A signal processing method and a communication device

Abstract

Embodiments of the present application disclose a signal processing method for improving signal scanning speed. The method of the embodiments of the present application includes outputting configuration information of a sounding reference signal (SRS), configuring the resources of the SRS as characteristic combs within at least one symbol, where the characteristic combs include subcarriers evenly distributed in the frequency domain, and subcarriers outside the characteristic combs within at least one symbol do not map data and reference signals; receiving the SRS through different beams in different characteristic time periods of at least one symbol, and the time-domain characteristics of the SRS repeat in different characteristic time periods.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Embodiments of the present application relate to the field of communications, and in particular, to a signal processing method and a communication device. Background Art

[0002] In modern communication systems, such as long term evolution (LTE) or new radio (NR) communication systems, when a base station configures a reference signal for a terminal, for example, when configuring a sounding reference signal (SRS), the base station instructs the terminal to configure a comb-shaped sounding reference signal.

[0003] During the channel scanning process of the base station for the terminal, for example, when the base station scans the sounding reference signal, since the SRS resources are staggered through comb division configuration in the frequency domain, even in a lightly loaded network, the SRS resources occupy the frequency domain resources of the entire comb. When the number of channels that the base station needs to scan is large, the scanning period is relatively slow, so that the scanned information cannot track the change of the channel, resulting in damage to the system capacity and coverage performance. Summary of the Invention

[0004] Embodiments of the present application provide a signal processing method for improving the signal scanning speed.

[0005] In a first aspect of the embodiments of the present application, a signal processing method is provided. This method can be executed by a network device, or by components of the network device, such as a processor, a chip, or a chip system of the network device, or can also be implemented by a logic module or software that can implement all or part of the functions of the network device. The method includes: outputting configuration information of a sounding reference signal (SRS), where the configuration information configures the resources of the SRS as a characteristic comb within at least one symbol, the characteristic comb includes subcarriers equally spaced in the frequency domain, and subcarriers outside the characteristic comb within at least one symbol do not map data and reference signals. Receiving the SRS through different beams in different characteristic time periods of at least one symbol, and the time domain characteristics of the SRS repeat in different characteristic time periods.

[0006] In the embodiments of the present application, the resources for the terminal to send the SRS are the characteristic comb within at least one symbol. Since the SRS corresponding to the characteristic comb presents repeated time domain characteristics in different characteristic time periods of at least one symbol, the network device only needs to receive the SRS in the characteristic time periods without waiting for the entire symbol, thereby improving the signal scanning speed and shortening the signal scanning period. At the same time, the network device switches different beams for scanning in different characteristic time periods, thereby improving the switching speed of different beams.

[0007] In a possible implementation, SRS is received through different antenna groups during different characteristic time periods of at least one symbol, and the time-domain characteristics of SRS repeat during different characteristic time periods.

[0008] In a possible implementation, the characteristic comb is one of the K characteristic combs, and the characteristic time period is symbols. SRS is received through different beams within symbols of at least one symbol, and the time-domain characteristics of SRS repeat within symbols.

[0009] In the embodiments of the present application, the SRS resource is one of the K characteristic combs within at least one symbol. SRS presents time-domain characteristics within symbols. By scanning the SRS of symbols, the network device can obtain the time-domain characteristics, thereby improving the signal scanning speed.

[0010] In a possible implementation, the configuration information configures the SRS resource of SRS as the characteristic combs on different symbols, and SRS is received through different beams on different symbols.

[0011] In a possible implementation, SRS is received through different antenna groups on different symbols.

[0012] In the embodiments of the present application, the network device can switch the beam to receive SRS during different characteristic time periods within one symbol, or can switch different beams to receive SRS on different symbols, thereby improving the channel scanning speed within the time slot.

[0013] In a possible implementation, channel estimation is performed based on some or all of the SRS received during different characteristic time periods. For example, after channel estimation, the analog weights of the beam are determined through singular value decomposition (SVD) for weighted reception of the uplink data channel.

[0014] In the embodiments of the present application, the network device performs channel estimation based on some or all of the SRS received during different characteristic time periods, improving the accuracy of channel estimation and the feasibility of the solution.

[0015] In a possible implementation, when there is signal distortion in the SRS of the first characteristic time period, the SRS received in the first characteristic time period is updated according to any one or more of the characteristic time periods after the first characteristic time period.

[0016] In the embodiments of the present application, due to the handover delay of the antenna, the SRS received by the base station in the first characteristic period may be distorted. The base station updates the SRS received in the first characteristic period according to the SRS received in any one or more characteristic periods after the first characteristic period, thereby improving the quality of the SRS received by the network device.

[0017] In a second aspect of the embodiments of the present application, a signal processing method is provided. This method can be executed by a terminal, or by components of the terminal, such as the processor, chip, or chip system of the terminal, etc., and can also be implemented by a logic module or software that can implement all or part of the functions of the terminal. The method includes: receiving configuration information of the sounding reference signal SRS, where the configuration information configures the SRS resource as a characteristic comb within at least one symbol. The characteristic comb includes subcarriers equally spaced in the frequency domain, and subcarriers outside the characteristic comb within at least one symbol do not map data and reference signals. SRS is sent on the characteristic comb through different beams in different characteristic periods of at least one symbol, and the time domain characteristics of the SRS repeat in different characteristic periods.

[0018] In the embodiments of the present application, the SRS resource sent by the terminal is a characteristic comb within at least one symbol. Since the SRS corresponding to this characteristic comb presents repeated time domain characteristics in different characteristic periods of at least one symbol, the terminal only needs to switch different beams to send SRS in the characteristic periods, thereby improving the channel scanning speed of different beams.

