WO2025020923A1 - Communication method and apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

A communication method and apparatus, which relate to the technical field of communications, and can make a terminal device better access a network device, thereby improving the communication performance between the terminal device and the network device. The method comprises: a terminal device receiving first broadcast information from a first network device; determining a first handover synchronization signal block (HO-SSB) of the first network device and configuration information of the first HO-SSB according to the first broadcast information, and determining a first synchronization signal block (SSB) of the first network device according to the configuration information of the first HO-SSB; or determining the first HO-SSB and the configuration information of the first HO-SSB, and the first SSB and configuration information of the first SSB according to the first broadcast information; and accessing the first network device according to the first SSB, wherein the first broadcast information comprises one or more SSBs and configuration information of the one or more SSBs, the first SSB is used for first network device access, the first HO-SSB is used for mobility management, and the period of the first HO-SSB is greater than the period of the first SSB.

Description

Communication method and device

This application claims priority to the Chinese patent application filed with the State Intellectual Property Office on July 25, 2023, with application number 202310927355.4 and application name “Communication Method and Device”, all contents of which are incorporated by reference in this application.

Technical Field

The present application relates to the field of communication technology, and in particular to a communication method and device.

Background Art

In a communication system, a terminal device can perform signal measurement based on a signal sent by a network device, thereby achieving initial access, cell switching, and cell reselection. For example, a terminal device can select a network device with a larger signal strength for access and/or resource allocation by measuring the signal strength of a cell defined synchronization signal block (CD-SSB) and a non-cell defined SSB (NCD-SSB).

However, due to the short cycle of CD-SSB, the terminal device may frequently measure the signal strength, increasing the power consumption of the terminal device, and the CD-SSB pattern is fixed, and the interference between CD-SSB and/or NCD-SSB is serious, which may affect the accuracy of signal measurement.

Therefore, how to better enable terminal devices to access network devices and improve the communication performance between terminal devices and network devices has become an urgent problem to be solved.

Summary of the invention

The present application provides a communication method and apparatus, which can enable a terminal device to better access a network device and improve the communication performance between the terminal device and the network device.

In a first aspect, a communication method is provided, which can be executed by a terminal device, or by a component of the terminal device, such as a processor, chip, or chip system of the terminal device, or by a logic module or software that can realize all or part of the functions of the terminal device. The method includes: the terminal device receives a first broadcast message from a first network device; determines a first handover synchronization signal block (handover SSB, HO-SSB) of the first network device and configuration information of the first HO-SSB according to the first broadcast message, and determines the first SSB of the first network device according to the configuration information of the first HO-SSB; or, determines the configuration information of the first HO-SSB and the first HO-SSB, and the configuration information of the first SSB and the first SSB according to the first broadcast message; and accesses the first network device according to the first SSB. The first broadcast message includes one or more SSBs and configuration information of one or more SSBs; the first SSB is used to access the first network device, the first HO-SSB is used for mobility management, the period of the first HO-SSB is greater than the period of the first SSB, and the first HO-SSB mode is not fixed and can be dynamically scheduled.

Based on the first aspect, the terminal device can obtain the first HO-SSB through the first broadcast information. Since the period of the first HO-SSB is greater than the period of the first SSB, and the period of the first HO-SSB can be non-fixed and the value range of the period can be wider, the frequency of the terminal device measuring the signal strength of the SSB can be reduced, thereby reducing the power consumption of the terminal device. At the same time, since the SSB mode of the first HO-SSB is not fixed, the interference between the first HO-SSBs can be reduced, and the accuracy of the measurement results of the signal strength measurement performed by the terminal device based on the first HO-SSB can be improved.

When the terminal device initially accesses the first network device, the terminal device can obtain the first SSB according to the above method, and then access the first network device according to the first SSB. When the terminal device determines the network device to be accessed according to the cell switching/cell reselection conditions, due to the improvement in the accuracy of the signal strength of the first HO-SSB measured by the terminal device, it can be more accurately determined whether the cell switching/cell reselection conditions are met based on the more accurate measurement results, thereby improving the effectiveness of the cell switching/cell reselection, better access to the first network device, and improving the communication performance between the terminal device and the first network device.

In one possible implementation, the configuration information of the first SSB includes one or more of the following: SSB index, SSB type, SSB mode, subcarrier spacing, quasi co-location (QCL) information, whether associated with system information block 1 (SIB1), time domain information of SSB, frequency domain information of SSB, polarization domain information of SSB, first random access channel occasion (RO) resource information, or first indication information; wherein, the SSB mode is used to indicate the pattern of the SSB in the time and frequency domain, the QCL information is used to indicate the beam associated with the SSB, and the first indication information is used to indicate that the SSB is the first SSB or the first HO-SSB; the first RO resource is used to indicate the RO resource of the first network device.

Based on this possible implementation, the terminal device can determine that the SSB is the first SSB according to the SSB index, SSB type, SSB mode, polarization domain information of the SSB and the first indication information, and then realize initial access, cell switching or cell reselection; when associated with SIB1, the terminal device can access the first network device according to SIB1; the terminal device can determine the time and frequency resources for accessing the first network device according to the first RO resource information, and avoid occupying the same time and frequency resources with other signals as much as possible, which can effectively improve the reliability of communication.

In one possible implementation, the configuration information of the first HO-SSB includes one or more of the following: first SSB-based measurement timing configuration (SMTC) information, SSB index, SSB type, SSB mode, subcarrier spacing, QCL, whether associated with SIB1, SSB time domain information, SSB frequency domain information, SSB polarization domain information, first RO resource information, or first indication information; wherein the first SMTC information includes one or more of the following: location or time triggered reselection measurement, measurement priority , reference point position, SMTC period associated with the first HO-SSB, SMTC duration associated with the first HO-SSB, SMTC offset associated with the first HO-SSB, ephemeris information of the first network device, or signal quality threshold of the first HO-SSB; the measurement priority is used to indicate the measurement order of different neighboring cells/frequencies, and the reference point position is used for position-triggered measurement; the SSB mode is used to indicate the pattern of the SSB in the time-frequency domain, the QCL information is used to indicate the beam associated with the SSB, the first indication information is used to indicate that the SSB is the first SSB or the first HO-SSB, and the first RO resource is used to indicate the RO resource of the first network device.

Based on this possible implementation, the terminal device can determine that the terminal device can measure the signal strength at a certain position or time period according to the reselection measurement triggered by the position or time in the first SMTC, and determine that the measurement result meets the cell reselection condition; the terminal device can measure the neighboring area/frequency point with high priority first and then measure the neighboring area/frequency point with low priority according to the measurement priority; when the distance between the position of the terminal device and the position of one or more reference points meets the given conditions, the measurement can be triggered; the terminal device can determine the relevant information of the first HO-SSB according to the SMTC period associated with the first HO-SSB, the SMTC duration associated with the first HO-SSB, and the SMTC offset associated with the first HO-SSB, and then obtain the first HO-SSB; the terminal device can determine the position of the first network device according to the ephemeris information of the first network device; the terminal device can choose to access other network devices according to the signal strength of the first HO-SSB being less than the signal quality threshold of the first HO-SSSB, or the terminal device can continue to access the first network device according to the signal strength of the first HO-SSB being greater than or equal to the signal quality threshold of the first HO-SSSB, thereby enabling the terminal device to access a network device with higher signal strength and improving the communication quality of the terminal device.

The terminal device can determine that the SSB is the first HO-SSB based on the SSB index, SSB type, SSB mode, polarization domain information of the SSB and the first indication information, and then realize initial access, cell switching or cell reselection; when associated with SIB1, the terminal device can access the first network device according to SIB1; the terminal device can determine the time and frequency resources for accessing the first network device based on the first RO resource information, and avoid occupying the same time and frequency resources with other signals as much as possible, which can effectively improve the reliability of communication.

In one possible implementation, when the SSB index of the SSB is greater than or equal to any of the following SSB indexes, the terminal device determines that the SSB is the first HO-SSB: 4, 8, or 64; or, when the SSB mode of the SSB is not a preset SSB mode, the terminal device determines that the SSB is the first HO-SSB; or, when the polarization domain information of the SSB is a preset polarization direction, such as left-hand circular polarization or right-hand circular polarization, the terminal device determines that the SSB is the first HO-SSB; or, when the first indication information in the configuration information of the SSB indicates that the SSB is the first HO-SSB, the terminal device determines that the SSB is the first HO-SSB.

Based on this possible implementation, the terminal device can determine that the SSB is the first HO-SSB according to the value of the SSB index in the configuration information of the SSB, the SSB mode is not the preset SSB mode, the polarization domain information of the SSB is the preset circular polarization, and the first indication information. Furthermore, the terminal device can obtain the first SSB according to the configuration information of the first HO-SSB, and can access the first network device according to the first SSB; or, the terminal device can determine that the conditions for cell switching/cell reselection are met by measuring the signal strength of the first HO-SSB, and access a network device with higher signal strength, thereby improving the communication performance of the terminal device.

In one possible implementation, when the SSB index of the SSB is less than any of the following SSB indexes, the terminal device determines that the SSB is the first SSB: 4, 8, or 64; or, when the SSB mode of the SSB is a preset SSB mode, the terminal device determines that the SSB is the first SSB; or, when the polarization domain information of the SSB is a preset circular polarization, such as left-hand circular polarization or right-hand circular polarization, the terminal device determines that the SSB is the first SSB; when the first indication information in the configuration information of the SSB determines that the SSB is the first SSB, the terminal device determines that the SSB is the first SSB.

Based on this possible implementation, the terminal device can determine that the SSB is the first SSB according to the value of the SSB index in the configuration information of the SSB, the SSB mode is the preset SSB mode, the polarization domain information of the SSB is the preset circular polarization, and the first indication information. Furthermore, the terminal device can access the first network device according to the first SSB.

In one possible implementation, the terminal device determines the first SSB based on one or more of the following information in the configuration information of the first HO-SSB: time domain information of the first HO-SSB, frequency domain information of the first HO-SSB, or polarization domain information of the first HO-SSB.

Based on this possible implementation, the terminal device can determine the first HO-SSB according to the configuration information of the first HO-SSB, so that the first network device no longer needs to send the first SSB and the configuration information of the first SSB additionally, which can reduce overhead and save resources.

In a possible implementation, the terminal device receives the second broadcast information from the first network device; obtains the second HO-SSB and the configuration information of the second HO-SSB according to the second SMTC information; obtains the second SSB of the second network device when determining to perform cell reselection/cell switching according to the signal strength of the second HO-SSB; and accesses the second network device according to the second SSB based on the second RO resource information. The second broadcast information includes the second SMTC information and the second RO resource information, the second SMTC information is used to indicate the second HO-SSB of the second network device, and the second HO-SSB is used for mobility management; the second SSB is used for accessing the second network device and mobility management, and the period of the second HO-SSB is greater than the period of the second SSB; the second RO resource information is used to indicate the switching-dedicated RO resource of the second network device.

Based on this possible implementation, the terminal device can obtain the second HO-SSB and the configuration information of the second HO-SSB according to the second SMTC in the second broadcast information. The period of the second HO-SSB is greater than the period of the second SSB, and the period of the second HO-SSB is longer, that is, it can reach seconds or even hundreds of seconds, which can reduce the frequency of the terminal device measuring the signal strength of the second HO-SSB and reduce the power consumption of the terminal device; and the SSB mode of the second HO-SSB is not fixed and the scheduling is flexible, which can reduce the interference between the second HO-SSBs and improve the accuracy of the terminal device measuring the signal strength of the second HO-SSB; further, the terminal device can more accurately determine that the measurement result meets the conditions for cell reselection/cell switching, which can improve the effectiveness of cell reselection/cell switching; at the same time, the terminal device can access the second network device according to the second SSB based on the RO resource information, which can avoid the situation where the second SSB and other signals occupy the same resources as much as possible, reduce the interference of other signals to the first SSB, and effectively improve the communication quality of the terminal device and the second network device.

In one possible implementation, the terminal device obtains the second SSB based on one or more of the following information in the configuration information of the second HO-SSB: time domain information of the second HO-SSB, frequency domain information of the second HO-SSB, or polarization domain information of the second HO-SSB; or, receives third broadcast information from the second network device; wherein the third broadcast information includes the configuration information of the second SSB and the second SSB.

Based on this possible implementation, the terminal device can actively acquire the second SSB according to the time domain information, frequency shift information, and polarization domain information in the configuration information of the second HO-SSB, so that the second network device no longer needs to send the second SSB and the configuration information of the second SSB, thereby reducing overhead and saving resources; or, after determining the second network device that meets the cell reselection conditions, the terminal device can also acquire the second SSB through the third broadcast information, which can ensure that the terminal device acquires the second SSB as much as possible and improve the reliability of communication.

In a possible implementation, a terminal device receives one or more SSBs and radio resource control (ratio resource control, RRC) configuration information associated with each SSB from a first network device; and sends a measurement result and location information of the terminal device to the first network device. The one or more SSBs include one or more of the following: a first SSB or a first HO-SSB; the RRC configuration information associated with the first SSB includes configuration information of the first SSB, and the RRC configuration information associated with the first HO-SSB includes configuration information of the first HO-SSB; the measurement result is used to indicate one or more of the following: a signal strength of the first SSB or a signal strength of the first HO-SSB; the signal strength includes one or more of the following: reference signal received power (reference signal received power, RSRP), reference signal received quality (reference signal received quality, RSRQ), and signal to interference plus noise ratio (signal to interference plus noise ratio, SINR).

Based on this possible implementation, when the terminal device accesses the first network device, the terminal device can receive the first HO-SSB and the RRC configuration information associated with the first HO-SSB from the first network device through the RRC connection. Since the period of the first HO-SSB is greater than the period of the first SSB, and the period of the first HO-SSB can be non-fixed and the value range of the period can be wider, the frequency of the terminal device measuring the signal strength of the SSB can be reduced, thereby reducing the power consumption of the terminal device. At the same time, since the SSB mode of the first HO-SSB is not fixed, the interference between the first HO-SSBs can be reduced, and the accuracy of the measurement results of the signal strength measurement performed by the terminal device based on the first HO-SSB is improved.

The terminal device sends the location information of the terminal device to the first network device, so that the first network device can determine the location of the terminal device, and send the location information of the terminal device to the second network device. Further, the second network device can know the location of the terminal device, and can more effectively exchange information with the terminal device, thereby improving the communication quality.

In one possible implementation, the terminal device performs downlink synchronization with the second network device according to the second HO-SSB.

Based on this possible implementation, the SSB mode of the second HO-SSB is not fixed, which can reduce interference between the second HO-SSBs and/or the first SSB. The terminal device achieves downlink synchronization with the second network device according to the second HO-SSB, which can improve the reliability of communication between the terminal device and the second network device.

In a possible implementation, the terminal device receives timing information from the second network device according to the second SMTC information; and is further configured to perform uplink synchronization with the second network device according to the timing information.

Based on this possible implementation, the period of the second HO-SSB is long, and the second SMTC is a measurement timing configuration for measuring the second HO-SSB. The terminal device does not need to frequently receive the second SMTC, which can reduce the power consumption of the terminal device. At the same time, the terminal device can determine the position of the second network device based on the ephemeris information and other information of the second network device in the second SMTC information, and receive timing information from the second network device, so that the terminal device can achieve uplink synchronization with the second network device.

In a second aspect, a communication method is provided, which can be executed by a first network device, or by a component of the first network device, such as a processor, a chip, or a chip system of the first network device, or by a logic module or software that can implement all or part of the functions of the first network device. The method includes: the first network device sends a first broadcast message; wherein the first broadcast message includes one or more SSBs and configuration information of each SSB; the one or more SSBs include one or more of the following: the first SSB of the first network device, or the first HO-SSB of the first network device, the first SSB is used to access the first network device, the first HO-SSB is used for mobility management, the period of the first HO-SSB is greater than the period of the first SSB, and the first HO-SSB mode is not fixed and can be dynamically scheduled; the configuration information of the SSB includes one or more of the following: the configuration information of the first SSB, or the configuration information of the first HO-SSB.

Based on the second aspect, the terminal device can obtain the first HO-SSB through the first broadcast information. Since the period of the first HO-SSB is greater than the period of the first SSB, and the period of the first HO-SSB can be non-fixed, and the value range of the period can be large, the frequency of the terminal device measuring the signal strength of the SSB can be reduced, thereby reducing the power consumption of the terminal device. At the same time, since the SSB mode of the first HO-SSB is not fixed, the interference between the first HO-SSBs can be reduced, and the accuracy of the measurement result of the signal strength measurement performed by the terminal device according to the first HO-SSB is improved.

When the terminal device initially accesses the first network device, the terminal device can obtain the first SSB according to the above method, and then access the first network device according to the first SSB. When the terminal device determines the network device to be accessed according to the cell switching/cell reselection conditions, due to the improvement in the accuracy of the signal strength of the first HO-SSB measured by the terminal device, it can be more accurately determined whether the cell switching/cell reselection conditions are met based on the more accurate measurement results, thereby improving the effectiveness of the cell switching/cell reselection, enabling the terminal device to better access the first network device, and improving the communication performance between the terminal device and the first network device.

In one possible implementation, the configuration information of the first SSB includes one or more of the following: SSB index, SSB type, SSB mode, subcarrier spacing, QCL information, whether associated with SIB1, time domain information of SSB, frequency domain information of SSB, polarization domain information of SSB, first RO resource information, or first indication information; wherein, the SSB mode is used to indicate the pattern of the SSB in the time and frequency domain, the QCL information is used to indicate the beam associated with the SSB, and the first indication information is used to indicate that the SSB is the first SSB or the first HO-SSB; the first RO resource is used to indicate the RO resource of the first network device.

