates the repeating pattern of the first SIB and the number of subframes occupied by the first SIB is M, where M is a positive integer; all subframes occupied by the first SIB are valid subframes, including: when the first frame set includes N available subframes and N is not less than M, the M subframes occupied by the first SIB belong to the first frame set, and the first frame set is the set of consecutive valid subframes corresponding to the repeating pattern, where N is a positive integer not greater than 8.

[0022] In some implementations, SIB1 indicates the target temporal location of the first SIB, including: SIB1 indicates the repeating pattern of the first SIB and the number of subframes occupied by the first SIB is M, where M is a positive integer; all subframes occupied by the first SIB are valid subframes, including: when the second frame set includes N available subframes and N is less than M, the first N subframes occupied by the first SIB belong to the second frame set, and the remaining MN subframes occupied by the first SIB belong to the third frame set. The second frame set is the set of the first consecutive valid subframes corresponding to the repeating pattern, and the third frame set is the set of the second consecutive valid subframes corresponding to the repeating pattern. The third frame set includes N available subframes, where N is a positive integer not greater than 8.

[0023] In some implementations, all subframes occupied by the first SIB are considered valid subframes. Further implementations include: if the remaining MN subframes occupied by the first SIB belong to the third frame set, and there are still remaining usable subframes in the third frame set, then the third frame set includes the first 2N-M subframes occupied by the repeated first SIB, and the remaining subframes occupied by the repeated first SIB belong to the fourth frame set. The fourth frame set is the set of the third consecutive valid subframes corresponding to the repeated pattern, and the fourth frame set includes N usable subframes; or, if the remaining MN subframes occupied by the first SIB belong to the third frame set, and there are no remaining usable subframes in the third frame set, then the first N subframes occupied by the repeated first SIB belong to the fourth frame set, and the remaining MN subframes occupied by the repeated first SIB belong to the fifth frame set. The fifth frame set is the set of the fourth consecutive valid subframes corresponding to the repeated pattern, and the fifth frame set includes N usable subframes.

[0024] In some implementations, SIB1 indicates the target temporal location of the first SIB, including: SIB1 indicates the repeating pattern of the first SIB and the number of subframes occupied by the first SIB is M, where M is a positive integer; all subframes occupied by the first SIB are valid subframes, including: when the first frame set includes N available subframes and N is less than M, the first N subframes occupied by the first SIB belong to the first frame set, and the remaining MN subframes occupied by the first SIB belong to the supplementary frame set. The first frame set is the set of consecutive valid subframes corresponding to the repeating pattern, and the supplementary frame set is the set of the next consecutive valid subframes adjacent to the first frame set, where N is a positive integer not greater than 8.

[0025] In some implementations, the above SIB1 indicates that the number of subframes occupied by the first SIB is M, including: SIB1 indicates the transport block TB size corresponding to the first SIB, the TB size is related to the number of subframes occupied by the first SIB, the TB size is any bit in the set {208, 256, 328, 440}, the association includes: 208 bits, 256 bits and 328 bits are associated with 4 subframes, and 440 bits are associated with 6 subframes.

[0026] In some implementations, the above association is a preset association, or SIB1 indicates the association.

[0027] Thirdly, embodiments of this application provide a communication device, including modules or units for implementing the methods of the first or second aspect and any possible implementation of the first or second aspect. Each module or unit can implement its corresponding function by executing a computer program.

[0028] For example, the communication device in the third aspect is a terminal device or a component configured in a terminal device, such as a chip, chip system, processor, etc.; or, the communication device in the third aspect is a network device or a component configured in a network device, such as a chip, chip system, processor, etc.

[0029] Fourthly, embodiments of this application provide a communication device, including a processor, which is configured to execute the communication method in the first or second aspect and any possible implementation of the first or second aspect.

[0030] Optionally, the communication device includes a memory for storing instructions and data. The memory is coupled to a processor, which, when executing the instructions stored in the memory, can implement the methods described in the foregoing aspects.

[0031] Optionally, the communication device includes a communication interface for communicating with other communication devices. For example, the communication interface may be a transceiver, circuit, bus, module, pin, or other type of communication interface.

[0032] For example, the communication device provided in the fourth aspect is a chip or chip system, or it may correspond to a terminal device or network device.

[0033] Fifthly, embodiments of this application provide a computer-readable storage medium including a computer program that, when run on a computer, causes the computer to implement the methods of the first or second aspect and any possible implementation of the first or second aspect.

[0034] In a sixth aspect, embodiments of this application provide a computer program product, which includes a computer program (also referred to as code or instructions) that, when run, causes a computer to perform the methods of the first or second aspect and any possible implementation thereof.

[0035] In a seventh aspect, embodiments of this application provide a communication system including the aforementioned terminal device and network device. The network device can be used to implement the methods in the first aspect and any possible implementation of the first aspect, and the terminal device can be used to implement the methods in the second aspect and any possible implementation of the second aspect.

[0036] The third to seventh aspects of this application correspond to the technical solutions of the first aspect of this application. The beneficial effects achieved by each aspect and the corresponding feasible implementation are similar, and will not be repeated here. Attached Figure Description

[0037] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a possible terrestrial network communication system architecture;

[0038] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the architecture of an NTN communication system;

[0039] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of the architecture of a 5G satellite communication system that integrates an NTN network system;

[0040] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of sending a system message according to the instruction of system message block 1;

[0041] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of the pattern corresponding to an effective subframe;

[0042] Figure 6 is a flowchart illustrating a communication method provided in one embodiment of this application;

[0043] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of the time domain location of the first SIB that has been delayed in transmission according to an embodiment of this application;

[0044] Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of the time-domain location of SIB2 with delayed transmission provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0045] Figure 9 is a schematic diagram of the time-domain location of SIB2 after delayed transmission according to another embodiment of this application;

[0046] Figure 10 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0047] Figure 11 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device provided in another embodiment of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0048] Exemplary embodiments will now be described in detail, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. When the following description relates to the drawings, unless otherwise indicated, the same numbers in different drawings denote the same or similar elements. The embodiments described in the following exemplary embodiments do not represent all embodiments consistent with this application. Rather, they are merely examples of apparatuses and methods consistent with some aspects of this application as detailed in the appended claims.

[0049] It should be understood that in the embodiments of this application, "at least one" refers to one or more, and "more than one" refers to two or more. "And / or" describes the relationship between related objects, indicating that three relationships can exist. For example, A and / or B can represent: A alone, A and B simultaneously, or B alone, where A and B can be singular or plural. The character " / " generally indicates that the preceding and following related objects are in an "or" relationship, but it does not exclude the possibility of indicating that the preceding and following related objects are in an "and" relationship. The specific meaning can be understood in conjunction with the context. "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, or c can represent: a, b, c; a and b; a and c; b and c; or a and b and c. Here, a, b, and c can be single or multiple.

[0050] In this embodiment of the application, the use of prefixes such as "first" and "second" is merely for the purpose of distinguishing and describing different things belonging to the same name category, and does not constrain the order, size, or quantity of things. For example, "first parameter" and "second parameter" are simply different parameters, and there is no temporal or quantitative relationship between them.

[0051] This application will present various aspects, embodiments, or features relating to systems that may include multiple devices, components, modules, etc. It should be understood and appreciated that individual systems may include additional devices, components, modules, etc., and / or may not include all the devices, components, modules, etc. discussed in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Furthermore, combinations of these approaches are also possible.

[0052] Furthermore, in the embodiments of this application, words such as "exemplarily" and "for example" are used to indicate examples, illustrations, or descriptions. Any embodiment or design scheme described as an "example" in this application should not be construed as being more preferred or advantageous than other embodiments or design schemes. Specifically, the use of the term "example" is intended to present concepts in a concrete manner. In the embodiments of this application, "of," "corresponding, relevant," and "corresponding" may sometimes be used interchangeably, and it should be noted that their intended meanings are consistent unless their distinction is emphasized.

[0053] "Instruction" can include direct instruction, indirect instruction, explicit instruction, and implicit instruction. When describing a certain instruction information to indicate A, it can be understood that the instruction information carries A, directly indicates A, or indirectly indicates A.

[0054] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a possible terrestrial network communication system architecture. As shown in Figure 1, the communication system 100 may include at least one wireless access network device (110a and 110b in the figure), and may also include at least one terminal (120a-120h in the figure). The terminal is wirelessly connected to the wireless access network device, and the terminals and the wireless access network devices can be interconnected by wired or wireless means.

