WO2025051074A1 - Communication method, communication apparatus, chip and computer-readable storage medium - Google Patents

Abstract

The present application discloses a communication method, a communication apparatus, a chip and a computer-readable storage medium, and the present application can be applied to wireless communication systems. The method comprises: generating a synchronization signal and a master information block (MIB); and periodically sending the synchronization signal and the MIB, wherein the ratio of the period of the synchronization signal to the period of the MIB within a first time period is different from the ratio of the period of the synchronization signal to the period of the MIB within a second time period. In the embodiments of the present application, the ratio of the period of a synchronization signal to the period of an MIB within a first time period is different from the ratio of the period of the synchronization signal to the period of the MIB within a second time period, thus indicating that the ratio of the period of the synchronization signal to the period of the MIB is variable. Compared with a fixed ratio of the period of a synchronization signal to the period of an MIB, a variable ratio of the period of the synchronization signal to the period of the MIB can improve the resource utilization rate.

Description

Communication method, communication device, chip and computer readable storage medium

This application claims the priority of the Chinese patent application filed with the State Intellectual Property Office of China on September 5, 2023, with application number 202311142206.3, and the priority of the Chinese patent application with the invention name "Communication method, communication device, chip and computer-readable storage medium", all of which are incorporated by reference in this application.

Technical Field

The present application relates to the field of communications, and in particular to a communication method, a communication device, a chip, and a computer-readable storage medium.

Background Art

In a mobile communication system, after the terminal device is turned on, it is usually necessary to search for a suitable cell as quickly as possible (for example, the cell with the highest power measured by the terminal device). After the terminal device is synchronized with the cell in terms of time slot and frequency, it needs to continue to read the system information of the cell and then log in (or access) to the cell. After logging in to the cell, the terminal device can use the services of the network. In order to enable the terminal device to synchronize with the cell in terms of time slot and frequency as quickly as possible, the base station periodically sends a synchronization signal. The synchronization signals periodically sent by the base station include the primary synchronization signal (PSS) and the secondary synchronization signal (SSS).

Generally speaking, system information is repeatedly broadcast by network-side devices (such as base stations) so that the terminal device can obtain system information in a timely manner no matter when it is turned on. The system information broadcast by network-side devices is divided into two categories: master information block (MIB) messages and multiple system information block (SIB) messages. When the network-side device is turned on, it will first send a MIB message and then send a series of SIB messages.

A passive IoT communication system refers to a communication system in which terminal devices do not rely on battery power. In this system, there may be three types of terminal devices, and the power consumption of the terminal devices is strictly limited. For example, the power consumption of a passive tag type terminal is 100uW.

Currently, the existing solutions for periodically sending synchronization signals and system messages have the problem of low resource utilization in passive IoT communication systems.

Summary of the invention

The embodiments of the present application disclose a communication method, a communication device, a chip and a computer-readable storage medium, which can improve resource utilization.

In a first aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication method, the method comprising: generating a synchronization signal and a master information block (MIB); periodically sending the synchronization signal and the MIB, wherein the ratio of the period of the synchronization signal to the period of the MIB in a first time period is different from the ratio of the period of the synchronization signal to the period of the MIB in a second time period.

In the embodiment of the present application, the ratio of the period of the synchronization signal to the period of the MIB in the first time period is different from the ratio of the period of the synchronization signal to the period of the MIB in the second time period, indicating that the ratio of the period of the synchronization signal to the period of the MIB is variable, rather than fixed. The ratio of the period of the synchronization signal to the period of the MIB is variable, which is different from the ratio of the period of the synchronization signal to the period of the MIB being fixed; it can improve resource utilization. In other words, the ratio of the period of the synchronization signal to the period of the MIB is adjusted according to actual needs, which can improve resource utilization, that is, reduce the waste of air interface resources.

In a possible implementation, the method further includes: sending control information, the control information being used to indicate any of the following: a ratio of a period of a synchronization signal to a period of a MIB within the first time period; a period of a synchronization signal and a period of a MIB within the first time period; an interval between a first synchronization signal and a first MIB after the first synchronization signal, wherein the first synchronization signal is a synchronization signal with the shortest interval with the control information within the first time period. Hereinafter, the period ratio information is used to replace any of the following: a ratio of a period of a synchronization signal to a period of a MIB within the first time period; a period of a synchronization signal and a period of a MIB within the first time period; an interval between the first synchronization signal and a first MIB after the first synchronization signal; a ratio of a period of a synchronization signal to a period of a MIB within the first time period, and a ratio of a period of a MIB to a period of a system information block (SIB) within the first time period; a period of a synchronization signal, a period of a MIB and a period of a SIB within the first time period.

In this implementation, the control information is used to indicate period ratio information, so that the terminal device can know the ratio of the period of the synchronization signal to the period of the MIB in the first time period.

In one possible implementation, the method also includes: periodically sending SIB; sending first control information, wherein the first control information indicates at least one of the following: the ratio of the period of the synchronization signal to the period of the MIB within the first time period, and the ratio of the period of the MIB to the period of the SIB within the first time period; the period of the synchronization signal, the period of the MIB and the period of the SIB within the first time period.

In this implementation, the first control information is used to indicate period ratio information, so that the terminal device can know the ratio of the period of the synchronization signal to the period of the MIB in the first time period, and the ratio of the period of the MIB to the period of the SIB in the first time period.

In a possible implementation manner, the method further includes: sending first block information, where the first block information is used to indicate the block information of the MIB sent in the first time period.

In this implementation, the first block information is sent so that the terminal device can obtain the block information of the MIB sent in the first time period based on the first block information, and then merge multiple MIB blocks after receiving them to obtain the original MIB information.

In one possible implementation, the method also includes: periodically sending SIB; the first synchronization signal within the first time period is used to indicate at least one of the following: the ratio of the period of the synchronization signal to the period of the MIB within the first time period, and the ratio of the period of the MIB to the period of the SIB within the first time period; the period of the synchronization signal, the period of the MIB and the period of the SIB within the first time period.

In this implementation, the ratio of the period of the MIB to the period of the SIB is variable, rather than constant; thus, it can adapt to different scenarios, for example, when the length of the MIB and the length of the SIB change significantly, the period can be adjusted to improve resource utilization. In addition, the first synchronization signal is used to indicate the period ratio information; there is no need to send other information to indicate the period ratio information, which can save signaling overhead.

In a possible implementation, the periodic sending of the synchronization signal and the MIB includes: when the duration of the MIB to be sent is greater than a second threshold, periodically sending the synchronization signal and a plurality of sub-MIBs obtained by dividing the MIB to be sent, and the second threshold is greater than or equal to 320 ms.

In this implementation, when the duration of the MIB to be sent is greater than the second threshold, a synchronization signal and multiple sub-MIBs obtained by dividing the MIB to be sent are periodically sent; the time the terminal device waits to receive the MIB can be reduced.

In a second aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides another communication method, which includes: receiving a periodically sent synchronization signal and MIB, wherein the ratio of the period of the synchronization signal to the period of the MIB in a first time period is different from the ratio of the period of the synchronization signal to the period of the MIB in a second time period; and parsing the received synchronization signal and MIB.

In the embodiment of the present application, the ratio of the period of the synchronization signal to the period of the MIB in the first time period is different from the ratio of the period of the synchronization signal to the period of the MIB in the second time period, indicating that the ratio of the period of the synchronization signal to the period of the MIB is variable, rather than fixed. The ratio of the period of the synchronization signal to the period of the MIB is variable, which is different from the ratio of the period of the synchronization signal to the period of the MIB being fixed; it can improve resource utilization. In other words, the ratio of the period of the synchronization signal to the period of the MIB is adjusted according to actual needs, which can improve resource utilization, that is, reduce the waste of air interface resources.

In a possible implementation, the method also includes: receiving control information, wherein the control information is used to indicate any one of the following: the ratio of the period of the synchronization signal within the first time period to the period of the MIB; the period of the synchronization signal within the first time period and the period of the MIB; the interval between the first synchronization signal and the first MIB after the first synchronization signal, the first synchronization signal being the synchronization signal with the shortest interval with the control information within the first time period.

In this implementation, the control information is used to indicate period ratio information, and the terminal device can obtain the ratio of the period of the synchronization signal to the period of the MIB in the first time period based on the control information.

In one possible implementation, the method also includes: receiving a periodically sent SIB; the first synchronization signal within the first time period is used to indicate at least one of the following: the ratio of the period of the synchronization signal to the period of the MIB within the first time period, and the ratio of the period of the MIB to the period of the SIB within the first time period; the period of the synchronization signal, the period of the MIB and the period of the SIB within the first time period.

In this implementation, the first control information is used to indicate period ratio information, so that the terminal device can know the ratio of the period of the synchronization signal to the period of the MIB in the first time period, and the ratio of the period of the MIB to the period of the SIB in the first time period.

In a possible implementation manner, the method further includes: receiving first block information, where the first block information is used to indicate the block information of the MIB sent in the first time period.

In this implementation, the first block information is received, and based on the first block information, the terminal device can obtain the block information of the MIB sent in the first time period, so as to merge multiple MIB blocks after receiving them to obtain the original MIB information.

In one possible implementation, the method also includes: receiving a periodically sent SIB; the first synchronization signal within the first time period is used to indicate at least one of the following: the ratio of the period of the synchronization signal to the period of the MIB within the first time period, and the ratio of the period of the MIB to the period of the SIB within the first time period; the period of the synchronization signal, the period of the MIB and the period of the SIB within the first time period.

In this implementation, the ratio of the MIB period to the SIB period is variable, rather than constant; thus, when the MIB length and the SIB length change significantly in different scenarios, the period can be adjusted to improve resource utilization. In addition, the first synchronization signal is used to indicate the period ratio information; no additional information needs to be sent to indicate the period ratio information, which can save signaling overhead.

In a possible implementation manner of the first aspect or the second aspect, the first synchronization signal in the first time period is used to indicate any of the following: Items: ratio of the period of the synchronization signal to the period of the MIB within the first time period; the period of the synchronization signal and the period of the MIB within the first time period; the interval between the first synchronization signal and the first MIB after the first synchronization signal, the first MIB being the MIB after the first synchronization signal with the shortest time interval with the first synchronization signal. The first MIB may be located within the first time period.

In this implementation, the first synchronization signal is used to indicate the period ratio information; there is no need to send other information to indicate the period ratio information, which can save signaling overhead.

In a possible implementation of the first aspect or the second aspect, the first synchronization signal includes a secondary synchronization signal (SSS), and the frequency domain component and/or time domain component of the SSS is used to indicate any one of the following items: the ratio of the period of the synchronization signal in the first time period to the period of the MIB; the period of the synchronization signal and the period of the MIB in the first time period; the interval between the first synchronization signal and the first MIB after the first synchronization signal.

In this implementation, the frequency domain component and/or time domain component of the SSS is used to indicate the period ratio information, and there is no need to send other information to indicate the period ratio information, which can save signaling overhead.

In a possible implementation of the first aspect or the second aspect, the frequency domain component of the SSS is used to indicate any of the following items, including: the number and/or interval of frequency points used by the SSS is used to indicate any of the following items: the ratio of the period of the synchronization signal in the first time period to the period of the MIB; the period of the synchronization signal in the first time period and the period of the MIB; the interval between the first synchronization signal and the first MIB after the first synchronization signal.

In this implementation, the number and/or interval of frequency points used by the SSS is used to indicate the period ratio information, and no additional information needs to be sent to indicate the period ratio information, thereby saving signaling overhead.

In a possible implementation of the first aspect or the second aspect, the duration or time gap of the SSS in the time domain is used to indicate any of the following: the ratio of the period of the synchronization signal to the period of the MIB in the first time period; the period of the synchronization signal and the period of the MIB in the first time period; the interval between the first synchronization signal and the first MIB after the first synchronization signal. The duration of the SSS in the time domain refers to the duration of the SSS. The time gap of an SSS in the time domain refers to the duration of the SSS being gapped in the time domain.

In this implementation, the duration or time gap of the time domain of the SSS is used to indicate the period ratio information, and no additional information needs to be sent to indicate the period ratio information, which can save signaling overhead.

In a possible implementation of the first aspect or the second aspect, the period of the synchronization signal in the first time period is less than a first threshold, the first threshold is less than or equal to 5ms, and the MIB periodically sent in the first time period includes multiple sub-MIBs obtained by dividing the first MIB into blocks, and the multiple sub-MIBs have different sending times. In this document, when the periodically sent MIB is a sub-MIB, the period of the MIB refers to the period of the sub-MIB, that is, the duration between two adjacent sub-MIBs.

In this implementation, when the period of the synchronization signal within the first time period is less than the first threshold, the MIB periodically sent within the first time period includes multiple sub-MIBs obtained by dividing the first MIB into blocks; thereby avoiding the limitation on the MIB transmission length when the synchronization signal period is too small, improving the flexibility of the system, and ensuring that the MIB signal timing resources are fully available.

In a possible implementation of the first aspect or the second aspect, the MIB periodically sent during the first time period includes multiple sub-MIBs obtained by dividing the first MIB into blocks, the length of each sub-MIB is less than a second threshold, the sending times of the multiple sub-MIBs are different, and the second threshold is greater than or equal to 320ms.

In a possible implementation manner of the first aspect or the second aspect, the durations of the multiple sub-MIBs are equal, and the durations of the multiple sub-MIBs are obtained based on a period of a synchronization signal within the first time period and a duration of a synchronization signal within the first time period.

In this implementation, the duration of the multiple sub-MIBs is obtained based on the period of the synchronization signal in the first time period and the duration of a synchronization signal in the first time period; the duration of the sub-MIBs can be reasonably determined.

In a possible implementation manner of the first aspect or the second aspect, at least two MIBs among the multiple sub-MIBs have different durations, and the duration of a sub-MIB among the multiple sub-MIBs is used to determine the order of the sub-MIB among the multiple sub-MIBs.

In this implementation, the duration of a sub-MIB in multiple sub-MIBs is used to determine the order of the sub-MIB in the multiple sub-MIBs, and there is no need to send control information to indicate the order of the sub-MIB in the multiple sub-MIBs; signaling overhead can be saved.

In a possible implementation of the first aspect or the second aspect, the second synchronization signal in the first time period is used to indicate the block information of the MIB sent in the first time period. Exemplarily, the block information of the MIB sent in the first time period may include: the duration of the sub-MIB sent in the first time period and the number of sub-MIBs.

In this implementation, the second synchronization signal is used to indicate the block information of the MIB sent in the first time period, and there is no need to send control information to indicate the block information; thus, signaling overhead can be saved.

In a possible implementation manner of the first aspect or the second aspect, the second synchronization signal includes an SSS, and a frequency domain component of the SSS is used to indicate block information of the MIB sent in the first time period.

In this implementation, the frequency domain component of the SSS is used to indicate the block information of the MIB sent in the first time period, and there is no need to send control information to indicate the block information; thus, signaling overhead can be saved.

In a possible implementation manner of the first aspect or the second aspect, the number and/or interval of frequencies used by the SSS is used to indicate block information of the MIB sent in the first time period.

In this implementation, the number and/or interval of frequencies used by the SSS is used to indicate the block information of the MIB sent in the first time period, and there is no need to send control information to indicate the block information; thus, signaling overhead can be saved.

In a possible implementation of the first aspect or the second aspect, the number and/or interval of frequency points used by the SSS is used to indicate any of the following items: the first MIB block is composed of f sub-MIBs of equal length; the first MIB block is composed of f sub-MIBs of different lengths; the first MIB block is composed of t sub-MIBs, and the t sub-MIBs include s sub-MIBs of a first length and s sub-MIBs of a second length, f is an integer greater than 1, t is an integer greater than 3, and s is an integer greater than 1.

In a possible implementation of the first aspect or the second aspect, at least two of the multiple sub-MIBs use different scrambling codes, or at least two of the multiple sub-MIBs (which may be referred to as MIB blocks) use different scrambling for a cyclic redundancy check (CRC).

In this implementation, the benefit of scrambling the sub-MIB is to reduce the interference of neighboring cells. Only the terminal equipment in the cell can descramble the information received in the cell according to the cell-specific scrambling code sequence formed by the identity (ID) of the cell. Secondly, different MIB blocks use different scrambling codes. The scrambling code initialization seed can be the entire ID or part of the cell ID. When different blocks of the MIB (i.e., sub-MIBs) use different scrambling codes, then only the current MIB block can descramble the received MIB block according to the dedicated scrambling code sequence formed by the scrambling code of the current block, which can prevent the terminal equipment from incorrectly judging the order of the current block in the original MIB.

In a possible implementation of the first aspect or the second aspect, the period of the synchronization signal in the first time period is less than a first threshold, the period of the synchronization signal in the second time period is greater than or equal to the first threshold, and the first threshold is less than or equal to 5ms; the duration of the symbol in the MIB periodically repeatedly sent in the first time period is shorter than the duration of the symbol in the MIB periodically repeatedly sent in the second time period. The duration of the symbol in the MIB periodically repeatedly sent in the first time period is shorter than the duration of the symbol in the MIB periodically repeatedly sent in the second time period can be replaced by: the duration of a MIB in the first time period is shorter than the duration of a MIB in the second time period. Optionally, the ratio of the period of the synchronization signal in the first time period to the period of the MIB is greater than the ratio of the period of the synchronization signal in the second time period to the period of the MIB. In this article, duration refers to a duration, and duration can be replaced by duration.

