Precoding method and device based on intelligent metasurface

Abstract

The embodiment of the invention discloses a pre-coding method and device based on an intelligent metasurface, and the method comprises the steps: obtaining unit arrangement information and block information of second network equipment, receiving channel feedback information transmitted by terminal equipment, transmitting first information to the second network equipment, and transmitting the first information to the second network equipment, the first information is used for determining a phase shift matrix of the second network equipment, the first information comprises the channel feedback information and position information of the terminal equipment relative to the second network equipment, and units of the second network equipment can be divided into a plurality of groups, so that a far field hypothesis is established for each group; and meanwhile, the complexity of precoding based on the intelligent metasurface is effectively reduced, the industrialization process is accelerated, the communication efficiency of an intelligent metasurface-assisted communication system is improved, and interference is reduced.

Description

Precoding method and device based on intelligent metasurface Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the field of communication technology, and in particular to a precoding method and device based on intelligent metasurface. Background Art

[0002] Since the uncontrollability of wireless environments in traditional communications often reduces service quality, research on deploying reconfigurable intelligent surfaces (RIS) on the surfaces of various objects in wireless transmission environments is expected to break through the uncontrollability of traditional wireless channels, build intelligent programmable wireless, and introduce a new paradigm for future wireless communications.

[0003] However, the size of RIS arrays is often large, comparable to the propagation distance, and the traditional far-field precoding scheme may no longer be applicable.

[0004] Summary of the Invention

[0005] The first embodiment of the present application proposes a precoding method based on a smart metasurface, the method being performed by a first network device, and the method comprising:

[0006] Acquire unit arrangement information and block information of a second network device, where the block information is used to indicate multiple blocks of the second network device;

[0007] receiving channel feedback information sent by a terminal device, where the channel feedback information is determined by the terminal device based on a reference signal sent by each block of the second network device;

[0008] First information is sent to the second network device, where the first information is used to determine a phase shift matrix of the second network device, and the first information includes the channel feedback information and position information of the terminal device relative to the second network device.

[0009] A second embodiment of the present application proposes a precoding method based on a smart metasurface, the method being performed by a second network device, and the method comprising:

[0010] Sending unit arrangement information and block information of the second network device to the first network device, where the block information is used to indicate multiple blocks of the second network device;

[0011] Sending a reference signal to a terminal device, where the reference signal is used by the terminal device to determine channel feedback information of a channel between the second network device and the terminal device;

[0012] receiving first information sent by the first network device, where the first information includes the channel feedback information and location information of the terminal device relative to the second network device;

[0013] A phase shift matrix of the second network device is determined according to the first information.

[0014] The third embodiment of the present application proposes a precoding method based on a smart metasurface, the method being executed by a terminal device, and the method comprising:

[0015] receiving a reference signal sent by each block of the second network device;

[0016] determining, according to the reference signal, channel feedback information of a channel between the second network device and the terminal device;

[0017] The channel feedback information is sent to the first network device, where the channel feedback information is included in first information, where the first information is used to determine the phase shift matrix of the second network device, and the first information also includes position information of the terminal device relative to the second network device.

[0018] A fourth embodiment of the present application provides a precoding device based on an intelligent metasurface, which is applied to a first network device and includes:

[0019] a transceiver unit, configured to obtain unit arrangement information and block information of a second network device, wherein the block information is used to indicate a plurality of blocks of the second network device;

[0020] The transceiver unit is further configured to receive channel feedback information sent by a terminal device, where the channel feedback information is determined by the terminal device based on a reference signal sent by each block of the second network device;

[0021] The transceiver unit is further used to send first information to the second network device, where the first information is used to determine the phase shift matrix of the second network device, and the first information includes the channel feedback information and the position information of the terminal device relative to the second network device.

[0022] A fifth embodiment of the present application proposes a precoding device based on an intelligent metasurface, which is applied to a second network device and includes:

[0023] a transceiver unit, configured to send unit arrangement information and block information of the device to the first network device, wherein the block information is used to indicate multiple blocks of the device;

[0024] The transceiver unit is further configured to send a reference signal to a terminal device, wherein the reference signal is used by the terminal device to determine channel feedback information of a channel between the apparatus and the terminal device;

[0025] The transceiver unit is further configured to receive first information sent by the first network device, where the first information includes the channel feedback information and location information of the terminal device relative to the apparatus;

[0026] A processing unit is configured to determine a phase shift matrix of the device according to the first information.

[0027] A sixth embodiment of the present application proposes a precoding device based on an intelligent metasurface, which is applied to a terminal device and includes:

[0028] a transceiver unit, configured to receive a reference signal sent by each block of the second network device;

[0029] a processing unit, configured to determine channel feedback information of a channel between the second network device and the apparatus based on the reference signal;

[0030] The transceiver unit is further configured to send the channel feedback information to the first network device, where the channel feedback information is included in first information, where the first information is used to determine the phase shift matrix of the second network device, and the first information also includes location information of the device relative to the second network device.

[0031] The seventh aspect embodiment of the present application proposes a communication device, which includes a processor and a memory, wherein the memory stores a computer program, and the processor executes the computer program stored in the memory so that the device performs the precoding method based on the smart metasurface described in the first aspect embodiment, or performs the precoding method based on the smart metasurface described in the second aspect embodiment.

[0032] An eighth aspect embodiment of the present application proposes a communication device, which includes a processor and a memory, wherein the memory stores a computer program, and the processor executes the computer program stored in the memory so that the device executes the precoding method based on the smart metasurface described in the third aspect embodiment, or executes the precoding method based on the smart metasurface described in the fourth aspect embodiment.

[0033] The ninth aspect embodiment of the present application proposes a communication device, which includes a processor and an interface circuit, wherein the interface circuit is used to receive code instructions and transmit them to the processor, and the processor is used to run the code instructions to enable the device to execute the precoding method based on the smart metasurface described in the first aspect embodiment, or execute the precoding method based on the smart metasurface described in the second aspect embodiment.

[0034] The tenth aspect embodiment of the present application proposes a communication device, which includes a processor and an interface circuit, wherein the interface circuit is used to receive code instructions and transmit them to the processor, and the processor is used to run the code instructions to enable the device to execute the precoding method based on the smart metasurface described in the third aspect embodiment above.

[0035] The eleventh embodiment of the present application proposes a computer-readable storage medium for storing instructions. When the instructions are executed, the precoding method based on the intelligent metasurface described in the first embodiment above is implemented, or the precoding method based on the intelligent metasurface described in the second embodiment above is implemented.

[0036] The twelfth embodiment of the present application proposes a computer-readable storage medium for storing instructions. When the instructions are executed, the precoding method based on the smart metasurface described in the third embodiment above is implemented.

[0037] The thirteenth aspect embodiment of the present application proposes a computer program, which, when running on a computer, enables the computer to execute the precoding method based on the smart metasurface described in the first aspect embodiment, or execute the precoding method based on the smart metasurface described in the second aspect embodiment.

[0038] The fourteenth embodiment of the present application proposes a computer program, which, when run on a computer, enables the computer to execute the precoding method based on the smart metasurface described in the third embodiment above.

[0039] An embodiment of the present application provides a precoding method and device based on an intelligent metasurface, which obtains unit arrangement information and block information of a second network device, where the block information is used to indicate multiple blocks of the second network device, receives channel feedback information sent by a terminal device, and sends first information to the second network device, where the first information is used to determine a phase shift matrix of the second network device. The first information includes the channel feedback information and position information of the terminal device relative to the second network device. The method and device can divide the units of the second network device into multiple groups, so that the far-field assumption holds true for each group. At the same time, the complexity of precoding based on the intelligent metasurface is effectively reduced, the industrialization process is accelerated, the communication efficiency of the communication system assisted by the intelligent metasurface is improved, and interference is reduced.

[0040] Additional aspects and advantages of the present application will be given in part in the description below, and in part will become apparent from the description below, or will be learned through practice of the present application. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0041] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application or the background technology, the drawings required for use in the embodiments of the present application or the background technology will be described below.

[0042] FIG1 is a schematic diagram of the architecture of a communication system provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0043] FIG2 is a schematic diagram of a flow chart of a precoding method based on a smart metasurface provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0044] FIG3 is a flow chart of a precoding method based on a smart metasurface provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0045] FIG4a is a schematic diagram of the spatial positions of a terminal device and a second network device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0046] FIG4 b is a schematic diagram of a spatial xz-axis plane of a terminal device and a second network device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0047] FIG4c is a schematic diagram of a spatial yz-axis plane of a terminal device and a second network device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0048] FIG5 is a schematic flow chart of a precoding method based on a smart metasurface provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0049] FIG6 is a schematic flow chart of a precoding method based on a smart metasurface according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0050] FIG7 is a schematic diagram of a flow chart of a precoding method based on a smart metasurface provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0051] FIG8 is a flow chart of a precoding method based on a smart metasurface provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0052] FIG9 is a schematic structural diagram of a precoding device based on a smart metasurface according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0053] FIG10 is a schematic structural diagram of a precoding device based on a smart metasurface according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0054] FIG11 is a schematic structural diagram of a precoding device based on a smart metasurface according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0055] FIG12 is a schematic structural diagram of another precoding device based on a smart metasurface provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0056] FIG13 is a schematic structural diagram of a chip provided in an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0057] Exemplary embodiments are described in detail herein, with examples illustrated in the accompanying drawings. In the following description, when referring to the drawings, identical numbers in different figures represent identical or similar elements, unless otherwise indicated. The embodiments described in the following exemplary embodiments are not intended to represent all possible implementations consistent with the present invention. Rather, they are merely examples of apparatuses and methods consistent with certain aspects of the present invention, as detailed in the appended claims.

[0058] The terms used in the embodiments of this application are for the purpose of describing specific embodiments only and are not intended to limit the embodiments of this application. The singular forms "a" and "the" used in the embodiments of this application and the appended claims are also intended to include plural forms unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It should also be understood that the term "and / or" used herein refers to and includes any or all possible combinations of one or more associated listed items.

[0059] It should be understood that although the terms first, second, third, etc. may be used to describe various information in the embodiments of the present application, such information should not be limited to these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish information of the same type from each other. For example, without departing from the scope of the embodiments of the present application, the first information may also be referred to as the second information, and similarly, the second information may also be referred to as the first information. Depending on the context, the words "if" and "if" as used herein may be interpreted as "at the time of" or "when" or "in response to a determination."

[0060] The embodiments of the present application are described in detail below. Examples of the embodiments are shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein the same or similar reference numerals throughout represent the same or similar elements. The embodiments described below with reference to the accompanying drawings are exemplary and are intended to be used to explain the present application, and should not be understood as limiting the present application.

[0061] In order to better understand the precoding method based on the intelligent metasurface disclosed in the embodiment of the present application, the communication system to which the embodiment of the present application is applicable is first described below.

