Signal sending method, signal receiving method, communication apparatus, and storage medium

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to the field of communications, and provides a signal sending method, a signal receiving method, a communication apparatus, and a storage medium. The signal sending method comprises: sending a first synchronization signal, a second synchronization signal, and / or a physical broadcast channel (PBCH), the first synchronization signal, the second synchronization signal, or the PBCH satisfying at least one of the following: an inter-signal positional relationship, an inter-signal beam association, and an intra-signal beam association, wherein the inter-signal positional relationship comprises a positional relationship between signals and / or channels, the inter-signal beam association comprises a beam association between signals and / or channels, and the intra-signal beam association comprises an association between beams of one signal or channel. The method is used for reducing network overhead and enabling terminals to obtain fine-grained beam information more quickly.

Description

Signal transmission method, signal reception method, communication device and storage medium

[0001] This disclosure claims priority to Chinese patent application No. 202510494839.3, filed on April 18, 2025, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0002] This disclosure relates to the field of communications, and in particular to a signal transmission method, a signal reception method, a communication device, and a storage medium. Background Technology

[0003] To enable a terminal to search for cells upon power-on and to find new cells while moving, each new radio (NR) cell can periodically transmit synchronization signals. These synchronization signals consist of two parts: the primary synchronization signal (PSS) and the secondary synchronization signal (SSS). The PSS / SSS, together with the physical broadcast channel (PBCH), are called the synchronization signal block (SSB).

[0004] In the current SSB design, the PSS and SSS are bound to the PBCH to facilitate PBCH reception, which increases the complexity of terminal reception and network overhead. Summary of the Invention

[0005] This disclosure provides a signal transmission method, a signal reception method, a communication device, and a storage medium.

[0006] In a first aspect, this disclosure provides a signal transmission method applied to a first node, the method comprising: transmitting a first synchronization signal, a second synchronization signal, and / or a physical broadcast channel (PBCH); wherein the first synchronization signal, the second synchronization signal, or the PBCH satisfies at least one of the following: inter-signal position association; inter-signal beam association; intra-signal beam association; wherein, inter-signal position association includes position association between signals and / or channels, inter-signal beam association includes beam association between signals and / or channels, and intra-signal beam association includes beam association between beams of a signal or channel.

[0007] The signal transmission method disclosed herein mainly designs a first synchronization signal (PSS), a second synchronization signal (SSS), and a PBCH signal. Compared with the SSB of 5G NR, it can save network overhead and allow the terminal to obtain fine beam information more quickly.

[0008] In a second aspect, this disclosure provides a communication device applied to a first node. The communication device includes: a transmitting module for transmitting a first synchronization signal, a second synchronization signal, and / or a physical broadcast channel (PBCH); wherein the first synchronization signal, the second synchronization signal, or the PBCH satisfies at least one of the following: inter-signal positional association; inter-signal beam association; intra-signal beam association; wherein inter-signal positional association includes positional association between signals and / or channels, inter-signal beam association includes beam association between signals and / or channels, and intra-signal beam association includes beam association between beams of a signal or channel.

[0009] Thirdly, this disclosure provides a signal receiving method applied to a second node, the method comprising: receiving a first synchronization signal, a second synchronization signal, and / or a physical broadcast channel (PBCH); wherein the first synchronization signal, the second synchronization signal, or the PBCH satisfies at least one of the following: inter-signal position association; inter-signal beam association; intra-signal beam association; wherein, inter-signal position association includes position association between signals and / or channels, inter-signal beam association includes beam association between signals and / or channels, and intra-signal beam association includes beam association between beams of a signal or channel.

[0010] Fourthly, this disclosure provides a communication device applied to a second node, the communication device comprising: a receiving module for receiving a first synchronization signal, a second synchronization signal, and / or a physical broadcast channel (PBCH); wherein the first synchronization signal, the second synchronization signal, or the PBCH satisfies at least one of the following: inter-signal positional association; inter-signal beam association; intra-signal beam association; wherein inter-signal positional association includes positional association between signals and / or channels, inter-signal beam association includes beam association between signals and / or channels, and intra-signal beam association includes beam association between beams of a signal or channel.

[0011] Fifthly, this disclosure provides a communication device, comprising: a processor and a memory; the memory storing processor-executable instructions; the processor being configured to, when executing the aforementioned instructions, cause the communication device to perform the method described in the first or third aspect above.

[0012] Sixthly, this disclosure provides a computer-readable storage medium, comprising: software instructions; when the aforementioned software instructions are executed in a communication device, causing the communication device to implement the method described in the first or third aspect above. In some embodiments, the computer-readable storage medium includes a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium.

[0013] In a seventh aspect, this disclosure provides a computer program product, comprising: computer instructions; when the aforementioned computer instructions are executed in a communication device, causing the communication device to perform the method described in the first or third aspect above.

[0014] The beneficial effects of aspects two through seven above can be referred to in aspect one, and will not be repeated here. Attached Figure Description

[0015] The accompanying drawings are provided to further understand the technical solutions of the present invention and constitute a part of the specification. They are used together with the embodiments of this disclosure to explain the technical solutions of the present invention and do not constitute a limitation on the technical solutions of the present invention.

[0016] Figure 1 is a structural diagram of an SSB provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0017] Figure 2 is an architecture diagram of a communication system provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0018] Figure 3 is a flowchart of a signal transmission method provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0019] Figure 4 is a signal time-frequency structure diagram provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0020] Figure 5 is another signal time-frequency structure diagram provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0021] Figure 6 is a signal time-frequency structure diagram according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0022] Figure 7 is a signal time-frequency structure diagram according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0023] Figure 8 is a signal time-frequency structure diagram according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0024] Figure 9 is a signal time-frequency structure diagram according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0025] Figure 10 is another signal time-frequency structure diagram provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0026] Figure 11 is another signal time-frequency structure diagram provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0027] Figure 12 is another signal time-frequency structure diagram provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0028] Figure 13 is another signal time-frequency structure diagram provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0029] Figure 14 is another signal time-frequency structure diagram provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0030] Figure 15 is another signal time-frequency structure diagram provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0031] Figure 16 is another signal time-frequency structure diagram provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0032] Figure 17 is another signal time-frequency structure diagram provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0033] Figure 18 is another signal time-frequency structure diagram provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0034] Figure 19 is another signal time-frequency structure diagram provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0035] Figure 20 is another signal time-frequency structure diagram provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0036] Figure 21 is another signal time-frequency structure diagram provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0037] Figure 22 is a diagram of the first time domain position and the second time domain position according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0038] Figure 23 is another signal time-frequency structure diagram provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0039] Figure 24 is another signal time-frequency structure diagram provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0040] Figure 25 is another signal time-frequency structure diagram provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0041] Figure 26 is another signal time-frequency structure diagram provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0042] Figure 27 is another signal time-frequency structure diagram provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0043] Figure 28 is another signal time-frequency structure diagram provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0044] Figure 29 is another signal time-frequency structure diagram provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0045] Figure 30 is another signal time-frequency structure diagram provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0046] Figure 31 is another signal time-frequency structure diagram provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0047] Figure 32 is another signal time-frequency structure diagram provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0048] Figure 33 is another signal time-frequency structure diagram provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0049] Figure 34 is another signal time-frequency structure diagram provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0050] Figure 35 is another signal time-frequency structure diagram provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0051] Figure 36 is another signal time-frequency structure diagram provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0052] Figure 37 is another signal time-frequency structure diagram provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0053] Figure 38 is another signal time-frequency structure diagram provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0054] Figure 39 is a block diagram of a communication device provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0055] Figure 40 is a block diagram of another communication device provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0056] Figure 41 is a block diagram of another communication device provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Detailed Implementation

[0057] The technical solutions of the embodiments of this disclosure will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of this disclosure, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of this disclosure, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this disclosure.

[0058] Unless the context otherwise requires, throughout the specification and claims, the term "comprise" and other forms such as the third-person singular "comprises" and the present participle "comprising" are interpreted as open-ended and encompassing, meaning "including, but not limited to." In the description of the specification, terms such as "one embodiment," "some embodiments," "exemplary embodiments," "example," "specific example," or "some examples" are intended to indicate that a particular feature, structure, material, or characteristic associated with that embodiment or example is included in at least one embodiment or example of this disclosure. The illustrative representations of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Furthermore, the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics mentioned may be included in any suitable manner in any one or more embodiments or examples.

[0059] The terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features indicated. Thus, a feature defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of that feature. In the description of this disclosure, unless otherwise stated, "a plurality of" means two or more.

[0060] In this disclosure, the terms "exemplarily" or "for example" are used to indicate that something is an example, illustration, or description. Any embodiment or design described as "exemplarily" or "for example" in this disclosure should not be construed as being more preferred or advantageous than other embodiments or designs. Rather, the use of the terms "exemplarily" or "for example" is intended to present the relevant concepts in a specific manner.

[0061] In addition, the use of “based on” implies openness and inclusivity, because processes, steps, calculations or other actions “based on” one or more of the stated conditions or values ​​may in practice be based on additional conditions or values ​​beyond those stated.

[0062] To enable the terminal to search for cells upon power-on and to find new cells while moving, each NR cell can periodically transmit a synchronization signal. The synchronization signal consists of two parts: PSS and SSS. PSS / SSS, together with PBCH, are called SSB.

[0063] For example, Figure 1 is a structural diagram of an SSB provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 1, the SSB lasts for 4 symbols in the time domain and 240 subcarriers in the frequency domain, corresponding to 20 resource blocks (RBs). The PSS is transmitted on the first symbol of the SSB (symbol 0 in Figure 1), occupying 127 subcarriers in the frequency domain, corresponding to 127 resource elements (REs), with the remaining subcarriers empty. The SSS is transmitted on the third symbol of the SSB (symbol 2 in Figure 1), occupying the same subcarriers as the PSS. Eight and nine subcarriers are empty at both ends of the SSS, corresponding to 8 REs (8 REs in Figure 1) and 9 REs (9 REs in Figure 1), respectively. The PBCH is transmitted on the second symbol of the SSB (symbol 1 in Figure 1) and the fourth symbol. Additionally, the PBCH transmission also uses 48 subcarriers at each end of the SSS, corresponding to 4 RBs at both ends of the SSS (4 RBs in Figure 1). When the subcarrier spacing is 15 kHz, the bandwidth corresponding to the SSB is 20 RB * 12 subcarriers * 15 kHz = 3600 kHz = 3.6 MHz. When the subcarrier spacing is 30 kHz, the bandwidth corresponding to the SSB is 7.2 MHz. When the subcarrier spacing is 60 kHz, the bandwidth corresponding to the SSB is 14.4 MHz. When the subcarrier spacing is 120 kHz, the bandwidth corresponding to the SSB is 28.8 MHz.

[0064] As shown in Figure 1, in the current SSB design, in order to facilitate the reception of PBCH, PSS and SSS are bound to PBCH, which increases the complexity of terminal reception and network overhead.

[0065] Based on this, the present disclosure provides a signal transmission method, a signal reception method, a communication device, a storage medium, and a program product, which mainly designs PSS, SSS, and PBCH signals. Compared with the SSB of 5G NR, it can save network overhead and allow the terminal to obtain fine beam information faster.

[0066] The method provided in this disclosure can be applied to various communication systems, such as the Internet of Things (IoT), narrowband Internet of Things (NB-IoT), long-term evolution (LTE), 5th generation (5G) communication systems, hybrid LTE and 5G architectures, 6th generation (6G) communication systems, or new communication systems emerging in future communication developments. The communication system can also be a machine-to-machine (M2M) network, machine-type communication (MTC), or a network communication system based on passive IoT. This disclosure does not limit the scope of the application.

[0067] Figure 2 is an architecture diagram of a communication system provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 2, the communication system 200 may include a first node 201 and a second node 202, and the first node 201 and the second node 202 are connected in communication.