In this implementation, the duration of symbols in the MIB that is periodically repeatedly sent in the first time period is shorter than the duration of symbols in the MIB that is periodically repeatedly sent in the second time period, indicating that the MIB in the first time period is compared with the MIB in the second time period. The duration of symbols in a single MIB is reduced, that is, the duration of the MIB is shortened and the number of repetitions of the MIB is increased; resource utilization can be improved.

In a possible implementation manner of the first aspect or the second aspect, a ratio of a period of the synchronization signal to a period of the MIB in the first time period is associated with a duration of a synchronization signal and a duration of a MIB in the first time period.

In this implementation, the ratio of the period of the synchronization signal in the first time period to the period of the MIB is associated with the duration of a synchronization signal and the duration of a MIB in the first time period; a method for determining the ratio of the period of the synchronization signal in the first time period to the period of the MIB is provided.

In a possible implementation manner of the first aspect or the second aspect, the ratio of the duration of the MIB in the first time period to the duration of the synchronization signal is greater than k and less than or equal to (k+1), and the ratio of the period of the MIB in the first time period to the period of the synchronization signal is (k+1), and k is an integer greater than or equal to 0. Exemplarily, when the ratio of the duration of the MIB in the first time period to the duration of the synchronization signal is greater than k and less than or equal to (k+1), the ratio of the period of the MIB in the first time period to the period of the synchronization signal is (k+1), and k is an integer greater than or equal to 0.

In this implementation, the ratio of the period of the synchronization signal in the first time period to the period of the MIB is determined based on the ratio of the duration of the MIB in the first time period to the duration of the synchronization signal. The ratio of the period of the synchronization signal in the first time period to the period of the MIB can be reasonably determined to improve resource utilization.

In a possible implementation of the first aspect or the second aspect, the first synchronization signal within the first time period includes an SSS, and the frequency domain component and/or time domain component of the SSS is used to indicate any one of the following items: the ratio of the period of the synchronization signal within the first time period to the period of the MIB, and the ratio of the period of the MIB within the first time period to the period of the SIB; the period of the synchronization signal, the period of the MIB, and the period of the SIB within the first time period.

In this implementation, the frequency domain component and/or time domain component of the SSS is used to indicate the period ratio information, and there is no need to send other information to indicate the period ratio information, which can save signaling overhead.

In a possible implementation manner of the first aspect or the second aspect, the frequency domain component of the SSS is used to indicate any of the following items, including: The number and/or interval of frequency points used by the SSS is used to indicate any of the following items: the ratio of the period of the synchronization signal to the period of the MIB in the first time period, and the ratio of the period of the MIB to the period of the SIB in the first time period; the period of the synchronization signal, the period of the MIB and the period of the SIB in the first time period.

In this implementation, the number and/or interval of frequency points used by the SSS is used to indicate the period ratio information, and no additional information needs to be sent to indicate the period ratio information, thereby saving signaling overhead.

In a third aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides another communication method, which includes: generating MIB and SIB; periodically sending MIB and SIB, and the ratio of the period of MIB to the period of SIB in a third time period is different from the ratio of the period of MIB to the period of SIB in a fourth time period.

In the embodiment of the present application, the ratio of the period of MIB to the period of SIB in the third time period is different from the ratio of the period of MIB to the period of SIB in the fourth time period, indicating that the ratio of the period of MIB to the period of SIB is variable, rather than fixed. The ratio of the period of MIB to the period of SIB is variable, compared with the ratio of the period of MIB to the period of SIB being fixed; it can improve resource utilization. In other words, the ratio of the period of MIB to the period of SIB is adjusted according to actual needs, which can improve resource utilization, that is, reduce the waste of air interface resources.

In a possible implementation, the method further includes: sending second control information, where the second control information is used to indicate any one of the following: a ratio of a period of the MIB to a period of the SIB within the third time period; a period of the MIB and a period of the SIB within the third time period.

In this implementation, sending the second control information can enable the terminal device to learn the ratio of the MIB period to the SIB period in the third time period.

In a possible implementation manner, the method further includes: sending second block information, where the second block information is used to indicate block information of the SIB sent in the third time period.

In this implementation, the second block information is sent so that the terminal device acquires the block information of the SIB sent in the third time period based on the second block information.

In a fourth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides another communication method, which includes: receiving periodically sent MIB and SIB, the ratio of the period of MIB to the period of SIB in a third time period is different from the ratio of the period of MIB to the period of SIB in a fourth time period; parsing the received MIB and SIB.

In the embodiment of the present application, the ratio of the period of MIB to the period of SIB in the third time period is different from the ratio of the period of MIB to the period of SIB in the fourth time period, indicating that the ratio of the period of MIB to the period of SIB is variable, rather than fixed. The ratio of the period of MIB to the period of SIB is variable, compared with the ratio of the period of MIB to the period of SIB being fixed; it can improve resource utilization. In other words, the ratio of the period of MIB to the period of SIB is adjusted according to actual needs, which can improve resource utilization, that is, reduce the waste of air interface resources.

In a possible implementation, the method further includes: receiving second control information, where the second control information is used to indicate any one of the following: a ratio of a period of the MIB to a period of the SIB within the third time period; a period of the MIB and a period of the SIB within the third time period.

In this implementation, the second control information is received, and the terminal device can obtain the ratio of the MIB period to the SIB period in the third time period based on the second control information.

In a possible implementation manner, the method further includes: receiving second block information, where the second block information is used to indicate block information of the SIB sent in the third time period.

In this implementation, the second block information is received, and based on the second block information, the terminal device can obtain the block information of the SIB sent in the third time period.

In a possible implementation manner of the third aspect or the fourth aspect, the SIB periodically sent in the third time period includes multiple sub-SIBs obtained by dividing one SIB block, and the sending times of the multiple sub-SIBs are different.

In this implementation, the SIB periodically sent in the third time period includes multiple sub-SIBs obtained by dividing one SIB into blocks, which can improve resource utilization.

In a possible implementation manner of the third aspect or the fourth aspect, the durations of the multiple sub-SIBs are equal, and the durations of the multiple sub-SIBs are obtained based on the period of the MIB within the third time period and the duration of a MIB within the third time period.

In this implementation, the duration of the multiple sub-SIBs is obtained based on the period of the MIB in the third time period and the duration of one MIB in the third time period; the duration of the sub-SIBs can be reasonably determined.

In a possible implementation manner of the third aspect or the fourth aspect, at least two SIBs among the multiple sub-SIBs have different durations, and the duration of the sub-SIB among the multiple sub-SIBs is used to determine the order of the sub-SIB among the multiple sub-SIBs.

In this implementation, the duration of a sub-SIB in a plurality of sub-SIBs is used to determine the order of the sub-SIB in the plurality of sub-SIBs, and there is no need to send control information to indicate the order of the sub-SIB in the plurality of sub-SIBs; thus, signaling overhead can be saved.

In a possible implementation of the third aspect or the fourth aspect, at least two of the multiple sub-SIBs use different scrambling codes, or at least two of the multiple sub-SIBs (which may be referred to as MIB blocks) use different scrambling for CRC.

In this implementation, the benefit of scrambling the sub-SIB is to reduce the interference of neighboring cells. Only the terminal equipment in the cell can descramble the information received in the cell according to the cell-specific scrambling code sequence formed by the identity (ID) of the cell. Secondly, different SIB blocks use different scrambling codes. The scrambling code initialization seed can be the entire ID or part of the cell ID. When different blocks of the SIB (i.e., sub-SIBs) use different scrambling codes, then only the current SIB block can descramble the received SIB block according to the dedicated scrambling code sequence formed by the scrambling code of the current block, which can prevent the terminal equipment from incorrectly judging the order of the current block in the original SIB.

In a possible implementation of the third aspect or the fourth aspect, the duration of the symbols in the SIB periodically repeatedly sent in the third time period is shorter than the duration of the symbols in the SIB periodically repeatedly sent in the fourth time period. The duration of the symbols in the SIB periodically repeatedly sent in the third time period is shorter than the duration of the symbols in the SIB periodically repeatedly sent in the fourth time period can be replaced by: the duration of a SIB in the third time period is shorter than the duration of a SIB in the fourth time period. Optionally, the ratio of the period of the MIB in the third time period to the period of the SIB is greater than the ratio of the period of the MIB in the fourth time period to the period of the SIB.

In this implementation, the duration of symbols in the SIB periodically repeatedly sent in the third time period is shorter than the duration of symbols in the SIB periodically repeatedly sent in the fourth time period, indicating that the SIB in the third time period is compared with the SIB in the fourth time period. The duration of the symbols in a single SIB is reduced, that is, the duration of the SIB is shortened and the number of repetitions of the SIB is increased; this can improve resource utilization.

In a possible implementation manner of the third aspect or the fourth aspect, a ratio of a period of the MIB to a period of the SIB in the third time period is associated with a duration of a MIB and a duration of a SIB in the third time period.

In this implementation, the ratio of the MIB period to the SIB period in the third time period is associated with the duration of a MIB and a SIB in the third time period; a method for determining the ratio of the MIB period to the SIB period in the third time period is provided.

In a possible implementation manner of the third aspect or the fourth aspect, the ratio of the duration of the SIB in the third time period to the duration of the MIB is greater than k and less than or equal to (k+1), and the ratio of the period of the SIB in the third time period to the period of the MIB is (k+1), and k is an integer greater than or equal to 0. Exemplarily, when the ratio of the duration of the SIB in the third time period to the duration of the MIB is greater than k and less than or equal to (k+1), the ratio of the period of the SIB in the third time period to the period of the MIB is (k+1), and k is an integer greater than or equal to 0.

In this implementation, the ratio of the MIB period to the SIB period in the third time period is determined based on the ratio of the SIB duration to the MIB duration in the third time period. The ratio of the MIB period to the SIB period in the third time period can be reasonably determined to improve resource utilization.

In a fifth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides another communication method, which includes: a network device periodically sends a synchronization signal and a master information block MIB, and the ratio of the period of the synchronization signal to the period of the MIB in a first time period is different from the ratio of the period of the synchronization signal to the period of the MIB in a second time period; a terminal device receives the synchronization signal and MIB periodically sent by the network device.

In the embodiment of the present application, the ratio of the period of the synchronization signal to the period of the MIB in the first time period is different from the ratio of the period of the synchronization signal to the period of the MIB in the second time period, indicating that the ratio of the period of the synchronization signal to the period of the MIB is variable, rather than fixed. The ratio of the period of the synchronization signal to the period of the MIB is variable, which is different from the ratio of the period of the synchronization signal to the period of the MIB being fixed; it can improve resource utilization.

In one possible implementation, the first synchronization signal in the first time period is used to indicate any one of the following: the ratio of the period of the synchronization signal in the first time period to the period of the MIB; the period of the synchronization signal in the first time period and the period of the MIB; the interval between the first synchronization signal and the first MIB after the first synchronization signal, the first MIB being the MIB after the first synchronization signal with the shortest time interval with the first synchronization signal.

In this implementation, the first synchronization signal is used to indicate the period ratio information; there is no need to send other information to indicate the period ratio information, which can save signaling overhead.

In one possible implementation, the first synchronization signal includes SSS, and the frequency domain component and/or time domain component of the SSS is used to indicate any one of the following items: the ratio of the period of the synchronization signal within the first time period to the period of the MIB; the period of the synchronization signal within the first time period and the period of the MIB; the interval between the first synchronization signal and the first MIB after the first synchronization signal.

In this implementation, the frequency domain component and/or time domain component of the SSS is used to indicate the period ratio information, and there is no need to send other information to indicate the period ratio information, which can save signaling overhead.

In one possible implementation, the frequency domain component of the SSS is used to indicate any of the following items, including: the number and/or interval of frequency points used by the SSS is used to indicate any of the following items: the ratio of the period of the synchronization signal in the first time period to the period of the MIB; the period of the synchronization signal in the first time period and the period of the MIB; the interval between the first synchronization signal and the first MIB after the first synchronization signal.

In this implementation, the number and/or interval of frequency points used by the SSS is used to indicate the period ratio information, and no additional information needs to be sent to indicate the period ratio information, thereby saving signaling overhead.

In a possible implementation, the duration or time gap of the SSS in the time domain is used to indicate any of the following: the ratio of the period of the synchronization signal to the period of the MIB in the first time period; the period of the synchronization signal and the period of the MIB in the first time period; the interval between the first synchronization signal and the first MIB after the first synchronization signal. The duration of the SSS in the time domain refers to the duration of the SSS. The time gap of an SSS in the time domain refers to the duration of the SSS being gapped in the time domain.

In this implementation, the duration or time gap of the time domain of the SSS is used to indicate the period ratio information, and no additional information needs to be sent to indicate the period ratio information, which can save signaling overhead.

In a possible implementation, the method also includes: the network device sends control information, and the control information is used to indicate any one of the following: the ratio of the period of the synchronization signal within the first time period to the period of the MIB; the period of the synchronization signal within the first time period and the period of the MIB; the interval between the first synchronization signal and the first MIB after the first synchronization signal, the first synchronization signal being the synchronization signal with the shortest interval with the control information within the first time period; and the terminal device receives the control information.

In this implementation, the control information is used to indicate period ratio information, and the terminal device can obtain the ratio of the period of the synchronization signal to the period of the MIB in the first time period based on the control information.

In a possible implementation manner, the ratio of the period of the synchronization signal to the period of the MIB in the first time period is associated with the duration of a synchronization signal and the duration of a MIB in the first time period.

In this implementation, the ratio of the period of the synchronization signal in the first time period to the period of the MIB is associated with the duration of a synchronization signal and the duration of a MIB in the first time period; a method for determining the ratio of the period of the synchronization signal in the first time period to the period of the MIB is provided.

In a possible implementation, the ratio of the duration of the MIB in the first time period to the duration of the synchronization signal is greater than k and less than or equal to (k+1), and the ratio of the period of the MIB in the first time period to the period of the synchronization signal is (k+1), where k is an integer greater than or equal to 0. Exemplarily, when the ratio of the duration of the MIB in the first time period to the duration of the synchronization signal is greater than k and less than or equal to (k+1), the ratio of the period of the MIB in the first time period to the period of the synchronization signal is (k+1), where k is an integer greater than or equal to 0.

In this implementation, the ratio of the period of the synchronization signal in the first time period to the period of the MIB is determined based on the ratio of the duration of the MIB in the first time period to the duration of the synchronization signal. The ratio of the period of the synchronization signal in the first time period to the period of the MIB can be reasonably determined to improve resource utilization.

In a possible implementation, the period of the synchronization signal in the first time period is less than a first threshold, the first threshold is less than or equal to 5 ms, and the MIB periodically sent in the first time period includes multiple sub-MIBs obtained by dividing the first MIB into blocks, and the sending times of the multiple sub-MIBs are different.

In this implementation, when the period of the synchronization signal in the first time period is less than the first threshold, the MIB periodically sent in the first time period includes multiple sub-MIBs obtained by dividing the first MIB into blocks; resource utilization can be improved.

In one possible implementation, the network device periodically sends a synchronization signal and MIB, including: the network device periodically sends a synchronization signal and multiple sub-MIBs obtained by dividing the MIB to be sent when the duration of the MIB to be sent is greater than a second threshold, and the second threshold is greater than or equal to 320ms.

In this implementation, when the duration of the MIB to be sent is greater than the second threshold, a synchronization signal and multiple sub-MIBs obtained by dividing the MIB to be sent are periodically sent; the time the terminal device waits to receive the MIB can be reduced.

In a possible implementation manner, the durations of the multiple sub-MIBs are equal, and the durations of the multiple sub-MIBs are obtained based on a period of a synchronization signal in the first time period and a duration of a synchronization signal in the first time period.

In this implementation, the duration of the multiple sub-MIBs is obtained based on the period of the synchronization signal in the first time period and the duration of a synchronization signal in the first time period; the duration of the sub-MIBs can be reasonably determined.

In a possible implementation manner, at least two MIBs among the multiple sub-MIBs have different durations, and the duration of a sub-MIB among the multiple sub-MIBs is used to determine the order of the sub-MIB among the multiple sub-MIBs.

In this implementation, the duration of a sub-MIB in multiple sub-MIBs is used to determine the order of the sub-MIB in the multiple sub-MIBs, and there is no need to send control information to indicate the order of the sub-MIB in the multiple sub-MIBs; signaling overhead can be saved.

In a possible implementation, the second synchronization signal in the first time period is used to indicate the block information of the MIB sent in the first time period. Exemplarily, the block information of the MIB sent in the first time period may include: the duration of the sub-MIB sent in the first time period and the number of sub-MIBs.

In this implementation, the second synchronization signal is used to indicate the block information of the MIB sent in the first time period, and there is no need to send control information to indicate the block information; thus, signaling overhead can be saved.

In a possible implementation, the second synchronization signal includes an SSS, and a frequency domain component of the SSS is used to indicate block information of the MIB sent in the first time period.

In this implementation, the frequency domain component of the SSS is used to indicate the block information of the MIB sent in the first time period, and there is no need to send control information to indicate the block information; thus, signaling overhead can be saved.

In a possible implementation, the number and/or interval of frequencies used by the SSS is used to indicate block information of the MIB sent in the first time period.

In this implementation, the number and/or interval of frequencies used by the SSS is used to indicate the block information of the MIB sent in the first time period, and there is no need to send control information to indicate the block information; thus, signaling overhead can be saved.