Based on this possible implementation, the terminal device can determine that the SSB is the first SSB according to the SSB index, SSB type, SSB mode, polarization domain information of the SSB and the first indication information, and then realize initial access, cell switching or cell reselection; when associated with SIB1, the terminal device can access the first network device according to SIB1; the terminal device can determine the time and frequency resources for accessing the first network device according to the first RO resource information, and avoid occupying the same time and frequency resources with other signals as much as possible, which can effectively improve the reliability of communication.

In one possible implementation, the configuration information of the first HO-SSB includes one or more of the following: first SSB-based SMTC information, SSB index, SSB type, SSB mode, subcarrier spacing, QCL, whether associated with SIB1, SSB time domain information, SSB frequency domain information, SSB polarization domain information, first RO resource information, or first indication information; wherein the first SMTC information includes one or more of the following: position or time triggered reselection measurement, measurement priority, reference point position, SMTC period associated with the first HO-SSB, SMTC duration associated with the first HO-SSB, SMTC offset associated with the first HO-SSB, ephemeris information of the first network device, or signal quality threshold of the first HO-SSB; the measurement priority is used to indicate the measurement order of different neighboring cells/frequencies, and the reference point position is used to indicate position triggered measurement; the SSB mode is used to indicate the pattern of the SSB in the time and frequency domain, the QCL information is used to indicate the beam associated with the SSB, the first indication information is used to indicate that the SSB is the first SSB or the first HO-SSB, and the first RO resource is used to indicate the RO resource of the first network device.

Based on this possible implementation, the terminal device can determine that the terminal device can measure the signal strength at a certain position or time period according to the reselection measurement triggered by the position or time in the first SMTC, and determine that the measurement result meets the cell reselection condition; the terminal device can measure the neighboring area/frequency point with high priority first and then measure the neighboring area/frequency point with low priority according to the measurement priority; when the distance between the position of the terminal device and the position of one or more reference points meets the given conditions, the measurement can be triggered; the terminal device can determine the relevant information of the first HO-SSB according to the SMTC period associated with the first HO-SSB, the SMTC duration associated with the first HO-SSB, and the SMTC offset associated with the first HO-SSB, and then obtain the first HO-SSB; the terminal device can determine the position of the first network device according to the ephemeris information of the first network device; the terminal device can choose to access other network devices according to the signal strength of the first HO-SSB being less than the signal quality threshold of the first HO-SSSB, or the terminal device can continue to access the first network device according to the signal strength of the first HO-SSB being greater than or equal to the signal quality threshold of the first HO-SSSB, thereby enabling the terminal device to access a network device with higher signal strength and improving the communication quality of the terminal device.

In one possible implementation, a first network device sends first configuration information to a second network device; wherein the first configuration information includes one or more of the following: an SMTC period associated with a first HO-SSB, an SMTC duration associated with a first HO-SSB, an SMTC offset associated with a first HO-SSB, ephemeris information of the first network device, first RO resource information, a radio network temporary identifier (RNTI), or access resource configuration corresponding to different time periods; the first RO resource information is used to indicate the RO resources of the first network device, and the RNTI is used to partition different terminal devices.

Based on this possible implementation, the first network device sends the first configuration information to the second network device, so that the second network device can determine the first SMTC based on the first configuration information. Further, the second network device can send the first SMTC to the terminal device, so that the terminal device determines the first HO-SSB based on the first SMTC. The terminal device can measure the signal strength of the first HO-SSB and select a network device with higher signal strength to access, which can improve communication performance.

In a possible implementation, the first network device receives second configuration information from the second network device; and determines the second SMTC information according to the second configuration information. The second configuration information includes one or more of the following: the SMTC period associated with the second HO-SSB of the second network device, the SMTC duration associated with the second HO-SSB, the SMTC offset associated with the second HO-SSB, the ephemeris information of the second network device, the second RO resource information, RNTI, or the access resource configuration corresponding to different time periods; the second HO-SSB is used for mobility management; the second SMTC information is used to indicate the second HO-SSB of the second network device, and the second RO resource information is used to indicate the RO resources of the second network device.

Based on this possible implementation, the second network device can determine the second SMTC according to the second configuration information. Further, the first network device can send the second SMTC to the terminal device, so that the terminal device determines the second HO-SSB according to the second SMTC. The terminal device can measure the signal strength of the second HO-SSB and select a network device with higher signal strength to access, thereby improving communication performance.

In a possible implementation, the first network device sends second broadcast information; wherein the second broadcast information is used to indicate second SMTC information and second RO resource information.

Based on this possible implementation, the first network device sends the second broadcast information, which can enable the terminal device to obtain the second HO-SSB and the configuration information of the second HO-SSB according to the second SMTC in the second broadcast information. Since the period of the second HO-SSB is greater than the period of the second SSB, and the period of the second HO-SSB is relatively long, i.e., it can reach seconds or even hundreds of seconds, the frequency of the terminal device measuring the signal strength of the SSB can be reduced, and the power consumption of the terminal device can be reduced. At the same time, since the SSB mode of the second HO-SSB is not fixed and the scheduling is flexible, the interference between the second HO-SSBs can be reduced, and the accuracy of the measurement results of the signal strength measurement performed by the terminal device according to the second HO-SSB can be improved; further, the terminal device can more accurately determine that the measurement results meet the conditions for cell reselection/cell switching, which can improve the effectiveness of cell reselection/cell switching.

In one possible implementation, the first network device sends one or more SSBs and RRC configuration information associated with each SSB to the terminal device; wherein the one or more SSBs include one or more of the following: a first SSB, or a first HO-SSB; the RRC configuration information associated with the first SSB includes configuration information of the first SSB, and the RRC configuration information associated with the first HO-SSB includes configuration information of the first HO-SSB.

Based on this possible implementation, when the terminal device accesses the first network device, the terminal device can receive the first HO-SSB and the RRC configuration information associated with the first HO-SSB from the first network device through the RRC connection. Since the period of the first HO-SSB is greater than the period of the first SSB, and the period of the first HO-SSB can be non-fixed, and the value range of the period can be large, the frequency of the terminal device measuring the signal strength of the SSB can be reduced, thereby reducing the power consumption of the terminal device. At the same time, since the SSB mode of the first HO-SSB is not fixed, the interference between the first HO-SSBs can be reduced, and the accuracy of the measurement results of the signal strength measurement performed by the terminal device based on the first HO-SSB is improved.

In one possible implementation, the first network device sends third configuration information to the second network device; wherein the third configuration information includes one or more of the following: a first HO-SSB mode, time domain information of the first HO-SSB, frequency information of the first HO-SSB, polarization domain information of the first HO-SSB, a first HO-SSB cycle, or a first HO-SSB duration.

Based on this possible implementation, the first network device sends the third configuration information to the second network device, so that the second network device can determine the resources occupied by the first HO-SSB according to the third configuration information. Furthermore, the second network device can adjust the resources occupied by the second HO-SSB according to the third configuration information to avoid interference between the first HO-SSB and the second HO-SSB as much as possible, thereby improving the reliability of communication. At the same time, the terminal device can more accurately measure the signal strength of the first HO-SSB and the second HO-SSB, and promptly access the network device with better signal strength, thereby reducing the mobile interruption delay.

In a possible implementation, the first network device receives fourth configuration information from the second network device; and adjusts the time-frequency resources occupied by the first HO-SSB according to the fourth configuration information. The fourth configuration information includes one or more of the following: a second HO-SSB mode of the second network device, time domain information of the second HO-SSB, frequency point information of the second HO-SSB, polarization domain information of the second HO-SSB, a second HO-SSB period, or a second HO-SSB duration; the second HO-SSB is used for mobility management.

Based on this possible implementation, the first network device can determine the resources occupied by the second HO-SSB according to the fourth configuration information. Further, the first network device can adjust the resources occupied by the first HO-SSB according to the fourth configuration information to avoid interference between the first HO-SSB and the second HO-SSB as much as possible, thereby improving the reliability of communication. At the same time, the terminal device can more accurately measure the signal strength of the first HO-SSB and the second HO-SSB, timely access the network device with better signal strength, and reduce the mobile interruption delay.

In a third aspect, a communication method is provided, which can be executed by a second network device, or by a component of the second network device, such as a processor, chip, or chip system of the second network device, or by a logic module or software that can realize all or part of the functions of the second network device. The method includes: the second network device receives first configuration information from the first network device; and determines first SMTC information according to the first configuration information. Among them, the first configuration information includes one or more of the following: the SMTC period associated with the first HO-SSB of the first network device, the SMTC duration associated with the first HO-SSB, the SMTC offset associated with the first HO-SSB, the ephemeris information of the first network device, the first RO resource information, RNTI, or the access resource configuration corresponding to different time periods; RNTI is used to partition different terminal devices; the first RO resource information is used to indicate the RO resources of the first network device; the first HO-SSB is used for mobility management; the first SMTC information is used to indicate the first HO-SSB of the first network device.

Based on the third aspect, the second network device can determine the first SMTC based on the first configuration information from the first network device. Further, the second network device can send the first SMTC to the terminal device, so that the terminal device determines the first HO-SSB based on the first SMTC. The terminal device can measure the signal strength of the first HO-SSB and select a network device with better signal strength to access, thereby improving communication performance.

In one possible implementation, the second network device sends second configuration information to the first network device; wherein the second configuration information includes one or more of the following: the SMTC period associated with the second HO-SSB of the second network device, the SMTC duration associated with the second HO-SSB, the SMTC offset associated with the second HO-SSB, the ephemeris information of the second network device, the second RO resource information, RNTI, or access resource configuration corresponding to different time periods; the second RO resource information is used to indicate the RO resources of the second network device, and the second HO-SSB is used for mobility management.

Based on this possible implementation, the second network device can send the second configuration information to the first network device, so that the first network device can determine the second SMTC. Further, the first network device can send the second SMTC to the terminal device, so that the terminal device can determine the second HO-SSB based on the second SMTC. The terminal device can measure the signal strength of the second HO-SSB and select a network device with higher signal strength to access, thereby improving communication performance.

In a possible implementation, the second network device receives third configuration information from the first network device; and adjusts the time-frequency resources occupied by the second HO-SSB according to the third configuration information. The third configuration information includes one or more of the following: the first HO-SSB mode, the time domain information of the first HO-SSB, the frequency point information of the first HO-SSB, the polarization domain information of the first HO-SSB, the first HO-SSB period, or the first HO-SSB duration.

Based on this possible implementation, the second network device can determine the resources occupied by the first HO-SSB according to the third configuration information. Further, the second network device can adjust the resources occupied by the second HO-SSB according to the third configuration information to avoid interference between the first HO-SSB and the second HO-SSB as much as possible and improve the reliability of communication; at the same time, the terminal device can more accurately measure the signal strength of the first HO-SSB and the second HO-SSB, timely access to the network device with better signal strength, and reduce the mobile interruption delay.

In one possible implementation, the second network device sends fourth configuration information to the first network device; wherein the fourth configuration information includes one or more of the following: a second HO-SSB mode of the second network device, time domain information of the second HO-SSB, frequency information of the second HO-SSB, polarization domain information of the second HO-SSB, a second HO-SSB period, or a second HO-SSB duration; the second HO-SSB is used for mobility management; at the same time, the terminal device can access the first network device, reduce mobile interruption delay, and improve communication performance.

Based on this possible implementation, the second network device sends the fourth configuration information to the first network device, so that the first network device can determine the resources occupied by the second HO-SSB according to the fourth configuration information. Furthermore, the first network device can adjust the resources occupied by the first HO-SSB according to the fourth configuration information to avoid interference between the first HO-SSB and the second HO-SSB as much as possible, thereby improving the reliability of communication. At the same time, the terminal device can more accurately measure the signal strength of the first HO-SSB and the second HO-SSB, and promptly access the network device with better signal strength, thereby reducing the mobile interruption delay.

In one possible implementation, the second network device performs downlink synchronization with the terminal device according to the second HO-SSB.

Based on this possible implementation, the SSB mode of the second HO-SSB is not fixed, which can reduce the interference between the second HO-SSBs. The second network device implements downlink synchronization with the terminal device according to the second HO-SSB, which can improve the reliability of communication between the terminal device and the second network device.

In a possible implementation, the second network device sends timing information to the terminal device according to the second SMTC information, and performs uplink synchronization with the terminal device according to the timing information. The second SMTC information is used to indicate the second HO-SSB of the second network device; the second HO-SSB is used for mobility management.

Based on this possible implementation, the period of the second HO-SSB is long, and the second SMTC is a measurement timing configuration for measuring the second HO-SSB. The terminal device does not need to frequently receive the second SMTC, which can reduce the power consumption of the terminal device. At the same time, the second network device sends timing information to the terminal device, which can enable the second network device to achieve uplink synchronization with the terminal device.

In a fourth aspect, a communication device is provided, for implementing the communication method described in the first aspect. The communication device may be the terminal device described in the first aspect, or a device or component included in the terminal device, such as a chip.

The communication device includes a module, unit, or means corresponding to the above method, which can be implemented by hardware, software, or by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more modules or units corresponding to the above functions.

In some possible implementations, the communication device may include a processing module and a transceiver module. The transceiver module may include a sending module and a receiving module, which are respectively used to implement the sending and receiving functions in the first aspect and any possible implementation thereof. The processing module may be used to implement the processing functions in the first aspect and any possible implementation thereof. Exemplarily, the transceiver module is used to receive the first broadcast information from the first network device. The processing module is used to determine the first handover synchronization signal block (handover SSB, HO-SSB) of the first network device and the configuration information of the first HO-SSB according to the first broadcast information, and determine the first SSB of the first network device according to the configuration information of the first HO-SSB; or, determine the configuration information of the first HO-SSB and the first HO-SSB, and the configuration information of the first SSB and the first SSB according to the first broadcast information; wherein the first SSB is used to access the first network device, the first HO-SSB is used for mobility management, and the period of the first HO-SSB is greater than the period of the first SSB. The transceiver module is also used to access the first network device according to the first SSB.

Optionally, the transceiver module and processing module of the communication device in the fourth aspect can also perform corresponding functions in any possible implementation of the first aspect mentioned above. Please refer to the detailed description in the method example for details. The beneficial effects that can be achieved can also be referred to the aforementioned related content.

In a fifth aspect, a communication device is provided, for implementing the communication method described in the second aspect. The communication device may be the first network device in the second aspect, or a device or component included in the first network device, such as a chip.

The communication device includes a module, unit, or means corresponding to the above method, which can be implemented by hardware, software, or by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more modules or units corresponding to the above functions.

In some possible implementations, the communication device may include a processing module and a transceiver module. The transceiver module may include a sending module and a receiving module, which are respectively used to implement the sending and receiving functions in the above-mentioned second aspect and any possible implementation thereof. The processing module may be used to implement the processing functions in the above-mentioned second aspect and any possible implementation thereof. Exemplarily, the transceiver module is used to send the first broadcast information; wherein the first broadcast information includes one or more SSBs and configuration information of each SSB; the one or more SSBs include one or more of the following: the first SSB of the first network device, or the first HO-SSB of the first network device, the first SSB is used to access the first network device, the first HO-SSB is used for mobility management, and the period of the first HO-SSB is greater than the period of the first SSB; the configuration information of the SSB includes one or more of the following: configuration information of the first SSB, or configuration information of the first HO-SSB.

Optionally, the transceiver module and processing module of the communication device in the fifth aspect can also perform the corresponding functions in any possible implementation of the second aspect mentioned above. Please refer to the detailed description in the method example for details. The beneficial effects that can be achieved can also be referred to the aforementioned related content.

In a sixth aspect, a communication device is provided, for implementing the communication method described in the third aspect. The communication device may be the second network device in the third aspect, or a device or component included in the second network device, such as a chip.

The communication device includes a module, unit, or means corresponding to the above method, which can be implemented by hardware, software, or by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more modules or units corresponding to the above functions.

In some possible implementations, the communication device may include a processing module and a transceiver module. The transceiver module may include a sending module and a receiving module, which are respectively used to implement the sending and receiving functions of the third aspect and any possible implementation thereof. The processing module may be used to implement the processing functions of the third aspect and any possible implementation thereof. Exemplarily, the transceiver module is used to receive first configuration information from a first network device; wherein the first configuration information includes one or more of the following: an SMTC period associated with a first HO-SSB of the first network device, an SMTC duration associated with a first HO-SSB, an SMTC offset associated with a first HO-SSB, ephemeris information of the first network device, first RO resource information, RNTI, or access resource configuration corresponding to different time periods; RNTI is used to partition different terminal devices; the first RO resource information is used to indicate the RO resources of the first network device; the first HO-SSB is used for mobility management; the first SMTC information is used to indicate the first HO-SSB of the first network device. The processing module is used to determine the first SMTC information according to the first configuration information.

Optionally, the transceiver module and processing module of the communication device in the sixth aspect can also perform corresponding functions in any possible implementation of the third aspect mentioned above. Please refer to the detailed description in the method example for details. The beneficial effects that can be achieved can also be referred to the aforementioned related content.

In a seventh aspect, a communication device is provided, comprising: at least one processor, the processor being used to execute computer instructions stored in a memory or through a logic circuit, so that the communication device performs the communication method described in any one of the above aspects or any possible implementation of any one of the aspects. The communication device may be a terminal device in the first aspect or any possible implementation of the first aspect, or a device or component included in the terminal device, such as a chip; or the communication device may be a first network device in the second aspect or any possible implementation of the second aspect, or a device or component included in the first network device, such as a chip; or a second network device in the third aspect or any possible implementation of the third aspect, or a device or component included in the second network device, such as a chip.