[0068] Here, the first node 201 can be a network device. A network device can be any device with wireless transceiver capabilities, such as an evolved NodeB (eNB), a next-generation NodeB (gNB), a transmission receive point (TRP), an intermediate user equipment (UE), a transmission point (TP), or some other access node or base station. Based on the size of the service coverage area provided, base stations can be further divided into macro base stations for providing macro cells, micro base stations for providing micro cells, and femto base stations for providing femto cells. With the continuous evolution of wireless communication technology, future base stations may also adopt other names.

[0069] The first node 201 can be used to transmit signals for PSS, SSS, and PBCH according to the embodiments of this disclosure. Specific details can be found in the following method embodiments, and will not be repeated here.

[0070] The second node 202 can be a terminal device. For example, it can be a handheld device with wireless communication capabilities (such as a mobile phone or tablet), an in-vehicle device, a wearable device, a terminal in an Internet of Things (IoT) system, an Ambient IoT device, or a computing device. In this embodiment of the disclosure, the terminal device can also be a terminal device in a passive IoT system.

[0071] The second node 202 can be used to receive signals for the PSS, SSS, and PBCH as designed according to the embodiments of this disclosure. Specific details can be found in the following method embodiments, and will not be repeated here.

[0072] It should be noted that Figure 2 is only an exemplary framework diagram. The number of devices or nodes included in Figure 2 and the names of each device are not limited. In addition to the functional nodes shown in Figure 2, the communication system may also include other nodes or devices, such as core network devices.

[0073] The system architecture and business scenarios described in the embodiments of this disclosure are intended to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of this disclosure, and do not constitute a limitation on the technical solutions provided by the embodiments of this disclosure. As those skilled in the art will know, with the evolution of network architecture and the emergence of new business scenarios, the technical solutions provided by the embodiments of this disclosure are also applicable to similar technical problems.

[0074] The embodiments provided in this disclosure will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0075] This disclosure first provides a signal transmission method, which can be applied to a first node (e.g., the first node 201 described above). Figure 3 is a flowchart of the signal transmission method provided according to an embodiment of this disclosure. As shown in Figure 3, the method includes the following steps:

[0076] S11, Send the first synchronization signal, the second synchronization signal and / or PBCH.

[0077] Here, the first synchronization signal can be understood as the aforementioned PSS, or a periodic synchronization signal. The second synchronization signal can be understood as the aforementioned SSS, or a periodic synchronization signal. PBCH is the Physical Broadcast Channel, which mainly includes frequency point, cell ID, SIB PDCCH, and SIB1 or RACH related indication information. The first synchronization signal, the second synchronization signal, or PBCH satisfies at least one of the following:

[0078] (1) Positional association between signals, specifically including positional association between signals and / or channels.

[0079] Here, location association can include location association in the time domain and / or frequency domain. For example, location association can include at least one of the following: adjacent, continuous, overlapping, having a fixed interval, having the same reference time point, or having the same reference frequency point.

[0080] (2) Beam correlation between signals, specifically including positional correlation between signals and / or channels. For example, signal to signal, signal to channel, or channel to channel.

[0081] (3) Intra-signal beam association, specifically including the association between beams of a signal or channel.

[0082] As an example, the above-mentioned signals and / or channels include signals between signals, signals between channels, channels between channels, and two or more signals between channels.

[0083] In some embodiments, the first synchronization signal, the second synchronization signal, or the PBCH satisfies at least one of the following:

[0084] (1) The frequency domain resources of the first synchronization signal, the second synchronization signal and / or the PBCH are at least one of the following: 193 subcarriers (with a bandwidth of 2.895MHz when the subcarrier spacing is 15KHz), 191 subcarriers (with a bandwidth of 2.865MHz when the subcarrier spacing is 15KHz), 199 subcarriers (with a bandwidth of 2.985MHz when the subcarrier spacing is 15KHz), 181 subcarriers (with a bandwidth of 2.715MHz when the subcarrier spacing is 15KHz), 10 RBs, 11 RBs, 12 RBs, 13 RBs, 14 RBs, 15 RBs, 16 RBs, 17 RBs, 18 RBs, 19 RBs, and 20 RBs.

[0085] (2) The frequency domain resources of the first synchronization signal, the second synchronization signal and / or PBCH are 12*NT.

[0086] Here, N is an integer from 10 to 20. For example, N can be 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, or 20. T is an odd number. As an example, T is an odd number less than 24. For example, T can be 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, or 23.

[0087] (3) The first synchronization signal occupies 1, 2 or 4 symbols.

[0088] (4) The second synchronization signal occupies 1, 2, 4 or 8 symbols.

[0089] (5) PRCH takes up 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9 or 12 symbols.

[0090] In some embodiments, the relationship between PSS / SSS and PBCH in the time domain may include: PSS and SSS having continuous time domain symbols, and SSS and PBCH having continuous time domain symbols.

[0091] In some embodiments, PSS and SSS occupy the same number of symbols and have the same period.

[0092] In some embodiments, the PBCH can occupy 14-2M symbols. Here, M is the number of symbols occupied by the PSS or SSS.

[0093] In some embodiments, the first synchronization signal, the second synchronization signal, or the PBCH satisfies at least one of the following:

[0094] (1) The bandwidth of the first synchronization signal is less than or equal to the bandwidth of the second synchronization signal.

[0095] Here, bandwidth refers to the number of RBs (or subcarriers) occupied.

[0096] (2) The bandwidth of the second synchronization signal is less than or equal to the bandwidth of PBCH.

[0097] For example, Figure 4 is a signal time-frequency structure diagram provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 4, taking 16 RBs as an example (shown as a column of 16 rectangles in Figure 4), the first synchronization signal (shown as PSS in Figure 4, and the following figures also show PSS as an example) can occupy the first symbol, the second synchronization signal (shown as SSS in Figure 4, and the following figures also show SSS as an example) can occupy the second symbol, and PBCH occupies the third to fifth symbols. In the first symbol occupied by the first synchronization signal, X RBs / subcarriers at both ends (e.g., X=2), or X at the front and Y RBs / subcarriers at the back, may or may not be occupied (Figure 4 shows an example with a rectangle including the diagonal; similar situations may exist in subsequent time-frequency structures shown in figures other than Figure 4 or Figure 5, and will not be drawn or described further). When these frequency domain resources are occupied by the first or second synchronization signal, the bandwidth of the first / second synchronization signal is the same as that of the PBCH. When these RBs are not occupied, the bandwidth of the first / second synchronization signal is less than that of the PBCH. The frequency domain resources are based on subcarriers, RBs, CCEs, or REs.

[0098] For example, Figure 5 is another signal time-frequency structure diagram provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 5, compared with the time-frequency structure shown in Figure 4, the PBCH can occupy 4 symbols to transmit more information or achieve better coverage. Similarly, the PBCH can also occupy 5 symbols.

[0099] In the signal time-frequency structures shown in Figures 4 and 5 above, the PBCH does not include the SSS or PSS, which is beneficial for the terminal device to perform filtering / baseband processing on different signals for different symbols. The original PBCH, from a time-frequency structure perspective, encloses the second synchronization signal and has a guard RE, or a blank RE, meaning that the RE does not contain the PBCH or synchronization signal. When decoding the PBCH and the second synchronization signal, the signal needs to be filtered according to the corresponding frequency position, placing higher demands on the processing capabilities of the terminal device.

[0100] (3) The frequency domain range of the first synchronization signal is a subset of the frequency domain range of the second synchronization signal.

[0101] For example, Figure 6 is another signal time-frequency structure diagram provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 6, the first synchronization signal is transmitted on the first symbol, and the second synchronization signal is transmitted on the second symbol. In addition, the transmission of the second synchronization signal also uses two RBs at each end of the first synchronization signal. From the view, the second synchronization signal is formed by wrapping the first synchronization signal. In this case, the first synchronization signal can occupy 1 or 2 symbols, and the second synchronization signal can occupy 2, 3, or 4 symbols. The second synchronization signal and the first synchronization signal overlap in the time domain. The frequency domain subcarriers of the first synchronization signal are a subset of the frequency domain subcarriers of the second synchronization signal, and the frequency domain range of the first synchronization signal is a subset of the frequency domain range of the second synchronization signal.

[0102] In the signal time-frequency structure shown in Figure 6 above, the second synchronization signal needs to carry more information and consume more resources than the first synchronization signal, while ensuring that the first synchronization signal can be detected ahead of it. Wrapping the first synchronization signal with the second synchronization signal helps match coverage performance while reducing the decoding complexity of the terminal device. Compared to wrapping the first or second synchronization signal with the PBCH, the PBCH can be decoupled from the first and second synchronization signals in this case. When the PBCH is not transmitted, the first and second synchronization signals can reduce the generation of resource fragmentation.

[0103] (4) The frequency domain range of the second synchronization signal is a subset of the frequency domain range of PBCH.

[0104] For example, FIG7 is another signal time-frequency structure diagram provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG7, the first synchronization signal is transmitted on the first symbol, the second synchronization signal is transmitted on the second symbol, and the PBCH is transmitted on the third to fifth symbols. In addition, the PBCH transmission also uses two RBs at each end of the second synchronization signal. From the view, the second synchronization signal is formed by the PBCH wrapping the second synchronization signal. In this case, the second synchronization signal can occupy 1 or 2 symbols. The number of symbols in the time domain that overlap between the PBCH and the second synchronization signal is 1 or 2. The frequency domain subcarriers of the second synchronization signal are a subset of the frequency domain subcarriers of the PBCH, and the frequency domain range of the second synchronization signal is a subset of the frequency domain range of the PBCH.

[0105] In the signal time-frequency structure shown in Figure 7 above, the first synchronization signal precedes the second synchronization signal. The first synchronization signal carries less information, making it easier to detect blindly first, followed by further detection of the second synchronization signal and PBCH. If the second synchronization signal comes first, the terminal device needs to store both the first and second synchronization signals before processing them, increasing the processing complexity. Transmitting the first synchronization signal first helps reduce the processing complexity of the terminal device.

[0106] (5) The frequency domain range of the first synchronization signal is a subset of the frequency domain range of PBCH.

[0107] For example, FIG8 is another signal time-frequency structure diagram provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG8, the second synchronization signal is transmitted on the first symbol, the first synchronization signal is transmitted on the second symbol, and the PBCH is transmitted on the third to fifth symbols. In addition, the PBCH transmission also uses two RBs at both ends of the first synchronization signal. From the view, the PBCH forms a situation where the first synchronization signal is wrapped by the first synchronization signal. In this case, the second synchronization signal can occupy 1 or 2 symbols, the number of symbols in the time domain that overlap between the PBCH and the first synchronization signal is 1 or 2, the frequency domain subcarriers of the first synchronization signal are a subset of the frequency domain subcarriers of the PBCH, and the frequency domain range of the first synchronization signal is a subset of the frequency domain range of the PBCH.

[0108] Under the signal time-frequency structure shown in Figure 8 above, the second synchronization signal needs to carry more sequences and indicate more information, thus occupying more resources. The first synchronization signal carries fewer sequences and indicates less information, occupying fewer resources compared to the second synchronization signal. To fully utilize the other REs corresponding to the first synchronization signal, the PBCH partially wraps the first synchronization signal, utilizing more resources to achieve coverage of the second synchronization signal type.

[0109] (6) The number of symbols in the first synchronization signal is less than or equal to the number of symbols in the second synchronization signal.

[0110] For example, FIG9 is another signal time-frequency structure diagram provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG9, the first synchronization signal is transmitted on the first and second symbols, the second synchronization signal is transmitted on the third and fourth symbols, and PBCH is transmitted on the fifth, sixth, and seventh symbols. The number of symbols of the first synchronization signal is 2, which is equal to the number of symbols of the second synchronization signal.