In one possible implementation, the number and/or interval of frequency points used by the SSS is used to indicate any of the following items: the first MIB block is composed of f sub-MIBs of equal length; the first MIB block is composed of f sub-MIBs of different lengths; the first MIB block is composed of t sub-MIBs, and the t sub-MIBs include s sub-MIBs of a first length and s sub-MIBs of a second length, f is an integer greater than 1, t is an integer greater than 3, and s is an integer greater than 1.

In one possible implementation, at least two of the multiple sub-MIBs use different scrambling codes, or at least two of the multiple sub-MIBs (which may be referred to as MIB blocks) use different scrambling for cyclic redundancy checks (CRC).

In one possible implementation, the period of the synchronization signal in the first time period is less than a first threshold, the period of the synchronization signal in the second time period is greater than or equal to the first threshold, and the first threshold is less than or equal to 5ms; the duration of the symbols in the MIB periodically repeated in the first time period is shorter than the duration of the symbols in the MIB periodically repeated in the second time period.

In a possible implementation, the method also includes: the network device periodically sends the SIB; the first synchronization signal within the first time period is used to indicate at least one of the following: the ratio of the period of the synchronization signal to the period of the MIB within the first time period, and the ratio of the period of the MIB to the period of the SIB within the first time period; the period of the synchronization signal, the period of the MIB and the period of the SIB within the first time period; the terminal device receives the SIB periodically sent by the network device; the terminal device obtains the ratio of the period of the synchronization signal to the period of the MIB within the first time period, and the ratio of the period of the MIB to the period of the SIB within the first time period based on the first synchronization signal.

In this implementation, the ratio of the MIB period to the SIB period is variable, rather than constant, which can improve resource utilization. In addition, the first synchronization signal is used to indicate the period ratio information; no additional information needs to be sent to indicate the period ratio information, which can save signaling overhead.

In one possible implementation, the first synchronization signal within the first time period includes SSS, and the frequency domain component and/or time domain component of the SSS is used to indicate any one of the following items: the ratio of the period of the synchronization signal within the first time period to the period of the MIB, and the ratio of the period of the MIB within the first time period to the period of the SIB; the period of the synchronization signal, the period of the MIB and the period of the SIB within the first time period.

In one possible implementation, the frequency domain component of the SSS is used to indicate any of the following items, including: the number and/or interval of frequency points used by the SSS is used to indicate any of the following items: the ratio of the period of the synchronization signal to the period of the MIB within the first time period, and the ratio of the period of the MIB to the period of the SIB within the first time period; the period of the synchronization signal, the period of the MIB and the period of the SIB within the first time period.

In a sixth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication device, which has the function of implementing the behavior in the method embodiment of the first aspect above. The communication device can be a network device, or a component of a network device (such as a processor, a chip, or a chip system, etc.), or a logic module or software that can implement all or part of the functions of the network device. The functions of the communication device can be implemented by hardware, or by hardware executing corresponding software implementations, and the hardware or software includes one or more modules or units corresponding to the above functions. In a possible implementation, the communication device includes a transceiver module and a processing module, wherein: the processing module is used to generate a synchronization signal and a MIB; the transceiver module is used to periodically send a synchronization signal and a MIB, and the ratio of the period of the synchronization signal to the period of the MIB in the first time period is different from the ratio of the period of the synchronization signal to the period of the MIB in the second time period.

In a possible implementation, the transceiver module is further used to send control information, where the control information is used to indicate any of the following: a ratio of a period of the synchronization signal in the first time period to a period of the MIB; a ratio of a period of the synchronization signal in the first time period to a period of the MIB; period; an interval between a first synchronization signal and a first MIB after the first synchronization signal, wherein the first synchronization signal is a synchronization signal having the shortest interval with the control information within the first time period.

In one possible implementation, the transceiver module is also used to periodically send SIB; send first control information, and the first control information is used to indicate at least one of the following: the ratio of the period of the synchronization signal to the period of the MIB within the first time period, and the ratio of the period of the MIB to the period of the SIB within the first time period; the period of the synchronization signal, the period of the MIB and the period of the SIB within the first time period.

In a possible implementation, the transceiver module is also used to periodically send SIB; the first synchronization signal within the first time period is used to indicate at least one of the following: the ratio of the period of the synchronization signal to the period of the MIB within the first time period, and the ratio of the period of the MIB to the period of the SIB within the first time period; the period of the synchronization signal, the period of the MIB and the period of the SIB within the first time period.

Possible implementations of the communication device of the sixth aspect may refer to various possible implementations of the first aspect.

For the technical effects brought about by various possible implementation methods of the sixth aspect, reference may be made to the introduction to the technical effects of the first aspect or various possible implementation methods of the first aspect.

In the seventh aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication device, which has the function of implementing the behavior in the method embodiment of the second aspect above. The communication device can be a terminal device, or a component of a terminal device (such as a processor, a chip, or a chip system, etc.), or a logic module or software that can implement all or part of the functions of the terminal device. The functions of the communication device can be implemented by hardware, or by hardware executing corresponding software implementations, and the hardware or software includes one or more modules or units corresponding to the above functions. In a possible implementation, the communication device includes a transceiver module and a processing module, wherein: the transceiver module is used to receive periodically sent synchronization signals and MIBs, and the ratio of the period of the synchronization signal to the period of the MIB in the first time period is different from the ratio of the period of the synchronization signal to the period of the MIB in the second time period; the processing module is used to parse the received synchronization signal and MIB.

In a possible implementation, the transceiver module is also used to receive control information, and the control information is used to indicate any one of the following items: the ratio of the period of the synchronization signal to the period of the MIB within the first time period; the period of the synchronization signal and the period of the MIB within the first time period; the interval between the first synchronization signal and the first MIB after the first synchronization signal, the first synchronization signal being the synchronization signal with the shortest interval with the control information within the first time period.

In one possible implementation, the transceiver module is also used to receive a periodically sent SIB; the first synchronization signal within the first time period is used to indicate at least one of the following: the ratio of the period of the synchronization signal to the period of the MIB within the first time period, and the ratio of the period of the MIB to the period of the SIB within the first time period; the period of the synchronization signal, the period of the MIB and the period of the SIB within the first time period.

In a possible implementation, the transceiver module is further used to receive first block information, where the first block information is used to indicate the block information of the MIB sent in the first time period.

In one possible implementation, the transceiver module is also used to receive a periodically sent SIB; the first synchronization signal within the first time period is used to indicate at least one of the following: the ratio of the period of the synchronization signal to the period of the MIB within the first time period, and the ratio of the period of the MIB to the period of the SIB within the first time period; the period of the synchronization signal, the period of the MIB and the period of the SIB within the first time period.

Possible implementations of the communication device of the seventh aspect may refer to various possible implementations of the second aspect.

For the technical effects brought about by various possible implementation methods of the seventh aspect, reference may be made to the introduction to the technical effects of the second aspect or various possible implementation methods of the second aspect.

In an eighth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication device, which has the function of implementing the behavior in the method embodiment of the third aspect above. The communication device may be a network device, or a component of a network device (such as a processor, a chip, or a chip system, etc.), or a logic module or software that can implement all or part of the functions of the network device. The functions of the communication device may be implemented by hardware, or by hardware executing corresponding software implementations, and the hardware or software includes one or more modules or units corresponding to the above functions. In one possible implementation, the communication device includes a transceiver module and a processing module, wherein: the processing module is used to generate MIB and SIB; the transceiver module is used to periodically send MIB and SIB, and the ratio of the period of MIB to the period of SIB in the third time period is different from the ratio of the period of MIB to the period of SIB in the fourth time period.

In a possible implementation, the transceiver module is further used to send second control information, and the second control information is used to indicate any one of the following items: the ratio of the MIB period to the SIB period in the third time period; the MIB period and the SIB period in the third time period.

In a possible implementation manner, the transceiver module is further used to send second block information, where the second block information is used to indicate the block information of the SIB sent in the third time period.

Possible implementations of the communication device of the eighth aspect may refer to various possible implementations of the third aspect.

Regarding the technical effects brought about by various possible implementation methods of the eighth aspect, reference may be made to the introduction to the technical effects of the third aspect or various possible implementation methods of the third aspect.

In the ninth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication device, which has the function of implementing the behavior in the method embodiment of the fourth aspect above. The communication device can be a terminal device, or a component of a terminal device (such as a processor, a chip, or a chip system, etc.), or a logic module or software that can implement all or part of the functions of the terminal device. The functions of the communication device can be implemented by hardware, or by hardware executing corresponding software implementations, and the hardware or software includes one or more modules or units corresponding to the above functions. In a possible implementation, the communication device includes a transceiver module and a processing module, wherein: the transceiver module is used to receive periodically sent MIB and SIB, and the ratio of the period of MIB to the period of SIB in the third time period is different from the ratio of the period of MIB to the period of SIB in the fourth time period; the processing module is used to parse the received MIB and SIB.

In a possible implementation, the transceiver module is further used to receive second control information, and the second control information is used to indicate any one of the following items: the ratio of the MIB period to the SIB period in the third time period; the MIB period and the SIB period in the third time period.

In a possible implementation manner, the transceiver module is further used to receive second block information, where the second block information is used to indicate block information of the SIB sent in the third time period.

Possible implementations of the communication device of the ninth aspect may refer to various possible implementations of the fourth aspect.

Regarding the technical effects brought about by various possible implementation methods of the ninth aspect, reference may be made to the introduction to the technical effects of the fourth aspect or various possible implementation methods of the fourth aspect.

In a tenth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides another communication device, which includes one or more processors, and the one or more processors are used to process data and/or information so that the method in any one of the first to fourth aspects is implemented.

Optionally, the communication device further includes a memory storing a program or instruction, and when the program or instruction is executed by the processor, the communication device executes the method as shown in any one of the first to fourth aspects above. Exemplarily, the communication device may be a chip, the processor may be a processing unit in the chip, and the memory may be a random access memory or a cache in the chip.

In the embodiment of the present application, in the process of executing the above method, the process of sending information (or signal) in the above method can be understood as the process of outputting information based on the instructions of the processor. When outputting information, the processor outputs the information to the transceiver so that it can be transmitted by the transceiver. After the information is output by the processor, it may also be processed in other ways before reaching the transceiver. Similarly, when the processor receives input information, the transceiver receives the information and inputs it into the processor. Furthermore, after the transceiver receives the information, the information may be processed in other ways before being input into the processor.

For operations such as sending and/or receiving involved by the processor, unless otherwise specified or unless they conflict with the actual function or internal logic in the relevant description, they can be generally understood as instructions output based on the processor.

During the implementation process, the processor may be a processor specifically used to execute these methods, or may be a processor that executes computer instructions in a memory to execute these methods, such as a general-purpose processor, etc. For example, the processor may also be used to execute a program stored in the memory, and when the program is executed, the communication device executes the method as shown in the first aspect or any possible implementation of the first aspect.

In a possible implementation, the memory is located outside the communication device. In a possible implementation, the memory is located inside the communication device.

In a possible implementation, the processor and the memory may also be integrated into one device, that is, the processor and the memory may also be integrated together.

In a possible implementation, the communication device further includes a transceiver, and the transceiver is used to receive a signal or send a signal.

In an eleventh aspect, the present application provides another communication device, which includes a processing circuit and an interface circuit, wherein the interface circuit is used to acquire or output data; the processing circuit is used to execute the method shown in any one of the first to fourth aspects above.

In the twelfth aspect, the present application provides a computer-readable storage medium, in which a computer program is stored. The computer program includes program instructions, which, when executed, enable the computer to execute the method shown in any one of the above-mentioned first to fourth aspects.

In a thirteenth aspect, the present application provides a computer program product, which includes a computer program, and the computer program includes program instructions, which, when executed, enable a computer to execute a method as shown in any one of the first to fourth aspects above.

In a fourteenth aspect, the present application provides a chip comprising a communication interface and a processor; the communication interface is used for sending and receiving signals of the chip; the processor is used for executing computer program instructions so that a communication device including the chip executes a method as shown in any one of the first to fourth aspects above.

In a fifteenth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication system, including the sixth aspect or any possible implementation method of the sixth aspect The communication device, the communication device described in the seventh aspect or any possible implementation of the seventh aspect.

In the sixteenth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides another communication system, including the communication device described in the eighth aspect or any possible implementation of the eighth aspect, and the communication device described in the ninth aspect or any possible implementation of the ninth aspect.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application or the background technology, the drawings required for use in the embodiments of the present application or the background technology will be described below.

FIG1 is a schematic diagram of the architecture of a communication system to which an embodiment of the present application can be applied;

FIG2 is an interactive flow chart of a communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

FIG3 is a schematic diagram of a network device periodically sending a synchronization signal and a MIB according to an embodiment of the present application;

FIG4 is a schematic diagram of another network device periodically sending a synchronization signal and a MIB according to an embodiment of the present application;

FIG5 is an interactive flow chart of another communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

FIG6 is an interactive flow chart of another communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 7A is an example of the number and interval of frequencies used by the SSS provided in an embodiment of the present application for indicating the period of the synchronization signal and the period of the MIB;

FIG. 7B is another example of the number and interval of frequencies used by the SSS provided in an embodiment of the present application for indicating the period of the synchronization signal and the period of the MIB;

FIG. 7C is another example of the number and interval of frequencies used by the SSS provided in an embodiment of the present application for indicating the period of the synchronization signal and the period of the MIB;

FIG8A is an example of the duration of the time domain of the SSS provided in an embodiment of the present application being used to indicate the period of the synchronization signal and the period of the MIB;

FIG8B is an example of a time gap in the time domain of the SSS provided in an embodiment of the present application being used to indicate a period of a synchronization signal and a period of the MIB;

FIG8C is an example of a time gap in the time domain of the SSS provided in an embodiment of the present application being used to indicate a period of a synchronization signal and a period of the MIB;

FIG9 is an interactive flow chart of another communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

FIG10 is an example of a network device periodically sending a synchronization signal and a MIB in a first time period according to an embodiment of the present application;

FIG11 is an example of an embodiment of the present application providing the number and/or interval of frequencies used by an SSS for indicating block information of a MIB sent in a first time period;

FIG12 is an interactive flow chart of another communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

FIG13 is an interactive flow chart of another communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

FIG14 is an example of a network device periodically sending a synchronization signal, MIB, and SIB provided in an embodiment of the present application;

FIG15 is an example of a network device sending SIB in blocks provided by an embodiment of the present application;

FIG16 is an interactive flow chart of another communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 17A is an example of the number and/or interval of frequencies used by an SSS provided in an embodiment of the present application for indicating T1: T2: T3;

FIG. 17B is another example of the number and/or interval of frequencies used by SSS to indicate T1: T2: T3 provided by an embodiment of the present application;

FIG18 is an interactive flow chart of another communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

FIG19 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device 1900 provided in an embodiment of the present application;

FIG20 is a schematic diagram of the structure of another communication device 200 provided in an embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 21 is a schematic diagram of the structure of another communication device 210 provided in an embodiment of the present application.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The terms "first" and "second" and the like in the specification, claims and drawings of the present application are only used to distinguish different objects, rather than to describe a specific order. It is to be understood that the various numerical numbers involved in the embodiments of the present application are only used for the convenience of description and are not used to limit the scope of the embodiments of the present application. The size of the serial numbers of the above-mentioned processes does not mean the order of execution. The order of execution of each process should be determined by its function and internal logic. In addition, the terms "include" and "have" and any variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusions. For example, a process, method, system, product, or device that includes a series of steps or units is not limited to the listed steps or units, but may optionally include steps or units that are not listed, or may optionally include other steps or units that are inherent to the process, method, product, or device.

The "embodiment" mentioned in this article means that the specific features, structures or characteristics described in conjunction with the embodiment can be included in at least one embodiment of the present application. The appearance of this phrase in various places in the specification does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, nor is it an independent or alternative embodiment that is mutually exclusive with other embodiments. It can be explicitly and implicitly understood by those skilled in the art that the embodiments described herein can be combined with other embodiments.

The terms used in the following embodiments of the present application are only for the purpose of describing specific embodiments, and are not intended to be used as limitations to the present application. As used in the specification and the appended claims of the present application, the singular expressions "one", "a kind of", "said", "above", "the" and "this" are intended to also include plural expressions, unless there is a clear contrary indication in its context. It should also be understood that the term "and/or" used in the present application refers to and includes any or all possible combinations of one or more listed items. For example, "A and/or B" can represent: only A exists, only B exists, and A and B exist at the same time, wherein A, B can be singular or plural. The term "multiple" used in the present application refers to two or more. In the textual description of the present application, the character "/" generally indicates that the front and back associated objects are a kind of "or" relationship.

It can be understood that in each embodiment of the present application, "A corresponds to B" means that there is a corresponding relationship between A and B, and B can be determined according to A. However, it should also be understood that determining (or generating) B according to (or based on) A does not mean that B is determined (or generated) only according to (or based on) A, and B can also be determined (or generated) according to (or based on) A and/or other information.

It should be understood that in the present application, indication includes direct indication (also called explicit indication) and implicit indication. Wherein, direct indication of information A means including the information A; implicit indication of information A means indicating information A through the correspondence between information A and information B and direct indication of information B. Wherein, the correspondence between information A and information B can be predefined, pre-stored, pre-burned, or pre-configured.