[0062] Please refer to Figure 1, which is a schematic diagram of the architecture of a communication system provided in an embodiment of the present application. The communication system may include, but is not limited to, a first network device, a second network device, and a terminal device. The number and form of devices shown in Figure 1 are for example purposes only and do not constitute a limitation on the embodiments of the present application. In actual applications, two or more network devices and two or more terminal devices may be included. The communication system shown in Figure 1 includes, for example, a first network device 101, a second network device 102, and a terminal device 103.

[0063] It should be noted that the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application can be applied to various communication systems, such as Long Term Evolution (LTE) systems, fifth-generation mobile communication systems, 5G new air interface systems, or other future new mobile communication systems.

[0064] The first network device 101 in the embodiment of the present application is an entity on the network side for transmitting or receiving signals. For example, the first network device 101 can be an evolved NodeB (eNB), a transmission point (TRP), a next generation NodeB (gNB) in an NR system, a base station in other future mobile communication systems, or an access node in a wireless fidelity (WiFi) system. The embodiment of the present application does not limit the specific technology and specific device form adopted by the access network device. The access network device provided in the embodiment of the present application can be composed of a centralized unit (CU) and a distributed unit (DU), wherein the CU can also be called a control unit (Control Unit). The CU-DU structure can be used to split the access network device, such as the protocol layer of the base station, and the functions of some protocol layers are placed in the CU for centralized control, and the functions of the remaining part or all of the protocol layers are distributed in the DU, and the DU is centrally controlled by the CU.

[0065] The second network device 102 in the embodiment of the present application is a device that can regulate and control the communication channel. The second network device 102 is equipped with a large number of (electromagnetic) units, and can change the radiation characteristics of the (electromagnetic) units by adjusting the physical properties of the (electromagnetic) units (such as capacitive reactance, impedance or inductive reactance), and then can dynamically regulate the electromagnetic waves in space to form a beam in a specific direction in space. For example, the second network device 102 can be a smart metasurface (Reconfigurable Intelligent Surface, RIS) and the like. In the embodiment of the present application, the (electromagnetic) units in the second network device 102 can be active or passive; some of the (electromagnetic) units in the second network device 102 can be active, and some of the (electromagnetic) units can be passive.

[0066] The terminal device 103 in the embodiment of the present application is an entity on the user side for receiving or transmitting signals, such as a mobile phone. The terminal device can also be called a terminal device (terminal), user equipment (UE), mobile station (MS), mobile terminal device (MT), etc. The terminal device can be a car with communication function, a smart car, a mobile phone (Mobile Phone), a wearable device, a tablet computer (Pad), a computer with wireless transceiver function, a virtual reality (VR) terminal device, an augmented reality (AR) terminal device, a wireless terminal device in industrial control (Industrial Control), a wireless terminal device in self-driving (Self-Driving), a wireless terminal device in remote medical surgery (Remote Medical Surgery), a wireless terminal device in smart grid (Smart Grid), a wireless terminal device in transportation safety (Transportation Safety), a wireless terminal device in smart city (Smart City), a wireless terminal device in smart home (Smart Home), etc. The embodiment of the present application does not limit the specific technology and specific device form adopted by the terminal device.

[0067] In traditional communications, the wireless environment is an uncontrollable factor. This uncontrollability often negatively impacts communication efficiency and reduces service quality. For example, signal attenuation limits the propagation distance of wireless signals, multipath effects cause fading, and reflection and refraction from large objects are major uncontrollable factors. Deploying intelligent metasurfaces (RIS) on various surfaces within wireless transmission environments promises to overcome the uncontrollability of traditional wireless channels, building intelligent, programmable wireless networks and ushering in a new paradigm for future wireless communications. Specifically, RIS can use precoding technology to reflect or transmit incident signals in specific directions, thereby enhancing signal strength at the receiving end or reducing interference, achieving channel control.

[0068] As shown in Figure 1, in a communication system assisted by second network device 102 (RIS), first network device 101 reflects or transmits a signal to terminal device 103 via second network device 102 (RIS), or terminal device 103 reflects or transmits a signal to first network device 101 via second network device 102 (RIS). To increase the power of useful signals and reduce interference, precoding is required for second network device 102.

[0069] In related technologies, the method for determining the precoding of the second network device 102 (RIS) is relatively complex. Academic research primarily uses alternating optimization techniques to jointly design the precoding for the RIS and the base station. While this method can achieve optimal performance, its high complexity makes it unsuitable for practical applications. Furthermore, the size of the RIS array is often large, comparable to the propagation distance, making traditional far-field precoding schemes potentially inapplicable. Therefore, a practical RIS precoding scheme has become a key technology for the industrialization of RIS.

[0070] It can be understood 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 by the embodiment of the present application. Ordinary technicians in this field can know that with the evolution of the system architecture and the emergence of new business scenarios, the technical solution provided by the embodiment of the present application is also applicable to similar technical problems.

[0071] The following is a detailed introduction to the precoding method and device based on the intelligent metasurface provided by the present application in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0072] Please refer to Figure 2, which is a flow chart of a precoding method based on an intelligent metasurface provided in an embodiment of the present application. It should be noted that the precoding method based on an intelligent metasurface in an embodiment of the present application is performed by a first network device. This method can be performed independently or in combination with any other embodiment of the present application. As shown in Figure 2, the method may include the following steps:

[0073] Step 201: Acquire unit arrangement information and block information of a second network device, where the block information is used to indicate multiple blocks of the second network device.

[0074] It should be noted that in each embodiment of the present application, the second network device may be an intelligent metasurface RIS.

[0075] In an embodiment of the present application, the first network device can obtain the unit arrangement information and block information of the second network device, wherein the block information of the second network device is used to indicate multiple blocks of the second network device, and the unit arrangement information of the second network device can indicate how the units in the second network device are arranged.

[0076] It should be noted that each block of the second network device is a continuous part of the second network device, such as a continuous RIS surface in the smart metasurface RIS.

[0077] It is understandable that the first network device can determine how the units in the second network device are arranged by obtaining the unit arrangement information of the second network device; the first network device can determine each block of the second network device by obtaining the block information of the second network device.

[0078] In some embodiments, the unit arrangement information may include at least one of the following: the number of rows of units of the second network device; the number of columns of units of the second network device; the row spacing of units of the second network device; the column spacing of units of the second network device; and units in the second network device that can send reference signals (which may also be active units in the second network device).

[0079] In some embodiments, the block information may include at least one of the following: the number of rows of cells included in each block; the number of columns of cells included in each block; and the center cell of each block.

[0080] It is understood that the unit arrangement information and block information of the second network device can be flexibly configured based on the specific shape of the second network device. For example, if the second network device is circular, the unit arrangement information of the second network device may also include the radius or diameter of the second network device, and the block information may also include other information to indicate each block of the second network device.

[0081] In the embodiment of the present application, the first network device may receive the unit arrangement information and / or block information reported by the second network device, or the first network device may obtain the unit arrangement information and / or block information of the second network device in an offline phase.

[0082] In some implementations, the first network device may further configure multiple blocks of the second network device according to the unit arrangement information of the second network device to obtain the block information of the second network device.

[0083] In the embodiment of the present application, each block of the second network device can send a reference signal.

[0084] Step 202: Receive channel feedback information sent by the terminal device.

[0085] In an embodiment of the present application, a first network device is capable of receiving channel feedback information transmitted by a terminal device, where the channel feedback information is determined by the terminal device based on a reference signal transmitted by each block of a second network device. The channel feedback information can reflect the state of the channel between each block of the second network device and the terminal device.

[0086] In some embodiments, the channel feedback information includes: a plurality of precoding matrix indicators (PMIs) and an index of a reference signal corresponding to each PMI, wherein the PMI is used to indicate a precoding matrix of a channel between each block of the second network device and the terminal device.

[0087] It can be understood that each block of the second network device is capable of transmitting a reference signal, and the terminal device receives the reference signal transmitted by each block and estimates it to obtain a precoding matrix for the channel between each block and the terminal device. The precoding matrix for the channel between each block and the terminal device is indicated by a PMI, and the reference signal transmitted by the block is indicated by the index of the reference signal corresponding to the PMI.

[0088] Optionally, the precoding matrix indicated by the PMI included in the channel feedback information is an optimal precoding matrix selected by the terminal device based on a 2-dimensional DFT (Discrete Fourier Transform) codebook.

[0089] In some implementations, the first network device can send first reference signal configuration information to the second network device based on the unit arrangement information and the block information. The first reference signal configuration information is used to determine the reference signal sent by each block of the second network device.

[0090] Optionally, the first reference signal configuration information may include at least one of the following:

[0091] The units in each block occupied by the reference signal sent by the block;

[0092] Generation information of the reference signal sequence sent in each block;

[0093] The serial number of the antenna port occupied by the reference signal sent in each block;

[0094] The time-frequency resources occupied by the reference signal sent in each block.

[0095] In some embodiments, the first network device can send second reference signal configuration information to the terminal device based on the unit arrangement information and the block information. The second reference signal configuration information is used by the terminal device to receive the reference signal sent by each block of the second network device.

[0096] Optionally, the second reference signal configuration information may include at least one of the following:

[0097] Generation information of the reference signal sequence sent in each block;

[0098] The serial number of the antenna port occupied by the reference signal sent in each block;

[0099] The time-frequency resources occupied by the reference signal sent in each block.

[0100] It can be understood that the basic information of the reference signal sent in each block in the first reference signal configuration information and the second reference signal configuration information (generation information of the reference signal sequence, the antenna port number occupied by the reference signal, and the time-frequency resources occupied by the reference signal) is the same, and the terminal device can receive the reference signal sent by the second network device based on the first reference signal configuration information according to the second reference signal configuration information.

[0101] Step 203: Send first information to the second network device, where the first information is used to determine the phase shift matrix of the second network device. The first information includes the channel feedback information and position information of the terminal device relative to the second network device.

[0102] In an embodiment of the present application, a first network device can send first information to a second network device, where the first information is used to determine a phase shift matrix for the second network device. The first information includes the received channel feedback information and the determined position information of the terminal device relative to the second network device. The second network device can determine its own phase shift matrix based on the first information.

[0103] The phase shift matrix is ​​used to configure the phase of each unit in the second network device, that is, to precode the second network device. The second network device can adjust the phase of each unit according to the phase shift matrix configuration to achieve precoding for the second network device and can also reflect or transmit signals incident on the surface of the second network device.

[0104] In an embodiment of the present application, the first network device can determine the location information of the terminal device relative to the second network device based on the received channel feedback information, and the acquired unit arrangement information and the block information.

[0105] In some implementations, the first network device can determine the location information based on the inter-block distance of the second network device and a precoding matrix of a channel between each block of the second network device and the terminal device.

[0106] Optionally, the first network device can determine a reference coordinate system in which the second network device and the terminal device are located, and the position information of the terminal device relative to the second network device can be represented by coordinates in the reference coordinate system.

[0107] Optionally, the first network device and the second network device can establish a coordinate system using a coordinate axis establishment method specified in the protocol, and obtain the coordinates of the terminal device in the coordinate system. For example, the protocol specifies that the reference coordinate system is a rectangular coordinate system, with the center of the second network device as the origin, the direction perpendicular to the plane of the second network device as the z-axis, and the plane on which the second network device resides as the xy plane. For another example, the protocol may also specify that the reference coordinate system is a spherical coordinate system, with the center of the second network device as the origin.