[0019] In a possible implementation manner, SRS is sent on the characteristic comb through different antenna groups in different characteristic periods of at least one symbol, and the time domain characteristics of the SRS repeat in different characteristic periods.

[0020] In a possible implementation manner, the characteristic comb is one of K characteristic combs, and the characteristic period is symbols. SRS is sent on the characteristic comb through different beams in different symbols of at least one symbol, and the time domain characteristics of the SRS repeat in different symbols.

[0021] In the embodiments of the present application, the SRS resource is one of K characteristic combs within at least one symbol, and the SRS presents time domain characteristics within symbols. The terminal switches beams to send SRS every symbols, thereby improving the scanning speed of the signal.

[0022] In a possible implementation manner, the configuration information configures the SRS resource of the SRS as a characteristic comb on different symbols, and SRS is sent through different beams on different symbols.

[0023] In the embodiments of the present application, the terminal can switch the beam to transmit SRS in different characteristic time periods within one symbol, or can also switch different beams to transmit SRS in different symbols, thereby improving the channel scanning speed of different beams within one time slot.

[0024] In a third aspect of the embodiments of the present application, a communication device is provided, and the communication device includes:

[0025] An interface unit, configured to output configuration information of a sounding reference signal SRS, where the configuration information configures the resource of the SRS as a characteristic comb within at least one symbol, the characteristic comb includes subcarriers equally spaced in the frequency domain, and subcarriers outside the characteristic comb within at least one symbol do not map data and reference signals;

[0026] A processing unit, configured to control the device to receive SRS through different beams in different characteristic time periods of at least one symbol, and the time domain characteristics of the SRS repeat in different characteristic time periods.

[0027] In a possible implementation manner, the characteristic comb is one of K characteristic combs, and the characteristic time period is symbols.

[0028] In a possible implementation manner, the configuration information configures the SRS resource of the SRS as a characteristic comb on different symbols, and the processing unit is further configured to control the device to receive SRS through different beams on different symbols.

[0029] In a possible implementation manner, the processing unit is further configured to perform channel estimation according to part or all of the SRS received in different characteristic time periods.

[0030] In a possible implementation manner, the processing unit is further configured to update the SRS received in the first characteristic time period according to the SRS received in any one or more characteristic time periods after the first characteristic time period.

[0031] In a fourth aspect of the embodiments of the present application, a communication device is provided, including:

[0032] An interface unit, configured to receive configuration information of a sounding reference signal SRS, where the configuration information configures the resource of the SRS as a characteristic comb within at least one symbol, the characteristic comb includes subcarriers equally spaced in the frequency domain, and subcarriers outside the characteristic comb within at least one symbol do not map data and reference signals;

[0033] A processing unit, configured to control the device to transmit SRS on the characteristic comb through different beams in different characteristic time periods of at least one symbol, and the time domain characteristics of the SRS repeat in different characteristic time periods.

[0034] In a possible implementation manner, the characteristic comb is one of K characteristic combs, and the characteristic time period is a symbol

[0035] In a possible implementation, the configuration information configures the SRS resources of the SRS as characteristic combs on different symbols, and the processing unit is further configured to control the device to send the SRS through different beams on different symbols.

[0036] The fifth aspect of the embodiments of the present application provides a communication device, including: a processor, the processor is coupled to a memory, and the memory is used to store programs or instructions. When the programs or instructions are executed by the processor, the device is caused to execute the method of the first aspect and any possible implementation of the first aspect above.

[0037] The sixth aspect of the embodiments of the present application provides a communication device, including: a processor, the processor is coupled to a memory, and the memory is used to store programs or instructions. When the programs or instructions are executed by the processor, the device is caused to execute the method of the second aspect and any possible implementation of the second aspect above.

[0038] The seventh aspect of the embodiments of the present application provides a communication system. The communication system includes the device of the third aspect or any implementation of the third aspect and the device of the fourth aspect or any implementation of the fourth aspect above, or the communication system includes the communication device of the fifth aspect and the communication device of the sixth aspect.

[0039] The eighth aspect of the embodiments of the present application provides a computer-readable storage medium. The computer-readable storage medium stores a program. When the program is executed, the computer is caused to execute the method provided by the first aspect and any possible implementation of the first aspect above, or the computer is caused to execute the method provided by the second aspect and any possible implementation of the second aspect above.

[0040] The ninth aspect of the embodiments of the present application provides a computer program product. The computer program product includes computer program code. When the computer program code runs on a computer, the computer is caused to implement the method provided by the first aspect and any possible implementation of the first aspect above or the method provided by the second aspect and any possible implementation of the second aspect above.

[0041] It can be understood that any of the above-provided communication devices, communication systems, computer-readable media, or computer program products are used to execute the corresponding methods provided above. Therefore, the beneficial effects that can be achieved can refer to the beneficial effects in the corresponding methods, which will not be elaborated here. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0042] Figure 1a It is a schematic diagram of a communication system architecture provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0043] Figure 1b Schematic diagram of the system architecture of a signal processing method provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0044] Figure 2 Schematic diagram of a signal processing method provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0045] Figure 3a Schematic diagram of a feature comb provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0046] Figure 3b Schematic diagram of the time-domain features corresponding to a feature comb provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0047] Figure 4a 、 Figure 4b 、 Figure 5a and Figure 5b Schematic diagrams of several other feature combs provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0048] Figure 6 Schematic diagram of a communication device provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0049] Figure 7 Schematic diagram of another communication device provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0050] Figure 8 Schematic diagram of a communication system provided by an embodiment of the present application. Detailed implementation manners

[0051] An embodiment of the present application provides a signal processing method for improving the channel scanning speed of a base station for a terminal or a terminal for a base station.