It should be understood that in the present application, information C is used to determine information D, including information D being determined based only on information C, and information D being determined based on information C and other information. In addition, information C is used to determine information D, and it can also be indirectly determined, for example, information D is determined based on information E, and information E is determined based on information C.

In addition, "network element A sends information A to network element B" in each embodiment of the present application can be understood as the destination end of the information A or the intermediate network element in the transmission path between the destination end and the network element B, which may include directly or indirectly sending information to network element B. "Network element B receives information A from network element A" can be understood as the source end of the information A or the intermediate network element in the transmission path between the source end and the network element A, which may include directly or indirectly receiving information from network element A. The information may be processed as necessary between the source end and the destination end of the information transmission, such as format changes, etc., but the destination end can understand the valid information from the source end. Similar expressions in the present application can be understood similarly and will not be repeated here.

To facilitate understanding of the solutions of the present application, the following first introduces the terms and technical solutions involved in the embodiments of the present application.

The base station periodically sends PSS and SSS: In order to enable the terminal device to complete the cell search, that is, to achieve time and frequency synchronization between the terminal device and the cell, the base station periodically sends synchronization signals.

Terminal device detects PSS and SSS: The terminal device receives the PSS periodically sent by the base station at the central frequency point where a long-term evolution (LTE) cell may exist, and determines whether there may be a cell around this frequency point by receiving the signal strength. If the terminal device has saved the frequency point and operator information when it was last powered off, it will first try the cell where it was last stationed after it is powered on; if not, it will scan the entire frequency band in the frequency band range allocated to the LTE system or NR system to find a frequency point with a stronger signal to try. Then, the terminal device receives PSS around this central frequency point. PSS repeats with a period of 5ms, is sent in subframe #0, and is a ZC (Zadoff-Chu) sequence with a strong correlation, so it can be directly detected and received, and the cell ID in the cell group can be obtained based on this, and the 5ms time slot boundary can be determined. At the same time, the length of the cyclic prefix can be known by checking this signal. Since PSS is repeated for 5ms, the terminal device cannot obtain frame synchronization at this step. After completing the 5ms time slot synchronization, the terminal device searches for SSS forward based on PSS. SSS consists of two end random sequences, and the mapping of the front and back half frames is just opposite. Therefore, as long as two SSS are received, the 10ms boundary can be determined, achieving the purpose of frame synchronization. Since the SSS signal carries the cell group ID, it can be combined with the PSS to obtain the physical layer ID (CELL ID), so that the structural information of the downlink reference signal can be further obtained.

Reading system broadcast: In order to access the cell normally, the terminal device needs to continue to read the system information of the cell after achieving time and frequency synchronization with the cell. System information is continuously and repeatedly broadcast by network equipment (such as base stations), so that no matter when the terminal device is turned on, it can obtain system information in a timely manner. LTE system information is divided into two categories: MIB messages and multiple SIBs messages. The network device will first send the MIB message, and then send a series of SIB messages. MIB messages are transmitted in the physical broadcast channel (PBCH). SIB messages are transmitted in the physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH). The MIB message carries the most basic information, which involves the decoding of PDSCH. The terminal device can only use it after decoding the MIB. Use the parameters in the MIB to continue decoding the data in the PDSCH (including decoding the SIB information).

MIB: MIB generally contains the following information: cell bandwidth, system frame number, physical hybrid ARQ indicator channel (PHICH) information, and the number of cell-specific antenna ports.

SIB: For the terminal device to complete the cell search, it is not enough to just receive PBCH, because PBCH only carries very limited system information. More and more detailed system information is carried by SIB. Therefore, it is necessary to receive SIB afterwards, that is, the terminal device receives the broadcast control channel (BCCH) information carried on PDSCH.

Passive IoT (Passive internet of things): Passive IoT is a cellular IoT communication technology that supports battery-free terminals. It is aimed at the next-level IoT market, which is more sensitive to terminal cost and power consumption than narrowband IoT (NB-IoT). The terminal power consumption of Passive IoT needs to reach 1uW to 100uW.

Passive IoT terminals can be divided into three types: passive tags, semi-passive tags, and active tags. The differences between the three types of terminals are:

Passive tags do not generate carrier signals themselves. They transmit data uplink by reflecting and modulating external carriers. The power of the reflected signal depends on the power of the downlink received signal (which can be as low as -30dBm), and the reflected signal is not amplified. The power consumption of passive tags is usually about 1uW.

Semi-passive tags also do not generate carrier signals themselves. They transmit data uplink by reflecting and modulating external carriers. However, the reflected signal is power amplified (for example, the amplification gain is 10dB to 15dB). The power of the reflected signal depends on the downlink received signal power (which can be as low as -50dBm) and the power amplification gain. The power consumption of passive tags is usually about 100uW.

Active tags can generate carrier signals by themselves, and can modulate and transmit data uplink based on their own carrier signals. The uplink signal transmission power does not depend on the downlink received signal power, and can reach a higher power (for example, -20dBm to -10dBm) after power amplification. Active tags usually consume 200 to 500uW of power.

Among the three types of tags, passive tags are mainly suitable for short-distance communication, such as the dense deployment scenario with a head-end spacing of 20 to 30 meters between indoor small stations; the communication distance of semi-passive tags can usually reach 100 to 200 meters under the non-line-of-sight (NLOS) channel, and is suitable for medium and short-distance communication, such as indoor small stations and outdoor (campus) pole stations with a spacing of 200 to 300 meters.

Under low signal-to-noise ratio, the PSS and SSS in a single cycle of NB-IoT cannot meet the requirements of signal detection missed detection rate and false alarm rate. The synchronization signal correlation results in multiple consecutive cycles can be combined before threshold judgment detection. For example, under -10dB signal-to-noise ratio, it may be necessary to combine the synchronization signal correlation results of 16 or more cycles to achieve the missed detection rate and false alarm rate requirements.

Since passive IoT terminals need to meet 100uW power consumption requirements, the baseband processing complexity they can withstand is extremely low, and the cache space is particularly limited, so it is impossible to adopt methods similar to NB-IoT that combine multi-cycle signals to improve detection performance. Therefore, the synchronization signal of the passive IoT communication system must meet the requirements of a single detection, that is, to achieve a high missed detection rate and false alarm rate. In addition, the baseband computing power of passive IoT terminals is poor, and the capabilities required for signal detection and synchronization such as sampling rate and correlation length are greatly limited, so the performance is relatively different from NB-IoT. In summary, the PSS/SSS duration of the passive IoT communication system is expected to be significantly increased compared to the synchronization signal duration in systems such as NB-IoT.

As the PSS/SSS duration of passive IoT communication systems increases significantly, their period cannot be kept consistent or close to that of long term evolution (LTE), new radio (NR) and NB-IoT, and also needs to be significantly increased. Considering different passive devices and different coverage levels, the signaling length is longer at far coverage levels, and the signaling of passive devices is longer than that of active devices (active tags). If the synchronization signal period is fixed, it will affect the transmission and is not flexible enough, so it may be necessary to support different synchronization signal periods.

Similarly, the length of the MIB signal may also be significantly increased compared to NB-IoT, resulting in fewer resources remaining for data transmission in each synchronization cycle. Therefore, it may be necessary to consider sending the MIB in a more sparse manner to reduce overall overhead and improve air interface resource utilization. Therefore, it is necessary to study technical solutions for periodically sending MIB and SIB for passive IoT communication systems.

The present application provides a technical solution for periodically sending MIB and SIB in a passive IoT communication system, which can improve resource utilization. In addition, the technical solution provided by the present application can also be applied to NB-IoT, 5G, vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication, machine-to-machine (M2M) communication, etc. Furthermore, the technical solution provided by the present application can also improve the efficiency of terminal equipment accessing a cell.

The following introduces a communication system to which the technical solution provided by this application is applicable.

The technical solution provided in the present application can be applied to various communication systems, such as: fifth generation (5G) or new radio (NR) system, long term evolution (LTE) system, LTE frequency division duplex (FDD) system, LTE time division duplex (TDD) system, wireless local area network (WLAN) system, satellite communication system, future communication system, such as sixth generation (6G) mobile communication system, or a fusion system of multiple systems. The technical solution provided in the present application can also be applied to device to device (D2D) communication, vehicle to everything (V2X) communication, machine to machine (M2M) communication, machine type Communication (machine type communication, MTC), and Internet of Things (internet of things, IoT) communication system or other communication system. The technical solution provided in the embodiment of the present application is also applicable to other communication systems involving network devices (such as base stations) that periodically send synchronization signals and system messages. The above-mentioned communication system applicable to the technical solution provided in the embodiment of the present application is only an example, and the communication system applicable to the technical solution provided in the present application is not limited to this. It is uniformly described here and will not be repeated below.

A first device in a communication system may send a signal to a second device or receive a signal from a third device. The signal may include information, signaling, or data, etc. The device may also be replaced by an entity, a network entity, a communication device, a communication module, a node, a communication node, etc., and the network element is used as an example for description in the present disclosure. The first device may be a network device or a terminal device, the second device may be a network device or a terminal device, and the third device may be a network device or a terminal device. For example, the communication system may include at least one terminal device and at least one network device. The network device may send a downlink signal to the terminal device, and/or the terminal device may send an uplink signal to the network device. It is understandable that the terminal device in the present disclosure may be replaced by the first device, and the network device may be replaced by the second device, and the two perform the corresponding communication method in the present disclosure.

FIG1 is a schematic diagram of the architecture of a communication system that can be applied in an embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG1 , the communication system includes a network device 110, a terminal device 120, and a terminal device 130. The communication system that can be applied in an embodiment of the present application includes one or more terminal devices, with terminal devices 120 and terminal devices 130 being examples of terminal devices in the communication system. FIG1 is only a schematic diagram, and the embodiment of the present application does not limit the number of network devices and terminal devices included in the communication system. Terminal devices 120 and terminal devices 130 can access network device 110 and communicate with network device 110. Exemplarily, the communication system shown in FIG1 is an example of a passive IoT communication system, and terminal devices 120 and terminal devices 130 are passive tags, semi-passive tags, or active tags.

In an embodiment of the present application, the terminal device may also be referred to as user equipment (UE), access terminal, user unit, user station, mobile station, mobile station, remote station, remote terminal, mobile device, user terminal, terminal, wireless communication device, user agent or user device.

The terminal device can be a device that provides voice/data, for example, a handheld device with wireless connection function, a vehicle-mounted device, etc. At present, some examples of terminals are: mobile phones, tablet computers, laptops, PDAs, mobile internet devices (MID), wearable devices, virtual reality (VR) devices, augmented reality (AR) devices, wireless terminals in industrial control, wireless terminals in self-driving, wireless terminals in remote medical surgery, wireless terminals in smart grids, wireless terminals in transportation safety, wireless terminals in smart Wireless terminals in smart cities, wireless terminals in smart homes, cellular phones, cordless phones, session initiation protocol (SIP) phones, wireless local loop (WLL) stations, personal digital assistants (PDA), handheld devices with wireless communication functions, computing devices or other processing devices connected to wireless modems, wearable devices, terminal devices in 5G networks or terminal devices in future evolved public land mobile networks (PLMN), etc., the embodiments of the present application are not limited to this.

As an example but not limitation, in the embodiments of the present application, the terminal device may also be a wearable device. Wearable devices may also be referred to as wearable smart devices, which are a general term for wearable devices that are intelligently designed and developed using wearable technology for daily wear, such as glasses, gloves, watches, clothing, and shoes. A wearable device is a portable device that is worn directly on the body or integrated into the user's clothes or accessories. Wearable devices are not only hardware devices, but also powerful functions achieved through software support, data interaction, and cloud interaction. Broadly speaking, wearable smart devices include full-featured, large-sized, and fully or partially independent of smartphones, such as smart watches or smart glasses, as well as devices that only focus on a certain type of application function and need to be used in conjunction with other devices such as smartphones, such as various types of smart bracelets and smart jewelry for vital sign monitoring.

In the embodiment of the present application, the device for realizing the function of the terminal device may be a terminal device, or a device capable of supporting the terminal device to realize the function, such as a chip system, which may be installed in the terminal device or used in combination with the terminal device. In the embodiment of the present application, the chip system may be composed of a chip, or may include a chip and other discrete devices. In the embodiment of the present application, only the device for realizing the function of the terminal device is used as an example for explanation, and the scheme of the embodiment of the present application is not limited.

The network device in the embodiment of the present application may be a device for communicating with a terminal device, and the network device may also be referred to as an access network device or a wireless access network device, such as a base station. The network device in the embodiment of the present application may refer to a radio access network (RAN) node (or device) that connects a terminal device to a wireless network. The base station may broadly cover the following various names, or be replaced with the following names, such as: RAN node, NodeB, evolved NodeB (evolved NodeB, eNB), next generation NodeB (next generation NodeB, gNB), relay station, access point, transmission point (transmitting and receiving point, TRP), transmission point (transmitting point, TP), master station, auxiliary station, multi-standard wireless (motor slide retainer, MSR) node, home base station, network controller, access node, wireless node, access point (access point, AP), transmission node, transceiver node, baseband unit (baseband unit, BBU), remote radio unit (remote radio unit, RRU), active antenna unit (active antenna unit, AAU), radio frequency Head (remote radio head, RRH), central unit (central unit, CU), distributed unit (distributed unit, DU), radio unit (radio unit, RU), positioning node, etc. The base station can be a macro base station, a micro base station, a relay node, a donor node or the like, or a combination thereof. The base station can also refer to a communication module, a modem or a chip used to be set in the aforementioned device or apparatus. The base station can also be a mobile switching center and a device that performs the base station function in D2D, V2X, and M2M communications, a network side device in a 6G network, and a device that performs the base station function in future communication systems. The base station can support networks with the same or different access technologies. Optionally, the RAN node can also be a server, a wearable device, a vehicle or an on-board device, etc. For example, the access network device in the vehicle to everything (V2X) technology can be a road side unit (RSU). The embodiments of the present application do not limit the specific technology and specific device form adopted by the network equipment.

Base stations can be fixed or mobile. For example, a helicopter or drone can be configured to act as a mobile base station, and one or more cells can move based on the location of the mobile base station. In other examples, a helicopter or drone can be configured to act as a device that communicates with another base station.

In some deployments, the network device mentioned in the embodiments of the present application may be a device including a CU, or a DU, or a device including a CU and a DU, or a device including a control plane CU node (central unit control plane (central unit-control plane, CU-CP)) and a user plane CU node (central unit user plane (central unit-user plane, CU-UP)) and a DU node. For example, the network device may include a gNB-CU-CP, a gNB-CU-UP, and a gNB-DU.

In some deployments, multiple RAN nodes collaborate to assist the terminal in achieving wireless access, and different RAN nodes implement part of the functions of the base station. For example, the RAN node can be a CU, DU, CU-CP, CU-UP, or RU. The CU and DU can be set separately, or can also be included in the same network element, such as a BBU. The RU can be included in a radio frequency device or a radio frequency unit, such as an RRU, AAU, or RRH.

In the embodiment of the present application, the device for realizing the function of the network device may be a network device; or it may be a device capable of supporting the network device to realize the function, such as a chip system, a hardware circuit, a software module, or a hardware circuit plus a software module. The device may be installed in the network device or used in combination with the network device. In the embodiment of the present application, only the device for realizing the function of the network device is a network device as an example for explanation, and the scheme of the embodiment of the present application is not limited.

It should be noted that the network architecture described in the embodiment of the present application is to more clearly illustrate the technical solution of the embodiment of the present application, and does not constitute a limitation on the technical solution provided in the embodiment of the present application. A person of ordinary skill in the art will know that with the evolution of the network architecture and the emergence of new business scenarios, the technical solution provided in the embodiment of the present application is also applicable to similar technical problems.

In different application scenarios, the length (duration) of the synchronization signal is usually different. Generally, the length (duration) of the synchronization signal sent by the base station is different for different coverage levels. For example, in a far coverage scenario, a single signaling may reach the order of 100ms. At this time, the fixed period of the synchronization signal will affect the transmission efficiency. Therefore, the base station supports different periods of synchronization signals to improve system flexibility. In addition, the length (duration) of the MIB is also variable, rather than fixed. That is to say, the length of the synchronization signal periodically sent by the base station and/or the length of the MIB are variable. The main principle of some of the embodiments provided in this application is to adjust the ratio of the period of the synchronization signal to the period of the MIB based on the length of the synchronization signal periodically sent by the base station and the length of the MIB, so as to improve resource utilization. The main principle of another part of the embodiments provided in this application is to adjust the ratio of the period of the MIB to the period of the SIB based on the length of the MIB periodically sent by the base station and the length of the SIB, so as to improve resource utilization.