[0055] Wireless access network (RAN) equipment can be devices with wireless transceiver capabilities. In the embodiments of this application, RAN equipment can be devices that provide wireless communication services, typically located on the network side, including but not limited to: next-generation base stations (gNodeB, gNB) in 5th generation (5G) communication systems, next-generation base stations in 6th generation (6G) mobile communication systems, base stations in future mobile communication systems, or access nodes in WiFi systems; evolved node B (eNB), radio network controller (RNC), node B (NB), base station controller (BSC), home base station (e.g., home evolved NodeB, or home Node B, HNB), base band unit (BBU), transmission reception point (TRP), transmitting point (TP), base transceiver station (BTS), etc. in long term evolution (LTE) systems. In one network architecture, the access network equipment may include centralized unit (CU) nodes, distributed unit (DU) nodes, RAN equipment including CU and DU nodes, or RAN equipment including control plane CU nodes, user plane CU nodes, and DU nodes. The access network equipment provides services to cells. Terminal devices communicate with base stations through the transmission resources (e.g., frequency domain resources, or spectrum resources) used by the cell. The cell can be a cell corresponding to a base station (e.g., a base station). The cell can belong to a macro base station or a base station corresponding to a small cell. Small cells can include metro cells, micro cells, pico cells, femto cells, etc. These small cells have the characteristics of small coverage area and low transmission power, making them suitable for providing high-speed data transmission services.The wireless access network equipment can be a macro base station (as shown in Figure 1, 110a), a micro base station or indoor station (as shown in Figure 1, 110b), a relay node or donor node, a device providing wireless communication services to terminal devices in a V2X communication system, a wireless controller, relay station, vehicle-mounted equipment, wearable devices, and network equipment in future evolved networks, etc. In this embodiment, the access network equipment can also be an open-radio access network (O-RAN) device, which can include an open-distributed unit (O-DU) and an open-central unit (O-CU). In the embodiments of this application, the base station's functions can be executed by modules (such as chips) within the base station, or by a control subsystem containing base station functions. This control subsystem containing base station functions can be a control center in the aforementioned application scenarios such as smart grids, industrial control, intelligent transportation, and smart cities. The embodiments of this application do not limit the specific technology or device form used in the wireless access network equipment. For ease of description, the following description uses a base station as an example of a wireless access network equipment.

[0056] A terminal can also be called a terminal device, user equipment (UE), mobile station (MS), mobile terminal (MT), etc. It can be an entity on the user side used to receive or transmit signals, such as a mobile phone. Terminal devices include handheld devices, in-vehicle devices, wearable devices, or computing devices with wireless communication capabilities. For example, a UE can be a mobile phone, tablet computer, or computer with wireless transceiver capabilities. Terminal devices can also be virtual reality (VR) terminal devices, augmented reality (AR) terminal devices, wireless terminals in industrial control, wireless terminals in autonomous driving, wireless terminals in telemedicine, wireless terminals in smart grids, wireless terminals in smart cities, wireless terminals in smart homes, and so on. Terminals can be widely used in various scenarios, such as device-to-device (D2D), vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication, machine-type communication (MTC), Internet of Things (IoT), virtual reality, augmented reality, industrial control, autonomous driving, telemedicine, smart grids, smart furniture, smart offices, smart wearables, smart transportation, and smart cities. In this application's embodiments, the device used to implement the terminal's functions can be the terminal itself; it can also be a device capable of supporting the terminal in implementing these functions, such as a chip system, a communication module, or a modem, which can be installed in the terminal. In this application's embodiments, the chip system can consist of chips or include chips and other discrete components. This application's embodiments do not limit the specific technology or device form used in the terminal device.

[0057] Based on the description of the terrestrial network communication architecture shown in Figure 1, integrating the NTN communication system with the terrestrial network communication system can construct a three-dimensional, all-round, and all-weather information network covering the globe. Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the architecture of an NTN communication system. As shown in Figure 2, the NTN communication system includes a satellite 201 and terminals 202. The satellite 201 scans multiple areas through signaling beams, with each scanned area corresponding to a wave position. Each wave position can contain multiple terminals 202, which can be referred to as the terminal devices 120a-120h in Figure 1. The satellite 201 can be called a high-altitude platform, a high-altitude aircraft, or a satellite base station. Relating the NTN communication system to the terrestrial network communication system, the satellite 201 can be considered as one or more wireless access network devices in the terrestrial network communication system architecture. The satellite 201 provides communication services to the terminal devices and can also connect to core network equipment. The communication method between the satellite 201 and the terminals 202 can also be referred to the description in Figure 1, and will not be repeated here.

[0058] Taking 5G networks as an example, Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of the architecture of a 5G satellite communication system integrating an NTN network system. As shown in Figure 3, 5G base stations are deployed on satellites and connected to the ground core network via wireless links. Terminals access the network through the 5G New Radio (NR) interface. Simultaneously, wireless links exist between satellites to complete signaling interaction and user data transmission between base stations. The devices and interfaces in Figure 3 are described below:

[0059] The 5G core network is divided into two functional entities: the 5G control plane and the 5G data plane. The 5G control plane includes the Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF) unit and the Session Management Function (SMF) unit. The AMF unit is responsible for user access management and security authentication, while the SMF unit, together with the AMF unit, supports customized mobility management schemes. The 5G data plane includes the User Plane Function (UPF) unit and the data network. The UPF unit is responsible for managing user plane data transmission, traffic statistics, and other functions.

[0060] Ground station: Responsible for forwarding signaling and service data between satellite base stations and the 5G core network.

[0061] 5G New Radio: The wireless link between a terminal and a base station.

[0062] Xn interface: The interface between 5G base stations, mainly used for signaling interactions such as handover.

[0063] NG interface: The interface between 5G base stations and 5G core networks, mainly used for exchanging non-access stratum (NAS) signaling of the core network and user service data.

[0064] IoT-NTN, a technology combining IoT and NTN, aims to integrate narrowband IoT (NB-IoT) and enhanced machine-type communication (eMTC) technologies into satellite communication networks, thereby providing wide-coverage, low-power, and low-cost communication services.

[0065] For IoT-NTN, in networks using NB-IoT, network devices indicate the method of sending SIBs through System Information Block (SIB) 1. For example, SIB1 can indicate the following:

[0066] si-WindowLength-r13 ENUMERATED{ms160,ms320,ms480,ms640,

[0067] ms960,ms1280,ms1600,spare1},

[0068] The content of the "si-WindowLength-r13" field is used to specify the window length of a common system message, meaning that SIBs indicated by SIB1 share the same time window length. Based on the above, the window length of this common system message can be 160 milliseconds (ms), 320 ms, 480 ms, etc.

[0069] In addition, SIB1 can also indicate the following:

[0070] In the above fields, "si-Periodicity-r13" indicates the transmission period of the SIB. For example, the SIB can use radio frames of lengths such as 64, 128, 256, 512, or 1024 RF as the transmission period. "si-RepetitionPattern-r13" indicates the repetition pattern of the SIB. For example, within a transmission period, the SIB can repeat every 2, 4, 8, or 16 RFs. "sib-MappingInfo-r13" indicates the specific SIB information indicated by SIB1. "si-TB-r13" indicates the size of the transport block (TB) corresponding to the SIB. For example, the SIB can correspond to TB sizes such as 56 bits, 120 bits, 208 bits, or 256 bits.

[0071] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of sending system messages according to the instructions of system message block 1. As shown in Figure 4, each small rectangular square represents a subframe, and 10 horizontal small rectangular squares form a large rectangular square, which represents a radio frame. That is, each radio frame includes 10 subframes.

[0072] In the horizontal direction, the small rectangular squares marked with numerical serial numbers represent the index number of each small rectangular square in its corresponding column within the radio frame. For example, each small rectangular square in the column marked with the number "0" corresponds to the subframe with index "0" in its corresponding radio frame, representing the first subframe in that radio frame. Each small rectangular square in the column marked with the number "1" corresponds to the subframe with index "1" in its corresponding radio frame, representing the second subframe in that radio frame, and so on. This will not be elaborated further here.

[0073] In the vertical direction, the numbers in the leftmost column of Figure 4 indicate the system frame number (SFN) corresponding to the first radio frame in that row. The numbers in the top horizontal row of Figure 4 indicate that the SFN starts with "0", and each row includes four radio frames. For example, if the number in the leftmost column is "0", then the first radio frame in that row has an SFN of 0, and the row includes four radio frames with SFNs of 0, 1, 2, and 3. If the number in the leftmost column is "4", then the first radio frame in that row has an SFN of 4, and the row includes four radio frames with SFNs of 4, 5, 6, and 7. If the number in the leftmost column is "8", then the first radio frame in that row has an SFN of 8, and the row includes four radio frames with SFNs of 8, 9, 10, and 11. The last radio frame in each row is time-adjacent to the first radio frame in the next row, and so on; this will not be elaborated further here.

[0074] Assume that SIB1 indicates a common system message window length of 640ms, meaning that SIB2 and SIB3 share this 640ms window length. SIB1 indicates that the transmission period for SIB2 and SIB3 is 1024 RFs, with SIB2 repeating every 4 RFs and having a TB size of 440 bits, and SIB3 repeating every 2 RFs and having a TB size of 56 bits.

