Communication method and communication device

Abstract

The present application provides a communication method and a communication device, including: sending first information to a network device, the first information being used to indicate whether a terminal device can transmit on different carriers in a carrier set simultaneously through a radio frequency chain; receiving second information from the network device, the second information being used to indicate whether the terminal device can transmit on a first carrier, the first carrier being a carrier in a first carrier set. By indicating to the network device whether the terminal device can transmit on different carriers in a carrier set simultaneously through a radio frequency chain, the network device can reserve switching time for uplink transmission of a terminal device that needs to switch radio frequency chains and cannot transmit on different carriers in a carrier set simultaneously through a radio frequency chain, thereby avoiding the failure of transmission on different carriers in a carrier set simultaneously through a radio frequency chain.

Description

[0001] This application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 202110364486.7, filed on April 5, 2021, entitled "Communication Method and Communication Device", the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

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

[0003] In some scenarios, user equipment (UE) performs uplink transmissions with the base station on multiple frequency bands. When there is only one carrier per band, the UE can switch the radio frequency chain between different carriers to support data transmission with the base station on multiple frequency bands.

[0004] However, when a UE performs uplink transmissions on multiple frequency bands, and at least one of these bands includes multiple carriers, transmission failures may occur. Therefore, improving the success rate of uplink transmissions on frequency bands with multiple carriers is a problem we need to consider. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The communication method described in the application embodiment can reduce the occurrence of uplink transmission failures during certain time periods due to the need for carrier switching by the terminal device.

[0006] In a first aspect, a communication method is provided, which can be executed by a terminal device or by a component (e.g., a chip or circuit) configured in the terminal device. The method includes: sending first information to a network device, the first information indicating whether the terminal device can transmit simultaneously on different carriers in a carrier set via a radio frequency chain; and receiving second information from the network device, the second information indicating that the terminal device performs a first transmission on a first carrier, the first carrier being one of the carriers in the first carrier set.

[0007] For example, the first information may be a capability information of the terminal device, which may indicate whether the terminal device can transmit simultaneously on different carriers in a carrier set through a radio frequency chain, or whether the capability information is used to indicate whether the terminal device needs switching time when switching radio frequency chains on different carriers in a carrier set, or whether the capability information is used to indicate whether the terminal device needs to switch radio frequency chains between different carriers in a carrier set.

[0008] In one possible implementation, the first information is used to indicate that the terminal device cannot transmit simultaneously on different carriers in a carrier set through a single radio frequency chain, or the first information is used to indicate that the terminal device needs switching time when switching radio frequency chains on different carriers in a carrier set, or the first information is used to indicate that the terminal device needs to switch radio frequency chains between different carriers in a carrier set.

[0009] In another possible implementation, the first information is used to indicate that the terminal device can transmit simultaneously on different carriers in a carrier set through a radio frequency chain, or the first information is used to indicate that the terminal device does not need to switch radio frequency chains when switching between different carriers in a carrier set, or the first information is used to indicate that the terminal device does not need to switch radio frequency chains between different carriers in a carrier set.

[0010] Correspondingly, the network device receives the first information from the terminal device. Based on the first information, the network device determines whether the terminal device can simultaneously transmit uplink on different carriers within a carrier set through a single radio frequency chain, or whether the terminal device needs switching time when switching radio frequency chains on different carriers within a carrier set, or whether the terminal device needs to switch radio frequency chains between different carriers within a carrier set. If the terminal device can transmit simultaneously on different carriers within a carrier set through a single radio frequency chain, then switching a single radio frequency chain between different carriers within a carrier set does not require switching time. In other words, if a radio frequency chain is on one carrier within a carrier set, then that radio frequency chain is also on all carriers within that carrier set. Alternatively, if the number of radio frequencies on one carrier within a carrier set is X, then the number of radio frequencies on all carriers within that carrier set is also X. In other words, switching radio frequency chains between different carriers within a carrier set is not required. If the terminal device cannot transmit simultaneously on different carriers within a carrier set through a single radio frequency chain, then switching a single radio frequency chain between different carriers within a carrier set requires switching time.

[0011] Therefore, the communication method provided in this application indicates whether a terminal device can transmit simultaneously on different carriers in a carrier set through a radio frequency chain by reporting first information to the network device. This allows the network device to reserve a first time period for the uplink transmission of terminal devices that need to switch radio frequency chains and cannot transmit simultaneously on different carriers in a carrier set through a radio frequency chain, thereby avoiding the situation where the uplink transmission of terminal devices that cannot transmit simultaneously on different carriers in a carrier set through a radio frequency chain fails.

[0012] It should be understood that the terminal device may report the first information to the network device when registering to access the network, or it may send the first information to the network device when there is an uplink transmission requirement. This application does not limit this.

[0013] It should also be understood that a carrier set can be a collection of carriers that share certain characteristics. For example, a carrier set can be the collection of all carriers belonging to a single frequency band. Similarly, a carrier set can be the collection of all carriers across multiple frequency bands. When multiple frequency bands are close in the frequency domain and / or their bandwidths are small, a carrier set can be the collection of all carriers across those multiple frequency bands.

[0014] In another possible implementation, the terminal device may not send the first information to the network device. By pre-configuring the base station and the terminal device, when the terminal device does not send the first information to the network device, it indicates that the terminal device can transmit simultaneously on different carriers in a carrier set through a single radio frequency chain, or that the terminal device does not need switching time when switching radio frequency chains on different carriers in a carrier set, or that the terminal device does not need to switch radio frequency chains between different carriers in a carrier set; or, when the terminal device does not send the first information to the network device, it indicates that the terminal device cannot transmit simultaneously on different carriers in a carrier set through a single radio frequency chain, or that the terminal device needs switching time when switching radio frequency chains on different carriers in a carrier set, or that the terminal device needs to switch radio frequency chains between different carriers in a carrier set.

[0015] In conjunction with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the method further includes: determining whether to perform uplink transmission on the first carrier within a first time period, wherein the start time of the first time period is after the end time of the transmission of the second information, and the end time of the first time period is before the start time of the first transmission.

[0016] In conjunction with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, determining whether to perform uplink transmission on the first carrier during the first time period includes: determining whether to perform uplink transmission on the first carrier during the first time period based on the number of ports of the second transmission and the number of ports of the first transmission, or determining whether to perform uplink transmission on the first carrier during the first time period based on the number of radio frequency chains on at least one carrier in the first carrier set, wherein the second transmission is the transmission preceding the first transmission and whose time-domain order is closest to the first transmission.

[0017] In conjunction with the first aspect, in certain implementations of the first aspect, determining whether to perform uplink transmission on the first carrier within the first time period based on the number of ports of the second transmission and the number of ports of the first transmission includes: when the second transmission is a 1-port transmission on the second carrier and the UE's operating state is that 2-port transmission is not supported on the second carrier, and the first transmission is a 1-port transmission on the first carrier, then the terminal device determines that it will not perform uplink transmission on the first carrier and the second carrier at least within the first time period, wherein the first carrier and the second carrier are different carriers in the first carrier set; when the second transmission is a 2-port transmission on the second carrier, or the second transmission is a 1-port transmission on the second carrier... If the UE operates in a state supporting 2-port transmission on the second carrier, and the first transmission is either 1-port or 2-port transmission on the first carrier, then the terminal device determines that it will not perform uplink transmission on either the first or second carrier during the first time period, where the first and second carriers are different carriers in the first carrier set. If the second transmission has 2-port transmission only on the first carrier, and the first transmission also has 2-port transmission only on the first carrier, then the terminal device does not need to perform radio frequency chain switching. In this case, the terminal device determines that it can perform uplink transmission on the first carrier during the first time period, or in other words, there is no first time period between the first and second transmissions. When the second transmission involves concurrent transmission on two carriers in the first carrier set (e.g., the second transmission is a 1-port transmission on the first carrier and a 1-port transmission on the second carrier simultaneously, where the first and second carriers are different carriers in the first carrier set), or when the second transmission is a 1-port transmission on the first carrier, but the UE's operating state during the second transmission is that the first carrier does not support 2-port transmission, and the first transmission is a 2-port transmission on the first carrier, then the terminal device determines that it will not perform uplink transmission on the first carrier at least during the first time period; when the first transmission is a 1-port transmission on the first carrier and the second transmission is a 2-port transmission on the second carrier, or the second transmission is a 1-port transmission on the first carrier... If the UE operates in a state that supports 2-port transmission on the second carrier and 1-port transmission is used, then the terminal device determines that it will not perform uplink transmission on the first carrier and the second carrier at least during the first time period, wherein the first carrier and the second carrier are different carriers in the first carrier set; if the first transmission is 2-port transmission on the first carrier and the second transmission is 2-port transmission on the second carrier, or if the second transmission is 1-port transmission on the second carrier and the UE operates in a state that supports 2-port transmission on the second carrier, then the terminal device determines that it will not perform uplink transmission on the first carrier and the second carrier at least during the first time period, wherein the first carrier and the second carrier are different carriers in the first carrier set;When the first transmission is a 2-port transmission on the first carrier, or the first transmission is a 1-port transmission on the first carrier and the UE's operating state supports 2-port transmission on the first carrier, and the second transmission is a 2-port transmission on the second carrier, then the terminal device determines that it will not perform uplink transmission on the first carrier and the second carrier at least during a first time period, wherein the first carrier and the second carrier are different carriers in the first carrier set. The terminal device includes two radio frequency chains, and the first carrier set includes the first carrier and the second carrier.

[0018] In conjunction with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, determining whether to perform uplink transmission on the first carrier during the first time period based on the number of radio frequency chains on at least one carrier in the first carrier set includes: when the first transmission is a transmission on the first carrier, and the second transmission is a transmission on other carriers in the first carrier set besides the first carrier, and there is a total of 1 radio frequency chain on all carriers in the first carrier set during the second transmission, and there is also a total of 1 radio frequency chain on all carriers in the first carrier set during the first transmission, or in other words, the number of radio frequency chains on all carriers in the first carrier set remains unchanged during the first and second transmissions, or in other words, the UE only performs a 1-port first transmission on the first carrier in the first carrier set during the first transmission. In this case, if the terminal device performs radio frequency chain switching during the first time period, then the terminal device determines that it will at least not perform uplink transmission on the first carrier during the first time period. In this case, it can also be understood that the radio frequency chain on the carrier where the second transmission is located is different from the radio frequency chain on the carrier where the first transmission is located, and radio frequency chain switching is required between the two transmissions; when both the first and second transmissions are transmissions on the first carrier, and there is a total of 1 radio frequency chain on all carriers in the first carrier set during the second transmission, and there is also a total of 1 radio frequency chain on all carriers in the first carrier set during the first transmission, or in other words, the number of radio frequency chains on all carriers in the first carrier set does not change during the first and second transmissions ... During the first and second transmissions, the number of radio frequency chains on all carriers in the first carrier set remains unchanged. In other words, during the first transmission, the UE performs a 1-port first transmission on only the first carrier in the first carrier set. In this case, the terminal device does not need to perform radio frequency chain switching, and the terminal device determines that it can perform uplink transmission on the first carrier within the first time period; or, there is no first time period between the first and second transmissions. When the first transmission is a concurrent transmission of two carriers in the first carrier set, the second transmission is a 2-port transmission on any one carrier in the first carrier set. During the second transmission, there are a total of 2 radio frequency chains on all carriers in the first carrier set (or...). If there are two radio frequency chains on the carrier of the second transmission, and there are also a total of two radio frequency chains on all carriers in the first carrier set during the first transmission (or one radio frequency chain on each of the first and second carriers), or if the number of radio frequency chains on all carriers in the first carrier set does not change during the first and second transmissions, then the terminal device determines that it will not perform uplink transmission on the first and second carriers at least during the first time period. In this case, it can also be understood that during the second transmission, the two radio frequency chains are on one carrier in the first carrier set, and during the first transmission, the two radio frequency chains are on two carriers in the first carrier set. At least one radio frequency chain needs to be switched between the two transmissions.When the first transmission is a 2-port transmission on any one of the carriers in the first carrier set, and there are a total of 2 radio links on all carriers in the first carrier set during the first transmission (or in other words, there are 2 radio links on the carrier where the first transmission is located), and the second transmission is a concurrent transmission on two carriers in the first carrier set (for example, the second transmission is a 1-port transmission on the first carrier and a 1-port transmission on the second carrier, where the first carrier and the second carrier are different carriers in the first carrier set), or the second transmission is a 1-port transmission on the first carrier and simultaneously has one radio link on the second carrier, or the second transmission is a 1-port transmission on the second carrier and simultaneously has one radio link on the first carrier, where the first carrier and the second carrier are different carriers in the first carrier set, and the number of radio links on all carriers in the first carrier set remains unchanged during the first and second transmissions, then the terminal device determines that it will not perform uplink transmission on the first carrier and the second carrier at least during the first time period. In this case, it can also be understood that during the second transmission, the 2 radio links are on one carrier in the first carrier set, and during the first transmission, the 2 radio links are on two carriers in the first carrier set, and the transmission occurs between the two transmissions. At least one radio frequency (RF) chain needs to be switched. When the first transmission is a 1-port or 2-port transmission on the first carrier, and the second transmission is a 1-port or 2-port transmission on one of the other carriers in the first carrier set (excluding the first carrier), and both the first and second transmissions have at least two RF chains on all carriers in the first carrier set (or, both the first and second transmissions have two RF chains on their respective carriers, but the carriers are different), the terminal device determines that it will not perform uplink transmission on the first and second carriers at least during the first time period. When the first transmission is a 1-port transmission on the first carrier, and the second transmission is a 1-port or 2-port transmission on the second carrier, and the first transmission has one RF chain on both the first and second carriers, and the second transmission has two RF chains on the second carrier, where the first and second carriers are different carriers in the first carrier set, and both the first and second transmissions have at least two RF chains on all carriers in the first carrier set, the terminal device determines that it will not perform uplink transmission on the first and second carriers at least during the first time period. This terminal device includes two RF chains, and the first carrier set includes both the first and second carriers.

[0019] In conjunction with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, determining whether to perform uplink transmission on the first carrier within the first time period based on the number of ports of the second transmission and the number of ports of the first transmission includes: determining whether to perform uplink transmission on the first carrier within the first time period based on the first information, the number of ports of the second transmission, and the number of ports of the first transmission, or determining whether to perform uplink transmission on the first carrier within the first time period based on the first information, the number of ports of the second transmission, the number of ports of the first transmission, and the maximum number of layers on at least one carrier in the first carrier set; determining whether to perform uplink transmission on the first carrier within the first time period based on the number of radio frequency chains on at least one carrier in the first carrier set includes: determining whether to perform uplink transmission on the first carrier within the first time period based on the first information and the number of radio frequency chains on at least one carrier in the first carrier set, or determining whether to perform uplink transmission on the first carrier within the first time period based on the first information, the number of radio frequency chains on at least one carrier in the first carrier set, and the maximum number of layers on at least one carrier in the first carrier set.

[0020] In conjunction with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the method further includes: sending third information to the network device, the third information indicating at least one of the following: the maximum number of uplink transmission layers supported by the terminal device on different carriers in the first carrier set, the maximum number of sounding reference signal (SRS) resources of the terminal device in the frequency bands to which different carriers in the first carrier set belong, and the maximum number of SRS resources in a set of SRS resources of the terminal device in a non-codebook transmission scenario on different carriers in the first carrier set.

[0021] In conjunction with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the first carrier set includes at least two carriers in one frequency band, or the first carrier set includes at least two carriers in multiple frequency bands, the at least two carriers including the first carrier and the second carrier.

[0022] In conjunction with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the identifier of the second carrier is the same as the identifier of the first carrier, or the identifier of the second carrier is different from the identifier of the first carrier.

[0023] In conjunction with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the identifier of the first carrier is different from the identifier of the second carrier, the first carrier and the second carrier belong to a first carrier group, and the first carrier group has a group identifier.

[0024] In conjunction with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the bandwidth of the first carrier is greater than the bandwidth of the third carrier, wherein the first carrier and the third carrier belong to the set of first carriers; or, the frequency of the first carrier is less than the frequency of the third carrier, wherein the first carrier and the third carrier belong to the set of first carriers.

[0025] In conjunction with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the first carrier is the carrier with the largest bandwidth in the set of first carriers, which is conducive to making full use of spectrum resources.

[0026] In conjunction with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the first carrier is the carrier with the lowest frequency in the set of first carriers, which is beneficial to improving cell coverage.

[0027] In conjunction with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the method further includes: receiving fourth information from the network device, the fourth information indicating that the network device intends to schedule the first carrier for uplink transmission, the fourth information being carried in radio resource control (RRC) signaling, or the fourth information being carried in downlink control information (DCI). This scheme allows for flexible configuration or scheduling of the carrier in which the radio frequency chain resides.

[0028] In conjunction with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the method further includes: performing a third transmission to the network device on a fourth carrier, the third transmission being the transmission preceding the first transmission and whose time-domain order is closest to the first transmission, and the fourth carrier not belonging to the first carrier set; performing a fourth transmission to the network device on a fifth carrier, the fourth transmission being the transmission preceding the third transmission and whose time-domain order is closest to the third transmission, and the first carrier and the fifth carrier being different carriers in the first carrier set.

[0029] In conjunction with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the method further includes: sending fifth information to the network device, the fifth information being used to indicate the state of the terminal device when the terminal device performs radio frequency chain switching to perform the first transmission, the state of the terminal device including at least one of the following: the number of radio frequency chains of the terminal device on at least one carrier in the first carrier set, and the number of uplink transmission ports supported by the terminal device on at least one carrier in the first carrier set.

[0030] In a second aspect, a communication method is provided, which can be performed by a network device or by a component (e.g., a chip or circuit) configured in the network device. The method includes: receiving first information from a terminal device, the first information indicating whether the terminal device can transmit simultaneously on different carriers in a carrier set via a radio frequency chain; and sending second information to the terminal device, the second information indicating that the terminal device performs a first transmission on a first carrier, the first carrier being one of the carriers in the first carrier set.

[0031] In conjunction with the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the method further includes: determining whether to perform uplink transmission on the first carrier during the first time period, wherein the start time of the first time period is after the end time of the transmission of the second information, and the end time of the first time period is before the start time of the first transmission.

[0032] In conjunction with the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the method further includes: determining whether to perform uplink transmission on the first carrier within a first time period based on the number of ports of the second transmission and the number of ports of the first transmission, or determining whether to perform uplink transmission on the first carrier within the first time period based on the number of radio frequency chains on at least one carrier in the first carrier set, wherein the second transmission is the transmission that precedes the first transmission and is closest to the first transmission in time domain order, the start time of the first time period is after the end time of the transmission of the second information, and the end time of the first time period is before the start time of the first transmission.

[0033] In conjunction with the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, determining whether to perform uplink transmission on the first carrier within a first time period based on the number of ports of the second transmission and the number of ports of the first transmission includes: determining whether to perform uplink transmission on the first carrier within a first time period based on first information, the number of ports of the second transmission, and the number of ports of the first transmission, or determining whether to perform uplink transmission on the first carrier within a first time period based on the first information, the number of ports of the second transmission, the number of ports of the first transmission, and the maximum number of layers on at least one carrier in the first carrier set; determining whether to perform uplink transmission on the first carrier within a first time period based on the number of radio frequency chains on at least one carrier in the first carrier set includes: determining whether to perform uplink transmission on the first carrier within a first time period based on the first information and the number of radio frequency chains on at least one carrier in the first carrier set, or determining whether to perform uplink transmission on the first carrier within a first time period based on the first information, the number of radio frequency chains on at least one carrier in the first carrier set, and the maximum number of layers on at least one carrier in the first carrier set.

[0034] In conjunction with the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the method further includes: receiving third information from the terminal device, the third information indicating the maximum number of uplink layers supported by the terminal device on different carriers in the first carrier set. In conjunction with the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the bandwidth of the first carrier is greater than the bandwidth of the third carrier, wherein the first carrier and the third carrier belong to the first carrier set; or, the frequency of the first carrier is less than the frequency of the third carrier, wherein the first carrier and the third carrier belong to the first carrier set.

[0035] In conjunction with the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the method further includes: sending fourth information to the terminal device, the fourth information being used to instruct the network device to schedule the first carrier for uplink transmission, the fourth information being carried in Radio Resource Control (RRC) signaling, or the fourth information being carried in Downlink Control Information (DCI).