[0108] Optionally, the first network device and the second network device may also negotiate through signaling to determine a method for establishing the coordinate axes of the coordinate system. For example, the first network device may determine the reference coordinate system based on the shape, size, and relative position of the second network device to the terminal device.

[0109] In some embodiments, the first information is used to determine a reference phase shift matrix for the second network device. The phase shift matrix of the second network device is obtained by quantizing the reference phase shift matrix based on phase offset values ​​supported by the second network device. That is, the second network device can determine the reference phase shift matrix based on the first information and quantize the reference phase shift matrix based on the phase offset values ​​supported by the second network device to obtain a phase shift matrix (i.e., the phase shift matrix ultimately actually used).

[0110] It is understandable that the phase offset values ​​supported by the second network device are several discrete values ​​rather than continuous values, and the phase of each unit in the second network device is not continuously adjustable.

[0111] Optionally, the quantization criterion may be a minimum distance criterion, and the reference phase shift matrix is ​​quantized to a supported phase shift value closest to the reference phase shift matrix to obtain a phase shift matrix (ie, the phase shift matrix actually used in the end).

[0112] In some embodiments, the reference phase shift matrix is ​​determined based on the position information, the unit arrangement information and the block information of the second network device, and the incident angle information between the first network device and the second network device.

[0113] The incident angle information between the first network device and the second network device refers to information about the incident angle of the signal emitted by the first network device incident on the surface of the second network device.

[0114] Optionally, the first network device may send the incident angle information to the second network device, and the second network device may also obtain the incident angle information by measuring and estimating the incident angle itself.

[0115] In some embodiments, the coordinate information of the terminal device in the aforementioned determined reference coordinate system, and the coordinate information of each unit of the second network device in the reference coordinate system, are used to determine the phase shift of each unit of the second network device; the phase shift of each unit of the second network device, and the incident angle information between the first network device and the second network device are used to determine the reference phase shift matrix.

[0116] In summary, by obtaining the unit arrangement information and block information of the second network device, the block information is used to indicate multiple blocks of the second network device, the channel feedback information sent by the terminal device is received, and the first information is sent to the second network device. The first information is used to determine the phase shift matrix of the second network device. The first information includes the channel feedback information and the position information of the terminal device relative to the second network device. The units of the second network device can be divided into multiple groups, so that the far-field assumption holds true for each group. At the same time, the complexity of precoding based on smart metasurfaces is effectively reduced, the industrialization process is accelerated, the communication efficiency of the communication system assisted by smart metasurfaces is improved, and interference is reduced.

[0117] Please refer to Figure 3, which is a flow chart of a precoding method based on a smart metasurface provided in an embodiment of the present application. It should be noted that the precoding method based on a smart metasurface in an embodiment of the present application is performed by a first network device. This method can be performed independently or in combination with any other embodiment of the present application. As shown in Figure 3, the method may include the following steps:

[0118] Step 301: Acquire unit arrangement information and block information of a second network device.

[0119] It should be noted that in each embodiment of the present application, the second network device may be an intelligent metasurface RIS.

[0120] In an embodiment of the present application, the first network device can obtain the unit arrangement information and block information of the second network device, wherein the block information of the second network device is used to indicate multiple blocks of the second network device, and the unit arrangement information of the second network device can indicate how the units in the second network device are arranged.

[0121] It should be noted that each block of the second network device is a continuous part of the second network device, such as a continuous RIS surface in the smart metasurface RIS.

[0122] It is understandable that the first network device can determine how the units in the second network device are arranged by obtaining the unit arrangement information of the second network device; the first network device can determine each block of the second network device by obtaining the block information of the second network device.

[0123] In some embodiments, the unit arrangement information may include at least one of the following: the number of rows of units of the second network device; the number of columns of units of the second network device; the row spacing of units of the second network device; the column spacing of units of the second network device; and units in the second network device that can send reference signals (which may also be active units in the second network device).

[0124] In some embodiments, the block information may include at least one of the following: the number of rows of cells included in each block; the number of columns of cells included in each block; and the center cell of each block.

[0125] It is understood that the unit arrangement information and block information of the second network device can be flexibly configured based on the specific shape of the second network device. For example, if the second network device is circular, the unit arrangement information of the second network device may also include the radius or diameter of the second network device, and the block information may also include other information to indicate each block of the second network device.

[0126] In the embodiment of the present application, the first network device may receive the unit arrangement information and / or block information reported by the second network device, or the first network device may obtain the unit arrangement information and / or block information of the second network device in an offline phase.

[0127] In some implementations, the first network device may further configure multiple blocks of the second network device according to the unit arrangement information of the second network device to obtain the block information of the second network device.

[0128] In the embodiment of the present application, each block of the second network device can send a reference signal.

[0129] Step 302: Receive channel feedback information sent by the terminal device.

[0130] In an embodiment of the present application, a first network device is capable of receiving channel feedback information transmitted by a terminal device, where the channel feedback information is determined by the terminal device based on a reference signal transmitted by each block of a second network device. The channel feedback information can reflect the state of the channel between each block of the second network device and the terminal device.

[0131] In some implementations, the channel feedback information includes: a plurality of PMIs and an index of a reference signal corresponding to each PMI, wherein the PMI is used to indicate a precoding matrix of a channel between each block of the second network device and the terminal device.

[0132] It can be understood that each block of the second network device is capable of transmitting a reference signal, and the terminal device receives the reference signal transmitted by each block and estimates it to obtain a precoding matrix for the channel between each block and the terminal device. The precoding matrix for the channel between each block and the terminal device is indicated by a PMI, and the reference signal transmitted by the block is indicated by the index of the reference signal corresponding to the PMI.

[0133] Optionally, the precoding matrix indicated by the PMI included in the channel feedback information is the optimal precoding matrix selected by the terminal device based on the 2-dimensional DFT codebook.

[0134] It should be noted that, similarly, the channel used by the first network device to receive the channel feedback information sent by the terminal device may also be a channel passing through the second network device, or a direct-view channel not passing through the second network device, and this application does not limit this.

[0135] In some implementations, the first network device can send first reference signal configuration information to the second network device based on the unit arrangement information and the block information, wherein the first reference signal configuration information is used to determine a reference signal to be sent by each block of the second network device, and the second network device can determine the reference signal to be sent by each block based on the first reference signal configuration information.

[0136] Optionally, the first reference signal configuration information may include at least one of the following: the unit in the block occupied by the reference signal sent by each block; the generation information of the reference signal sequence sent by each block; the antenna port number occupied by the reference signal sent by each block; and the time-frequency resources occupied by the reference signal sent by each block.

[0137] In some implementations, the first network device can further send second reference signal configuration information to the terminal device, where the second reference signal configuration information is used by the terminal device to receive the reference signal sent in each block by the second network device.

[0138] In an embodiment of the present application, the second reference signal configuration information may be the same as or different from the first reference configuration information (for example, the second reference signal configuration information may not include the units in the block occupied by the reference signal sent by each block).

[0139] Optionally, the second reference signal configuration information may include at least one of the following: generation information of the reference signal sequence sent by each block; the antenna port number occupied by the reference signal sent by each block; and the time-frequency resources occupied by the reference signal sent by each block.

[0140] It can be understood that in the first reference signal configuration information and the second reference signal configuration information, the basic information of the reference signal sent in each block (generation information of the reference signal sequence, the antenna port number occupied by the reference signal, and the time-frequency resources occupied by the reference signal) is the same, and the terminal device can receive the reference signal sent by the second network device based on the first reference signal configuration information according to the second reference signal configuration information.

[0141] It should be noted that, similarly, the channel used by the first network device to send the reference signal configuration information to the terminal device can be a channel passing through the second network device or a direct line-of-sight channel not passing through the second network device, and this application does not limit this.

[0142] Step 303: Determine the location information of the terminal device relative to the second network device according to the channel feedback information, the unit arrangement information and the block information.

[0143] In an embodiment of the present application, the first network device can determine the location information of the terminal device relative to the second network device based on the channel feedback information, the unit arrangement information and the block information.

[0144] In some embodiments, the first network device can determine the location information based on the inter-block distance of the second network device and the precoding matrix of the channel between each block of the second network device and the terminal device. The channel feedback information includes: multiple PMIs and an index of a reference signal corresponding to each PMI. The PMI is used to indicate the precoding matrix of the channel between each block of the second network device and the terminal device.

[0145] Optionally, the first network device can determine a reference coordinate system in which the second network device and the terminal device are located, and the position information of the terminal device relative to the second network device can be represented by coordinates in the reference coordinate system.

[0146] Optionally, the first network device and the second network device can establish a coordinate system through the coordinate axis establishment method specified by the protocol, and obtain the coordinates of the terminal device in the coordinate system. For example, the protocol specifies that the reference coordinate system is a rectangular coordinate system, with the center of the second network device as the origin, the direction perpendicular to the plane of the second network device as the z-axis, and the plane where the second network device is located as the xy plane. For another example, the protocol can also specify that the reference coordinate system is a spherical coordinate system, with the center of the second network device as the origin. The first network device and the second network device can also negotiate and determine the coordinate axis establishment method of the coordinate system through signaling. For example, the first network device can determine the reference coordinate system based on the shape, size and relative position of the second network device to the terminal device.

[0147] In various embodiments of the present application, as an example, the location information of the terminal device can be determined as follows. Referring to Figures 4a-4c, Figure 4a is a schematic diagram of the spatial location of a terminal device and a second network device provided in an embodiment of the present application, Figure 4b is a schematic diagram of the xz-axis plane, and Figure 4c is a schematic diagram of the yz-axis plane.

[0148] Figure 4a is merely an example illustrating one method for establishing coordinate axes. Other methods for establishing coordinate axes may also be used to establish a coordinate system. As shown in Figure 4a, an xy plane is established with the plane where the second network device resides, the normal direction of the second network device is the z axis, and the second network device has four blocks.

[0149] From the y-axis perspective in Figure 4a, the second network device is divided into two blocks along the x-axis, both to the right of the z-axis, i.e., the positive half of the x-axis (as shown in Figure 4b). Using the PMI corresponding to each block of the second network device, the horizontal dimension (corresponding to the x-axis) angles α1 and α2 corresponding to each block of the second network device can be obtained.

[0150] The horizontal position of the terminal device can be determined by the horizontal distance between α1, α2 and each block of the second network device. Assuming that the distance between the two blocks of the second network device is D, the coordinates of the terminal device in the xz plane are (d x , d z ),in,

[0151] Similarly, viewed along the x-axis in Figure 4a, the second network device is divided into two blocks along the y-axis, both of which are to the right of the z-axis, i.e., the positive half of the y-axis (as shown in Figure 4c). Using the PMI corresponding to each block of the second network device, the vertical dimension (the dimension corresponding to the y-axis) angles β1 and β2 corresponding to each block of the second network device can be obtained.