[0052] Terms such as "first", "second", "third", "fourth", etc. (if any) in the specification, claims and above-mentioned drawings of the present application are used to distinguish similar objects and do not necessarily describe a specific order or sequence. It should be understood that such used data can be interchanged under appropriate circumstances so that the embodiments described herein can be implemented in an order other than that illustrated or described herein. In addition, the terms "comprising" and "having" and any variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion. For example, a process, method, system, product or device comprising a series of steps or units does not necessarily limit to those clearly listed steps or units, but may include other steps or units not clearly listed or inherent to these process, method, product or device.

[0053] In the embodiments of the present application, words such as "exemplary" or "for example" are used to indicate examples, illustrations, or explanations. Any embodiment or design solution described as "exemplary" or "for example" in the embodiments of the present application should not be construed as being more preferred or advantageous than other embodiments or design solutions. Rather, the use of words such as "exemplary" or "for example" is intended to present relevant concepts in a specific manner.

[0054] Hereinafter, some terms in the present application will be explained to facilitate understanding by those skilled in the art.

[0055] A reference signal is a signal used to obtain the external influence suffered by a signal during transmission, and is generally used for channel estimation or assisting signal demodulation and detection. For example, reference signals include: demodulation reference signal (DMRS), channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS), phase tracking reference signal (PTRS), sounding reference signal (SRS), etc. DMRS is used to assist signal demodulation, CSI-RS is used to obtain channel information, PTRS is used to obtain phase change information, and SRS is used to estimate the uplink channel for frequency selective scheduling or to estimate the downlink channel for downlink beamforming.

[0056] Antenna selection (AS) refers to a network device or a terminal selecting an antenna from multiple antennas to receive or transmit signals. An antenna-selected terminal refers to a terminal that supports antenna selection.

[0057] The methods provided in the embodiments of the present application can be executed by various communication devices, such as network devices and terminals. Hereinafter, taking network devices and terminals as examples, the signal processing methods provided in the embodiments of the present application will be introduced with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0058] It can be understood that the methods provided in the embodiments of the present application can be executed by a communication device, or by components of a communication device, such as a processor, a chip, or a chip system of a communication device, etc., and can also be implemented by a logic module or software that can implement all or part of the functions of a communication device.

[0059] Hereinafter, only Figure 1a the communication system shown will be used as an example to describe the methods provided in the embodiments of the present application. As Figure 1aAs shown in the figure, a communication system 10 provided by an embodiment of the present application is presented. The communication system 10 includes at least one network device 20 and one or more terminal devices 30 connected to the network device 20. Further, the different terminal devices 30 can communicate with each other.

[0060] The network device 20 involved in the present application is a device for connecting a terminal device 30 to a wireless network. For example, it can be an evolved Node B (eNB or eNodeB) in LTE; or a base station, a broadband network gateway (BNG), an aggregation switch, or a non-3GPP access device in a 5G network or a future evolved public land mobile network (PLMN); or the network device 20 in the embodiment of the present application can also be a radio controller in a cloud radio access network (CRAN); or a transmission and reception point (TRP), or a device including a TRP, etc. The embodiment of the present application does not make specific limitations on this.

[0061] As some possible implementation manners, the base station in the embodiment of the present application can include various forms of base stations, such as: macro base stations, micro base stations (also called small stations), relay stations, access points, etc. The embodiment of the present application does not make specific limitations on this.

[0062] As a possible implementation, the network device 20 in the embodiments of the present application may also refer to a central unit (CU) or a distributed unit (DU). Alternatively, the network device may be composed of a CU and a DU. Multiple DUs may share a single CU. One DU may also be connected to multiple CUs. The CU and the DU can be understood as a logical functional division of the network device. Among them, the CU and the DU may be physically separated or deployed together, and the embodiments of the present application do not make specific limitations in this regard. The CU and the DU can be connected through an interface, such as the F1 interface. The CU and the DU can be divided according to the protocol layers of the wireless network. For example, the functions of the radio resource control (RRC) protocol layer, the service data adaptation protocol (SDAP) protocol layer, and the packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) protocol layer are set in the CU, while the functions of the radio link control (RLC) protocol layer, the media access control (MAC) protocol layer, the physical (PHY) protocol layer, etc. are set in the DU.

[0063] It can be understood that the division of the processing functions of the CU and the DU according to these protocol layers is merely an example, and other division methods may also be used.

[0064] For example, the CU or the DU can be divided into functions with more protocol layers. For example, the CU or the DU can also be divided into partial processing functions of the protocol layers. In one design, some functions of the RLC layer and the protocol layers above the RLC layer are set in the CU, and the remaining functions of the RLC layer and the protocol layers below the RLC layer are set in the DU. In another design, the functions of the CU or the DU can also be divided according to the service type or other system requirements. For example, in terms of latency division, the functions that need to meet the latency requirements are set in the DU, and the functions that do not need to meet the latency requirements are set in the CU. In another design, the CU can also have one or more functions of the core network. One or more CUs can be centrally set or separated. For example, the CU can be set on the network side for convenient centralized management. The DU can have multiple radio frequency functions, or the radio frequency functions can be remotely set.