[0111] Under the signal time-frequency structure shown in Figure 9, the three symbols occupied by PBCH occupy a total of 16*12*3 = 576 REs, which is the same as the 48+48+240+240 = 576 REs occupied by PBCH in NR, so the performance can be basically consistent. Furthermore, compared with the signal time-frequency structures shown in Figures 4 and 5, this time-frequency structure has more resources for the first and second synchronization signals, allowing for the indication of more ID information or better coverage.

[0112] For example, Figure 10 is another signal time-frequency structure diagram provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 10, within one cycle, within an SSB, or within a certain time period, the first synchronization signal occupies the first symbol, the PBCH occupies the second to fourth symbols, and the second synchronization signal occupies the fifth symbol. The number of symbols of the first synchronization signal is equal to the number of symbols of the second synchronization signal, for example, both are 1 symbol.

[0113] For example, Figure 11 is another signal time-frequency structure diagram provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 11, within one cycle, within an SSB, or within a certain time period, the first synchronization signal occupies the first symbol, the PBCH occupies the second, fourth, and fifth symbols, and the second synchronization signal occupies the third symbol. The number of symbols of the first synchronization signal is equal to the number of symbols of the second synchronization signal, for example, both are 1.

[0114] In some embodiments, the location association between signals includes at least one of the following:

[0115] (1.1) The first synchronization signal and the second synchronization signal are associated in the time domain or frequency domain.

[0116] In one possible implementation, the association of the first synchronization signal and the second synchronization signal in the time domain or frequency domain may include at least one of the following:

[0117] (1.1.1) The first synchronization signal and the second synchronization signal have overlapping symbols in the time domain, and the first synchronization signal and the second synchronization signal are continuous in the frequency domain or have an interval of P subcarriers in the overlapping symbols.

[0118] Here, P is an integer greater than or equal to 0. For example, P can take the values ​​1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10. This disclosure does not limit the specific value of P.

[0119] For example, Figure 12 is another signal time-frequency structure diagram provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 12, the first synchronization signal can be transmitted occupying the first symbol, and the transmission of the first synchronization signal also uses 8 RBs in the upper half of the second symbol. The second synchronization signal can be transmitted occupying the third symbol, and the transmission of the second synchronization signal also uses 8 RBs in the lower half of the second symbol. The PBCH can occupy 3 or 4 symbols (Figure 12 shows an example of occupying 4 symbols).

[0120] Under the signal time-frequency structure shown in Figure 12 above, the first synchronization signal and the second synchronization signal have a certain overlap in the time domain. Under the condition of matching the coverage of PBCH, resources are utilized as much as possible and resource waste is avoided.

[0121] It should be noted that Figure 12 above illustrates an example where the first and second synchronization signals are consecutive in the frequency domain or have an interval of 0 (P=0) subcarriers on overlapping symbols. In Figure 12, there can also be an interval of P (P≠0) frequency resources, such as subcarriers, between the portion of the second symbol occupied by the first synchronization signal and the portion of the second symbol occupied by the second synchronization signal.

[0122] (1.1.2) The first synchronization signal includes at least symbol n and / or symbol n+1, and the second synchronization signal includes at least symbol n+1 and symbol n+2, where n is an integer greater than or equal to 0.

[0123] For example, please continue to refer to Figure 12 above. Figure 12 shows that when n is 0, the first synchronization signal occupies 8 RBs in symbol 0 and symbol 1 (0+1), and the second synchronization signal occupies another 8 RBs in symbol 1 (0+1) and symbol 2 (0+2).

[0124] It should be noted that the above Figure 12 uses the case where n is 0 as an example. n can also be 1, 2, 3 or 4, etc., that is, the starting symbol of the first synchronization signal can also be a symbol other than symbol index 0.

[0125] (1.1.3) The first synchronization signal and the second synchronization signal have a frequency domain offset in the frequency domain, and the frequency domain offset is less than 12 subcarriers.

[0126] Here, frequency domain offset represents the offset between the starting waves of two signals; or frequency domain offset can also represent the offset between the ending subcarriers of two signals; or frequency domain offset can also represent the offset between the center subcarriers of two signals; or frequency domain offset can also represent that the offsets of two signals relative to the same reference frequency are different.

[0127] (1.1.4) The first synchronization signal is at the odd-numbered sign position, and the second synchronization signal is at the even-numbered sign position.

[0128] For example, please continue to refer to Figure 4 above. As shown in Figure 4, the first synchronization signal occupies the first symbol, which can be understood as the first synchronization signal being at the odd-numbered symbol position. The second synchronization signal occupies the second symbol, which can be understood as the second synchronization signal being at the even-numbered symbol position.

[0129] As an example, the first synchronization signal can also be at an even-numbered symbol position, and the second synchronization signal can also be at an odd-numbered symbol position.

[0130] For example, please continue to refer to Figure 8 above. As shown in Figure 8, the second synchronization signal occupies the first symbol, which can be understood as the second synchronization signal being in the odd-numbered symbol position. The first synchronization signal occupies the second symbol, which can be understood as the first synchronization signal being in the odd-numbered symbol position.

[0131] (1.1.5) The first and second synchronization signals with the same beam index are continuous in the time domain.

[0132] For example, FIG13 is another signal time-frequency structure diagram provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG13, represented in the form of "signal name - beam index", FIG13 provides a time-frequency structure of multiple first synchronization signal beams + multiple PBCH beams + multiple second synchronization signal beams. The first synchronization signal based on the beam with beam index 1 (shown as PSS-1 in FIG13) can occupy the first symbol transmission, and the second synchronization signal based on the beam with beam index 1 (shown as SSS-1 in FIG13) can occupy the second symbol transmission. The first synchronization signal and the second synchronization signal with both beam indices of 1 are continuous in the time domain. Then, the first synchronization signal based on the beam with beam index 2 (shown as PSS-2 in FIG13) can occupy the third symbol transmission, and the second synchronization signal based on the beam with beam index 2 (shown as SSS-2 in FIG13) can occupy the fourth symbol transmission. The first synchronization signal and the second synchronization signal with both beam indices of 2 are continuous in the time domain. A PBCH based on a beam with beam index 1 (shown as PBCH-1 in Figure 13) can be transmitted using symbols 5 through 8, while a PBCH based on a beam with beam index 2 (shown as PBCH-2 in Figure 13) can be transmitted using symbols 9 through 12. In this case, there is a one-to-one beam correspondence between the first and second synchronization signals, and a one-to-one beam correspondence between the second synchronization signal and the PBCH.

[0133] As an example, the first node can switch beam indices first, transmitting one signal after all beams have been transmitted, and then transmitting another signal. Alternatively, it can transmit different signals under the same beam index first, and then transmit different signals corresponding to the next beam index.

[0134] For example, Figure 14 is another signal time-frequency structure diagram provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 14, represented in the form of "signal name - beam index", the first synchronization signal based on the beam with beam index 1 can occupy the first symbol transmission, the first synchronization signal based on the beam with beam index 2 can occupy the second symbol transmission, the second synchronization signal based on the beam with beam index 1 can occupy the third symbol transmission, and the second synchronization signal based on the beam with beam index 2 can occupy the fourth symbol transmission. The PBCH based on the beam with beam index 1 can occupy the fifth to eighth symbols transmission, and the PBCH based on the beam with beam index 2 can occupy the ninth to twelfth symbols transmission.

[0135] In the signal time-frequency structure shown in Figures 13 and 14 above, the first synchronization signal, the second synchronization signal, and the PBCH have the same number of beams. The first synchronization signal, the second synchronization signal, and the PBCH are in one time slot, and multiple beams are transmitted in two time slots. Each beam of the first synchronization signal and the second synchronization signal occupies one symbol, and each beam of the PBCH occupies four symbols.

[0136] (1.2) The second synchronization signal is associated with the position of PBCH in the time domain or frequency domain.

[0137] In one possible implementation, the association of the second synchronization signal with the PBCH in the time or frequency domain may include at least one of the following:

[0138] (1.2.1) The second synchronization signal and PBCH have overlapping symbols in the time domain and have the same starting symbol.

[0139] For example, please continue to refer to Figure 7 above. As shown in Figure 7, when the PBCH wraps the second synchronization signal, the second synchronization signal and the PBCH have overlapping symbols in the time domain, and the starting symbols of the PBCH and the second synchronization signal are the same, both being the second symbol.

[0140] (1.2.2) The second synchronization signal and PBCH have overlapping symbols in the time domain, and the second symbol of the second synchronization signal corresponds to the start symbol of PBCH.

[0141] For example, as described in Figure 7 above, the number of symbols for the second synchronization signal can be 2, that is, the second synchronization signal can occupy two symbols. The number of symbols in which the PBCH and the second synchronization signal overlap in the time domain can also be 2. In this case, Figure 15 is another signal time-frequency structure diagram provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 15, the first synchronization signal can occupy the first symbol, the second synchronization signal can occupy the second and third symbols, the PBCH can occupy the fourth to sixth symbols, and the PBCH can also occupy the two RBs at each end of the second synchronization signal in the second symbol for transmission.

[0142] (1.2.3) The second synchronization signal and the PBCH have overlapping symbols in the time domain, and the second symbol of the second synchronization signal corresponds to the starting symbol of the PBCH with the same beam index as the second synchronization signal.

[0143] For example, Figure 16 is another signal time-frequency structure diagram provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 16, a structure is provided with a single first synchronization signal beam + multiple PBCH beams + multiple second synchronization signal beams, and the PBCHs enclose the second synchronization signals. The first synchronization signal occupies the first symbol, with two blank RBs at each end. The second synchronization signal (SSS-1) based on the beam with beam index 1 occupies the second symbol, and the second synchronization signal (SSS-2) based on the beam with beam index 2 occupies the sixth symbol. The PBCH (PBCH-1) based on the beam with beam index 1 occupies the third to fifth symbols. In addition, the PBCH based on the beam with beam index 1 also occupies two RBs at each end of the first beam of the second synchronization signal in the second symbol for transmission. The PBCH (PBCH-2) based on the beam with beam index 2 occupies the seventh to ninth symbols. In addition, the PBCH based on the beam with beam index 2 also occupies two RBs at each end of the second beam of the second synchronization signal in the sixth symbol for transmission. As can be seen from Figure 16, the second symbol of the second synchronization signal (that is, the sixth symbol occupied by the second beam of the second synchronization signal) has the same starting symbol as the PBCH based on the beam index 2.

[0144] As an example, the signal time-frequency structure can also be a single second synchronization signal beam + multiple PBCH beams + multiple first synchronization signal beams wrapped by PBCHs. Figure 17 is another signal time-frequency structure diagram provided according to an embodiment of this disclosure. As shown in Figure 17, the second synchronization signal occupies the first symbol, the first synchronization signal (PSS-1) based on the beam with beam index 1 occupies the second symbol, and the first synchronization signal (PSS-2) based on the beam with beam index 2 occupies the sixth symbol. The PBCH (PBCH-1) based on the beam with beam index 1 occupies the third to fifth symbols. In addition, the PBCH based on the beam with beam index 1 also occupies two RBs at each end of the first beam of the first synchronization signal in the second symbol. The PBCH (PBCH-2) based on the beam with beam index 2 occupies the seventh to ninth symbols. In addition, the PBCH based on the beam with beam index 2 also occupies two RBs at each end of the second beam of the first synchronization signal in the sixth symbol. As can be seen from Figure 16, the second symbol of the first synchronization signal (that is, the sixth symbol occupied by the second beam of the second synchronization signal) has the same starting symbol as the PBCH based on the beam index 2.

[0145] In the signal time-frequency structure shown in Figure 17 above, under one beam index, there is one second synchronization signal index, multiple PBCH beams, and multiple first synchronization signal beams. Under one beam index in Figure 17, there is one second synchronization signal beam, two PBCH beams, and two first synchronization signal beams, all associated with the same second synchronization signal index or SSB index.