[0036] In conjunction with the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the method further includes: receiving a third transmission from the terminal device on a fourth carrier, the third transmission being the transmission preceding the first transmission and whose time-domain order is closest to the first transmission, and the fourth carrier not belonging to the first carrier set; receiving a fourth transmission from the terminal device on a fifth carrier, the fourth transmission being the transmission preceding the third transmission and whose time-domain order is closest to the third transmission, and the first carrier and the fifth carrier being different carriers in the first carrier set.

[0037] In conjunction with the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the first carrier set includes at least two carriers in one frequency band, or the first carrier set includes at least two carriers in multiple frequency bands, the at least two carriers including the first carrier and the second carrier.

[0038] In conjunction with the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the identifier of the second carrier is the same as the identifier of the first carrier, or the identifier of the second carrier is different from the identifier of the first carrier.

[0039] In conjunction with the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the identifier of the first carrier is different from the identifier of the second carrier, the first carrier and the second carrier belong to a first carrier group, and the first carrier group has a group identifier.

[0040] In conjunction with the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the method further includes: receiving fifth information from the terminal device, the fifth information being used to indicate the state of the terminal device when the terminal device performs radio frequency chain switching to perform the first transmission, the state of the terminal device including at least one of the following: the number of radio frequency chains of the terminal device on at least one carrier in the first carrier set, and the number of uplink transmission ports supported by the terminal device on at least one carrier in the first carrier set.

[0041] Thirdly, a communication method is provided, which can be performed by a network device or by a component (e.g., a chip or circuit) configured in the network device. The method includes: sending first information to a terminal device, the first information being used to instruct the terminal device to communicate with the network device on a first carrier, the first carrier being one of a plurality of carriers in a first frequency band; and the network device performing uplink transmission with the terminal device on the first carrier.

[0042] In conjunction with the third aspect, in some implementations of the third aspect, the first information includes the identifier of the first carrier.

[0043] In conjunction with the third aspect, in some implementations of the third aspect, the first carrier is the carrier with the largest bandwidth among the multiple carriers of the first frequency band; and / or the first carrier is the carrier with a bandwidth greater than a first threshold among the multiple carriers of the first frequency band; and / or the first carrier is the carrier with the smallest frequency among the multiple carriers of the first frequency band; and / or the first carrier is the carrier with a frequency less than a second threshold among the multiple carriers of the first frequency band; and / or the first carrier is the carrier with the smallest load among the multiple carriers of the first frequency band; and / or the first carrier is the carrier with a load less than a third threshold among the multiple carriers of the first frequency band.

[0044] In conjunction with the third aspect, in some implementations of the third aspect, the second information is carried in a Radio Resource Control (RRC) message or downlink control information (DCI).

[0045] Fourthly, a communication method is provided, which can be executed by a terminal device or by a component (e.g., a chip or circuit) configured in the terminal device. The method includes: receiving first information from a network device, the first information being used to instruct the terminal device to communicate with the network device on a first carrier, the first carrier being one of a plurality of carriers in a first frequency band; and the terminal device performing uplink transmission with the network device on the first carrier.

[0046] In conjunction with the fourth aspect, in some implementations of the fourth aspect, the first information includes the identifier of the first carrier.

[0047] In conjunction with the fourth aspect, in some implementations of the fourth aspect, the first carrier is the carrier with the largest bandwidth among the multiple carriers of the first frequency band; and / or the first carrier is the carrier with a bandwidth greater than a first threshold among the multiple carriers of the first frequency band; and / or the first carrier is the carrier with the smallest frequency among the multiple carriers of the first frequency band; and / or the first carrier is the carrier with a frequency less than a second threshold among the multiple carriers of the first frequency band; and / or the first carrier is the carrier with the smallest load among the multiple carriers of the first frequency band; and / or the first carrier is the carrier with the smallest load among the multiple carriers of the first frequency band.

[0048] In conjunction with the fourth aspect, in some implementations of the fourth aspect, the first information is carried in a Radio Resource Control (RRC) message or a Downlink Control Information (DCI).

[0049] Fifthly, a communication method is provided, which can be performed by a terminal device or by a component (e.g., a chip or circuit) configured in the terminal device, the method comprising: performing uplink transmission with a network device on a tenth carrier, the tenth carrier being a carrier in a second carrier set; receiving third information from the network device, the third information being used to instruct the terminal device to perform sounding reference signal (SRS) transmission on an eleventh carrier; determining that uplink transmission will not be performed on the tenth carrier and the ninth carrier during a third time period, the ninth carrier being a carrier in the second carrier set that can be radio frequency chain switched with the tenth carrier, and the eleventh carrier not being a carrier in the second carrier set.

[0050] In conjunction with the fifth aspect, in some implementations of the fifth aspect, the third time period is the larger of the second time period and the first time period, or the third time period is the sum of the second time period and the first time period, wherein the second time period is the time period during which radio frequency chain adjustment is performed when switching between the tenth carrier and the eleventh carrier, and the first time period is the time period during which radio frequency chain adjustment is performed when switching between the tenth carrier and the ninth carrier.

[0051] In conjunction with the fifth aspect, in some implementations of the fifth aspect, the method further includes: reporting the third time period to the network device.

[0052] In conjunction with the fifth aspect, in some implementations of the fifth aspect, after the SRS transmission, the method further includes: switching the radio frequency chain from the eleventh carrier to the tenth carrier and / or the ninth carrier.

[0053] In conjunction with the fifth aspect, in some implementations of the fifth aspect, the method further includes: receiving a first signaling from a network device at a second time; determining, based on the first signaling, the number of radio frequency chains of the ninth carrier and / or the tenth carrier after the SRS transmission on the eleventh carrier, wherein the second time is before the first time, the first time is the start or end time of the first time unit of the SRS transmission on the eleventh carrier, or the first time is the start or end time of the last time unit of the SRS transmission on the eleventh carrier, or the first time is the start or end time of the switching of radio frequency chains from the tenth carrier and / or the ninth carrier to the eleventh carrier, or the first time is the end time of the last time unit of the most recent second time period or the third time period before the SRS transmission on the eleventh carrier, or the first time is the start time of the first time unit of the first second time period or the third time period after the SRS transmission on the eleventh carrier.

[0054] In conjunction with the fifth aspect, in some implementations of the fifth aspect, the method is characterized in that it further includes: rejecting the (M+1)th radio frequency chain switch within the fifth time period, where M is greater than or equal to 1 and M is an integer, and the fifth time period is one or more time units.

[0055] In conjunction with the fifth aspect, in some implementations of the fifth aspect, the method further includes: receiving a first signaling from a network device at a second time; and performing a first uplink transmission on a tenth carrier and / or a ninth carrier according to the first signaling, the first uplink transmission being time-domain following the SRS transmission on the eleventh carrier and being time-domain adjacent to the SRS transmission on the eleventh carrier.

[0056] In conjunction with the fifth aspect, in some implementations of the fifth aspect, when the first signaling is scheduled for transmission on the ninth carrier, the method further includes: directly switching the radio frequency chain from the eleventh carrier to the ninth carrier.

[0057] In conjunction with the fifth aspect, in some implementations of the fifth aspect, when the first signaling is scheduled to transmit on the ninth and tenth carriers, the method further includes: directly switching the radio frequency chain from the eleventh carrier to the ninth and tenth carriers.

[0058] In other words, when the terminal device is configured with SRS carrier switching and uplink radio link switching, it can perform SRS carrier switching on the eleventh and tenth carriers, and uplink radio link switching on the ninth and tenth carriers.

[0059] In conjunction with the fifth aspect, in some implementations of the fifth aspect, the minimum time interval between the last time unit of the first signaling and the first time unit of the SRS transmission of the eleventh carrier is N2 plus the switching duration, which is the switching duration for switching the radio frequency chain on the frequency band of the ninth carrier and the frequency band of the tenth carrier, where N2 is the uplink transmission preparation time.

[0060] A sixth aspect provides a communication method that can be executed by a terminal device or by a component (e.g., a chip or circuit) configured in the terminal device. The method includes: reporting a fourth carrier set and a fifth carrier set to a network device, the fourth carrier set including a twelfth carrier and a thirteenth carrier, the fifth carrier set including the twelfth carrier and the thirteenth carrier, wherein a first time period corresponding to the fourth carrier set is different from the first time period corresponding to the fifth carrier set, the first time period being the time for radio frequency link adjustment during handover between the twelfth carrier and the thirteenth carrier; receiving fourth information from the network device, the fourth information being used to instruct the terminal device to perform radio frequency link handover between the twelfth carrier and the thirteenth carrier; and determining a handover mode for handover between the twelfth carrier and the thirteenth carrier based on a sounding reference signal (SRS) and / or physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) parameters.

[0061] In conjunction with the sixth aspect, in some implementations of the sixth aspect, the determination of the handover mode for switching between the twelfth carrier and the thirteenth carrier based on the sounding reference signal (SRS) and / or physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) parameters includes: determining the handover mode for switching between the twelfth carrier and the thirteenth carrier based on the maximum number of ports of the SRS resources on the twelfth carrier and the thirteenth carrier.

[0062] In conjunction with the sixth aspect, in some implementations of the sixth aspect, the maximum number of ports of the SRS resource is the maximum number of ports among all periodic SRS, semi-static SRS and aperiodic SRS resources configured for the network device, or the maximum number of ports of the SRS resource is the maximum number of ports among all periodic SRS, active semi-static SRS and aperiodic SRS resources configured for the network device.

[0063] In conjunction with the sixth aspect, in some implementations of the sixth aspect, the method further includes: determining a first time period corresponding to the radio frequency chain switching on the twelfth carrier and the thirteenth carrier.

[0064] A seventh aspect provides a communication method, which can be executed by a terminal device or by a component (e.g., a chip or circuit) configured in the terminal device, comprising: reporting a sixth carrier set to a network device, the sixth carrier set including a twelfth carrier and a thirteenth carrier, wherein the maximum number of radio frequency chains supported on at least one carrier in the sixth carrier set has multiple different values, the sixth carrier set corresponding to at least one first time period, the first time period being the time for radio frequency chain adjustment when switching between the twelfth carrier and the thirteenth carrier; receiving fourth information from the network device, the fourth information being used to instruct the terminal device to perform radio frequency chain switching between the twelfth carrier and the thirteenth carrier; and determining a switching mode for switching between the twelfth carrier and the thirteenth carrier based on a sounding reference signal (SRS) and / or a physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) parameter.

[0065] In conjunction with the seventh aspect, in some implementations of the seventh aspect, determining the handover mode for switching between the twelfth carrier and the thirteenth carrier based on the sounding reference signal (SRS) and / or the physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) parameters includes: determining the handover mode for switching between the twelfth carrier and the thirteenth carrier based on the maximum number of ports of the SRS resources on the twelfth carrier and the thirteenth carrier.

[0066] In conjunction with the seventh aspect, in some implementations of the seventh aspect, the maximum number of ports of the SRS resource is the maximum number of ports among all periodic SRS, semi-static SRS and aperiodic SRS resources configured for the network device, or the maximum number of ports of the SRS resource is the maximum number of ports among all periodic SRS, active semi-static SRS and aperiodic SRS resources configured for the network device.

[0067] In conjunction with the seventh aspect, in some implementations of the seventh aspect, the method further includes: determining a first time period corresponding to the radio frequency chain switching on the twelfth carrier and the thirteenth carrier.

[0068] Eighthly, a communication method is provided, which can be performed by a network device or by a component (e.g., a chip or circuit) configured in the network device, the method comprising: performing uplink transmission with a terminal device on a tenth carrier, the tenth carrier being a carrier in a second carrier set; sending third information to the terminal device, the third information being used to instruct the terminal device to perform sounding reference signal (SRS) transmission on an eleventh carrier; determining that uplink transmission will not be performed on the tenth carrier and the ninth carrier during a third time period, the ninth carrier being a carrier in the second carrier set that can be radio frequency chain switched with the tenth carrier, and the eleventh carrier not being a carrier in the second carrier set.

[0069] In conjunction with the eighth aspect, in some implementations of the eighth aspect, the third time period is the larger of the second time period and the first time period, or the third time period is the sum of the second time period and the first time period, wherein the second time period is the time period during which radio frequency chain adjustment is performed when switching between the tenth carrier and the eleventh carrier, and the first time period is the time period during which radio frequency chain adjustment is performed when switching between the tenth carrier and the ninth carrier.

[0070] In conjunction with the eighth aspect, in some implementations of the eighth aspect, the method further includes: receiving the third time period reported by the terminal device.

[0071] In conjunction with the eighth aspect, in some implementations of the eighth aspect, the method further includes: sending a first signaling to the terminal device at a second time point, the first signaling being used to determine the number of radio frequency chains of the ninth carrier and / or the tenth carrier after the SRS transmission on the eleventh carrier, the second time point being before the first time point, the first time point being the start or end time of the first time unit of the SRS transmission on the eleventh carrier, or the first time point being the start or end time of the switching of radio frequency chains from the tenth carrier and / or the ninth carrier to the eleventh carrier, or the first time point being the end time of the last time unit of the most recent second time period or the third time period before the SRS transmission on the eleventh carrier, or the first time point being the start time of the first time unit of the first second time period or the third time period after the SRS transmission on the eleventh carrier.

[0072] A ninth aspect provides a communication apparatus comprising: a transceiver module for sending first information to a network device, the first information indicating whether a terminal device can transmit simultaneously on different carriers in a carrier set via a radio frequency chain; and receiving second information from the network device, the second information indicating that the terminal device performs a first transmission on a first carrier, the first carrier being one of the carriers in a first carrier set.

[0073] The transceiver module can perform the receiving and sending processes described in the first aspect above; the device also includes a processing module that can perform other processes described in the first aspect above besides receiving and sending.

[0074] A tenth aspect provides a communication apparatus comprising: a transceiver module for receiving first information from a terminal device, the first information indicating whether the terminal device can transmit simultaneously on different carriers in a carrier set via a radio frequency chain; and for sending second information to the terminal device, the second information indicating that the terminal device performs a first transmission on a first carrier, the first carrier being one of the carriers in the first carrier set.

[0075] The transceiver module can perform the receiving and sending processes described in the second aspect above; the device also includes a processing module that can perform other processes described in the second aspect above besides receiving and sending.

[0076] Eleventhly, a communication device is provided, comprising: a transceiver module for uplink transmission with a network device on a tenth carrier, the tenth carrier being a carrier in a second carrier set; the transceiver module is further configured to receive third information from the network device, the third information being used to instruct a terminal device to perform sounding reference signal (SRS) transmission on an eleventh carrier; and a processing module for determining that uplink transmission will not be performed on the tenth and ninth carriers during a third time period, the ninth carrier being a carrier in the second carrier set that can be radio frequency chain switched with the tenth carrier, and the eleventh carrier not being a carrier in the second carrier set.

[0077] The transceiver module can perform the receiving and sending processes described in the fifth aspect above; the device also includes a processing module that can perform other processes described in the fifth aspect above besides receiving and sending.

[0078] In a twelfth aspect, a communication apparatus is provided, comprising: a transceiver module configured to report a fourth carrier set and a fifth carrier set to a network device, the fourth carrier set including a twelfth carrier and a thirteenth carrier, the fifth carrier set including the twelfth carrier and the thirteenth carrier, wherein a first time period corresponding to the fourth carrier set is different from the first time period corresponding to the fifth carrier set, the first time period being the time for radio frequency link adjustment during switching between the twelfth carrier and the thirteenth carrier; the transceiver module is further configured to receive fourth information from the network device, the fourth information being used to instruct a terminal device to perform radio frequency link switching between the twelfth carrier and the thirteenth carrier; and a processing module configured to determine a switching mode for switching between the twelfth carrier and the thirteenth carrier based on a sounding reference signal (SRS) and / or physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) parameters.

[0079] The transceiver module can perform the receiving and sending processes described in the sixth aspect above; the device also includes a processing module that can perform other processes described in the sixth aspect above besides receiving and sending.

[0080] In a thirteenth aspect, a communication apparatus is provided, comprising: a transceiver module configured to report a sixth carrier set to a network device, the sixth carrier set including a twelfth carrier and a thirteenth carrier, wherein the maximum number of radio frequency chains supported on at least one carrier in the sixth carrier set has multiple different values, the sixth carrier set corresponding to at least one first time period, the first time period being the time for radio frequency chain adjustment during handover between the twelfth carrier and the thirteenth carrier; the transceiver module further configured to receive fourth information from the network device, the fourth information being used to instruct a terminal device to handover between the twelfth carrier and the thirteenth carrier; and a processing module configured to determine a handover mode for handover between the twelfth carrier and the thirteenth carrier based on a sounding reference signal (SRS) and / or physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) parameters.

[0081] The transceiver module can perform the receiving and sending processes described in the seventh aspect above; the device also includes a processing module that can perform other processes described in the seventh aspect above besides receiving and sending.

[0082] In a fourteenth aspect, a communication apparatus is provided, comprising: a transceiver module for uplink transmission with a terminal device on a tenth carrier, the tenth carrier being a carrier in a second carrier set; the transceiver module further for transmitting third information to the terminal device, the third information being used to instruct the terminal device to perform sounding reference signal (SRS) transmission on an eleventh carrier; and a processing module for determining that uplink transmission will not be performed on the tenth and ninth carriers during a third time period, the ninth carrier being a carrier in the second carrier set that can be radio frequency chain switched with the tenth carrier, and the eleventh carrier not being a carrier in the second carrier set.

[0083] The transceiver module can perform the receiving and sending processes described in the eighth aspect above; the device also includes a processing module that can perform other processes described in the eighth aspect above besides receiving and sending.

[0084] In a fifteenth aspect, a communication device is provided, comprising: a processor for executing a computer program stored in a memory, such that the communication device performs any possible implementation of the first aspect or the second aspect.

[0085] In a sixteenth aspect, a computer-readable storage medium is provided, on which a computer program is stored, which, when run on a computer, causes the computer to perform any possible implementation of the first aspect or the second aspect.

[0086] In a seventeenth aspect, a computer program product is provided, comprising computer program instructions that, when executed on a computer, cause the computer to perform any possible implementation of the first or second aspect.

[0087] Eighteenth aspect, a chip system is provided, the chip system comprising: a processor for calling and running a computer program from a memory, such that a communication device having the chip system mounted performs any possible implementation of the first aspect or the second aspect. Attached Figure Description

[0088] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the communication system used in the embodiments of this application.

[0089] Figure 2 This is a schematic flowchart of a communication method provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0090] Figure 3 This is a transmission diagram of one embodiment provided in this application.

[0091] Figure 4 This is a schematic block diagram of an example of the communication device of this application.

[0092] Figure 5 This is a schematic block diagram of another example of the communication device of this application.

[0093] Figure 6 This is a schematic structural diagram of a terminal device according to this application.

[0094] Figure 7 This is a schematic structural diagram of a network device according to this application. Detailed Implementation

[0095] The technical solutions in this application will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0096] The technical solutions of this application can be applied to various communication systems, such as: Long Term Evolution (LTE) systems, LTE Frequency Division Duplex (FDD) systems, LTE Time Division Duplex (TDD) systems, Universal Mobile Telecommunication System (UMTS), Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX) systems, 5G mobile communication systems, or new radio access technology (NR). Among them, the 5G mobile communication system can include non-standalone (NSA) and / or standalone (SA) networking.

[0097] The technical solutions provided in this application can also be applied to machine-type communication (MTC), long-term evolution-machine (LTE-M) technology, device-to-device (D2D) networks, machine-to-machine (M2M) networks, Internet of Things (IoT) networks, or other networks. Among these, IoT networks may include, for example, vehicle-to-everything (V2X) networks. The communication methods in V2X systems are collectively referred to as vehicle-to-X (V2X), where X can represent anything. For example, V2X may include vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communication, vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I) communication, vehicle-to-pedestrian (V2P) communication, or vehicle-to-network (V2N) communication, etc.

[0098] The technical solution provided in this application can also be applied to future communication systems, such as sixth-generation mobile communication systems. This application does not limit this application.