The following first introduces the technical solution provided by the present application in conjunction with Figure 2. Figure 2 is an interactive flow chart of a communication method provided by an embodiment of the present application. As shown in Figure 2, the method includes:

201. The network device generates a synchronization signal and a MIB.

202. The network device periodically sends a synchronization signal and MIB.

Correspondingly, the terminal device receives the synchronization signal and MIB periodically sent by the network device. The ratio of the period of the synchronization signal to the period of the MIB in the first time period is different from the ratio of the period of the synchronization signal to the period of the MIB in the second time period. The first time period and the second time period are different time periods. For example, the start time of the second time period is after the end time of the first time period. For another example, the start time of the second time period is the end time of the first time period. Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of a network device periodically sending a synchronization signal and MIB provided by an embodiment of the present application. As shown in Figure 3, the period of the synchronization signal in time period #1 is T and the period of the MIB is T, that is, the ratio of the period of the synchronization signal to the period of the MIB is 1; the period of the synchronization signal in time period #2 is T, and the period of the MIB is 2T, that is, the ratio of the period of the synchronization signal to the period of the MIB is 1:2; the period of the synchronization signal in time period #3 is T, and the period of the MIB is 3T, that is, the ratio of the period of the synchronization signal to the period of the MIB is 1:3. For example, the network device shown in FIG3 periodically sends a synchronization signal and MIB in time period #1, which is an example of the network device periodically sending a synchronization signal and MIB in the first time period. The network device shown in FIG3 periodically sends a synchronization signal and MIB in time period #2, which is an example of the network device periodically sending a synchronization signal and MIB in the second time period. For another example, the network device shown in FIG3 periodically sends a synchronization signal and MIB in time period #2, which is an example of the network device periodically sending a synchronization signal and MIB in the first time period. The network device shown in FIG3 periodically sends a synchronization signal and MIB in time period #3, which is an example of the network device periodically sending a synchronization signal and MIB in the second time period. An example of periodically sending synchronization signals and MIB within a segment.

In a possible implementation, the ratio of the period of the synchronization signal in the first time period to the period of the MIB is associated with the duration of a synchronization signal and a duration of a MIB in the first time period; the ratio of the period of the synchronization signal in the second time period to the period of the MIB is associated with the duration of a synchronization signal and a duration of a MIB in the second time period. In the present application, the duration of a synchronization signal is the duration of the PSS and SSS included in the synchronization signal, that is, the length of PSS+SSS. Exemplarily, the ratio of the duration of the MIB in the first time period to the duration of the synchronization signal is greater than k and less than or equal to (k+1), and the ratio of the period of the MIB in the first time period to the period of the synchronization signal is (k+1), k is an integer greater than or equal to 0; the ratio of the duration of the MIB in the second time period to the duration of the synchronization signal is greater than h and less than or equal to (h+1), and the ratio of the period of the synchronization signal in the second time period to the period of the MIB is (h+1), h is an integer greater than or equal to 0. The first time period and the second time period are only two examples. The ratio of the duration of the MIB to the duration of the synchronization signal in any time period is greater than k and less than or equal to (k+1), and the ratio of the period of the synchronization signal to the period of the MIB in the time period is (k+1). In this implementation, the ratio of the period of the synchronization signal to the period of the MIB in the first time period is associated with the duration of a synchronization signal and the duration of a MIB in the first time period; a method for determining the ratio of the period of the synchronization signal to the period of the MIB in the first time period is provided.

In a possible implementation, the network device determines the ratio of the period of the synchronization signal to the period of the MIB in the first time period based on the duration of a synchronization signal and the duration of a MIB in the first time period; the network device determines the ratio of the period of the synchronization signal to the period of the MIB in the second time period based on the duration of a synchronization signal and the duration of the MIB in the second time period. Exemplarily, before executing step 202, the network device performs the following operations: obtaining the ratio of the duration of the MIB to the duration of the synchronization signal in the first time period; when the ratio of the duration of the MIB to the duration of the synchronization signal in the first time period is greater than k and less than or equal to (k+1), determining that the ratio of the period of periodically sending the synchronization signal to the period of the MIB in the first time period is (k+1); obtaining the ratio of the duration of the MIB to the duration of the synchronization signal in the second time period; when the ratio of the duration of the MIB to the duration of the synchronization signal in the second time period is greater than h and less than or equal to (h+1), determining that the ratio of the period of periodically sending the synchronization signal to the period of the MIB in the second time period is (h+1). Exemplarily, when the duration of the synchronization signal to be sent by the network device and/or the duration of the synchronization signal of the MIB changes, the ratio of the duration of the synchronization signal to be sent to the duration of the synchronization signal of the MIB is determined.

Fig. 4 is a schematic diagram of another network device periodically sending a synchronization signal and MIB provided by an embodiment of the present application. As shown in Fig. 4, when the MIB length (i.e., the length of the MIB) is the same as the PSS+SSS length (i.e., the length of the PSS+SSS) (i.e., the ratio of the duration of the MIB to the duration of the synchronization signal is equal to 1), the two have the same ratio, i.e., the ratio of the period of the synchronization signal to the period of the MIB is (k+1), k=0; when the MIB length is 1 to 2 times the length of the PSS+SSS (i.e., the ratio of the duration of the MIB to the duration of the synchronization signal is greater than k and less than or equal to (k+1)), k is 1, i.e., the ratio of the period of the synchronization signal to the period of the MIB is (k+1), i.e., 2; when the MIB length is 2 to 3 times the length of the PSS+SSS (i.e., the ratio of the duration of the MIB to the duration of the synchronization signal is greater than k and less than or equal to (k+1)), k is 2, i.e., the ratio of the period of the synchronization signal to the period of the MIB is (k+1), i.e., 3.

It should be noted that the implementation method provided in this application for the network device to determine the ratio of the period of the synchronization signal to the period of the MIB is only an example. The network device can also determine the ratio of the period of the synchronization signal to the period of the MIB through other implementation methods, and this application is not limited to this.

203. The terminal device parses the received synchronization signal and MIB.

The way in which the terminal device parses the received synchronization signal and MIB may be the same as the existing way of parsing the synchronization signal and MIB, which will not be described in detail here. Exemplarily, after parsing the received synchronization signal and MIB, the terminal device further parses the received SIB to access the cell.

In a possible implementation, the terminal device determines the period of the synchronization signal and the period of the MIB by blind detection.

In the embodiment of the present application, the ratio of the period of the synchronization signal to the period of the MIB in the first time period is different from the ratio of the period of the synchronization signal to the period of the MIB in the second time period, indicating that the ratio of the period of the synchronization signal to the period of the MIB is variable, rather than fixed. The ratio of the period of the synchronization signal to the period of the MIB is variable, which is different from the ratio of the period of the synchronization signal to the period of the MIB being fixed; it can improve resource utilization. In other words, the ratio of the period of the synchronization signal to the period of the MIB is adjusted according to actual needs, which can improve resource utilization, that is, reduce the waste of air interface resources.

FIG5 is an interactive flow chart of another communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application. The method flow in FIG5 is a possible implementation of the method described in FIG2. As shown in FIG5, the method includes:

501. The network device generates a synchronization signal and a MIB.

Step 501 may refer to step 201 .

502. The network device periodically sends a synchronization signal and a MIB within a first time period.

Accordingly, the terminal device receives the synchronization signal and MIB periodically sent by the network device in the first time period. Step 502 may refer to step 202. The ratio of the period of the synchronization signal to the period of the MIB in the first time period is a first ratio, for example, the first ratio is 1:1, 1:2, 1:3, 2:3, etc. Exemplarily, the ratio of the duration of the MIB in the first time period to the duration of the synchronization signal is greater than k and less than or equal to (k+1), and the ratio of the period of the MIB in the first time period to the period of the synchronization signal is (k+1).

503. The terminal device parses the received synchronization signal and MIB.

Step 503 may refer to step 203 .

504. The network device learns that the duration of the synchronization signal to be sent and/or the duration of the MIB signal to be sent in the second time period has changed.

In a possible implementation, the network device will adjust the duration of the synchronization signal and/or the duration of the MIB signal to be sent due to some reasons, such as the network device adjusting its coverage level. The present application does not limit the conditions for triggering the network device to adjust the duration of the synchronization signal to be sent and/or the duration of the MIB signal, and the manner in which the network device learns that the duration of the synchronization signal to be sent and/or the duration of the MIB signal has changed.

505. The network device periodically sends the synchronization signal and the MIB in the second time period based on the ratio of the duration of the MIB in the second time period to the duration of the synchronization signal.

Correspondingly, the terminal device receives the synchronization signal and MIB periodically sent by the network device in the second time period. The ratio of the period of the synchronization signal to the period of the MIB in the second time period is a second ratio, and the second ratio is different from the above-mentioned first ratio. For example, the first ratio is 1:1, and the second ratio is 1:2. For another example, the first ratio is 1:1, and the second ratio is 1:3. For another example, the first ratio is 1:3, and the second ratio is 2:3. Exemplarily, the ratio of the duration of the MIB in the second time period to the duration of the synchronization signal is greater than h and less than or equal to (h+1), and the ratio of the period of the synchronization signal in the above-mentioned second time period to the period of the MIB is (h+1), and h is an integer greater than or equal to 0. An example of step 404 is: when the ratio of the duration of the MIB in the second time period to the duration of the synchronization signal is greater than h and less than or equal to (h+1), the synchronization signal and MIB are periodically sent in the second time period, and the ratio of the period of the synchronization signal in the second time period to the period of the MIB is (h+1). Steps 503 and 504 may indicate that when the duration of the synchronization signal to be sent by the network device and/or the duration of the MIB signal changes, the network device may adjust the ratio of the period of the synchronization signal to the period of the MIB based on the ratio of the duration of the MIB in the second time period to the duration of the synchronization signal, so as to improve resource utilization or improve the access efficiency of the terminal device.

In an embodiment of the present application, the ratio of the period of the synchronization signal in the first time period to the period of the MIB is determined based on the ratio of the duration of the MIB in the first time period to the duration of the synchronization signal. The ratio of the period of the synchronization signal in the first time period to the period of the MIB can be reasonably determined to improve resource utilization.

FIG6 is an interactive flow chart of another communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application. The method flow in FIG6 is a possible implementation of the method described in FIG2. As shown in FIG6, the method includes:

601. The network device sends control information.

Correspondingly, the terminal device receives control information. The control information is used to indicate any of the following: the ratio of the period of the synchronization signal to the period of the MIB in the first time period; the period of the synchronization signal and the period of the MIB in the first time period; the interval between the first synchronization signal and the first MIB after the above-mentioned first synchronization signal, and the above-mentioned first synchronization signal is the synchronization signal with the shortest interval with the above-mentioned control information in the above-mentioned first time period. The first MIB is the MIB with the shortest interval with the first synchronization signal among all MIBs after the first synchronization signal. Exemplarily, the control information is used to indicate that the interval between the first synchronization signal and the first MIB is 0, that is, it is used to indicate that there is no interval between the first synchronization signal and the first MIB; or, the control information is used to indicate that the interval between the first synchronization signal and the first MIB is 1; or, the control information is used to indicate that the interval between the first synchronization signal and the first MIB is 2. In Figure 7C below, k can represent the interval between the first synchronization signal and the first MIB.

602. The terminal device obtains a ratio of a period of a synchronization signal within a first time period to a period of the MIB based on the control information.

603. The network device generates a synchronization signal and a MIB.

Step 603 may refer to step 201 .

604. The network device periodically sends a synchronization signal and MIB within a first time period.

Step 604 may refer to step 202 .

605. The terminal device parses the received synchronization signal and MIB.

Step 605 may refer to step 203 .

In an embodiment of the present application, the control information is used to indicate period ratio information, and the terminal device can obtain the ratio of the period of the synchronization signal in the first time period to the period of the MIB based on the control information.

Figure 6 introduces a method for a terminal device to learn the ratio of the period of a synchronization signal to the period of a MIB based on control information sent by a network device. The following describes a method for a terminal device to learn the ratio of the period of a synchronization signal to the period of a MIB based on a received synchronization signal in conjunction with Figures 7A, 7B, 7C, 8A, 8B, and 8C.

In a possible implementation, the first synchronization signal in the first time period is used to indicate any of the following: a ratio of a period of the synchronization signal in the first time period to a period of the MIB; a period of the synchronization signal in the first time period and a period of the MIB; an interval between the first synchronization signal and a first MIB after the first synchronization signal, a period of the first MIB after the first synchronization signal and The time interval of the first synchronization signal is the shortest. The first synchronization signal is any synchronization signal within the first time period. The terminal device obtains the period ratio information based on the first synchronization information. In this implementation, the first synchronization signal is used to indicate the period ratio information; no additional information needs to be sent to indicate the period ratio information, which can save signaling overhead.

The first synchronization signal is used to indicate the possible implementation of the period ratio information as follows: the first synchronization signal includes SSS, and the frequency domain component and/or time domain component of the SSS is used to indicate any of the following items: the ratio of the period of the synchronization signal to the period of the MIB in the above-mentioned first time period; the period of the synchronization signal and the period of the MIB in the above-mentioned first time period; the interval between the above-mentioned first synchronization signal and the first MIB after the above-mentioned first synchronization signal. In the present application, the period of the synchronization signal is represented by T1, the period of the MIB is represented by T2, and the period of the SIB is represented by T3. T1/T2 (or T1:T2) represents the ratio of the period of the synchronization signal to the period of the MIB. T2/T3 (or T2:T3) represents the ratio of the period of the MIB to the period of the SIB. T1/T2/T3 (or T1:T2:T3) represents the period of the synchronization signal: the period of the MIB: the period of the SIB. The terminal device can obtain the period ratio information based on the frequency domain component and/or time domain component of the SSS included in the first synchronization signal.

Exemplarily, the number and/or interval of the frequency points used by the SSS is used to indicate any of the following: the ratio of the period of the synchronization signal in the first time period to the period of the MIB; the period of the synchronization signal in the first time period and the period of the MIB; the interval between the first synchronization signal and the first MIB after the first synchronization signal. In this example, the terminal device can obtain the period ratio information based on the number and/or interval of the frequency points used by the SSS.

FIG7A is an example of the number and interval of the frequency points used by the SSS provided in the embodiment of the present application to indicate the period of the synchronization signal and the period of the MIB. In FIG7A, T1 is indicated by the value K1, T2 is indicated by the value K2, the k1 configuration set is {1.2.3}, k1 is any one of 1, 2, 3, and the k2 configuration set is {1.2.3.4.5.6.7.8.9.}, that is, k2 is any one of 1 to 9; SSS uses a single frequency point to represent (or indicate) k1=1, k2=1, that is, T1 and T2 are both T; SSS uses two frequency points with an interval of 10khz, indicating k1=1, k2=2, that is, T1 is T, T2 is 2T; SSS uses three frequency points with an interval of 10khz and 20khz, indicating k1=1, k2=3, that is, T1 is T, T2 is 3T. FIG7B is another example of the number and interval of frequencies used by the SSS provided in an embodiment of the present application to indicate the ratio of the period of the synchronization signal to the period of the MIB. As shown in FIG7B , the SSS uses a single frequency to indicate (or indicate) T1/T2=1:1, the SSS uses two frequencies with an interval of 10khz to indicate T1/T2=1:2, and the SSS uses three frequencies with an interval of 10khz and 20khz to indicate T1/T2=1:3. FIG7C is an example of the number and interval of frequencies used by the SSS provided in an embodiment of the present application to indicate the period of the synchronization signal and the period of the MIB. As shown in Figure 7C, k represents the interval between a synchronization signal (e.g., the first synchronization signal) and the subsequent MIB (the shortest interval with the synchronization signal, e.g., the first MIB), and the k configuration set is {0.1.2}, that is, the value of k is any one of 0, 1, and 2, T1 is indicated by the value k1, and T2 is indicated by the value k2; SSS uses a single frequency point to indicate k=0, SSS uses two frequencies to indicate k=1, and SSS uses three frequencies to indicate k=2; if the SSS included in the synchronization signal uses a single frequency point, then the interval between the synchronization signal and the subsequent MIB (the shortest interval with the synchronization signal) is 0, that is, k=0; if the SSS included in the synchronization signal uses two frequencies, then the interval between the synchronization signal and the subsequent MIB (the shortest interval with the synchronization signal) is 1, that is, k=1; if the SSS included in the synchronization signal uses three frequencies, then the interval between the synchronization signal and the subsequent MIB (the shortest interval with the synchronization signal) is 2, that is, k=2. It should be understood that FIG. 7A, FIG. 7B, and FIG. 7C are only partial examples of the number and/or interval of the frequency points used by the SSS for indicating the period ratio information, rather than all examples. The number and/or interval of the frequency points used by the SSS for indicating the period ratio information does not need to send other information to indicate the period ratio information, which can save signaling overhead.

Exemplarily, the duration or time gap in the time domain of the above-mentioned SSS is used to indicate any of the following items: the ratio of the period of the synchronization signal in the above-mentioned first time period to the period of the MIB; the period of the synchronization signal and the period of the MIB in the above-mentioned first time period; the interval between the above-mentioned first synchronization signal and the first MIB after the above-mentioned first synchronization signal. In this example, the terminal device can obtain the period ratio information based on the duration or time gap in the time domain of the SSS. The duration of the time domain of the SSS refers to the duration of the SSS. The time gap in the time domain of an SSS refers to the duration of the SSS being vacant in the time domain.