[0065] In some embodiments, the CU may be composed of a CU control plane (CU-CP) and a CU user plane (CU-UP). The CU-CP and CU-UP can be understood as a division of the CU from the perspective of logical functions. Among them, the CU-CP and CU-UP can be divided according to the protocol layers of the wireless network. For example, the functions of the RRC protocol layer and the PDCP protocol layer corresponding to the signaling radio bearer (SRB) are set in the CU-CP, and the functions of the PDCP protocol layer corresponding to the data radio bearer (DRB) are set in the CU-UP. In addition, the functions of the SDAP protocol layer may also be set in the CU-UP.

[0066] It can be understood that all or part of the functions of the network device in this application can also be implemented by software functions running on hardware, or by virtualized functions instantiated on a platform (such as a cloud platform).

[0067] The terminal device 30 involved in this application can be a device for implementing wireless communication functions, such as a terminal or a chip that can be used in a terminal. Among them, the terminal can be a user equipment (UE), access terminal, terminal unit, terminal station, mobile station, mobile device, remote station, remote terminal, wireless communication device, terminal agent or terminal device in IoT, 5G network, or future evolved PLMN. The access terminal can be a cellular phone, cordless phone, session initiation protocol (SIP) phone, wireless local loop (WLL) station, personal digital assistant (PDA), handheld device with wireless communication function, computing device or other processing device connected to a wireless modem, in-vehicle device or wearable device, virtual reality (VR) terminal device, augmented reality (AR) terminal device, wireless terminal in industrial control, wireless terminal in self-driving, wireless terminal in remote medical, wireless terminal in smart grid, wireless terminal in transportation safety, wireless terminal in smart city, wireless terminal in smart home, etc. The terminal can be mobile or fixed.

[0068] Figure 1a The communication system shown is for illustrative purposes only and is not intended to limit the technical solutions of this application. Those skilled in the art should understand that in the specific implementation process, this communication system may also include other devices, which are not limited.

[0069] Please refer to Figure 1b , Figure 1b which is a schematic diagram of the system architecture of another signal processing method provided by an embodiment of this application. The system architecture includes a network device and a terminal. The network device sends configuration information of a pilot signal to the terminal, and the pilot signal includes a sounding reference signal SRS. For example, the network device may indicate the configuration of the SRS resource of the terminal and the beam for the terminal to send the SRS through a radio resource control (RRC) message.

[0070] The terminal sends a pilot signal according to the configuration information from the network device. For example, the terminal sends the SRS through different beams according to the configuration information, and the network device receives the SRS from the terminal through different beams, performs channel estimation based on the SRS, and simultaneously determines the weights for beamforming and uses them for weighted reception of uplink data.

[0071] Please refer to Figure 2 , Figure 2 which is a schematic flowchart of a signal processing method provided by an embodiment of this application. The signal processing method provided by an embodiment of this application may include:

[0072] 201. The network device outputs configuration information of the SRS to the terminal.

[0073] In this application, the network device outputting information can be understood as: the network device outputs or sends information to the terminal through the air interface.

[0074] Exemplarily, after the network device performs baseband processing on the information, it outputs a baseband signal to the radio frequency circuit of the network device. The radio frequency circuit processes the baseband signal to obtain a radio frequency signal and sends the radio frequency signal to the terminal through an antenna.

[0075] In this application, the network device outputting information can also be understood as: the first module of the network device outputs indication information to the second module of the network device. The first module or the second module may be a software module, a hardware module, or a combination of a software module and a hardware module, which are not limited.

[0076] In one example, the network device configures the SRS resource for the terminal through an RRC message, and the terminal includes, for example, a terminal that can perform antenna selection.

[0077] 202. The terminal configures SRS resources according to the configuration information, and configures the resources of SRS as characteristic combs within at least one symbol.

[0078] In the embodiment of the present application, after the terminal receives the configuration information from the base station, the terminal configures the SRS resources as characteristic combs within at least one symbol according to the configuration information. The characteristic combs include subcarriers evenly distributed in the frequency domain, and the characteristic combs can also be understood as a set of subcarriers with combing characteristics. Subcarriers other than the characteristic combs within at least one symbol do not map data and reference signals, and the time-domain characteristics of SRS repeat in different characteristic time periods (it can also be understood that SRS presents periodic time-domain characteristics in the time domain).

[0079] Please refer to Figure 3a , Figure 3a shows a schematic diagram of the SRS resources allocated by the terminal according to the configuration information. The terminal configures the SRS resources as characteristic combs within at least one symbol, and subcarriers other than the characteristic combs do not map data and reference signals. As Figure 3a shown, in the figure, the set of subcarriers 301 is the characteristic comb configured with SRS resources, and the set of subcarriers 302 in the figure is the subcarriers outside the characteristic comb, and the subcarriers outside the characteristic comb do not map data and reference signals.

[0080] Please refer to Figure 3b , Figure 3b is a schematic diagram of the periodic repetition characteristics of SRS in the time domain. The terminal configures the SRS resources according to Figure 3a shown. Since the SRS resources are configured as the above-mentioned set of subcarriers 301, the SRS will have repeated time-domain characteristics within at least one symbol. For example, within one symbol as Figure 3b shown, the time-domain characteristics of SRS repeat twice.

[0081] In one example, the terminal configures the resources of SRS as one of K characteristic combs within at least one symbol. In at least one symbol, the time-domain characteristics of SRS repeat every symbols.

[0082] In the above example, there can be multiple values for K. For example, it can be 2 or 4, and there is no specific limitation. The following will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings:

[0083] Please refer to Figure 4a , Figure 4a shows a schematic diagram of the subcarriers of the characteristic comb when K is equal to 2. As Figure 4a shown, one column represents the subcarriers within one symbol, where the set of subcarriers 401 is the characteristic comb, and the SRS resources are mapped on it. The set of subcarriers 402 does not map data and reference signals. The time-domain characteristics of SRS repeat every A symbol repeats, that is, the time domain feature of the SRS repeats 2 times within one symbol.