[0146] As another example, the signal time-frequency structure can also be a single first synchronization signal beam + multiple PBCH beams + multiple second synchronization signal beams, all wrapped by PBCHs. Figure 18 is a diagram of yet another signal time-frequency structure provided according to an embodiment of this disclosure. As shown in Figure 18, the first synchronization signal occupies the first symbol, the second synchronization signal occupies the second symbol, and the second synchronization signal also occupies two RBs at each end of the first synchronization signal in the second symbol for transmission. The PBCH based on the beam with beam index 1 occupies the third to fifth symbols, and the PBCH based on the beam with beam index 2 occupies the sixth to eighth symbols.

[0147] As can be seen from the signal time-frequency structures shown in Figures 16 to 18 above, when any two signals are wrapped together, they have the same number of beam indices. Other signals may have the same beam index, or they may have more or fewer beam indices associated with the wrapped signal or the wrapped signal.

[0148] (1.2.4) The second synchronization signal and PBCH have overlapping symbols in the time domain, and the second synchronization signal and PBCH are continuous in the frequency domain or have an interval of Q subcarriers in the overlapping symbols.

[0149] Here, Q is an integer greater than or equal to 0. For example, Q can take the values ​​1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10. This embodiment of the disclosure does not limit the specific value of Q.

[0150] For example, please continue to refer to Figure 7 above. As shown in Figure 7, the second synchronization signal occupies the second symbol, and PBCH occupies two RBs at each end of the second synchronization signal in the second symbol. That is, the second synchronization signal and PBCH have overlapping symbols in the time domain, and the second synchronization signal and PBCH are continuous in the frequency domain in the overlapping symbols.

[0151] It should be noted that Figure 7 above illustrates an example where the second synchronization signal and PBCH are consecutive in the frequency domain or have an interval of 0 (Q=0) subcarriers in the overlapping symbols. In Figure 7 above, there can also be an interval of Q (Q≠0) subcarriers between the portion of the second symbol RB occupied by the second synchronization signal and the portion of the second symbol RB occupied by the PBCH.

[0152] (1.3) The first synchronization signal and the second synchronization signal are associated with the position of PBCH in the time domain or frequency domain.

[0153] In one possible implementation, the association of the first synchronization signal, the second synchronization signal, and the PBCH in the time domain or frequency domain with each other may include at least one of the following:

[0154] (1.3.1a) The first synchronization signal, the second synchronization signal and PBCH are continuous in the time domain, and the time domain order is the first synchronization signal, the second synchronization signal and PBCH.

[0155] For example, please continue to refer to Figure 4 above. As shown in Figure 4, the first synchronization signal occupies the first symbol, the second synchronization signal occupies the second symbol, and PBCH occupies the third to fifth symbols.

[0156] For example, please continue to refer to Figure 5 above. As shown in Figure 5, the first synchronization signal occupies the first symbol, the second synchronization signal occupies the second symbol, and PBCH occupies the third to sixth symbols.

[0157] For example, please continue to refer to Figure 9 above. As shown in Figure 9, the first synchronization signal occupies the first and second symbols, the second synchronization signal occupies the third and fourth symbols, and PBCH occupies the fifth and sixth symbols.

[0158] (1.3.2a) The first synchronization signal and the second synchronization signal overlap in the time domain, the second synchronization signal and PBCH are continuous in the time domain, and the time domain order is the first synchronization signal, the second synchronization signal, and PBCH.

[0159] For example, please continue to refer to Figure 12 above. As shown in Figure 12, the first synchronization signal occupies part of the RB in the first and second symbols, the second synchronization signal occupies part of the RB in the third and second symbols, and PBCH occupies the fourth to seventh symbols.

[0160] (1.3.3a) The first synchronization signal and the second synchronization signal are continuous in the time domain, the second synchronization signal and PBCH overlap in the time domain, and the time domain order is the first synchronization signal, the second synchronization signal, and PBCH.

[0161] For example, please continue to refer to Figure 7 above. As shown in Figure 7, the first synchronization signal occupies the first symbol, the second synchronization signal occupies the second symbol, and PBCH occupies the third to fifth symbols. In addition, PBCH also occupies two RBs at each end of the second synchronization signal.

[0162] (1.3.4a) The first synchronization signal, PBCH and the second synchronization signal are continuous in the time domain, and the time domain order is the first synchronization signal, PBCH and the second synchronization signal.

[0163] For example, FIG19 is another signal time-frequency structure diagram provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG19, the first synchronization signal occupies the first symbol, PBCH occupies the second to fourth symbols, and the second synchronization signal occupies the fifth symbol.

[0164] In the signal time-frequency structure shown in Figure 19 above, the first synchronization signal precedes the PBCH, which allows the terminal device to use the prior information of the first synchronization signal when decoding the PBCH. For example, the first synchronization signal can be used for automatic gain control (AGC), channel estimation, and to locate the time domain positions of subframes, radio frames, and orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) symbols, thereby improving the detection performance of the PBCH.

[0165] The PBCH can also be used within a radio frame or over a period of time before the first synchronization signal. The main advantage of this is that the PBCH can be decoupled from the first and second synchronization signals, which are both located in specific time-frequency domain positions.

[0166] The second synchronization signal can be placed before or after the first synchronization signal, similar to LTE. When the second synchronization signal is placed before the first synchronization signal, it can be used for time-domain location determination, such as for frame timing. When the second synchronization signal is placed after the PBCH, the preceding first synchronization signal and the following second synchronization signal can even be used together for channel estimation during PBCH decoding, resulting in better channel estimation and PBCH decoding performance.

[0167] (1.3.5a) The first synchronization signal, PBCH and the second synchronization signal are continuous in the time domain, and the time domain order is the first synchronization signal, PBCH, the second synchronization signal, PBCH.

[0168] For example, FIG20 is another signal time-frequency structure diagram provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG20, the first synchronization signal occupies the first symbol, PBCH occupies the second, fourth and fifth symbols, and the second synchronization signal occupies the third symbol.

[0169] As an example, the first synchronization signal may not occupy all the RBs of the first symbol.

[0170] For example, FIG21 is another signal time-frequency structure diagram provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG21, the first synchronization signal occupies the first symbol, PBCH occupies the second, third and fifth symbols, and the second synchronization signal occupies the fourth symbol.

[0171] As an example, the first synchronization signal and the second synchronization signal can have the same period, while PBCH can have a larger period.

[0172] Under the signal time-frequency structure shown in Figure 20 or Figure 21 above, the PBCH and the second synchronization signal may have intersections or overlaps in the time domain symbols. The main advantage is that the terminal device can use the second synchronization signal to perform auxiliary decoding of the PBCH.

[0173] In another possible implementation, the first synchronization signal, the second synchronization signal, and their association with the PBCH in the time or frequency domain may include at least one of the following:

[0174] (1.3.1b) In the first time domain position, the first synchronization signal, the second synchronization signal and PBCH are continuous or overlap in the time domain; in the second time domain position, the first synchronization signal and the second synchronization signal are continuous or overlap in the time domain, and are discontinuous or overlap with PBCH.

[0175] For example, Figure 22 is a diagram of a first time-domain position and a second time-domain position provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 22, the first time-domain position can be a position based on a 160ms period or a position based on a larger period. The second time-domain position can be a position based on a smaller period, such as 80ms.

[0176] (1.3.2b) In the first time domain position, the first synchronization signal, the second synchronization signal and the PBCH are continuous or overlapped in the time domain; in the second time domain position, the second synchronization signal and the PBCH are continuous or overlapped in the time domain.

[0177] As an example, the first or second time-domain location is determined at least based on the frame number, slot index, period, or offset.

[0178] In some embodiments, the first time-domain position is relative to a radio frame, such as SFN0, with a period and an offset (frame-level offset), thereby determining the frame in which the first time-domain position is located. An additional slot-level or symbol-level offset is added to determine the starting slot or symbol position of the first time-domain position within a radio frame. Therefore, the offset includes at least one offset.

[0179] In some embodiments, the second time-domain position is determined based on different periods or offsets, but has the same reference frame number. In some embodiments, inter-signal beam association includes at least one of the following:

[0180] (2.1a) Beam correlation of the first synchronization signal and the second synchronization signal.

[0181] Here, beam association means that the beam indices of two signals are associated, or one signal is associated with the beam index of another signal, or the beams of two signals have a quasi-co-location (QCL) relationship, or the two signals have the same TCI state and QCL resource.

[0182] For example, please continue to refer to Figure 14 above. In the signal time-frequency structure shown in Figure 14, the first symbol transmits a first synchronization signal based on the beam with beam index 1 within one cycle or SSB or within a certain time period, the second symbol transmits a first synchronization signal based on the beam with beam index 2, the third symbol transmits a second synchronization signal based on the beam with beam index 1, and the fourth symbol transmits a second synchronization signal based on the beam with beam index 2. In this case, the two beam indices of the first synchronization signal and the two beam indices of the second synchronization signal can be understood as having a correlation relationship.

[0183] (2.2a) The first synchronization signal is beam-correlated with the PBCH.

[0184] For example, please continue to refer to Figure 14 above. In the signal time-frequency structure shown in Figure 14, the first symbol transmits the first synchronization signal based on the beam with beam index 1 within one cycle or SSB or within a certain time period, the second symbol transmits the first synchronization signal based on the beam with beam index 2, the fifth to eighth symbols transmit the PBCH based on the beam with beam index 1, and the ninth to twelfth symbols transmit the PBCH based on the beam with beam index 2. In this case, the two beam indices of the first synchronization signal and the two beam indices of the PBCH can be understood as having a correlation relationship.

[0185] (2.3a) The second synchronization signal is beam-correlated with the PBCH.

[0186] For example, please continue to refer to Figure 14 above. In the signal time-frequency structure shown in Figure 14, the third symbol transmits the second synchronization signal based on the beam with beam index 1 within one cycle or SSB or within a certain time period, the fourth symbol transmits the second synchronization signal based on the beam with beam index 2, the fifth to eighth symbols transmit the PBCH based on the beam with beam index 1, and the ninth to twelfth symbols transmit the PBCH based on the beam with beam index 2. In this case, the two beam indices of the second synchronization signal and the two beam indices of the PBCH can be understood as having a correlation relationship.

[0187] (2.4a) The first synchronization signal and the second synchronization signal are associated with the beam of the PBCH.

[0188] For example, please continue to refer to Figure 14 above. In the signal time-frequency structure shown in Figure 14, within one cycle or SSB or a certain time period, the first symbol transmits the first synchronization signal based on the beam with beam index 1, the second symbol transmits the first synchronization signal based on the beam with beam index 2, the third symbol transmits the second synchronization signal based on the beam with beam index 1, the fourth symbol transmits the second synchronization signal based on the beam with beam index 2, the fifth to eighth symbols transmit the PBCH based on the beam with beam index 1, and the ninth to twelfth symbols transmit the PBCH based on the beam with beam index 2. In this case, the two beam indices of the first synchronization signal, the two beam indices of the second synchronization signal, and the two beam indices of the PBCH can be understood as having a correlation relationship.

[0189] In other embodiments, beam correlation between signals includes at least one of the following:

[0190] (2.1b) The beams of the first synchronization signal and the second synchronization signal are associated one-to-one, and the beams of the second synchronization signal and the PBCH are associated one-to-many.

[0191] As an example, a one-to-one association can include a beam association between two signals, or a one-to-one association between multiple beam indices of two signals.

[0192] As an example, a one-to-many association includes one beam index of one signal being associated with multiple beam indices of another signal, or a first number of beam indices of one signal being associated with a second number of beam indices of another signal, where the first number is less than the second number.

[0193] It should be noted that, for ease of description, a signal may also include a channel; that is, two signals can be two signals and two channels, or they can be one channel and one signal. This disclosure does not impose any limitations on this.

[0194] For example, please continue to refer to Figure 18 above. In the signal time-frequency structure shown in Figure 18, within one cycle or SSB or a certain time period, part of the RB of the first symbol transmits the first synchronization signal, part of the RB of the first symbol and the second symbol transmit the second synchronization signal, the third to fifth symbols transmit the PBCH based on the beam with beam index 1, and the sixth to eighth symbols transmit the PBCH based on the beam with beam index 2. In this case, one beam of the first synchronization signal and one beam of the second synchronization signal can be understood as a one-to-one association, and one beam of the second synchronization signal and multiple beams of the PBCH can be understood as a one-to-many association.