[0152] The vertical position of the terminal device can be determined by the vertical distance between β1, β2 and each block of the second network device. Assume that the distance between the two blocks of the second network device is D', and the coordinate of the terminal device in the yz plane is (d y , d z ),in,

[0153] Furthermore, based on the coordinates of the terminal device in the xz plane and the yz plane, the coordinates of the terminal device in the coordinate system are obtained, thereby obtaining the position of the terminal device relative to the second network device.

[0154] It can be understood that the above method of determining the location information of the terminal device relative to the second network device is shown only as an example. The first network device can also adopt other methods to determine the location of the terminal device relative to the second network device based on the channel feedback information sent by the terminal device, the unit arrangement information and block information of the second network device.

[0155] In various embodiments of the present application, the first network device may also adopt a variety of methods to determine the location information of the terminal device relative to the second network device based on channel feedback information, unit arrangement information and block information of the second network device.

[0156] Step 304: Send first information to the second network device, where the first information is used to determine the phase shift matrix of the second network device, and the first information includes the channel feedback information and the position information.

[0157] In an embodiment of the present application, a first network device can send first information to a second network device, where the first information is used to determine a phase shift matrix of the second network device. The first information includes the received channel feedback information and the location information. The second network device can determine its own phase shift matrix based on the first information.

[0158] The phase shift matrix is ​​used to configure the phase of each unit in the second network device, that is, to precode the second network device. The second network device can adjust the phase of each unit according to the phase shift matrix configuration to achieve precoding for the second network device and can also reflect or transmit signals incident on the surface of the second network device.

[0159] In some embodiments, the first information is used to determine a reference phase shift matrix for the second network device. The phase shift matrix of the second network device is obtained by quantizing the reference phase shift matrix based on phase offset values ​​supported by the second network device. That is, the second network device can determine the reference phase shift matrix based on the first information and quantize the reference phase shift matrix based on the phase offset values ​​supported by the second network device to obtain a phase shift matrix (i.e., the phase shift matrix ultimately actually used).

[0160] It is understandable that the phase offset values ​​supported by the second network device are several discrete values ​​rather than continuous values, and the phase of each unit in the second network device is not continuously adjustable.

[0161] Optionally, the quantization criterion may be a minimum distance criterion, and the reference phase shift matrix is ​​quantized to a supported phase shift value closest to the reference phase shift matrix to obtain a phase shift matrix (ie, the phase shift matrix actually used in the end).

[0162] In some embodiments, the reference phase shift matrix is ​​determined based on the position information, the unit arrangement information and the block information of the second network device, and the incident angle information between the first network device and the second network device.

[0163] The incident angle information between the first network device and the second network device refers to information about the incident angle of the signal emitted by the first network device incident on the surface of the second network device.

[0164] Optionally, the first network device may send the incident angle information to the second network device, and the second network device may also obtain the incident angle information by measuring and estimating the incident angle itself.

[0165] In some embodiments, the coordinate information of the terminal device in the aforementioned determined reference coordinate system, and the coordinate information of each unit of the second network device in the reference coordinate system, are used to determine the phase shift of each unit of the second network device; the phase shift of each unit of the second network device, and the incident angle information between the first network device and the second network device are used to determine the reference phase shift matrix.

[0166] Optionally, in various embodiments of the present application, various methods may be used to determine the reference phase shift matrix of the second network device based on the first information and the incident angle information between the first network device and the second network device. This will be described in detail below as an example and will not be repeated here.

[0167] In summary, by obtaining the unit arrangement information and blocking information of the second network device, receiving the channel feedback information sent by the terminal device, determining the position information of the terminal device relative to the second network device according to the channel feedback information, the unit arrangement information and the blocking information, and sending the first information to the second network device, the first information is used to determine the phase shift matrix of the second network device. The first information includes the channel feedback information and the position information of the terminal device relative to the second network device, which can divide the units of the second network device into multiple groups, so that the far-field assumption holds for each group. At the same time, it effectively reduces the complexity of precoding based on smart metasurfaces, accelerates the industrialization process, improves the communication efficiency of the communication system assisted by smart metasurfaces, and reduces interference.

[0168] Please refer to Figure 5, which is a flow chart of a precoding method based on a smart metasurface provided in an embodiment of the present application. It should be noted that the precoding method based on a smart metasurface in an embodiment of the present application is performed by a second network device. This method can be performed independently or in combination with any other embodiment of the present application. As shown in Figure 5, the method may include the following steps:

[0169] Step 501: Send unit arrangement information and block information of a second network device to a first network device, where the block information is used to indicate multiple blocks of the second network device.

[0170] It should be noted that in each embodiment of the present application, the second network device may be an intelligent metasurface RIS.

[0171] In an embodiment of the present application, the second network device can send unit arrangement information and block information of the second network device to the first network device, wherein the block information of the second network device is used to indicate multiple blocks of the second network device, and the unit arrangement information of the second network device can indicate how the units in the second network device are arranged.

[0172] It should be noted that each block of the second network device is a continuous part of the second network device, such as a continuous RIS surface in the smart metasurface RIS.

[0173] It is understandable that the first network device can determine how the units in the second network device are arranged by obtaining the unit arrangement information of the second network device; the first network device can determine each block of the second network device by obtaining the block information of the second network device.

[0174] In some embodiments, the unit arrangement information may include at least one of the following: the number of rows of units of the second network device; the number of columns of units of the second network device; the row spacing of units of the second network device; the column spacing of units of the second network device; and units in the second network device that can send reference signals (which may also be active units in the second network device).

[0175] In some embodiments, the block information may include at least one of the following: the number of rows of cells included in each block; the number of columns of cells included in each block; and the center cell of each block.

[0176] It is understood that the unit arrangement information and block information of the second network device can be flexibly configured based on the specific shape of the second network device. For example, if the second network device is circular, the unit arrangement information of the second network device may also include the radius or diameter of the second network device, and the block information may also include other information to indicate each block of the second network device.

[0177] Step 502: Send a reference signal to the terminal device, where the reference signal is used by the terminal device to determine channel feedback information.

[0178] In an embodiment of the present application, the second network device is capable of sending a reference signal, which is used by the terminal device to determine channel feedback information of the channel between the second network device and the terminal device.

[0179] In the embodiment of the present application, each block of the second network device can send a reference signal. That is, the terminal device can receive the reference signal sent by each block of the second network device and determine the channel feedback information according to the received reference signal.

[0180] The channel feedback information can reflect the state of the channel between each block of the second network device and the terminal device. The first network device can determine first indication information for determining the phase shift matrix of the second network device based on the channel feedback information.

[0181] In some embodiments, the channel feedback information includes: a plurality of precoding matrix indicators (PMIs) and an index of a reference signal corresponding to each PMI, wherein the PMI is used to indicate a precoding matrix of a channel between each block of the second network device and the terminal device.

[0182] It can be understood that each block of the second network device is capable of transmitting a reference signal, and the terminal device receives the reference signal transmitted by each block and estimates it to obtain a precoding matrix for the channel between each block and the terminal device. The precoding matrix for the channel between each block and the terminal device is indicated by a PMI, and the reference signal transmitted by the block is indicated by the index of the reference signal corresponding to the PMI.

[0183] Optionally, the precoding matrix indicated by the PMI included in the channel feedback information is the optimal precoding matrix selected by the terminal device based on the 2-dimensional DFT codebook.

[0184] In some implementations, the second network device can receive first reference signal configuration information sent by the first network device, and the second network device can determine the reference signal sent by each block of the second network device according to the first reference signal configuration information.

[0185] Optionally, the first reference signal configuration information may include at least one of the following: the unit in the block occupied by the reference signal sent by each block; the generation information of the reference signal sequence sent by each block; the antenna port number occupied by the reference signal sent by each block; and the time-frequency resources occupied by the reference signal sent by each block.

[0186] Step 503: Receive first information sent by the first network device, where the first information includes the channel feedback information and location information of the terminal device relative to the second network device.

[0187] In an embodiment of the present application, the second network device can receive first information sent by the first network device and determine the phase shift matrix of the second network device based on the first information. The first information includes the channel feedback information and the position information of the terminal device relative to the second network device.

[0188] The phase shift matrix of the second network device is used to configure the phase of each unit in the second network device, that is, to precode the second network device. The second network device can adjust the phase of each unit according to the phase shift matrix configuration to achieve precoding for the second network device.

[0189] In an embodiment of the present application, the location information of the terminal device relative to the second network device is determined by the first network device based on the received channel feedback information and the acquired unit arrangement information and the block information.

[0190] In some implementations, the location information is determined by the first network device according to the distance between blocks of the second network device and a precoding matrix of a channel between each block of the second network device and the terminal device.

[0191] Optionally, the first network device can determine a reference coordinate system in which the second network device and the terminal device are located, and the position information of the terminal device relative to the second network device can be represented by coordinates in the reference coordinate system.

[0192] Optionally, the first network device and the second network device can establish a coordinate system using a coordinate axis establishment method specified in the protocol, and obtain the coordinates of the terminal device in the coordinate system. For example, the protocol specifies that the reference coordinate system is a rectangular coordinate system, with the center of the second network device as the origin, the direction perpendicular to the plane of the second network device as the z-axis, and the plane on which the second network device resides as the xy plane. For another example, the protocol may also specify that the reference coordinate system is a spherical coordinate system, with the center of the second network device as the origin.

[0193] Optionally, the first network device and the second network device may also negotiate through signaling to determine a method for establishing the coordinate axes of the coordinate system. For example, the first network device may determine the reference coordinate system based on the shape, size, and relative position of the second network device to the terminal device.

[0194] Step 504: Determine a phase shift matrix of the second network device according to the first information.

[0195] In an embodiment of the present application, the second network device can determine a phase shift matrix based on the received first information, and then configure and adjust the phase of each of its own units according to the phase shift matrix to achieve precoding based on the smart metasurface.

[0196] In some embodiments, the second network device can determine a reference phase shift matrix of the second network device based on the first information, and quantize the reference phase shift matrix based on the phase offset values ​​supported by the second network device to obtain the phase shift matrix of the second network device (that is, the phase shift matrix actually used in the end).

[0197] It is understandable that the phase offset values ​​supported by the second network device are several discrete values ​​rather than continuous values, and the phase of each unit in the second network device is not continuously adjustable.

[0198] Optionally, the quantization criterion may be a minimum distance criterion, and the reference phase shift matrix is ​​quantized to a supported phase shift value closest to the reference phase shift matrix to obtain a phase shift matrix (ie, the phase shift matrix actually used in the end).

[0199] In some embodiments, the second network device can determine the reference phase shift matrix based on the position information in the first information, the unit arrangement information of the second network device, the block information, and the incident angle information between the first network device and the second network device.

[0200] The incident angle information between the first network device and the second network device refers to information about the incident angle of the signal emitted by the first network device incident on the surface of the second network device.

[0201] Optionally, the first network device may send the incident angle information to the second network device, and the second network device may also obtain the incident angle information by measuring and estimating the incident angle itself.