[0084] Please refer to Figure 4b , Figure 4b which shows a schematic diagram of the sub - carrier set of the comb when K is equal to 4, as Figure 4b shown, where one column represents the sub - carriers within one symbol. The set of sub - carriers 401 is the characteristic comb on which the SRS resource is mapped, and the sets of sub - carriers 402, 403, and 404 do not map data and reference signals. Therefore, the time domain feature of the SRS repeats every symbols, that is, the time domain feature of the SRS repeats 4 times within one symbol.

[0085] 203. The terminal sends the SRS to the base station through different beams during different characteristic time periods of at least one symbol.

[0086] The terminal sends the SRS to the base station. Specifically, the terminal sends the SRS on the characteristic comb through different beams during different characteristic time periods of at least one symbol, and the base station receives the SRS through different beams during different characteristic time periods of at least one symbol. The time domain feature of the SRS repeats during different characteristic time periods.

[0087] In one example, the characteristic time period of one symbol is one - Kth of a symbol. The terminal configures the SRS resource as one of the K characteristic combs. The terminal sends the SRS through different beams during different one - Kth symbols, and the time domain feature of the SRS repeats within different one - Kth symbols. The base station receives the SRS through different beams within different one - Kth symbols.

[0088] In one example, the number of times the terminal needs to switch beams is M times, and the number of times the base station needs to switch beams is N times. The total number of times the terminal and the base station need to switch beams is M * N times. Since the terminal configures the SRS resource as one of the K characteristic combs within at least one symbol, the SRS presents a repeated time domain feature in different one - Kth symbols. That is, the terminal can split one symbol into one - Kth symbols to send the SRS, and the terminal switches the beam for sending the SRS once within each one - Kth symbol. The base station can split one symbol to receive the SRS, and the base station switches the beam for receiving the SRS once within each one - Kth symbol. Therefore, the scanning period of the beam can be reduced to one - Kth of the original period.

[0089] The above introduced that the terminal sends the SRS through different beams during the characteristic time period within one symbol. Next, in combination with the accompanying drawings, this application embodiment will be introduced in which the terminal sends the SRS through different beams in different symbols, and the base station receives the SRS sent by the terminal through different beams in different symbols.

[0090] Please refer to Figure 5a , Figure 5a a schematic diagram of SRS resources configured for multiple symbols. The row direction represents the time domain, the column direction represents the frequency domain, each column represents the subcarriers within a symbol, and each row represents multiple symbols corresponding to a subcarrier. As shown in the figure, the terminal configures the SRS resources within one symbol as one of the two feature combs, and the other comb does not map data or reference signals, and the terminal configures SRS resources on multiple symbols.

[0091] Please refer to Figure 5b , Figure 5b a schematic diagram of SRS resources configured for each different symbol. The row direction represents the time domain, the column direction represents the frequency domain, each column represents the subcarriers within a symbol, and each row represents multiple symbols corresponding to a subcarrier. Figure 5b In , the terminal configures the SRS resources in different symbols as the feature combs corresponding to different numbers. As shown in the figure, the terminal configures the SRS resources within one symbol as one of the four feature combs, and the other three feature combs do not map data or reference signals. The terminal configures SRS resources on multiple symbols, and the feature combs that map SRS resources in different symbols can be different numbered subcarrier sets or the same numbered subcarrier sets. This application does not make any limitations in this regard. For example, the feature comb within the first symbol is the subcarrier set numbered 1, the feature comb within the second symbol is the subcarrier set numbered 2, the feature comb within the third symbol is the subcarrier set numbered 1, and the feature comb within the fourth symbol is the subcarrier set numbered 4.

[0092] The weights for beamforming in the embodiments of this application include analog weights and / or digital weights. In addition to the terminal and the base station being able to send or receive SRS through different beams, the terminal and the base station can also switch different antenna groups to send or receive the above SRS, which will not be elaborated here.

[0093] In the embodiments of this application, when the terminal sends SRS through different antenna groups in different symbols, due to the switching delay existing in the antenna group switching between different symbols, the switching delay causes the SRS in the first feature period within the symbol to be distorted, that is, the head signal distortion caused by the antenna group switching between symbols. When the SRS in the first feature period is distorted, update the SRS received in the first feature period according to the SRS received in any one or more feature periods after the first feature period.

[0094] In one example, if the SRS of the first K-th segment of symbols received by the base station is distorted, the terminal updates the signal in the first K-th segment of symbols based on the signal in the second K-th segment of symbols. For example, the SRS in the second K-th segment of symbols is x2, and the SRS in the first K-th segment of symbols is x1. The terminal updates x1 based on x2 to satisfy the following formula, where k represents the sequence number or index of the characteristic comb:

[0095] where k = 0 to K-1

[0096] 204. The base station performs channel estimation based on part or all of the SRSs received in different characteristic time periods.

[0097] The base station receives and parses the SRS from the terminal. Because the terminal configures the SRS resource as one characteristic comb from K combs within at least one symbol, the SRS exhibits a repetitive pattern with a period of one-Kth of a symbol. Based on this periodicity, the base station uses different beams to receive the SRS. The base station performs channel estimation based on partial or complete SRS received at different one-Kth of a symbol, thereby estimating the channel and deriving beam weights based on the channel estimation results.