[0195] (2.2b) The first synchronization signal is associated with the beam of the PBCH in a one-to-one manner, and the beam of the PBCH or the first synchronization signal is associated with the beam of the second synchronization signal in a one-to-many manner.

[0196] As an example, the first synchronization signal is beam-associated one-to-one with the PBCH, and the beam of the PBCH or the first synchronization signal is beam-associated one-to-many with the second synchronization signal, satisfying at least one of the following:

[0197] (2.2.1b) The second synchronization signal corresponding to the first beam in the multi-beam system is related to the position of the first synchronization signal.

[0198] (2.2.2b) The second synchronization signal corresponding to the second beam in the multi-beam system is related to the position of the PBCH.

[0199] (2.2.3b) The second synchronization signal corresponding to the first beam in the multi-beam system is related to the position of the PBCH.

[0200] For example, the second synchronization signal corresponding to the first beam in a multi-beam array is continuous with the first synchronization signal, and the second synchronization signal corresponding to the second beam in a multi-beam array is continuous with the PBCH position. The order of the three signals is the first synchronization signal, the second synchronization signal of the first beam, PBCH, and the second synchronization signal of the second beam.

[0201] For example, Figure 23 is another signal time-frequency structure diagram provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 23, within one cycle, within an SSB, or within a certain time period, the first symbol transmits a first synchronization signal, the second symbol transmits a second synchronization signal based on a beam with a beam index of 1, and the third symbol transmits a second synchronization signal based on a beam with a beam index of 2. The second synchronization signal based on a beam with a beam index of 1 and the second beam can be understood as the first beam in the aforementioned multi-beam configuration. The fourth to sixth symbols transmit the PBCH, the seventh symbol transmits a second synchronization signal based on a beam with a beam index of 3, and the eighth symbol transmits a second synchronization signal based on a beam with a beam index of 4. The second synchronization signal based on a beam with a beam index of 3 and the fourth beam can be understood as the second beam in the aforementioned multi-beam configuration. In this case, one beam of the first synchronization signal and one beam of the PBCH can be understood as a one-to-one association, and one beam of the PBCH or the first synchronization signal and multiple beams of the second synchronization signal can be understood as a one-to-many association.

[0202] For example, in a multi-beam setup, the second synchronization signal corresponding to the first beam is continuous with the PBCH position, and the second synchronization signal corresponding to the first beam and the second beam are continuous. The order of the three signals is: first synchronization signal, PBCH, second synchronization signal of the first beam, and second synchronization signal of the second beam. The first beam corresponds to a type 1 beam, and the second beam corresponds to a type 2 beam.

[0203] For example, Figure 24 is another signal time-frequency structure diagram provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 24, within one cycle, within an SSB, or within a certain time period, the first symbol transmits the first synchronization signal, the second to fourth symbols transmit the PBCH, the fifth symbol transmits the second synchronization signal based on the beam with beam index 1, the sixth symbol transmits the second synchronization signal based on the beam with beam index 2, the seventh symbol transmits the second synchronization signal based on the beam with beam index 3, and the eighth symbol transmits the second synchronization signal based on the beam with beam index 4. The second synchronization signal based on the beams with beam indices 1 to 4 is the second beam among the above multiple beams. In this case, one beam of the first synchronization signal and one beam of the PBCH can be understood as a one-to-one association, and one beam of the PBCH or the first synchronization signal and multiple second beams of the second synchronization signal can be understood as a one-to-many association.

[0204] As an example, Figure 25 is another signal time-frequency structure diagram provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 25, a time-frequency structure of a single first synchronization signal beam + a single PBCH beam + multiple second synchronization signal beams is provided. Within one cycle, within an SSB, or within a certain time period, the first symbol transmits the first synchronization signal, the second symbol transmits the second synchronization signal based on the beam with beam index 1, the third symbol transmits the second synchronization signal based on the beam with beam index 2, the fourth symbol transmits the second synchronization signal based on the beam with beam index 3, the fifth symbol transmits the second synchronization signal based on the beam with beam index 4, and the sixth to eighth symbols transmit the PBCH. In this case, one beam of the first synchronization signal and one beam of the PBCH can be understood as a one-to-one association, and the PBCH or one beam of the first synchronization signal and multiple beams of the second synchronization signal can be understood as a one-to-many association.

[0205] In some embodiments, the single first synchronization signal beam, single second synchronization signal beam, and single PBCH beam do not mean that the signal or channel has only one beam. Rather, in one SSB, during one transmission, within a certain time period, there is only a single beam of the signal or channel. In multiple SSBs, multiple transmissions, or over a longer period of time, the signal or channel may have multiple beams.

[0206] As an example, Figure 26 is another signal time-frequency structure diagram provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 26, within one cycle, within an SSB, or within a certain time period, the first symbol transmits the first synchronization signal, the second and third symbols transmit the PBCH, the fourth symbol transmits the second synchronization signal based on the beam with beam index 1, the fifth symbol transmits the second synchronization signal based on the beam with beam index 2, the sixth and seventh symbols transmit the PBCH, the eighth symbol transmits the second synchronization signal based on the beam with beam index 3, and the ninth symbol transmits the second synchronization signal based on the beam with beam index 4. In this case, one beam of the first synchronization signal and one beam of the PBCH can be understood as a one-to-one association, and one beam of the PBCH or the first synchronization signal and multiple beams of the second synchronization signal can be understood as a one-to-many association.

[0207] In the signal time-frequency structures shown in Figures 23 to 26 above, the second synchronization signal has multiple beams, while the PBCH and first synchronization signal have only one beam. Compared to the PBCH having multiple beams, this configuration is more cost-effective in terms of network overhead. However, the second synchronization signal may need to be continuously transmitted, while the PBCH may not need to be transmitted in certain situations. Furthermore, the first synchronization signal and PBCH using a single beam or a wide beam can save network overhead. The second synchronization signal using multiple beams allows terminal devices to obtain more detailed beam information, enabling faster access or data scheduling and achieving better performance.

[0208] (2.3b) The beams of the first synchronization signal and the second synchronization signal are associated one-to-one, and the beams of the PBCH are associated one-to-many with either the first or the second synchronization signal.

[0209] For example, Figure 27 is another signal time-frequency structure diagram provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 27, a time-frequency structure of a single first synchronization signal beam + multiple PBCH beams + a single second synchronization signal beam is provided. Within one cycle, within an SSB, or within a certain time period, the first symbol transmits the first synchronization signal, the second symbol transmits the second synchronization signal, the third to fifth symbols transmit the PBCH based on the beam with beam index 1, the sixth to eighth symbols transmit the PBCH based on the beam with beam index 2, the ninth to eleventh symbols transmit the PBCH based on the beam with beam index 3, and the twelfth to fourteenth symbols transmit the PBCH based on the beam with beam index 4. In this case, one beam of the first synchronization signal and one beam of the second synchronization signal can be understood as a one-to-one association, and the multiple beams of the PBCH and one beam of the first synchronization signal or one beam of the second synchronization signal can be understood as a one-to-many association.

[0210] For example, Figure 28 is another signal time-frequency structure diagram provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 28, within one cycle, within an SSB, or within a certain time period, the first symbol transmits the first synchronization signal, the second symbol transmits the second synchronization signal, the third to fifth symbols transmit the PBCH based on the beam with beam index 1, and the sixth to eighth symbols transmit the PBCH based on the beam with beam index 2. In this case, one beam of the first synchronization signal and one beam of the second synchronization signal can be understood as a one-to-one association, and multiple beams of the PBCH and one beam of the first synchronization signal or one beam of the second synchronization signal can be understood as a one-to-many association.

[0211] In the signal time-frequency structure shown in Figures 27 and 28 above, the PBCH has multiple beams associated with a beam of the first synchronization signal or the second synchronization signal, or a beam index of the SSB. The first synchronization signal needs to be continuously transmitted; with fewer beams, the overhead of the always-on signal is lower. The PBCH may not need to be transmitted in some cases, so although multiple beam directions incur more overhead, the fact that transmission is not always necessary can alleviate some of the overhead problem.

[0212] (2.4b) The first synchronization signal and the second synchronization signal are associated in a one-to-many beam relationship, and the second synchronization signal is associated in a one-to-one beam relationship with the PBCH.

[0213] For example, referring to Figure 16 above, in the signal time-frequency structure shown in Figure 16, the first symbol transmits the first synchronization signal within one cycle, within the SSB, or within a certain time period; a portion of the RBs of the second symbol transmits the second synchronization signal based on the beam with beam index 1; a portion of the RBs of the second symbol, as well as the third to fifth symbols, transmit the PBCH based on the beam with beam index 1; a portion of the RBs of the sixth symbol transmits the second synchronization signal based on the beam with beam index 2; and a portion of the RBs of the sixth symbol, as well as the seventh to ninth symbols, transmit the PBCH based on the beam with beam index 2. In this case, one beam of the first synchronization signal and two beams of the second synchronization signal can be understood as a one-to-many association, and the two beams of the second synchronization signal and two beams of the PBCH can be understood as a one-to-one association.

[0214] (2.5b) The first synchronization signal and the second synchronization signal are associated in a one-to-many beam relationship, and the PBCH is associated in a one-to-many beam relationship with the second synchronization signal.

[0215] For example, Figure 29 is another signal time-frequency structure diagram provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 29, within one cycle, within an SSB, or within a certain time period, the first symbol transmits a first synchronization signal, the second symbol transmits a second synchronization signal based on the beam with beam index 1, the third symbol transmits a second synchronization signal based on the beam with beam index 2, the fourth symbol transmits a second synchronization signal based on the beam with beam index 3, the fifth symbol transmits a second synchronization signal based on the beam with beam index 4, the sixth to eighth symbols transmit a PBCH based on the beam with beam index 1, and the ninth to eleventh symbols transmit a PBCH based on the beam with beam index 2. In this case, one beam of the first synchronization signal and four beams of the second synchronization signal can be understood as a one-to-many association, and two beams of the PBCH and four beams of the second synchronization signal can be understood as a one-to-many association.

[0216] In the signal time-frequency structure shown in Figure 29 above, the number of beam indices of the first synchronization signal, the number of beam indices of the second synchronization signal, and the number of beam indices of the PBCH can also satisfy 2^n, where n is a positive integer, and the beam indices of these three signals are different. This signal time-frequency structure provides a stepped beam index number, which helps the terminal device obtain a fine beam direction with fewer decoding attempts.

[0217] As an example, the signal time-domain sequence may include: first synchronization signal, PBCH, second synchronization signal, or as shown in Figure 29 above, first synchronization signal, second synchronization signal, PBCH, or first synchronization signal, PBCH-1, second synchronization signal (SSS-1, SSS-2), PBCH-2, second synchronization signal (SSS-3, SSS-4).

[0218] In some embodiments, intra-signal beam correlation includes at least one of the following:

[0219] (4.1) The first synchronization signal, the second synchronization signal or PBCH includes a first type of beam index and a second type of beam index. The second type of beam index is associated with the first type of beam index. Here, the first type of beam index includes N1 beam indices and the second type of beam index includes N2 beam indices. N1 and N2 are both integers greater than 0.