[0099] In this embodiment of the application, the network device can be any device with wireless transceiver capabilities. This equipment includes, but is not limited to: evolved Node B (eNB), radio network controller (RNC), Node B (NB), base station controller (BSC), base transceiver station (BTS), home base station (e.g., home evolved Node B, or home Node B, HNB), baseband unit (BBU), access point (AP), wireless relay node, wireless backhaul node, transmission point (TP), or transmission and reception point (TRP) in a wireless fidelity (WiFi) system. It can also be a gNB in ​​a 5G system, such as NR, or a transmission point (TRP or TP), one or a group of antenna panels (including multiple antenna panels) of a base station in a 5G system, or a network node constituting a gNB or transmission point, such as a baseband unit (BBU) or a distributed unit (DU).

[0100] In some deployments, a gNB may include a centralized unit (CU) and a distribution unit (DU). The gNB may also include an active antenna unit (AAU). The CU implements some of the gNB's functions, and the DU implements others. For example, the CU handles non-real-time protocols and services, implementing radio resource control (RRC) and packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) layer functions. The DU handles physical layer protocols and real-time services, implementing radio link control (RLC), medium access control (MAC), and physical (PHY) layer functions. The AAU implements some physical layer processing functions, radio frequency processing, and active antenna-related functions. Since RRC layer information ultimately becomes PHY layer information, or is derived from PHY layer information, in this architecture, higher-layer signaling, such as RRC layer signaling, can be considered to be sent by the DU, or by the DU+AAU. It is understood that network devices can be devices that include one or more of the following: CU nodes, DU nodes, and AAU nodes. In addition, the CU can be classified as a network device in the radio access network (RAN) or as a network device in the core network (CN), and this application does not limit this.

[0101] Network equipment provides services to cells. Terminal devices communicate with cells through transmission resources (e.g., frequency domain resources, or spectrum resources) allocated by the network equipment. The cell can belong to a macro base station (e.g., macro eNB or macro gNB) or to a base station corresponding to a small cell. Small cells can include: metrocell, microcell, pico cell, femto cell, etc. These small cells have the characteristics of small coverage area and low transmission power, and are suitable for providing high-speed data transmission services.

[0102] In the embodiments of this application, the terminal device may also be referred to as user equipment (UE), access terminal device, user unit, user station, mobile station, mobile station, remote station, remote terminal device, mobile device, user terminal device, terminal device, wireless communication device, user agent, or user apparatus.

[0103] Terminal devices can be devices that provide voice / data connectivity to users, such as handheld devices with wireless connectivity, in-vehicle devices, etc. Currently, some examples of terminal devices include: mobile phones, tablets, computers with wireless transceiver capabilities (such as laptops, PDAs, etc.), mobile internet devices (MIDs), virtual reality (VR) devices, augmented reality (AR) devices, wireless terminal devices in industrial control, wireless terminal devices in self-driving cars, wireless terminal devices in remote medical care, wireless terminal devices in smart grids, wireless terminal devices in transportation safety, wireless terminal devices in smart cities, wireless terminal devices in smart homes, cellular phones, cordless phones, session initiation protocol (SIP) phones, wireless local loop (WLL) stations, and personal digital assistants (PDAs). Digital assistant (PDA), handheld devices with wireless communication capabilities, computing devices or other processing devices connected to a wireless modem, in-vehicle devices, wearable devices, terminal devices in 5G networks or terminal devices in future public land mobile networks (PLMNs), etc.

[0104] Wearable devices, also known as wearable smart devices, are a general term for devices that utilize wearable technology to intelligently design and develop everyday wearables, such as glasses, gloves, watches, clothing, and shoes. Wearable devices are portable devices worn directly on the body or integrated into the user's clothing or accessories. Wearable devices are not merely hardware devices; they achieve powerful functions through software support, data interaction, and cloud interaction. Broadly defined, wearable smart devices include those with comprehensive functions, large sizes, and the ability to perform complete or partial functions without relying on a smartphone, such as smartwatches or smart glasses. They also include devices focused on a specific application function that require the use of other devices, such as smart bracelets and smart jewelry for vital sign monitoring.

[0105] Furthermore, terminal devices can also be terminal devices within an Internet of Things (IoT) system. IoT is a crucial component of future information technology development, its main technical characteristic being the connection of objects to networks via communication technologies, thereby achieving intelligent networks that enable human-machine and machine-to-machine interconnection. IoT technology can achieve massive connectivity, deep coverage, and power-efficient terminal devices through technologies such as narrowband (NB) technology.

[0106] In addition, terminal devices may also include sensors such as smart printers, train detectors, and gas stations. Their main functions include collecting data (for some terminal devices), receiving control information and downlink data from network devices, and sending electromagnetic waves to transmit uplink data to network devices.

[0107] To facilitate understanding of the embodiments of this application, firstly, in conjunction with Figure 1 A detailed description of the communication system applicable to the methods provided in the embodiments of this application is provided. Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a communication system 100 applicable to the methods provided in embodiments of this application is shown. As shown, the communication system 100 may include at least one network device, such as... Figure 1 The network device 101 in the 5G system shown; the communication system 100 may also include at least one terminal device, such as Figure 1 The terminal devices 102 to 107 shown are illustrated. These terminal devices 102 to 107 can be mobile or fixed. One or more of the network device 101 and terminal devices 102 to 107 can communicate via a wireless link. Each network device can provide communication coverage for a specific geographical area and can communicate with terminal devices located within that coverage area. For example, a network device can send configuration information to a terminal device, and the terminal device can send uplink data to the network device based on this configuration information; another example is that the network device can send downlink data to the terminal device. Therefore, Figure 1 The network device 101 and terminal devices 102 to 107 constitute a communication system.

[0108] Optionally, the terminal devices can communicate directly with each other. For example, direct communication between terminal devices can be achieved using D2D technology. As shown in the figure, terminal devices 105 and 106, and terminal devices 105 and 107 can communicate directly using D2D technology. Terminal devices 106 and 107 can communicate with terminal device 105 individually or simultaneously.

[0109] Terminal devices 105 to 107 can also communicate with network device 101 respectively. For example, they can communicate directly with network device 101, as shown in the figure where terminal devices 105 and 106 can communicate directly with network device 101; they can also communicate indirectly with network device 101, as shown in the figure where terminal device 107 communicates with network device 101 via terminal device 106.

[0110] It should be understood that Figure 1 An exemplary diagram illustrates a network device and multiple terminal devices, as well as communication links between the communication devices. Optionally, the communication system 100 may include multiple network devices, and each network device may include other numbers of terminal devices within its coverage area, for example, more than... Figure 1 The number of terminal devices shown may be more or fewer. This application does not limit this.

[0111] The aforementioned communication devices, such as Figure 1 The network device 101 and terminal devices 102 to 107 can be configured with multiple antennas. These multiple antennas may include at least one transmitting antenna for transmitting signals and at least one receiving antenna for receiving signals. Additionally, each communication device also includes a transmitter chain and a receiver chain, which, as will be understood by those skilled in the art, may include multiple components (e.g., processors, modulators, multiplexers, demodulators, demultiplexers, or antennas) related to signal transmission and reception. Therefore, the network device and the terminal device can communicate via multi-antenna technology.

[0112] Optionally, the wireless communication system 100 may also include other network entities such as a network controller and a mobility management entity, but the embodiments of this application are not limited thereto.

[0113] To facilitate understanding of the embodiments of this application, the terminology involved in the embodiments of this application will be briefly introduced below.

[0114] 1. Carrier aggregation (CA)

[0115] Carrier aggregation (CA) combines two or more component carriers (CCs) to support greater transmission bandwidth. If each CC corresponds to an independent cell, then one CC can be equated to one cell. To efficiently utilize fragmented spectrum, carrier aggregation supports aggregation between different CCs. Carrier aggregation can include intra-band or inter-band CC aggregation. Intra-band CC aggregation can be further divided into intra-band adjacent or non-adjacent CC aggregation, and so on.

[0116] 2. Radio Frequency Transmitter (Tx)

[0117] Tx is a physical concept, also known as a radio frequency (RF) transmission channel, and for ease of description, it is referred to as the RF chain in this application. In this application, the RF chain can operate in the following manner, but is not limited to: the RF chain receives baseband signals from the baseband chip, performs RF processing (such as up-conversion, amplification, and filtering) on ​​the baseband signals to obtain RF signals, and finally radiates the RF signals into space through an antenna. Specifically, the RF chain may include electronic devices such as antenna switches, antenna tuners, low-noise amplifiers (LNAs), power amplifiers (PAs), mixers, local oscillators (LOs), and filters, which can be integrated into one or more chips as needed. Antennas can sometimes be considered part of the RF chain. Optionally, in this application, the RF chain can also be replaced with Tx, antenna, radio frequency, transmission channel, transmit port, number of RF chains, number of transmission layers, maximum number of transmission layers, maximum number of supported transmission layers, receive channel, or any combination thereof. Optionally, in this application, the number of radio links of the UE on a carrier is X, which means that the UE supports uplink transmission with a port number less than or equal to X on this carrier, but does not support uplink transmission with a port number greater than X. It also means that the UE's operating state (or the UE's state) is that it supports uplink transmission with a port number less than or equal to X on this carrier, but does not support uplink transmission with a port number greater than X, where X is a positive integer.

[0118] 3. Port

[0119] A port can include a transmit port and a receive port. The transmit port can be understood as a virtual antenna that is recognized by the receiving device.

[0120] Optionally, a port can refer to a transmit antenna port. For example, the reference signal for each transmit antenna port can be an uncoded reference signal. Here, a transmit antenna port can refer to an actual independent transmit unit (TxRU).

[0121] Alternatively, a port can refer to a port after beamforming. For example, the reference signal for each port can be a precoded reference signal obtained by precoding the reference signal based on an angle vector. It is understood that if beamforming is applied to the reference signal, the number of ports can refer to the number of ports in the precoded reference signal. The number of ports in this precoded reference signal can be less than the number of ports on the transmit antenna.

[0122] Alternatively, a port can also refer to a port after phase rotation. For example, the reference signal for each port can be a precoded reference signal that is precoded based on a time delay vector and transmitted through a transmit antenna port. This port can also be called the port of the precoded reference signal.

[0123] Alternatively, a port can also refer to a port after beamforming and phase rotation. For example, the reference signal for each port can be a precoded reference signal obtained by precoding the reference signal based on an angle vector and a time delay vector. This port can also be called the port of the precoded reference signal.

[0124] The reference signal for each port can be transmitted through one or more frequency domain units.

[0125] In the embodiments shown below, when referring to transmit antenna ports, it can refer to the number of ports without spatial precoding. That is, the actual number of independent transmitting units. When referring to ports, in different embodiments, it can refer to transmit antenna ports or ports of precoded reference signals. The specific meaning of a port can be determined according to a specific embodiment. For ease of distinction, ports of precoded reference signals will be referred to as reference signal ports below.

[0126] The receiving port can be understood as the receiving antenna of the receiving device. For example, in downlink transmission, the receiving port can refer to the receiving antenna of the terminal device.

[0127] 4. Bandwidth

[0128] Bandwidth refers to the width of the frequency band occupied by a signal; when used to describe a channel, bandwidth refers to the maximum width of the signal that can effectively pass through that channel. For analog signals, bandwidth is also called frequency bandwidth and is measured in Hertz (Hz). For example, the bandwidth of an analog voice telephone signal is 3100Hz (from 300Hz to 3400Hz), and the bandwidth of a PAL-D television channel is 8MHz (including guard band). For digital signals, bandwidth refers to the amount of data that a link can pass through per unit time. For example, the bandwidth of ISDN's B channel is 64Kbps. Since the transmission of digital signals is accomplished through the modulation of analog signals, to distinguish it from analog bandwidth, the bandwidth of a digital channel is generally described directly using baud rate or symbol rate.

[0129] 5. Time units

[0130] In this embodiment of the application, data and / or signaling can be carried by time-frequency resources, which may include resources in the time domain and resources in the frequency domain. The time-domain resources may include one or more time units (or, may also be referred to as time-domain units).

[0131] A time unit (also called a time domain unit) can be a symbol, a mini-slot, a slot, or a subframe. The duration of a subframe in the time domain can be 1 millisecond (ms). A slot consists of 7 or 14 symbols. A mini-slot can include at least one symbol (e.g., 2, 7, or 14 symbols, or any number of symbols less than or equal to 14).

[0132] To facilitate understanding of the communication method provided in this application, a scheme for uplink transmission of a UE with two radio frequency chains on bands 1 and 2 is briefly described below with reference to Table 1. Here, T represents radio frequency chain Tx, and p represents port. For example, in this embodiment, band 1 contains one carrier, carrier 1; and band 2 contains one carrier, carrier 2.

[0133] Table 1

[0134] Number of radio frequency chains (carrier 1 + carrier 2) Number of ports for uplink transmission (carrier 1 + carrier 2) State 1 1T+1T 1p+0p, 1p+1p, 0p+1p State 2 0T+2T 0p+2p, 0p+1p

[0135] Table 1 defines two states for a UE with two radio links performing uplink transmission on two carriers. As shown in Table 1, in state 1, the UE has one radio link (1T) on carrier 1 and one radio link (1T) on carrier 2. This means the UE's operating state is either supporting 1-port uplink transmission on carrier 1, or supporting 1-port uplink transmission on carrier 2, or supporting 1-port uplink transmission on both carrier 1 and carrier 2, or not supporting 2-port uplink transmission on both carrier 1 and carrier 2, or not supporting 2-port uplink transmission on either carrier 1 or carrier 2. In state 2, the UE has no radio link (0T) on carrier 1 and two radio links (2T) on carrier 2. This means the UE's operating state is either supporting 2-port or 1-port uplink transmission on carrier 2, and not supporting uplink transmission on carrier 1. In the two states shown in Table 1, the UE supports a maximum of one radio frequency chain on carrier 1 and a maximum of two radio frequency chains on carrier 2. During uplink transmission, the UE can switch between the two states, meaning one radio frequency chain is on carrier 2, and the other radio frequency chain switches between carrier 1 and carrier 2. It should be noted that the UE requires switching time when switching between these two states.

[0136] The base station can indirectly instruct the UE to switch between state 1 and state 2 by indicating the number of uplink transmission ports to the UE. Specifically, in Table 1, there is a mapping relationship between the number of radio frequency chains and the number of uplink transmission ports. For example, in state 1, the UE can have 1-port uplink transmission (1p) on carrier 1 and no uplink transmission (0p) on carrier 2; or the UE can have 1-port uplink transmission (1p) on carrier 1 and also have 1-port uplink transmission (1p) on carrier 2; or the UE can have no uplink transmission (0p) on carrier 1 and 1-port uplink transmission (1p) on carrier 2. When the number of ports indicated by the base station to the UE matches the above combination, the UE switches to state 1, that is, the UE is allocated one radio frequency chain on carrier 1 and one radio frequency chain on carrier 2. For example, in state 2, the UE has no uplink transmission on carrier 1 (0p) and has 2-port uplink transmission on carrier 2 (2p); or the UE has no uplink transmission on carrier 1 (0p) and has 1-port uplink transmission on carrier 2 (1p). When the number of ports indicated by the base station to the UE matches the above combination, the UE switches to state 2, that is, the UE has no allocated radio chain on carrier 1 and has allocated two radio chains on carrier 2. It should be noted that the base station or UE can determine whether a handover time is needed based on the port situation of the UE's last uplink transmission, the port situation of the upcoming uplink transmission, and the port situation of the uplink transmission supported by the UE. The number of uplink transmission ports supported by the UE on a carrier is less than or equal to the number of radio chains on that carrier. That is, if the UE has X radio chains on a carrier, then the UE supports uplink transmission with X ports or less on that carrier, and does not support uplink transmission with more than X ports. For example, if the UE has one radio chain on carrier 1, the UE supports 1-port transmission on carrier 1 and does not support 2-port transmission; if the UE has two radio chains on carrier 2, the UE supports 2-port or 1-port transmission on carrier 2.

[0137] Switching between the states shown in Table 1 requires switching time. However, when changing uplink transmissions within each state, no radio frequency chain switching is required, and therefore no switching time is needed. For example, if the upcoming uplink transmission is supported by the UE's current state or its current operating state, then the UE does not need to switch states, which means no radio frequency chain switching is required, and therefore no switching time is needed.

[0138] However, the scheme shown in Table 1 only considers the case where the UE performs uplink transmission on two bands, and there is only one carrier on each of these bands. Therefore, it is desirable to provide a scheme that can be applied to more scenarios.

[0139] Figure 2 A schematic flowchart of method 200 provided in an embodiment of this application is shown. Figure 2 As can be seen from this, method 200 includes:

[0140] S210, the terminal device sends first information to the network device, and the network device receives the first information from the terminal device, which is used to indicate whether the terminal device can transmit simultaneously on different carriers in a carrier set through a radio frequency chain.

[0141] For example, the first information may be a capability information of the terminal device, which may indicate whether the terminal device can transmit simultaneously on different carriers in a carrier set through a radio frequency chain, or whether the capability information is used to indicate whether the terminal device needs switching time when switching radio frequency chains on different carriers in a carrier set, or whether the capability information is used to indicate whether the terminal device needs to switch radio frequency chains between different carriers in a carrier set.

[0142] In one possible implementation, the first information is used to indicate that the terminal device cannot transmit simultaneously on different carriers in a carrier set through a single radio frequency chain, or the first information is used to indicate that the terminal device needs switching time when switching radio frequency chains on different carriers in a carrier set, or the first information is used to indicate that the terminal device needs to switch radio frequency chains between different carriers in a carrier set.

[0143] In another possible implementation, the first information is used to indicate that the terminal device can transmit simultaneously on different carriers in a carrier set through a radio frequency chain, or the first information is used to indicate that the terminal device does not need to switch radio frequency chains when switching between different carriers in a carrier set, or the first information is used to indicate that the terminal device does not need to switch radio frequency chains between different carriers in a carrier set.

[0144] The network device receives the first information from the terminal device. Based on the first information, the network device determines whether the terminal device can simultaneously transmit uplink on different carriers of a carrier set through a single radio frequency chain, or whether the terminal device needs switching time when switching radio frequency chains on different carriers in a carrier set, or whether the terminal device needs to switch radio frequency chains between different carriers in a carrier set. If the terminal device can transmit simultaneously on different carriers of a carrier set through a single radio frequency chain, then the terminal device does not need switching time when switching radio frequency chains between different carriers in a carrier set. In other words, if a radio frequency chain is on one carrier in a carrier set, then it also means that the radio frequency chain is on all carriers in that carrier set. Alternatively, if the number of radio frequencies the terminal device has on one carrier in a carrier set is X, then the number of radio frequencies on all carriers in that carrier set is also X. In other words, no radio frequency chain switching is needed between different carriers in a carrier set. If the terminal device cannot transmit simultaneously on different carriers of a carrier set through a single radio frequency chain, then the terminal device needs switching time when switching radio frequency chains between different carriers in a carrier set.

[0145] It should be understood that the terminal device may report the first information to the network device when registering to access the network, or it may send the first information to the network device when there is an uplink transmission requirement. This application does not limit this.

[0146] It should also be understood that a carrier set can be a collection of carriers that share certain characteristics. For example, a carrier set can be the collection of all carriers belonging to a single frequency band. Similarly, a carrier set can be the collection of all carriers across multiple frequency bands. When multiple frequency bands are close in the frequency domain and / or have relatively small bandwidths, a carrier set can be the collection of all carriers across those multiple frequency bands.

[0147] In another possible implementation, the terminal device may not send the first information to the network device. By pre-configuring the base station and the terminal device, when the terminal device does not send the first information to the network device, it indicates that the terminal device can transmit simultaneously on different carriers in a carrier set through a single radio frequency chain, or that the terminal device does not need switching time when switching radio frequency chains on different carriers in a carrier set, or that the terminal device does not need to switch radio frequency chains between different carriers in a carrier set; or, when the terminal device does not send the first information to the network device, it indicates that the terminal device cannot transmit simultaneously on different carriers in a carrier set through a single radio frequency chain, or that the terminal device needs switching time when switching radio frequency chains on different carriers in a carrier set, or that the terminal device needs to switch radio frequency chains between different carriers in a carrier set.

[0148] S220, the network device sends second information to the terminal device, and correspondingly, the terminal device receives the second information from the network device. This second information instructs the terminal device to perform uplink transmission on a first carrier, which is one carrier in a set of first carriers.