[0098] In one example, the base station receives an SRS from a terminal. Since the terminal configures the SRS resource as a characteristic comb among K combs within a symbol, the SRS presents repeated time domain characteristics within every K-th symbol. Based on the repetition of time domain characteristics of different K-th symbols, the base station only needs to receive the SRS within K-th symbol to obtain the time domain characteristics of the SRS.

[0099] The base station combines the SRS received within every Kth symbol. The combined SRS of the base station satisfies the following formula, where a i is the weighting coefficient, Signal Seg (i) represents the SRS received within one-Kth symbol, and Signal is the SRS after weighted combination, where i represents one-Kth symbol in the i-th segment.

[0100] where a i ≥0.

[0101] The base station performs channel estimation based on the received SRS. For example, the original channel matrix before beam weighting is H0, and the dimension of H0 is K*N, where N represents the number of subcarriers and W i Represents the simulated weight of the beam with dimension 1*K, so the corresponding channel matrix H after beam weighting 1，i satisfy:

[0102] H 1，i =W iH0, where i = 0 to K - 1

[0103] For K analog weights W i of the beam, the base station can obtain K channel matrices H 1，i through the channel estimation process. According to the K channel matrices H 1，i with a dimension of 1*N, a channel matrix H1 with a dimension of K*N can be obtained. H1 can be expressed as, for example:

[0104]

[0105] According to the K analog weights W i with a dimension of 1*K, an analog weight W with a dimension of K*K can be obtained. W can be expressed as, for example:

[0106]

[0107] Thus, the original channel matrix H0 before beam weighting can satisfy, for example:

[0108] H0 = W -1 H1

[0109] After the base station completes channel estimation, it can obtain the analog weight W for beamforming through methods such as singular value decomposition (SVD), for example opt to achieve weighted reception of the uplink data channel.

[0110] The signal processing method provided in the embodiments of the present application is introduced above. The related devices involved in the embodiments of the present application are introduced below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0111] Please refer to Figure 6 , Figure 6 which is a schematic diagram of a communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application. This communication device is used to implement the respective steps corresponding to the above network device or terminal in the above embodiments. As Figure 6 shown, the communication device 600 includes an interface unit 610 and a processing unit 620.

[0112] In one embodiment, this communication device is used to implement the respective steps corresponding to the network device in the above embodiments: The interface unit is used to output the configuration information of the sounding reference signal SRS. The configuration information configures the resources of the SRS as characteristic combs within at least one symbol. The characteristic combs include subcarriers evenly distributed in the frequency domain. Subcarriers outside the characteristic combs within at least one symbol do not map data and reference signals;

[0113] A processing unit 620 is configured to control the device to receive SRS through different beams during different characteristic time periods of at least one symbol, and the time domain characteristics of the SRS repeat during different characteristic time periods.

[0114] In a possible implementation, the characteristic comb is one of the K characteristic combs, and the characteristic time period is symbols.

[0115] In a possible implementation, the configuration information configures the SRS resource of the SRS as a characteristic comb on different symbols, and the processing unit 620 is further configured to control the device to receive SRS through different beams on different symbols.

[0116] In a possible implementation, the processing unit 620 is further configured to perform channel estimation based on some or all of the SRS received during different characteristic time periods.

[0117] In a possible implementation, the processing unit 620 is further configured to update the SRS received during the first characteristic time period based on the SRS received during any one or more characteristic time periods after the first characteristic time period.

[0118] In one embodiment, the communication device 600 is configured to implement each step of the corresponding terminal in the above embodiments:

[0119] An interface unit 610 is configured to receive configuration information of the sounding reference signal SRS. The configuration information configures the resource of the SRS as a characteristic comb within at least one symbol. The characteristic comb includes subcarriers equally spaced in the frequency domain, and no data and reference signals are mapped to the subcarriers outside the characteristic comb within at least one symbol;

[0120] A processing unit 620 is configured to control the device to transmit SRS on the characteristic comb through different beams during different characteristic time periods of at least one symbol, and the time domain characteristics of the SRS repeat during different characteristic time periods.

[0121] In a possible implementation, the characteristic comb is one of the K characteristic combs, and the characteristic time period is symbols.

[0122] In a possible implementation, the configuration information configures the SRS resource of the SRS as a characteristic comb on different symbols, and the processing unit is further configured to control the device to transmit SRS through different beams on different symbols.

[0123] Optionally, the above communication device may further include a storage unit for storing data or instructions (which may also be referred to as code or programs). Each of the above units may interact with or be coupled to the storage unit to implement corresponding methods or functions. For example, the processing unit 620 may read data or instructions from the storage unit, enabling the communication device to implement the methods in the above embodiments.

[0124] It should be understood that the division of units in the above communication device is only a division of logical functions. In actual implementation, they may be fully or partially integrated into one physical entity, or physically separated. And the units in the communication device may all be implemented in the form of software called by processing elements; they may also all be implemented in hardware form; or some units may be implemented in the form of software called by processing elements, and some units may be implemented in hardware form. For example, each unit may be a separately established processing element, or may be integrated in a certain chip of the communication device. In addition, it may also be stored in the memory in the form of a program and called and executed by a certain processing element of the communication device to perform the functions of the unit. In addition, all or part of these units may be integrated together or may be independently implemented. The processing element mentioned here may also be called a processor, which may be an integrated circuit with signal processing capabilities. In the implementation process, each step of the above method or each of the above units may be implemented through the integrated logic circuit of the hardware in the processor element or in the form of software called by the processing element.