[0220] For example, FIG30 is another signal time-frequency structure diagram provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG30, the first synchronization signal based on the beam with beam index 1 can occupy the first symbol, the first synchronization signal based on the beam with beam index 2 can occupy the second symbol, the second synchronization signal based on the beam with beam index 1 can occupy the third symbol, and the second synchronization signal based on the beam with beam index 2 can occupy the fourth symbol. A PBCH based on a narrow beam with sub-index 1 associated with a wide beam with index 1 (e.g., PBCH-1-1 in Figure 30) can occupy the fifth to seventh symbols respectively. A PBCH based on a narrow beam with sub-index 2 associated with a wide beam with index 1 (e.g., PBCH-1-2 in Figure 30) can occupy the eighth to tenth symbols respectively. A PBCH based on a narrow beam with sub-index 1 associated with a wide beam with index 2 (e.g., PBCH-2-1 in Figure 30) can occupy the eleventh to thirteenth symbols respectively. A PBCH based on a narrow beam with sub-index 2 associated with a wide beam with index 2 (e.g., PBCH-2-2 in Figure 30) can occupy the fourteenth to sixteenth symbols respectively. As shown above, beam indices based on beam indices 1 or 2 are of the first type, and the sub-indices associated with the first beam index are of the second type. That is, the beam index of the first synchronization signal and PBCH is a first-type beam index, and the beam index of the second synchronization signal is a second-type beam index, which are respectively associated with the first-type beam index.

[0221] In some embodiments, a beam index based on the first type of beam index can be called a sub-index, which corresponds to the second type of beam index.

[0222] As an example, the first type of beam index and the second type of beam index can satisfy at least one of the following:

[0223] (4.1.1) N1*n=N2, where n is a positive integer.

[0224] (4.1.2) The second synchronization signals corresponding to the N1 beam indices are consecutive or have the same interval.

[0225] (4.1.3) The second synchronization signals corresponding to the N2 beam indices are consecutive or have the same interval.

[0226] (4.1.4) There is a one-to-many relationship between the first type of beam and the second type of beam.

[0227] Here, the first type of beam index is also the index of the first type of beam, which can also be understood as a wide beam. The second type of beam index is also the index of the second type of beam, which can also be understood as a narrow beam.

[0228] In some embodiments, the first synchronization signal, the second synchronization signal, or the PBCH can satisfy inter-signal correlation, inter-signal beam correlation, and intra-signal beam correlation.

[0229] In some embodiments, the second synchronization signal may include a first type beam and a second type beam, the first synchronization signal and / or PBCH are associated with the first type beam of the second synchronization signal, and there is a one-to-many association between the first type beam and the second type beam.

[0230] For example, the first synchronization signal, the second synchronization signal, or PBCH can satisfy at least one of the following:

[0231] (5.1a) The second synchronization signal based on the first type beam precedes the PBCH.

[0232] For example, FIG31 is another signal time-frequency structure diagram provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG31, within one cycle or within an SSB or within a certain time, the first synchronization signal can occupy the first symbol, the second synchronization signal based on the first type of beam (i.e., wide beam) (shown as SSS in FIG31 as an example) can occupy the second symbol, the PBCH can occupy the third to fifth symbols, the second synchronization signal based on the narrow beam with beam index 1 (shown as SSS-1 in FIG31 as an example) can occupy the sixth symbol, and the second synchronization signal based on the narrow beam with beam index 2 (shown as SSS-2 in FIG31 as an example) can occupy the seventh symbol.

[0233] In some embodiments, the narrow beam may be replaced with a second type of beam. The narrow beam index corresponds to either a sub-index or a second type of beam index.

[0234] In the signal time-frequency structure shown in Figure 31 above, the time-domain order is: first synchronization signal, second synchronization signal (based on first type of beam), PBCH, and second synchronization signal (based on second type of beam). The number of symbols occupied is: the first synchronization signal occupies one symbol, the second synchronization signal (based on first type of beam) occupies one symbol, PBCH occupies three symbols, the second synchronization signal (based on second type of beam with beam index 1) occupies one symbol, and the second synchronization signal (based on second type of beam with beam index 2) occupies one symbol.

[0235] (5.2a) The second synchronization signal based on the second type beam follows the PBCH.

[0236] For example, please continue to refer to Figure 31 above. In the signal time-frequency structure shown in Figure 31 above, the time domain order is: first synchronization signal, second synchronization signal (based on first type of beam), PBCH, second synchronization signal (based on second type of beam), with the second synchronization signal based on second type of beam following PBCH.

[0237] (5.3a) The first synchronization signal and the second synchronization signal based on the first type of beam are correlated in the time domain position of PBCH, and the second synchronization signal corresponding to the second type of beam is after PBCH.

[0238] For example, please continue to refer to Figure 31 above. In the signal time-frequency structure shown in Figure 31, the time-domain order is: first synchronization signal, second synchronization signal (based on the first type of beam), PBCH, second synchronization signal (based on the second type of beam). The first synchronization signal, the second synchronization signal based on the first type of beam, and PBCH are continuous in the time domain, which can be understood as being correlated in the time domain. The second synchronization signal corresponding to the second type of beam is after PBCH.

[0239] In some embodiments, the first synchronization signal, the second synchronization signal, or the PBCH satisfies at least one of the following:

[0240] The first synchronization signal or PBCH corresponds to the first type of beam, and the second synchronization signal corresponds to both the second type of beam and the first type of beam.

[0241] The first synchronization signal corresponds to the first type of beam, and the PBCH or the second synchronization signal corresponds to the second type of beam and the first type of beam;

[0242] The second synchronization signal corresponds to the second type of beam, and the first synchronization signal or PBCH corresponds to the first type of beam;

[0243] The second synchronization signal or the first synchronization signal corresponds to the second type of beam, and PBCH corresponds to the first type of beam.

[0244] For example, Figure 32 is another signal time-frequency structure diagram provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 32, within one cycle, within an SSB, or within a certain time period, the first synchronization signal can occupy the first symbol, the PBCH can occupy the second, fourth, and fifth symbols, the second signal based on the first type of beam (i.e., wide beam) (shown as SSS in Figure 32) can occupy the third symbol, the second signal based on the second type of beam (i.e., narrow beam) with beam index 1 (shown as SSS-1 in Figure 32) can occupy the sixth symbol, and the second signal based on the second type of beam with beam index 2 (shown as SSS-2 in Figure 32) can occupy the seventh symbol. At this time, the second synchronization signal corresponds to the second type of beam and the first type of beam.

[0245] In the signal time-frequency structure shown in Figure 32 above, the time-domain order is: first synchronization signal, PBCH, second synchronization signal based on the first type of beam, PBCH, second synchronization signal based on the second type of beam. The second synchronization signal based on the first type of beam intersects between PBCH. The first synchronization signal and PBCH are continuous in the time domain, which can be understood as being related in the time domain position. The second synchronization signal corresponding to the second type of beam is after PBCH.

[0246] (5.4a) The time-domain order of the three signals is: the first synchronization signal, the second synchronization signal based on the first type of beam, PBCH, and the second synchronization signal corresponding to the second type of beam.

[0247] For example, please continue to refer to Figure 31 above. In the signal time-frequency structure shown in Figure 31, the time domain order is: first synchronization signal, second synchronization signal (based on first type of beam), PBCH, and second synchronization signal (based on second type of beam).

[0248] In some embodiments, the first synchronization signal may correspond to a wide beam, the PBCH may correspond to a wide beam, and the second synchronization signal may correspond to a narrow beam.

[0249] For example, Figure 33 is another signal time-frequency structure diagram provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 33, within one cycle or within an SSB or within a certain time period, the first synchronization signal can occupy the first symbol, the second signal based on the second type of beam with beam index 1 (SSS-1 is shown as an example in Figure 33) can occupy the second symbol, the PBCH can occupy the third to fifth symbols, and the second signal based on the second type of beam with beam index 2 (SSS-2 is shown as an example in Figure 33) can occupy the sixth symbol.

[0250] For example, Figure 34 is another signal time-frequency structure diagram provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 34, within one cycle or within an SSB or within a certain time period, the first synchronization signal can occupy the first symbol, the PBCH can occupy the second to fourth symbols, the second signal based on the second type of beam with beam index 1 (shown as SSS-1 in Figure 34) can occupy the fifth symbol, and the second signal based on the second type of beam with beam index 2 (shown as SSS-2 in Figure 34) can occupy the sixth symbol.

[0251] In the signal time-frequency structure shown in Figures 33 and 34 above, the beam index of the second synchronization signal is associated with the beam index of the first synchronization signal or PBCH. The second synchronization signal corresponds to at least two beam indices, and the second synchronization signal corresponding to each beam index occupies one symbol.

[0252] In some embodiments, the first synchronization signal may correspond to a wide beam, the second synchronization signal may correspond to a narrow beam, and the PBCH may correspond to a narrow beam.

[0253] For example, FIG35 is another signal time-frequency structure diagram provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG35, within one cycle or within an SSB or within a certain time, the first synchronization signal can occupy the first symbol, the second signal based on the second type of beam with beam index 1 (shown as SSS-1 in FIG35) can occupy the second symbol, the PBCH based on the second type of beam with beam index 1 (shown as PBCH-1 in FIG35) can occupy the third to fifth symbols, the second signal based on the second type of beam with beam index 2 (shown as SSS-2 in FIG35) can occupy the sixth symbol, and the PBCH based on the second type of beam with beam index 2 (shown as PBCH-2 in FIG35) can occupy the seventh to ninth symbols.

[0254] For example, FIG36 is another signal time-frequency structure diagram provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG36, within one cycle or within an SSB or within a certain time, the first synchronization signal can occupy the first and eighth symbols, the PBCH based on the second type of beam with beam index 1 (shown as PBCH-1 in FIG36) can occupy the second to fourth symbols, the second signal based on the second type of beam with beam index 1 (shown as SSS-1 in FIG36) can occupy the fifth symbol, the PBCH based on the second type of beam with beam index 2 (shown as PBCH-2 in FIG36) can occupy the ninth to eleventh symbols, and the second signal based on the second type of beam with beam index 2 (shown as SSS-2 in FIG36) can occupy the twelfth symbol.

[0255] In the signal time-frequency structure shown in Figures 35 and 36 above, the first synchronization signal has no repetition in a time slot or subframe, the two beam indices of the second synchronization signal are associated with the first synchronization signal, and the two beam indices of the PBCH are associated with the first synchronization signal, or correspond one-to-one with the two beam indices of the second synchronization signal.

[0256] In some embodiments, the first synchronization signal may correspond to a wide beam, the second synchronization signal may correspond to a wide beam + narrow beam, and the PBCH may correspond to a wide beam + narrow beam.

[0257] In some embodiments, the first synchronization signal, or the second synchronization signal, or the PBCH may have only a first type of beam or a second type of beam.

[0258] In some embodiments, the first synchronization signal, or the second synchronization signal, or the PBCH simultaneously has a first type of beam and a second type of beam.

[0259] For example, Figure 37 is another signal time-frequency structure diagram provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 37, within one cycle or within an SSB or within a certain time, the first synchronization signal based on the first type of beam can occupy the first symbol, the PBCH based on the first type of beam can occupy the second to fourth symbols, and the second synchronization signal based on the first type of beam can occupy the fifth symbol; the first synchronization signal based on the second type of beam with beam index 1 can occupy the eighth symbol, the PBCH based on the second type of beam with beam index 1 (shown as PBCH-1 in Figure 37) can occupy the ninth to eleventh symbols, and the second signal based on the second type of beam with beam index 1 (shown as SSS-1 in Figure 37) can occupy the twelfth symbol.

[0260] In some embodiments, the first synchronization signal may correspond only to the first type of beam, and the second synchronization signal or PBCH may correspond to the first type of beam and the second type of beam.

[0261] For example, FIG38 is another signal time-frequency structure diagram provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG38, within one cycle or within an SSB or within a certain time, the first synchronization signal can occupy the first symbol, the PBCH based on the first type of beam can occupy the second to fourth symbols, the second synchronization signal based on the first type of beam can occupy the fifth symbol, the PBCH based on the second type of beam with beam index 1 (shown as PBCH-1 in FIG38) can occupy the seventh to ninth symbols, the second signal based on the second type of beam with beam index 1 (shown as SSS-1 in FIG38) can occupy the tenth symbol, the PBCH based on the second type of beam with beam index 2 (shown as PBCH-2 in FIG38) can occupy the eleventh to thirteenth symbols, and the second signal based on the second type of beam with beam index 2 (shown as SSS-2 in FIG38) can occupy the fourteenth symbol.