FIG8A is an example of the duration of the time domain of SSS provided in an embodiment of the present application being used to indicate the period of the synchronization signal and the period of the MIB. As shown in FIG8A , the duration of the time domain of SSS is 0.5 ms, which is used to indicate that T1 is T and T2 is T; the duration of the time domain of SSS is 1 ms, which is used to indicate that T1 is T and T2 is 2T; the duration of the time domain of SSS is 2 ms, which is used to indicate that T1 is T and T2 is 3T. FIG8B is an example of the time gaps in the time domain of SSS provided in an embodiment of the present application being used to indicate the period of the synchronization signal and the period of the MIB. As shown in FIG8B , the time gaps in the time domain of SSS indicate T1 and T2, and the absence of time gaps in the time domain of SSS indicates that there is a MIB behind the current synchronization signal (i.e., there is an adjacent MIB), and the presence of time gaps in the time domain of SSS (e.g., a time gap of 2 OFDM symbols in length) indicates that there is no adjacent MIB behind the current synchronization signal. FIG8B shows examples where T1 is T and T2 is T, an example where T1 is T and T2 is 2T, and an example where T1 is T and T2 is 3T. FIG8C is an example where the time gaps in the time domain of SSS provided in an embodiment of the present application are used to indicate the period of the synchronization signal and the period of the MIB. As shown in FIG8C , the time gaps in the time domain of SSS indicate T1:T2, and there is no gap in the time domain of SSS (i.e., the time gap is 0 OFDM symbols), indicating that T1:T2 is 1:1, the time domain gap of SSS is 2 OFDM symbols (i.e., the time gap is 2 OFDM symbols), indicating that T1:T2 is 1:2, and the time domain gap of SSS is 4 OFDM symbols (i.e., the time gap is 4 OFDM symbols), indicating that T1:T2 is 1:3. The duration or time gap in the time domain of SSS is used to indicate the period ratio information, and there is no need to send other information to indicate the period ratio. value information, which can save signaling overhead.

FIG9 is an interactive flow chart of another communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application. The method flow in FIG9 is a possible implementation of the method described in FIG2. As shown in FIG9, the method includes:

901. The network device generates a synchronization signal and MIB.

Step 901 may refer to step 201 .

902. When a signal to be sent meets a first condition, the network device periodically sends a synchronization signal and a MIB, wherein the MIB periodically sent by the network device in a first time period includes a plurality of sub-MIBs obtained by dividing the first MIB into blocks.

Correspondingly, the terminal device receives the synchronization signal and MIB periodically sent by the network device within the first time period. The first condition may include: the period of the synchronization signal to be sent by the network device is less than the first threshold, or the duration of the MIB to be sent by the network device is greater than the second threshold, or the ratio of the period of the MIB to be sent by the network device to the period of the synchronization signal is greater than the third threshold. The above-mentioned first threshold is less than or equal to 5ms. For example, the first threshold is 5ms, 4.5ms, 4ms, etc. The above-mentioned second threshold is greater than or equal to 320ms. For example, the second threshold is 320ms, 380ms, 400ms, etc. The third threshold is greater than or equal to 6. For example, the third threshold is 8, 9, 10, etc. In this application, the first threshold, the second threshold, and the third threshold can be set according to actual needs, and this application is not limited. An example of step 902 is: the network device periodically sends the synchronization signal and MIB when the period of the synchronization signal to be sent is less than the first threshold. Another example of step 902 is: the network device periodically sends the synchronization signal and MIB when the duration of the MIB to be sent is greater than the second threshold. Another example of step 902 is: when the ratio of the period of the MIB to be sent to the period of the synchronization signal is greater than the third threshold, the network device periodically sends the synchronization signal and the MIB. Before sending the synchronization signal and the MIB, the network device can first determine (or determine) whether the signal to be sent meets the first condition; if so, execute step 902; if not, execute step 904.

When the period of the synchronization signal to be sent by the network device is less than the first threshold, the time domain resources occupied by the synchronization signal (for example, 2ms) are shorter than the period of the synchronization signal, and the length of the MIB allowed to be inserted in the middle is limited. By sending the MIB in blocks, resource utilization is improved. When the duration of the MIB to be sent by the network device is greater than the second threshold, the duration of the MIB itself may be relatively long, so sending it in blocks can avoid the terminal device from waiting for the MIB signal for a long time, which can improve the access efficiency of the terminal device. When the ratio of the period of the MIB to be sent by the network device to the period of the synchronization signal is greater than the third threshold, the frequency of the MIB appearing is too low. Sending the MIB in blocks can improve the transmission efficiency, so that the terminal device does not need to wait for a long time to receive the MIB.

The sending time of the above-mentioned multiple sub-MIBs is different. At least two of the multiple sub-MIBs are different. The terminal device can merge the multiple sub-MIBs received in the first time period to obtain a MIB. The start time of the first time period can be a moment after the signal to be sent by the network device meets the first condition. The end time of the start time of the first time period can be a moment after the signal to be sent by the network device does not meet the first condition. Figure 10 provides an example of a network device periodically sending a synchronization signal and a MIB in the first time period in an embodiment of the present application. As shown in Figure 10, the MIB periodically sent by the network device in the first time period includes multiple sub-MIBs obtained by dividing the first MIB into blocks, namely MIB (B1), MIB (B2), and MIB (B3), and the period of the MIB is the interval between the start times of the two sub-MIBs, namely 20ms. The terminal device merges MIB (B1), MIB (B2), and MIB (B3) to obtain the first MIB.

In a possible implementation, at least two of the above-mentioned multiple sub-MIBs use different scrambling codes, or at least two of the above-mentioned multiple sub-MIBs (which can be called MIB blocks) use different scrambling codes for CRC. Exemplarily, the network device can scramble the CRC with a partial system frame number (SFN) of the physical broadcast channel (PBCH) where the sub-MIB is located or the sequence within the transmission time interval (TTI). Exemplarily, the network device sends the scrambling code seed through scheduling information. In this implementation, the benefit of scrambling the sub-MIB is to reduce interference with neighboring cells, and only terminal devices in the cell can descramble the information received in the cell according to the cell-specific scrambling code sequence formed by the identity (ID) of the cell. Secondly, different MIB blocks use different scrambling codes, and the scrambling code initialization seed can be the entire cell ID or part of the cell ID. When different blocks of the MIB (i.e., sub-MIBs) use different scrambling codes, then only the current MIB block can descramble the received MIB block according to the dedicated scrambling code sequence formed by the scrambling code of the current block, which can prevent the terminal device from incorrectly judging the order of the current block in the original MIB.

903. The terminal device parses the received synchronization signal and MIB.

Step 903 may refer to step 203 .

904. When the signal to be sent does not meet the first condition, the network device periodically sends a synchronization signal and a MIB, wherein the MIB periodically sent by the network device in the second time period is the same MIB.

Correspondingly, the terminal device receives the synchronization signal and MIB periodically sent by the network device in the second time period. Step 904 can be replaced by: the network device periodically sends the synchronization signal and MIB when the signal to be sent does not meet the first condition, wherein the MIB periodically sent by the network device in the second time period is an independent (or complete) MIB, rather than a sub-MB obtained by dividing a MIB into blocks.

905. The terminal device parses the received synchronization signal and MIB.

Step 905 may refer to step 203 .

In an embodiment of the present application, the network device periodically sends a synchronization signal and a MIB when the signal to be sent meets a first condition, wherein the MIB periodically sent by the network device within a first time period includes multiple sub-MIBs obtained by dividing the first MIB into blocks; resource utilization or efficiency of transmitting the MIB can be improved.

Step 902 indicates that, when the signal to be sent meets the first condition, the MIB periodically sent by the network device can be sent in blocks, and the number of blocks of a MIB and the length of each block (i.e., sub-MIB) can be fixed or not. The terminal device can determine the block information of the MIB through the control information sent by the network device or the period T1 of the detection synchronization signal, and perform decoding.

The following describes a method for dividing a MIB into multiple sub-MIBs and a method for a terminal device to obtain information about the MIB blocks.

In a possible implementation, the durations of the above-mentioned multiple sub-MIBs are equal, and the durations of the above-mentioned multiple sub-MIBs are obtained based on the period of the synchronization signal in the above-mentioned first time period and the duration of a synchronization signal in the above-mentioned first time period. The network device can block a MIB into multiple sub-MIBs of equal duration. Exemplarily, when a MIB is divided into multiple sub-MIBs of equal length (i.e., equal duration), the number of blocks of the MIB (i.e., the number of the multiple sub-MIBs) is less than T2:T1, for example, two PSS/SSS correspond to one MIB period, then at most 2 blocks of MIB are divided; the block length, i.e., the duration of the sub-MIB is less than (T1-the duration of a synchronization signal), i.e., the difference between T1 and the duration of a synchronization signal. For example, the duration of multiple sub-MIBs is equal to half the difference between T1 and the duration of a synchronization signal. In this implementation, the duration of multiple sub-MIBs is obtained based on the period of the synchronization signal in the first time period and the duration of a synchronization signal in the first time period; the duration of the sub-MIB can be reasonably determined.

In a possible implementation, the durations of at least two of the multiple sub-MIBs are different, and the duration of the sub-MIB in the multiple sub-MIBs is used to determine the order of the sub-MIB in the multiple sub-MIBs. The network device may block a MIB into multiple sub-MIBs with different durations, and the duration of the sub-MIB is used to determine the order of the sub-MIB in the multiple sub-MIBs. The terminal device may determine the order of each sub-MIB based on the duration of each sub-MIB. The network device and the terminal device may agree on the duration of the first sub-MIB, the duration of the second sub-MIB, ..., the duration of the last sub-MIB obtained by a MIB block, so that the terminal device determines the order of each sub-MIB based on the duration of each sub-MIB. For example, the length relationship of multiple sub-MIBs obtained by a MIB block may satisfy the order from small to large from front to back, or from large to small. The benefit of this is that the length of the received sub-MIB can be used to identify which block the current block is; the specific size value can be 1:2:3:4:..., or other values related to the length of the sub-MIB and the symbol length. For example, when the MIB has 15 symbols, the lengths of the four sub-MIBs obtained from the MIB block are 1:2:4:8 from front to back. In this implementation, the duration of a sub-MIB in multiple sub-MIBs is used to determine the order of the sub-MIB in the multiple sub-MIBs, and there is no need to send control information to indicate the order of the sub-MIB in the multiple sub-MIBs; signaling overhead can be saved.

In a possible implementation, the multiple sub-MIBs include s sub-MIBs of the first length and s sub-MIBs of the second length, where s is an integer greater than 1. Exemplarily, the network device divides the first MIB into t sub-MIBs, where the t sub-MIBs include s sub-MIBs of the first length and s sub-MIBs of the second length, where t is an integer greater than 3, and s is an integer greater than 1.

In a possible implementation, the second synchronization signal in the first time period is used to indicate the block information of the MIB sent in the first time period. The second synchronization signal is any synchronization signal in the first time period. The terminal device can obtain the block information of the MIB sent in the first time period based on the second synchronization signal. Exemplarily, the block information of the MIB sent in the first time period may include: the duration of the sub-MIB sent in the first time period and the number of sub-MIBs. The implementation method in which the second synchronization signal in the first time period is used to indicate the block information of the MIB sent in the first time period may be: the second synchronization signal includes SSS, and the frequency domain component of the SSS is used to indicate the block information of the MIB sent in the first time period. In this implementation, the frequency domain component of the SSS is used to indicate the block information of the MIB sent in the first time period, and there is no need to send control information to indicate the block information; signaling overhead can be saved.

Exemplarily, the number and/or interval of frequencies used by the SSS is used to indicate the block information of the MIB sent in the first time period. The block information of the MIB sent in the first time period may be any of the following: the first MIB block is f sub-MIBs of equal length; the first MIB block is f sub-MIBs of different lengths; the first MIB block is t sub-MIBs, the t sub-MIBs include s sub-MIBs of the first length and s sub-MIBs of the second length, f is an integer greater than 1, t is an integer greater than 3, and s is an integer greater than 1. For example, when SSS uses a single frequency point, it means: MIB is divided into equal parts, and each synchronization signal has a MIB block; when SSS uses two frequency points with an interval of 10k, it means: MIB is divided into four blocks from small to large, where the length of the first block can be the same as the length of PSS or PSS+SSS, and the length of the last block does not exceed T1-PSS-SSS, that is, the difference between T and the duration of a synchronization signal; when SSS uses three frequency points with an interval of 10k and 20k, it means: MIB blocks are two large and two small (half of the number of blocks are large and half are small), a total of four sub-MIBs, where the length of the small block can be equal to the length of PSS or PSS+SSS, and the length of the large block is equal to T1-PSS-SSS. Figure 11 provides an example of the number of frequency points and/or intervals used by SSS in an embodiment of the present application to indicate the block information of the MIB sent in the first time period. As shown in FIG11 , the original period ratio, that is, the ratio of the period of the synchronization signal to the period of the unblocked MIB, is T1:T2=1:4; when SSS uses a single frequency point, it is represented as follows: After MIB is divided into equal parts, there is one MIB block for each synchronization signal. In this case, MIB is divided into four blocks. When SSS uses two frequency points with an interval of 10k, it means that MIB is divided into four blocks from small to large, where the length of the first block can be the same as the length of PSS or PSS+SSS, and the length of the last block does not exceed T1-PSS-SSS, that is, the difference between T and the duration of a synchronization signal. When SSS uses three frequency points with an interval of 10k and 20k, it means that MIB is divided into four sub-MIBs, two large and two small (half of the number of blocks are large and half are small), where the length of the small block can be equal to the length of PSS or PSS+SSS, and the length of the large block is equal to T1-PSS-SSS.

In this implementation, the second synchronization signal is used to indicate the block information of the MIB sent in the first time period, and there is no need to send control information to indicate the block information; thus, signaling overhead can be saved.

In a possible implementation, the method flow in FIG9 further includes: the network device sends first block information, and the first block information is used to indicate the block information of the MIB sent in the first time period; based on the first block information, the terminal device can obtain the block information of the MIB sent in the first time period. Exemplarily, the first block information is carried in a scheduling information or control information. In this implementation, the terminal device can obtain the block information of the MIB sent in the first time period based on the first block information.

FIG12 is an interactive flow chart of another communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application. The method flow in FIG12 is a possible implementation of the method described in FIG2. As shown in FIG12, the method includes:

1201. The network device generates a synchronization signal and a MIB.

Step 1201 may refer to step 201 .

1202. When a signal to be sent meets a first condition, the network device periodically sends a synchronization signal and a MIB, wherein a duration of symbols in the MIB periodically and repeatedly sent by the network device within a first time period is a first duration.

Correspondingly, the terminal device receives the synchronization signal and MIB periodically sent by the network device. The first condition can refer to the description of the first condition in the method flow of FIG9 , which will not be repeated here.

1203. The terminal device parses the received synchronization signal and MIB.

Step 1203 may refer to step 203 .

1204. When the signal to be sent does not meet the first condition, the network device periodically sends a synchronization signal and a MIB, wherein the duration of the symbols in the MIB periodically and repeatedly sent by the network device within the first time period is a second duration.

Exemplarily, the first duration is shorter than the second duration, and the ratio of the period of the synchronization signal to the period of the MIB in the first time period is less than the ratio of the period of the synchronization signal to the period of the MIB in the second time period. Compared with the method flow of FIG9 , the method flow of FIG12 is not sent in blocks, but is sent repeatedly. Specifically, the duration of each symbol in a single MIB is reduced, and the number of repetitions of the MIB is increased, thereby reducing the time that the terminal device waits to receive the MIB and improving the access efficiency of the terminal device.

1205. The terminal device parses the received synchronization signal and MIB.

Step 1205 may refer to step 203 .

The method flow of Figure 12 and the method flow of Figure 9 can be two independent processes, or they can be combined. An example of combining the method flow of Figure 12 with the method flow of Figure 9 is: when the first condition is met, determine whether the MIB meets the condition for block transmission; if the condition for block transmission is met, the network device periodically sends a synchronization signal and MIB, wherein the MIB periodically sent by the network device in the first time period includes multiple sub-MIBs obtained by blocking the first MIB; if the condition for block transmission is not met, the network device periodically sends a synchronization signal and MIB, wherein the duration of the symbols in the MIB periodically repeatedly sent by the network device in the first time period is the first duration. When the MIB is blocked into multiple sub-MIBs of equal length, an example of the condition for block transmission is: the number of blocks is less than T2:T1, and the block length is less than T1-synchronization signal length.

In an embodiment of the present application, when the signal to be sent meets the first condition, the network device increases the number of repetitions of the MIB, thereby reducing the time the terminal device waits to receive the MIB and improving the access efficiency of the terminal device.

The above embodiment describes that the ratio of the period of the synchronization signal sent by the network device to the period of the MIB is variable. The following describes an embodiment in which the ratio of the period of the synchronization signal sent by the network device to the period of the MIB, and the ratio of the period of the MIB to the period of the SIB are both variable.

FIG13 is an interactive flow chart of another communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG13 , the method includes:

1301. A network device periodically sends a synchronization signal, MIB, and SIB.

Correspondingly, the terminal device receives the periodically sent synchronization signal, MIB and SIB. The ratio of the period of the synchronization signal to the period of the MIB in the first time period is different from the ratio of the period of the synchronization signal to the period of the MIB in the second time period, and/or the ratio of the period of the MIB to the period of the SIB in the first time period is different from the ratio of the period of the MIB to the period of the SIB in the second time period. In an embodiment of the present application, the ratio of the period of the synchronization signal to the period of the MIB and the ratio of the period of the MIB to the period of the SIB are both variable. Figure 14 is an example of a network device periodically sending a synchronization signal, MIB and SIB provided in an embodiment of the present application. As shown in Figure 14, T1:T2:T3 in the first time period is 1:1:1, and T1:T2:T3 in the first time period is 1:1:2.