[0149] For example, the network device instructs the terminal device to perform uplink transmission on a carrier in the first carrier set via second information. This second information may be carried in Radio Resource Control (RRC) signaling or in Downlink Control Information (DCI). Optionally, the first carrier set includes at least two carriers in a frequency band. That is, the first carrier set may, for example, be a set of multiple carriers belonging to a first frequency band, and the first carrier is one of the multiple carriers in the first frequency band.

[0150] It should be understood that network devices and terminal devices can be configured to transmit uplink data via the first carrier through pre-configuration, or the first carrier can be determined from the set of first carriers based on certain conditions for uplink transmission. This application does not limit this.

[0151] As an example, the frequency of the first carrier is lower than the frequency of the third carrier, which is any carrier in the first carrier set. That is, the first carrier can be the carrier with the lowest frequency in the first carrier set. By instructing the terminal device to perform uplink transmission on the carrier with the lowest frequency in the first carrier set, it is beneficial to reduce path loss and improve cell coverage.

[0152] As another example, the bandwidth of the first carrier is greater than the bandwidth of the third carrier, which is any carrier in the first carrier set. That is, the first carrier can be the carrier with the largest bandwidth in the first carrier set. By instructing the terminal device to perform uplink transmission on the carrier with the largest bandwidth in the first carrier set, it is beneficial to make full use of spectrum resources.

[0153] As another example, network devices can flexibly configure or schedule carriers for uplink transmission within the first carrier set based on load conditions and carrier information via RRC signaling or DCI. For instance, a network device may send a fourth message to a terminal device, carried in RRC signaling or DCI, instructing the terminal device that the network device intends to schedule the first carrier for uplink transmission. It should be understood that this example can be combined with the two examples above, where the network device instructs the terminal device via the fourth message that it intends to schedule the first carrier for uplink transmission, where the first carrier is the carrier with the lowest frequency and / or the carrier with the largest bandwidth in the first carrier set.

[0154] As another example, when the terminal device and the network device perform a third transmission on a fourth carrier, and this third transmission is the transmission preceding the first transmission and is the one whose time-domain order is closest to the first transmission, and the fourth carrier does not belong to the first carrier set; simultaneously, when the terminal device and the network device perform a fourth transmission on a fifth carrier, and this fourth transmission precedes the third transmission and is the one whose time-domain position is closest to the third transmission, and this fifth carrier is a carrier in the first carrier set, then the network device instructs the terminal device to perform a first transmission on a carrier different from the fifth carrier. That is, the network device and the terminal device continuously perform "fourth transmission," "third transmission," and "first transmission" on the "fifth carrier," "fourth carrier," and "first carrier," respectively, where the fifth carrier and the first carrier belong to the first carrier set, and the fourth carrier does not belong to the first carrier set; therefore, the first carrier is different from the fifth carrier. This scheme can fully utilize the spectrum resources of different carriers in the first carrier set.

[0155] As another example, when the terminal device and network device perform a fifth transmission on the sixth carrier, and this fifth transmission is the one preceding the first transmission and closest in time to the first transmission, and the sixth carrier belongs to the set of first carriers, then the network device instructs the terminal device to use the same carrier as the sixth carrier for the first transmission. That is, the network device and terminal device perform the fifth transmission and the first transmission consecutively on the "sixth carrier" and the "first carrier," respectively, where both the sixth and first carriers belong to the set of first carriers; therefore, the first carrier is the same as the sixth carrier. This scheme reduces the number of UE RF chain handovers, thereby reducing latency and improving transmission efficiency.

[0156] The above scheme is illustrated below with reference to Table 2. In the scheme shown in Table 2, uplink transmission between the UE and the base station is used as an example. Table 2 shows a possible scheme for uplink transmission of a UE with two radio frequency chains on two frequency bands (band A and band B). In this embodiment, band A includes one carrier, carrier Z; band B includes two carriers, carrier X and carrier Y.

[0157] Table 2

[0158] Number of RF chains (band A + band B) State 1 1T+1T State 2 0T+2T State 3 2T+0T

[0159] In the scheme shown in Table 2, the uplink transmission mode of the UE on band A and band B is divided into three states: state 1, state 2, and state 3. As can be seen from Table 2, in state 1, the UE has one radio chain (1T) on band A and one radio chain (1T) on band B. In state 2, the UE has no radio chain (0T) on band A and two radio chains (2T) on band B. In state 3, the UE has two radio chains on band A and no radio chain on band B. It should be noted that the three states shown in Table 2 can be implemented individually or in any combination; this application does not limit this.

[0160] When the base station instructs the UE to perform uplink transmission in state 1, the UE performs uplink transmission on band B through a radio frequency chain. However, band B contains two carriers. If the UE cannot perform uplink transmission on different carriers of a carrier set simultaneously through a radio frequency chain, the UE cannot transmit on both carriers of band B simultaneously through a radio frequency chain.

[0161] As an example, before or simultaneously with the base station instructing the UE to switch to state 1, the base station schedules the carrier with the larger bandwidth between carrier X and carrier Y to the UE. It should be noted that the base station can instruct the UE on which state to perform uplink transmission by indicating the number of uplink transmission ports; specific schemes can be found in Table 1 and will not be repeated here. For example, if the base station determines that the bandwidth of carrier X is greater than the bandwidth of carrier Y, then the base station schedules carrier X to the UE; or, based on pre-configuration information, the base station schedules carrier X to the UE, where the bandwidth of carrier X is greater than the bandwidth of carrier Y. According to the base station's instruction, the UE allocates one radio frequency chain to carrier Z on band A and another radio frequency chain to carrier X on band B. Therefore, the communication method provided in this embodiment, by scheduling the carrier with the larger bandwidth in band B to the UE, allows the UE to allocate one radio frequency chain to that carrier with the larger bandwidth, which is beneficial for fully utilizing spectrum resources.

[0162] As another example, before or simultaneously with the base station instructing the UE to switch to state 1, the base station schedules a carrier with a lower frequency between carrier X and carrier Y to the UE. For instance, if the base station determines that the frequency of carrier Y is lower than the frequency of carrier X, then the base station schedules carrier Y to the UE; or, based on pre-configuration information, the base station schedules carrier Y to the UE, where the frequency of carrier Y is lower than the frequency of carrier X. According to the base station's instruction, the UE allocates one radio frequency chain to carrier Z on band A and another radio frequency chain to carrier Y on band B. Therefore, the communication method provided in this embodiment, by scheduling a carrier with a lower frequency in band B to the UE, allows the UE to allocate a radio frequency chain to that carrier with a lower frequency, which is beneficial for improving cell coverage.

[0163] As another example, when the base station instructs the UE to perform uplink transmission continuously through "State 1", "State 2", and "State 1", the carriers on band B scheduled by the base station for the UE are different before and after State 2. Similarly, when the base station instructs the UE to perform uplink transmission continuously through "State 1", "State 3", and "State 1", the carriers on band B scheduled by the base station for the UE are different before and after State 3. In other words, when the base station instructs the UE to perform uplink transmission discontinuously multiple times in State 1, the base station alternately schedules different carriers on band B for that UE. For example, when the base station instructs the UE to perform uplink transmission continuously through "State 1", "State 2", and "State 1", in State 1 before State 2, the base station schedules carrier X for the UE, and in State 1 after State 2, the base station schedules carrier Y for the UE. It should be noted that when the UE switches from state 1 to state 2, the UE needs to switch a carrier of a radio frequency chain on band A to a carrier of band B; similarly, when the UE switches from mode 2 to state 1, it needs to switch a carrier of a radio frequency chain on band B to a carrier of band A. Therefore, when the base station instructs the UE to perform uplink transmission continuously through "state 1", "state 2" and "state 1", the UE must perform radio frequency chain switching. Therefore, by using the method of this embodiment to instruct the UE to perform uplink transmission on different carriers of band B before and after state 2, the spectrum resources on band B can be fully utilized.

[0164] As another example, when a base station instructs a UE to perform uplink transmission twice consecutively in "state 1," the base station instructs the UE to perform uplink transmission on the same carrier in band B. For example, if the base station instructs the UE to perform uplink transmission in state 1 twice consecutively, and the base station schedules carrier X for the UE during the first instruction, then the base station will still schedule carrier X for the UE during the second instruction. It should be understood that when the base station instructs the UE to perform data transmission in state 1 for the first time, it can use any of the schemes provided in the embodiments of this application to determine the carrier to be scheduled for the UE. For example, the base station can schedule a carrier with a larger bandwidth for the UE. This application does not limit this. Therefore, the communication method provided in the embodiments of this application, for multiple consecutive uplink transmissions in state 1, can reduce the number of times the UE switches radio frequency chains by allocating the radio frequency chain to the same carrier in band B, thereby improving transmission efficiency.

[0165] Optionally, when the UE does not support concurrent transmission on band A and band B, the UE sends an indication message to the base station to indicate that the UE does not support concurrent transmission on band A and band B, or to indicate that the UE does not support state 1. After receiving the indication message sent by the UE, the base station no longer instructs the UE to perform uplink transmission through state 1. Therefore, through the communication method provided in this application embodiment, when the UE does not support concurrent transmission on band A and band B, it is possible to avoid instructing the UE to perform data transmission through state 1, thereby reducing the possibility of transmission failure.

[0166] In the embodiment shown in Table 2, when the base station instructs the UE to switch to state 2, the UE transmits data on band B through two radio frequency chains. It is necessary to consider how to perform uplink transmission on two carriers of band B through the UE's two radio frequency chains.

[0167] In one possible implementation, the UE treats both radio frequency chains as a whole and performs uplink transmission on a single carrier in band B. As an example, before or simultaneously with the base station instructing the UE to switch to state 2, the base station schedules the carrier with the larger bandwidth between carrier X and carrier Y to the UE. For instance, if the base station determines that the bandwidth of carrier X is greater than that of carrier Y, it schedules carrier X to the UE; or, the base station schedules carrier X to the UE based on pre-configuration information, where the bandwidth of carrier X is greater than that of carrier Y. Following the base station's instructions, the UE allocates both radio frequency chains to carrier X in band B for uplink transmission. This scheme effectively utilizes spectrum resources.

[0168] It should be understood that the above-described scheme for data transmission on two carriers of band B via a single radio frequency chain can be applied to any of these possible implementations. For example, the base station can also schedule a carrier with a lower frequency on band B for the UE. For the sake of brevity, this application will not elaborate further here.

[0169] In another possible implementation, the UE assigns the two radio chains to two carriers on band B, respectively. As an example, the base station schedules carriers X and Y for the UE and instructs the UE to switch to state 2. Based on the base station's instruction and the carriers scheduled by the base station, the UE assigns the two radio chains to carriers X and Y, respectively; that is, the UE assigns one radio chain to carrier X and one radio chain to carrier Y.

[0170] Optionally, when configuring a carrier for a UE, the base station can configure an identifier for the carrier.

[0171] In one possible implementation, the same identifier is assigned to different carriers in the first carrier set. For example, in the embodiment shown in Table 2, the base station configures the identifier of the carrier in band A as "carrier 1" and the identifiers of the two carriers in band B as "carrier 2". As another example, the base station can configure the identifiers of the two carriers on band B as a carrier group. For example, the base station configures the identifier of the carrier in band A as "carrier 1" and the identifiers of the two carriers in band B as "carrier group 2"; or, the base station configures the identifier of the carrier in band A as "carrier group 1" and the identifiers of the two carriers in band B as "carrier group 2". As yet another example, the base station can configure the identifiers of the two carriers on band B as a band. For example, the base station configures the identifier of the carrier in band A as "band 1" and the identifiers of the two carriers in band B as "band 2". Or, the base station configures the identifier of the carrier in band A as "band A" and the identifiers of the two carriers in band B as "band B". It should be understood that when a band includes three or more carriers, the identification of different carriers can still be configured in the manner described in the example. For example, when there is one carrier on band A and three carriers on band B, the base station configures the identification of the carrier on band A as "carrier 1" and the identification of the three carriers in band B as "carrier 2". Alternatively, the base station can also configure the identification of the carriers on band A and band B in the form of groups or bands, which will not be repeated here. It should also be understood that when the first carrier set is a set of all carriers in multiple frequency bands, the identification of the carriers in the first carrier set can still be configured in the manner described in the example. For example, the base station configures the identification of all carriers in multiple frequency bands in the first carrier set as "carrier 1" or "carrier group 1".

[0172] In another possible implementation, different identifiers are assigned to different carriers in the first carrier set. For example, in the embodiment shown in Table 2, the base station configures the identifier of the carrier in band A as "carrier 1", and the identifiers of the two carriers in band B as "carrier 2" and "carrier 3" respectively. As another example, the base station configures the identifier of the carrier in band A as "carrier Z", and the identifiers of the two carriers in band B as "carrier X" and "carrier Y" respectively. It should be understood that when a band includes three or more carriers, the identifiers for different carriers can still be configured in the manner described in this example. For example, when there is one carrier in band A and three carriers in band B, the base station configures the identifier of the carrier in band A as "carrier 1", and the identifiers of the three carriers in band B as "carrier 2", "carrier 3", and "carrier 4". It should also be understood that when the first carrier set is a set of all carriers in multiple frequency bands, the identifiers for different carriers in different bands within the first carrier set can still be configured in the manner described in this example.

[0173] Optionally, the terminal device determines whether to perform uplink transmission on the first carrier within a first time period. The start time of the first time period is after the end time of the second information, and the end time of the first time period is at the start time of the first transmission.

[0174] It should be noted that when a terminal device cannot transmit simultaneously on different carriers within a carrier set using a single RF chain, and the terminal device switches an RF chain from one carrier to another within the carrier set, a switching time is required. During this switching time, the terminal device does not perform uplink transmission, thereby avoiding transmission failures when switching between different carriers within a carrier set. This switching time refers to the time required for the terminal device to switch the RF chain between different carriers. In this application, the requirement for switching time means that the RF chain switching must occur within a first time period. This means that uplink transmission cannot occur on the carrier on which the RF chain is being switched during the first time period, or at least on the carrier on which uplink transmission is about to occur during the first time period.

[0175] As an example, in the case where the terminal device cannot simultaneously perform uplink transmission on different carriers in a carrier set through a radio frequency chain, the terminal device determines whether to perform uplink transmission on the first carrier within a first time period based on the number of ports for the second transmission and the number of ports for the first transmission. The second transmission is the transmission that precedes the first transmission and is closest to the first transmission in the time domain order, i.e., the second transmission is the transmission preceding the first transmission. Taking a terminal device with two radio frequency chains as an example: When the second transmission is a 1-port transmission on the second carrier and the UE's operating state is that it does not support 2-port transmission on the second carrier, and the first transmission is a 1-port transmission on the first carrier, then the terminal device determines that it will not perform uplink transmission on the first carrier and the second carrier at least during the first time period. The first carrier and the second carrier are different carriers in the first carrier set (for example, in the scheme shown in Table 4, from state 1-1 to state 1-2, or from state 1-2 to state 1-1, where the first carrier set includes carrier X and carrier Y). When the second transmission is a 2-port transmission on the second carrier, or the second transmission is a 1-port transmission on the second carrier and the UE's operating state is that it supports 2-port transmission on the second carrier, and the first transmission is a 1-port or 2-port transmission on the first carrier, then the terminal device determines that it will not perform uplink transmission on the first carrier and the second carrier at least during the first time period. The first carrier and the second carrier are different carriers in the first carrier set (for example, in the scheme shown in Table 4, from state 2-1 to state 2-2, or from state 2-2 to state 2-2). -2 to state 2-1, where the first carrier set includes carrier X and carrier Y); when the second transmission has 2 ports on the first carrier and the first transmission also has 2 ports on the first carrier, the terminal device does not need to perform radio frequency chain switching, and the terminal device determines that it can perform uplink on the first carrier within the first time period, or in other words, there is no first time period between the first transmission and the second transmission; when the second transmission is the concurrent transmission of two carriers in the first carrier set (for example, the second transmission is 1 port transmission on the first carrier and 1 port transmission on the second carrier at the same time, and the first carrier and the second carrier are different carriers in the first carrier set), or the second transmission is 1 port transmission on the first carrier, but the UE's operating state during the second transmission is that the first carrier does not support 2 port transmission, and the first transmission is 2 port transmission on the first carrier, then the terminal device determines that it will not perform uplink transmission on the first carrier at least within the first time period (for example, in the scheme shown in Table 3, from state 2-3 to state 2-2 or from state 2-3 to state 2-1, where the first carrier set includes carrier X and carrier Y);When the first transmission is a 1-port transmission on the first carrier, and the second transmission is a 2-port transmission on the second carrier, or the second transmission is a 1-port transmission on the second carrier and the UE's operating state supports 2-port transmission on the second carrier, then the terminal device determines that it will not perform uplink transmission on the first carrier and the second carrier at least during the first time period, where the first carrier and the second carrier are different carriers in the first carrier set (for example, in the scheme shown in Table 3, from state 2-1 to state 2-2, or from state 2-1 to state 2-3, or from state 2-2 to state 2-1, or from state 2-2 to state 2-3, at which time the first... A carrier set includes carrier X and carrier Y. When the first transmission is a 2-port transmission on the first carrier, the second transmission is a 2-port transmission on the second carrier, or the second transmission is a 1-port transmission on the second carrier and the UE's operating state is to support 2-port transmission on the second carrier, the terminal device determines that it will not perform uplink transmission on the first carrier and the second carrier at least during the first time period, wherein the first carrier and the second carrier are different carriers in the first carrier set (for example, in the scheme shown in Table 3, from state 2-1 to state 2-2, or from state 2-2 to state 2-1, the first carrier set includes carrier X and carrier Y).

[0176] In this application, if the UE does not perform uplink transmission, then the UE's radio frequency chain state is the state during the last uplink transmission, or in other words, the UE's state is the state during the last uplink transmission.