In some possible implementations, the communication device further includes a memory for storing computer instructions and/or configuration files of logic circuits. Optionally, the memory is integrated with the processor, or the memory is independent of the processor.

In an eighth aspect, a communication device is provided, comprising: a processor and a communication interface; the communication interface is used to input and/or output signals; the processor is used to execute a computer program or instruction so that the communication device performs the communication method described in any of the above aspects. The communication device can be a terminal device in the first aspect or any possible implementation of the first aspect, or a device or component included in the terminal device, such as a chip; or the communication device can be a first network device in the second aspect or any possible implementation of the second aspect, or a device or component included in the first network device, such as a chip; or a second network device in the third aspect or any possible implementation of the third aspect, or a device or component included in the second network device, such as a chip.

In some possible implementations, the communication interface is an interface circuit for reading and writing computer instructions. For example, the interface circuit is used to receive computer execution instructions (computer execution instructions are stored in a memory, may be read directly from the memory, or may pass through other devices) and transmit them to the processor.

In some possible implementations, the communication interface is used to communicate with a module outside the communication device.

In some possible implementations, the communication device may be a chip or a chip system. When the device is a chip system, the chip system may include a chip, or may include a chip and other discrete devices.

In a ninth aspect, a communication device is provided, comprising: a logic circuit and an interface circuit; the interface circuit is used to input information and/or output information; the logic circuit is used to execute the communication method described in any of the above aspects, and process and/or generate output information according to the input information. The communication device can be a terminal device in the first aspect or any possible implementation of the first aspect, or a device or component included in the terminal device, such as a chip; or the communication device can be a first network device in the second aspect or any possible implementation of the second aspect, or a device or component included in the first network device, such as a chip; or a second network device in the third aspect or any possible implementation of the third aspect, or a device or component included in the second network device, such as a chip.

In a tenth aspect, a computer-readable storage medium is provided, in which a computer program or instruction is stored. When the computer program or instruction is executed by a processor, the communication method described in any of the above aspects is executed.

In an eleventh aspect, a computer program product is provided, which, when executed by a processor, enables the communication method described in any of the above aspects to be executed.

It can be understood that when the communication device provided in any one of the fourth to ninth aspects is a chip, the above-mentioned sending action/function can be understood as output information, and the above-mentioned receiving action/function can be understood as input information.

Among them, the technical effects brought about by any implementation method in the fourth to eleventh aspects can refer to the technical effects brought about by the above-mentioned first aspect or any possible implementation of the first aspect, or refer to the technical effects brought about by the above-mentioned second aspect or any possible implementation of the second aspect, or refer to the technical effects brought about by the above-mentioned third aspect or any possible implementation of the third aspect, and will not be repeated here.

In the twelfth aspect, a communication system is provided, which includes the terminal device described in the fourth aspect or any possible implementation of the fourth aspect, the first network device described in the fifth aspect or any possible implementation of the fifth aspect; or, the communication system may also include the second network device described in the sixth aspect or any possible implementation of the sixth aspect.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG1 is a schematic diagram of a satellite communication system provided in an embodiment of the present application;

FIG2 is a schematic diagram of a mapping relationship between beams and cells provided in an embodiment of the present application;

FIG3 is a schematic diagram of a group switching in a satellite system provided by an embodiment of the present application;

FIG4 is a flowchart of a cell switching provided in an embodiment of the present application;

FIG5 is a schematic diagram of a cell synchronization signal block and a non-cell synchronization signal block provided in an embodiment of the present application;

FIG6 is a schematic diagram of a communication system provided in an embodiment of the present application;

FIG7 is a schematic diagram of a communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

FIG8 is a flow chart of a communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

FIG9 is a schematic diagram of different synchronization signal block periods provided in an embodiment of the present application;

FIG10 is a schematic diagram of a different synchronization signal block service area provided in an embodiment of the present application;

FIG11 is a flowchart of a cell reselection provided in an embodiment of the present application;

FIG12 is a flowchart of another cell switching provided in an embodiment of the present application;

FIG13 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a terminal device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

FIG14 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a first network device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

FIG15 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a second network device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

FIG16 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The implementation of the embodiments of the present application will be described in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

In the description of this application, unless otherwise specified, "/" indicates that the objects associated with each other are in an "or" relationship, for example, A/B can represent A or B; "and/or" in this application is merely a description of the association relationship between associated objects, indicating that three relationships may exist, for example, A and/or B can represent: A exists alone, A and B exist at the same time, and B exists alone, where A and B can be singular or plural.

In the description of this application, unless otherwise specified, "plurality" means two or more than two. "At least one of the following" or similar expressions refers to any combination of these items, including any combination of single items or plural items. For example, at least one of a, b, or c can mean: a, b, c, a-b, a-c, b-c, or a-b-c, where a, b, and c can be single or multiple.

In addition, in order to clearly describe the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application, in the embodiments of the present application, words such as "first" and "second" are used to distinguish the same items or similar items with substantially the same functions and effects. Those skilled in the art can understand that words such as "first" and "second" do not limit the quantity and execution order, and words such as "first" and "second" do not necessarily limit the difference.

In the embodiments of the present application, words such as "exemplary" or "for example" are used to indicate examples, illustrations or descriptions. Any embodiment or design described as "exemplary" or "for example" in the embodiments of the present application should not be interpreted as being more preferred or more advantageous than other embodiments or designs. Specifically, the use of words such as "exemplary" or "for example" is intended to present related concepts in a concrete way for easy understanding.

It is understood that the "embodiment" mentioned throughout the specification means that the specific features, structures or characteristics related to the embodiment are included in at least one embodiment of the present application. Therefore, the various embodiments in the entire specification do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment. In addition, these specific features, structures or characteristics can be combined in one or more embodiments in any suitable manner. It is understood that in various embodiments of the present application, the size of the sequence number of each process does not mean the order of execution, and the execution order of each process should be determined by its function and internal logic, and should not constitute any limitation on the implementation process of the embodiment of the present application.

It can be understood that some optional features in the embodiments of the present application may be implemented independently in certain scenarios without relying on other features, such as the solution on which they are currently based, to solve corresponding technical problems and achieve corresponding effects, or may be combined with other features according to needs in certain scenarios. Accordingly, the devices provided in the embodiments of the present application may also realize these features or functions accordingly, which will not be elaborated here.

In this application, unless otherwise specified, the same or similar parts between the various embodiments can refer to each other. In each embodiment of this application, if there is no special description and logical conflict, the terms and/or descriptions between different embodiments are consistent and can be referenced to each other, and the technical features in different embodiments can be combined to form new embodiments according to their inherent logical relationships. The following description of the implementation methods of this application does not constitute a limitation on the scope of protection of this application.

In order to facilitate understanding of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application, a brief introduction to the related technologies of the present application is first given as follows.

1) Non-terrestrial networks (NTN)

Among them, NTN is widely used in many fields such as maritime communications, positioning and navigation, disaster relief, scientific experiments, video broadcasting and earth observation. At the same time, it has significant advantages such as global coverage, long-distance transmission, flexible networking, convenient deployment and no geographical restrictions. NTN can include one or more of the following: satellite network, high-altitude platform, drone.

For example, the fifth-generation (5G) terrestrial communication network and the satellite network can be integrated with each other to complement each other and jointly form a global integrated communication network with seamless coverage by sea, land, air, space or ground, so as to meet the various business needs of ubiquitous terminal devices as much as possible.

Optionally, one of the important components of NTN is a satellite network, which may include one or more of the following trends: ultra-dense, or heterogeneous.

Among them, super-dense can be manifested as: the scale of the satellite network has grown from 66 satellites in the Iridium constellation to 720 satellites in the OneWeb constellation, and can be extended to the Starlink super-dense low earth orbit (LEO) satellite constellation of 12,000+.

Among them, heterogeneity can be manifested as: from the traditional single-layer communication network to the multi-layer communication network. At the same time, the functions of the communication satellite network are also becoming more complex and diversified, gradually becoming compatible with and supporting functions such as navigation enhancement, earth observation, and in-orbit processing of multi-dimensional information.

2) Staring (earth-fixed or quasi-earth fixed) and non-staring (earth-moving) satellite communication systems

Satellite communication systems can be divided into staring satellite communication systems and non-staring satellite communication systems according to the working mode of the payload (beam).

As shown in (a) of FIG. 1 below, in a non-staring satellite communication system, within a period of time (such as time T1, time T2, and time T3), the range covered by the satellite beam may change as the satellite moves.

As shown in (b) of Figure 1 below, in a staring satellite communication system, within a period of time (such as time T1, time T2, and time T3), the satellite can dynamically adjust the beam pointing so that the beam approximately covers the same area on the ground.

Staring satellite communication systems and non-staring satellite communication systems can be collectively referred to as beam-hopping satellite communication systems.

3) Mapping relationship between beams and cells

As shown in Figure 2 below, the standard defines the mapping relationship between beams and cells in static scenarios: single beam-single cell configuration and multi-beam-single cell configuration.

As shown in (a) of FIG. 2 below, in a single-beam-single-cell configuration, each beam of the network device covers a separate cell.

Among them, as shown in (b) in Figure 2 below, in the multi-beam-single-cell configuration, multiple beams of the network device cover one cell.

For example, in a beam-hopping satellite communication system, the movement of network devices such as satellites, drones, and high-altitude platforms causes the mapping relationship between beams, cells, and beam positions to change dynamically.

For example, taking satellites as an example, at different times, satellites may use different physical community identifier (PCI) sets to cover the wave positions served by the satellite. In order to avoid interference caused by overlapping coverage areas of different satellites as much as possible, satellites can trigger frequent PCI changes, which will further cause terminal devices to perform cell switching/cell reselection.

4) Mobility Management

Among them, mobility management may include cell switching, cell reselection, registration update and tracking area update.

In a beam-hopping satellite communication system, the movement of the satellite may cause group switching (mainly applicable to connected terminal devices) or group reselection (mainly applicable to idle terminal devices) of terminal devices within a certain beam position.

Among them, the service area of the satellite network can be divided into multiple small geographical areas according to the geographical location, and each geographical area is called a wave position.

Exemplarily, taking group switching as an example, as shown in Figure 3 below, there is a user equipment cluster (UE-G) in a single wave position in Zone-2, such as UE-G1 (UE-G1 contains multiple UEs).

For example, during time T1, one or more beams of satellite-2 (SAT-2) serve UE-G1; during time T2, due to the movement of SAT-2, SAT-2 cannot serve this beam position, and one or more beams of satellite-1 (SAT-1) can take over SAT-2 to serve UE-G1. In other words, UE-G1 has undergone group switching.

Due to the high speed of satellite movement (about 7.5km/s), the frequency of group switching of UE clusters is about every few seconds to tens of seconds. It is understandable that in beam-hopping satellite communication systems, group switching caused by satellite movement becomes the norm, while in terrestrial networks, cell switching is mainly caused by terminal device movement.

5) New radio (NR)/NTN mobility management method

An exemplary NR/NTN cell switching process may be shown in FIG. 4 below, and the specific steps may be:

S401. The first network device sends an RRC connection reconfiguration message to the terminal device. Correspondingly, the terminal device receives the RRC Reconfiguration message from the first network device.

Among them, the RRC Reconfiguration message may include measurement configuration (measure configuration, MC) of multiple network devices (which may include a first network device and a second network device), and MC can be used by the terminal device to measure the signal strength of multiple network devices.

S402. The terminal device sends a radio resource control connection reconfiguration completion (RRC Reconfiguration Complete) message to the first network device; correspondingly, the first network device receives the RRC Reconfiguration Complete message from the terminal device.

Among them, the RRC Reconfiguration Complete message is used to indicate that the terminal device has received the RRC Reconfiguration from the first network device.

S403. The terminal device measures the signal strength of different network devices according to the measurement configuration in the RRC Reconfiguration message, and sends the measurement result to the first network device. Correspondingly, the first network device receives the measurement result from the terminal device.

The signal strength may include one or more of the following: RSRP, RSRQ, or SINR.

Optionally, the terminal device reports the measurement result to the first network device, and the reporting method can be periodic reporting or event-triggered reporting, without limitation.

Among them, in the event triggering report, the reporting condition is usually that the signal quality of the first network device is less than the first preset threshold and/or the signal quality of the second network device is greater than the second preset threshold.

The first preset threshold and the second preset threshold may be determined according to actual communication scenarios or actual communication requirements.

S404: The first network device makes a switching decision according to the measurement result.

The first network device determines the second network device that can perform cell switching according to the measurement result.

For example, the signal strength of the second network device that can perform cell switching is higher; or, there are fewer terminal devices within the coverage range of the second network device that can perform cell switching; or, the signal strength of the second network device that can perform cell switching is higher and there are fewer terminal devices within the coverage range, and no restriction is imposed.

S405. The first network device sends a handover request (HANDOVER REQUEST) to the second network device; correspondingly, the second network device receives the HANDOVER REQUEST from the first network device.

Among them, HANDOVER REQUEST may include context information, admission control and reserved resources related to cell switching of the terminal device.

S406: The second network device generates an admission control.

The access control is used to instruct the second network device to allow the terminal device to access.

S407. The second network device sends a handover request reply (HANDOVER REQUEST ACKNOWLEDGE) to the first network device. Correspondingly, the first network device receives the HANDOVER REQUEST ACKNOWLEDGE from the first network device.

Among them, HANDOVER REQUEST ACKNOWLEDGE is used to respond to the HANDOVER REQUEST from the first network device.

S408. The first network device sends an RRC Reconfiguration message to the terminal device. Correspondingly, the terminal device receives the RRC Reconfiguration message from the first network device.

Among them, different from the RRC Reconfiguration message of the MC carrying multiple network devices in the above S401, the RRC Reconfiguration message in S408 carries handover (HO) resources, which are used to indicate the second network device that the terminal device can access. At the same time, the terminal device can obtain the control information of the second network device.

S409. The first network device sends a sequence number status transfer (SN STATUS TRANSFER) to the second network device; correspondingly, the second network device receives the SN STATUS TRANSFER from the first network device.

The first network device forwards data of the terminal device for cell switching to the second network device.

S410. The terminal device sends message 1 (Message 1, MSG1) to the second network device. Correspondingly, the second network device receives MSG1 from the first network device.

Among them, MSG1 may include random access information, and the terminal device accesses the second network device according to the random access process.

S411. The second network device sends Message 2 (Message 2, MSG2) to the terminal device. Correspondingly, the terminal device receives MSG2 from the second network device.

Among them, MSG2 includes a random access response, which is used to indicate that the second network device receives MSG1 from the terminal device, and the terminal device accesses the second network device.

S412. The terminal device sends an RRC Reconfiguration Complete message to the second network device. Correspondingly, the second network device receives the RRC Reconfiguration Complete message from the terminal device.

Optionally, after the terminal device accesses the second network device, the second network device can send downlink data to the terminal device, and the terminal device can send uplink data to the second network device, thereby realizing information interaction between the terminal device and the second network device.

S413. The second network device sends a channel switching request (PATH SWITCH REQUEST) to the Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF) network element. Correspondingly, the AMF network element receives the PATH SWITCH REQUEST from the second network device.

Among them, the AMF network element is used to manage the access and mobility of terminal devices, and is mainly responsible for terminal device authentication, terminal device mobility management, terminal device paging and other functions.

S414. The AMF network element sends a channel switch request response (PATH SWITCH REQUEST ACKNOWLEDGE) to the second network device. Correspondingly, the second network device receives the PATH SWITCH REQUEST ACKNOWLEDGE from the AMF network element.

Optionally, the AMF network element can send terminal data to the second network device; correspondingly, the second network device can send uplink data to the AMF network element.

Optionally, the AMF network element can send downlink data to the first network device; correspondingly, the first network device can send uplink data to the AMF network element.

Optionally, the first network device may send terminal data to the second network device.

S415. The second network device sends a terminal device context release (UE CONTEXT RELEASE) message to the first network device; correspondingly, the first network device receives the UE CONTEXT RELEASE message from the second network device.

S416. The second network device sends an RRC Reconfiguration message to the terminal device. Correspondingly, the terminal device receives the RRC Reconfiguration message from the second network device.

Among them, the RRC Reconfiguration message includes MCs of multiple network devices, and its function is consistent with the RRC Reconfiguration in S401, which will not be repeated here.

S417. The terminal device sends an RRC Reconfiguration Complete message to the first network device. Correspondingly, the first network device receives the RRC Reconfiguration Complete message from the terminal device.

It should be noted that the random access preamble used by the terminal device during cell switching is a dedicated preamble, which is different from the contention-based random access preamble used during initial access. At the same time, when the terminal device performs cell switching, the periodic configuration supported by the random access channel (RACH) is 10/20/40/80/160ms, which is the same as the periodic configuration supported by the RACH of initial access.

Another exemplary example is that in the cell reselection process of NR/NTN, the first network device sends the measurement configuration and related parameters of the second network device to the terminal device in the form of broadcast. The terminal device measures the signal strength of the second network device according to the measurement configuration of the second network device, and compares the obtained measurement value (such as RSRP or RSRQ) with the parameters sent by the network (such as the preset reselection threshold, etc.). When the measurement value is greater than the preset reselection threshold, the terminal device autonomously reselects to the target neighboring cell.

Based on the above description of cell switching and cell reselection, it can be understood that in the NTN network, due to the movement of satellites, the near-far effect is not obvious, and relying solely on signal strength to trigger cell switching/cell reselection may result in low efficiency. Therefore, NTN considers location-assisted cell switching/cell reselection enhancement technology.