[0075] As shown in Figure 4, the small black-filled rectangles represent the subframes occupied by SIB2, and the small shaded rectangles represent the subframes occupied by SIB3. Since the SIB1 indicator common system message window length is 640ms and the length of a radio frame is 10ms, the common system message window length is 64 radio frames. As shown in Figure 4, SIB2 is transmitted on radio frames with SFNs from 0 to 63, and SIB3 is transmitted on radio frames with SFNs from 64 to 127.

[0076] In Figure 4, the small squares marked with "M" represent the subframes occupied by the master information block (MIB), the small squares marked with "S1" represent the subframes occupied by SIB1, the small squares marked with "P" represent the subframes occupied by the narrowband primary synchronization signal (NPSS), and the small squares marked with "S" represent the subframes occupied by the narrowband secondary synchronization signal (NSSS).

[0077] The TB size corresponding to SIB2 is 440 bits. According to the protocol, 440 bits correspond to 8 subframes, therefore SIB2 needs to occupy 8 subframes. It can be understood that SIB2 is transmitted on subframes not occupied by MIB, SIB1, NPSS, and NSSS. For example, in the radio frame with SFN 0 in Figure 4, MIB occupies the subframe with index "0", SIB1 occupies the subframe with index "4", NPSS occupies the subframe with index "5", and NSSS occupies the subframe with index "9". Therefore, the network device transmits SIB2 on the remaining 6 subframes in this radio frame, and the remaining 2 subframes of SIB2 are transmitted on the next radio frame, i.e., the radio frame with SFN 1. As shown in Figure 4, in the radio frame with SFN 1, MIB occupies the subframe with index "0", therefore the remaining 2 subframes of SIB2 correspond to the 2 subframes with indices "1" and "2".

[0078] SIB1 instructs SIB2 to repeat every 4 RFs, as shown in Figure 4. After SIB2 is transmitted on radio frames with SFN 0 and 1, it is transmitted again on radio frames with SFN 4 and 5. The next repetition corresponds to radio frames with SFN 8 and 9. SIB2 is repeated every 3 radio frames within a 640ms system message window.

[0079] The TB size corresponding to SIB3 is 56 bits. According to the protocol, 56 bits correspond to 2 subframes, therefore SIB3 needs to occupy 2 subframes. Similarly, SIB3 is transmitted on subframes not occupied by MIB, SIB1, NPSS, and NSSS. For example, in the radio frame with SFN 64 in Figure 4, MIB occupies the subframe with index "0", SIB1 occupies the subframe with index "4", NPSS occupies the subframe with index "5", and NSSS occupies the subframe with index "9". Therefore, the network device can transmit SIB3 on the subframes with indices "1" and "2" in this radio frame.

[0080] SIB1 instructs SIB3 to repeat every two radio frames, as shown in Figure 4. After SIB2 is transmitted on radio frame with SFN 64, it is transmitted again on radio frame with SFN 66. The next repetition corresponds to radio frame with SFN 68. SIB3 is repeated once every radio frame within a system message window of 640ms.

[0081] Currently, the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) has introduced a new Time Division Duplex (TDD) mode for IoT-NTN. This TDD mode uses nine radio frames as the periodic baseline, with each period including downlink (DL) frames, uplink (UL) frames, and gap (GP) frames. With a nine-frame period, it is feasible to have eight consecutive downlink subframes within a 90ms TDD period.

[0082] After the introduction of this TDD mode, only a few subframes are activated as downlink subframes within a cycle. Network devices can only send SIBs on subframes that are in an active state. Subframes that are not in an active state are not allowed to send SIBs. In this application embodiment, subframes that are in an active state are described as valid subframes.

[0083] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of the pattern corresponding to an effective subframe. The meaning of each small rectangular square is the same as that in Figure 4, and will not be repeated below. As shown in Figure 5, the small rectangular squares filled with dotted shades represent effective subframes. Within a 90ms TDD period, eight consecutive subframes are activated as downlink subframes. The starting position of these eight subframes is offset by three subframes from the first subframe in the radio frame.

[0084] As shown in Figure 5, radio frames with SFN numbers "0" to "8" correspond to the first 90ms TDD cycle. In this cycle, subframes with indices "3" to "9" in the radio frame with SFN 0 are valid subframes, and subframes with index "0" in the radio frame with SFN 1 are valid subframes. That is, eight consecutive subframes in the radio frames with SFN 0 and 1 are active. The starting position of these eight subframes is the subframe with index "3" in the radio frame with SFN 0, which is offset by three subframes from the first subframe in the radio frame with SFN 0.

[0085] Similarly, radio frames with SFN numbers "9" to "17" correspond to the second 90ms TDD cycle. In this cycle, subframes with indices "3" to "9" in the SFN 9 radio frame are valid subframes, and the subframe with index "0" in the SFN 10 radio frame is also valid. That is, eight consecutive subframes in the SFN 9 and 10 radio frames are active. The starting position of these eight subframes is the subframe with index "3" in the SFN 9 radio frame, offset three subframes from the first subframe in the SFN 9 radio frame. Subsequent 90ms TDD cycles follow the same pattern, which will not be elaborated further here.

[0086] As shown in Figures 4 and 5 above, the subframe positions occupied by SIB2 and SIB3 differ within a 90ms TDD period. For example, for radio frames with SFN of 0 and 1, SIB2 occupies subframes with indices "1" to "3" and "6" to "8" in radio frames with SFN of 0, and subframes with indices "1" and "2" in radio frames with SFN of 1. Subframes with indices "3" to "9" in radio frames with SFN of 0 are valid subframes, as is subframes with index "0" in radio frames with SFN of 1. Considering that network devices can only transmit SIB2 on active subframes, network devices can only transmit SIB2 on subframes with indices "3" and "6" to "8" in radio frames with SFN of 0. This means that even if SIB2 occupies 8 subframes, only 4 of those subframes can be transmitted.

[0087] For radio frames with SFN 4 and 5, repeated SIB2 occupies subframes with indices "1" to "3" and "6" to "8" in radio frames with SFN 4, and subframes with indices "1" and "2" in radio frames with SFN 5. Since radio frames with SFN 4 and 5 are within the same 90ms TDD period as radio frames with SFN 0 and 1, there are no valid subframes in radio frames with SFN 4 and 5. Therefore, network devices cannot repeatedly transmit SIB2 in radio frames with SFN 4 and 5.

[0088] Similarly, for a radio frame with SFN 64, SIB3 occupies subframes with indices "1" and "2" in the SFN 64 radio frame, while subframes with indices "3" to "9" in the SFN 64 radio frame are valid subframes, and the subframe with index "0" in the SFN 65 radio frame is a valid subframe. Considering that network devices can only transmit SIB3 on valid subframes, and the subframe positions occupied by SIB3 do not overlap with valid subframes, network devices cannot transmit SIB3 in a radio frame with SFN 64. Referring to Figures 4 and 5, it can be seen that network devices also cannot transmit SIB3 in other radio frames.

[0089] As described above, because the network device cannot completely transmit the SIB, the terminal device is unable to decode the SIB after receiving it. It's even possible that the network device cannot transmit the SIB at all, resulting in the terminal device being unable to receive it.

[0090] To address the aforementioned technical problems, embodiments of this application provide a communication method and related apparatus to enable network devices to transmit SIBs completely, thereby facilitating successful decoding of SIBs by terminal devices.

[0091] This application embodiment addresses the situation where the SIB subframe indicated by SIB1 does not fully occupy the valid subframes. It allows the network device to delay sending the SIB, enabling the network device to send the SIB completely within a system window, based on the valid subframes. This allows the terminal device to receive the complete SIB, which is beneficial for the terminal device to decode the SIB.

[0092] In the embodiments described below, the interaction between a terminal device and a network device is used as an example. It should be understood that the terminal device described above can be replaced by components configured in the terminal device (such as chips, chip systems, processors, etc.), or logical modules or software capable of implementing all or part of the functions of the terminal device; the network device described above can also be replaced by components configured in the network device (such as chips, chip systems, processors, etc.), or logical modules or software capable of implementing all or part of the functions of the network device.

[0093] Figure 6 is a flowchart illustrating a communication method provided in one embodiment of this application. It is understood that Figure 6 is merely an example, and the communication method provided in this embodiment may include more or similar steps. As shown in Figure 6, the communication method may include the following steps:

[0094] S601, the network device sends SIB1 to the terminal device, whereby SIB1 indicates the target time domain location of the first SIB. Correspondingly, the terminal device receives SIB1 from the network device.

[0095] As an example, a network device can broadcast SIB1, and a terminal device can receive the broadcast SIB1. As described above, SIB1 can indicate the window length of the first SIB, the starting position of the first SIB, the TB size corresponding to the first SIB, and the repeating pattern of the first SIB. It can be understood that the number of subframes occupied by the first SIB can be determined based on the TB size corresponding to the first SIB. Combined with the starting position and repeating pattern of the first SIB, the temporal position of the first SIB in the system message window can be determined; essentially, SIB1 indicates the target temporal position of the first SIB.