[0177] As an example, in a scenario where a terminal device cannot simultaneously perform uplink transmission on different carriers within a carrier set using a single RF chain, the terminal device determines whether to perform uplink transmission on the first carrier within a first time period based on the number of RF chains on the first carrier in the second transmission and the number of RF chains on the first carrier in the first transmission. Here, the second transmission is the transmission preceding the first transmission and whose time-domain sequence is closest to the first transmission. Let's illustrate this with an example where the terminal device has two RF chains: When the first transmission is on the first carrier, and the second transmission is on all carriers in the first carrier set except the first carrier, there is a total of one RF chain on all carriers in the first carrier set during the second transmission, and there is also a total of one RF chain on all carriers in the first carrier set during the first transmission. In other words, the number of RF chains on all carriers in the first carrier set remains unchanged during the first and second transmissions. Alternatively, during the first transmission, the UE only performs a 1-port first transmission on the first carrier in the first carrier set. In this case, if the terminal device performs RF chain switching in the first time period, the terminal device determines that it will at least not perform uplink transmission on the first carrier within the first time period. This can also be understood as the RF chain on the carrier in the second transmission being different from the RF chain on the carrier in the first transmission, and the transmission between the two transmissions... Radio frequency chain switching is required (for example, in the scheme shown in Table 3, from state 1-1 to state 1-2 or from state 1-2 to state 1-1, at which time the first carrier set includes carrier X and carrier Y); when both the first transmission and the second transmission are transmissions on the first carrier, there is a total of 1 radio frequency chain on all carriers in the first carrier set during the second transmission, and there is also a total of 1 radio frequency chain on all carriers in the first carrier set during the first transmission, or in other words, the number of radio frequency chains on all carriers in the first carrier set does not change during the first transmission and the second transmission, or in other words, during the first transmission, the UE only performs the first transmission on the first carrier in the first carrier set with 1 port. In this case, the terminal device does not need to perform radio frequency chain switching, and the terminal device determines that it can perform uplink transmission on the first carrier during the first time period, or in other words, there is no first time period between the first transmission and the second transmission;When the first transmission is a concurrent transmission of two carriers in the first carrier set (e.g., the first transmission is a 1-port transmission on the first carrier and a 1-port transmission on the second carrier simultaneously, where the first and second carriers are different carriers in the first carrier set), and the second transmission is a 2-port transmission of any one carrier in the first carrier set, then during the second transmission, there are a total of 2 radio frequency chains on all carriers in the first carrier set (or, in other words, there are 2 radio frequency chains on the carrier where the second transmission occurs), and during the first transmission, there are also a total of 2 radio frequency chains on all carriers in the first carrier set (or, in other words, there is 1 radio frequency chain on each of the first and second carriers), or in other words, during the first and second transmissions, the first... If the number of radio frequency chains on all carriers in a carrier set remains unchanged, the terminal device determines that it will not perform uplink transmission on the first and second carriers at least during the first time period. In this case, it can also be understood that during the second transmission, the two radio frequency chains are on one carrier in the first carrier set, and during the first transmission, the two radio frequency chains are on two carriers in the first carrier set. At least one radio frequency chain needs to be switched between the two transmissions (for example, in the scheme shown in Table 3, from state 2-1 to state 2-3 or from state 2-2 to state 2-3, at which time the first carrier set includes carrier X and carrier Y); when the first transmission is 2 on any one carrier in the first carrier set In port transmission, the first transmission involves a total of two radio frequency chains on all carriers in the first carrier set (or, in other words, there are two radio frequency chains on the carrier in the first transmission). The second transmission involves the concurrent transmission of two carriers in the first carrier set (e.g., the second transmission involves one port transmission on the first carrier and one port transmission on the second carrier simultaneously, where the first and second carriers are different carriers in the first carrier set). Alternatively, the second transmission involves one port transmission on the first carrier and simultaneously has one radio frequency chain on the second carrier, or the second transmission involves one port transmission on the second carrier and simultaneously has one radio frequency chain on the first carrier, where the first and second carriers are different carriers in the first carrier set. If the number of radio frequency chains on all carriers in the first carrier set remains unchanged during the first and second transmissions, then the terminal device determines that it will not perform uplink transmission on the first and second carriers at least during the first time period. In this case, it can also be understood that during the second transmission, the two radio frequency chains are on one carrier in the first carrier set, and during the first transmission, the two radio frequency chains are on two carriers in the first carrier set. At least one radio frequency chain needs to be switched between the two transmissions (for example, in the scheme shown in Table 3, from state 2-3 to state 2-1 or from state 2-3 to state 2-2, at which time the first carrier set includes carrier X and carrier Y).When the first transmission is a 1-port or 2-port transmission on the first carrier, and the second transmission is a 1-port or 2-port transmission on one of the other carriers in the first carrier set besides the first carrier, and both the first and second transmissions have two radio frequency chains on all carriers in the first carrier set (or, in other words, there are two radio frequency chains on the carrier where the first transmission is located, and there are also two radio frequency chains on the carrier where the second transmission is located, but the carriers where the first and second transmissions are located are different), then the terminal device determines that it will not perform uplink transmission on the first carrier and the second carrier at least during the first time period (for example, in the scheme shown in Table 3, from state 2-1 to state 2-2, or from state 2-2 to state 2-1, at which time the first carrier set includes carrier X and carrier). Y); When the first transmission is a 1-port transmission on the first carrier, and the second transmission is a 1-port or 2-port transmission on the second carrier, during the first transmission there is one RF chain on the first carrier and one RF chain on the second carrier, and during the second transmission there are two RF chains on the second carrier, wherein the first carrier and the second carrier are different carriers in the first carrier set, and during both the first and second transmissions there are always two RF chains on all carriers in the first carrier set, then the terminal device determines that it will not perform uplink transmission on the first carrier and the second carrier at least during the first time period (for example, in the scheme shown in Table 3, from state 2-1 to state 2-3, or from state 2-2 to state 2-3, at which time the first carrier set includes carrier X and carrier Y).

[0178] The following section provides a detailed explanation of the scheme in this example, using Table 3 as an example. Table 3 illustrates an example of uplink transmission between the UE and the base station. Table 3 shows a possible scheme for uplink transmission by a UE with two radio chains across two frequency bands (band A and band B). In this embodiment, band A contains one carrier, carrier Z; band B contains two carriers, carrier X and carrier Y.

[0179] Table 3

[0180]

[0181] In the scheme shown in Table 3, the uplink transmission mode of the UE on band A and band B is divided into six states, namely state 1-1, state 1-2, state 2-1, state 2-2, state 2-3 and state 3. As shown in Table 3, in state 1-1, the UE has one radio chain (1T) on band A and one radio chain (1T) on band B. The radio chain on band B is on carrier X. This means the UE's operating state is that carrier X supports 1-port uplink transmission, or that the UE's operating state is that carrier Z supports 1-port uplink transmission, or that the UE's operating state is that carrier X supports 1-port uplink transmission and simultaneously supports 1-port uplink transmission on carrier Z, or that the UE's operating state is that carrier X does not support 2-port uplink transmission and simultaneously does not support 2-port uplink transmission on carrier Z, or that the UE's operating state is that carrier X does not support 2-port uplink transmission, or that the UE's operating state is that carrier Z does not support 2-port uplink transmission. In state 1-2, the UE has one radio chain (1T) on band A and one radio chain (1T) on band B. One radio chain on band B is on carrier Y, which means the UE's operating state is supporting 1-port uplink transmission on carrier Y, or supporting 1-port uplink transmission on carrier Z, or supporting 1-port uplink transmission on both carrier Y and carrier Z, or not supporting 2-port uplink transmission on both carrier Y and carrier Z, or not supporting 2-port uplink transmission on either carrier Y or carrier Z. In state 2-1, the UE has no radio chain on band A (0T) and two radio chains on band B (2T), and both radio chains on band B are on carrier X, which means the UE's operating state is supporting 2-port or 1-port uplink transmission on carrier X. In state 2-2, the UE has no radio chain on band A (0T) and two radio chains on band B (2T), and band B is on carrier X. The two radio chains on B are on carrier Y, which means that the UE's operating state is to support 2-port or 1-port uplink transmission on carrier Y;In states 2-3, the UE has no radio chain (OT) on band A and two radio chains (2T) on band B. One radio chain on band B is on carrier X, and the other is on carrier Y. This means the UE's operating state is that it supports 1 port uplink transmission on carrier X and simultaneously supports 1 port uplink transmission on carrier Y; or the UE's operating state is that it supports 1 port uplink transmission on carrier X and simultaneously supports 1 port uplink transmission on carrier Y; or the UE's operating state is that it does not support 2 port uplink transmission on carrier X and simultaneously does not support 2 port uplink transmission on carrier Y; or the UE's operating state is that it does not support 2 port uplink transmission on carrier X and simultaneously does not support 2 port uplink transmission on carrier Y. In state 3, there are two radio chains (2T) on band A and no radio chain (OT) on band B. This means the UE's operating state is that it supports 2 ports or 1 port uplink transmission on carrier Z. It should be noted that the six states shown in Table 3 can be implemented individually or in any combination, and this application does not limit this.

[0182] Switching between the states shown in Table 3 requires switching time. However, when changing uplink transmissions within each state, no radio frequency chain switching is required, and therefore no switching time is needed. For example, if the upcoming uplink transmission is supported by the UE's current state or its current operating state, then the UE does not need to switch states, meaning no radio frequency chain switching is required, and therefore no switching time is needed. For instance, if the UE is in state 1-1 in Table 3, meaning there is one radio frequency chain on carrier X, and the upcoming first transmission is a port 1 transmission on carrier X (first carrier), and the last uplink transmission before the first transmission was a port 1 transmission on carrier Z (second transmission), and both the first and second transmissions occur within state 1-1, then the UE does not need to switch radio frequency chains. This means the UE is certain that uplink transmissions can occur on carriers X and Z within a first time period, or that there is no first time period between the first and second transmissions. The need for switching time in this application means that radio frequency chain switching needs to occur within the first time period. This means that uplink transmission cannot occur on the carrier of the switched radio frequency chain during the first time period, or at least not on the carrier where uplink transmission is about to occur. Specifically, when the UE cannot simultaneously perform uplink transmission on different carriers within the same band through a single radio frequency chain, switching between states 1-1 and 1-2 also requires switching time, as do switching between states 2-1, 2-2, and 2-3. For example, Figure 3This illustrates one possible scenario when the UE operates concurrently in bands A and B. From Figure 3 As can be seen, in the first time unit, the UE concurrently transmits on carrier Z in band A and carrier X in band B; in the second time unit, the UE concurrently transmits on carrier Z in band A and carrier Y in band B; and in the third time unit, the UE concurrently transmits on carrier Z in band A and carrier X in band B. It should be understood that when the UE concurrently transmits in three time units, a handover time is required between every two time units.

[0183] When the base station instructs the UE to perform a first transmission on carrier X, the UE determines whether to perform uplink transmission on carrier X within a first time period based on the number of radio frequency chains on carrier X in the second transmission and the number of radio frequency chains on carrier X in the first transmission. The second transmission is the transmission preceding the first transmission and is the one whose time-domain sequence is closest to the first transmission. The first time period is the time between the UE receiving the instruction information sent by the base station instructing the UE to perform the first transmission on carrier X and the UE starting the first transmission. For example, in the scheme shown in Table 3, when the first transmission is in state 1-1 and the second transmission is in state 1-2, the number of radio frequency chains on carrier X in the first transmission is 1T. The number on carrier X in the second transmission is 0T. Therefore, the UE determines not to perform uplink transmission on carrier X and carrier Y within the first time period. As another example, in the scheme shown in Table 3, when the first transmission is in state 2-1 and the second transmission is in state 2-2, the number of radio frequency chains on carrier X in the first transmission is 2T. The number on carrier X in the second transmission is 0T. Therefore, the UE determines not to perform uplink transmission on carrier X and carrier Y within the first time period.

[0184] It should be understood that some UEs may support simultaneous uplink transmission on two or more carriers within a carrier set, while others can only perform uplink transmission on one carrier within a carrier set. For example, UEs supporting the scheme shown in Table 3 support simultaneous uplink transmission on two carriers in band B, while UEs supporting the scheme shown in Table 4 do not support simultaneous uplink transmission on two carriers in band B. For terminal devices that do not support simultaneous uplink transmission on two or more carriers within a carrier set, in cases where the terminal device cannot perform uplink transmission on different carriers within a carrier set simultaneously through a single radio frequency chain, the terminal device can determine whether to perform uplink transmission on the first carrier within a first time period based on the number of radio frequency chains on the first carrier in the second transmission and the number of radio frequency chains on the first carrier in the first transmission. The second transmission is the transmission preceding the first transmission and whose time-domain sequence is closest to the first transmission. Taking a terminal device with two radio frequency chains as an example: When the first transmission is on the first carrier, and the second transmission is on all carriers in the first carrier set except the first carrier, there is a total of one radio frequency chain on all carriers in the first carrier set during the second transmission, and there is also a total of one radio frequency chain on all carriers in the first carrier set during the first transmission. In other words, the number of radio frequency chains on all carriers in the first carrier set remains unchanged during the first and second transmissions. Or, during the first transmission, the UE only performs a 1-port first transmission on the first carrier in the first carrier set. Therefore, the terminal device determines that it will not perform uplink transmission on the first carrier at least during the first time period. In this case, it can also be understood that the radio frequency chain on the carrier in the second transmission is different from the radio frequency chain on the carrier in the first transmission, and a time interval is required between the two transmissions. To perform radio frequency chain switching (e.g., in the scheme shown in Table 4, from state 1-1 to state 1-2 or from state 1-2 to state 1-1, where the first carrier set includes carrier X and carrier Y); when both the first transmission and the second transmission are transmissions on the first carrier, there is a total of 1 radio frequency chain on all carriers in the first carrier set during the second transmission, and there is also a total of 1 radio frequency chain on all carriers in the first carrier set during the first transmission, or in other words, the number of radio frequency chains on all carriers in the first carrier set does not change during the first transmission and the second transmission, or in other words, during the first transmission, the UE only performs the first transmission on the first carrier in the first carrier set with 1 port, then the terminal device determines that it can perform uplink transmission on the first carrier within the first time period, or in other words, there is no first time period between the first transmission and the second transmission;When the first transmission is a transmission on the first carrier, and the second transmission is a transmission on all carriers in the first carrier set except the first carrier, and during the second transmission there are a total of 2 RF chains on all carriers in the first carrier set, and during the first transmission there are also a total of 2 RF chains on all carriers in the first carrier set, or in other words, the number of RF chains on all carriers in the first carrier set remains unchanged during the first and second transmissions, or in other words, during the first transmission the UE only performs a 1-port or 2-port first transmission on the first carrier in the first carrier set, then the terminal device determines that it will at least not perform uplink transmission on the first carrier during the first time period (for example, in the scheme shown in Table 4, from state 2-1 to state 2-2, or from state 2-2 to state 2-1, this...). The first carrier set includes carrier X and carrier Y. When both the first and second transmissions are transmissions on the first carrier, and during the second transmission there are a total of 2 radio frequency chains on all carriers in the first carrier set, and during the first transmission there are also a total of 2 radio frequency chains on all carriers in the first carrier set, or in other words, the number of radio frequency chains on all carriers in the first carrier set remains unchanged during the first and second transmissions, or in other words, during the first transmission, the UE only performs a 1-port or 2-port first transmission on the first carrier in the first carrier set. In this case, the terminal device does not need to perform radio frequency chain switching, and the terminal device determines that it can perform uplink transmission on the first carrier within the first time period, or in other words, there is no first time period between the first and second transmissions.

[0185] The following section provides a detailed explanation of the scheme in this example, using Table 4 as an example. Table 4 illustrates an uplink transmission between the UE and the base station. Table 4 shows a possible scheme for a UE with two radio chains to perform uplink transmission on two frequency bands (band A and band B). In this embodiment, band A contains one carrier, carrier Z; band B contains two carriers, carrier X and carrier Y.

[0186] Table 4

[0187]

[0188] In the scheme shown in Table 4, the uplink transmission mode of the UE on band A and band B is divided into five states: state 1-1, state 1-2, state 2-1, state 2-2, and state 3. It should be understood that these five modes are similar to states 1-1, 1-2, 2-1, 2-2, and 3 in Table 3, and therefore will not be repeated. It should be noted that the five modes shown in Table 4 can be implemented individually or in any combination; this application does not impose any limitations on this.

[0189] The UE requires switching time when switching between the states shown in Table 4. No radio frequency chain switching is required when switching uplink transmissions within each state, and therefore no switching time is needed. Specifically, when the UE cannot simultaneously perform uplink transmissions on different carriers within the same band using a single radio frequency chain, switching between states 1-1 and 1-2, and between states 2-1 and 2-2, also requires switching time. When the base station instructs the UE to perform a first transmission on carrier X, the UE determines whether to perform uplink transmission on carrier X within a first time period based on the number of radio frequency chains on carrier X in the second transmission and the number of radio frequency chains on carrier X in the first transmission. The second transmission is the transmission preceding the first transmission and whose time-domain sequence is closest to the first transmission. The first time period is the time between the UE receiving the instruction information sent by the base station instructing the UE to perform the first transmission on carrier X and the UE starting the first transmission. For example, in the scheme shown in Table 4, when the first transmission is in state 1-1 and the second transmission is in state 1-2, the number of radio frequency chains on carrier X in the first transmission is 1T. In the second transmission, the number of carriers on carrier X is 0T. Therefore, the UE determines not to perform uplink transmission on carrier X in the first time period. For example, in the scheme shown in Table 4, when the first transmission is in state 2-1 and the second transmission is in state 2-2, the number of radio links on carrier X in the first transmission is 2T. The number on carrier X in the second transmission is 0T. Therefore, the UE determines not to perform uplink transmission on carrier X in the first time period.

[0190] It should be understood that a terminal device can report to a network device the maximum number of uplink layers supported by the terminal device on different carriers within a carrier set, or in other words, the maximum number of MIMO layers supported by the uplink transmission, to indicate the maximum number of radio frequency chains supported by the terminal device on different carriers within a carrier set. For example, the terminal device sends third information to the network device, which indicates the maximum number of uplink layers supported by the terminal device on different carriers within a carrier set.

[0191] Tables 5 and 6 illustrate other possible solutions provided by the embodiments of this application.

[0192] In the scheme shown in Table 5, the uplink transmission mode of the UE on band A and band B is divided into five states: state 1-1, state 1-2, state 2-1, state 2-2, and state 2-3. It should be understood that the scheme shown in Table 5 lacks state 3 compared with the scheme in Table 3. The other schemes are similar, so they will not be explained again.

[0193] Table 5

[0194]

[0195] In the scheme shown in Table 6, the uplink transmission mode of the UE on band A and band B is divided into four states: state 1-1, state 1-2, state 2-1, and state 2-2. It should be understood that the scheme shown in Table 6 lacks state 3 compared with the scheme in Table 4. The other schemes are similar, so they will not be described again.

[0196] Table 6

[0197]

[0198] It should be understood that the above embodiments are only illustrated using the example of a UE having two radio frequency chains, but this application is not limited to this. For example, in the embodiment shown in Table 7, the UE has four radio frequency chains, and in Table 7, the maximum number of layers supported by the UE for uplink transmission on three carriers is 4. In the scheme shown in Table 7, the uplink transmission mode of the UE on band A and band B is divided into five states, namely state 1-1, state 1-2, state 2-1, state 2-2, and state 3. There is one carrier on band A, which is carrier Z; there are two carriers on band B, which are carrier X and carrier Y. In the case where the terminal device cannot perform uplink transmission on different carriers in a carrier set simultaneously through one radio frequency chain, the terminal device can determine whether to perform uplink transmission on the first carrier in the first time period based on the number of radio frequency chains on the first carrier in the second transmission and the number of radio frequency chains on the first carrier in the first transmission. The second transmission is the transmission that precedes the first transmission and is closest to the first transmission in the time domain order. For example, consider a terminal device with four radio frequency chains: When the first transmission is on the first carrier, and the second transmission is on all carriers in the first carrier set except the first carrier, and there are a total of 2 radio frequency chains on all carriers in the first carrier set during the second transmission, and also a total of 2 radio frequency chains on all carriers in the first carrier set during the first transmission, or in other words, the number of radio frequency chains on all carriers in the first carrier set remains unchanged during the first and second transmissions, then the terminal device determines that it will not perform uplink transmission on the first carrier at least during the first time period. In this case, it can also be understood that the radio frequency chain on the carrier in the second transmission is different from the radio frequency chain on the carrier in the first transmission, and a radio frequency chain switch is required between the two transmissions (for example, in the scheme shown in Table 7, from state 1-1 to state 1-2 or from state 1-2 to state 1-1, at which time the first carrier set includes carrier X and carrier Y). It should be understood that the scheme shown in Table 4, which determines whether to perform uplink transmission on the first carrier during the first time period based on the number of radio frequency chains on the first carrier in the second transmission and the number of radio frequency chains on the first carrier in the first transmission, also applies to the scheme in Table 7, the only difference being the number of radio frequency chains. For simplicity, this will not be repeated.

[0199] Table 7

[0200]

[0201] In Tables 3 and 4, the maximum number of uplink layers supported by the UE on all three carriers is 2. In Tables 5 and 6, the maximum number of uplink layers supported by the UE on both carriers in band B is 2, while the maximum number of uplink layers supported on the carriers in band A is 1. In Table 7, the maximum number of uplink layers supported by the UE on all three carriers is 4. The base station can determine which table's handover rule corresponds to the UE's handover behavior based on the maximum number of uplink layers supported by the UE on different carriers reported by the UE (different tables correspond to different maximum number of uplink layers supported by the UE on different carriers). For example, the UE might report that the maximum number of uplink layers supported by the UE on carriers X and Y in the first carrier set is 2, and the UE might indicate that it cannot simultaneously perform uplink transmission on different carriers in the same band through a single radio chain. In this case, the base station can determine that the UE is not following the handover rule in Table 7, but rather the handover rule in Tables 3, 4, 5, or 6.