For example, the mobility management of the NTN network can be achieved based on various methods such as time/timer, location information of the terminal device (such as the reference point distance of the terminal device to the cell associated with the first network device is greater than the first preset threshold, and the reference point distance of the cell associated with the second network device is less than the second preset threshold) and timer/location + signal strength combination.

Among them, the timer/location + signal strength combination method can be that the signal strength measured by the terminal device at a certain moment is higher than a preset threshold; or, the timer/location + signal strength combination method can be that the signal strength measured at a certain distance between the terminal device and the cell associated with the first network device is higher than the preset threshold; or, the timer/location + signal strength combination method can also be that the signal strength measured at a certain distance between the terminal device and the cell associated with the first network device at a certain moment is higher than the preset threshold, without restriction.

However, the cell switching/cell reselection of NR/NTN can be actively triggered by the movement of the terminal device or the movement of the network device. For example, in the LEO scenario, the movement of the first network device (such as a satellite) may trigger group switching/group reselection. Implementing group switching/group reselection based on the above-mentioned cell switching/cell reselection method may lead to low working efficiency of the first network device. At the same time, the first network device will frequently update the measurement configuration, increasing power consumption.

In summary, in a communication system, a terminal device can perform signal measurement based on a signal sent by a network device, thereby achieving initial access, cell switching, and cell reselection. For example, in order to assist a terminal device in measuring a signal, as shown in FIG5 below, NR defines CD-SSB and NCD-SSB.

Among them, CD-SSB can include synchronization signal block 1 (SSB1) and synchronization signal block 3 (SSB3), and can carry a control resource set (CORESET), such as the configuration information of CORESET 0 and the configuration information of the listening timing of Type 0-PDCCH common search space (CSS); at the same time, the terminal device can perform relevant measurements of cell reselection/cell switching based on CD-SSB.

Among them, NCD-SSB may include synchronization signal block 2 (SSB2) and synchronization signal block (SSB3), and does not carry relevant information of the associated control resource set (CORESET), such as configuration information of CORESET 0 and configuration information of the monitoring timing of Type 0-PDCCH common search space (CSS); at the same time, NCD-SSB can perform wireless resource management and support signal measurement of terminal devices that are not within the initial (Initial) partial bandwidth (bandwidth part, BWP).

It can be understood that both CD-SSB and NCD-SSB are configured based on frequency division multiplexing, that is, CD-SSB and NCD-SSB are configured in different frequency domains and BWPs. When the initial access terminal device receives NCD-SSB, the terminal device can obtain the position of CD-SSB in the frequency domain based on the synchronization signal block-subcarrier offset (SSB-SubcarrierOffset) (corresponding to the K_SSB field) in the master information block (MIB) message carried in NCD-SSB. Furthermore, the terminal device can perform signal measurement based on the configuration information associated with CD-SSB and access the network device based on the measurement results.

However, CD-SSB/NCD-SSB serves different wave positions based on frequency division multiplexing, and needs to measure signals at different frequencies and allocate measurement gaps, which makes the efficiency of terminal devices in performing signal measurement in mobility management low. At the same time, the cycles of CD-SSB and NCD-SSB are short, and terminal devices may frequently measure signal quality, increasing the power consumption of terminal devices. Moreover, the SSB modes of CD-SSB and NCD-SSB are fixed, and the interference between CD-SSB and/or NCD-SSB is serious, which may reduce the accuracy of signal measurement.

In order to solve the above technical problems, the present application proposes a communication method, which includes: a terminal device receives a first broadcast message from a first network device; determines a first handover synchronization signal block HO-SSB of the first network device and configuration information of the first HO-SSB according to the first broadcast message, and determines a first SSB of the first network device according to the configuration information of the first HO-SSB; or, determines the configuration information of the first HO-SSB and the first HO-SSB, and the configuration information of the first SSB and the first SSB according to the first broadcast message; accesses the first network device according to the first SSB. The first broadcast message includes one or more SSBs and configuration information of one or more SSBs; the first SSB is used to access the first network device, the first HO-SSB is used for mobility management, and the period of the first HO-SSB is greater than the period of the first SSB.

Since the period of the first SSB is short, the first network device needs to frequently broadcast the first SSB, which causes the terminal device to frequently measure the signal strength of the first SSB, increasing the power consumption of the terminal device. At the same time, the SSB mode of the first SSB is fixed, which may increase the interference between the first SSBs and affect the accuracy of the terminal device measuring the signal strength of the first SSB. Based on this, in the communication method provided in the embodiment of the present application, the terminal device can obtain the first HO-SSB through the first broadcast information. Since the period of the first HO-SSB is greater than the period of the first SSB, and the period of the first HO-SSB can be unfixed and the value range of the period can be large, the frequency of the terminal device measuring the signal strength of the SSB can be reduced, thereby reducing the power consumption of the terminal device. At the same time, since the SSB mode of the first HO-SSB is unfixed, the interference between the first HO-SSBs can be reduced, and the accuracy of the measurement result of the signal strength measurement performed by the terminal device according to the first HO-SSB is improved.

When the terminal device initially accesses the first network device, the terminal device can obtain the first SSB according to the above method, and then access the first network device according to the first SSB. When the terminal device determines the network device to be accessed according to the cell switching/cell reselection conditions, due to the improvement in the accuracy of the signal strength of the first HO-SSB measured by the terminal device, it can be more accurately determined whether the cell switching/cell reselection conditions are met based on the more accurate measurement results, thereby improving the effectiveness of the cell switching/cell reselection, better access to the first network device, and improving the communication performance between the terminal device and the first network device.

The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application can be used in various communication systems, which may be a third generation partnership project (3GPP) communication system, for example, a fourth generation (4G), long term evolution (LTE), 5G mobile communication system, NR, or a system of LTE and 5G hybrid networking, or an NTN system, or a sixth generation (6G) or other mobile communication system evolved after 5G, a vehicle to everything (V2X) system, or a device-to-device (D2D) communication system, a machine to machine (M2M) communication system, the Internet of Things (IoT), the narrowband Internet of Things (NB-IoT), other next generation communication systems, perception and communication integrated systems, satellite communication systems, etc. The communication system may also be a non-3GPP communication system, such as wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi) and other wireless local area network (WLAN) systems, without restriction.

Exemplarily, as shown in Fig. 6, it is a schematic diagram of a communication system provided by the present application. The communication system may include one or more terminal devices and one or more network devices.

Among them, the terminal device can access the network device and can also switch between different network devices.

The present application can be applied to various communication scenarios, such as synchronization, channel estimation, signal detection, beam measurement, etc.

The above-mentioned communication systems and communication scenarios applicable to the present application are merely examples, and the communication systems and communication scenarios applicable to the present application are not limited thereto, and the above-mentioned description does not impose any limitation on the solutions of the present application.

The terminal device in the embodiment of the present application may be a device with wireless transceiver function or a chip or chip system that can be set in the device, which can allow users to access the network and is a device for providing voice and/or data connectivity to users. The terminal device may also be called UE, subscriber unit, terminal, mobile station (MS), mobile terminal (MT), etc.

Optionally, the terminal device in the embodiment of the present application may be a user-side device for realizing a wireless communication function, such as a terminal or a chip that can be used in a terminal, etc. The terminal may be a UE, a user unit, an access terminal, a terminal unit, a terminal station, a mobile station, a mobile station, a remote station, a remote terminal, a mobile device, a wireless communication device, a terminal agent or a terminal device, etc. in a 5G network or a public land mobile network (PLMN) evolved after 5G. The access terminal can be a cellular phone, a smart phone, a cordless phone, a session initiation protocol (SIP) phone, a wireless data card, a wireless local loop (WLL) station, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a handheld device with wireless communication function (handset), a laptop computer, a tablet computer, a computing device or other processing device connected to a wireless modem, a vehicle-mounted device, a drone, a robot, a smart point of sale (POS) machine, a customer-premises equipment (CPE) or a wearable device, virtual reality (virtual reality, VR) terminal equipment, augmented reality (augmented reality, AR) terminal equipment, wireless terminals in industrial control, wireless terminals in self driving, wireless terminals in remote medical, wireless terminals in smart grid, wireless terminals in transportation safety, wireless terminals in machine type communication (MTC), wireless terminals in smart city, wireless terminals in smart home, wireless terminals in 5G network or future communication network, etc. Alternatively, the terminal may be a terminal with communication function in IoT, such as a terminal in V2X (such as a vehicle networking device), a terminal in D2D communication, or a terminal in M2M communication, etc. The terminal may be mobile or fixed.

Among them, the network device in the embodiment of the present application (which may be the first network device and the second network device) can be any device deployed in the access network that can communicate wirelessly with the terminal device, or it can be a chip or chip system that can be set in the above-mentioned device, or it can be a logical node or a logical module or a function implemented in software, which can be used to implement wireless physical control functions, resource scheduling and wireless resource management, wireless access control, mobility management and other functions.

Specifically, the network device may be a device supporting wired access or a device supporting wireless access.

Exemplarily, the network device may be a node in a radio access network (RAN), or may be referred to as a radio access network node (or device). The network device may also be a base transceiver station (BTS) in a global system for mobile communication (GSM) or a code division multiple access (CDMA) network. Alternatively, the network device may be a base station (NodeB) in a wideband code division multiple access (WCDMA) network. Alternatively, the network device may also be an evolutionary Node B (e-NodeB or NodeB or eNB) in an LTE system or an enhanced LTE (LTE-advanced, LTE-A) system, such as a traditional macro base station eNB and a micro base station eNB in a heterogeneous network scenario. Alternatively, the network device may also be a next generation node B (gNB) in an NR system. Alternatively, the network device may be a network device in a future evolved PLMN. Alternatively, the network device may include a transmission reception point (TRP), a home base station (e.g., home evolved NodeB, or home Node B, HNB), a base band unit (BBU), a base band pool (BBU pool), or a wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi) access point (AP), etc. Alternatively, the network device may include a base station in an NTN, that is, it may be deployed on a flight platform or a satellite. In the NTN, the network device may serve as a layer 1 (L1) relay, or as a base station, or as an integrated access and backhaul (IAB) node. Alternatively, the network device may be a device that implements a base station function in IoT, such as a device that implements a base station function in drone communication, V2X, D2D, or M2M. Alternatively, the network device may be a wireless controller in a cloud radio access network (CRAN) scenario. Alternatively, the network device may also be a wearable device or a vehicle-mounted device.

The network device may also be a module or unit that can implement some functions of the base station, for example, the network device may be a centralized unit (CU), a distributed unit (DU), a CU-control plane (CP), a CU-user plane (UP), or a radio unit (RU). The CU and DU may be separately configured, or may be included in the same network element, such as a baseband unit (BBU). The RU may be included in a radio frequency device or radio unit, such as a remote radio unit (RRU), an active antenna unit (AAU), or a remote radio head (RRH).

In different systems, CU (or CU-CP and CU-UP), DU or RU may also have different names, but those skilled in the art can understand their meanings. For example, the network device may be a network device or a module of a network device in an open radio access network (open RAN, ORAN) system. In the ORAN system, CU may also be referred to as open (open, O)-CU, DU may also be referred to as O-DU, CU-CP may also be referred to as O-CU-CP, CU-UP may also be referred to as O-CU-UP, and RU may also be referred to as O-RU. Any of the CU (or CU-CP, CU-UP), DU and RU in this application may be implemented by a software module, a hardware module, or a combination of a software module and a hardware module.

Optionally, the base station in the embodiments of the present application may include various forms of base stations, such as: a macro base station, a micro base station (also called a small station), a relay station, an access point, a home base station, a TRP, a transmitting point (TP), one or a group of (including multiple antenna panels) antenna panels of a base station in a 5G system, or a mobile switching center, etc. The embodiments of the present application do not specifically limit this.

Optionally, the communication system shown in Figure 6 may also include a core network device (core network, CN) and a data network (data network, DN).

Among them, network equipment can communicate with core network equipment directly, or through ground station equipment, which can also be considered as a core network equipment. Core network equipment can provide an interface for data network as a bearer network, provide communication connection, authentication, management, policy control for terminal equipment, and complete the bearing of data services.

Exemplarily, the core network equipment may include one or more of the following: AMF, session management function (SMF) network element, authentication server function (AUSF) network element, policy control function (PCF) network element, user plane function (UPF) network element, etc.

Based on the above description of the communication system, the communication system is described below by taking the network device as a satellite as an example.

As shown in Figure 6 below, a satellite can use multiple beams to cover the service area. Different beams can communicate through one or more of time division, frequency division and space division. Each satellite can provide communication services and positioning services to terminal devices through multiple beams (satellites can communicate wirelessly with terminal devices through broadcast communication signals and navigation signals, etc.), and satellites can also communicate with each other through intersatellite links (for example, satellite 1 can communicate with satellite 2 through intersatellite link 1, and satellite 2 can communicate with satellite 3 through intersatellite link 2). Satellites can also communicate wirelessly with core network devices through ground station equipment (for example, satellite 3 can be connected to core network devices).

It can be understood that the satellite mentioned in the embodiments of the present application may be a satellite base station, may also include an orbital receiver or repeater for relaying information, or may be a network-side device carried on a satellite, without limitation.

The satellite can operate in staring beam mode or non-staring beam mode.

Among them, the satellite communication system can include a transparent satellite architecture and a non-transparent satellite architecture.

Among them, transparent transmission can also be called bent-pipe forwarding transmission, that is, the signal only undergoes frequency conversion, signal amplification and other processes on the satellite, and the satellite is transparent to the signal, as if it does not exist; non-transparent transmission is also called regeneration (on-board access/processing) transmission, that is, the satellite has some or all of the functions of a base station.

For example, as shown in FIG6 below, satellite 1 and satellite 2 may be located in a non-transparent satellite architecture, and satellite 3 may be located in a transparent satellite architecture.

Exemplarily, the satellite can be a LEO satellite or a non-geostationary earth orbit (NGEO) satellite.

It should be noted that the communication system described in the embodiment of the present application is for the purpose of more clearly illustrating 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 can know that with the evolution of 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 specific implementation, each terminal device and network device shown in FIG6 may adopt the composition structure shown in FIG7, or include the components shown in FIG7. FIG7 is a composition diagram of a communication device 70 provided in an embodiment of the present application, and the communication device 70 may be a terminal device or a chip or a system on chip in the terminal device; or a network device or a chip or a system on chip in the network device.

As shown in FIG7 , the communication device 70 includes one or more processors 701. Further, the communication device 70 may also include a communication bus 702 and at least one communication interface (FIG. 7 is only exemplary, and the communication device 70 includes a communication interface 704 and a processor 701 as an example for explanation). Optionally, the communication device 70 may also include a memory 703.

Processor 701 may be a general-purpose central processing unit (CPU), a microprocessor, an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or one or more integrated circuits for controlling the execution of the program of the present application, or a processing core for processing data (such as computer program instructions). The processor may be a single-CPU processor or a multi-CPU processor.

In a specific implementation, as an embodiment, the processor 701 may include one or more CPUs, such as CPU0 and CPU1 in FIG. 7 .

The communication bus 702 may be a peripheral component interconnect (PCI) bus or an extended industry standard architecture (EISA) bus. The bus may be divided into an address bus, a data bus, a control bus, etc. For ease of representation, FIG. 7 only uses a thick line, but does not mean that there is only one bus or one type of bus. The communication bus 702 is used to connect different components in the communication device 70 so that different components in the communication device 70 can communicate and interact with each other.

The communication interface 704 may be a transceiver module for communicating with other devices or a communication network, such as Ethernet, RAN, or WLAN. Exemplarily, the communication interface 704 may be a device such as a transceiver or a transceiver. Alternatively, the communication interface 704 may also be a transceiver circuit located in the processor 701 to implement signal input and signal output of the processor.

The memory 703 may be a device with a storage function. For example, it may be a read-only memory (ROM) or other types of static storage devices that can store static information and instructions, a random access memory (RAM) or other types of dynamic storage devices that can store information and instructions, or an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), a compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM) or other optical disc storage, optical disc storage (including compressed optical disc, laser disc, optical disc, digital versatile disc, Blu-ray disc, etc.), a magnetic disk storage medium or other magnetic storage device, or any other medium that can be used to carry or store the desired program code in the form of instructions or data structures and can be accessed by a computer, but is not limited thereto. The memory may exist independently and be connected to the processor via the communication bus 702. The memory may also be integrated with the processor.

Exemplarily, the memory 703 is used to store computer-executable instructions for executing the solution of the present application, and the execution is controlled by the processor 701. The processor 701 is used to execute the computer-executable instructions stored in the memory 703, thereby realizing the communication method provided in the embodiment of the present application.

Alternatively, optionally, in an embodiment of the present application, the processor 701 may also perform processing-related functions in the communication method provided in the following embodiments of the present application, and the communication interface 704 is responsible for communicating with other devices or communication networks, which is not specifically limited in the embodiments of the present application.

Optionally, the computer-executable instructions in the embodiments of the present application may also be referred to as application code, which is not specifically limited in the embodiments of the present application.

In a specific implementation, as an embodiment, the communication device 70 may further include an output device 705 and an input device 706. The output device 705 communicates with the processor 701 and may display information in a variety of ways. For example, the output device 705 may be a liquid crystal display (LCD), a light emitting diode (LED) display device, a cathode ray tube (CRT) display device, or a projector. The input device 706 communicates with the processor 701 and may receive user input in a variety of ways. For example, the input device 706 may be a mouse, a keyboard, a touch screen device, or a sensor device.

It should be noted that the composition structure shown in FIG. 7 does not constitute a limitation on the communication device. In addition to the components shown in FIG. 7 , the communication device may include more or fewer components than shown in the figure, or combine certain components, or arrange the components differently.