[0125] In one example, the units in any of the above communication devices may be one or more integrated circuits configured to implement the above methods. For example: one or more application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), or one or more digital signal processors (DSPs), or one or more field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), or a combination of at least two of these integrated circuit forms. Again, when the units in the communication device can be implemented in the form of a processing element scheduling program, the processing element may be a general-purpose processor, such as a central processing unit (CPU) or other processors that can call programs. Again, these units may be integrated together and implemented in the form of a system-on-a-chip (SOC).

[0126] Please refer to Figure 7 , Figure 7 which is a schematic diagram of a communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application, used to implement the operations of the network device or the terminal in the above embodiments. AsFigure 7 As shown, the communication device includes: a processor 710 and an interface 730, and the processor 710 is coupled to the interface 730. The interface 730 is used to communicate with other devices. The interface 730 can be a transceiver or an input / output interface. The interface 1030 can be, for example, an interface circuit. Optionally, the communication device further includes a memory 720, which is used to store instructions executed by the processor 710, or input data required for the processor 710 to run instructions, or data generated after the processor 710 runs instructions.

[0127] In the above embodiments, the methods executed by the network device or the terminal can be implemented by the processor 710 calling a program stored in a memory (which can be the memory 720 in the network device or the terminal, or an external memory). That is, the network device or the terminal can include a processor 710, and the processor 710 executes the methods executed by the network device or the terminal in the above method embodiments by calling the program in the memory. Here, the processor can be an integrated circuit with signal processing capabilities, such as a CPU. The network device or the terminal can be implemented by one or more integrated circuits configured to implement the above methods. For example: one or more ASICs, or, one or more microprocessors DSPs, or, one or more FPGAs, etc., or a combination of at least two of these integrated circuit forms. Or, the above implementation manners can be combined.

[0128] Specifically, Figure 6 the functions / implementation processes of the interface unit 610 and the processing unit 620 in can be implemented by Figure 7 the processor 710 in the communication device 700 shown in calling computer-executable instructions stored in the memory 720. Or, Figure 6 the functions / implementation processes of the processing unit 620 in can be implemented by Figure 7 the processor 710 in the communication device 700 shown in calling computer-execution instructions stored in the memory 720, Figure 6 the functions / implementation processes of the interface unit 610 in can be implemented by Figure 7 the interface 730 in the communication device 700 shown in. Exemplarily, the functions / implementation processes of the interface unit 610 can be implemented by the processor calling program instructions in the memory to drive the interface 730.

[0129] When the above communication device is a chip applied to a terminal device, the terminal device chip implements the functions of the terminal device in the above method embodiments. The terminal device chip receives information from other modules (such as a radio frequency module or an antenna) in the terminal device, and this information is from other terminal devices or network devices; or, the terminal device chip sends information to other modules (such as a radio frequency module or an antenna) in the terminal device, and this information is sent by the terminal device to other terminal devices or network devices.

[0130] When the above communication device is a chip applied to a network device, the network device chip implements the functions of the network device in the above method embodiments. The network device chip receives information from other modules (such as a radio frequency module or an antenna) in the network device, and the information is from other network devices or terminal devices; or, the network device chip sends information to other modules (such as a radio frequency module or an antenna) in the network device, and the information is sent by the network device to other network devices or terminal devices.

[0131] The interface unit 610 in the above communication device 600 is equivalent to the interface 730 in the communication device 700, and the processing unit 620 in the communication device 600 can be equivalent to the processor 710 in the communication device 700.

[0132] Please refer to Figure 8 , Figure 8 FIG. is a schematic diagram of a communication system provided by an embodiment of the present application. The communication system 800 includes a network device 801 and a terminal 802. The network device 801 may be the network device in the above method embodiments, and the terminal 802 may be the terminal in the above method embodiments.

[0133] In another embodiment of the present application, there is also provided a computer-readable storage medium storing computer-executable instructions. When a processor of a device executes the computer-executable instructions, the device executes the method performed by the network device in the above Figures 2 to 5b .

[0134] In another embodiment of the present application, there is also provided a computer-readable storage medium storing computer-executable instructions. When a processor of a device executes the computer-executable instructions, the device executes the method performed by the terminal in the above Figures 2 to 5b .

[0135] In another embodiment of the present application, there is also provided a computer program product including computer-executable instructions stored in a computer-readable storage medium. When a processor of a device executes the computer-executable instructions, the device executes the steps of the method performed by the network device in the above Figures 2 to 5b .

[0136] In another embodiment of the present application, there is also provided a computer program product including computer-executable instructions stored in a computer-readable storage medium. When a processor of a device executes the computer-executable instructions, the device executes the steps of the method performed by the terminal in the above Figures 2 to 5b .

[0137] Those skilled in the art can clearly understand that for the convenience and brevity of description, the specific working processes of the systems, devices, and units described above can refer to the corresponding processes in the foregoing method embodiments and will not be elaborated herein.

[0138] In several embodiments provided in the present application, it should be understood that the disclosed systems, devices, and methods can be implemented in other ways. For example, the device embodiments described above are merely illustrative. For example, the division of the units is only a logical function division, and there can be other division methods in actual implementation. For example, multiple units or components can be combined or integrated into another system, or some features can be ignored or not executed. Another point is that the couplings or direct couplings or communication connections shown or discussed with each other can be indirect couplings or communication connections through some interfaces, devices, or units, and can be in electrical, mechanical, or other forms.

[0139] The units described as separate components may or may not be physically separated, and the components shown as units may or may not be physical units, that is, they can be located in one place or distributed to multiple network units. Some or all of the units can be selected according to actual needs to achieve the purpose of the solution of this embodiment.