[0202] In some scenarios, the base station can also configure the UE to perform SRS carrier handover. Assume that the seventh and eighth carriers are two carriers configured by the base station for the UE, and a sounding reference signal (SRS) carrier handover is configured between the seventh and eighth carriers. That is, the UE can switch the radio link from the seventh carrier to the eighth carrier, allowing the UE to transmit SRS on the eighth carrier. The cell corresponding to the eighth carrier does not have a physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) configured. When SRS transmission occurs on the eighth carrier, the uplink transmission on the seventh carrier may be interrupted; that is, the UE may temporarily interrupt the uplink transmission on the seventh carrier to allow SRS transmission on the eighth carrier. The UE reports a second time period to the base station. This second time period is either the uplink interruption time during the radio frequency adjustment period when handover occurs between the two carriers performing SRS carrier handover, or the radio link handover time between the two carriers performing SRS carrier handover. The second time period can be zero or non-zero. In one possible scenario, the UE switches the radio link from carrier 7 to carrier 8, requiring a second time period for radio link adjustment. The UE then transmits SRS on carrier 8, and then switches back from carrier 8 to carrier 7, again requiring a second time period for radio link adjustment. During the two second time periods and the transmission of SRS on carrier 8, the UE temporarily interrupts uplink transmission on carrier 7. Alternatively, during SRS transmission on carrier 8 (including any interruptions due to uplink or downlink radio link adjustment time, or including the second time periods), the UE temporarily interrupts uplink transmission on carrier 7.

[0203] Assume the second carrier set is the set of carriers configured by the base station for the UE to perform uplink radio link handover. One possibility is that the UE can dynamically handover its uplink radio link between any two carriers in the second carrier set. Another possibility is that the UE can dynamically handover its uplink radio link between any two carriers in the second carrier set that do not belong to the same first carrier set. The ninth and tenth carriers are two carriers in the second carrier set that can perform uplink radio link handover.

[0204] The eleventh carrier does not belong to the second carrier set. Assume SRS carrier handover is configured between the tenth and eleventh carriers. That is, the UE can switch the radio chain from the tenth carrier (and / or the ninth carrier) to the eleventh carrier, enabling the UE to transmit SRS on the eleventh carrier. No PUSCH is configured on the cell corresponding to the eleventh carrier. Uplink transmission on the tenth carrier may be interrupted during SRS transmission on the eleventh carrier. In other words, the tenth carrier here corresponds to the seventh carrier mentioned earlier during SRS carrier handover, and the eleventh carrier here corresponds to the eighth carrier mentioned earlier during SRS carrier handover.

[0205] One possible scenario is that, during the transmission of the SRS on the eleventh carrier and the two second time periods before and after the SRS transmission, the UE needs to temporarily interrupt the uplink transmission of the tenth carrier and / or the ninth carrier. Another possible scenario is that, during the SRS transmission on the eleventh carrier (including any interruptions due to uplink or downlink RF adjustment time, or including the second time periods), the UE temporarily interrupts the uplink transmission of the tenth carrier and / or the ninth carrier, or the UE temporarily interrupts the uplink transmission of all carriers in the second carrier set.

[0206] One possibility is that the ninth and tenth carriers are in different frequency bands.

[0207] One possibility is that the ninth and tenth carriers belong to the same timing advance group (TAG).

[0208] One possible scenario is that SRS transmissions on the eleventh carrier and uplink transmissions on other carriers need to follow certain drop and priority criteria. For example, if a UE's seventh transmission on the ninth or tenth carrier overlaps with an SRS transmission on the eleventh carrier in a time unit, the UE may determine which transmission to drop based on the type of the seventh and eleventh carrier SRS transmissions. When a UE switches between two carriers configured for SRS carrier switching, it requires RF chain adjustment time (e.g., a second time period), and when switching RF chains between two carriers configured for uplink RF chain switching, it also requires switching time (e.g., a first time period). Since the tenth carrier is configured for both SRS carrier switching and uplink RF chain switching, the interruption time caused by RF adjustment (defined as a third time period) during SRS carrier switching may need to consider both the first and second time periods. For example, the third time period might be the larger of the first and second time periods. Or, the third time period might be the sum of the first and second time periods. Or, the third time period might be equal to the first or second time period. Or, the third time period might be a value reported by the UE other than the first and second time periods. One possible scenario is that although the base station is configured to use the tenth and eleventh carriers for SRS carrier switching, because the ninth and tenth carriers share a radio frequency chain, it may also be necessary to switch the radio frequency chain from the ninth carrier to the eleventh carrier so that the eleventh carrier can transmit SRS. Therefore, the third time period may need to consider not only the second time period between the tenth and eleventh carriers (referred to as the sixth time period) but also the second time period between the ninth and eleventh carriers (referred to as the seventh time period). For example, the third time period is the larger value among the first, sixth, and seventh time periods. Another example is that the third time period is the larger value between the sum of the first and seventh time periods and the sum of the first and sixth time periods. Yet another example is that the third time period is the sum of the first and seventh time periods. Yet another example is that the third time period is either the first, sixth, or seventh time period. Yet another example is that the third time period is a value reported by the UE other than the first, sixth, and seventh time periods. One possible scenario is that during the two third time periods before and after the eleventh carrier transmits SRS, the UE needs to temporarily interrupt the uplink transmission of the tenth and ninth carriers. One possible scenario is that during the SRS transmission of the eleventh carrier (including any interruptions caused by uplink or downlink RF adjustment time, or including the third time period), the UE temporarily interrupts the uplink transmission of the tenth and ninth carriers, or the UE temporarily interrupts the uplink transmission of all carriers in the second carrier set.

[0209] One example is that because the tenth carrier is configured for both SRS carrier handover and uplink radio chain handover, during SRS carrier handover, the radio chain of the tenth and / or ninth carriers can be switched to the eleventh carrier. After the SRS transmission on the eleventh carrier is completed, the UE needs to switch the radio chain back. Assume that after the SRS transmission on the eleventh carrier is completed, the radio chain state after the UE switches back to the carriers of the second carrier set (the tenth and / or ninth carriers) is in the first state. For example, the first state could be the radio chain on the tenth carrier, i.e., the state after switching the radio chain on the eleventh carrier back to the tenth carrier. For example, the first state could be the radio chain on the ninth carrier, i.e., the state after switching the radio chain on the eleventh carrier back to the ninth carrier. For example, the first state could be the radio chain state of the ninth and tenth carriers before SRS carrier handover, i.e., after the SRS transmission on the eleventh carrier is completed, the radio chain is switched to the tenth and / or ninth carriers, so that the number of radio chains on the tenth and ninth carriers remains unchanged before and after the SRS carrier handover. For example, the first state can be a state determined by the UE itself, that is, the UE decides to switch the radio frequency chain on the eleventh carrier to the tenth carrier and / or the ninth carrier.

[0210] One possibility is that after the SRS transmission of the eleventh carrier is completed, the UE can perform radio link switching according to the instruction of the first signaling. This can be understood as the UE determining the number of radio links for at least one carrier in the second carrier set (or determining the number of radio links for the ninth and / or tenth carriers) according to the first signaling. For example, the first signaling could be signaling instructing the UE to perform uplink transmission. For example, if the first signaling is given before the first moment, then after the SRS transmission of the eleventh carrier is completed, the UE can perform radio link switching according to the instruction of the first signaling given before the first moment. For example, after the SRS transmission of the eleventh carrier is completed, the number of radio links for the tenth and ninth carriers is subject to the first signaling. For example, after the SRS transmission of the eleventh carrier is completed, the number of radio links for the tenth and ninth carriers is subject to the first signaling given before the first moment. For example, the UE determines, according to the first signaling, the number of radio links for at least one carrier in the second carrier set (or determines the number of radio links for the ninth and / or tenth carriers) after the SRS transmission of the eleventh carrier is completed. For example, the first time point is the end time of the last time unit of the SRS on the eleventh carrier. For example, the first time point is the start time of the first time unit of the SRS on the eleventh carrier. For example, the first time point is the start time of the handover radio chain from the tenth and / or ninth carrier to the eleventh carrier. For example, the first time point is the end time of the handover radio chain from the tenth and / or ninth carrier to the eleventh carrier. For example, the first time point is the start time of the first time unit of the most recent second or third time period before the SRS transmission on the eleventh carrier. For example, the first time point is the end time of the last time unit of the most recent second or third time period before the SRS transmission on the eleventh carrier. For example, the first time point is the start time of the first time unit of the first second or third time period after the SRS transmission on the eleventh carrier. For example, the first time point is determined by the third time point and the fourth time period reported by the UE. For example, the third time point can be the end time of the last time unit or the start time of the first time unit of the SRS on the eleventh carrier. For example, the third time point can be the start time of the first time unit or the end time of the last time unit of the most recent second or third time period before the SRS transmission on the eleventh carrier. For example, the third time point could be the start time of the first time unit of the second time period after SRS transmission on the eleventh carrier, or the end time of the last time unit of the third time period. The first signaling could be DCI, RRC, or a media access control element (MAC CE). For example, if the first signaling occurs after the first time point, after the SRS transmission on the eleventh carrier is completed, and the UE does not perform radio chain switching as instructed by the first signaling after the first time point, but instead switches to the first state.

[0211] One possibility is that the uplink transmission scheduled by the first signaling occurs on the tenth and / or ninth carrier. Another possibility is that the uplink transmission scheduled by the first signaling occurs after the SRS transmission on the eleventh carrier in the time domain, and is adjacent to the SRS transmission on the eleventh carrier in the time domain. Yet another possibility is that the uplink transmission scheduled by the first signaling is the first uplink transmission after the SRS transmission on the eleventh carrier in the time domain. For example, the first signaling could be a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) or radio resource control (RRC) signaling. For example, the uplink transmission scheduled by the first signaling could be a multiplexed transmission of PUSCH / physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) / SRS / uplink control information (UCI). For example, the transmission scheduled by the first signaling could be a transmission in the next time slot after the SRS carrier handover, or a transmission of the remaining symbols in the time slot where the SRS carrier handover occurs.

[0212] If the first signaling scheduler's transmission is on the ninth carrier, or on both the ninth and tenth carriers, the UE can directly switch its radio link to the ninth carrier, or both the ninth and tenth carriers. This avoids the UE first switching its radio link from the eleventh carrier to the tenth carrier, and then from the tenth carrier to the ninth carrier. The UE can directly switch the radio link that needs to be switched to the ninth carrier from the eleventh carrier to the ninth carrier, reducing the number of radio link switches. Based on this scheme, when the UE is simultaneously configured for SRS carrier switching and uplink radio link switching, for example, if the UE is configured on the ninth, tenth, and eleventh carriers mentioned above, the UE does not need to perform too many radio link switches in a short period of time, reducing the complexity of the UE.

[0213] One possibility is that the last time unit of the first signaling (or the end time of reception of the last time unit) is before the first time unit of the SRS transmission of the eleventh carrier (or the start time of transmission of the first time unit).

[0214] One possible scenario is that the minimum time interval between the last time unit of the first signaling (or the end time of reception of the last time unit) and the first time unit of the SRS transmission of the eleventh carrier (or the start time of transmission of the first time unit) is N2, or N2 plus the sum of a time interval. For example, N2 plus the sum of a second time interval, or N2 plus the sum of a third time interval, or N2 plus the sum of a first time interval. Optionally, the SRS transmission can be used for UE uplink transmission codebook determination or UE antenna switching.

[0215] One possible scenario is that the minimum time interval between the last time unit of the first signaling (or the end time of reception of the last time unit) and the first time unit of the SRS transmission of the eleventh carrier (or the start time of transmission of the first time unit) is the sum of N2 plus 14 symbols plus the second time period, or the sum of N2 plus 14 symbols plus the third time period, or the sum of N2 plus 14 symbols plus the first time period. Optionally, in this case, the SRS transmission can be used for UE uplink transmission non-codebook determination or beam selection.

[0216] N2 represents the uplink transmission preparation time. Specifying the minimum time interval between the first signaling and the SRS transmission helps to allow the UE sufficient time for transmission preparation and radio frequency link switching.

[0217] One possibility is that the second time period is the interruption time caused by downlink RF adjustments during the handover between two carriers capable of SRS carrier handover. Another possibility is that the second time period is the interruption time caused by uplink RF adjustments during the handover between two carriers capable of SRS carrier handover. Yet another possibility is that the second time period is the larger of the interruption time caused by uplink RF adjustments and the interruption time caused by downlink RF adjustments during the handover between two carriers capable of SRS carrier handover.

[0218] One possibility is that the time interval between the first time unit of the first signaling scheduled transmission (or the start time of the first time unit) and the last time unit of the radio frequency adjustment performed after the eleventh carrier SRS transmission (or the end time of the last time unit) should be less than or equal to a certain time interval (e.g., 13 symbols or 1 time slot).

[0219] One possible scenario is that the time interval between the first time unit of the first signaling scheduled transmission (or the start time of the first time unit's transmission) and the last time unit of the eleventh carrier SRS transmission (or the end time of the last time unit's transmission) should be less than or equal to a certain time interval (e.g., 14 symbols or 14 symbols plus a third time interval). If the first signaling scheduled transmission and the eleventh carrier SRS transmission are too close in the time domain, it may cause the UE to switch too many times in a short period of time, which is not conducive to UE implementation. Therefore, it is necessary to define the UE's radio frequency chain switching rules before the first signaling scheduled transmission for the UE at this time to avoid excessive switching.

[0220] One possibility is that if the time interval between the first time unit of the first signaling scheduled transmission (or the start time of the first time unit's transmission) and the last time unit of the radio frequency adjustment performed after the eleventh carrier SRS transmission (or the end time of the last time unit's transmission) is greater than a certain time period (e.g., 13 symbols or 1 time slot), then after the eleventh carrier's SRS transmission ends, the radio frequency chain will switch to the tenth carrier or switch to the carrier on which the radio frequency chain was located before this SRS transmission.

[0221] One possibility is that the time interval between the first time unit of the first signaling scheduled transmission (or the start time of the first time unit) and the last time unit of the eleventh carrier SRS transmission (or the end time of the last time unit) is greater than a certain time period (e.g., 14 symbols or 14 symbols plus a third time period). In this case, after the eleventh carrier SRS transmission ends, the RF chain will switch to the tenth carrier or switch to the carrier on which the RF chain was located before this SRS transmission. If the time interval between the first signaling scheduled transmission and the eleventh carrier SRS transmission is greater than a certain threshold, then the UE will not switch the RF chain too many times in a short period of time. In this way, the UE can switch the RF chain back to the tenth carrier after the SRS transmission, or maintain the RF chain state before the SRS transmission.

[0222] Optionally, in this application, the subcarrier spacing corresponding to the time unit is the maximum value of the subcarrier spacing of the carrier where the SRS transmission is located and the subcarrier spacing of the carrier where the transmission is located indicated by the first signaling. This way, when calculating the subcarrier spacing, not all three carriers are involved, thus reducing the complexity of the UE by involving fewer carriers. Optionally, in this application, the subcarrier spacing corresponding to the time unit is the maximum value of the subcarrier spacing among the eleventh, ninth, and tenth carriers. This way, when calculating the subcarrier spacing, the comparison is directly performed on the three carriers, without needing to consider which carrier the first signaling indicates the transmission is on, which also reduces the complexity of the UE.

[0223] One possible scenario is that the uplink transmission scheduled by the first signaling is an uplink transmission following the SRS transmission on the eleventh carrier, and the start time (or first time unit) of the uplink transmission scheduled by the first signaling is in the same time unit as the start time (or first time unit) of the eighth transmission, for example, in the same time slot, or within 14 consecutive symbols. The eighth transmission is the last transmission triggering uplink RF chain handover before the SRS transmission on the eleventh carrier, and the eighth transmission is an uplink transmission on the tenth and / or ninth carrier. This avoids the UE performing too many RF chain handovers in a short period. If the time interval between the uplink transmission scheduled by the first signaling and the last uplink RF chain handover is large, then the UE's RF chain handover need not be restricted.

[0224] One possible scenario is that the UE is configured for SRS carrier handover and uplink RF chain handover. The UE can perform SRS carrier handover on the eleventh and tenth carriers, and uplink RF chain handover on the ninth and tenth carriers. After the UE performs SRS transmission on the eleventh carrier (or performs SRS transmission on the eleventh carrier and performs RF adjustment), the UE's RF chain state is determined based on the first signaling. The first signaling is used to instruct the UE to perform uplink transmission. The uplink transmission scheduled by the first signaling is the uplink transmission on the tenth and / or ninth carriers. The uplink transmission scheduled by the first signaling is the first uplink transmission after the SRS transmission on the eleventh carrier in the time domain. Optionally, the minimum time interval between the last time unit of the first signaling and the first time unit of the SRS transmission on the eleventh carrier is N2 plus the sum of the handover durations reported by the UE for RF chain handover on the frequency bands of the ninth and tenth carriers. Here, N2 is the uplink transmission preparation time.

[0225] Optionally, in this application, the switching duration for switching radio frequency links on two carriers can be understood as the switching duration for switching radio frequency links on the frequency bands to which the two carriers belong.

[0226] The UE does not want the number of uplink handovers within the fifth time period to exceed M, where M is a positive integer. For example, M can be 1 or 2. For example, the fifth time period can be one or more time units. For example, the uplink handover includes uplink radio chain handover performed by a UE configured for uplink radio chain handover. For example, the uplink handover includes SRS carrier handover performed by a UE configured for SRS carrier handover. For example, the uplink handover includes both uplink radio chain handover and SRS carrier handover performed by a UE configured for both uplink radio chain handover and SRS carrier handover. For example, the fifth time period is determined by the carrier with the largest or smallest subcarrier spacing among the carriers performing uplink radio chain handover. For example, the fifth time period is determined by the carrier with the largest or smallest subcarrier spacing among the ninth and tenth carriers. For example, the fifth time period is determined by the carrier with the largest or smallest subcarrier spacing among the carriers performing SRS carrier handover. For example, the fifth time period is determined by the carrier with the largest or smallest subcarrier spacing among the tenth and eleventh carriers. For example, the fifth time period is determined by the carrier with the largest or smallest subcarrier spacing among the carriers performing SRS carrier handover and the carriers performing uplink radio chain handover. For example, the fifth time period is determined by the carrier with the largest or smallest subcarrier spacing among the ninth, tenth, and eleventh carriers. For example, M might be a value reported by the UE. For example, the fifth time period might be a time period reported by the UE.

[0227] One possibility is that the tenth carrier in this application is replaced with at least one carrier from the second carrier set, meaning that multiple carriers may be configured with SRS carrier handover to the eleventh carrier. Another possibility is that the ninth carrier in this application is replaced with at least one carrier from the second carrier set other than the tenth carrier.

[0228] In this application, one carrier corresponds to one cell, which is equivalent to the carrier being the carrier of this cell, and equivalent to the carrier belonging to this cell. In one possible scenario of this application, the transmission of the UE in the cell corresponding to one carrier is equivalent to the transmission of the UE on that carrier, and the configuration of the UE in the cell corresponding to one carrier is equivalent to the configuration of the UE on that carrier. In one possible scenario of this application, handover can be replaced by uplink handover, or by radio frequency chain handover, or by handover radio frequency chain, or by uplink radio frequency chain handover, or by dynamic uplink radio frequency chain handover, or by radio frequency adjustment, or by uplink radio frequency adjustment. In this application, the time unit can be a symbol or an orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) symbol or a time slot or a frame or a subframe or a millisecond or a second.

[0229] In one possible embodiment of this application, the first time period is the duration of uplink radio link handover reported by the UE on a carrier where uplink radio link handover is possible. In another possible embodiment, a carrier can be replaced by a frequency band, and a carrier set can be replaced by a frequency band set. A frequency band set may include one or more frequency bands, and the carriers in the carrier set can also be replaced by frequency bands in the frequency band set. In another possible embodiment, a frequency band includes one or more carriers. In another possible embodiment, multiple frequency bands in a frequency band set may have the same frequency band or different frequency bands. In another possible embodiment, a carrier in a frequency band set includes at least one carrier on at least one frequency band in that frequency band set.

[0230] Optionally, in this application, switching the radio frequency chain to a carrier is equivalent to switching to that carrier.

[0231] In one example, the UE reports at least two third carrier sets. A third carrier set is a set of carriers reported by the UE that can be used for uplink RF chain handover. One possibility is that the UE can perform dynamic uplink RF chain handover between any two carriers in the third carrier set. Another possibility is that the UE can perform dynamic uplink RF chain handover between any two carriers in the third carrier set that do not belong to the same first carrier set. For example, two of the at least two third carrier sets reported by the UE are a fourth carrier set and a fifth carrier set, both of which are sets of carriers that the UE can use for uplink RF chain handover.