[0262] In the signal time-frequency structure shown in Figures 37 and 38 above, the second synchronization signal, PBCH, is associated with the first synchronization signal, or the second synchronization signal is associated with the first synchronization signal, and PBCH is associated with the second synchronization signal. Based on the understanding of Figures 23 to 38 above, the aforementioned first synchronization signal, second synchronization signal, or PBCH satisfies inter-signal positional association, inter-signal beamforming association, and intra-signal beamforming association, specifically including: the first synchronization signal, the second synchronization signal, or PBCH satisfies at least one of the following:

[0263] (5.1b) The first synchronization signal or PBCH corresponds to the first type of beam, and the second synchronization signal corresponds to the second type of beam and the first type of beam.

[0264] For example, please continue to refer to Figure 37 above. In the signal time-frequency structure shown in Figure 37, the first synchronization signal can correspond to the first type of beam, the second synchronization signal can correspond to the first type of beam and the second type of beam, and PBCH can also correspond to the first type of beam.

[0265] (5.2b) The first synchronization signal corresponds to the first type of beam, and the PBCH or the second synchronization signal corresponds to the second type of beam and the first type of beam.

[0266] For example, please continue to refer to Figure 37 above. In the signal time-frequency structure shown in Figure 37, the first synchronization signal can correspond to the first type of beam, the second synchronization signal can correspond to the first type of beam and the second type of beam, and PBCH can also correspond to the first type of beam and the second type of beam.

[0267] For example, please continue to refer to Figure 38 above. In the signal time-frequency structure shown in Figure 38, the first synchronization signal can correspond to the first type of beam, the second synchronization signal can correspond to the first type of beam and the second type of beam, and PBCH can also correspond to the first type of beam and the second type of beam.

[0268] (5.3b) The second synchronization signal corresponds to the second type of beam, and the first synchronization signal or PBCH corresponds to the first type of beam.

[0269] For example, please continue to refer to Figure 34 above. In the signal time-frequency structure shown in Figure 34, the first synchronization signal can correspond to the first type of beam, the second synchronization signal can correspond to the second type of beam, and PBCH can correspond to the first type of beam.

[0270] (5.4b) The second synchronization signal or the first synchronization signal corresponds to the second type of beam, and PBCH corresponds to the first type of beam.

[0271] Based on the understanding of Figures 23 to 38 above, in some embodiments, the first beam and the second beam may have a one-to-one or one-to-many association.

[0272] As an example, a one-to-one or one-to-many association can be a first-type beam and a second-type beam associated with the same signal.

[0273] For example, please continue to refer to Figure 37 above. In the signal time-frequency structure shown in Figure 37, a first type beam of the first synchronization signal can be associated with a second type beam of the first synchronization signal.

[0274] For example, please continue to refer to Figure 32 above. In the signal time-frequency structure shown in Figure 32, one type-1 beam of the second synchronization signal can be associated with two type-2 beams of the second synchronization signal.

[0275] As another example, one-to-one or one-to-many associations can also be the association of a first-type beam with a second-type beam for different signals.

[0276] For example, referring to Figure 36 above, in the signal time-frequency structure shown in Figure 36, the two second-type beams of the second synchronization signal can be associated one-to-one with the two second-type beams of the PBCH. For example, referring to Figure 35 above, in the signal time-frequency structure shown in Figure 35, one first-type beam of the first synchronization signal can be associated with the two second-type beams of the second synchronization signal and the two second-type beams of the PBCH.

[0277] The signal transmission method provided in this disclosure mainly designs a first synchronization signal (PSS), a second synchronization signal (SSS), and a PBCH signal. Compared with the SSB of 5G NR, it can save network overhead and allow the terminal to obtain fine beam information faster.

[0278] In an exemplary embodiment, this disclosure also provides a signal receiving method, which can be applied to a second node, and the method may include the following steps:

[0279] Step 1: Receive the first synchronization signal, the second synchronization signal, and / or PBCH.

[0280] Here, the first synchronization signal, the second synchronization signal, or PBCH satisfies at least one of the following:

[0281] Positional correlation between signals;

[0282] Beam correlation between signals;

[0283] Intra-signal beam correlation;

[0284] Here, the inter-signal positional association includes the positional association between signals and / or channels, the inter-signal beam association includes the beam association between signals and / or channels, and the intra-signal beam association includes the association between beams of a single signal or channel. The specific details of inter-signal positional association, inter-signal beam association, and intra-signal beam association can be found in the above embodiments and will not be repeated here.

[0285] The foregoing primarily describes the solution provided in this disclosure from a methodological perspective. It is understood that each communication node, in order to achieve the aforementioned functions, includes corresponding hardware structures and / or software modules for executing each function. Those skilled in the art should readily recognize that, based on the algorithmic steps of the examples described in conjunction with the embodiments disclosed herein, this disclosure can be implemented in hardware or a combination of hardware and computer software. Whether a function is executed in hardware or by computer software driving hardware depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Those skilled in the art can use different methods to implement the described functions for each specific application, but such implementation should not be considered beyond the scope of this disclosure.

[0286] In an exemplary embodiment, this disclosure also provides a communication device in the form of a virtual device, which can be applied to the aforementioned first node. Figure 39 is a block diagram of a communication device provided according to an embodiment of this disclosure. As shown in Figure 39, the communication device includes: a transmitting module 3901.

[0287] The transmitting module 3901 is used to transmit a first synchronization signal, a second synchronization signal, and / or a physical broadcast channel (PBCH); the first synchronization signal, the second synchronization signal, or the PBCH satisfies at least one of the following: inter-signal position association; inter-signal beam association; intra-signal beam association; here, inter-signal position association includes position association between signals and / or channels, inter-signal beam association includes beam association between signals and / or channels, and intra-signal beam association includes beam association between a signal or channel.

[0288] In an exemplary embodiment, this disclosure also provides a communication device in the form of a virtual device, which can be applied to the aforementioned second node. Figure 40 is a block diagram of another communication device provided according to an embodiment of this disclosure. As shown in Figure 40, the communication device includes: a receiving module 4001.

[0289] The receiving module 4001 is used to receive a first synchronization signal, a second synchronization signal, and / or a physical broadcast channel (PBCH); the first synchronization signal, the second synchronization signal, or the PBCH satisfies at least one of the following: inter-signal position association; inter-signal beam association; intra-signal beam association; here, inter-signal position association includes position association between signals and / or channels, inter-signal beam association includes beam association between signals and / or channels, and intra-signal beam association includes beam association between a signal or channel.

[0290] For a more detailed description of the above-mentioned transmitting module 3901 and receiving module 4001, as well as a more detailed description of the various technical features and the beneficial effects, please refer to the corresponding method embodiment section above, which will not be repeated here.

[0291] It should be noted that the modules in Figure 39 or Figure 40 can also be called units; for example, the transmitting module can be called a transmitting unit. Furthermore, in the embodiments shown in Figure 39 or Figure 40, the names of the modules may not be those shown in the figures; for example, the receiving module can also be called a communication module, and the transmitting module can also be called a communication module.

[0292] If the units or modules in Figure 39 or Figure 40 are implemented as software functional modules and sold or used as independent products, they can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. Based on this understanding, the technical solutions of the embodiments of this disclosure, in essence, or the parts that contribute to the prior art, or all or part of the technical solutions, can be embodied in the form of a software product. This computer software product is stored in a storage medium and includes several instructions to cause a computer device (which may be a personal computer, server, or network device, etc.) or processor to execute all or part of the steps of the methods of the various embodiments of this disclosure. Storage media for storing computer software products include various media capable of storing program code, such as USB flash drives, portable hard drives, read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), magnetic disks, or optical disks.

[0293] When the functions of the integrated modules described above are implemented in hardware, FIG41 is a block diagram of another communication device provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. This communication device may be the first node or the second node described above. As shown in FIG41, the communication device includes: a processor 4102, a communication interface 4103, and a bus 4104. Optionally, the communication device may further include a memory 4101.

[0294] Processor 4102 may implement or execute various exemplary logic blocks, modules, and circuits described in connection with this disclosure. Processor 4102 may be a central processing unit, a general-purpose processor, a digital signal processor, an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), or other programmable logic devices, transistor logic devices, hardware components, or any combination thereof. It may implement or execute various exemplary logic blocks, modules, and circuits described in connection with this disclosure. Processor 4102 may also be a combination that implements computational functions, such as a combination of one or more microprocessors, a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, etc.

[0295] The communication interface 4103 is used to connect with other devices via a communication network. This communication network can be Ethernet, wireless access network, wireless local area network (WLAN), etc.

[0296] The memory 4101 may be a read-only memory (ROM) or other type of static storage device capable of storing static information and instructions, random access memory (RAM) or other type of dynamic storage device capable of storing information and instructions, or electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), disk storage medium or other magnetic storage device, or any other medium capable of carrying or storing desired program code in the form of instructions or data structures and accessible by a computer, but is not limited thereto.

[0297] As one possible implementation, the memory 4101 can exist independently of the processor 4102. The memory 4101 can be connected to the processor 4102 via a bus 4104 and is used to store instructions or program code. When the processor 4102 calls and executes the instructions or program code stored in the memory 4101, it can implement the method provided in the embodiments of this disclosure.

[0298] In another possible implementation, the memory 4101 can also be integrated with the processor 4102.

[0299] Bus 4104 can be an extended industry standard architecture (EISA) bus, etc. Bus 4104 can be divided into address bus, data bus, control bus, etc. For ease of representation, only one thick line is used in Figure 41, but this does not mean that there is only one bus or one type of bus.

[0300] Through the above description of the implementation methods, those skilled in the art can clearly understand that, for the sake of convenience and brevity, only the division of the above functional modules is used as an example. In actual applications, the above functions can be assigned to different functional modules as needed, that is, the internal structure of the equipment or device can be divided into different functional modules to complete all or part of the functions described above.

[0301] In exemplary embodiments, this disclosure also provides a computer-readable storage medium (e.g., a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium) including software instructions that, when executed on a communication device, cause the communication device to perform any of the methods provided in the above embodiments.

[0302] In an exemplary embodiment, this disclosure also provides a computer program product containing computer instructions that, when run on a communication device, causes the communication device to perform any of the methods provided in the above embodiments.

[0303] In the above embodiments, implementation can be achieved, in whole or in part, through software, hardware, firmware, or any combination thereof. When implemented using software programs, implementation can be, in whole or in part, in the form of a computer program product. This computer program product includes one or more computer-executable instructions. When these computer-executable instructions are loaded and executed on a computer, all or part of the flow or function according to the embodiments of this disclosure is generated. The computer can be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network, or other programmable device. The computer-executable instructions can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium or transmitted from one computer-readable storage medium to another. For example, computer-executable instructions can be transmitted from one website, computer, server, or data center to another 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 accessible to a computer or a data storage device containing one or more servers, data centers, etc., that can be integrated with the medium. The available medium can be a magnetic medium (e.g., floppy disk, hard disk, magnetic tape) or an optical medium (e.g., DVD), etc.

[0304] Although this disclosure has been described herein in conjunction with various embodiments, those skilled in the art will understand and implement other variations of the disclosed embodiments by reviewing the accompanying drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims in carrying out the claimed disclosure. In the claims, the word "comprising" does not exclude other components or steps, and "a" or "an" does not exclude a plurality. A single processor or other unit can implement several functions listed in the claims. While different dependent claims may recite certain measures, this does not mean that these measures cannot be combined to produce a good effect.

[0305] Although this disclosure has been described in conjunction with specific features and embodiments, it will be apparent that various modifications and combinations can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of this disclosure. Accordingly, this specification and drawings are merely exemplary illustrations of the disclosure as defined by the appended claims and are to be considered as covering any and all modifications, variations, combinations, or equivalents within the scope of this disclosure. It is obvious that those skilled in the art can make various alterations and modifications to this disclosure without departing from its spirit and scope. Thus, this disclosure is also intended to include any such modifications and modifications that fall within the scope of the claims of this disclosure and their equivalents.