The following will be combined with the accompanying drawings to describe the communication method provided by the embodiment of the present application. It is understandable that in the embodiment of the present application, the terminal device, the first network device or the second network device can perform some or all of the steps in the embodiment of the present application, and these steps or operations are only examples. The embodiment of the present application can also perform other operations or variations of various operations. In addition, each step can be performed in a different order presented in the embodiment of the present application, and it is possible not to perform all the operations in the embodiment of the present application.

As shown in Figure 8, it is an interaction diagram of a communication method provided by the present application. Referring to Figure 8, the communication method includes the following steps:

S801. A first network device sends first broadcast information. Correspondingly, a terminal device receives the first broadcast information from the first network device.

The first broadcast information may include one or more SSBs and configuration information of one or more SSBs.

Among them, the one or more SSBs may include one or more of the following: a first HO-SSB of the first network device, and a first SSB of the first network device.

Among them, the configuration information of one or more SSBs may include one or more of the following: configuration information of the first HO-SSB, configuration information of the first SSB.

In a first possible design, the first broadcast information includes the first HO-SSB and configuration information of the first HO-SSB.

The first HO-SSB is the HO-SSB of the first network device, and the first HO-SSB is used for mobility management.

In a second possible design, the first broadcast information includes the first SSB and configuration information of the first SSB, the first HO-SSB and configuration information of the first HO-SSB.

Among them, the first SSB is the SSB of the first network device, the first SSB is used to access the first network device, and the period of the first HO-SSB is greater than the period of the first SSB.

Optionally, the first SSB can also be used for mobility management.

Optionally, the first SSB may be an SSB in NR, i.e., NR-SSB; or it may be an SSB in other communication systems without limitation.

As shown in FIG. 9 below, the period of the first SSB and the period of the first HO-SSB are obviously different.

For example, the period of the first SSB is fixed (such as the period of the first SSB is generally 5/10/20/40/80/160ms), and the period of the first SSB is relatively short. The first network device may frequently send the first SSB to the terminal device based on the fixed period. The terminal device frequently receives the first SSB and measures the signal strength of the first SSB, which will increase the power consumption of the terminal device; while the period of the first HO-SSB is adjustable (such as the period of the first HO-SSB can range from a few seconds to several hundred seconds), the period span of the first HO-SSB is relatively large, and the period of the first HO-SSB is relatively long compared to the period of the first SSB. The first network device can send the first HO-SSB once every few seconds or several hundred seconds. Compared with the frequency of the terminal device measuring the signal strength of the first NR-SSB, the frequency of the terminal device measuring the signal strength of the first HO-SSB is significantly reduced, which can reduce the power consumption of the terminal device.

Correspondingly, the service area of the first SSB and the service area of the first HO-SSB are also different.

For example, as shown in Figure 10 below, the service area of the first NR-SSB is 1/2/3/4, and the service area associated with the first HO-SSB is 5/7. The first HO-SSB is generally in an area where a cell handover/cell reselection is about to be performed, and as the first network device and the second device move, the service area of the first HO-SSB also changes.

Based on the above two possible designs, the SSB in the first broadcast information includes the first HO-SSB. The first network device can reduce the frequency of broadcasting the first broadcast information, thereby enabling the terminal device to reduce the frequency of measuring signal strength, thereby reducing the power consumption of the terminal device.

In a third possible design, the first broadcast information includes the first SSB and configuration information of the first SSB.

S802. The terminal device determines the first SSB based on the first broadcast information.

In the first possible design, when the first broadcast information includes the first HO-SSB and the configuration information of the first HO-SSB, the terminal device can determine the first HO-SSB and the configuration information of the first HO-SSB of the first network device based on the first broadcast information. Further, the terminal device can determine the first SSB of the first network device based on the configuration information of the first HO-SSB.

Optionally, the configuration information of the first HO-SSB may include one or more of the following: a first SMTC, an SSB index, an SSB type, an SSB mode, a subcarrier spacing, QCL information, whether associated with SIB1, time domain information of SSB, frequency domain information of SSB, polarization domain information of SSB, first RO resource information, or first indication information.

Among them, the first SMTC information is used to indicate the first HO-SSB of the first network device, the SSB mode is used to indicate the pattern of the SSB in the time and frequency domain, the QCL information is used to indicate the beam associated with the SSB, the first indication information is used to indicate that the SSB is the first SSB or the first HO-SSB, and the first RO resource information is used to indicate the RO resources of the first network device.

Optionally, the first SMTC information may include one or more of the following: location or time triggered reselection measurement, measurement priority, reference point location, SMTC period associated with the first HO-SSB, SMTC duration associated with the first HO-SSB, SMTC offset associated with the first HO-SSB, ephemeris information of the first network device, or signal quality threshold of the first HO-SSB.

Among them, location or time triggered reselection measurement is used to indicate that in cell reselection, the terminal device can measure the signal strength according to the combination of timer/location + signal strength, thereby realizing mobility management; the measurement priority is used to indicate the measurement order of different neighboring cells/frequencies, that is, the terminal device first measures the neighboring cells/frequencies with high priority, and then measures the neighboring cells/frequencies with low priority; the reference point position is used to indicate location triggered measurement, that is, when the distance between the terminal device's position and one or more reference point positions meets the given conditions, the measurement is triggered.

Optionally, the time domain information of SSB can be time domain resources or time domain offset, without limitation.

Optionally, the frequency domain information of SSB can be frequency domain resources or frequency domain offset, without limitation.

Optionally, the polarization domain information of SSB can be a polarization domain resource, a polarization domain offset, or a polarization direction, without limitation.

Based on the above content, the terminal device can determine that the SSB is the first HO-SSB according to the configuration information of the SSB. The present application proposes several possible embodiments for determining the first HO-SSB:

In a first possible embodiment, the terminal device may determine that the SSB is the first HO-SSB when the SSB index of the SSB is greater than or equal to any of the following indexes: 4, 8, or 64.

Exemplarily, in scenario 1, when the SSB index of the SSB is greater than or equal to 4, the terminal device can determine that the SSB is the first HO-SSB; in scenario 2, when the SSB index of the SSB is greater than or equal to 8, the terminal device can determine that the SSB is the first HO-SSB; in scenario 3, when the SSB index of the SSB is greater than or equal to 64, the terminal device can determine that the SSB is the first HO-SSB.

In a second possible embodiment, when the SSB mode of the SSB is not a preset SSB mode, the terminal device may determine that the SSB is a first HO-SSB.

In a third possible embodiment, when the polarization domain information of the SSB of the SSB is right-hand circular polarization, the terminal device can determine that the SSB is the first HO-SSB, otherwise it is the first SSB; or, when the polarization domain information of the SSB of the SSB is left-hand circular polarization, the terminal device can determine that the SSB is the first HO-SSB, otherwise it is the first SSB.

In a fourth possible embodiment, when the first indication information in the configuration information of the SSB indicates that the SSB is the first HO-SSB, the terminal device may determine that the SSB is the first HO-SSB.

Exemplarily, the first indication information may be one bit, and the one bit may be a reused existing bit or a newly added bit.

For example, when the bit value of the first indication information is 0, the terminal device can determine that the SSB is the first HO-SSB, otherwise it is the first SSB; or, when the bit value of the first indication information is 1, the terminal device can determine that the SSB is the first HO-SSB, otherwise it is the first SSB.

Optionally, the terminal device may determine the first SSB based on one or more information in the configuration information of the first HO-SSB: time domain information of the first HO-SSB, frequency domain information of the first HO-SSB, or polarization domain information of the first HO-SSB.

For example, taking the frequency domain information of the first HO-SSB as the first frequency domain offset as an example, the terminal device can determine the frequency domain position of the first SSB based on the frequency domain position of the first HO-SSB and the first frequency domain offset, and then search for the first SSB at the frequency domain position.

For another example, taking the time domain information of the first HO-SSB as the first time domain offset and the frequency domain information of the first HO-SSB as the first frequency domain offset, the terminal device can determine the time and frequency domain position of the first SSB based on the time domain position and frequency domain position of the first HO-SSB, through the first time domain offset and the first frequency domain offset, and then search for the first SSB at the time and frequency domain position.

In a second possible design, when the first broadcast information includes configuration information of the first SSB and the first SSB, and configuration information of the first HO-SSB and the first HO-SSB, the terminal device can determine the configuration information of the first HO-SSB and the first HO-SSB, and the configuration information of the first SSB and the first SSB based on the first broadcast information.

Optionally, the configuration information of the first SSB may include one or more of the following: SSB index, SSB type, SSB mode, subcarrier spacing, QCL information, whether associated with SIB1, time domain information of SSB, frequency domain information of SSB, polarization domain information of SSB, first RO resource information, or first indication information.

In a first possible embodiment, the terminal device may determine that the SSB is the first SSB when the SSB index of the SSB is less than any of the following indexes: 4, 8, or 64.

Exemplarily, in scenario 1, when the SSB index of the SSB is less than 4, the terminal device may determine that the SSB is the first SSB. In scenario 2, when the SSB index of the SSB is less than 8, the terminal device may determine that the SSB is the first SSB. In scenario 3, when the SSB index of the SSB is less than 64, the terminal device may determine that the SSB is the first SSB.

In a second possible embodiment, when the SSB mode of the SSB is not a preset SSB mode, the terminal device may determine that the SSB is a first HO-SSB.

Exemplarily, as shown in FIG. 9 below, the pattern of the first SSB in the time-frequency domain (such as the black strips shown in FIG. 9 ) is fixed, that is, the SSB mode of the first SSB is predefined, and the SSB mode of the first SSB does not change randomly, resulting in greater interference between the first SSBs; and the pattern of the first HO-SSB in the time-frequency domain is adjustable. When the SSB mode is not a predefined SSB mode, the SSB is the first HO-SSB, which can reduce interference between the first HO-SSBs.

Therefore, the first broadcast signal includes the first HO-SSB and the configuration information of the first HO-SSB, which can improve the accuracy of the terminal device in measuring the signal strength, and further, can improve the communication quality of the terminal device.

In a third possible embodiment, when the polarization domain information of the SSB of the SSB is left-hand circular polarization, the terminal device can determine that the SSB is the first SSB; when the polarization domain information of the SSB of the SSB is right-hand circular polarization, the terminal device can determine that the SSB is the first HO-SSB. Alternatively, when the polarization domain information of the SSB of the SSB of the SSB is right-hand circular polarization, the terminal device can determine that the SSB is the first SSB; when the polarization domain information of the SSB of the SSB of the SSB is left-hand circular polarization, the terminal device can determine that the SSB is the first HO-SSB

In a fourth possible embodiment, when the first indication information in the configuration information of the SSB of the SSB indicates that the SSB is the first SSB, the terminal device can determine that the SSB is the first SSB.

Exemplarily, the first indication information may be one bit, and the one bit may be a reused existing bit or a newly added bit.

For example, when the bit value of the first indication information is 0, the terminal device can determine that the SSB is the first HO-SSB; when the bit value of the first indication information is 1, the terminal device can determine that the SSB is the first SSB. Alternatively, when the bit value of the first indication information is 1, the terminal device can determine that the SSB is the first HO-SSB; when the bit value of the first indication information is 0, the terminal device can determine that the SSB is the first SSB.

In a third possible design, when the first broadcast information includes the first HO-SSB and configuration information of the first HO-SSB, the terminal device may determine the first SSB and the configuration information of the first SSB based on the first broadcast information.

Optionally, the terminal device may determine the first HO-SSB based on the configuration information of the first SSB.

For example, taking the frequency domain information of the first SSB as the second frequency domain offset as an example, the terminal device can determine the frequency domain position of the first HO-SSB based on the frequency domain position of the first SSB through the second frequency domain offset, and then search for the first HO-SSB at the frequency domain position.

For another example, taking the time domain information of the first SSB as the second time domain offset and the frequency domain information of the first SSB as the second frequency domain offset, the terminal device can determine the time and frequency domain position of the first HO-SSB based on the time domain position and frequency domain position of the first SSB through the second time domain offset and the second frequency domain offset, and then search for the first HO-SSB at the time and frequency domain position.

S803. The terminal device accesses the first network device according to the first SSB of the first network device.

Optionally, after the terminal device obtains the first SSB, it can complete initial access according to the first SSB. The access method can be a random access method or other access methods (such as RRC connection reconstruction, downlink data arrival, uplink data sending, other system information (OSI) request).

Based on the communication method shown in FIG8 , the terminal device can obtain the first HO-SSB through the first broadcast information. Since the period of the first HO-SSB is greater than the period of the first SSB, and the period of the first HO-SSB can be non-fixed and the value range of the period can be wider, the frequency of the terminal device measuring the signal strength of the SSB can be reduced, thereby reducing the power consumption of the terminal device. At the same time, since the SSB mode of the first HO-SSB is not fixed, the interference between the first HO-SSBs can be reduced, and the accuracy of the measurement result of the signal strength measurement performed by the terminal device according to the first HO-SSB can be improved.

When the terminal device initially accesses the first network device, the terminal device can obtain the first SSB according to the above method, and then access the first network device according to the first SSB. When the terminal device determines the network device to be accessed according to the cell switching/cell reselection conditions, due to the improvement in the accuracy of the signal strength of the first HO-SSB measured by the terminal device, it can be more accurately determined whether the cell switching/cell reselection conditions are met based on the more accurate measurement results, thereby improving the effectiveness of the cell switching/cell reselection, better access to the first network device, and improving the communication performance between the terminal device and the first network device.

Based on the embodiment described in FIG8, further, in the embodiment of the present application, the terminal device may also perform cell reselection according to HO-SSB. For example, in a possible implementation, as shown in FIG11, the communication method provided in the embodiment of the present application further includes the following steps:

S1101. A first network device sends first configuration information to a second network device. Correspondingly, the second network device receives the first configuration information from the first network device.

Optionally, the first configuration information may include one or more of the following: the SMTC period associated with the first HO-SSB, the SMTC duration associated with the first HO-SSB, the SMTC offset associated with the first HO-SSB, the ephemeris information of the first network device, the first RO resource information, RNTI, or access resource configuration corresponding to different time periods.

The first RO resource information is used to indicate the RO resources of the first network device, and the RNTI is used to partition different terminal devices.

S1102. The second network device determines first SMTC information according to the first configuration information.

The first SMTC information is used to indicate the SMTC information of the first network device.

S1103. The second network device sends second configuration information to the first network device; correspondingly, the first network device receives the second configuration information from the second network device.

Optionally, the second configuration information may include one or more of the following: the SMTC period of the second HO-SSB associated with the second network device, the SMTC duration of the second HO-SSB associated with the second network device, the SMTC offset of the second HO-SSB associated with the second network device, the ephemeris information of the second network device, the second RO resource information, RNTI, or access resource configuration corresponding to different time periods.

The second HO-SSB is the HO-SSB of the second network device, and the second RO resource information is used to indicate the RO resource of the second network device.

S1104: The first network device may determine a second SMTC according to the second configuration information.

The second SMTC information is used to indicate a second HO-SSB of the second network device, and the second HO-SSB is used for mobility management.

S1105. The first network device sends second broadcast information; correspondingly, the terminal device receives the second broadcast information of the first network device.

The second broadcast information includes second SMTC information.

Optionally, the terminal device may obtain the second HO-SSB and the configuration information of the second HO-SSB according to the second SMTC, and then measure the signal strength of the second HO-SSB.

Optionally, when the terminal device performs cell reselection, it can also receive the first broadcast information from the first network device, and after determining that the SSB is the first HO-SSB or the first SSB according to the method in S802 above, measure the signal strength of the first HO-SSB and/or the first SSB, which is not elaborated here.

Further, the terminal device may measure the signal strength of the first HO-SSB and/or the first SSB and the signal strength of the second HO-SSB, and the terminal device may determine whether the cell reselection condition is met according to the measurement result. Exemplarily, the present application proposes three possible implementations as follows:

In a first possible implementation, the terminal device may compare the signal strength of the second HO-SSB with the signal quality threshold of the second HO-SSB in the second SMTC. When the signal strength of the second HO-SSB is greater than or equal to the signal quality threshold of the second HO-SSB, the terminal device determines to perform cell reselection; or, when the signal strength of the second HO-SSB is less than the signal quality threshold of the second HO-SSB, the terminal device does not perform cell reselection.

Further, when the terminal device determines to reselect a cell based on the signal strength of the second HO-SSB, the second SSB of the second network device can be obtained.

Among them, the second SSB is the SSB of the second network device, the second SSB is used to access the second network device, and the period of the second HO-SSB is greater than the period of the second SSB.

Optionally, the second SSB can also be used for mobility management.

In a second possible implementation, the terminal device may compare the signal strength of the first HO-SSB with the signal quality threshold of the first HO-SSB in the first SMTC. When the signal strength of the first HO-SSB is greater than or equal to the signal quality threshold of the first HO-SSB, the terminal device does not perform cell reselection; or, when the signal strength of the first HO-SSB is less than the signal quality threshold of the first HO-SSB, the terminal device determines to perform cell reselection.

Furthermore, when the terminal device determines to reselect a cell based on the signal strength of the first HO-SSB, the second SSB of the second network device can be obtained.

In a third possible implementation, the terminal device may compare the signal strength of the first HO-SSB with the signal quality threshold of the first HO-SSB in the first SMTC, and compare the signal strength of the second HO-SSB with the signal quality threshold of the second HO-SSB in the second SMTC. When the signal strength of the second HO-SSB is greater than or equal to the signal quality threshold of the second HO-SSB, and the signal strength of the first HO-SSB is less than the signal quality threshold of the first HO-SSB, the terminal device determines to perform cell reselection; or, when the signal strength of the second HO-SSB is less than the signal quality threshold of the second HO-SSB, and the signal strength of the first HO-SSB is greater than or equal to the signal quality threshold of the first HO-SSB, the terminal device does not perform cell reselection.