In a possible implementation, the MIB periodically sent by the network device in the first time period includes the MIB obtained by dividing the first MIB into blocks. For example, when the signal to be sent meets the first condition, the network device periodically sends a synchronization signal and a MIB, wherein the MIB periodically sent by the network device in the first time period includes multiple sub-MIBs obtained by dividing the first MIB into blocks, and the relevant description can be referred to in FIG. 9 .

In a possible implementation, the SIB periodically sent by the network device in the first time period includes multiple sub-SIBs obtained by dividing the second SIB into blocks. The second SIB is any SIB in the first time period. The period of the SIB can be the interval (or offset) between the starting positions of the two sub-SIBs. Exemplarily, the network device sends the SIB in blocks when the signal to be sent meets the second condition. The second condition can be any of the following: (T1-the duration of a synchronization signal) is less than the duration of a SIB, that is, the difference between T1 and the duration of a synchronization signal is less than the duration of a SIB to be sent; (T1-the duration of a synchronization signal-the duration of a MIB) is less than the duration of a SIB; the duration of a SIB to be sent is greater than the fourth case threshold, and an example of the fourth threshold may be 640ms. The network device may also send the SIB in blocks when the signal to be sent meets other conditions, which is not limited in this application. In this implementation, the resource utilization or the efficiency of transmitting the SIB can be improved by sending the SIB in blocks.

When the network device sends the SIB in blocks, the sent sub-SIBs meet any one of the following criteria 1, 2, or 3.

Criterion 1: The duration of the sub-SIB is less than (T1-the duration of the synchronization signal), and the number of blocks (i.e., the number of sub-SIBs) is equal to the number of synchronization signals without MIBs. In other words, SIB blocks, i.e., sub-SIBs, can only be sent after synchronization signals without MIBs.

Criterion 2: The duration of each sub-SIB is less than (T1-the length of the synchronization signal-the length of the MIB), and the duration of each sub-SIB is greater than the duration of the synchronization signal. In this case, the SIB block can be sent after each synchronization signal.

Criterion 3: The duration of each sub-SIB is less than (T1-the length of the synchronization signal-the length of the MIB), and the duration of each sub-SIB is less than the duration of the synchronization signal, and the duration of each sub-SIB is greater than the duration of the PSS signal. At this time, SIB blocks can choose to add SIB blocks only after MIB or add SIB blocks after each synchronization signal.

FIG15 is an example of a network device sending SIB in blocks provided by an embodiment of the present application. FIG15 shows an example in which a sub-SIB sent by a network device satisfies criteria 1, 2, and 3.

In a possible implementation, a first duration of a symbol in the MIB that is periodically repeatedly sent by the network device in a first time period is shorter than a second duration of a symbol in the MIB that is periodically repeatedly sent by the network device in a second time period. For example, when a signal to be sent by the network device satisfies the above-mentioned first condition, the first duration of a symbol in the MIB that is periodically repeatedly sent by the network device in the first time period is shorter than a second duration of a symbol in the MIB that is periodically repeatedly sent by the network device in the second time period, and reference may be made to the relevant description in FIG. 9 .

In a possible implementation, the third duration of the symbol in the SIB that the network device periodically repeatedly sends in the first time period is shorter than the fourth duration of the symbol in the SIB that the network device periodically repeatedly sends in the second time period. For example, when the signal to be sent by the network device satisfies the above-mentioned first condition, the third duration of the symbol in the SIB that the network device periodically repeatedly sends in the first time period is shorter than the fourth duration of the symbol in the SIB that the network device periodically repeatedly sends in the second time period. Exemplarily, when the signal to be sent by the network device satisfies the above-mentioned first condition, the SIB that the network device periodically repeatedly sends in the first time period satisfies any one of the above-mentioned criteria 1, criteria 2, or criteria 3. That is, the way in which the network device repeatedly sends the SIB may be similar to the way in which the SIB is sent in blocks.

1302. The terminal device parses the received synchronization signal, MIB and SIB.

In a possible implementation, the terminal device determines the period of the synchronization signal, the period of the MIB, and the period of the SIB by blind detection.

In the embodiment of the present application, the ratio of the period of the synchronization signal to the period of the MIB and/or the ratio of the period of the MIB to the period of the SIB is variable. The ratio of the period of the synchronization signal to the period of the MIB and/or the ratio of the period of the MIB to the period of the SIB is variable, compared with the ratio of the period of the synchronization signal to the period of the MIB and the ratio of the period of the MIB to the period of the SIB, which are both fixed; it is possible to improve resource utilization.

FIG16 is an interactive flow chart of another communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application. The method flow in FIG16 is a possible implementation of the method described in FIG13. As shown in FIG16, the method includes:

1601. The network device sends first control information.

Correspondingly, the terminal device receives the first control information. The first control information is used to indicate at least one of the following: the ratio of the period of the synchronization signal to the period of the MIB in the above-mentioned first time period, and the ratio of the period of the MIB to the period of the SIB in the above-mentioned first time period; the period of the synchronization signal, the period of the MIB and the period of the SIB in the above-mentioned first time period. 602. The terminal device obtains the ratio of the period of the synchronization signal to the period of the MIB in the first time period based on the control information. Exemplarily, the first control information includes T1:T2:T3 or T1, T2, T3.

1602. The terminal device obtains the ratio of the period of the synchronization signal to the period of the MIB, and the ratio of the period of the MIB to the period of the SIB based on the first control information.

1603. The network device periodically sends a synchronization signal, MIB, and SIB.

Correspondingly, the terminal device receives the synchronization signal, MIB and SIB sent by the network device. The order of step 1602 and step 1603 is not limited. Step 1603 can refer to step 1301.

In a possible implementation, the ratio of the period of the MIB to the period of the SIB in the first time period is associated with the duration of a MIB and the duration of a SIB in the first time period. Exemplarily, when the ratio of the duration of the SIB to the duration of the MIB in the first time period is greater than q and less than or equal to (q+1), the ratio of the period of the SIB to the period of the MIB in the first time period is (q+1), and q is an integer greater than or equal to 0. In this implementation, the ratio of the period of the synchronization signal to the period of the MIB in the first time period is determined based on the ratio of the duration of the MIB to the duration of the synchronization signal in the first time period, and the ratio of the period of the synchronization signal to the period of the MIB in the first time period can be reasonably determined to improve resource utilization.

1604. The terminal device parses the received synchronization signal, MIB and SIB.

Step 1604 may refer to step 1302 .

In an embodiment of the present application, the first control information is used to indicate period ratio information. Based on the control information, the terminal device can obtain the ratio of the period of the synchronization signal to the period of the MIB, and the ratio of the period of the MIB to the period of the SIB.

Figure 16 introduces a method for a terminal device to learn the ratio of the period of the synchronization signal to the period of the MIB, and the ratio of the period of the MIB to the period of the SIB based on the control information sent by the network device. The following introduces a method for a terminal device to learn T1:T2:T3 based on the received synchronization signal in conjunction with Figures 17A and 17B.

In a possible implementation, the first synchronization signal in the first time period includes SSS, and the frequency domain component and/or time domain component of the SSS is used to indicate any of the following: the ratio of the period of the synchronization signal in the first time period to the period of the MIB, and the ratio of the period of the MIB in the first time period to the period of the SIB; the period of the synchronization signal, the period of the MIB, and the period of the SIB in the first time period. In this implementation, the frequency domain component and/or time domain component of the SSS is used to indicate the period ratio information, and there is no need to send other information to indicate the period ratio information, which can save signaling overhead.

More specifically, the number and/or interval of frequencies used by the SSS is used to indicate any of the following: the ratio of the period of the synchronization signal to the period of the MIB in the first time period, and the ratio of the period of the MIB to the period of the SIB in the first time period; the period of the synchronization signal, the period of the MIB, and the period of the SIB in the first time period. Figure 17A is an example of the number and/or interval of frequencies used by the SSS used to indicate T1:T2:T3 provided in an embodiment of the present application. As shown in Figure 17A, when SSS uses a single frequency point, it indicates: k1=1, k2=1, where k1 indicates whether there is MIB after the current synchronization signal. When k1 is 1, it indicates that there is MIB after the current synchronization signal. When k1 is 0, it indicates that there is no MIB after the current synchronization signal. k2 indicates whether there is SIB after the current synchronization signal. When k2 is 1, it indicates that there is SIB after the current synchronization signal. When k2 is 1, it indicates that there is SIB after the current synchronization signal. When SSS uses two frequency points (interval of 10khz), it indicates k1=1, k2=0; when SSS uses three frequency points (interval of 10khz and 20khz), it indicates k1=0, k2=0; when SSS uses three frequency points (interval of 10khz and 40khz), it indicates k1=0, k2=1. FIG. 17A shows an example in which the number of frequency points and/or interval indications used by SSS are T1:T2:T3 is 1:1:2, an example in which T1:T2:T3 is 1:2:3, and an example in which T1:T2:T3 is 1:2:4. The MIB after the current synchronization signal may be that the network device sends the MIB after sending the current synchronization signal and before sending the synchronization signal next time. The MIB after the current synchronization signal may be that the network device does not send the MIB after sending the current synchronization signal and before sending the synchronization signal next time.

Another example of the number of frequencies and/or intervals used by SSS to indicate T1:T2:T3 is: k1 represents the ratio of T1 to T2, and the value range of k1 is {1.5 2 3}, k2 represents the ratio of T2 to T3, and the value range of k2 is {1 1.5 2 2.5}, when SSS uses a single frequency point, it means: k1=1k2=1; when SSS uses two frequencies with an interval of 10khz, it means: k1=1k2=1.5; when SSS uses two frequencies with an interval of 20khz, it means: k1=1k2=2; when SSS uses two frequencies with an interval of 30khz, it means: k1=1k2=2.5; when SSS uses two frequencies with an interval of 40khz, it means: k1=2k2 =1; when SSS uses three frequency points (interval of 10khz), it indicates: k1=2k2=1.5; when SSS uses three frequency points (interval of 20khz), it indicates: k1=2k2=2; when SSS uses three frequency points (interval of 10khz and 20khz), it indicates: k1=2k2=2.5; when SSS uses three frequency points (interval of 10khz and 30khz), it indicates: k1=3k2=1; when SSS uses four frequency points (interval of 10khz), it indicates: k1=3k2=1.5; when SSS uses four frequency points (interval of 20khz), it indicates: k1=3k2=2; when SSS uses four frequency point intervals (10k, 20k and 30k), it indicates: k1=3k2=2.5. Figure 17B is another example of the number and/or interval of frequency points used by SSS to indicate T1:T2:T3 provided in an embodiment of the present application. As shown in Fig. 17A, when SSS uses two frequencies with an interval of 20 khz, it is indicated as: k1=1k2=2; when SSS uses three frequencies (with an interval of 10 khz), it is indicated as: k1=2k2=1.5; when SSS uses three frequencies (with an interval of 20 khz), it is indicated as: k1=2k2=2. Fig. 17B shows an example where the number of frequencies and/or intervals used by SSS indicate that T1:T2:T3 is 1:1:2, an example where T1:T2:T3 is 1:2:3, and an example where T1:T2:T3 is 1:2:4.

In this implementation, the number and/or interval of frequency points used by the SSS is used to indicate the period ratio information, and no additional information needs to be sent to indicate the period ratio information, thereby saving signaling overhead.

The above embodiment describes that the ratio between the period of the synchronization signal sent by the network device and the period of the MIB is variable. The following describes an embodiment in which the ratio between the period of the MIB and the period of the SIB of the network device is variable.

FIG18 is an interactive flow chart of another communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG18 , the method includes:

1801. The network device generates MIB and SIB.

1802. The network device periodically sends MIB and SIB.

The ratio of the period of the MIB to the period of the SIB in the third time period is different from the ratio of the period of the MIB to the period of the SIB in the fourth time period.

Correspondingly, the terminal device receives the MIB and SIB periodically sent by the network device. The ratio of the MIB period to the SIB period in the third time period is different from the ratio of the MIB period to the SIB period in the fourth time period.

In a possible implementation, the method flow in Figure 18 may also include the following operations: the network device sends second control information, and the second control information is used to indicate any one of the following items: the ratio of the MIB period to the SIB period in the third time period, the MIB period and the SIB period in the third time period; the terminal device obtains the ratio of the MIB period to the SIB period in the third time period based on the second control information.

In a possible implementation, the number and/or interval of frequencies used by the SSS of a synchronization signal in the third time period is used to indicate any of the following: the ratio of the period of the MIB to the period of the SIB in the third time period; the period of the MIB and the period of the SIB in the third time period. The terminal device can obtain the ratio of the period of the MIB to the period of the SIB in the third time period, or the period of the MIB and the period of the SIB in the third time period according to the number and/or interval of frequencies used by the SSS of a synchronization signal in the third time period. In this implementation, the number and/or interval of frequencies used by the SSS is used to indicate the period ratio information, and there is no need to send other information to indicate the period ratio information, which can save signaling overhead.

In a possible implementation, the SIB periodically sent in the third time period includes multiple sub-SIBs obtained by dividing a SIB into blocks, and the sending time of the multiple sub-SIBs is different. Exemplarily, when the duration of a SIB is greater than a fourth threshold (such as 640ms), the network device sends the SIB in blocks, that is, divides a SIB into multiple sub-SIBs for sending. Exemplarily, when (T1-the duration of a synchronization signal) is less than the duration of a SIB, the network device sends the SIB in blocks. Exemplarily, when (T1-the duration of a synchronization signal-the duration of a MIB) is less than the duration of a SIB, the network device sends the SIB in blocks. In this implementation, the SIB periodically sent in the third time period includes multiple sub-SIBs obtained by dividing a SIB into blocks; resource utilization can be improved.

Exemplarily, the durations of the multiple sub-SIBs are equal, and the durations of the multiple sub-SIBs are obtained based on the period of the MIB in the third time period and the duration of a MIB in the third time period. The durations of the multiple sub-SIBs are obtained based on the period of the MIB in the third time period and the duration of a MIB in the third time period; the duration of the sub-SIB can be reasonably determined.

Exemplarily, the duration of at least two SIBs among the multiple sub-SIBs is different, and the duration of the sub-SIB among the multiple sub-SIBs is used to determine the order of the sub-SIB among the multiple sub-SIBs. The duration of the sub-SIB among the multiple sub-SIBs is used to determine the order of the sub-SIB among the multiple sub-SIBs, and there is no need to send control information to indicate the order of the sub-SIB among the multiple sub-SIBs; signaling overhead can be saved.

In one possible implementation, the SIB periodically sent by the network device in the third time period includes multiple sub-SIBs obtained by the second SIB block. The description of the network device sending the SIB in blocks can be found in step 1301 in Figure 13, which will not be repeated here. Exemplarily, the network device may send second block information, and the above-mentioned second block information is used to indicate the block information of the SIB sent in the above-mentioned third time period; the terminal device obtains the block information of the SIB sent in the third time period based on the second block information. The block information of the SIB may include the number, length, or position of the sub-SIBs obtained by a SIB block. In this implementation, the second block information is sent so that the terminal device obtains the block information of the SIB sent in the third time period based on the second block information.

1803. The terminal device parses the received MIB and SIB.

In the embodiment of the present application, the ratio of the period of MIB to the period of SIB in the third time period is different from the ratio of the period of MIB to the period of SIB in the fourth time period, indicating that the ratio of the period of MIB to the period of SIB is variable, rather than fixed. The ratio of the period of MIB to the period of SIB is variable, compared with the ratio of the period of MIB to the period of SIB being fixed; it can improve resource utilization. In other words, the ratio of the period of MIB to the period of SIB is adjusted according to actual needs, which can improve resource utilization, that is, reduce the waste of air interface resources.

The structure of a communication device that can implement the communication method provided in the embodiment of the present application is described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. The following only briefly describes the communication device. For details of the implementation of the solution, please refer to the description of the method embodiment above, which will not be repeated below.

FIG19 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device 1900 provided in an embodiment of the present application. The communication device 1900 may correspond to the functions or steps implemented by the terminal device in the above-mentioned method embodiments, and may also correspond to the functions or steps implemented by the network device (such as a base station) in the above-mentioned method embodiments. The communication device may include a processing module 1910 and a transceiver module 1920. In one possible implementation, In the formula, a storage unit may also be included, which can be used to store instructions (codes or programs) and/or data. The processing module 1910 and the transceiver module 1920 may be coupled to the storage unit. For example, the processing module 1910 may read the instructions (codes or programs) and/or data in the storage unit to implement the corresponding method. The above-mentioned units may be independently arranged or partially or fully integrated. For example, the transceiver module 1920 may include a sending module and a receiving module. The sending module may be a transmitter, and the receiving module may be a receiver. The entity corresponding to the transceiver module 1920 may be a transceiver or a communication interface.

In some possible implementations, the communication device 1900 can implement the behaviors and functions of the terminal device in the above method embodiments. For example, the communication device 1900 can be a terminal device, or a component (such as a chip or circuit) used in a terminal device. The transceiver module 1920 can be used to perform all receiving or sending operations performed by the terminal device in the embodiments of Figures 2, 5, 6, 9, 12, 3, 16, and 18. The processing module 1910 is used to perform all operations except the transceiver operation performed by the terminal device in the embodiments of Figures 2, 5, 6, 9, 12, 3, 16, and 18.