[0306] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of this disclosure, but the scope of protection of this disclosure is not limited thereto. Any changes or substitutions within the technical scope disclosed in this disclosure should be included within the scope of protection of this disclosure. Therefore, the scope of protection of this disclosure should be determined by the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A signal transmission method, wherein, Applied to the first node, the method includes: Transmit a first synchronization signal, a second synchronization signal, and / or a physical broadcast channel (PBCH); the first synchronization signal, the second synchronization signal, or the PBCH satisfies at least one of the following: Positional correlation between signals; Beam correlation between signals; Intra-signal beam correlation; The inter-signal positional association includes the positional association between signals and / or channels, the inter-signal beam association includes the beam association between signals and / or channels, and the intra-signal beam association includes the association between beams of a signal or channel.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein, The first synchronization signal, the second synchronization signal, or the PBCH satisfies at least one of the following: The frequency domain resources of the first synchronization signal, the second synchronization signal, and / or the PBCH are at least one of the following: 193 subcarriers, 191 subcarriers, 199 subcarriers, 181 subcarriers, 10 RBs, 11 RBs, 12 RBs, 13 RBs, 14 RBs, 15 RBs, 16 RBs, 17 RBs, 18 RBs, 19 RBs, or 20 RBs; The frequency domain resources of the first synchronization signal, the second synchronization signal and / or the PBCH are 12*NT, where N is an integer from 10 to 20 and T is an odd number; The first synchronization signal occupies 1 symbol, 2 symbols, or 4 symbols; The second synchronization signal occupies 1, 2, 4, or 8 symbols; The PBCH occupies 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 12 symbols.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The first synchronization signal, the second synchronization signal, or the PBCH satisfies at least one of the following: The bandwidth of the first synchronization signal is less than or equal to the bandwidth of the second synchronization signal; The bandwidth of the second synchronization signal is less than or equal to the bandwidth of the PBCH; The frequency domain range of the first synchronization signal is a subset of the frequency domain range of the second synchronization signal; The frequency domain range of the second synchronization signal is a subset of the frequency domain range of the PBCH; The number of symbols in the first synchronization signal is less than or equal to the number of symbols in the second synchronization signal.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, The positional association between the signals includes at least one of the following: The first synchronization signal and the second synchronization signal are associated in the time domain or frequency domain. The second synchronization signal is associated with the position of the PBCH in the time or frequency domain; or, The first synchronization signal and the second synchronization signal are associated with the position of PBCH in the time domain or frequency domain.

5. The method according to claim 4, wherein, The first synchronization signal and the second synchronization signal are associated in the time domain or frequency domain, including at least one of the following: The first synchronization signal and the second synchronization signal have overlapping symbols in the time domain. The first synchronization signal and the second synchronization signal are continuous in the frequency domain or have an interval of P subcarriers in the overlapping symbols, where P is an integer greater than or equal to 0. The first synchronization signal includes at least symbol n and / or symbol n+1, and the second synchronization signal includes at least symbol n+1 and symbol n+2, where n is an integer greater than or equal to 0; The first synchronization signal and the second synchronization signal have a frequency domain offset in the frequency domain, and the frequency domain offset is less than 12 subcarriers; The first synchronization signal is at the odd-numbered sign position, and the second synchronization signal is at the even-numbered sign position; The first and second synchronization signals with the same beam index are continuous in the time domain.

6. The method according to claim 4 or 5, wherein, The second synchronization signal is associated with the PBCH in the time or frequency domain, including: The second synchronization signal and PBCH have overlapping symbols in the time domain and share the same start symbol; The second synchronization signal and PBCH have overlapping symbols in the time domain, and the second symbol of the second synchronization signal corresponds to the start symbol of PBCH; The second synchronization signal and the PBCH have overlapping symbols in the time domain, and the second symbol of the second synchronization signal corresponds to the starting symbol of the PBCH with the same beam index as the second synchronization signal. The second synchronization signal and the PBCH have overlapping symbols in the time domain. The second synchronization signal and the PBCH are either continuous in the frequency domain or have an interval of Q subcarriers in the overlapping symbols, where Q is an integer greater than or equal to 0.

7. The method according to any one of claims 4 to 6, wherein, The first synchronization signal and the second synchronization signal are associated with the position of PBCH in the time domain or frequency domain, including any one of the following: The first synchronization signal, the second synchronization signal, and the PBCH are continuous in the time domain, and the time domain order is the first synchronization signal, the second synchronization signal, and the PBCH. The first synchronization signal and the second synchronization signal overlap in the time domain, the second synchronization signal is continuous with the PBCH in the time domain, and the time domain order is the first synchronization signal, the second synchronization signal, and the PBCH; The first synchronization signal and the second synchronization signal are continuous in the time domain, the second synchronization signal and the PBCH overlap in the time domain, and the time domain order is the first synchronization signal, the second synchronization signal, and the PBCH; The first synchronization signal, the PBCH, and the second synchronization signal are continuous in the time domain, and the time domain order is the first synchronization signal, the PBCH, and the second synchronization signal. The first synchronization signal, the PBCH, and the second synchronization signal are continuous in the time domain, and the time domain order is the first synchronization signal, the PBCH, the second synchronization signal, and the PBCH.

8. The method according to any one of claims 4 to 7, wherein, The first synchronization signal and the second synchronization signal are associated with the position of PBCH in the time domain or frequency domain, including any one of the following: In the first time domain position, the first synchronization signal, the second synchronization signal, and the PBCH are continuous or overlap in the time domain; in the second time domain position, the first synchronization signal and the second synchronization signal are continuous or overlap in the time domain, but are discontinuous or overlap with the PBCH. In the first time domain position, the first synchronization signal, the second synchronization signal, and the PBCH are continuous or overlapped in the time domain; in the second time domain position, the second synchronization signal and the PBCH are continuous or overlapped in the time domain.

9. The method according to claim 8, wherein, The first time-domain position or the second time-domain position is determined at least based on the frame number, time slot index, period, or offset.

10. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein, The inter-signal beam association includes at least one of the following: The first synchronization signal is beam-correlated with the second synchronization signal; The first synchronization signal is beam-associated with the PBCH; The second synchronization signal is beam-associated with the PBCH; Alternatively, the first synchronization signal and the second synchronization signal are beam-associated with the PBCH.

11. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein, The inter-signal beam association includes at least one of the following: The first synchronization signal and the second synchronization signal are beam-associated one-to-one, and the second synchronization signal and the PBCH are beam-associated one-to-many. The first synchronization signal is associated with the beam of the PBCH in a one-to-one manner, and the beam of the PBCH or the first synchronization signal is associated with the beam of the second synchronization signal in a one-to-many manner. The beams of the first synchronization signal and the second synchronization signal are associated one-to-one, and the beams of the PBCH are associated one-to-many with either the first synchronization signal or the second synchronization signal. The first synchronization signal and the second synchronization signal are associated in a one-to-many beam relationship, and the second synchronization signal is associated in a one-to-one beam relationship with the PBCH.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein, The one-to-one association includes a beam association between two signals, or a one-to-one association between multiple beam indices of two signals. The one-to-many association includes associating one beam index of one signal with multiple beam indices of another signal, or associating a first number of beam indices of one signal with a second number of beam indices of another signal, wherein the first number is less than the second number.

13. The method according to claim 11 or 12, wherein, The first synchronization signal is beam-associated one-to-one with the PBCH, and the PBCH or the first synchronization signal is beam-associated one-to-many with the second synchronization signal, satisfying at least one of the following: The second synchronization signal corresponding to the first beam in a multi-beam system is related to the position of the first synchronization signal. The second synchronization signal corresponding to the second beam in the multi-beam structure is associated with the PBCH position; The second synchronization signal corresponding to the first beam in the multi-beam system is associated with the PBCH position.

14. The method according to claim 13, wherein, The second synchronization signal corresponding to the first beam in the multi-beam array is continuous with the first synchronization signal. The second synchronization signal corresponding to the second beam in the multi-beam array is continuous with the PBCH position. The order of the three signals is: first synchronization signal, second synchronization signal of the first beam, PBCH, second synchronization signal of the second beam; or... The second synchronization signal corresponding to the first beam in the multi-beam configuration is continuous with the PBCH position, and the second synchronization signal corresponding to the first beam and the second synchronization signal corresponding to the second beam are continuous. The order of the three signals is: first synchronization signal, PBCH, second synchronization signal of the first beam, and second synchronization signal of the second beam.

15. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein, The signal intra-beam correlation includes: The first synchronization signal, the second synchronization signal, or the PBCH includes a first type of beam index and a second type of beam index. The second type of beam index is associated with the first type of beam index. The first type of beam index includes N1 beam indices, and the second type of beam index includes N2 beam indices. Both N1 and N2 are integers greater than 0.

16. The method according to claim 15, wherein, The first type of beam index and the second type of beam index satisfy at least one of the following: N1*n=N2, where n is a positive integer; The second synchronization signals corresponding to N1 beam indices are consecutive or have the same interval; The second synchronization signals corresponding to the N2 beam indices are consecutive or have the same interval; There is a one-to-many relationship between the first type of beam and the second type of beam.

17. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 16, wherein, The first synchronization signal, the second synchronization signal, or the PBCH satisfies the inter-signal position correlation, the inter-signal beam correlation, and the intra-signal beam correlation.

18. The method according to claim 17, wherein, The second synchronization signal includes a first type beam and a second type beam. The first synchronization signal and / or PBCH are associated with the first type beam of the second synchronization signal, and there is a one-to-many association between the first type beam and the second type beam.

19. The method according to claim 18, wherein, The first synchronization signal, the second synchronization signal, or PBCH satisfies at least one of the following: The second synchronization signal based on the first type of beam precedes the PBCH; The second synchronization signal based on the second type of beam follows the PBCH; The first synchronization signal and the second synchronization signal based on the first type of beam are correlated in the time domain position of PBCH, and the second synchronization signal corresponding to the second type of beam is after PBCH; The time-domain order of the three signals is: first synchronization signal, second synchronization signal based on first type of beam, PBCH, and second synchronization signal corresponding to second type of beam.

20. The method according to any one of claims 17 to 19, wherein, The first synchronization signal, the second synchronization signal, or PBCH satisfies at least one of the following: The first synchronization signal or PBCH corresponds to the first type of beam, and the second synchronization signal corresponds to both the second type of beam and the first type of beam. The first synchronization signal corresponds to the first type of beam, and the PBCH or the second synchronization signal corresponds to the second type of beam and the first type of beam; The second synchronization signal corresponds to the second type of beam, and the first synchronization signal or PBCH corresponds to the first type of beam; The second synchronization signal or the first synchronization signal corresponds to the second type of beam, and PBCH corresponds to the first type of beam.

21. The method according to claim 20, wherein, The first type of beam and the second type of beam have a one-to-one or one-to-many relationship.

22. A signal receiving method, wherein, Applied to the second node, the method includes: Receive a first synchronization signal, a second synchronization signal, and / or a physical broadcast channel (PBCH); the first synchronization signal, the second synchronization signal, or the PBCH satisfies at least one of the following: Positional correlation between signals; Beam correlation between signals; Intra-signal beam correlation; The inter-signal positional association includes the positional association between signals and / or channels, the inter-signal beam association includes the beam association between signals and / or channels, and the intra-signal beam association includes the association between beams of a signal or channel.

23. A communication device, wherein, include: Processor and memory; The memory stores instructions that the processor can execute; When the processor is configured to execute the instructions, the communication device implements the method as described in any one of claims 1-22.

24. A computer-readable storage medium, wherein, include: Software instructions; When the software instructions are executed in the communication device, the communication device performs the method as described in any one of claims 1-22, wherein the computer-readable storage medium includes a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium.

25. A computer program product, wherein, include: Computer instructions; When the computer instructions are executed in the communication device, the communication device causes the communication device to perform the method as described in any one of claims 1-22.

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