[0202] As one possible implementation, the second network device can determine the phase shift of each unit of the second network device based on the coordinate information of the terminal device in the aforementioned reference coordinate system and the coordinate information of each unit of the second network device in the reference coordinate system. Furthermore, the reference phase shift matrix is ​​determined based on the phase shift of each unit of the second network device and the incident angle information between the first network device and the second network device.

[0203] In an embodiment of the present application, after determining the phase shift matrix, the second network device can configure and adjust the phase of each unit in the second network device according to the phase shift matrix, and reflect or transmit the signal incident on the surface of the second network device based on the adjusted phase.

[0204] In summary, by sending the unit arrangement information and block information of the second network device to the first network device, the block information is used to indicate multiple blocks of the second network device, sending a reference signal to the terminal device, the reference signal is used by the terminal device to determine the channel feedback information, and receiving the first information sent by the first network device, the first information includes the channel feedback information and the position information of the terminal device relative to the second network device. According to the first information, the phase shift matrix of the second network device is determined, and the units of the second network device can be divided into multiple groups, so that the far-field assumption holds for each group. At the same time, the complexity of precoding based on smart metasurfaces is effectively reduced, the industrialization process is accelerated, the communication efficiency of the communication system assisted by smart metasurfaces is improved, and interference is reduced.

[0205] Please refer to Figure 6, which is a flow chart of a precoding method based on a smart metasurface provided in an embodiment of the present application. It should be noted that the precoding method based on a smart metasurface in an embodiment of the present application is performed by a second network device. This method can be performed independently or in combination with any other embodiment of the present application. As shown in Figure 6, the method may include the following steps:

[0206] Step 601: Send unit arrangement information and block information of a second network device to a first network device, where the block information is used to indicate multiple blocks of the second network device.

[0207] It should be noted that in each embodiment of the present application, the second network device may be an intelligent metasurface RIS.

[0208] In an embodiment of the present application, the second network device can send unit arrangement information and block information of the second network device to the first network device, wherein the block information of the second network device is used to indicate multiple blocks of the second network device, and the unit arrangement information of the second network device can indicate how the units in the second network device are arranged.

[0209] It should be noted that each block of the second network device is a continuous part of the second network device, such as a continuous RIS surface in the smart metasurface RIS.

[0210] It is understandable that the first network device can determine how the units in the second network device are arranged by obtaining the unit arrangement information of the second network device; the first network device can determine each block of the second network device by obtaining the block information of the second network device.

[0211] In some embodiments, the unit arrangement information may include at least one of the following: the number of rows of units of the second network device; the number of columns of units of the second network device; the row spacing of units of the second network device; the column spacing of units of the second network device; and units in the second network device that can send reference signals (which may also be active units in the second network device).

[0212] In some embodiments, the block information may include at least one of the following: the number of rows of cells included in each block; the number of columns of cells included in each block; and the center cell of each block.

[0213] It is understood that the unit arrangement information and block information of the second network device can be flexibly configured based on the specific shape of the second network device. For example, if the second network device is circular, the unit arrangement information of the second network device may also include the radius or diameter of the second network device, and the block information may also include other information to indicate each block of the second network device.

[0214] Step 602: Send a reference signal to the terminal device, where the reference signal is used by the terminal device to determine channel feedback information.

[0215] In an embodiment of the present application, the second network device is capable of sending a reference signal, which is used by the terminal device to determine channel feedback information of the channel between the second network device and the terminal device.

[0216] In the embodiment of the present application, each block of the second network device can send a reference signal. That is, the terminal device can receive the reference signal sent by each block of the second network device and determine the channel feedback information according to the received reference signal.

[0217] The channel feedback information can reflect the state of the channel between each block of the second network device and the terminal device. The first network device can determine first indication information for determining the phase shift matrix of the second network device based on the channel feedback information.

[0218] In some embodiments, the channel feedback information includes: a plurality of precoding matrix indicators (PMIs) and an index of a reference signal corresponding to each PMI, wherein the PMI is used to indicate a precoding matrix of a channel between each block of the second network device and the terminal device.

[0219] It can be understood that each block of the second network device is capable of transmitting a reference signal, and the terminal device receives the reference signal transmitted by each block and estimates it to obtain a precoding matrix for the channel between each block and the terminal device. The precoding matrix for the channel between each block and the terminal device is indicated by a PMI, and the reference signal transmitted by the block is indicated by the index of the reference signal corresponding to the PMI.

[0220] Optionally, the precoding matrix indicated by the PMI included in the channel feedback information is the optimal precoding matrix selected by the terminal device based on the 2-dimensional DFT codebook.

[0221] In some implementations, the second network device can receive first reference signal configuration information sent by the first network device, and the second network device can determine the reference signal sent by each block of the second network device according to the first reference signal configuration information.

[0222] Optionally, the first reference signal configuration information may include at least one of the following: the unit in the block occupied by the reference signal sent by each block; the generation information of the reference signal sequence sent by each block; the antenna port number occupied by the reference signal sent by each block; and the time-frequency resources occupied by the reference signal sent by each block.

[0223] Step 603: Receive first information sent by the first network device, where the first information includes the channel feedback information and location information of the terminal device relative to the second network device.

[0224] In an embodiment of the present application, the second network device can receive first information sent by the first network device and determine the phase shift matrix of the second network device based on the first information. The first information includes the channel feedback information and the position information of the terminal device relative to the second network device.

[0225] The phase shift matrix of the second network device is used to configure the phase of each unit in the second network device, that is, to precode the second network device. The second network device can adjust the phase of each unit according to the phase shift matrix configuration to achieve precoding for the second network device.

[0226] In an embodiment of the present application, the location information of the terminal device relative to the second network device is determined by the first network device based on the received channel feedback information and the acquired unit arrangement information and the block information.

[0227] In some implementations, the location information is determined by the first network device according to the distance between blocks of the second network device and a precoding matrix of a channel between each block of the second network device and the terminal device.

[0228] Optionally, the first network device can determine a reference coordinate system in which the second network device and the terminal device are located, and the position information of the terminal device relative to the second network device can be represented by coordinates in the reference coordinate system.

[0229] Optionally, the first network device and the second network device can establish a coordinate system using a coordinate axis establishment method specified in the protocol, and obtain the coordinates of the terminal device in the coordinate system. For example, the protocol specifies that the reference coordinate system is a rectangular coordinate system, with the center of the second network device as the origin, the direction perpendicular to the plane of the second network device as the z-axis, and the plane on which the second network device resides as the xy plane. For another example, the protocol may also specify that the reference coordinate system is a spherical coordinate system, with the center of the second network device as the origin.

[0230] Optionally, the first network device and the second network device may also negotiate through signaling to determine a method for establishing the coordinate axes of the coordinate system. For example, the first network device may determine the reference coordinate system based on the shape, size, and relative position of the second network device to the terminal device.

[0231] In each embodiment of the present application, as described above, a variety of methods can be used to determine the location information of the terminal device relative to the second network device based on the channel feedback information, the unit arrangement information and the block information of the second network device, which will not be repeated here.

[0232] Step 604: Determine a reference phase shift matrix of the second network device according to the first information.

[0233] In the embodiment of the present application, the second network device can calculate and determine the reference phase shift matrix of the second network device according to the received first information.

[0234] It should be noted that the phase offset values ​​supported by the second network device are discrete, not continuous, and the phase of each unit in the second network device is not continuously adjustable. In other words, the phase of each unit in the second network device configured with the reference phase shift matrix may not be supported by the second network device.

[0235] In some embodiments, the second network device can determine the reference phase shift matrix based on the position information in the first information, the unit arrangement information of the second network device, the block information, and the incident angle information between the first network device and the second network device.

[0236] The incident angle information between the first network device and the second network device refers to information about the incident angle of the signal emitted by the first network device incident on the surface of the second network device.

[0237] Optionally, the first network device may send the incident angle information to the second network device, and the second network device may also obtain the incident angle information by measuring and estimating the incident angle itself.

[0238] As one possible implementation, the second network device can determine the phase shift of each unit of the second network device based on the coordinate information of the terminal device in the aforementioned reference coordinate system and the coordinate information of each unit of the second network device in the reference coordinate system. Furthermore, the reference phase shift matrix is ​​determined based on the phase shift of each unit of the second network device and the incident angle information between the first network device and the second network device.

[0239] As an example, the reference unit and reference direction of the second network device are determined. Taking the square second network device including M×N units as an example, the directions parallel to the length and width are the reference directions of the horizontal dimension and the vertical dimension respectively. Suppose the horizontal and vertical incident angles from the first network device to the second network device are α h , α v To make up for the path difference caused by the incident angle, the horizontal and vertical beam vectors a h 、a v for:

[0240]

[0241]

[0242] Where d is the distance between the units of the second network device, λ is the wavelength of the electromagnetic wave, and the phase shift that needs to be set for each unit due to the incident angle is The unit with phase 1 is the reference point.

[0243] In this example, the reference coordinate system determined by the first network device and the second network device takes the reference point as the origin, the horizontal dimension as the x-axis, the vertical dimension as the y-axis, and the direction perpendicular to the plane of the second network device as the z-axis. Suppose the coordinate of the terminal device in the reference coordinate system is (x u ,y u ,z u ), the coordinates of each unit of the second network device are:

[0244]

[0245] (x i,j ,y i,j ,0) represents the coordinates of the unit in the i-th row and j-th column of the second network device. In order to achieve the superposition of the signals passing through each unit of the second network device when reaching the terminal device, the phase shift of the unit in the i-th row and j-th column of the second network device can be obtained as:

[0246]

[0247] The reflection phase shift matrix of the second network device is thus formed as follows:

[0248]

[0249] The final reference phase shift matrix Θ is: where ⊙ is the Hadamard product.

[0250] It is understandable that the above method for determining the reference phase shift matrix of the second network device is only shown as an example, and the second network device can also use other methods to determine the reference phase shift matrix, such as using other reference coordinate systems, setting other reference points, etc.

[0251] Step 605: quantize the reference phase shift matrix based on the phase offset value supported by the second network device to obtain the phase shift matrix of the second network device.

[0252] As previously mentioned, the phase offset values ​​supported by the second network device are discrete, not continuous, and the phase of each unit in the second network device is not continuously adjustable. In other words, the phase of each unit in the second network device configured to correspond to the reference phase shift matrix may not be supported by the second network device. Therefore, the second network device needs to quantize the reference phase shift matrix based on the phase offset values ​​it supports to obtain the phase shift matrix of the second network device (i.e., the phase shift matrix actually used).

[0253] Optionally, the quantization criterion may be a minimum distance criterion, and the reference phase shift matrix is ​​quantized to a supported phase shift value closest to the reference phase shift matrix to obtain a phase shift matrix (ie, the phase shift matrix actually used in the end).

[0254] Step 606: Reflect or transmit the signal incident on the surface of the first network device according to the phase shift matrix.

[0255] In an embodiment of the present application, after determining the phase shift matrix, the second network device can configure and adjust the phase of each unit in the second network device according to the phase shift matrix, and reflect or transmit the signal incident on the surface of the second network device based on the adjusted phase.