[0096] Taking SIB1 indicating the target time-domain location of SIB3 as an example, and referring to Figure 4 above, it can be seen that the starting position of the first SIB indicating SIB3 corresponds to the subframe with index "1" in the radio frame with SFN 64. The TB size corresponding to SIB3 is 56 bits, that is, SIB3 occupies 2 subframes, and the repeating pattern of SIB3 repeats once every 2 RFs. As shown in Figure 4, the small rectangular squares filled with linear shading are the target time-domain location of SIB3 indicated by SIB1.

[0097] S602, if there is a valid subframe in the radio frame to which the target time domain location belongs, and the first subframe of the target time domain location is not a valid subframe, the network device delays sending the first SIB to the terminal device. All subframes occupied by the first SIB are valid subframes, and valid subframes are subframes in an active state. Accordingly, the terminal device delays receiving the first SIB from the network device.

[0098] Specifically, the presence of valid subframes within the radio frame containing the target time-domain location of the first SIB can be understood as including both the target time-domain location of the first SIB and valid subframes within the 90ms TDD period. The first invalid subframe of the target time-domain location refers to the first invalid subframe of the target time-domain location of the first SIB within that radio frame. This indicates that some or all subframes corresponding to the target time-domain location in that radio frame are invalid, thus preventing the network device from fully transmitting the first SIB at its target time-domain location.

[0099] Taking SIB1 indicating the first SIB as SIB3 as an example, and referring to Figures 4 and 5 above, it can be seen that in the radio frame with SFN 72, the target time domain location of SIB3 is the subframe with indices "1" and "2". This radio frame is the radio frame to which the target time domain location of SIB3 belongs. Meanwhile, in this radio frame, the subframes with indices "3" to "9" are valid subframes within the 90ms TDD period, meaning there are valid subframes in this radio frame. In the radio frame with SFN 72, the first subframe of the target time domain location of SIB3 is the subframe with index "1". This subframe is not a valid subframe, and since both subframes corresponding to the target time domain location of SIB3 are not valid subframes, the network device cannot transmit SIB3 on the subframes with indices "1" and "2" in this radio frame.

[0100] Similarly, in a radio frame with SFN of 90, both the target time-domain location of repeated SIB3 and valid subframes are included. In a radio frame with SFN of 90, the first subframe of the target time-domain location of SIB3 is the subframe with index "1", which is not a valid subframe. Furthermore, the two subframes corresponding to the target time-domain location of the repeated SIB3 are both not valid subframes. Therefore, the network device cannot transmit SIB3 on the subframes with indices "1" and "2" in the radio frame with SFN of 90. As shown in Figures 4 and 5, other repeated SIB3s also exhibit the above situation, which will not be elaborated here.

[0101] As an example, in this step, if there are valid subframes in the radio frame to which the target time-domain location belongs, and the first subframe of the target time-domain location is not a valid subframe, the network device can postpone the starting position of the first SIB to the first valid subframe in that radio frame. That is, the first subframe occupied by the first SIB is the first valid subframe in that radio frame. The network device synchronously postpones the other subframes occupied by the first SIB to the other valid subframes, thereby making all the subframes occupied by the postponed first SIB valid subframes.

[0102] In some implementations, if there is no valid subframe in the radio frame containing the target time-domain location, the network device cancels the transmission of the first SIB. As described above, the first SIB is repeatedly transmitted within a system window, and the target time-domain location of the first SIB follows the repeating pattern of the first SIB. Within a system window, there may be multiple radio frames containing multiple target time-domain locations. If there is no valid subframe in the radio frame containing the target time-domain location—that is, if there is no valid subframe in that radio frame that can be used to transmit the first SIB—the network device cancels the transmission of the first SIB in that radio frame. This cancellation of the first SIB transmission in that radio frame can be understood as the network device either not transmitting the first SIB or discarding the first SIB in that radio frame.

[0103] As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the SIB3 repeat pattern repeats once every two RFs. The baseline period for the aforementioned TDD mode is 90ms (9 radio frames), with each period containing 8 consecutive valid subframes. Therefore, aside from the cases where valid subframes exist in the radio frame corresponding to the target time location (such as the aforementioned radio frame with SFN 72 and SFN 90), there may also be cases where no valid subframes exist in the radio frame corresponding to the target time location. For example, if the radio frame with SFN 66 is the radio frame corresponding to the target time location of SIB3, and no valid subframes exist in this radio frame, the network device will cancel the transmission of SIB3 in this radio frame.

[0104] In this embodiment, in the case where the network device cannot completely transmit the first SIB, depending on whether there is a valid subframe in the radio frame to which its target time domain location belongs, the network device can delay transmitting the first SIB or cancel transmitting the first SIB, thereby enabling the first SIB to be transmitted completely within a system window, which is beneficial for the terminal device to completely receive the first SIB and perform decoding.

[0105] In some implementations, SIB1 indicates the target temporal location of the first SIB, including: SIB1 indicates the repeating pattern of the first SIB and the number of subframes occupied by the first SIB is M, where M is a positive integer.

[0106] Wherein, all subframes occupied by the first SIB are valid subframes, which may include: when the first frame set includes N available subframes and N is not less than M, the M subframes occupied by the first SIB belong to the first frame set, the first frame set is the set of consecutive valid subframes corresponding to the repeating pattern, and N is a positive integer not greater than 8.

[0107] As can be seen from the foregoing description, SIB1 can indicate the TB size corresponding to the first SIB. The TB size is related to the number of subframes occupied by the first SIB. In other words, SIB1 indicating the TB size corresponding to the first SIB can be understood as implicitly indicating the number of subframes occupied by the first SIB.

[0108] Within each 90ms TDD cycle, the temporal location of the valid subframe is determined. Therefore, for a system window length, the valid subframe can be understood as repeating once every 9 RFs. In this implementation, when the repeating pattern of the first SIB and the valid subframe exist in the same radio frame, the set of consecutive valid subframes in that radio frame corresponds to the repeating pattern of the first SIB, and this set can be understood as the first frame set. In other words, when there is a valid subframe in the radio frame to which the target temporal location of the first SIB belongs, the consecutive valid subframes in that radio frame can be understood as the first frame set. If the number of available subframes in the first frame set is greater than or equal to the number of subframes occupied by the first SIB, the network device can transmit the first SIB on the available subframes included in the first frame set, that is, all M subframes occupied by the first SIB belong to the first frame set.

[0109] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of the time-domain location of a first SIB that has been delayed in transmission according to an embodiment of this application. Taking SIB3 as an example, SIB3 is transmitted on radio frames with SFN of 64 to 127, and SIB3 occupies 2 subframes. In Figure 7, the small rectangular squares filled with linear shading represent the subframes occupied by SIB3, and the numbers "1" and "2" indicate that SIB3 occupies 2 subframes.

[0110] As shown in Figure 7, in a radio frame with SFN 72, the seven consecutive subframes indexed from "3" to "9" are valid subframes. SIB1 occupies the subframe with index "4", NPSS occupies the subframe with index "5", and NSSS occupies the subframe with index "9". Therefore, among these seven valid subframes, the network device can actually transmit the first SIB on four subframes with indices "3", "6" to "8". These four subframes are the usable subframes among the seven consecutive valid subframes. In this embodiment, subframes not occupied by the aforementioned MIB, SIB1, NPSS, or NSSS are referred to as usable subframes. It is understood that for a TDD mode with a 90ms period baseline, the number of feasible downlink subframes in each period is eight. Therefore, the number of consecutive valid subframes in each period is eight, and the number of usable subframes does not exceed the number of consecutive valid subframes.

[0111] In this context, the repeat pattern of SIB3 indicates that SIB3 repeats every two RFs, and the effective subframes repeat every nine RFs, as shown in Figure 7. The radio frames with SFNs of 72, 90, 108, and 126 include both the target time-domain location of repeating SIB3 and the effective subframes. That is, the consecutive sets of effective subframes in the radio frames with SFNs of 72, 90, 108, and 126 can all be called the first frame set. According to Figure 7, the first frame set includes four usable subframes (N=4), while SIB3 occupies two subframes (M=2). The number of usable subframes in the first frame set is not less than the number of subframes occupied by SIB3. Therefore, the two subframes occupied by SIB3 after delay transmission belong to the first frame set.

[0112] As shown in Figure 7, in a radio frame with SFN 72, the set of consecutive valid subframes with indices "3" to "9" can be understood as the first frame set corresponding to the repeating pattern of SIB3. Subframes with indices "3" and "6" to "8" are available subframes in this first frame set. A delayed SIB3 can occupy subframes with indices "3" and "6," which are valid subframes in this radio frame. This means that all subframes occupied by SIB3 are valid subframes, and the two subframes occupied by SIB3 belong to the first frame set. For radio frames with SFNs 90, 108, and 126, a delayed repeating SIB3 can similarly occupy subframes with indices "3" and "6" in the corresponding radio frames, which will not be elaborated further here.