[0232] One possibility is that the UE reported at least two third carrier sets, and also reported the first time period corresponding to each third carrier set. The first time periods corresponding to each third carrier set may be the same or different. For example, when reporting capabilities, the UE reported a fourth carrier set, a fifth carrier set, the first time period corresponding to the fourth carrier set, and the first time period corresponding to the fifth carrier set. The first time periods corresponding to the fourth carrier set and the fifth carrier set may be the same or different. Another possibility is that the carriers in the fourth and fifth carrier sets are the same.

[0233] One possible scenario is that one of the at least three carrier sets reported by the UE corresponds to one or more first time periods. If multiple first time periods are reported, their values ​​can be the same, different, partially the same, or partially different. For example, one of the at least three carrier sets reported by the UE might be the sixth carrier set. For instance, when reporting capabilities, the UE reports the sixth carrier set and simultaneously reports two first time periods corresponding to it, with different values ​​for these two first time periods. Another example is when the maximum number of radio links supported on at least one carrier in the sixth carrier set has multiple different values, resulting in different values ​​for the corresponding first time periods. That is, assuming the sixth carrier includes the twelfth and thirteenth carriers, and the thirteenth carrier supports a maximum of 2 radio links, while the twelfth carrier can support 1 or 2 radio links, the sixth carrier set corresponds to one first time period when the twelfth carrier supports 1 radio link, and another first time period when the twelfth carrier supports 2 radio links. For example, when reporting capabilities, the UE reports the sixth carrier set and simultaneously reports two first time periods corresponding to it, with the same value for these two first time periods. For example, when the maximum number of radio links supported on at least one carrier in the sixth carrier set has multiple different values, the corresponding values ​​for the two first time periods are the same. That is, assuming the sixth carrier includes the twelfth and thirteenth carriers, the thirteenth carrier supports a maximum of 2 radio links, and the twelfth carrier supports either 1 or 2 radio links, when the twelfth carrier supports a maximum of 1 radio link, the sixth carrier set corresponds to one first time period; when the twelfth carrier supports a maximum of 2 radio links, the sixth carrier set corresponds to another first time period, and the values ​​for these two first time periods are the same. For example, when the UE reports its capabilities, it reports the sixth carrier set and simultaneously reports a first time period corresponding to the sixth carrier set. For example, when the maximum number of radio links supported on at least one carrier in the sixth carrier set has multiple different values, they correspond to the same first time period. That is, assuming the sixth carrier includes the twelfth carrier and the thirteenth carrier, the maximum number of radio links supported by the thirteenth carrier is 2, and the maximum number of radio links supported by the twelfth carrier can be 1 or 2. When the maximum number of radio links supported by the twelfth carrier is 1, the sixth carrier set corresponds to this first time period. When the maximum number of radio links supported by the twelfth carrier is 2, the sixth carrier set also corresponds to this first time period.

[0234] One possible scenario is that the UE reports at least two third carrier sets and also reports at least one first time period. The at least one first time period refers to the first time period corresponding to one or more third carrier sets. For example, when the UE reports its capabilities, it reports a fourth carrier set, a fifth carrier set, and a first time period. In this case, the first time periods corresponding to the fourth and fifth carrier sets are both the first time periods reported by the UE.

[0235] One possible scenario is that the UE reports at least two third carrier sets, and the base station configures at least one second carrier set for the UE that can correspond to at least two of the at least two third carrier sets reported by the UE. If the relevant parameters of the at least two third carrier sets corresponding to the second carrier set are different, it will affect the UE's behavior. For example, the fourth carrier set includes the twelfth and thirteenth carriers, where the maximum number of radio links supported on the twelfth carrier is 1 and the maximum number of radio links supported on the thirteenth carrier is 2. The fifth carrier set includes the twelfth and thirteenth carriers, where the maximum number of radio links supported on the twelfth carrier is 2 and the maximum number of radio links supported on the thirteenth carrier is 2. If the base station configures the UE to perform uplink radio link switching on the twelfth and thirteenth carriers, and the maximum number of ports on the twelfth carrier is 1 and the maximum number of ports on the thirteenth carrier is 2, meaning the second carrier set includes the twelfth and thirteenth carriers, then the second carrier set can correspond to either the fourth or fifth carrier set. For example, if the first time period corresponding to the fourth carrier set and the fifth carrier set is different, then the uplink handover time when the UE performs uplink RF chain handover on the twelfth and thirteenth carriers will be ambiguous.

[0236] One possibility is that when the UE performs uplink RF chain handover on a carrier of the configured second carrier set, the handover mode it follows is determined by the SRS and / or PUSCH parameters configured by the base station for the UE, and the handover mode is selected from the handover modes reported by the UE to the base station. Alternatively, the handover rule for the UE on the configured second carrier set corresponds to the handover rule for which third carrier set reported by the UE, determined by the SRS and / or PUSCH parameters configured by the base station for the UE. Or, the handover rule for the UE on the configured second carrier set corresponds to the handover rule for which third carrier set reported by the UE under which parameters (these parameters may include the maximum number of RF chains on the carrier, the maximum number of ports transmitted on the carrier, and the maximum number of layers supported by the transmission on the carrier), determined by the SRS and / or PUSCH parameters configured by the base station for the UE. Another possibility is that the handover rule or handover mode here corresponds to the handover rule or handover mode corresponding to the table in this application. For example, the UE reports a fourth carrier set, a fifth carrier set, a first time period corresponding to the fourth carrier set, and a first time period corresponding to the fifth carrier set. The fourth carrier set includes the twelfth and thirteenth carriers, and the fifth carrier set also includes the twelfth and thirteenth carriers. The maximum number of radio links supported on the twelfth carrier in the fourth carrier set is 1, and the maximum number of radio links supported on the thirteenth carrier in the fourth carrier set is 2. Similarly, the maximum number of radio links supported on the twelfth carrier in the fifth carrier set is 2, and the maximum number of radio links supported on the thirteenth carrier in the fifth carrier set is 2. For example, if the UE reports a sixth carrier set and two first time periods, both of these first time periods correspond to the sixth carrier set, which includes the twelfth and thirteenth carriers, and the thirteenth carrier supports a maximum of 2 radio links, while the eleventh carrier can support either 1 or 2 radio links, then when the twelfth carrier supports a maximum of 1 radio link, the sixth carrier set corresponds to one of the two first time periods; when the twelfth carrier supports a maximum of 2 radio links, the sixth carrier set corresponds to the other of the two first time periods. If the second carrier set configured by the base station for the UE includes the twelfth and thirteenth carriers, or in other words, the base station configures the UE to perform uplink radio link handover on the twelfth and thirteenth carriers, then the handover rules for the UE on these two carriers are determined by the SRS and / or PUSCH parameters.

[0237] For example, if the base station configures the maximum number of SRS resources on the twelfth carrier to be 1 and the maximum number of SRS resources on the thirteenth carrier to be 2, then the handover rules of the UE on the twelfth and thirteenth carriers shall follow the handover rules corresponding to the fourth carrier set (for example, the handover rules corresponding to Table 1, or, for example, the first time period of the UE on the twelfth and thirteenth carriers is equal to the first time period corresponding to the fourth carrier set reported by the UE).

[0238] For example, if the base station configures the maximum number of SRS resources on the twelfth carrier to be 2 and the maximum number of SRS resources on the thirteenth carrier to be 2, then the handover rules of the UE on the twelfth and thirteenth carriers shall follow the handover rules corresponding to the fifth carrier set (for example, the handover rules corresponding to Table 8, or, for example, the first time period of the UE on the twelfth and thirteenth carriers is equal to the first time period corresponding to the fifth carrier set reported by the UE).

[0239] It should be noted that Table 8 is an exemplary scheme for uplink transmission between the UE and the base station. In the scheme described in Table 8, the UE performs uplink transmission on two carriers (carrier 1 and carrier 2), and the UE has two radio frequency chains. In the scheme shown in Table 8, the uplink transmission method of the UE on carrier 1 and carrier 2 is divided into three states, namely state 1, state 2, and state 3. It should be understood that the schemes of state 1 and state 2 are similar to those of state 1 and state 2 in Table 1, and will not be repeated here. In state 3 shown in Table 8, the UE has two radio frequency chains (1T) on carrier 1 and no radio frequency chain (0T) on carrier 2. The UE supports uplink transmission on carrier 1 with one port or uplink transmission on two ports, but does not support uplink transmission on carrier 2.

[0240] Table 8

[0241] Number of radio frequency chains (carrier 1 + carrier 2) Number of ports for uplink transmission (carrier 1 + carrier 2) State 1 1T+1T 1p+0p, 1p+1p, 0p+1p State 2 0T+2T 0p+2p, 0p+1p State 3 2T+0T 2p+0p, 1p+0p

[0242] For example, if the base station configures the maximum number of SRS resources on the twelfth carrier to be 1 and the maximum number of SRS resources on the thirteenth carrier to be 2, then the handover rule of the UE on the twelfth and thirteenth carriers follows the handover rule corresponding to the maximum number of radio links supported by the twelfth carrier of the sixth carrier set being 1 (for example, the handover rule corresponding to Table 1, or, for example, the first time period of the UE on the twelfth and thirteenth carriers is equal to the first time period corresponding to the sixth carrier set when the maximum number of radio links supported by the twelfth carrier reported by the UE is 1).

[0243] For example, if the base station configures the maximum number of SRS resources on the twelfth carrier to be 2 and the maximum number of SRS resources on the thirteenth carrier to be 2, then the handover rule of the UE on the twelfth and thirteenth carriers shall conform to the handover rule corresponding to the maximum number of radio links supported by the twelfth carrier of the sixth carrier set being 2 (for example, the handover rule corresponding to Table 1, or, for example, the first time period of the UE on the twelfth and thirteenth carriers is equal to the first time period corresponding to the sixth carrier set when the maximum number of radio links supported by the twelfth carrier reported by the UE is 2).

[0244] One possibility is that if the handover rules corresponding to the sixth carrier set reported by the UE are the same, or the values ​​of the first time period corresponding to the sixth carrier set are the same, or the sixth carrier set has only one corresponding first time period, then it is not necessary to use the SRS and / or PUSCH parameters configured by the base station for the UE to distinguish the UE's handover rules.

[0245] One possibility is that if the handover rules corresponding to the fourth carrier set and the fifth carrier set reported by the UE are the same, or the values ​​of the first time period corresponding to the fourth carrier set and the fifth carrier set are the same, or the fourth carrier set and the fifth carrier set correspond to the same first time period, then there is no need to use the SRS and / or PUSCH parameters configured by the base station for the UE to distinguish the UE's handover rules.

[0246] One possible scenario is that the terminal device reports a sixth carrier set to the network device. The maximum number of radio links supported on at least one carrier in the sixth carrier set can have multiple different values. At the same time, the terminal device only reports a first time period related to the sixth carrier set. In this case, regardless of the maximum number of radio links on at least one carrier configured by the network device for the terminal device (or regardless of the maximum number of SRS resources on at least one carrier configured by the network device for the terminal device), the first time period corresponding to the terminal device switching radio links on the carriers in the sixth carrier set is the first time period related to the sixth carrier set reported by the terminal device.

[0247] One possible scenario is that the UE reports a sixth carrier set to the base station, and simultaneously reports at least one first time period corresponding to the sixth carrier set. If the UE reports multiple first time periods corresponding to the sixth carrier set, then the first time period corresponding to the UE's radio link handover on this at least one carrier (which belongs to the sixth carrier set) is determined by the SRS and / or PUSCH parameters configured by the base station on this at least one carrier. If the UE reports only one first time period corresponding to the sixth carrier set, then regardless of the maximum number of radio links on the at least one carrier (which belongs to the sixth carrier set) configured by the base station for UE to perform radio link handover (or the maximum number of SRS resources on the at least one carrier (which belongs to the sixth carrier set) configured by the base station for UE to perform radio link handover), the first time period corresponding to the UE's radio link handover on this at least one carrier is the first time period related to the sixth carrier set reported by the UE.

[0248] One possibility is that the maximum number of ports for the SRS resource is equal to the maximum number of ports among all periodic SRS, semi-static SRS, and aperiodic SRS resources configured by the base station.

[0249] One possible scenario in this application is that the switching rule is equivalent to the switching mode.

[0250] For Table 8, if the UE is in state 3 and is about to transmit uplink on carrier 2 (port 1), then the UE must perform a radio link switch because state 3 does not support uplink transmission on carrier 2. However, at this time, the UE is unsure whether to switch to state 1 or state 2 to transmit uplink on carrier 2, since both state 1 and state 2 support uplink transmission on carrier 2.

[0251] Similarly, if the UE is in state 2 and is about to transmit uplink on carrier 1, then the UE must perform a radio link switch because state 2 does not support uplink transmission on carrier 1. However, at this time, the UE is unsure whether to switch to state 1 or state 3 to transmit uplink on carrier 1, since both state 1 and state 3 support uplink transmission on carrier 1.

[0252] When reporting capabilities, the UE can report which state it will switch to for transmission in this situation. Alternatively, the UE can report whether it will use 1Tx or 2Tx to transmit this port transmission in this situation. The UE reports the fifth piece of information, which indicates the UE state when it needs to perform an uplink radio chain switch for the sixth transmission. One possible scenario is that the UE state can be replaced by the UE's radio chain state, the number of radio chains the UE supports on at least one carrier, the uplink transmission port information supported by the UE on at least one carrier, the UE's operational state, the uplink transmission port information supported by the UE on the carrier where the upcoming transmission will take place, or the uplink transmission port information supported by the UE on the carrier where the sixth transmission will take place, the number of radio chains the UE supports on the carrier where the upcoming transmission will take place, or the number of radio chains the UE has on the carrier where the sixth transmission will take place. Alternatively, the fifth piece of information can indicate the number of radio chains on the carrier where the sixth transmission will take place when the UE needs to perform an uplink radio chain switch for the sixth transmission. In other words, if the UE is about to perform a sixth transmission, it will at least not perform uplink transmission on the carrier where the sixth transmission will take place during the first time period, and the UE state during the sixth transmission is determined by the fifth piece of information. The fifth piece of information is reported by the UE. The sixth transmission is an uplink transmission supported by at least two RF chain states during the UE's RF chain handover process. In other words, the number of ports for the sixth transmission is less than the maximum number of RF chains supported by the carrier on which the sixth transmission is located. Alternatively, the sixth transmission is an uplink transmission supported by at least two RF chain states on the carrier on which the sixth transmission is located.

[0253] For example, regarding Table 8, if the UE reports the fifth information, and the UE is in state 3 and is about to transmit 1-port uplink on carrier 2, then the UE switches to state 2 to transmit 1-port uplink. The fifth information indicates that if the UE has two radio chains on one carrier and is about to transmit 1-port uplink on another carrier, then the UE switches between the two radio chains to the carrier where 1-port transmission is located and transmits 1-port uplink.

[0254] For example, regarding Table 8, if the UE reports the fifth information, and the UE is in state 3 and is about to transmit 1-port uplink on carrier 2, then the UE switches to state 1 to transmit 1-port. The fifth information indicates that if the UE has two radio chains on one carrier and is about to transmit 1-port uplink on another carrier, then the UE switches to switching one radio chain to the carrier where 1-port transmission is located and transmits 1-port.

[0255] For example, regarding Table 8, if the UE reports the fifth information, and the UE is in state 2 and is about to transmit 1-port uplink on carrier 1, then the UE switches to state 3 to transmit 1-port. The fifth information indicates that if the UE has two radio chains on one carrier and is about to transmit 1-port uplink on another carrier, then the UE switches between the two radio chains to the carrier where 1-port transmission is located and transmits 1-port.

[0256] For example, regarding Table 8, if the UE reports the fifth information, and the UE is in state 2 and about to transmit 1 port uplink on carrier 1, then the UE switches to state 1 to transmit 1 port. The fifth information indicates that if the UE has two radio links on one carrier and is about to transmit 1 port uplink on another carrier, then the UE switches to switching one radio link to the carrier where the 1 port transmission is located and transmits 1 port. In one possible scenario, the maximum number of radio links supported by the UE on a carrier is equal to or replaced by the maximum number of ports of SRS resources configured by the base station for the UE on that carrier.

[0257] In one possible scenario, the maximum number of radio chains supported by the UE on a carrier is equal to or replaced by the maximum number of SRS resources in the frequency band to which the carrier belongs, as reported by the UE, and / or the maximum number of uplink transmissions supported on this carrier and / or the maximum number of SRS resources in a set of SRS resources in a non-codebook transmission scenario on this carrier, or the maximum value among multiple values.

[0258] One possible scenario in this application is that the maximum number of radio chains supported by a carrier can be replaced with the maximum number of radio chains supported by a carrier.

[0259] The above, combined with Figures 2 to 3 The methods provided in the embodiments of this application are described in detail below. Figures 4 to 7 The communication device provided in the embodiments of this application is described in detail.

[0260] Figure 4 This is a schematic block diagram of a communication device 10 provided in an embodiment of this application. As shown in the figure, the communication device 10 may include a transceiver module 11 and a processing module 12.

[0261] In one possible design, the communication device 10 may correspond to the terminal device or UE in the above method embodiments.

[0262] For example, the communication device 10 may correspond to a terminal device or UE in the method 200 according to the embodiments of this application, and the communication device 10 may include tools for performing Figure 2The module executing the method in method 200 is the terminal device or UE. Furthermore, each unit in the communication device 10 and the aforementioned other operations and / or functions are respectively for implementing the corresponding process of method 200.

[0263] The transceiver module 11 in the communication device 10 performs the receiving and sending operations performed by the terminal device or UE in the above method embodiments, while the processing module 12 performs operations other than the receiving and sending operations.

[0264] In another possible design, the communication device 10 may correspond to a network device or base station in the above method embodiments.

[0265] For example, the communication device 10 may correspond to a network device or base station in the method 200 according to an embodiment of this application, and the communication device 10 may include tools for performing... Figure 2 The module executing the method in method 200 is a network device or base station. Furthermore, each unit in the communication device 10 and the other operations and / or functions described above are respectively for implementing the corresponding process of method 200.

[0266] The transceiver module 11 in the communication device 10 performs the receiving and sending operations performed by the network device or base station in the above method embodiments, while the processing module 12 performs operations other than the receiving and sending operations.

[0267] According to the aforementioned method, Figure 5 A schematic diagram of the communication device 20 provided in the embodiments of this application is shown below. Figure 5 As shown, the device 20 can be a terminal device or a network device.

[0268] The device 20 may include a processor 21 (i.e., an example of a processing module) and a memory 22. The memory 22 is used to store instructions, and the processor 21 is used to execute the instructions stored in the memory 22 to cause the device 20 to perform, for example... Figure 2 The steps executed in the corresponding method.

[0269] Furthermore, the device 20 may also include an input port 23 (i.e., an example of a transceiver module) and an output port 24 (i.e., another example of a transceiver module). Furthermore, the processor 21, memory 22, input port 23, and output port 24 can communicate with each other through internal connection paths to transmit control and / or data signals. The memory 22 is used to store computer programs, and the processor 21 can be used to call and run the computer program from the memory 22 to control the input port 23 to receive signals and control the output port 24 to send signals, thus completing the steps of the network device in the above method. The memory 22 may be integrated into the processor 21 or may be disposed separately from the processor 21.

[0270] Optionally, if the communication device 20 is a communication equipment, the input port 23 is a receiver, and the output port 24 is a transmitter. The receiver and transmitter can be the same or different physical entities. When they are the same physical entity, they can be collectively referred to as transceivers.

[0271] Optionally, if the communication device 20 is a chip or circuit, the input port 23 is an input interface and the output port 24 is an output interface.

[0272] As one implementation method, the functions of input port 23 and output port 24 can be implemented using transceiver circuits or dedicated transceiver chips. Processor 21 can be implemented using dedicated processing chips, processing circuits, processors, or general-purpose chips.

[0273] As another implementation method, the communication device provided in this application embodiment can be implemented using a general-purpose computer. The program code that implements the functions of processor 21, input port 23, and output port 24 is stored in memory 22, and the general-purpose processor implements the functions of processor 21, input port 23, and output port 24 by executing the code in memory 22.

[0274] For the concepts, explanations, detailed descriptions, and other steps related to the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of this application involved in the device 20, please refer to the descriptions of these contents in the foregoing methods or other embodiments, which will not be repeated here.