[0256] In summary, by sending the unit arrangement information and block information of the second network device to the first network device, the block information is used to indicate multiple blocks of the second network device, sending a reference signal to the terminal device, the reference signal is used by the terminal device to determine the channel feedback information, receiving the first information sent by the first network device, the first information includes the channel feedback information and the position information of the terminal device relative to the second network device, and determining the reference phase shift matrix of the second network device according to the first information. Based on the phase offset value supported by the second network device, the reference phase shift matrix is ​​quantized to obtain the phase shift matrix of the second network device. According to the phase shift matrix, the signal incident on the surface of the first network device is reflected or transmitted, and the units of the second network device can be divided into multiple groups, so that the far-field assumption holds for each group. At the same time, the complexity of precoding based on smart metasurfaces is effectively reduced, the industrialization process is accelerated, the communication efficiency of the communication system assisted by smart metasurfaces is improved, and interference is reduced.

[0257] Please refer to Figure 7, which is a flow chart of a precoding method based on a smart metasurface provided in an embodiment of the present application. It should be noted that the precoding method based on a smart metasurface in an embodiment of the present application is executed by a terminal device. This method can be executed independently or in combination with any other embodiment of the present application. As shown in Figure 7, the method may include the following steps:

[0258] Step 701: Receive a reference signal sent by each block of a second network device.

[0259] In an embodiment of the present application, the terminal device can receive reference signals sent by each block of the second network device and perform channel estimation based on the reference signals, which are sent by the second network device based on the first reference signal configuration information sent by the first network device.

[0260] In each embodiment of the present application, the second network device may be an intelligent metasurface RIS.

[0261] In some implementations, the terminal device is capable of receiving second reference signal configuration information sent by the first network device, and receiving a reference signal sent by the second network device according to the second reference signal configuration information.

[0262] Optionally, the second reference signal configuration information includes at least one of the following: generation information of the reference signal sequence sent by each block; the antenna port number occupied by the reference signal sent by each block; and the time-frequency resources occupied by the reference signal sent by each block.

[0263] It should be noted that the channel used by the terminal device to receive the reference signal configuration information sent by the first network device can be a channel passing through the second network device or a direct line of sight channel not passing through the second network device, and this application does not limit this.

[0264] Step 702: Determine channel feedback information of a channel between the second network device and the terminal device based on the reference signal.

[0265] In an embodiment of the present application, the terminal device can estimate the channel between the second network device and the terminal device based on the reference signal to obtain channel feedback information of the channel. The channel feedback information can reflect the state of the channel between each block of the second network device and the terminal device.

[0266] In some embodiments, the channel feedback information includes: a plurality of precoding matrix indicators (PMIs) and an index of a reference signal corresponding to each PMI, wherein the PMI is used to indicate a precoding matrix of a channel between each block of the second network device and the terminal device.

[0267] It can be understood that each block of the second network device is capable of transmitting a reference signal, and the terminal device receives the reference signal transmitted by each block and estimates it to obtain a precoding matrix for the channel between each block and the terminal device. The precoding matrix for the channel between each block and the terminal device is indicated by a PMI, and the reference signal transmitted by the block is indicated by the index of the reference signal corresponding to the PMI.

[0268] Optionally, the precoding matrix indicated by the PMI included in the channel feedback information is the optimal precoding matrix selected by the terminal device based on the 2-dimensional DFT codebook.

[0269] It should be noted that the method for the terminal device to perform channel estimation based on the received reference signal can use the least squares (LS) method for estimation, or the minimum mean square error (MMSE) method for estimation, or other estimation algorithms, etc., which are not limited in this application.

[0270] Step 703: Send the channel feedback information to the first network device. The channel feedback information is included in the first information. The first information is used to determine the phase shift matrix of the second network device. The first information also includes the position information of the terminal device relative to the second network device.

[0271] In an embodiment of the present application, after estimating the channel between the first network device and the terminal device and obtaining channel feedback information of the channel, the terminal device can send the channel feedback information to the second network device.

[0272] The channel feedback information is included in the first information, the first information is used to determine the phase shift matrix of the second network device, and the first information also includes position information of the terminal device relative to the second network device.

[0273] In an embodiment of the present application, the channel feedback information can be used to determine the location information of the terminal device relative to the second network device.

[0274] It should be noted that the channel used by the terminal device to send channel feedback information to the first network device can be a channel passing through the second network device or a direct line-of-sight channel not passing through the second network device, and this application does not limit this.

[0275] In summary, by receiving the reference signal sent by each block of the second network device, the channel feedback information of the channel between the second network device and the terminal device is determined according to the reference signal, and the channel feedback information is sent to the first network device. The channel feedback information is included in the first information, and the first information is used to determine the phase shift matrix of the second network device. The first information also includes the position information of the terminal device relative to the second network device. The units of the second network device can be divided into multiple groups, so that the far-field assumption holds for each group. At the same time, the complexity of precoding based on smart metasurfaces is effectively reduced, the industrialization process is accelerated, the communication efficiency of the communication system assisted by smart metasurfaces is improved, and interference is reduced.

[0276] Please refer to Figure 8, which is a flow chart of a precoding method based on a smart metasurface provided in an embodiment of the present application. This method can be performed independently or in combination with any other embodiment of the present application. As shown in Figure 8, the method may include the following steps:

[0277] 1. The first network device obtains unit arrangement information and block information of the second network device, where the block information is used to indicate multiple blocks of the second network device.

[0278] 2. The second network device sends a reference signal to the terminal device. The terminal device receives the reference signal sent by the second network device.

[0279] 3. The terminal device estimates the channel between the second network device and the terminal device based on the reference signal to obtain channel feedback information.

[0280] 4. Send the channel feedback information to the first network device.

[0281] 5. The first network device determines the location information of the terminal device relative to the second network device based on the channel feedback information, the unit arrangement information and the block information.

[0282] In the embodiment of the present application, the method for determining the location information of the terminal device is as described above and will not be repeated here.

[0283] 6. The first network device sends first information to the second network device, where the first information includes the channel feedback information and the location information.

[0284] 7. The second network device determines a reference phase shift matrix based on the first information.

[0285] 8. The second network device quantizes the reference phase shift matrix based on the phase offset value supported by itself to obtain a phase shift matrix.

[0286] 9. The second network device reflects or transmits the signal incident on the surface of the second network device according to the phase shift matrix.

[0287] In summary, the precoding method based on the intelligent metasurface provided in the embodiment of the present application can divide the units of the second network device into multiple groups, so that the far-field assumption holds true for each group. At the same time, it effectively reduces the complexity of the precoding based on the intelligent metasurface, accelerates the industrialization process, improves the communication efficiency of the communication system assisted by the intelligent metasurface, and reduces interference.

[0288] Corresponding to the precoding methods based on smart metasurfaces provided in the above-mentioned embodiments, the present application also provides a precoding device based on smart metasurfaces. Since the precoding device based on smart metasurfaces provided in the embodiments of the present application corresponds to the methods provided in the above-mentioned embodiments, the implementation methods of the precoding methods based on smart metasurfaces are also applicable to the precoding devices based on smart metasurfaces provided in the following embodiments, and will not be described in detail in the following embodiments.

[0289] Please refer to Figure 9, which is a structural diagram of a precoding device based on an intelligent metasurface provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0290] As shown in FIG9 , the precoding device 900 based on the smart metasurface includes a transceiver unit 910 , wherein:

[0291] The transceiver unit 910 is configured to obtain unit arrangement information and block information of a second network device, where the block information indicates multiple blocks of the second network device;

[0292] The transceiver unit 910 is further configured to receive channel feedback information sent by a terminal device, where the channel feedback information is determined by the terminal device based on a reference signal sent by each block of the second network device;

[0293] The transceiver unit 910 is further configured to send first information to the second network device, where the first information is used to determine the phase shift matrix of the second network device. The first information includes the channel feedback information and location information of the terminal device relative to the second network device.

[0294] Optionally, the apparatus further includes: a processing unit (not shown in the figure), configured to determine the position information according to the channel feedback information, the unit arrangement information and the block information.

[0295] Optionally, the channel feedback information includes: multiple precoding matrix indication PMIs and an index of a reference signal corresponding to each PMI; each PMI is used to indicate a precoding matrix of a channel between each block of the second network device and the terminal device.

[0296] Optionally, the processing unit is specifically configured to determine the location information based on an inter-block distance of the second network device and a precoding matrix of a channel between each block of the second network device and the terminal device.

[0297] Optionally, the processing unit is further used to: determine a reference coordinate system in which the second network device and the terminal device are located; and the position information of the terminal device relative to the second network device is the coordinate information of the terminal device in the reference coordinate system.

[0298] Optionally, the first information is used to determine a reference phase shift matrix of the second network device; the phase shift matrix of the second network device is obtained by quantizing the reference phase shift matrix based on phase offset values ​​supported by the second network device.

[0299] Optionally, the reference phase shift matrix is ​​determined based on the position information, the unit arrangement information of the second network device, the block information, and the incident angle information between the apparatus and the second network device.

[0300] Optionally, the coordinate information of the terminal device in the reference coordinate system and the coordinate information of each unit of the second network device in the reference coordinate system are used to determine the phase shift of each unit of the second network device; the phase shift of each unit of the second network device and the incident angle information between the device and the second network device are used to determine the reference phase shift matrix.

[0301] Optionally, the second network device is an intelligent metasurface RIS.

[0302] Optionally, the phase shift matrix is ​​used for the second network device to reflect or transmit a signal incident on a surface of the second network device.

[0303] The precoding device based on the smart metasurface of this embodiment can obtain the unit arrangement information and block information of the second network device, where the block information is used to indicate multiple blocks of the second network device, receive channel feedback information sent by the terminal device, and send first information to the second network device. The first information is used to determine the phase shift matrix of the second network device. The first information includes the channel feedback information and the position information of the terminal device relative to the second network device. It can divide the units of the second network device into multiple groups, so that the far-field assumption holds true for each group. At the same time, it effectively reduces the complexity of precoding based on the smart metasurface, accelerates the industrialization process, improves the communication efficiency of the communication system assisted by the smart metasurface, and reduces interference.

[0304] Please refer to Figure 10, which is a structural diagram of a precoding device based on an intelligent metasurface provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0305] As shown in FIG10 , the precoding device 1000 based on the smart metasurface includes: a transceiver unit 1010 and a processing unit 1020, wherein:

[0306] The transceiver unit 1010 is configured to send unit arrangement information and block information of the device to the first network device, where the block information is used to indicate multiple blocks of the device;

[0307] The transceiver unit 1010 is further configured to send a reference signal to a terminal device, where the reference signal is used by the terminal device to determine channel feedback information of a channel between the apparatus and the terminal device;

[0308] The transceiver unit 1010 is further configured to receive first information sent by the first network device, where the first information includes the channel feedback information and location information of the terminal device relative to the apparatus;

[0309] The processing unit 1020 is configured to determine a phase shift matrix of the device according to the first information.