Further, when the terminal device determines to reselect a cell based on the signal strengths of the first HO-SSB and the second HO-SSB, the second SSB of the second network device can be obtained.

Several exemplary implementations of terminal devices obtaining the second SSB are given below:

In a first possible embodiment, the terminal device may obtain the second SSB based on one or more of the following information in the configuration information of the second HO-SSB: time domain information of the second HO-SSB, frequency domain information of the second HO-SSB, or polarization domain information of the second HO-SSB.

Exemplarily, taking the time domain information of the second HO-SSB as the third time domain offset and the frequency shift information of the second HO-SSB as the third frequency domain offset as an example, the terminal device can determine the time and frequency resources occupied by the third HO-SSB, and after the third time domain offset and the third frequency domain offset, determine the time and frequency resources occupied by the second SSB, and then obtain the second SSB.

In a second possible embodiment, the terminal device may also determine the second SSB through the third broadcast information of the second network device.

Among them, the third broadcast information includes the second SSB and the configuration information of the second SSB.

The terminal device may determine the second SSB based on the configuration information of the second HO-SSB or the third broadcast information, or the terminal device may determine the second SSB based on the configuration information of the second HO-SSB. If the second SSB cannot be determined based on the configuration information of the second HO-SSB, the second SSB is determined based on the third broadcast information; or the terminal device may determine the second SSB based on the third broadcast information. If the second SSB cannot be determined based on the third broadcast information, the second SSB is determined based on the configuration information of the second HO-SSB, and so on, without limitation.

Furthermore, after the terminal device obtains the second SSB, it can access the second network device based on the second RO resource and the second SSB to achieve cell reselection.

Based on the above description of cell reselection, when the terminal device and the first network device are in an RRC connection state, the terminal device can perform cell switching according to HO-SSB. The method can be shown in FIG. 12 below, and the specific steps are as follows:

S1201. The first network device sends one or more SSBs and RRC configuration information associated with each SSB to the terminal device; correspondingly, the terminal device can receive one or more SSBs and RRC configuration information associated with each SSB from the first network device.

The one or more SSBs include one or more of the following: a first SSB, or a first HO-SSB.

Among them, the RRC configuration information associated with the first SSB may include configuration information of the first SSB, and the RRC configuration information associated with the first HO-SSB may include configuration information of the first HO-SSB.

In an exemplary manner, the RRC configuration information associated with the first SSB may include one or more of the following: SSB index, SSB type, SSB mode, subcarrier spacing, QCL information, whether associated with SIB1, time domain information of SSB, frequency domain information of SSB, polarization domain information of SSB, first RO resource information, or first indication information.

Another exemplary embodiment, the RRC configuration information associated with the first HO-SSB may include one or more of the following: SSB index, SSB type, SSB mode, subcarrier spacing, QCL information, whether associated with SIB1, time domain information of SSB, frequency domain information of SSB, polarization domain information of SSB, first RO resource information, or first indication information.

Optionally, the terminal device can determine whether the SSB is the first SSB or the first HO-SSB based on the RRC configuration information associated with the SSB. The judgment method is consistent with the method in S902 in which the terminal device determines the first SSB or the first HO-SSB based on the configuration information of the SSB, and is not repeated here.

Furthermore, the terminal device may measure the signal strength of the first SSB and/or the first HO-SSB.

S1202. The terminal device sends a measurement result and location information of the terminal device to the first network device. Correspondingly, the first network device receives the measurement result and location information of the terminal device from the terminal device.

The measurement result is used to indicate one or more of the following: the signal strength of the first SSB, or the signal strength of the first HO-SSB; the location information of the terminal device can be represented by the wave position information.

For example, the wave position information can be represented according to the wave position index or according to the wave position reference point position, without limitation.

S1203a. The first network device sends first configuration information to the second network device; correspondingly, the second network device receives the first configuration information from the first network device.

The second network device may determine the first SMTC information according to the first configuration information.

S1203b. The second network device sends second configuration information to the first network device; correspondingly, the second network device receives the second configuration information from the first network device.

The first network device may determine the second SMTC information according to the second configuration information.

It can be understood that S1203a and S1203b are configuration information exchanged between the first network device and the second network device, and the specific content is consistent with the content in the above S1101 and S1103, which will not be repeated here.

S1204. The first network device sends an RRC Reconfiguration message and a conditional handover (CHO) trigger condition to the terminal device. Correspondingly, the terminal device receives the RRC Reconfiguration message and the CHO trigger condition from the first network device.

Among them, the RRC Reconfiguration message is used to indicate the configuration of layer 1/layer 2 triggered mobility (LTM) RRC association.

Among them, the CHO trigger condition may be that the signal strength of the second HO-SSB is greater than or equal to the second preset threshold; or, the CHO trigger condition may be that the signal strength of the first HO-SSB and/or the first SSB is less than the first preset threshold; or, the CHO trigger condition may be that the signal strength of the first HO-SSB and/or the first SSB is less than or equal to the first preset threshold and the signal strength of the second HO-SSB is greater than or equal to the second preset threshold.

It can be understood that the CHO trigger condition can be used for the terminal device to perform one or more switching between one or more network devices, that is, the first network device sends a CHO trigger condition to the terminal device once. No matter how many times the terminal device performs cell switching and accesses different second network devices, it can determine whether to perform cell switching based on the CHO trigger condition. This can effectively reduce overhead and save resources.

S1205. The terminal device sends an RRC Reconfiguration Complete message to the first network device. Correspondingly, the first network device receives the RRC Reconfiguration Complete message from the terminal device.

S1206. The first network device sends second broadcast information to the terminal device; correspondingly, the terminal device receives the second broadcast information from the first network device.

The second broadcast information includes second SMTC information and second RO resource information.

The second SMTC information is used to indicate a second HO-SSB of the second network device, and the second HO-SSB is used for mobility management.

Optionally, the terminal device may obtain the configuration information of the second HO-SSB and the second HO-SSB according to the second SMTC information.

S1207. The terminal device performs downlink synchronization with the second network device according to the second HO-SSB. Correspondingly, the second network device performs downlink synchronization with the terminal device according to the second HO-SSB.

S1208. The terminal device receives the timing information from the second network device according to the second SMTC information; correspondingly, the second network device sends the timing information to the terminal device according to the second SMTC information.

Among them, the terminal device can achieve uplink synchronization with the second network device according to the timing information; correspondingly, the second network device can achieve uplink synchronization with the terminal device according to the timing information.

Optionally, when the terminal device and the second network device achieve uplink synchronization and downlink synchronization, the terminal device can measure the signal strength of the second HO-SSB, that is, the terminal device performs an LTM-CHO trigger event evaluation. If the terminal device determines that the signal strength meets the CHO trigger condition, the terminal device determines to perform a cell switch; if the terminal device determines that the signal strength does not meet the CHO trigger condition, the terminal device does not perform a cell switch, and still accesses the first network device, or measures the signal quality of other network devices.

Exemplarily, the terminal device may measure the signal strength of the second HO-SSB based on the physical layer/network layer (L1/L3).

Further, when the terminal device determines to perform cell switching based on the signal strength of the second HO-SSB, the terminal device can obtain the second SSB.

Among them, the second SSB can be used to access the second network device, and the period of the second HO-SSB is greater than the period of the second SSB.

Optionally, the second SSB can also be used for mobility management.

It can be understood that the way in which the terminal device obtains the second SSB is consistent with the way in which the terminal device obtains the second SSB during the above-mentioned cell reselection, and will not be repeated here.

S1209. The terminal device accesses the second network device according to the second SSB.

Among them, after the terminal device obtains the second SSB, the terminal device can access the second network device according to the second SSB based on the second RO resource information.

In an exemplary embodiment, the terminal device can access the second network device based on a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) triggered (ordered) RACH process.

In another exemplary embodiment, the terminal device can access the second network device based on a random access handover (RACH-less HO) process.

For example, the RACH-less HO process can access the second network device based on the system message associated with the second SSB, that is, the terminal device can blindly detect the system message associated with the second SSB according to the group-RNTI. If the demodulation is successful, the terminal device can access the second network device according to the RO resources.

S1210. The second network device sends LTM completion response information to the terminal device. Correspondingly, the terminal device receives LTM completion response information from the second network device.

Based on the above steps, the terminal device can implement cell switching and access the second network device. Among them, the terminal device can determine whether the conditions for cell switching are met by measuring the signal strength of the second HO-SSB. The second HO-SSB has a long period, which can reduce the power consumption of the terminal device, and the SSB mode of the second HO-SSB is not fixed, which can reduce interference and improve the accuracy of signal measurement, thereby improving the effectiveness of cell switching.

It can be understood that the terminal device can obtain the time-frequency domain location (CORESET) of the HO-SSB and the system message (HO-system information, HO-SI) configuration associated with the cell switching based on the configuration information of the second HO-SSB and the second HO-SSB.

Among them, the HO-SI can be encrypted according to the RNTI of the terminal device or the terminal device group, which can improve the reliability of communication.

Optionally, based on the above description of cell access, cell reselection and cell switching, the present application also proposes a HO-SSB collaboration method, which is used by the first network device to adjust the time-frequency domain occupied by the first HO-SSB and the second network device to adjust the time-frequency domain occupied by the second HO-SSB, so as to avoid the first HO-SSB and the second HO-SSB occupying the same time-frequency resources as much as possible, thereby reducing interference between the first HO-SSB and the second HO-SSB.

In one possible implementation, the communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application includes: a first network device sends third configuration information to a second network device; accordingly, the second network device receives the third configuration information from the first network device, and adjusts the time and frequency resources occupied by the second HO-SSB according to the third configuration information.

The third configuration information includes one or more of the following: a first HO-SSB mode, time domain information of a first HO-SSB, frequency information of a first HO-SSB, polarization domain information of a first HO-SSB, a first HO-SSB cycle, or a first HO-SSB duration.

In one possible implementation, the communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application includes: the second network device sends fourth configuration information to the first network device; accordingly, the first network device receives the fourth configuration information from the second network device, and adjusts the time and frequency resources occupied by the first HO-SSB according to the fourth configuration information.

The fourth configuration information includes one or more of the following: a second HO-SSB mode, time domain information of a second HO-SSB, frequency information of a second HO-SSB, polarization domain information of a second HO-SSB, a second HO-SSB period, or a second HO-SSB duration.

In one possible implementation, the communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application includes: the second network device sends fourth configuration information to the first network device; accordingly, the first network device receives the fourth configuration information from the second network device, and determines the wave position set to be switched by the first network device based on the fourth configuration information, and sends HO-SSB to the wave position set to be switched through the configuration information, avoiding overlap with the wave position set of the second network device as much as possible.

In one possible implementation, the communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application includes: the second network device sends third configuration information to the first network device; accordingly, the first network device receives the third configuration information from the second network device, and switches the wave position set to be switched of the second network device according to the third configuration information, and sends HO-SSB to the wave position set to be switched through the configuration information, so as to avoid overlapping with the wave position set of the first network device as much as possible.

Exemplarily, the parameters for the interaction between the first network device and the second network device may be the HO-SSB period, the HO-SSB-associated leaving service elevation angle and/or entering service elevation angle, i.e., HO-SSB elevation hand out and/or HO-SSB elevation hand in, and the HO-SSB mode bitmap. Based on the above parameters, the set of wave positions to be switched may be determined, as shown in Table 1 below. The present application provides the values of the parameters in several typical scenarios:

Table 1 Values of cell interaction parameters in typical scenarios

In scenario 1, the period of HO-SSB may be 1 second, the outgoing service elevation angle associated with HO-SSB may be 30 degrees, the incoming service elevation angle associated with HO-SSB may be 30 degrees, and the length of HO-SSB may be a 32-bit 0/1 bit string.

In scenario 2, the period of HO-SSB may be 10 seconds, the leaving service elevation angle associated with HO-SSB may be 32, the entering service elevation angle associated with HO-SSB may be 31, and the length of HO-SSB may be a 256-bit 0/1 bit string.

In scenario 3, the period of HO-SSB may be 1 second, the outgoing service elevation angle associated with HO-SSB may be 40 degrees, the incoming service elevation angle associated with HO-SSB may be 45 degrees, and the length of HO-SSB may be a 0/1 bit string of 4.

It should be noted that the various embodiments of the present application can be implemented independently or in combination without limitation. If there is no special explanation or logical conflict, the terms and/or descriptions of the different embodiments provided in the present application are consistent and can be referenced to each other, and the technical features in different embodiments can be combined to form new embodiments according to their inherent logical relationships.

It is understandable that in the embodiments of the present application, the execution subject may execute some or all of the steps in the embodiments of the present application, and these steps or operations are only examples. The embodiments of the present application may also execute other operations or variations of various operations. In addition, the various steps may be executed in different orders presented in the embodiments of the present application, and it is possible that not all operations in the embodiments of the present application need to be executed.

The above mainly introduces the solution provided by the present application from the perspective of interaction between various devices. Correspondingly, the present application also provides a communication device, which is used to implement the above various methods. The communication device can be a terminal device in the above method embodiment, or a device including the above terminal device, or a component that can be used for the terminal device; or, the communication device can be a network device involved in the above method embodiment, or a device including the network device, or a component that can be used for the network device.

It is understandable that, in order to realize the above functions, the communication device includes hardware structures and/or software modules corresponding to the execution of each function. Those skilled in the art should easily realize that, in combination with the units and algorithm steps of each example described in the embodiments disclosed herein, the present application can be implemented in the form of hardware or a combination of hardware and computer software. Whether a function is executed in the form of hardware or computer software driving hardware depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Professional and technical personnel can use different methods to implement the described functions for each specific application, but such implementation should not be considered to be beyond the scope of this application.

The embodiment of the present application can divide the functional modules of the communication device according to the above method embodiment. For example, each functional module can be divided according to each function, or two or more functions can be integrated into one processing module. The above integrated module can be implemented in the form of hardware or in the form of software functional modules. It should be noted that the division of modules in the embodiment of the present application is schematic and is only a logical function division. There may be other division methods in actual implementation.

In the first implementation scenario, taking the communication device as the terminal device in the above method embodiment as an example, FIG13 shows a schematic diagram of the structure of a terminal device 130. The terminal device 130 includes a processing module 1301 and a transceiver module 1302.

In some embodiments, the terminal device 130 may further include a storage module (not shown in FIG. 13 ) for storing program instructions and data.

In some embodiments, the transceiver module 1302, which may also be referred to as a transceiver unit, is used to implement the sending and/or receiving functions. The transceiver module 1302 may be composed of a transceiver circuit, a transceiver, a transceiver or a communication interface.

In some embodiments, the transceiver module 1302 may include a receiving module and a sending module, which are respectively used to execute the receiving and sending steps performed by the terminal device in the above-mentioned method embodiments, and/or used to support other processes of the technology described herein; the processing module 1301 may be used to execute the processing steps (such as determination, generation, etc.) performed by the terminal in the above-mentioned method embodiments, and/or used to support other processes of the technology described herein.

Exemplarily, the transceiver module 1302 is used to receive first broadcast information from a first network device; wherein the first broadcast information includes one or more SSBs and configuration information of one or more SSBs. The processing module 1301 is used to determine the first HO-SSB of the first network device and the configuration information of the first HO-SSB according to the first broadcast information, and determine the first SSB of the first network device according to the configuration information of the first HO-SSB; or, determine the first HO-SSB and the configuration information of the first HO-SSB, and the configuration information of the first SSB and the first SSB according to the first broadcast information; wherein the first SSB is used to access the first network device, the first HO-SSB is used for mobility management, and the period of the first HO-SSB is greater than the period of the first SSB. The processing module 1301 is also used to access the first network device according to the first SSB.

In one possible implementation, the configuration information of the first SSB includes one or more of the following: SSB index, SSB type, SSB mode, subcarrier spacing, quasi-co-location information, whether associated with SIB1, time domain information of SSB, frequency domain information of SSB, polarization domain information of SSB, first RO resource information, or first indication information; wherein, the SSB mode is used to indicate the pattern of the SSB in the time and frequency domain, the quasi-co-location information is used to indicate the beam associated with the SSB, the first indication information is used to indicate that the SSB is the first SSB or the first HO-SSB, and the first RO resource is used to indicate the RO resource of the first network device.

In one possible implementation, the configuration information of the first HO-SSB includes one or more of the following: first SMTC information, SSB index, SSB type, SSB mode, subcarrier spacing, quasi-co-location information, whether associated with SIB1, time domain information of SSB, frequency domain information of SSB, polarization domain information of SSB, first RO resource information, or first indication information; wherein the first SMTC information includes one or more of the following: position or time triggered reselection measurement, measurement priority, reference point position, SMTC period associated with the first HO-SSB, SMTC duration associated with the first HO-SSB, SMTC offset associated with the first HO-SSB, ephemeris information of the first network device, or signal quality threshold of the first HO-SSB; the measurement priority is used to determine the measurement order of different areas/frequencies, and the reference point position is used for position triggered measurement; the SSB mode is used to indicate the pattern of the SSB in the time and frequency domain, the quasi-co-location information is used to indicate the beam associated with the SSB, the first indication information is used to indicate that the SSB is the first SSB or the first HO-SSB, and the first RO resource is used to indicate the RO resource of the first network device.