[0113] It should be noted that, apart from occupying the subframes with indices "3" and "6" in the first frame set, the SIB3, after being sent with a delay, may also occupy any two of the subframes "3", "6" to "8" mentioned above. This application embodiment does not limit this.

[0114] In some implementations, all subframes occupied by the first SIB are valid subframes. This can include: when the second frame set includes N available subframes and N is less than M, the first N subframes occupied by the first SIB belong to the second frame set, and the remaining MN subframes occupied by the first SIB belong to the third frame set. The second frame set is the set of the first consecutive valid subframes corresponding to the repeating pattern, and the third frame set is the set of the second consecutive valid subframes corresponding to the repeating pattern. The third frame set includes N available subframes, where N is a positive integer not greater than 8.

[0115] As described above, within a system window, multiple radio frames may contain both the target temporal location of the repeated first SIB and valid subframes. In this implementation, the set of the first consecutive valid subframes corresponding to the repeated pattern is called the second frame set, and the set of the second consecutive valid subframes corresponding to the repeated pattern is called the third frame set. If the number of available subframes in the second frame set is less than the number of subframes occupied by the first SIB, it indicates that the second frame set is insufficient to completely transmit the first SIB. Therefore, the network device can transmit the first N subframes occupied by the first SIB on the N available subframes included in the second frame set, and transmit the remaining MN subframes of the first SIB through the available subframes in the third frame set, thereby completely transmitting the first SIB to the terminal device.

[0116] Taking SIB2 as an example, SIB2 is transmitted on radio frames with SFNs from 0 to 63, occupying 8 subframes. In Figure 7, the small black-filled rectangles represent the subframes occupied by SIB2, with numbers "1" to "8" indicating the 8 subframes occupied by SIB2. The target time-domain position of SIB2 starts from the radio frame with SFN 0. The repeat pattern of SIB2 indicates that SIB2 repeats every 4 RFs, and the effective subframes repeat every 9 RFs. As shown in Figure 7, the radio frame with SFN 0 is the first radio frame within the system window that includes both the target time-domain position of SIB2 and the effective subframes; that is, the set of consecutive effective subframes in the radio frame with SFN 0 is the second frame set. The radio frame with SFN 36 is the second radio frame within the system window that includes both the target time-domain position of SIB2 and the effective subframes; that is, the set of consecutive effective subframes in the radio frame with SFN 36 is the third frame set.

[0117] As shown in Figure 7, in a radio frame with SFN of 0, the set of consecutive valid subframes indexed from "3" to "9" can be understood as the second frame set corresponding to the repeating pattern of SIB2. Subframes indexed from "3" to "6" to "8" are the available subframes in this second frame set. The second frame set includes four available subframes, which is less than the number of subframes occupied by SIB2. Therefore, the network device transmits the first four subframes occupied by SIB2 on the four subframes indexed from "3" to "6" in the second frame set. As shown in Figure 7, the subframe with the number "1" occupies the subframe with the index "3" in the second frame set, the subframe with the number "2" occupies the subframe with the index "6" in the second frame set, the subframe with the number "3" occupies the subframe with the index "7" in the second frame set, and the subframe with the number "4" occupies the subframe with the index "8" in the second frame set. That is, the first 4 subframes occupied by SIB2 belong to the second frame set.

[0118] Of the remaining 4 subframes occupied by SIB2, the subframe with the number "5" occupies the subframe with the index "3" in the third frame set, the subframe with the number "6" occupies the subframe with the index "6" in the second frame set, the subframe with the number "7" occupies the subframe with the index "7" in the second frame set, and the subframe with the number "8" occupies the subframe with the index "8" in the second frame set. In other words, the remaining 4 subframes occupied by SIB2 belong to the third frame set.

[0119] Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of the time-domain location of SIB2 with delayed transmission according to an embodiment of this application. Unlike the time-domain location diagram shown in Figure 7, the target time-domain location of SIB2 starts from the radio frame with SFN 1, and SIB2 occupies 8 subframes. The effective subframes repeat once every 9 RFs, and the repeat pattern of SIB2 indicates that SIB2 repeats once every 2 RFs.

[0120] As shown in Figure 8, the radio frame with SFN 9 is the first radio frame within the 640ms system window that includes both the target time-domain location of SIB2 and valid subframes. In other words, the set of consecutive valid subframes within the radio frame with SFN 1 is the second frame set. The radio frame with SFN 27 is the second radio frame within the system window that includes both the target time-domain location of SIB2 and valid subframes. In other words, the set of consecutive valid subframes within the radio frame with SFN 27 is the third frame set.

[0121] As shown in Figure 8, in a radio frame with SFN of 9, the set of consecutive valid subframes indexed from "3" to "9" can be understood as the second frame set corresponding to the repeating pattern of SIB2. Subframes indexed from "3", "4", "6" to "9" are the available subframes in this second frame set. The second frame set includes 6 available subframes (N=6), which is less than the number of subframes occupied by SIB2 (M=8). Therefore, the network device transmits the first 6 subframes occupied by SIB2 on the 6 subframes indexed from "3", "4", "6" to "9" in the second frame set. As shown in Figure 8, the subframe with the number "1" occupies the subframe with the index "3" in the second frame set, the subframe with the number "2" occupies the subframe with the index "4" in the second frame set, the subframe with the number "3" occupies the subframe with the index "6" in the second frame set, and so on. The subframe with the number "6" occupies the subframe with the index "8" in the second frame set. The first 6 subframes occupied by SIB2 belong to the second frame set.

[0122] The remaining two subframes occupied by SIB2 are divided into three parts: the subframe with the number "7" occupies the subframe with the index "3" in the third frame set, and the subframe with the number "8" occupies the subframe with the index "4" in the third frame set. In other words, the remaining two subframes occupied by SIB2 belong to the third frame set.

[0123] As shown in Figure 8, there are still usable subframes in the third frame set. As one possible implementation, where all subframes occupied by the first SIB are valid subframes, it can also include: if the remaining MN subframes occupied by the first SIB belong to the third frame set, and there are still remaining usable subframes in the third frame set, then the third frame set includes the first 2N-M subframes occupied by the repeated first SIB, and the remaining subframes occupied by the repeated first SIB belong to the fourth frame set. The fourth frame set is the set of the third consecutive valid subframes corresponding to the repeated pattern, and the fourth frame set includes N usable subframes.

[0124] As described above, when the second frame set is insufficient to completely transmit the first SIB, the subframes occupied by the delayed first SIB belong to both the second and third frame sets. The third frame set is the set of the second consecutive valid subframes corresponding to the repeating pattern of the first SIB, corresponding to the radio frame to which the target time-domain position of the repeating first SIB belongs. If there are still remaining usable subframes in the third frame set, the subframes occupied by the delayed-transmitted repeating first SIB are the remaining usable subframes in the third frame set.

[0125] It should be noted that the third frame set is the set of the second consecutive valid subframes corresponding to the repeating pattern of the first SIB. The subframes occupied by the repeated first SIB after delay should belong to the third frame set. In this implementation, the network device sends the remaining MN subframes of the first SIB through the available subframes in the third frame set. This is equivalent to the remaining MN subframes of the first SIB occupying the temporal position of the repeated first SIB, and the repeated first SIB needs to be offset backward by MN subframes in the third frame set.

[0126] Considering that the remaining available subframes in the third frame set are insufficient to completely transmit the duplicate first SIB, and similar to the fact that the subframes occupied by the first SIB belong to the second and third frame sets respectively, the network device can transmit the remaining subframes occupied by the duplicate first SIB through the fourth frame set. That is, the subframes occupied by the duplicate first SIB belong to the second and third frame sets respectively.

[0127] As shown in Figure 8, the remaining two subframes of SIB2 occupy the subframes with indices "3" and "4" in the third frame set, respectively. The four subframes with indices "6" to "9" are the remaining available subframes in the third frame set. According to Figure 8, since the subframes with indices "3" and "4" in the third frame set are occupied by the remaining two subframes of SIB2, SIB2 is repeated by shifting two subframes backward in the third frame set. Specifically, for the first four subframes occupied by the repeated SIB2 (2*NM=4), the subframe with the number "1" occupies the subframe with the index "6" in the third frame set, the subframe with the number "2" occupies the subframe with the index "7" in the third frame set, the subframe with the number "3" occupies the subframe with the index "8" in the third frame set, and the subframe with the number "4" occupies the subframe with the index "9" in the third frame set. The third frame set includes the first four subframes occupied by the repeated SIB2.

[0128] For the remaining 4 subframes occupied by the repeated SIB2, the subframe with the number "5" occupies the subframe with the index "3" in the fourth frame set, the subframe with the number "6" occupies the subframe with the index "4" in the third frame set, the subframe with the number "7" occupies the subframe with the index "6" in the fourth frame set, and the subframe with the number "8" occupies the subframe with the index "7" in the fourth frame set. In other words, the remaining subframes occupied by the repeated first SIB belong to the fourth frame set.