[0310] Optionally, the position information is determined based on the channel feedback information, the unit arrangement information and the block information.

[0311] Optionally, the channel feedback information includes: multiple precoding matrix indications PMIs and an index of a reference signal corresponding to each PMI; each PMI is used to indicate a precoding matrix of a channel between each block of the apparatus and the terminal device.

[0312] Optionally, the location information is determined based on the distance between blocks of the apparatus and a precoding matrix of a channel between each block of the apparatus and the terminal device.

[0313] Optionally, the processing unit 1020 is further used to: determine a reference coordinate system in which the apparatus and the terminal device are located; the position information of the terminal device relative to the apparatus is the coordinate information of the terminal device in the reference coordinate system.

[0314] Optionally, the processing unit 1020 is specifically configured to: determine a reference phase shift matrix of the device according to the first information; and quantize the reference phase shift matrix based on phase offset values ​​supported by the device to obtain a phase shift matrix of the device.

[0315] Optionally, the processing unit 1020 is specifically configured to determine the reference phase shift matrix according to the position information, the unit arrangement information of the device, the block information, and the incident angle information between the first network device and the device.

[0316] Optionally, the processing unit 1020 is specifically used to: determine the phase shift of each unit of the device based on the coordinate information of the terminal device in the reference coordinate system and the coordinate information of each unit of the device in the reference coordinate system; determine the reference phase shift matrix based on the phase shift of each unit of the device and the incident angle information between the first network device and the device.

[0317] Optionally, the device is a smart metasurface RIS.

[0318] Optionally, the transceiver unit 1010 is further configured to reflect or transmit a signal incident on the surface of the device according to the phase shift matrix.

[0319] The precoding device based on the smart metasurface of this embodiment can send unit arrangement information and block information of the second network device to the first network device, where the block information is used to indicate multiple blocks of the second network device; send a reference signal to the terminal device, where the reference signal is used by the terminal device to determine channel feedback information; receive first information sent by the first network device, where the first information includes the channel feedback information and position information of the terminal device relative to the second network device; determine the phase shift matrix of the second network device based on the first information, and divide the units of the second network device into multiple groups, so that the far-field assumption holds true for each group. At the same time, the complexity of precoding based on the smart metasurface is effectively reduced, the industrialization process is accelerated, the communication efficiency of the communication system assisted by the smart metasurface is improved, and interference is reduced.

[0320] Please refer to Figure 11, which is a structural diagram of a precoding device based on an intelligent metasurface provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0321] As shown in FIG11 , the precoding device 1100 based on the smart metasurface includes: a transceiver unit 1110 and a processing unit 1120, wherein:

[0322] The transceiver unit 1110 is configured to receive a reference signal sent in each block by the second network device;

[0323] a processing unit 1120, configured to determine channel feedback information of a channel between the second network device and the apparatus based on the reference signal;

[0324] The transceiver unit 1110 is also used to send the channel feedback information to the first network device. The channel feedback information is included in the first information. The first information is used to determine the phase shift matrix of the second network device. The first information also includes the position information of the device relative to the second network device.

[0325] Optionally, the channel feedback information is used to determine location information of the apparatus relative to the second network device.

[0326] Optionally, the channel feedback information includes: multiple precoding matrix indications PMIs and an index of a reference signal corresponding to each PMI; each PMI is used to indicate a precoding matrix of a channel between each block of the second network device and the apparatus.

[0327] Optionally, the second network device is an intelligent metasurface RIS.

[0328] The precoding device based on the intelligent metasurface of this embodiment can receive a reference signal sent by each block of the second network device, determine the channel feedback information of the channel between the second network device and the terminal device according to the reference signal, and send the channel feedback information to the first network device. The channel feedback information is included in the first information, and the first information is used to determine the phase shift matrix of the second network device. The first information also includes the position information of the terminal device relative to the second network device. The units of the second network device can be divided into multiple groups, so that the far-field assumption holds for each group. At the same time, the complexity of precoding based on the intelligent metasurface is effectively reduced, the industrialization process is accelerated, the communication efficiency of the communication system assisted by the intelligent metasurface is improved, and interference is reduced.

[0329] In order to implement the above-mentioned embodiments, the embodiments of the present application also propose a communication device, including: a processor and a memory, wherein a computer program is stored in the memory, and the processor executes the computer program stored in the memory so that the device executes the method shown in the embodiments of Figures 2 to 3, or executes the method shown in the embodiments of Figures 5 to 6.

[0330] In order to implement the above embodiment, the embodiment of the present application also proposes a communication device, including: a processor and a memory, the memory storing a computer program, and the processor executing the computer program stored in the memory so that the device executes the method shown in the embodiment of Figure 7.

[0331] In order to implement the above embodiments, the embodiments of the present application also propose a communication device, including: a processor and an interface circuit, the interface circuit is used to receive code instructions and transmit them to the processor, and the processor is used to run the code instructions to execute the method shown in the embodiments of Figures 2 to 3, or execute the method shown in the embodiments of Figures 5 to 6.

[0332] In order to implement the above embodiment, the embodiment of the present application also proposes a communication device, including: a processor and an interface circuit, the interface circuit is used to receive code instructions and transmit them to the processor, and the processor is used to run the code instructions to execute the method shown in the embodiment of Figure 7.

[0333] Please refer to Figure 12, which is a schematic diagram of the structure of another smart metasurface-based precoding device provided in an embodiment of the present application. The smart metasurface-based precoding device 1200 can be a network device, a terminal device, a chip, a chip system, or a processor that supports the network device to implement the above method, or a chip, a chip system, or a processor that supports the terminal device to implement the above method. This device can be used to implement the method described in the above method embodiment. For details, please refer to the description of the above method embodiment.

[0334] The precoding device 1200 based on the smart metasurface may include one or more processors 1201. The processor 1201 may be a general-purpose processor or a dedicated processor. For example, it may be a baseband processor or a central processing unit. The baseband processor may be used to process the communication protocol and communication data, and the central processing unit may be used to control the precoding device based on the smart metasurface (such as a base station, a baseband chip, a terminal device, a terminal device chip, a DU or a CU, etc.), execute a computer program, and process the data of the computer program.

[0335] Optionally, the smart metasurface-based precoding device 1200 may further include one or more memories 1202, on which a computer program 1203 may be stored. The processor 1201 executes the computer program 1203 to enable the smart metasurface-based precoding device 1200 to perform the method described in the above method embodiment. The computer program 1203 may be fixed in the processor 1201. In this case, the processor 1201 may be implemented by hardware.

[0336] Optionally, data may also be stored in the memory 1202. The precoding device 1200 based on the smart metasurface and the memory 1202 may be provided separately or integrated together.

[0337] Optionally, the smart metasurface-based precoding device 1200 may further include a transceiver 1205 and an antenna 1206. The transceiver 1205 may be referred to as a transceiver unit, a transceiver, or a transceiver circuit, etc., and is configured to implement transceiver functions. The transceiver 1205 may include a receiver and a transmitter. The receiver may be referred to as a receiver or a receiving circuit, etc., and is configured to implement a receiving function; the transmitter may be referred to as a transmitter or a transmitting circuit, etc., and is configured to implement a transmitting function.

[0338] Optionally, the smart metasurface-based precoding device 1200 may further include one or more interface circuits 1207. The interface circuit 1207 is configured to receive code instructions and transmit them to the processor 1201. The processor 1201 executes the code instructions to enable the smart metasurface-based precoding device 1200 to perform the method described in the above method embodiment.

[0339] In one implementation, processor 1201 may include a transceiver for implementing receiving and transmitting functions. For example, the transceiver may be a transceiver circuit, an interface, or an interface circuit. The transceiver circuit, interface, or interface circuit for implementing the receiving and transmitting functions may be separate or integrated. The transceiver circuit, interface, or interface circuit may be used for reading and writing code / data, or may be used for transmitting or delivering signals.

[0340] In one implementation, the precoding device 1200 based on the intelligent metasurface may include a circuit that can implement the function of sending, receiving, or communicating in the aforementioned method embodiment. The processor and transceiver described in this application can be implemented in an integrated circuit (IC), an analog IC, a radio frequency integrated circuit RFIC, a mixed signal IC, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a printed circuit board (PCB), an electronic device, etc. The processor and transceiver can also be manufactured using various IC process technologies, such as complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS), N-type metal oxide semiconductor (nMetal-oxide-semiconductor, NMOS), P-type metal oxide semiconductor (positive channel metal oxide semiconductor, PMOS), bipolar junction transistor (bipolar junction transistor, BJT), bipolar CMOS (BiCMOS), silicon germanium (SiGe), gallium arsenide (GaAs), etc.

[0341] The precoding device based on the smart metasurface described in the above embodiment may be a network device or a terminal device, but the scope of the precoding device based on the smart metasurface described in this application is not limited thereto, and the structure of the precoding device based on the smart metasurface may not be limited by Figures 9-11. The precoding device based on the smart metasurface may be an independent device or may be part of a larger device. For example, the precoding device based on the smart metasurface may be:

[0342] (1) An independent integrated circuit (IC), or chip, or chip system or subsystem;

[0343] (2) a collection of one or more ICs, optionally including a storage component for storing data and computer programs;

[0344] (3) ASIC, such as modem;

[0345] (4) Modules that can be embedded in other devices;

[0346] (5) Receivers, terminal devices, intelligent terminal devices, cellular phones, wireless devices, handheld devices, mobile units, vehicle-mounted devices, network devices, cloud devices, artificial intelligence devices, etc.;

[0347] (6)Others, etc.

[0348] In the case where the precoding device based on the smart metasurface can be a chip or a chip system, please refer to the structural diagram of the chip shown in Figure 13. The chip shown in Figure 13 includes a processor 1301 and an interface 1302. The number of processors 1301 can be one or more, and the number of interfaces 1302 can be multiple.

[0349] For the case where the chip is used to implement the functions of the network device in the embodiment of the present application:

[0350] Interface 1302, used for transmitting code instructions to the processor;

[0351] The processor 1301 is configured to execute code instructions to execute the methods shown in FIG. 2 to FIG. 5 , or to execute the methods shown in FIG. 7 to FIG. 10 .

[0352] For the case where the chip is used to implement the functions of the terminal device in the embodiments of the present application:

[0353] Interface 1302, used for transmitting code instructions to the processor;

[0354] The processor 1301 is configured to execute code instructions to perform the method shown in FIG. 11 to FIG. 12 .

[0355] Optionally, the chip further includes a memory 1303, which is used to store necessary computer programs and data.

[0356] Those skilled in the art will also appreciate that the various illustrative logical blocks and steps listed in the embodiments of the present application can be implemented by electronic hardware, computer software, or a combination of both. Whether such functions are implemented by hardware or software depends on the specific application and the design requirements of the entire system. Those skilled in the art may use various methods to implement the functions for each specific application, but such implementation should not be construed as exceeding the scope of protection of the embodiments of the present application.