In some possible implementations, the communication device 1900 can implement the behaviors and functions of the network device in the above method embodiments. For example, the communication device 1900 can be a network device, or a component (such as a chip or circuit) used in a network device. The transceiver module 1920 can be used to perform all receiving or sending operations performed by the network device in the embodiments of Figures 2, 5, 6, 9, 12, 13, 16, and 18. The processing module 1910 is used to perform all operations except the transceiver operation performed by the network device in the embodiments of Figures 2, 5, 6, 9, 12, 13, 16, and 18.

FIG20 is a schematic diagram of the structure of another communication device 200 provided in an embodiment of the present application. The communication device in FIG20 can be the above-mentioned terminal device or the above-mentioned network device. As shown in FIG20 , the communication device 200 includes at least one processor 2010 and a transceiver 2020.

In some embodiments of the present application, the processor 2010 and the transceiver 2020 may be used to execute functions or operations performed by the terminal device. The transceiver 2020 is used, for example, to execute all receiving or sending operations performed by the terminal device in the embodiments of FIG. 2, FIG. 5, FIG. 6, FIG. 9, FIG. 12, FIG. 13, FIG. 16, and FIG. 18. The processor 2010 is used, for example, to execute all operations except the receiving and sending operations performed by the terminal device in the embodiments of FIG. 2, FIG. 5, FIG. 6, FIG. 9, FIG. 12, FIG. 13, FIG. 16, and FIG. 18.

In some embodiments of the present application, the processor 2010 and the transceiver 2020 may be used to execute functions or operations performed by the network device. The transceiver 2020 is used, for example, to execute all receiving or sending operations performed by the network device in the embodiments of FIG. 2, FIG. 5, FIG. 6, FIG. 9, FIG. 12, FIG. 13, FIG. 16, and FIG. 18. The processor 2010 is used, for example, to execute all operations except the receiving and sending operations performed by the network device in the embodiments of FIG. 2, FIG. 5, FIG. 6, FIG. 9, FIG. 12, FIG. 13, FIG. 16, and FIG. 18.

The transceiver 2020 is used to communicate with other devices/apparatuses via a transmission medium. The processor 2010 uses the transceiver 2020 to send and receive data and/or signaling, and is used to implement the method in the above method embodiment. The processor 2010 can implement the functions of the processing module 1910, and the transceiver 2020 can implement the functions of the transceiver module 1920. Optionally, the transceiver 2020 may include a radio frequency circuit and an antenna, and the radio frequency circuit is mainly used for converting baseband signals and radio frequency signals and processing radio frequency signals. The antenna is mainly used to send and receive radio frequency signals in the form of electromagnetic waves. Input and output devices, such as touch screens, display screens, keyboards, etc. are mainly used to receive data input by users and output data to users.

Optionally, the communication device 200 may further include at least one memory 2030 for storing program instructions and/or data. The memory 2030 is coupled to the processor 2010. The coupling in the embodiment of the present application is an indirect coupling or communication connection between devices, units or modules, which may be electrical, mechanical or other forms, and is used for information exchange between devices, units or modules. The processor 2010 may operate in coordination with the memory 2030. The processor 2010 may execute program instructions stored in the memory 2030. At least one of the at least one memory may be included in the processor.

The processor 2010 can read the software program in the memory 2030, interpret and execute the instructions of the software program, and process the data of the software program. When data needs to be sent wirelessly, the processor 2010 performs baseband processing on the data to be sent, and outputs the baseband signal to the radio frequency circuit. The radio frequency circuit performs radio frequency processing on the baseband signal and then sends the radio frequency signal outward in the form of electromagnetic waves through the antenna. When data is sent to the communication device, the radio frequency circuit receives the radio frequency signal through the antenna, converts the radio frequency signal into a baseband signal, and outputs the baseband signal to the processor 2010. The processor 2010 converts the baseband signal into data and processes the data.

In another implementation, the above-mentioned RF circuit and antenna can be arranged independently of the processor performing baseband processing. For example, in a distributed scenario, the RF circuit and antenna can be arranged independently of the communication device in a remote manner.

The specific connection medium between the above-mentioned transceiver 2020, the processor 2010 and the memory 2030 is not limited in the embodiment of the present application. In the embodiment of the present application, the memory 2030, the processor 2010 and the transceiver 2020 are connected through the bus 2040 in Figure 20, and the bus is represented by a bold line in Figure 20. The connection mode between other components is only for schematic illustration and is not limited. The bus can be divided into an address bus, a data bus, a control bus, etc. For ease of representation, only one bold line is used in Figure 20, but it does not mean that there is only one bus or one type of bus.

In the embodiments of the present application, the processor may be one of the following devices: a general-purpose processor, a digital signal processor, an application-specific integrated circuit, a field programmable gate array or other programmable logic device, a discrete gate or transistor logic device, a discrete hardware component, or any of the foregoing devices. The whole or part of the circuits used for processing functions in the embodiment of the present application can realize or execute the methods, steps and logic diagrams disclosed in the embodiments of the present application. The general processor can be a microprocessor or any conventional processor. The steps of the method disclosed in the embodiments of the present application can be directly embodied as a hardware processor to be executed, or a combination of hardware and software modules in the processor to be executed.

FIG21 is a schematic diagram of the structure of another communication device 210 provided in an embodiment of the present application. The communication device in FIG21 may be the above-mentioned terminal device or a chip for the above-mentioned terminal device, or may be the above-mentioned network device or a chip for the above-mentioned network device. As shown in FIG21 , the communication device shown in FIG21 includes a logic circuit 2101 and an interface 2102. The processing module 1910 in FIG19 may be implemented with a logic circuit 2101, and the transceiver module 1920 in FIG19 may be implemented with an interface 2102. Among them, the logic circuit 2101 may be a chip, a processing circuit, an integrated circuit or a system on chip (SoC) chip, etc., and the interface 2102 may be a communication interface, an input-output interface, etc. In the embodiment of the present application, the logic circuit and the interface may also be coupled to each other. The embodiment of the present application does not limit the specific connection method of the logic circuit and the interface.

In some embodiments of the present application, the logic circuit and interface may be used to execute the functions or operations performed by the above-mentioned terminal device, etc.

In some embodiments of the present application, the logic circuit and interface may be used to execute the functions or operations performed by the above-mentioned network device, etc.

The present application also provides a computer-readable storage medium, in which a computer program or instruction is stored. When the computer program or instruction is executed on a computer, the computer executes the method of the above embodiment.

The present application also provides a computer program product, which includes instructions or a computer program. When the instructions or the computer program are run on a computer, the method in the above embodiment is executed.

The present application also provides a communication system, comprising the above-mentioned network device and the above-mentioned terminal device.

The present application also provides a chip, which includes: a communication interface and a processor; the communication interface is used for sending and receiving signals of the above-mentioned chip; the processor is used for executing computer program instructions so that a communication device including the above-mentioned chip executes the method in the above-mentioned embodiment.

In the above embodiments, it can be implemented in whole or in part by software, hardware, firmware or any combination thereof. When implemented using software, it can be implemented in whole or in part in the form of a computer program product. The above computer program product includes one or more computer programs or instructions. When the above computer program or instruction is loaded and executed on a computer, the above process or function of the embodiment of the present application is executed in whole or in part. The above computer may be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network, a network device, a user device or other programmable device. The above computer program or instruction may be stored in a computer-readable storage medium, or transmitted from one computer-readable storage medium to another computer-readable storage medium. For example, the above computer program or instruction may be transmitted from one website site, computer, server or data center to another website site, computer, server or data center by wired or wireless means. The above computer-readable storage medium may be any available medium that a computer can access or a data storage device such as a server or data center that integrates one or more available media. The above available medium may be a magnetic medium, such as a floppy disk, a hard disk, or a tape; it may also be an optical medium, such as a digital video disc; it may also be a semiconductor medium, such as a solid-state hard disk. The computer-readable storage medium may be a volatile or nonvolatile storage medium, or may include both volatile and nonvolatile types of storage media.

In the various embodiments of the present application, unless otherwise specified or provided in a logical conflict, the terms and/or descriptions between the different embodiments are consistent and may be referenced to each other, and the technical features in the different embodiments may be combined to form new embodiments according to their inherent logical relationships.

Claims (34)

A communication method, characterized by comprising: Generate synchronization signal and master information block MIB; The synchronization signal and the MIB are sent periodically, and a ratio of a period of the synchronization signal to a period of the MIB in a first time period is different from a ratio of a period of the synchronization signal to a period of the MIB in a second time period. The method according to claim 1 is characterized in that the first synchronization signal in the first time period is used to indicate any one of the following items: the ratio of the period of the synchronization signal in the first time period to the period of the MIB; the period of the synchronization signal in the first time period and the period of the MIB; the interval between the first synchronization signal and the first MIB after the first synchronization signal, the first MIB being the MIB after the first synchronization signal with the shortest time interval with the first synchronization signal. The method according to claim 2 is characterized in that the first synchronization signal includes a secondary synchronization signal SSS, and the frequency domain component and/or time domain component of the SSS is used to indicate any one of the following items: the ratio of the period of the synchronization signal in the first time period to the period of the MIB; the period of the synchronization signal in the first time period and the period of the MIB; the interval between the first synchronization signal and the first MIB after the first synchronization signal. The method according to claim 3 is characterized in that the frequency domain component of the SSS is used to indicate any of the following items, including: the number and/or interval of frequency points used by the SSS is used to indicate any of the following items: the ratio of the period of the synchronization signal in the first time period to the period of the MIB; the period of the synchronization signal in the first time period and the period of the MIB; the interval between the first synchronization signal and the first MIB after the first synchronization signal. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the method further comprises: Send control information, where the control information is used to indicate any one of the following: the ratio of the period of the synchronization signal to the period of the MIB within the first time period; the period of the synchronization signal and the period of the MIB within the first time period; the interval between the first synchronization signal and the first MIB after the first synchronization signal, where the first synchronization signal is the synchronization signal with the shortest interval with the control information within the first time period. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5 is characterized in that the period of the synchronization signal in the first time period is less than a first threshold, the first threshold is less than or equal to 5ms, and the MIB periodically sent in the first time period includes multiple sub-MIBs obtained by blocking the first MIB, and the sending times of the multiple sub-MIBs are different. The method according to claim 6 is characterized in that at least two of the multiple sub-MIBs use different scrambling codes, or at least two of the multiple sub-MIBs use different scrambling for CRC. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5 is characterized in that the period of the synchronization signal in the first time period is less than a first threshold, the period of the synchronization signal in the second time period is greater than or equal to the first threshold, and the first threshold is less than or equal to 5ms; the duration of the symbol in the MIB periodically repeatedly sent in the first time period is shorter than the duration of the symbol in the MIB periodically repeatedly sent in the second time period. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 8 is characterized in that the ratio of the period of the synchronization signal in the first time period to the period of the MIB is associated with the duration of a synchronization signal and the duration of a MIB in the first time period. The method according to claim 9 is characterized in that the ratio of the duration of the MIB in the first time period to the duration of the synchronization signal is greater than k and less than or equal to (k+1), and the ratio of the period of the MIB in the first time period to the period of the synchronization signal is (k+1), and k is an integer greater than or equal to 0. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the method further comprises: Periodically sending a system information block SIB; the first synchronization signal within the first time period is used to indicate at least one of the following: the ratio of the period of the synchronization signal to the period of the MIB within the first time period, and the ratio of the period of the MIB to the period of the SIB within the first time period; the period of the synchronization signal, the period of the MIB and the period of the SIB within the first time period. A communication method, characterized by comprising: receiving a synchronization signal and a master information block MIB that are periodically sent, wherein a ratio of a period of the synchronization signal to a period of the MIB in a first time period is different from a ratio of a period of the synchronization signal to a period of the MIB in a second time period; Parse the received synchronization signal and MIB. The method according to claim 12 is characterized in that the first synchronization signal in the first time period is used to indicate any one of the following items: the ratio of the period of the synchronization signal in the first time period to the period of the MIB; the period of the synchronization signal in the first time period and the period of the MIB; the interval between the first synchronization signal and the first MIB after the first synchronization signal, the first MIB being the MIB after the first synchronization signal with the shortest time interval with the first synchronization signal. The method according to claim 13, characterized in that the first synchronization signal includes a secondary synchronization signal SSS, and the frequency domain component and/or time domain component of the SSS is used to indicate any of the following: the ratio of the period of the synchronization signal in the first time period to the period of the MIB; The period of the synchronization signal and the period of the MIB within the first time period; the interval between the first synchronization signal and the first MIB after the first synchronization signal. The method according to claim 14 is characterized in that the frequency domain component of the SSS is used to indicate any of the following items, including: the number and/or interval of frequency points used by the SSS is used to indicate any of the following items: the ratio of the period of the synchronization signal in the first time period to the period of the MIB; the period of the synchronization signal in the first time period and the period of the MIB; the interval between the first synchronization signal and the first MIB after the first synchronization signal. The method according to claim 12, characterized in that the method further comprises: Receive control information, where the control information is used to indicate any one of the following: the ratio of a period of a synchronization signal to a period of a MIB within the first time period; the period of a synchronization signal and a period of a MIB within the first time period; an interval between a first synchronization signal and a first MIB after the first synchronization signal, where the first synchronization signal is a synchronization signal having the shortest interval with the control information within the first time period. The method according to any one of claims 12 to 16 is characterized in that the period of the synchronization signal in the first time period is less than a first threshold, the first threshold is less than or equal to 5ms, and the MIB periodically sent in the first time period includes multiple sub-MIBs obtained by dividing the first MIB into blocks, and the sending times of the multiple sub-MIBs are different. The method according to claim 17 is characterized in that at least two of the multiple sub-MIBs use different scrambling codes, or at least two of the multiple sub-MIBs use different scrambling for CRC. The method according to any one of claims 12 to 16 is characterized in that the period of the synchronization signal in the first time period is less than a first threshold, the period of the synchronization signal in the second time period is greater than or equal to the first threshold, and the first threshold is less than or equal to 5ms; the duration of the symbol in the MIB periodically repeatedly sent in the first time period is shorter than the duration of the symbol in the MIB periodically repeatedly sent in the second time period. The method according to any one of claims 12 to 19 is characterized in that the ratio of the period of the synchronization signal in the first time period to the period of the MIB is associated with the duration of a synchronization signal and the duration of a MIB in the first time period. The method according to claim 20 is characterized in that the ratio of the duration of the MIB in the first time period to the duration of the synchronization signal is greater than k and less than or equal to (k+1), and the ratio of the period of the MIB in the first time period to the period of the synchronization signal is (k+1), and k is an integer greater than or equal to 0. The method according to any one of claims 12 to 21, characterized in that the method further comprises: Receive a periodically sent system information block SIB; the first synchronization signal within the first time period is used to indicate at least one of the following: the ratio of the period of the synchronization signal to the period of the MIB within the first time period, and the ratio of the period of the MIB to the period of the SIB within the first time period; the period of the synchronization signal, the period of the MIB and the period of the SIB within the first time period. A communication method, characterized by comprising: The network device periodically sends a synchronization signal and a master information block MIB, and a ratio of a period of the synchronization signal to a period of the MIB in a first time period is different from a ratio of a period of the synchronization signal to a period of the MIB in a second time period; The terminal device receives the synchronization signal and MIB periodically sent by the network device. The method according to claim 23 is characterized in that the first synchronization signal in the first time period is used to indicate any one of the following items: the ratio of the period of the synchronization signal in the first time period to the period of the MIB; the period of the synchronization signal in the first time period and the period of the MIB; the interval between the first synchronization signal and the first MIB after the first synchronization signal, the first MIB being the MIB after the first synchronization signal with the shortest time interval with the first synchronization signal. The method according to claim 24 is characterized in that the first synchronization signal includes a secondary synchronization signal SSS, and the frequency domain component and/or time domain component of the SSS is used to indicate any one of the following items: the ratio of the period of the synchronization signal in the first time period to the period of the MIB; the period of the synchronization signal in the first time period and the period of the MIB; the interval between the first synchronization signal and the first MIB after the first synchronization signal. The method according to claim 23, characterized in that the method further comprises: The network device sends control information, where the control information is used to indicate any one of the following: a ratio of a period of a synchronization signal to a period of a MIB within the first time period; a period of a synchronization signal and a period of a MIB within the first time period; an interval between a first synchronization signal and a first MIB after the first synchronization signal, where the first synchronization signal is a synchronization signal having the shortest interval with the control information within the first time period; The terminal device receives the control information. The method according to any one of claims 23 to 26 is characterized in that the ratio of the period of the synchronization signal in the first time period to the period of the MIB is associated with the duration of a synchronization signal and the duration of a MIB in the first time period. A communication device, characterized by comprising a module for implementing the method according to any one of claims 1 to 11. A communication device, characterized by comprising a module for implementing the method according to any one of claims 12 to 22. A communication device, characterized in that it comprises a processor, the processor is coupled to a memory, the memory stores computer program instructions, and the processor is used to execute the computer program instructions so that the communication device executes the method according to any one of claims 1 to 22. A chip, characterized in that it includes a processor and a communication interface, wherein the processor reads instructions stored in a memory through the communication interface and executes instructions so that a communication device including the chip executes the method according to any one of claims 1 to 22. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that a computer program is stored in the computer-readable storage medium, and the computer program includes program instructions, and when the program instructions are executed, the computer executes the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 22. A communication system, characterized by comprising the communication device described in claim 28 and the communication device described in claim 29. A computer program product, characterized in that when the computer program product is run on a computer, the computer is caused to execute the method according to any one of claims 1 to 22.