[0129] As shown in Figure 8, similar to the third frame set, the fourth frame set also contains remaining available subframes. Therefore, the network device can send duplicate SIB2 using these remaining available subframes. According to Figure 8, since the subframes with indices "3", "4", "6", and "7" in the fourth frame set are occupied by the remaining four subframes of the aforementioned duplicate SIB2, the duplicate SIB2 is shifted four subframes backward in the fourth frame set. Specifically, the subframe with index "1" occupies the subframe with index "8" in the fourth frame set, and the subframe with index "2" occupies the subframe with index "9" in the fourth frame set. The fourth frame set includes the first two subframes occupied by the duplicate SIB2. For the remaining 6 subframes of the repeated SIB2, the subframe with the number "3" occupies the subframe with index "3" in the fifth frame set, the subframe with the number "4" occupies the subframe with index "4" in the fifth frame set, the subframe with the number "5" occupies the subframe with index "6" in the fifth frame set, and so on. The subframe with the number "8" occupies the subframe with index "9" in the fourth frame set. The fifth frame set is the set of the fourth consecutive valid subframes corresponding to the repeated pattern of SIB2. The remaining 6 subframes occupied by the repeated SIB2 belong to the fifth frame set.

[0130] It is understood that in the above embodiments, besides the remaining MN subframes occupied by the first SIB, there are other usable subframes in the third frame set. In some implementations, when the remaining MN subframes occupied by the first SIB belong to the third frame set, and there are no remaining usable subframes in the third frame set, the first N subframes occupied by the repeated first SIB belong to the fourth frame set, and the remaining MN subframes occupied by the repeated first SIB belong to the fifth frame set. The fifth frame set is the set of the fourth consecutive valid subframes corresponding to the repeated pattern, and the fifth frame set includes N usable subframes.

[0131] If there are no remaining usable subframes in the third frame set, it is equivalent to the sum of the number of usable subframes in the second and third frame sets being the same as the number of subframes occupied by the first SIB. Referring to Figure 7 above, the sum of the number of usable subframes in the second and third frame sets is 8. The first 4 subframes occupied by the first SIB belong to the second frame set, and the remaining 4 subframes occupied by the first SIB belong to the third frame set. It should be noted that, for Figure 7, the system window length corresponding to SIB2 is 640ms, and SIB2 repeats once every 4 RFs. Therefore, within the system window length in Figure 7, the repeating pattern only corresponds to the second and third frame sets. If the system window length corresponding to SIB2 is extended, or the repeating period of SIB2 is shortened, then within one system window length, the repeating pattern of SIB2 can correspond to the fourth frame set, the fifth frame set, and even more sets of consecutive valid subframes corresponding to the repeating pattern of SIB2.

[0132] In this implementation, the number of available subframes in the fourth and fifth frame sets is the same as the number of available subframes in the second and third frame sets. Therefore, the first N subframes occupied by the repeated first SIB belong to the fourth frame set, and the remaining subframes occupied by the repeated first SIB belong to the fifth frame set.

[0133] In some implementations, all subframes occupied by the first SIB are valid subframes, including: when the first frame set includes N available subframes and N is less than M, the first N subframes occupied by the first SIB belong to the first frame set, and the remaining MN subframes occupied by the first SIB belong to the supplementary frame set. The first frame set is the set of consecutive valid subframes corresponding to the repeating pattern, and the supplementary frame set is the set of the next consecutive valid subframes adjacent to the first frame set.

[0134] If the number of available subframes in the first frame set is less than the number of subframes occupied by the first SIB, it indicates that the first frame set is insufficient to completely transmit the first SIB. Therefore, the network device can transmit the first N subframes occupied by the first SIB on the N available subframes included in the first frame set, and postpone the remaining MN subframes of the first SIB to the valid subframes in the adjacent radio frames for transmission. In other words, the remaining MN subframes of the first SIB are transmitted by supplementing the available subframes in the frame set.

[0135] Figure 9 is a schematic diagram of the time-domain location of a delayed-transmitted SIB2 according to another embodiment of this application. Exemplarily, the target time-domain location of SIB2 begins in a radio frame with SFN 0, and SIB2 occupies 8 subframes. Valid subframes repeat every 9 RFs, and the repeat pattern of SIB2 indicates that SIB2 repeats every 4 RFs.

[0136] As shown in Figure 9, the radio frames with SFN of 0 and 36 include both the target temporal location of repeating SIB2 and valid subframes. That is, the set of consecutive valid subframes in the radio frames with SFN of 0 and 36 can be called the first frame set. The set of consecutive valid subframes in the radio frame with SFN of 9 is adjacent to the set of consecutive valid subframes with SFN of 0; this set of consecutive valid subframes can be called the supplementary frame set. Similarly, the set of consecutive valid subframes in the radio frame with SFN of 45 can also be called the supplementary frame set.

[0137] The first frame set includes 4 available subframes (N=4), while SIB2 occupies 8 subframes (M=8). Since the number of available subframes in the first frame set is less than the number of subframes occupied by SIB2, the network device transmits the first 4 subframes occupied by SIB2 on the 4 subframes with indices "3", "6" to "8" in the first frame set. As shown in Figure 9, the subframe with index "1" occupies the subframe with index "3" in the first frame set, the subframe with index "2" occupies the subframe with index "6" in the first frame set, the subframe with index "3" occupies the subframe with index "7" in the first frame set, and the subframe with index "4" occupies the subframe with index "8" in the first frame set. In other words, the first 4 subframes occupied by SIB2 belong to the first frame set.

[0138] Of the remaining 4 subframes occupied by SIB2, the subframe with the number "5" occupies the subframe with the index "3" in the supplementary frame set, the subframe with the number "6" occupies the subframe with the index "4" in the supplementary frame set, the subframe with the number "7" occupies the subframe with the index "6" in the supplementary frame set, and the subframe with the number "8" occupies the subframe with the index "7" in the supplementary frame set. In other words, the remaining 4 subframes occupied by SIB2 belong to the supplementary frame set.

[0139] It is understandable that each 90ms TDD period includes a set of consecutive valid subframes. The first set of frames corresponding to radio frames with SFN 0 and the set of frames corresponding to radio frames with SFN 9 can be regarded as sets of consecutive valid subframes within two 90ms periods. The number of consecutive valid subframes within each 90ms period is 8. The number of available subframes is less than the number of consecutive valid subframes. If the network device has insufficient available subframes within a 90ms period, it will postpone the remaining subframes of the first SIB to the next 90ms period for transmission, so that the number of available subframes within two 90ms periods is greater than 8, which is beneficial for the complete transmission of SIB2.

[0140] It should be noted that, in addition to the aforementioned MIB, SIB1, NPSS and NSSS, other information may also occupy valid subframes, further reducing the number of available subframes. By delaying the transmission of the first SIB, the network device can ensure that all subframes occupied by the delayed first SIB are valid subframes.

[0141] In some implementations, the aforementioned SIB1 indicates that the number of subframes occupied by the first SIB is M, including: SIB1 indicates the transport block TB size corresponding to the first SIB, the TB size is related to the number of subframes occupied by the first SIB, the TB size is any bit in the set {208, 256, 328, 440}, and the association includes: 208 bits, 256 bits and 328 bits are associated with 4 subframes, and 440 bits are associated with 6 subframes.

[0142] As described above, the SIB can indicate the TB size corresponding to the first SIB via "si-TB-r13". When the TB size corresponding to the first SIB is 56 bits or 128 bits, the first SIB occupies 2 subframes. When the TB size corresponding to the first SIB is any other than 56 bits or 128 bits, the first SIB occupies 8 subframes.

[0143] In this implementation, 208 bits, 256 bits, and 328 bits are associated with 4 subframes, and 440 bits are associated with 6 subframes. That is, when the TB size corresponding to the first SIB is 208 bits, 256 bits, or 328 bits, the first SIB occupies 4 subframes. When the TB size corresponding to the first SIB is 440 bits, the first SIB occupies 6 subframes.

[0144] Taking the embodiments shown in Figures 7 to 9 above as an example, if the TB size corresponding to SIB2 is 256 bits, then SIB2 occupies 4 subframes. In Figures 7 and 9, the first frame set includes 4 available subframes. That is, the number of available subframes in the first frame set is equal to the number of subframes occupied by SIB. Therefore, the network device can completely send SIB2 on the available subframes included in the first frame set. All 4 subframes occupied by SIB2 belong to the first frame set.

[0145] Alternatively, if the TB size corresponding to SIB2 is 440 bits, then SIB2 occupies 6 subframes. In Figure 8, both the second and third frame sets include 6 available subframes. That is, the number of available subframes in these two frame sets is equal to the number of subframes occupied by SIB2. Therefore, the network device can send SIB2 completely on the available subframes included in the second frame set and send repeated SIB2 completely on the available subframes included in the third frame set. All 6 subframes occupied by SIB2 belong to the set of consecutive valid subframes corresponding to its repeated pattern.