[0357] An embodiment of the present application also provides a communication system, which includes the smart metasurface-based precoding device as a network device and the smart metasurface-based precoding device as a terminal device in the aforementioned embodiments of Figures 9 to 11, or the system includes the smart metasurface-based precoding device as a terminal device and the smart metasurface-based precoding device as a network device in the aforementioned embodiment of Figure 12.

[0358] The present application also provides a readable storage medium having instructions stored thereon, which implement the functions of any of the above method embodiments when executed by a computer.

[0359] 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.

[0360] In the above embodiments, all or part of the embodiments can be implemented by software, hardware, firmware, or any combination thereof. When implemented using software, all or part of the embodiments can be implemented in the form of a computer program product. The computer program product includes one or more computer programs. When the computer program is loaded and executed on a computer, all or part of the processes or functions according to the embodiments of the present application are generated. The computer can be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network, or other programmable device. The computer program can 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 program can be transmitted from one website, computer, server, or data center to another website, computer, server, or data center via a wired (e.g., coaxial cable, optical fiber, digital subscriber line (DSL)) or wireless (e.g., infrared, wireless, microwave, etc.) method. The computer-readable storage medium can be any available medium that can be accessed by a computer or a data storage device such as a server or data center that includes one or more available media integrated therein. Available media may be magnetic media (eg, floppy disks, hard disks, tapes), optical media (eg, high-density digital video discs (DVDs)), or semiconductor media (eg, solid state disks (SSDs)).

[0361] Those skilled in the art will understand that the various numerical numbers such as first and second involved in this application are only for the convenience of description and are not used to limit the scope of the embodiments of this application, and also indicate the order of precedence.

[0362] In this application, at least one can also be described as one or more, and multiple can be two, three, four or more, which is not limited in this application. In the embodiments of this application, for a technical feature, the technical features in the technical feature are distinguished by "first", "second", "third", "A", "B", "C" and "D", and there is no order of precedence or size between the technical features described by "first", "second", "third", "A", "B", "C" and "D".

[0363] The correspondences shown in the tables in this application can be configured or predefined. The values ​​of the information in each table are examples only and can be configured to other values, which are not limited by this application. When configuring the correspondence between information and parameters, it is not necessarily required to configure all the correspondences shown in each table. For example, in the tables in this application, the correspondences shown in certain rows may not be configured. For another example, appropriate deformation adjustments can be made based on the above tables, such as splitting, merging, etc. The names of the parameters shown in the titles of the above tables can also use other names that can be understood by the communication device, and the values ​​or representations of the parameters can also use other values ​​or representations that can be understood by the communication device. When implementing the above tables, other data structures can also be used, such as arrays, queues, containers, stacks, linear lists, pointers, linked lists, trees, graphs, structures, classes, heaps, hash tables or hash tables, etc.

[0364] The predefined in this application may be understood as defined, predefined, stored, pre-stored, pre-negotiated, pre-configured, solidified, or pre-burned.

[0365] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the units and algorithm steps of each example described in conjunction with the embodiments disclosed herein can be implemented in electronic hardware, or a combination of computer software and electronic hardware. Whether these functions are performed in hardware or software 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 beyond the scope of this application.

[0366] Those skilled in the art will clearly understand that, for the convenience and brevity of description, the specific working processes of the systems, devices and units described above can refer to the corresponding processes in the aforementioned method embodiments and will not be repeated here.

[0367] It should be understood that the various forms of processes shown above can be used to reorder, add, or delete steps. For example, the steps described in the embodiments of the present application can be performed in parallel, sequentially, or in a different order, as long as the desired results of the technical solutions disclosed in the present invention can be achieved, and this document is not limited here.

[0368] The above specific embodiments do not limit the scope of protection of the present invention. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications, combinations, sub-combinations, and substitutions may be made based on design requirements and other factors. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, and improvements made within the spirit and principles of the present invention are intended to be included within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A precoding method based on intelligent metasurface, characterized in that: The method is performed by a first network device, and the method includes: Acquire unit arrangement information and block information of a second network device, where the block information is used to indicate multiple blocks of the second network device; receiving channel feedback information sent by a terminal device, where the channel feedback information is determined by the terminal device based on a reference signal sent by each block of the second network device; First information is sent to the second network device, where the first information is used to determine a phase shift matrix of the second network device, and the first information includes the channel feedback information and position information of the terminal device relative to the second network device.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The method further comprises: The position information is determined according to the channel feedback information, the unit arrangement information and the block information.

3. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that The channel feedback information includes: a plurality of precoding matrix indication PMIs and an index of a reference signal corresponding to each PMI; Each PMI is used to indicate a precoding matrix of a channel between each block of the second network device and the terminal device.

4. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that The determining the position information according to the channel feedback information, the unit arrangement information and the block information includes: The location information is determined according to the inter-block distance of the second network device and the precoding matrix of the channel between each block of the second network device and the terminal device.

5. The method according to any one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that: The method further comprises: Determine a reference coordinate system in which the second network device and the terminal device are located; the position information of the terminal device relative to the second network device is the coordinate information of the terminal device in the reference coordinate system.

6. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that The first information is used to determine a reference phase shift matrix of the second network device; the phase shift matrix of the second network device is obtained by quantizing the reference phase shift matrix based on phase offset values ​​supported by the second network device.

7. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that The reference phase shift matrix is ​​determined according to the position information, the unit arrangement information of the second network device, the block information, and the incident angle information between the first network device and the second network device.

8. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that Coordinate information of the terminal device in the reference coordinate system, and coordinate information of each unit of the second network device in the reference coordinate system, used to determine a phase shift of each unit of the second network device; The phase shift of each unit of the second network device and the incident angle information between the first network device and the second network device are used to determine the reference phase shift matrix.

9. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that The second network device is an intelligent super surface RIS.

10. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that The phase shift matrix is ​​used for the second network device to reflect or transmit a signal incident on a surface of the second network device.

11. A precoding method based on intelligent metasurface, characterized in that: The method is performed by a second network device, and the method includes: Sending unit arrangement information and block information of the second network device to the first network device, where the block information is used to indicate multiple blocks of the second network device; Sending a reference signal to a terminal device, where the reference signal is used by the terminal device to determine channel feedback information of a channel between the second network device and the terminal device; receiving first information sent by the first network device, where the first information includes the channel feedback information and location information of the terminal device relative to the second network device; A phase shift matrix of the second network device is determined according to the first information.

12. The method according to claim 11, characterized in that The position information is determined based on the channel feedback information, the unit arrangement information and the block information.

13. The method according to claim 12, characterized in that The channel feedback information includes: a plurality of precoding matrix indication PMIs and an index of a reference signal corresponding to each PMI; Each PMI is used to indicate a precoding matrix of a channel between each block of the second network device and the terminal device.

14. The method according to claim 13, characterized in that The location information is determined based on the distance between blocks of the second network device and the precoding matrix of the channel between each block of the second network device and the terminal device.

15. The method according to any one of claims 12 to 14, characterized in that: The method further comprises: Determine a reference coordinate system in which the second network device and the terminal device are located; the position information of the terminal device relative to the second network device is the coordinate information of the terminal device in the reference coordinate system.

16. The method according to claim 15, characterized in that The determining, according to the first information, a phase shift matrix of the second network device includes: determining, according to the first information, a reference phase shift matrix of the second network device; The reference phase shift matrix is ​​quantized based on the phase offset value supported by the second network device to obtain the phase shift matrix of the second network device.

17. The method according to claim 16, characterized in that The determining, according to the first information, a reference phase shift matrix of the second network device includes: The reference phase shift matrix is ​​determined according to the position information, the unit arrangement information of the second network device, the block information, and the incident angle information between the first network device and the second network device.

18. The method according to claim 17, characterized in that The determining the reference phase shift matrix according to the position information, the unit arrangement information of the second network device, the block information, and the incident angle information between the first network device and the second network device includes: determining a phase shift of each unit of the second network device according to coordinate information of the terminal device in the reference coordinate system and coordinate information of each unit of the second network device in the reference coordinate system; The reference phase shift matrix is ​​determined according to the phase shift of each unit of the second network device and the incident angle information between the first network device and the second network device.

19. The method according to any one of claims 11 to 18, characterized in that The second network device is an intelligent super surface RIS.

20. The method according to any one of claims 11 to 18, characterized in that The method further comprises: According to the phase shift matrix, a signal incident on the surface of the second network device is reflected or transmitted.

21. A precoding method based on intelligent metasurface, characterized in that: The method is executed by a terminal device, and includes: receiving a reference signal sent by each block of the second network device; determining, according to the reference signal, channel feedback information of a channel between the second network device and the terminal device; The channel feedback information is sent to the first network device, where the channel feedback information is included in first information, where the first information is used to determine the phase shift matrix of the second network device, and the first information also includes position information of the terminal device relative to the second network device.

22. The method according to claim 21, characterized in that The channel feedback information is used to determine location information of the terminal device relative to the second network device.

23. The method according to claim 22, characterized in that The channel feedback information includes: a plurality of precoding matrix indication PMIs and an index of a reference signal corresponding to each PMI; Each PMI is used to indicate a precoding matrix of a channel between each block of the second network device and the terminal device.

24. The method according to any one of claims 21 to 23, characterized in that The second network device is an intelligent super surface RIS.

25. A precoding device based on an intelligent metasurface, characterized in that: The device comprises: a transceiver unit, configured to obtain unit arrangement information and block information of a second network device, wherein the block information is used to indicate a plurality of blocks of the second network device; The transceiver unit is further configured to receive channel feedback information sent by a terminal device, where the channel feedback information is determined by the terminal device based on a reference signal sent by each block of the second network device; The transceiver unit is further used to send first information to the second network device, where the first information is used to determine the phase shift matrix of the second network device, and the first information includes the channel feedback information and the position information of the terminal device relative to the second network device.

26. A precoding device based on an intelligent metasurface, characterized in that: The device comprises: a transceiver unit, configured to send unit arrangement information and block information of the device to the first network device, wherein the block information is used to indicate multiple blocks of the device; The transceiver unit is further configured to send a reference signal to a terminal device, wherein the reference signal is used by the terminal device to determine channel feedback information of a channel between the apparatus and the terminal device; The transceiver unit is further configured to receive first information sent by the first network device, where the first information includes the channel feedback information and location information of the terminal device relative to the apparatus; A processing unit is configured to determine a phase shift matrix of the device according to the first information.

27. A precoding device based on an intelligent metasurface, characterized in that: The device comprises: a transceiver unit, configured to receive a reference signal sent by each block of the second network device; a processing unit, configured to determine channel feedback information of a channel between the second network device and the apparatus based on the reference signal; The transceiver unit is further configured to send the channel feedback information to the first network device, where the channel feedback information is included in first information, where the first information is used to determine the phase shift matrix of the second network device, and the first information also includes location information of the device relative to the second network device.

28. A communication system, characterized in that: The communication system comprises: A first network device, configured to perform the method according to any one of claims 1 to 10; A second network device, configured to perform the method according to any one of claims 11 to 20; A terminal device, configured to execute the method according to any one of claims 21 to 24.

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