In one possible implementation, the processing module 1301 is further used to determine that the SSB is a first HO-SSB when the SSB index of the SSB is greater than or equal to any of the following SSB indexes: 4, 8, or 64; or, when the SSB mode of the SSB is not a preset SSB mode, determine that the SSB is a first HO-SSB; or, when the polarization domain information of the SSB is left-hand circular polarization or right-hand circular polarization, determine that the SSB is a first HO-SSB; or, when the first indication information in the configuration information of the SSB indicates that the SSB is a first HO-SSB, determine that the SSB is a first HO-SSB.

In one possible implementation, the processing module 1301 is also used to determine that the SSB is the first SSB when the SSB index of the SSB is less than any of the following SSB indexes: 4, 8, or 64; or, when the SSB mode of the SSB is a preset SSB mode, determine that the SSB is the first SSB; or, when the polarization domain information of the SSB is right-hand circular polarization or left-hand circular polarization, determine that the SSB is the first SSB; when the first indication information in the configuration information of the SSB determines that the SSB is the first SSB, determine that the SSB is the first SSB.

In one possible implementation, the processing module 1301 is further used to determine the first SSB based on one or more of the following information in the configuration information of the first HO-SSB: time domain information of the first HO-SSB, frequency domain information of the first HO-SSB, or polarization domain information of the first HO-SSB.

In a possible implementation, the transceiver module 1302 is also used to receive the second broadcast information from the first network device; wherein the second broadcast information includes the second SMTC information and the second RO resource information, the second SMTC information is used to indicate the second HO-SSB of the second network device, the second HO-SSB is used for mobility management, and the second RO resource information is used to indicate the RO resource of the second network device. The processing module 1301 is also used to obtain the configuration information of the second HO-SSB and the second HO-SSB according to the second SMTC information; the processing module 1301 is also used to obtain the second SSB of the second network device when determining the cell reselection/cell switching according to the signal strength of the second HO-SSB; the transceiver module 1302 is also used to access the second network device according to the second SSB based on the second RO resource information.

In one possible implementation, the transceiver module 1302 is also used to obtain the second SSB based on one or more of the following information in the configuration information of the second HO-SSB: time domain information of the second HO-SSB, frequency domain information of the second HO-SSB, or polarization domain information of the second HO-SSB; or, receive third broadcast information from the second network device; wherein the third broadcast information includes the configuration information of the second SSB and the second SSB.

In a possible implementation, the transceiver module 1302 is further used to receive one or more SSBs from the first network device and RRC configuration information associated with each SSB; wherein the one or more SSBs include one or more of the following: a first SSB or a first HO-SSB; the RRC configuration information associated with the first SSB includes configuration information of the first SSB, and the RRC configuration information associated with the first HO-SSB includes configuration information of the first HO-SSB. The transceiver module 1302 is further used to send measurement results and location information of the terminal device to the first network device; wherein the measurement results are used to indicate one or more of the following: signal strength of the first SSB or signal strength of the first HO-SSB.

In a possible implementation, the processing module 1301 is further configured to perform downlink synchronization with the second network device according to the second HO-SSB.

In a possible implementation, the transceiver module 1302 is further configured to receive timing information from the second network device according to the second SMTC information. The processing module 1301 is further configured to perform uplink synchronization with the second network device according to the timing information.

In the present application, the terminal device 130 is presented in the form of dividing various functional modules in an integrated manner. The "module" here may refer to an ASIC, a circuit, a processor and a memory that executes one or more software or firmware programs, an integrated logic circuit, and/or other devices that can provide the above functions.

In some embodiments, in terms of hardware implementation, those skilled in the art may conceive that the terminal device 130 may take the form of the communication device 70 shown in FIG. 7 .

As an example, the function/implementation process of the processing module 1301 in FIG13 can be implemented by the processor 701 in the communication device 70 shown in FIG7 calling the computer execution instructions stored in the memory 703. The function/implementation process of the transceiver module 1302 in FIG13 can be implemented by the communication interface 704 in the communication device 70 shown in FIG7.

In some embodiments, when the terminal device 130 in Figure 13 is a chip or a chip system, the function/implementation process of the transceiver module 1302 can be implemented through the input and output interface (or communication interface) of the chip or the chip system, and the function/implementation process of the processing module 1301 can be implemented through the processor (or processing circuit) of the chip or the chip system.

Since the terminal device 130 provided in this embodiment can execute the above method, the technical effects that can be obtained can refer to the above method embodiments and will not be repeated here.

In the second implementation scenario, taking the communication device as the first network device in the above method embodiment as an example, FIG14 shows a schematic diagram of the structure of a first network device 140. The first network device 140 includes a processing module 1401 and a transceiver module 1402.

In some embodiments, the first network device 140 may further include a storage module (not shown in FIG. 14 ) for storing program instructions and data.

In some embodiments, the transceiver module 1402, which may also be referred to as a transceiver unit, is used to implement the sending and/or receiving functions. The transceiver module 1402 may be composed of a transceiver circuit, a transceiver, a transceiver or a communication interface.

In some embodiments, the transceiver module 1402 may include a receiving module and a sending module, which are respectively used to execute the receiving and sending steps performed by the first network device in the above method embodiment, and/or used to support other processes of the technology described in this document; the processing module 1401 may be used to execute the processing steps (such as determination, generation, etc.) performed by the first network device in the above method embodiment, and/or used to support other processes of the technology described in this document.

Exemplarily, the transceiver module 1402 is used to send first broadcast information; wherein the first broadcast information includes one or more SSBs and configuration information of each SSB; the one or more SSBs include one or more of the following: the first SSB of the first network device, or the first HO-SS of the first network device, the first SSB is used to access the first network device, the first HO-SSB is used for mobility management, and the period of the first HO-SSB is greater than the period of the first SSB; the configuration information of the SSB includes one or more of the following: configuration information of the first SSB, or configuration information of the first HO-SSB.

In one possible implementation, the configuration information of the first SSB includes one or more of the following: SSB index, SSB type, SSB mode, subcarrier spacing, quasi-co-location information, whether associated with SIB1, time domain information of SSB, frequency domain information of SSB, polarization domain information of SSB, first RO resource information, or first indication information; wherein, the SSB mode is used to indicate the pattern of the SSB in the time and frequency domain, the quasi-co-location information is used to indicate the beam associated with the SSB, the first indication information is used to indicate that the SSB is the first SSB or the first HO-SSB, and the first RO resource is used to indicate the RO resource of the first network device.

In one possible implementation, the configuration information of the first HO-SSB includes one or more of the following: first SMTC information, SSB index, SSB type, SSB mode, subcarrier spacing, quasi-co-location information, whether associated with SIB1, time domain information of SSB, frequency domain information of SSB, polarization domain information of SSB, first RO resource information, or first indication information; wherein the first SMTC information includes one or more of the following: position or time triggered reselection measurement, measurement priority, reference point position, SMTC period associated with the first HO-SSB, SMTC duration associated with the first HO-SSB, SMTC offset associated with the first HO-SSB, ephemeris information of the first network device, or signal quality threshold of the first HO-SSB; the measurement priority is used to determine the measurement order of different areas/frequencies, and the reference point position is used for position triggered measurement; the SSB mode is used to indicate the pattern of the SSB in the time and frequency domain, the quasi-co-location information is used to indicate the beam associated with the SSB, the first indication information is used to indicate that the SSB is the first SSB or the first HO-SSB, and the first RO resource is used to indicate the RO resource of the first network device.

In one possible implementation, the transceiver module 1402 is also used to send first configuration information to the second network device; wherein the first configuration information includes one or more of the following: the SMTC period associated with the first HO-SSB, the SMTC duration associated with the first HO-SSB, the SMTC offset associated with the first HO-SSB, the ephemeris information of the first network device, the first RO resource information, the wireless network temporary identification RNTI, or the access resource configuration corresponding to different time periods; the first RO resource information is used to indicate the RO resources of the first network device, and the RNTI is used to partition different terminal devices.

In a possible implementation, the transceiver module 1402 is further used to receive second configuration information from the second network device; wherein the second configuration information includes one or more of the following: the SMTC period associated with the second HO-SSB of the second network device, the SMTC duration associated with the second HO-SSB, the SMTC offset associated with the second HO-SSB, the ephemeris information of the second network device, the second RO resource information, RNTI, or the access resource configuration corresponding to different time periods; the second HO-SSB is used for mobility management; the second RO resource information is used to indicate the RO resource of the second network device. The processing module 1401 is used to determine the second SMTC information according to the second configuration information; wherein the second SMTC information is used to indicate the second HO-SSB of the second network device.

In a possible implementation, the transceiver module 1402 is further configured to send second broadcast information to the terminal device; wherein the second broadcast information includes second SMTC information and second RO resource information.

In one possible implementation, the transceiver module 1402 is also used to send one or more SSBs and RRC configuration information associated with each SSB to the terminal device; wherein the one or more SSBs include one or more of the following: a first SSB, or a first HO-SSB; the RRC configuration information associated with the first SSB includes the configuration information of the first SSB, and the RRC configuration information associated with the first HO-SSB includes the configuration information of the first HO-SSB.

In one possible implementation, the transceiver module 1402 is also used to send third configuration information to the second network device; wherein the third configuration information includes one or more of the following: a first HO-SSB mode, time domain information of the first HO-SSB, frequency information of the first HO-SSB, polarization domain information of the first HO-SSB, a first HO-SSB cycle, or a first HO-SSB duration.

In a possible implementation, the transceiver module 1402 is further used to receive fourth configuration information from the second network device; wherein the fourth configuration information includes one or more of the following: a second HO-SSB mode of the second network device, time domain information of the second HO-SSB, frequency information of the second HO-SSB, polarization domain information of the second HO-SSB, a second HO-SSB period, or a second HO-SSB duration; the second HO-SSB is used for mobility management. The processing module 1401 is further used to adjust the time-frequency resources occupied by the first HO-SSB according to the fourth configuration information.

In the present application, the first network device 140 is presented in the form of dividing various functional modules in an integrated manner. The "module" here may refer to an ASIC, a circuit, a processor and a memory that executes one or more software or firmware programs, an integrated logic circuit, and/or other devices that can provide the above functions.

In some embodiments, in terms of hardware implementation, those skilled in the art may conceive that the first network device 140 may take the form of the communication device 70 shown in FIG. 7 .

As an example, the function/implementation process of the processing module 1401 in FIG14 can be implemented by the processor 701 in the communication device 70 shown in FIG7 calling the computer execution instructions stored in the memory 703. The function/implementation process of the transceiver module 1402 in FIG14 can be implemented by the communication interface 704 in the communication device 70 shown in FIG7.

In some embodiments, when the first network device 140 in Figure 14 is a chip or a chip system, the function/implementation process of the transceiver module 1402 can be implemented through the input and output interface (or communication interface) of the chip or the chip system, and the function/implementation process of the processing module 1401 can be implemented through the processor (or processing circuit) of the chip or the chip system.

Since the first network device 140 provided in this embodiment can execute the above method, the technical effects that can be obtained can refer to the above method embodiments and will not be repeated here.

In the third implementation scenario, taking the communication device as the second network device in the above method embodiment as an example, FIG15 shows a schematic diagram of the structure of a second network device 150. The second network device 150 includes a processing module 1501 and a transceiver module 1502.

In some embodiments, the second network device 150 may further include a storage module (not shown in FIG. 15 ) for storing program instructions and data.

In some embodiments, the transceiver module 1502, which may also be referred to as a transceiver unit, is used to implement the sending and/or receiving functions. The transceiver module 1502 may be composed of a transceiver circuit, a transceiver, a transceiver or a communication interface.

In some embodiments, the transceiver module 1502 may include a receiving module and a sending module, which are respectively used to execute the receiving and sending steps performed by the second network device in the above method embodiment, and/or used to support other processes of the technology described in this document; the processing module 1501 may be used to execute the processing steps (such as determination, generation, etc.) performed by the second network device in the above method embodiment, and/or used to support other processes of the technology described in this document.

Exemplarily, the transceiver module 1502 is used to receive first configuration information from the first network device; wherein the first configuration information includes one or more of the following: the SMTC period associated with the first HO-SSB of the first network device, the SMTC duration associated with the first HO-SSB, the SMTC offset associated with the first HO-SSB, the ephemeris information of the first network device, the first RO resource information, RNTI, or the access resource configuration corresponding to different time periods; the first RO resource information is used to indicate the RO resources of the first network device; the RNTI is used to partition different terminal devices; the first HO-SSB is used for mobility management. The processing module 1501 is used to determine the first SMTC information according to the first configuration information; wherein the first SMTC information is used to indicate the first HO-SSB of the first network device.

In one possible implementation, the transceiver module 1502 is also used to send second configuration information to the first network device; wherein the second configuration information includes one or more of the following: the SMTC period associated with the second HO-SSB of the second network device, the SMTC duration associated with the second HO-SSB, the SMTC offset associated with the second HO-SSB, the ephemeris information of the second network device, the second RO resource information, or the RNTI; the second RO resource information is used to indicate the RO resources of the second network device; the second HO-SSB is used for mobility management.

In a possible implementation, the transceiver module 1502 is further used to receive third configuration information from the first network device; wherein the third configuration information includes one or more of the following: a first HO-SSB mode, time domain information of the first HO-SSB, frequency information of the first HO-SSB, polarization domain information of the first HO-SSB, a first HO-SSB period, or a first HO-SSB duration. The processing module 1501 is further used to adjust the time-frequency resources occupied by the second HO-SSB according to the third configuration information.

In one possible implementation, the transceiver module 1502 is also used to send fourth configuration information to the first network device; wherein the fourth configuration information includes one or more of the following: a second HO-SSB mode of the second network device, time domain information of the second HO-SSB, frequency information of the second HO-SSB, polarization domain information of the second HO-SSB, a second HO-SSB period, or a second HO-SSB duration; the second HO-SSB is used for mobility management.

In a possible implementation, the processing module 1501 is further configured to perform downlink synchronization with the terminal device according to the second HO-SSB.

In a possible implementation, the transceiver module 1502 is further used to send timing information to the terminal device according to the second SMTC information; wherein the second SMTC information is used to indicate the second HO-SSB of the second network device; and the second HO-SSB is used for mobility management. The processing module 1501 is further used to perform uplink synchronization with the terminal device according to the timing information.

In the present application, the second network device 150 is presented in the form of dividing various functional modules in an integrated manner. The "module" here may refer to an ASIC, a circuit, a processor and a memory that executes one or more software or firmware programs, an integrated logic circuit, and/or other devices that can provide the above functions.

In some embodiments, in terms of hardware implementation, those skilled in the art may conceive that the second network device 150 may take the form of the communication device 70 shown in FIG. 7 .

As an example, the function/implementation process of the processing module 1501 in FIG15 can be implemented by the processor 701 in the communication device 70 shown in FIG7 calling the computer execution instructions stored in the memory 703. The function/implementation process of the transceiver module 1502 in FIG15 can be implemented by the communication interface 704 in the communication device 70 shown in FIG7.

In some embodiments, when the second network device 150 in Figure 15 is a chip or a chip system, the function/implementation process of the transceiver module 1502 can be implemented through the input and output interface (or communication interface) of the chip or the chip system, and the function/implementation process of the processing module 1501 can be implemented through the processor (or processing circuit) of the chip or the chip system.

Since the second network device 150 provided in this embodiment can execute the above method, the technical effects that can be obtained can refer to the above method embodiment and will not be repeated here.

As a possible product form, the terminal device, the first network device or the second network device described in the embodiments of the present application can also be implemented using the following: one or more field programmable gate arrays (FPGA), programmable logic devices (PLD), controllers, state machines, gate logic, discrete hardware components, any other suitable circuits, or any combination of circuits that can perform the various functions described throughout the present application.

As another possible product form, the terminal device, the first network device or the second network device described in the embodiment of the present application can be implemented by a general bus architecture. For ease of explanation, refer to Figure 16, which is a structural diagram of a communication device 160 provided in an embodiment of the present application, and the communication device 160 includes a processor 1601 and a transceiver 1602. The communication device 160 can be a terminal device, or a chip or module therein; or, the communication device 160 can be a first network device, or a chip or module therein; or, the communication device 160 can be a second network device, or a chip or module therein. Figure 16 only shows the main components of the communication device 160. In addition to the processor 1601 and the transceiver 1602, the communication device can further include a memory 1603.

Optionally, the processor 1601 is mainly used to process the communication protocol and communication data, and to control the entire communication device, execute the software program, and process the data of the software program. The memory 1603 is mainly used to store the software program and data. The transceiver 1602 may include a radio frequency circuit and an antenna. 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 transmit and receive radio frequency signals in the form of electromagnetic waves.

Optionally, the processor 1601, the transceiver 1602, and the memory 1603 may be connected via a communication bus.

When the communication device is turned on, the processor 1601 can read the software program in the memory 1603, 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 1601 performs baseband processing on the data to be sent, and outputs the baseband signal to the RF circuit. The RF circuit performs RF processing on the baseband signal and then sends the RF signal outward in the form of electromagnetic waves through the antenna. When data is sent to the communication device, the RF circuit receives the RF signal through the antenna, converts the RF signal into a baseband signal, and outputs the baseband signal to the processor 1601. The processor 1601 converts the baseband signal into data and processes the data.

In another implementation, the RF circuit and antenna may be arranged independently of the processor performing baseband processing. For example, in a distributed scenario, the RF circuit and antenna may be arranged remotely from the communication device.

In some embodiments, the present application also provides a communication device, which includes a processor, and is used to implement the method in any of the above method embodiments. The communication device can be a terminal device, a first network device, or a second network device in the above method embodiments.

As a possible implementation, the communication device further includes a memory. The memory is used to store necessary computer programs and data. The computer program may include instructions, and the processor may call the instructions in the computer program stored in the memory to instruct the communication device to execute the method in any of the above method embodiments. Of course, the memory may not be in the communication device.