[0146] In this implementation, by changing the relationship between the TB size and the number of subframes occupied by the first SIB, the number of subframes occupied by the first SIB can be reduced while keeping the size of the first SIB constant. This is beneficial for the network device to transmit the first SIB completely and for the terminal device to receive and decode the first SIB completely.

[0147] In some implementations, the above association method can be a preset association relationship, or SIB1 can indicate the association relationship.

[0148] Figures 10 and 11 are schematic diagrams of possible communication devices provided in embodiments of this application. These communication devices can be used to implement the functions of terminal devices or network devices in the above method embodiments, and thus can also achieve the beneficial effects of the above method embodiments. In the embodiments of this application, the communication device can be the terminal device or network device in the method embodiments shown in Figure 6, or it can be a component (such as a chip, chip system, processor, etc.) configured in the terminal device or network device, or it can be a logic module or software capable of implementing some or all of the functions of the terminal device or network device.

[0149] Figure 10 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device provided in an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 10, the communication device 1000 includes a processing module 1001 and a transceiver module 1002.

[0150] The transceiver module 1002 can implement corresponding communication functions and can also be referred to as an input / output interface or communication unit. The processing module 1001 can be used to perform processing operations. It should be understood that if the device 1000 is a component configured in a network device or terminal device, such as a chip, the transceiver module 1002 can be an input / output interface.

[0151] Optionally, the transceiver module 1002 may include a sending module and a receiving module. The sending module is used to perform the sending operation of the network device or terminal device in Figure 6 above, and the receiving module is used to perform the receiving operation of the network device or terminal device in Figure 6 above.

[0152] It should be understood that when the device 1000 is a component configured in a network device or terminal device, such as a chip, the transmitting module can be an output interface, and the transmitting operation involved in the embodiments of this application can be performed by the output interface; the receiving module can be an input interface, and the receiving operation involved in the embodiments of this application can be performed by the input interface.

[0153] Optionally, the device 1000 may further include a storage module for storing instructions and / or data, and the processing module 1001 may read the instructions and / or data from the storage module to enable the device to implement the method embodiment shown in FIG6.

[0154] In one possible design, the device 1000 can be used to implement the functions of the terminal device in the method embodiment shown in FIG6. Alternatively, the device 1000 can include a unit for implementing any function or operation of the terminal device in the method embodiment shown in FIG6. This unit can be implemented wholly or partially by software, hardware, firmware, or any combination thereof.

[0155] When device 1000 is used to implement the function of the first terminal device in the method embodiment shown in FIG6, transceiver module 1002 (specifically, a receiving module) can be used to execute step S601 in FIG6 to receive SIB1 from the network device, where SIB1 indicates the target time domain location of the first SIB. This module can also be used to execute step S602 in FIG6 to delay receiving the first SIB from the network device.

[0156] In another possible design, the device 1000 described above can be used to implement the functions of the network device in the method embodiment shown in FIG6. Alternatively, the device 1000 may include a unit for implementing any function or operation of the network device in the method embodiment shown in FIG6. This unit may be implemented wholly or partially by software, hardware, firmware, or any combination thereof.

[0157] When device 1000 is used to implement the functions of the network device in the method embodiment shown in FIG6, transceiver module 1002 (specifically, a transmitting module) can be used to execute step S601 in FIG6, transmitting SIB1, where SIB1 indicates the target time domain location of the first SIB. This module can also be used to execute step S602 in FIG6, where, if there are valid subframes in the radio frame to which the target time domain location belongs, and the first subframe of the target time domain location is not a valid subframe, the first SIB is transmitted to the terminal device with a delay, and all subframes occupied by the first SIB are valid subframes.

[0158] A more detailed description of the above-mentioned processing module 1001 and transceiver module 1002 can be obtained directly from the relevant description in the method embodiment shown in Figure 6, and will not be repeated here.

[0159] It should be noted that the transceiver module can also be called a transceiver unit, transceiver, transceiver machine, or transceiver device, etc. The processing module can also be called a processor, processing board, processing unit, or processing device, etc. Optionally, the transceiver module is used to perform the sending and receiving operations on the terminal device or network device side in the above method. The device in the communication module used to implement the receiving function can be considered as the receiving module, and the device in the communication module used to implement the sending function can be considered as the sending module; that is, the transceiver module includes both a receiving module and a sending module.

[0160] In another possible design, the aforementioned transceiver module and / or processing module can be implemented using virtual modules. For example, the processing module can be implemented using software functional modules or virtual devices, and the transceiver module can also be implemented using software functional modules or virtual devices. In another possible design, the processing module or transceiver module can also be implemented using physical devices. For example, if the device is implemented using a chip / chip circuit, the transceiver module can be an input / output circuit and / or a communication interface, performing input operations (corresponding to the aforementioned receiving operation) and output operations (corresponding to the aforementioned sending operation); the processing module is an integrated processor, microprocessor, or integrated circuit.

[0161] It should be understood that the module division in the embodiments of this application is illustrative and only represents a logical functional division. In actual implementation, there may be other division methods. Furthermore, the functional modules in the various embodiments of this application can be integrated into a single processor, exist as separate physical entities, or be integrated into a single module. The integrated modules described above can be implemented in hardware or as software functional modules.

[0162] Figure 11 is a schematic diagram of a communication device provided in another embodiment of this application. This device 1100 can be a chip system, or it can be a device configured with a chip system to implement the above-described method embodiments. In this embodiment, the chip system can be composed of chips, or it can include chips and other discrete devices.

[0163] As shown in Figure 11, device 1100 can be implemented using a processing system including one or more processors 1101. Processor 1101 includes a microprocessor, microcontroller, digital signal processor, field-programmable gate array, graphics processor, programmable logic device, state machine, gated logic, discrete hardware circuitry, and other suitable hardware configured to perform various functions. That is, the processor used in device 1100 can be used to implement any one or more of the embodiments described above.

[0164] The processing system in device 1100 can be implemented using a bus architecture, typically represented by bus 1102. Bus 1102 may include any number of interconnect buses and bridges, depending on the specific application and overall design constraints of the processing system. The bus communicatively couples various circuits together, including one or more processors 1101 (typically represented by a processor), memory 1103, and computer-readable medium 1104 (typically represented by a computer-readable medium). Bus 1102 may also link various other circuits, such as timing sources, peripherals, voltage regulators, and power management circuits, which are well known in the art and therefore will not be described further. Bus interface 1105 provides an interface between bus 1102 and transceivers, and between bus 1102 and interfaces. Bus interface 1105 may use, but is not limited to, transceivers to enable communication between device 1100 and other devices or apparatuses.

[0165] A transceiver provides a communication interface or means for communicating with various other devices via a wireless transmission medium. The transceiver may be coupled to an antenna array, and the transceiver and antenna array may be used together for communication with a corresponding network type. At least one interface (e.g., a network interface and / or a user interface) provides a communication interface or means for communication via an internal bus or via an external transmission medium.

[0166] Processor 1101 is responsible for managing bus 1102 and general processing, including executing software stored on computer-readable medium 1104. When executed by processor 1101, the software causes the processing system to perform the various functions described below for any particular device.

[0167] The processor 1101, memory 1103, and computer-readable medium 1104 can perform the following functions: encoding, decoding, rate matching, rate dematching, scrambling, descrambling, modulation, demodulation, layer mapping, fast Fourier transform, inverse fast Fourier transform, inverse discrete Fourier transform, precoding, resource element (RE) mapping, channel equalization, RE demapping, digital beamforming (BF), adding cyclic prefix (CP), removing CP, etc.

[0168] The steps of the method disclosed in the embodiments of this application can be directly manifested as being executed by a hardware decoding processor, or being executed by a combination of hardware and software modules in the decoding processor. The software modules can be located in random access memory, flash memory, read-only memory, programmable read-only memory, electrically erasable programmable memory, registers, or other mature storage media in the art.

[0169] This application also provides a computer-readable storage medium storing computer instructions, which, when executed by a processor, implement the steps of the methods described above.

[0170] This application also provides a computer program product, including computer instructions that, when executed by a processor, implement the various steps in the methods described above.

[0171] This application also provides a communication system, which includes the aforementioned terminal device and network device.

[0172] It should be noted that the modules or components shown in the above embodiments can be one or more integrated circuits configured to implement the above methods, such as one or more application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), one or more microprocessors, or one or more field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs). Furthermore, when a module is implemented by a processing element calling program code, the processing element can be a general-purpose processor, such as a central processing unit (CPU) or other processor capable of calling program code, such as a controller. Additionally, these modules can be integrated together and implemented as a System-on-a-Chip (SoC).