[0140] In addition, in each embodiment of the present application, the functional units can be integrated in a processing unit, or each unit can exist physically alone, or two or more units can be integrated in one unit. The above-mentioned integrated units can be implemented in the form of hardware or in the form of software functional units.

[0141] If the above-mentioned integrated unit is implemented in the form of a software functional unit and sold or used as an independent product, it can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. Based on this understanding, the technical solution of the present application, in essence, or the part that contributes to the prior art, or all or part of this technical solution, can be embodied in the form of a software product. This computer software product is stored in a storage medium and includes several instructions for causing a computer device (which can be a personal computer, a server, or a network device, etc.) to execute all or part of the steps of the methods described in each embodiment of the present application. The foregoing storage medium includes: various media such as USB flash drives, mobile hard disks, read-only memories (ROM, read-only memory), random access memories (RAM, random access memory), magnetic disks, or optical discs that can store program codes.

Claims

1. A signal processing method, characterized in that, including: outputting configuration information of a sounding reference signal (SRS), where the configuration information configures the resources of the SRS as a characteristic comb within at least one symbol, the characteristic comb includes subcarriers equally spaced in the frequency domain, and subcarriers outside the characteristic comb within the at least one symbol do not map data and reference signals; receiving the SRS through different beams in different characteristic time periods of the at least one symbol, and the time-domain characteristics of the SRS repeat in the different characteristic time periods.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein The feature comb is one of the K feature combs, and the feature period is symbols.

3. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The configuration information configures the SRS resources of the SRS as characteristic combs on different symbols, and the method further includes: receiving the SRS through different beams on the different symbols.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The method further includes: performing channel estimation according to part or all of the SRS received in the different characteristic time periods.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that The method further includes: updating the SRS received in the first characteristic time period according to the SRS received in any one or more of the characteristic time periods after the first characteristic time period.

6. A signal processing method, characterized in that, including: receiving configuration information of a sounding reference signal (SRS), where the configuration information configures the resources of the SRS as a characteristic comb within at least one symbol, the characteristic comb includes subcarriers equally spaced in the frequency domain, and subcarriers outside the characteristic comb within the at least one symbol do not map data and reference signals; transmitting the SRS on the characteristic comb through different beams in different characteristic time periods of the at least one symbol, and the time-domain characteristics of the SRS repeat in the different characteristic time periods.

7. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that, The feature comb is one of the K feature combs, and the feature period is symbols.

8. The method according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that, The configuration information configures the SRS resources of the SRS as characteristic combs on different symbols, and the method further includes: transmitting the SRS through different beams on the different symbols.

9. A communication device, characterized in that, including: an interface unit, configured to output configuration information of a sounding reference signal (SRS), where the configuration information configures the resources of the SRS as a characteristic comb within at least one symbol, the characteristic comb includes subcarriers equally spaced in the frequency domain, and subcarriers outside the characteristic comb within the at least one symbol do not map data and reference signals; a processing unit, configured to control the device to receive the SRS through different beams in different characteristic time periods of the at least one symbol, and the time-domain characteristics of the SRS repeat in the different characteristic time periods.

10. The device according to claim 9, characterized in that, The feature comb is one of the K feature combs, and the feature period is symbols.

11. The device according to claim 9, characterized in that, The configuration information configures the SRS resources of the SRS as characteristic combs on different symbols, and the processing unit is further configured to control the device to receive the SRS through different beams on the different symbols.

12. The device according to any one of claims 9 to 11, characterized in that, The processing unit is further configured to: perform channel estimation according to part or all of the SRS received in the different characteristic time periods.

13. The device according to any one of claims 9 to 11, characterized in that, The processing unit is further configured to: update the SRS received in the first characteristic time period according to the SRS received in any one or more of the characteristic time periods after the first characteristic time period.

14. A communication device, characterized in that, including: An interface unit, configured to receive configuration information of a sounding reference signal (SRS), where the configuration information configures the resources of the SRS as characteristic combs within at least one symbol, the characteristic combs include subcarriers equally spaced in the frequency domain, and subcarriers outside the characteristic combs within the at least one symbol do not map data and reference signals; A processing unit, configured to control the device to transmit the SRS on the characteristic combs through different beams in different characteristic time periods of the at least one symbol, and time domain characteristics of the SRS repeat in the different characteristic time periods.

15. The device according to claim 14, wherein The feature comb is one of the K feature combs, and the feature period is symbols.

16. The device according to claim 14 or 15, characterized in that The configuration information configures the SRS resources of the SRS as characteristic combs on different symbols, and the processing unit is further configured to: Control the device to transmit the SRS through different beams on the different symbols.

17. A communication device, characterized in that, Comprising: A processor, the processor is coupled to a memory, and the memory is configured to store programs or instructions. When the programs or instructions are executed by the processor, the device is caused to execute the method according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

18. A communication device, characterized in that, Comprising: A processor, the processor is coupled to a memory, and the memory is configured to store programs or instructions. When the programs or instructions are executed by the processor, the device is caused to execute the method according to any one of claims 6 to 8.

19. A communication system, characterized in that, The communication system comprises the device according to any one of claims 9 to 13 and the device according to any one of claims 14 to 16.

20. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, The computer-readable storage medium stores a program, which when executed, causes a computer to execute the method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, or causes the computer to execute the method according to any one of claims 6 to 8.

21. A computer program product, characterized in that, The computer program product includes computer program code, characterized in that when the computer program code runs on a computer, the computer is caused to implement the method according to any one of claims 1 to 5 or implement the method according to any one of claims 6 to 8.

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