As another possible implementation, the communication device also includes an interface circuit, which is a code/data read/write interface circuit, which is used to receive computer execution instructions (computer execution instructions are stored in a memory, may be read directly from the memory, or may pass through other devices) and transmit them to the processor.

As another possible implementation manner, the communication device further includes a communication interface, and the communication interface is used to communicate with a module outside the communication device.

It can be understood that the communication device can be a chip or a chip system. When the communication device is a chip system, it can be composed of chips, or it can include chips and other discrete devices. The embodiments of the present application do not specifically limit this.

The present application also provides a computer-readable storage medium on which a computer program or instruction is stored. When the computer program or instruction is executed by a computer, the functions of any of the above method embodiments are implemented.

The present application also provides a computer program product, which implements the functions of any of the above method embodiments when executed by a computer.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that, for the sake of convenience and brevity of description, the specific working processes of the systems, devices and units described above may refer to the corresponding processes in the aforementioned method embodiments and will not be repeated here.

It is understood that the systems, devices and methods described in the present application can also be implemented in other ways. For example, the device embodiments described above are only schematic. For example, the division of the units is only a logical function division. There may be other division methods in actual implementation, such as multiple units or components can be combined or integrated into another system, or some features can be ignored or not executed. Another point is that the mutual coupling or direct coupling or communication connection shown or discussed can be through some interfaces, indirect coupling or communication connection of devices or units, which can be electrical, mechanical or other forms.

The units described as separate components may or may not be physically separated, i.e., they may be located in one place, or they may be distributed over multiple network units. The components shown as units may or may not be physical units. Some or all of the units may be selected according to actual needs to achieve the purpose of the solution of this embodiment.

In addition, each functional unit in each embodiment of the present application may be integrated into one processing unit, or each unit may exist physically separately, or two or more units may be integrated into one unit.

In the above embodiments, it can be implemented in whole or in part by software, hardware, firmware or any combination thereof. When implemented using a software program, it can be implemented in whole or in part in the form of a computer program product. The computer program product includes one or more computer instructions. When the computer program instructions are loaded and executed on a computer, all or part of the processes (or functions) described in the embodiments of the present application are implemented. The computer may be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network, or other programmable device. The computer instructions 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 computer instructions may be transmitted from a website site, computer, server or data center by wired (e.g., coaxial cable, optical fiber, digital subscriber line (DSL)) or wireless (e.g., infrared, wireless, microwave, etc.) mode to another website site, computer, server or data center. The computer-readable storage medium may be any available medium that a computer can access or may contain one or more servers, data centers and other data storage devices that can be integrated with the medium. The available medium may be a magnetic medium (e.g., a floppy disk, a hard disk, a magnetic tape), an optical medium (e.g., a DVD), or a semiconductor medium (e.g., a solid state drive (SSD)), etc. In the embodiment of the present application, the computer may include the aforementioned device.

Although the present application is described herein in conjunction with various embodiments, in the process of implementing the claimed application, those skilled in the art may understand and implement other variations of the disclosed embodiments by viewing the drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims. In the claims, the word "comprising" does not exclude other components or steps, and "one" or "an" does not exclude multiple situations. A single processor or other unit may implement several functions listed in a claim. Certain measures are recorded in different dependent claims, but this does not mean that these measures cannot be combined to produce good results.

Although the present application has been described in conjunction with specific features and embodiments thereof, it is obvious that various modifications and combinations may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the present application. Accordingly, this specification and the drawings are merely exemplary illustrations of the present application as defined by the appended claims, and are deemed to have covered any and all modifications, variations, combinations or equivalents within the scope of the present application. Obviously, those skilled in the art may make various modifications and variations to the present application without departing from the spirit and scope of the present application. Thus, if these modifications and variations of the present application fall within the scope of the claims of the present application and their equivalents, the present application is also intended to include these modifications and variations.

Claims (30)

A communication method, characterized by comprising: Receiving first broadcast information from a first network device; wherein the first broadcast information includes one or more synchronization signal blocks SSB and configuration information of the one or more SSBs; Determine, according to the first broadcast information, a first handover synchronization signal block HO-SSB of the first network device and configuration information of the first HO-SSB, and determine, according to the configuration information of the first HO-SSB, a first SSB of the first network device; or, determine, according to the first broadcast information, configuration information of the first HO-SSB and the first HO-SSB, and configuration information of the first SSB and the first SSB; The first SSB is used to access the first network device, the first HO-SSB is used for mobility management, and the period of the first HO-SSB is greater than the period of the first SSB; According to the first SSB, access the first network device. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The configuration information of the first SSB includes one or more of the following: SSB index, SSB type, SSB mode, subcarrier spacing, quasi co-location information, whether to associate system information block 1 SIB1, time domain information of SSB, frequency domain information of SSB, polarization domain information of SSB, first random access channel opportunity RO resource information, or first indication information; Among them, the SSB mode is used to indicate the pattern of the SSB in the time and frequency domain, the quasi-co-site information is used to indicate the beam associated with the SSB, the first indication information is used to indicate that the SSB is the first SSB or the first HO-SSB, and the first RO resource is used to indicate the RO resource of the first network device. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The configuration information of the first HO-SSB includes one or more of the following: first synchronization signal block-based measurement timing configuration SMTC information, SSB index, SSB type, SSB mode, subcarrier spacing, quasi co-location information, whether to associate SIB1, time domain information of SSB, frequency domain information of SSB, polarization domain information of SSB, first RO resource information, or first indication information; The first SMTC information includes one or more of the following: location or time-triggered reselection measurement, measurement priority, reference point location, SMTC period associated with the first HO-SSB, SMTC duration associated with the first HO-SSB, SMTC offset associated with the first HO-SSB, ephemeris information of the first network device, or signal quality threshold of the first HO-SSB; the measurement priority is used to determine the measurement order of different areas/frequency points, and the reference point location is used for location-triggered measurement; The SSB mode is used to indicate the pattern of the SSB in the time and frequency domain, the quasi co-location information is used to indicate the beam associated with the SSB, the first indication information is used to indicate that the SSB is the first SSB or the first HO-SSB, and the first RO resource is used to indicate the RO resource of the first network device. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that When the SSB index of the SSB is greater than or equal to any of the following SSB indexes, determining that the SSB is the first HO-SSB: 4, 8, or 64; or, When the SSB mode of the SSB is not a preset SSB mode, determining that the SSB is the first HO-SSB; or, When the polarization domain information is left-hand circular polarization or right-hand circular polarization, determining that the SSB is the first HO-SSB; or, When the first indication information in the configuration information of the SSB indicates that the SSB is the first HO-SSB, it is determined that the SSB is the first HO-SSB. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, determining, according to the configuration information of the SSB, that the SSB includes the first SSB comprises: determining that the SSB is the first SSB when the SSB index of the SSB is less than any of the following SSB indexes: 4, 8, or 64; or, When the SSB mode of the SSB is a preset SSB mode, determining that the SSB is the first SSB; or, When the polarization domain information of the SSB is right-hand circular polarization or left-hand circular polarization, determining that the SSB is the first SSB; When the first indication information in the configuration information of the SSB determines that the SSB is the first SSB, the SSB is determined to be the first SSB. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the determining the first SSB according to the configuration information of the first HO-SSB comprises: The first SSB is determined according to one or more of the following information in the configuration information of the first HO-SSB: time domain information of the first HO-SSB, frequency domain information of the first HO-SSB, or polarization domain information of the first HO-SSB. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the method further comprises: Receive second broadcast information from the first network device; wherein the second broadcast information includes second SMTC information and second RO resource information, the second SMTC information is used to indicate a second HO-SSB of the second network device, the second HO-SSB is used for mobility management, and the second RO resource information is used to indicate the RO resource of the second network device; Acquire, according to the second SMTC information, the second HO-SSB and configuration information of the second HO-SSB; When determining to perform cell reselection or cell switching according to the signal strength of the second HO-SSB, obtaining a second SSB of the second network device; wherein the second SSB is used to access the second network device, and a period of the second HO-SSB is greater than a period of the second SSB; Based on the second RO resource information, access the second network device according to the second SSB. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that the obtaining the second SSB of the second network device comprises: acquiring the second SSB according to one or more of the following information in the configuration information of the second HO-SSB: time domain information of the second HO-SSB, frequency domain information of the second HO-SSB, or polarization domain information of the second HO-SSB; or, Receive third broadcast information from the second network device; wherein the third broadcast information includes configuration information of the second SSB and the second SSB. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the method further comprises: Receive one or more SSBs and radio resource control RRC configuration information associated with each SSB from the first network device; wherein the one or more SSBs include one or more of the following: the first SSB or the first HO-SSB; the RRC configuration information associated with the first SSB includes configuration information of the first SSB, and the RRC configuration information associated with the first HO-SSB includes configuration information of the first HO-SSB; Sending measurement results and location information of the terminal device to the first network device; wherein the measurement results are used to indicate one or more of the following: the signal strength of the first SSB, or the signal strength of the first HO-SSB. The method according to any one of claims 7 to 9, characterized in that the method further comprises: According to the second HO-SSB, downlink synchronization is performed with the second network device. The method according to any one of claims 7 to 10, characterized in that the method further comprises: receiving timing information from the second network device according to the second SMTC information; Perform uplink synchronization with the second network device according to the timing information. A communication method, characterized by comprising: Sending first broadcast information; wherein the first broadcast information includes one or more synchronization signal blocks SSB and configuration information of each SSB; The one or more SSBs include one or more of the following: a first SSB of a first network device, or a first handover synchronization signal block HO-SS of the first network device, the first SSB is used to access the first network device, the first HO-SSB is used for mobility management, and a period of the first HO-SSB is greater than a period of the first SSB; The configuration information of the SSB includes one or more of the following: configuration information of the first SSB, or configuration information of the first HO-SSB. The method according to claim 12, characterized in that The configuration information of the first SSB includes one or more of the following: SSB index, SSB type, SSB mode, subcarrier spacing, quasi co-location information, whether to associate system information block 1 SIB1, time domain information of SSB, frequency domain information of SSB, polarization domain information of SSB, first random access channel opportunity RO resource information, or first indication information; Among them, the SSB mode is used to indicate the pattern of the SSB in the time and frequency domain, the quasi-co-site information is used to indicate the beam associated with the SSB, the first indication information is used to indicate that the SSB is the first SSB or the first HO-SSB, and the first RO resource is used to indicate the RO resource of the first network device. The method according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that The configuration information of the first HO-SSB includes one or more of the following: first synchronization signal block-based measurement timing configuration SMTC information, SSB index, SSB type, SSB mode, subcarrier spacing, quasi co-location information, whether to associate SIB1, time domain information of SSB, frequency domain information of SSB, polarization domain information of SSB, first RO resource information, or first indication information; The first SMTC information includes one or more of the following: location or time-triggered reselection measurement, measurement priority, reference point location, SMTC period associated with the first HO-SSB, SMTC duration associated with the first HO-SSB, SMTC offset associated with the first HO-SSB, ephemeris information of the first network device, or signal quality threshold of the first HO-SSB; the measurement priority is used to determine the measurement order of different neighboring cells/frequency points, and the reference point location is used for location-triggered measurement; The SSB mode is used to indicate the pattern of the SSB in the time and frequency domain, the quasi co-location information is used to indicate the beam associated with the SSB, the first indication information is used to indicate that the SSB is the first SSB or the first HO-SSB, and the first RO resource is used to indicate the RO resource of the first network device. The method according to any one of claims 12 to 14, characterized in that the method further comprises: Send first configuration information to the second network device; wherein the first configuration information includes one or more of the following: the SMTC period associated with the first HO-SSB, the SMTC duration associated with the first HO-SSB, the SMTC offset associated with the first HO-SSB, the ephemeris information of the first network device, the first RO resource information, the wireless network temporary identification RNTI, or the access resource configuration corresponding to different time periods; the first RO resource information is used to indicate the RO resources of the first network device, and the RNTI is used to partition different terminal devices. The method according to any one of claims 12 to 15, characterized in that the method further comprises: Receive second configuration information from the second network device; wherein the second configuration information includes one or more of the following: an SMTC period associated with a second HO-SSB of the second network device, an SMTC duration associated with the second HO-SSB, an SMTC offset associated with the second HO-SSB, ephemeris information of the second network device, second RO resource information, RNTI, or access resource configuration corresponding to different time periods; the second HO-SSB is used for mobility management; the second RO resource information is used to indicate the RO resources of the second network device; Determine second SMTC information according to the second configuration information; wherein the second SMTC information is used to indicate a second HO-SSB of the second network device. The method according to claim 16, characterized in that after determining the second SMTC information according to the second configuration information, the method further comprises: Sending second broadcast information; wherein the second broadcast information includes the second SMTC information and the second RO resource information. The method according to any one of claims 12 to 17, characterized in that the method further comprises: Send one or more SSBs and radio resource control RRC configuration information associated with each SSB to the terminal device; wherein the one or more SSBs include one or more of the following: the first SSB, or the first HO-SSB; the RRC configuration information associated with the first SSB includes the configuration information of the first SSB, and the RRC configuration information associated with the first HO-SSB includes the configuration information of the first HO-SSB. The method according to any one of claims 12 to 18, characterized in that the method further comprises: Send third configuration information to the second network device; wherein the third configuration information includes one or more of the following: the first HO-SSB mode, the time domain information of the first HO-SSB, the frequency information of the first HO-SSB, the polarization domain information of the first HO-SSB, the first HO-SSB period, or the first HO-SSB duration. The method according to any one of claims 12 to 19, characterized in that the method further comprises: receiving fourth configuration information from the second network device; wherein the fourth configuration information includes one or more of the following: a second HO-SSB mode of the second network device, time domain information of the second HO-SSB, frequency information of the second HO-SSB, polarization domain information of the second HO-SSB, the second HO-SSB period, or the second HO-SSB duration; the second HO-SSB is used for mobility management; According to the fourth configuration information, adjust the time and frequency resources occupied by the first HO-SSB. A communication method, characterized by comprising: Receive first configuration information from a first network device; wherein the first configuration information includes one or more of the following: a measurement timing configuration SMTC period based on a synchronization signal block associated with a first handover synchronization signal block HO-SSB of the first network device, an SMTC duration associated with the first HO-SSB, an SMTC offset associated with the first HO-SSB, ephemeris information of the first network device, first random access channel opportunity RO resource information, a wireless network temporary identification RNTI, or access resource configuration corresponding to different time periods; the first RO resource information is used to indicate the RO resources of the first network device; the RNTI is used to partition different terminal devices; the first HO-SSB is used for mobility management; Determine first SMTC information according to the first configuration information; wherein the first SMTC information is used to indicate a first HO-SSB of the first network device. The method according to claim 21, characterized in that the method further comprises: Send second configuration information to the first network device; wherein the second configuration information includes one or more of the following: an SMTC period associated with a second HO-SSB of the second network device, an SMTC duration associated with the second HO-SSB, an SMTC offset associated with the second HO-SSB, ephemeris information of the second network device, access resource configuration corresponding to different time periods, second RO resource information, or RNTI; the second RO resource information is used to indicate the RO resources of the second network device; the second HO-SSB is used for mobility management. The method according to claim 21 or 22, characterized in that the method further comprises: receiving third configuration information from the first network device; wherein the third configuration information includes one or more of the following: the first HO-SSB mode, time domain information of the first HO-SSB, frequency information of the first HO-SSB, polarization domain information of the first HO-SSB, the first HO-SSB period, or the first HO-SSB duration; According to the third configuration information, adjust the time and frequency resources occupied by the second HO-SSB. The method according to any one of claims 21 to 23, characterized in that the method further comprises: Send fourth configuration information to the first network device; wherein the fourth configuration information includes one or more of the following: a second HO-SSB mode of the second network device, time domain information of the second HO-SSB, frequency information of the second HO-SSB, polarization domain information of the second HO-SSB, the second HO-SSB period, or the second HO-SSB duration; the second HO-SSB is used for mobility management. The method according to any one of claims 22 to 24, characterized in that the method further comprises: According to the second HO-SSB, downlink synchronization is performed with the terminal device. The method according to any one of claims 21 to 25, characterized in that the method further comprises: Sending timing information to the terminal device according to the second SMTC information; wherein the second SMTC information is used to indicate a second HO-SSB of the second network device; and the second HO-SSB is used for mobility management; Perform uplink synchronization with the terminal device according to the timing information. A communication device, characterized in that the communication device includes a processor; the processor is used to run a computer program or instruction, or to use a logic circuit to enable the communication device to execute the communication method as described in any one of claims 1 to 11, or to enable the communication device to execute the communication method as described in any one of claims 12 to 20, or to enable the communication device to execute the communication method as described in any one of claims 21 to 26. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that the computer-readable storage medium stores computer instructions or programs, which, when executed on a computer, enable the communication method as described in any one of claims 1 to 11, or enable the communication device to execute the communication method as described in any one of claims 12 to 20, or enable the communication device to execute the communication method as described in any one of claims 21 to 26. A computer program product, characterized in that the computer program product includes computer instructions; when part or all of the computer instructions are executed, the communication method as described in any one of claims 1 to 11 is performed, or the communication device is executed as described in any one of claims 12 to 20, or the communication device is executed as described in any one of claims 21 to 26. A communication system, characterized in that the communication system includes a terminal device, a first network device and a second network device; wherein the terminal device is used to execute the communication method as described in any one of claims 1-11, the first network device is used to execute the communication method as described in any one of claims 12-20, and the second network device is used to execute the communication method as described in any one of claims 21-26.