[0173] In the above embodiments, implementation can be achieved, in whole or in part, through software, hardware, firmware, software modules, or any combination thereof. When implemented in software, it can be implemented, in whole or in part, as a computer program product. A computer program product includes one or more computer instructions. When the computer program instructions are loaded and executed on a computer, all or part of the flow or function according to the embodiments of this application is generated. The computer can be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network, or other programmable device. The computer instructions can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium or transmitted from one computer-readable storage medium to another. For example, computer instructions can be transmitted from one website, computer, server, or data center to another website, computer, server, or data center via wired (e.g., coaxial cable, fiber optic, digital subscriber line (DSL)) or wireless (e.g., infrared, wireless, microwave, etc.) means. The computer-readable storage medium can be any available medium that a computer can access or a data storage device such as a server or data center that integrates one or more available media. The available medium can be a magnetic medium (e.g., floppy disk, hard disk, magnetic tape), an optical medium (e.g., DVD), or a semiconductor medium (e.g., solid-state disk (SSD)).

[0174] Other embodiments of this application will readily occur to those skilled in the art upon consideration of the specification and practice of the disclosure herein. This application is intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of this application that follow the general principles of this application and include common knowledge or customary techniques in the art not disclosed herein. The specification and examples are to be considered exemplary only, and the true scope and intent of this application are indicated by the following claims.

[0175] It should be understood that this application is not limited to the precise structure described above and shown in the accompanying drawings, and various modifications and changes can be made without departing from its scope. The scope of this application is limited only by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that, The method includes: Send system message block SIB1, wherein SIB1 indicates the target time domain location of the first SIB; If there is a valid subframe in the radio frame to which the target time domain location belongs, and the first subframe of the target time domain location is not a valid subframe, the first SIB is transmitted with a delay. All subframes occupied by the first SIB are valid subframes, and the valid subframes are subframes in an active state.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The method further includes: If no valid subframe exists in the radio frame to which the target time-domain location belongs, the transmission of the first SIB is cancelled.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The SIB1 indicates the target temporal location of the first SIB, including: the SIB1 indicates the repeating pattern of the first SIB and the number of subframes occupied by the first SIB is M, where M is a positive integer; All subframes occupied by the first SIB are valid subframes, including: when the first frame set includes N available subframes and N is not less than M, the M subframes occupied by the first SIB belong to the first frame set, the first frame set is the set of consecutive valid subframes corresponding to the repeating pattern, and N is a positive integer not greater than 8.

4. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The SIB1 indicates the target temporal location of the first SIB, including: the SIB1 indicates the repeating pattern of the first SIB and the number of subframes occupied by the first SIB is M, where M is a positive integer; All subframes occupied by the first SIB are valid subframes, including: when the second frame set includes N available subframes and N is less than M, the first N subframes occupied by the first SIB belong to the second frame set, and the remaining MN subframes occupied by the first SIB belong to the third frame set. The second frame set is the set of the first consecutive valid subframes corresponding to the repeating pattern, and the third frame set is the set of the second consecutive valid subframes corresponding to the repeating pattern. The third frame set includes N available subframes, where N is a positive integer not greater than 8.

5. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that, The first SIB occupies all valid subframes, including: If the remaining MN subframes occupied by the first SIB belong to the third frame set, and there are still remaining usable subframes in the third frame set, then the third frame set includes the first 2*NM subframes occupied by the repeated first SIB, and the remaining subframes occupied by the repeated first SIB belong to the fourth frame set. The fourth frame set is the set of the third consecutive valid subframes corresponding to the repeated pattern, and the fourth frame set includes N usable subframes; or, If the remaining MN subframes occupied by the first SIB belong to the third frame set, and there are no remaining usable subframes in the third frame set, then the first N subframes occupied by the repeated first SIB belong to the fourth frame set, and the remaining MN subframes occupied by the repeated first SIB belong to the fifth frame set. The fifth frame set is the set of the fourth consecutive valid subframes corresponding to the repeated pattern, and the fifth frame set includes N usable subframes.

6. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The SIB1 indicates the target temporal location of the first SIB, including: the SIB1 indicates the repeating pattern of the first SIB and the number of subframes occupied by the first SIB is M, where M is a positive integer; All subframes occupied by the first SIB are valid subframes, including: when the first frame set includes N available subframes and N is less than M, the first N subframes occupied by the first SIB belong to the first frame set, and the remaining MN subframes occupied by the first SIB belong to the supplementary frame set. The first frame set is the set of consecutive valid subframes corresponding to the repeating pattern, and the supplementary frame set is the set of the next consecutive valid subframes adjacent to the first frame set. N is a positive integer not greater than 8.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that, SIB1 indicates that the number of subframes occupied by the first SIB is M, including: SIB1 indicates the transport block (TB) size corresponding to the first SIB. The TB size is related to the number of subframes occupied by the first SIB. The TB size is any number of bits in the set {208, 256, 328, 440}. The association includes: 208 bits, 256 bits, and 328 bits are associated with 4 subframes, and 440 bits are associated with 6 subframes.

8. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that, The association relationship is a preset association relationship, or the SIB1 indicates the association relationship.

9. A communication method, characterized in that, The method includes: Receive SIB1, which indicates the target time-domain location of the first SIB; If there is a valid subframe in the radio frame to which the target time domain location belongs, and the first subframe of the target time domain location is not a valid subframe, the first SIB is received with a delay. All subframes occupied by the first SIB are valid subframes, and the valid subframes are subframes in an active state.

10. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that, The SIB1 indicates the target temporal location of the first SIB, including: the SIB1 indicates the repeating pattern of the first SIB and the number of subframes occupied by the first SIB is M, where M is a positive integer; All subframes occupied by the first SIB are valid subframes, including: when the first frame set includes N available subframes and N is not less than M, the M subframes occupied by the first SIB belong to the first frame set, the first frame set is the set of consecutive valid subframes corresponding to the repeating pattern, and N is a positive integer not greater than 8.

11. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that, The SIB1 indicates the target temporal location of the first SIB, including: the SIB1 indicates the repeating pattern of the first SIB and the number of subframes occupied by the first SIB is M, where M is a positive integer; All subframes occupied by the first SIB are valid subframes, including: when the second frame set includes N available subframes and N is less than M, the first N subframes occupied by the first SIB belong to the second frame set, and the remaining MN subframes occupied by the first SIB belong to the third frame set. The second frame set is the set of the first consecutive valid subframes corresponding to the repeating pattern, and the third frame set is the set of the second consecutive valid subframes corresponding to the repeating pattern. The third frame set includes N available subframes, where N is a positive integer not greater than 8.

12. The method according to claim 11, characterized in that, The first SIB occupies all valid subframes, including: If the remaining MN subframes occupied by the first SIB belong to the third frame set, and there are still remaining usable subframes in the third frame set, then the third frame set includes the repeated first 2N-M subframes occupied by the first SIB, and the remaining subframes occupied by the repeated first SIB belong to the fourth frame set. The fourth frame set is the set of the third consecutive valid subframes corresponding to the repeated pattern, and the fourth frame set includes N usable subframes; or, If the remaining MN subframes occupied by the first SIB belong to the third frame set, and there are no remaining usable subframes in the third frame set, then the first N subframes occupied by the repeated first SIB belong to the fourth frame set, and the remaining MN subframes occupied by the repeated first SIB belong to the fifth frame set. The fifth frame set is the set of the fourth consecutive valid subframes corresponding to the repeated pattern, and the fifth frame set includes N usable subframes.

13. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that, The SIB1 indicates the target temporal location of the first SIB, including: the SIB1 indicates the repeating pattern of the first SIB and the number of subframes occupied by the first SIB is M, where M is a positive integer; All subframes occupied by the first SIB are valid subframes, including: when the first frame set includes N available subframes and N is less than M, the first N subframes occupied by the first SIB belong to the first frame set, and the remaining MN subframes occupied by the first SIB belong to the supplementary frame set. The first frame set is the set of consecutive valid subframes corresponding to the repeating pattern, and the supplementary frame set is the set of the next consecutive valid subframes adjacent to the first frame set. N is a positive integer not greater than 8.

14. The method according to any one of claims 9 to 13, characterized in that, SIB1 indicates that the number of subframes occupied by the first SIB is M, including: SIB1 indicates the transport block (TB) size corresponding to the first SIB. The TB size is related to the number of subframes occupied by the first SIB. The TB size is any number of bits in the set {208, 256, 328, 440}. The association includes: 208 bits, 256 bits, and 328 bits are associated with 4 subframes, and 440 bits are associated with 6 subframes.

15. The method according to claim 14, characterized in that, The association relationship is a preset association relationship, or the SIB1 indicates the association relationship.

16. A communication device, characterized in that, The communication device includes a module for implementing the communication method as described in any one of claims 1 to 15.

17. A communication device, characterized in that, include: Processor, the processor being coupled to memory; The memory stores computer-executed instructions; The processor executes computer execution instructions stored in the memory, causing the communication device to perform the communication method as described in any one of claims 1 to 15.

18. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, The computer-readable storage medium stores computer-executable instructions, which, when executed by a processor, are used to implement the communication method as described in any one of claims 1 to 15.

19. A computer program product, characterized in that, It includes a computer program that, when executed by a processor, implements the communication method as described in any one of claims 1 to 15.

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