[0275] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of a communication device 30 provided in this application. For ease of explanation, Figure 6 Only the main components of the communication device are shown. For example... Figure 6 As shown, the communication device 30 includes a processor, a memory, a control circuit, an antenna, and input / output devices.

[0276] The processor is primarily used to process communication protocols and data, control the entire terminal device, execute software programs, and process the data within those programs. For example, it supports the terminal device in performing the actions described in the embodiments of the transmission precoding matrix instruction method. The memory is primarily used to store software programs and data, such as the codebook described in the embodiments above. The control circuit is primarily used for converting baseband signals to radio frequency signals and processing radio frequency signals. The control circuit and antenna together can also be called a transceiver, primarily used for transmitting and receiving radio frequency signals in the form of electromagnetic waves. Input / output devices, such as touchscreens, displays, and keyboards, are primarily used to receive user input data and output data to the user.

[0277] When the communication device is powered on, the processor can read the software program from the storage unit, interpret and execute the software program's instructions, and process the software program's data. When data needs to be transmitted wirelessly, the processor performs baseband processing on the data to be transmitted and outputs the baseband signal to the radio frequency (RF) circuit. The RF circuit then processes the baseband signal and transmits the RF signal outward as electromagnetic waves through the antenna. When data is sent to the terminal device, the RF circuit receives the RF signal through the antenna, converts the RF signal into a baseband signal, and outputs the baseband signal to the processor. The processor converts the baseband signal back into data and processes the data.

[0278] Those skilled in the art will understand that, for ease of explanation, Figure 6 Only one memory and processor are shown. In actual terminal devices, multiple processors and memories may exist. Memory can also be called storage medium or storage device, etc., and this application embodiment does not limit this.

[0279] As an optional implementation, the processor may include a baseband processor and a central processing unit (CPU). The baseband processor is mainly used to process communication protocols and communication data, while the CPU is mainly used to control the entire terminal device, execute software programs, and process the data of the software programs. Figure 6 The processor in the device integrates the functions of a baseband processor and a central processing unit (CPU). Those skilled in the art will understand that the baseband processor and CPU can also be independent processors interconnected via technologies such as buses. It will also be understood that a terminal device can include multiple baseband processors to adapt to different network standards, and multiple CPUs to enhance its processing capabilities. The various components of the terminal device can be connected via various buses. The baseband processor can also be described as a baseband processing circuit or a baseband processing chip. Similarly, the CPU can be described as a central processing circuit or a central processing chip. The function of processing communication protocols and communication data can be built into the processor or stored as a software program in a storage unit, with the processor executing the software program to implement the baseband processing function.

[0280] like Figure 6 As shown, the communication device 30 includes a transceiver unit 31 and a processing unit 32. The transceiver unit can also be referred to as a transceiver, transceiver set, or transceiver device. Optionally, the device in the transceiver unit 31 used to implement the receiving function can be considered as a receiving unit, and the device in the transceiver unit 31 used to implement the transmitting function can be considered as a transmitting unit; that is, the transceiver unit 31 includes a receiving unit and a transmitting unit. For example, the receiving unit can also be referred to as a receiver, receiver circuit, or receiving device, and the transmitting unit can be referred to as a transmitter, transmitter, or transmitting circuit.

[0281] Figure 6The terminal device shown can perform the various actions performed by the terminal device or UE in the above method 200. Here, to avoid redundancy, its detailed description is omitted.

[0282] Figure 7 A simplified schematic diagram of a network device 40 is shown. The network device includes parts 41 and 42. Part 41 is mainly used for transmitting and receiving radio frequency signals and converting radio frequency signals to baseband signals; part 42 is mainly used for baseband processing and controlling the network device. Part 41 can generally be referred to as a transceiver module, transceiver, transceiver circuit, or transceiver unit. Part 42 is usually the control center of the network device, often referred to as a processing module, used to control the network device to perform the processing operations on the network device side in the above method embodiments.

[0283] The transceiver module in section 41, also known as a transceiver unit or transceiver, includes an antenna and radio frequency (RF) circuitry, where the RF circuitry is primarily used for RF processing. For example, the device in section 41 that performs the receiving function can be considered the receiving module, and the device that performs the transmitting function can be considered the transmitting module; that is, section 41 includes both a receiving module and a transmitting module. The receiving module can also be called a receiver, receiver circuit, or receiving unit, while the transmitting module can be called a transmitter, transmitter, or transmitting circuit.

[0284] Part 42 may include one or more single boards, each single board may include one or more processors and one or more memories. The processor is used to read and execute programs in the memory to implement baseband processing functions and control network devices. If multiple single boards exist, they can be interconnected to enhance processing capabilities. As an alternative implementation, multiple single boards may share one or more processors, multiple single boards may share one or more memories, or multiple single boards may simultaneously share one or more processors.

[0285] For example, in one implementation, the transceiver module in section 41 is used to perform... Figure 2 The steps related to transmitting and receiving data in network equipment or base stations; Part 42 is used for execution. Figure 2 The steps related to the processing of network equipment or base stations.

[0286] It should be understood that Figure 7 This is merely an example and not a limitation; the network devices described above, including transceiver modules and processing modules, may not rely on... Figure 7 The structure shown.

[0287] When the device 40 is a chip, the chip includes a transceiver module and a processing module. The transceiver module can be an input / output circuit or a communication interface; the processing module is a processor, microprocessor, or integrated circuit integrated on the chip.

[0288] This application also provides a computer-readable storage medium storing computer instructions for implementing the method executed by the network device in the above method embodiments.

[0289] For example, when the computer program is executed by a computer, it enables the computer to implement the method executed by the network device in the above method embodiments.

[0290] This application also provides a computer program product containing instructions that, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to implement the method executed by the first device or the method executed by the second device in the above method embodiments.

[0291] This application also provides a communication system, which includes the network device described in the above embodiments.

[0292] The explanations and beneficial effects of the relevant contents in any of the devices provided above can be found in the corresponding method embodiments provided above, and will not be repeated here.

[0293] In this embodiment, the network device may include a hardware layer, an operating system layer running on top of the hardware layer, and an application layer running on top of the operating system layer. The hardware layer may include hardware such as a central processing unit (CPU), a memory management unit (MMU), and memory (also known as main memory). The operating system layer may be any one or more computer operating systems that implement business processing through processes, such as Linux, Unix, Android, iOS, or Windows. The application layer may include applications such as browsers, address books, word processing software, and instant messaging software.

[0294] This application does not impose any particular limitation on the specific structure of the execution subject of the method provided in this application embodiment. As long as it is possible to communicate according to the method provided in this application embodiment by running a program that records the code of the method provided in this application embodiment. For example, the execution subject of the method provided in this application embodiment can be a network device, or a functional module in a network device that can call and execute a program.

[0295] Various aspects or features of this application can be implemented as methods, apparatus, or articles of manufacture using standard programming and / or engineering techniques. As used herein, the term "article of manufacture" can encompass a computer program accessible from any computer-readable device, carrier, or medium. For example, computer-readable media can include, but are not limited to: magnetic storage devices (e.g., hard disks, floppy disks, or magnetic tapes), optical discs (e.g., compact discs (CDs), digital versatile discs (DVDs), etc.), smart cards, and flash memory devices (e.g., erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROMs), cards, sticks, or key drives, etc.).

[0296] The various storage media described herein may represent one or more devices and / or other machine-readable media used for storing information. The term "machine-readable media" may include, but is not limited to, wireless channels and various other media capable of storing, containing and / or carrying instructions and / or data.

[0297] It should be understood that the processor mentioned in the embodiments of this application can be a central processing unit (CPU), or other general-purpose processors, digital signal processors (DSPs), application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), or other programmable logic devices, discrete gate or transistor logic devices, discrete hardware components, etc. A general-purpose processor can be a microprocessor or any conventional processor.

[0298] It should also be understood that the memory mentioned in the embodiments of this application can be volatile memory or non-volatile memory, or may include both volatile and non-volatile memory. Non-volatile memory can be read-only memory (ROM), programmable read-only memory (PROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), or flash memory. Volatile memory can be random access memory (RAM). For example, RAM can be used as an external cache. By way of example and not limitation, RAM can include a variety of forms, such as: static random access memory (SRAM), dynamic random access memory (DRAM), synchronous dynamic random access memory (SDRAM), double data rate synchronous dynamic random access memory (DDR SDRAM), enhanced synchronous dynamic random access memory (ESDRAM), synchronous linked dynamic random access memory (SLDRAM), and direct rambus RAM (DR RAM).

[0299] It should be noted that when the processor is a general-purpose processor, DSP, ASIC, FPGA, or other programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic device, or discrete hardware component, the memory (storage module) can be integrated into the processor.

[0300] It should also be noted that the memory described herein is intended to include, but is not limited to, these and any other suitable types of memory.

[0301] Those skilled in the art will recognize that the units and steps of the various examples 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 implemented in hardware or software depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Those skilled in the art can use different methods to implement the described functions for each specific application, but such implementations should not be considered beyond the scope of protection of this application.

[0302] Those skilled in the art will clearly understand that, for the sake of convenience and brevity, the specific working process of the above-described apparatus and unit can be referred to the corresponding process in the foregoing method embodiments, and will not be repeated here.

[0303] In the several embodiments provided in this application, it should be understood that the disclosed apparatus and methods can be implemented in other ways. For example, the apparatus embodiments described above are merely illustrative; for instance, the division of units is only a logical functional division, and in actual implementation, there may be other division methods. For example, multiple units or components may be combined or integrated into another system, or some features may be ignored or not executed. Furthermore, the mutual coupling or direct coupling or communication connection shown or discussed may be through some interfaces, and the indirect coupling or communication connection of apparatus or units may be electrical, mechanical, or other forms.

[0304] The units described as separate components may or may not be physically separate. The components shown as units may or may not be physical units; that is, they may be located in one place or distributed across multiple network units. Some or all of the units can be selected to implement the solution provided in this application, depending on actual needs.

[0305] In addition, the functional units in the various embodiments of this application can be integrated into one unit, or each unit can exist physically separately, or two or more units can be integrated into one unit.

[0306] In the above embodiments, implementation can be achieved entirely or partially through software, hardware, firmware, or any combination thereof. When implemented using software, it can be implemented entirely or partially in the form of a computer program product. The computer program product includes one or more computer instructions. When the computer program instructions are loaded and executed on a computer, all or part of the processes or functions described in the embodiments of this application are generated. The computer can be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network, or other programmable device. For example, the computer can be a personal computer, a server, or a network device, etc. The computer instructions can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium or transmitted from one computer-readable storage medium to another. For example, the computer instructions can be transmitted from one website, computer, server, or data center to another website, computer, server, or data center via wired (e.g., coaxial cable, fiber optic, digital subscriber line (DSL)) or wireless (e.g., infrared, wireless, microwave, etc.) means. The computer-readable storage medium can be any available medium that a computer can access or a data storage device such as a server or data center that integrates one or more available media. The available media can be magnetic media (e.g., floppy disks, hard disks, magnetic tapes), optical media (e.g., DVDs), or semiconductor media (e.g., solid-state disks (SSDs)). For example, the aforementioned available media may include, but are not limited to, various media capable of storing program code, such as USB flash drives, portable hard drives, read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), magnetic disks, or optical disks.

[0307] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of this application, but the scope of protection of this application is not limited thereto. Any variations or substitutions that can be easily conceived by those skilled in the art within the technical scope disclosed in this application should be included within the scope of protection of this application. Therefore, the scope of protection of this application should be determined by the scope of protection of the claims and the specification.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that: The method comprises: Reporting a fourth frequency band set and a fifth frequency band set to the network device, and reporting a first time period corresponding to the fourth frequency band set and a second time period corresponding to the fifth frequency band set, wherein the frequency bands included in the fourth frequency band set are the same as the frequency bands included in the fifth frequency band set; The fourth frequency band set and the fifth frequency band set both include the twelfth frequency band and the thirteenth frequency band, the maximum number of layers supported for uplink transmission on the twelfth frequency band in the fourth frequency band set is 1, and the maximum number of layers supported for uplink transmission on the thirteenth frequency band in the fourth frequency band set is 2; the maximum number of layers supported for uplink transmission on the twelfth frequency band in the fifth frequency band set is 2, and the maximum number of layers supported for uplink transmission on the thirteenth frequency band in the fifth frequency band set is 2; the first time period is the duration for the terminal device to perform RF Tx switching on the frequency band in the fourth frequency band set, and the second time period is the duration for the terminal device to perform Tx switching on the frequency band in the fifth frequency band set.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The method further includes: performing Tx switching on the twelfth frequency band and the thirteenth frequency band according to the configuration of the network device.

3. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that The configuration of the network device includes that the maximum port number of SRS resources on the twelfth frequency band is 2, and the maximum port number of sounding reference signal SRS resources on the thirteenth frequency band is 2, and the switching duration of Tx switching of the terminal device between the twelfth frequency band and the thirteenth frequency band is the second time period.

4. The method according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that: The configuration of the network device includes that the maximum port number of SRS resources on the twelfth frequency band is 1, and the maximum port number of SRS resources on the thirteenth frequency band is 2, and the switching duration of the terminal device for Tx switching between the twelfth frequency band and the thirteenth frequency band is the first time period.

5. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that The terminal device expects that the number of Tx switching times in the fifth time period does not exceed M.

6. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that M is equal to 1 or 2.

7. The method according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that: The method further includes: reporting the fifth time period to the network device, where the fifth time period includes one or more time units.

8. A communication method, characterized in that: The method comprises: receiving a fourth frequency band set and a fifth frequency band set, as well as a first time period corresponding to the fourth frequency band set and a second time period corresponding to the fifth frequency band set, wherein the frequency bands included in the fourth frequency band set are the same as the frequency bands included in the fifth frequency band set; The fourth frequency band set and the fifth frequency band set both include the twelfth frequency band and the thirteenth frequency band, the maximum number of layers supported for uplink transmission on the twelfth frequency band in the fourth frequency band set is 1, and the maximum number of layers supported for uplink transmission on the thirteenth frequency band in the fourth frequency band set is 2; the maximum number of layers supported for uplink transmission on the twelfth frequency band in the fifth frequency band set is 2, and the maximum number of layers supported for uplink transmission on the thirteenth frequency band in the fifth frequency band set is 2; the first time period is the duration for the terminal device to perform RF Tx switching on the frequency band in the fourth frequency band set, and the second time period is the duration for the terminal device to perform Tx switching on the frequency band in the fifth frequency band set.

9. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that The method further includes: sending configuration information, where the configuration information is used for the terminal device to perform Tx switching between the twelfth frequency band and the thirteenth frequency band.

10. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that The configuration information includes that the maximum number of ports of the SRS resource on the twelfth frequency band is 2, and the maximum number of ports of the sounding reference signal SRS resource on the thirteenth frequency band is 2, The switching duration of the terminal device performing Tx switching between the twelfth frequency band and the thirteenth frequency band is the second time period.

11. The method according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that: The configuration information includes that the maximum number of ports of the SRS resources on the twelfth frequency band is 1, and the maximum number of ports of the SRS resources on the thirteenth frequency band is 2, The switching duration of the terminal device performing Tx switching between the twelfth frequency band and the thirteenth frequency band is the first time period.

12. The method according to claim 11, characterized in that The terminal device expects that the number of Tx switching times in the fifth time period does not exceed M.

13. The method according to claim 12, characterized in that M is equal to 1 or 2.

14. The method according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that: The method further includes receiving the fifth time period, wherein the fifth time period includes one or more time units.

15. A communication device, characterized in that: Including sending unit, The sending unit is used to report a fourth frequency band set and a fifth frequency band set, as well as a first time period corresponding to the fourth frequency band set and a second time period corresponding to the fifth frequency band set to the network device, wherein the frequency bands included in the fourth frequency band set are the same as the frequency bands included in the fifth frequency band set; The fourth frequency band set and the fifth frequency band set both include the twelfth frequency band and the thirteenth frequency band, the maximum number of layers supported for uplink transmission on the twelfth frequency band in the fourth frequency band set is 1, and the maximum number of layers supported for uplink transmission on the thirteenth frequency band in the fourth frequency band set is 2; the maximum number of layers supported for uplink transmission on the twelfth frequency band in the fifth frequency band set is 2, and the maximum number of layers supported for uplink transmission on the thirteenth frequency band in the fifth frequency band set is 2; the first time period is the duration for the communication device to perform RF Tx switching on the frequency band in the fourth frequency band set, and the second time period is the duration for the communication device to perform Tx switching on the frequency band in the fifth frequency band set.

16. The device according to claim 15, characterized in that The apparatus further includes a processing unit configured to perform Tx switching on the twelfth frequency band and the thirteenth frequency band according to the configuration of the network device.

17. The device according to claim 15, characterized in that The configuration of the network device includes that the maximum number of ports of the SRS resource on the twelfth frequency band is 2, and the maximum number of ports of the sounding reference signal SRS resource on the thirteenth frequency band is 2, The switching duration of the communication device performing Tx switching between the twelfth frequency band and the thirteenth frequency band is the second time period.

18. The device according to claim 16 or 17, characterized in that The configuration of the network device includes that the maximum number of ports of the SRS resources on the twelfth frequency band is 1, and the maximum number of ports of the SRS resources on the thirteenth frequency band is 2, The switching duration of the communication device performing Tx switching between the twelfth frequency band and the thirteenth frequency band is the first time period.

19. The device according to claim 18, characterized in that The communication device expects that the number of Tx switching times in the fifth time period does not exceed M.

20. The device according to claim 19, characterized in that M is equal to 1 or 2.

21. The device according to claim 19 or 20, characterized in that The sending unit is further configured to report the fifth time period to the network device, where the fifth time period includes one or more time units.

22. A communication device, characterized in that: include: a receiving unit, the receiving unit being configured to receive a fourth frequency band set and a fifth frequency band set, and a first time period corresponding to the fourth frequency band set and a second time period corresponding to the fifth frequency band set, wherein the frequency bands included in the fourth frequency band set are the same as the frequency bands included in the fifth frequency band set; The fourth frequency band set and the fifth frequency band set both include the twelfth frequency band and the thirteenth frequency band, the maximum number of layers supported for uplink transmission on the twelfth frequency band in the fourth frequency band set is 1, and the maximum number of layers supported for uplink transmission on the thirteenth frequency band in the fourth frequency band set is 2; the maximum number of layers supported for uplink transmission on the twelfth frequency band in the fifth frequency band set is 2, and the maximum number of layers supported for uplink transmission on the thirteenth frequency band in the fifth frequency band set is 2; the first time period is the duration for the terminal device to perform RF Tx switching on the frequency band in the fourth frequency band set, and the second time period is the duration for the terminal device to perform Tx switching on the frequency band in the fifth frequency band set.

23. The device according to claim 22, characterized in that The apparatus further includes a sending unit, configured to send configuration information, wherein the configuration information is used by the terminal device to perform Tx switching between the twelfth frequency band and the thirteenth frequency band.

24. The device according to claim 23, characterized in that The configuration information includes that the maximum port number of SRS resources on the twelfth frequency band is 2, and the maximum port number of sounding reference signal SRS resources on the thirteenth frequency band is 2, and the switching duration of Tx switching of the terminal device between the twelfth frequency band and the thirteenth frequency band is the second time period.

25. The device according to claim 23 or 24, characterized in that The configuration information includes that the maximum number of ports of the SRS resources on the twelfth frequency band is 1, and the maximum number of ports of the SRS resources on the thirteenth frequency band is 2, The switching duration of the terminal device performing Tx switching between the twelfth frequency band and the thirteenth frequency band is the first time period.

26. The device according to claim 25, characterized in that The terminal device expects that the number of Tx switching times in the fifth time period does not exceed M.

27. The device according to claim 26, characterized in that M is equal to 1 or 2.

28. The device according to claim 26 or 27, characterized in that The receiving unit is further configured to receive the fifth time period, where the fifth time period includes one or more time units.

29. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that: The computer-readable storage medium stores a computer program, and when the computer program is executed on a computer, the computer is caused to execute the method according to any one of claims 1 to 14.

30. A computer program product, characterized in that The method comprises computer program instructions, which, when executed on a computer, cause the computer to perform the method according to any one of claims 1 to 14.

31. A chip system, comprising: A processor is used to call and run a computer program from a memory so that a communication device equipped with the chip system executes a method as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 14.

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