A resource configuration method, a terminal device, and a network device

Abstract

Embodiments of the present application provide a resource configuration method, a terminal device and a network device, which are applied to the technical field of communication, and the embodiments of the present application comprise the following steps: receiving a plurality of resource sets configured by a network device, at least one resource set in the plurality of resource sets being associated with one HARQ process group number; receiving downlink control information sent by the network device, determining the HARQ process group number associated with a target resource set in which the downlink control information is located, the target resource set being one resource set in the plurality of resource sets; and determining a target HARQ identifier according to the HARQ identifier indicated in the downlink control information and the HARQ process group number associated with the target resource set.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of communication technology, and in particular to a resource allocation method, terminal equipment, and network equipment. Background Technology

[0002] Currently, 3GPP is researching non-terrestrial network (NTN) technology, which generally uses satellite communication to provide communication services to ground terminal equipment.

[0003] The signal propagation delay between terminal equipment and satellites in NTN is significantly increased compared to New Radio (NR) systems. If the hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) mechanism of the current terrestrial NR system is directly adopted in NTN, the maximum number of HARQ processes supported by the current NR protocol is 16. Therefore, the retransmission mechanism is insufficient to support the continuous transmission of data in NTN, resulting in a lower downlink data transmission rate in NTN. Summary of the Invention

[0004] This invention provides a resource configuration method, a terminal device, and a network device, which can solve the problem that the maximum number of HARQ processes supported by the current NR protocol is 16, which makes the reselection mechanism insufficient to support continuous data transmission in NTN, resulting in a low data transmission rate in NTN.

[0005] In a first aspect, a resource configuration method is provided, comprising: receiving a plurality of resource sets configured by a network device, wherein at least one of the plurality of resource sets is associated with a Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request (HARQ) process group number;

[0006] Receive downlink control information sent by the network device, determine the HARQ process group number associated with the target resource set where the downlink control information is located, wherein the target resource set is one of the multiple resource sets;

[0007] The target HARQ identifier is determined based on the HARQ identifier indicated in the downlink control information and the HARQ process group number associated with the target resource set.

[0008] Secondly, a resource allocation method is provided, including:

[0009] Configure multiple resource sets to the terminal device; wherein at least one of the multiple resource sets is associated with a HARQ process group number;

[0010] Send downlink control information to the terminal device.

[0011] The resource configuration method provided in this embodiment of the invention allows a network device to configure multiple resource sets for a terminal device. At least one of these resource sets is associated with a HARQ process group number. Upon receiving downlink control information from the network device, the HARQ process group number associated with the target resource set containing the downlink control information can be determined. Then, based on the HARQ identifier indicated in the downlink control information and the HARQ process group number associated with the target resource set, the target HARQ can be identified. By introducing the HARQ process group number, HARQs can be grouped, and a unique HARQ identifier can be determined using the group number and the HARQ identifier. This supports more than 16 HARQ processes, enabling the retransmission mechanism to support continuous data transmission in the NTN and improving the data transmission rate in the NTN.

[0012] Thirdly, a terminal device is provided, comprising:

[0013] The receiving module is configured to receive multiple resource sets configured by the network device, wherein at least one of the multiple resource sets is associated with a HARQ process packet number; and to receive downlink control information sent by the network device.

[0014] The processing module is configured to determine the HARQ process group number associated with the target resource set where the downlink control information is located, wherein the target resource set is one of the plurality of resource sets; and to determine the target HARQ identifier based on the HARQ identifier indicated in the downlink control information and the HARQ process group number associated with the target resource set.

[0015] Fourthly, a network device is provided, comprising:

[0016] The sending module is used to configure multiple resource sets to the terminal device, wherein at least one of the multiple resource sets is associated with a HARQ process group number; and to send downlink control information to the terminal device.

[0017] Fifthly, a terminal device is provided, comprising:

[0018] A receiver is configured to receive multiple resource sets configured by a network device; wherein at least one of the multiple resource sets is associated with a HARQ process packet number; and to receive downlink control information sent by the network device.

[0019] The processor is configured to determine the HARQ process group number associated with the target resource set where the downlink control information is located, wherein the target resource set is one of the plurality of resource sets; and to determine the target HARQ identifier based on the HARQ identifier indicated in the downlink control information and the HARQ process group number associated with the target resource set.

[0020] In a sixth aspect, a network device is provided, comprising: a transmitter configured to configure a plurality of resource sets to a terminal device, wherein at least one of the plurality of resource sets is associated with a HARQ process packet number; and to send downlink control information to the terminal device.

[0021] A seventh aspect provides a computer-readable storage medium comprising: computer instructions, which, when executed on a computer, cause the computer to perform a method as described in the first aspect above, or a method as described in the second aspect above.

[0022] Eighthly, a computer program product is provided, comprising computer instructions, wherein when the computer program product is run on a computer, the computer executes the computer instructions to cause the computer to perform a method as described in the first aspect above, or to perform a method as described in the second aspect above.

[0023] Ninthly, a chip is provided that is coupled to a memory in a terminal device, such that the chip, when running, calls program instructions stored in the memory, causing the terminal device to execute the method of the first aspect described above, or causing a network device to execute the method of the second aspect described above. Attached Figure Description

[0024] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the architecture of a wireless communication system provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0025] Figure 2 A resource allocation method provided in an embodiment of the present invention is illustrated. Figure 1 ;

[0026] Figure 3 This invention provides an illustration of an indication of the HARQ process, using four groups as an example, as an embodiment of the invention. Figure 1 ;

[0027] Figure 4 A resource allocation method provided in an embodiment of the present invention is illustrated. Figure 2 ;

[0028] Figure 5 This invention provides an illustration of an indication of the HARQ process, using four groups as an example, as an embodiment of the invention. Figure 2 ;

[0029] Figure 6 A schematic diagram of the structure of a network device provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0030] Figure 7 A schematic diagram of the structure of a communication satellite provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0031] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a terminal device provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0032] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a mobile phone provided in an embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0033] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of the present invention, and not all of them. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of the present invention without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0034] In embodiments of the present invention, the terms "exemplary" or "for example" are used to indicate that something is an example, illustration, or description. Any embodiment or design described as "exemplary" or "for example" in embodiments of the present invention should not be construed as being more preferred or advantageous than other embodiments or designs. Specifically, the use of the terms "exemplary" or "for example" is intended to present the relevant concepts in a specific manner.

[0035] In this article, the term "and / or" is merely a description of the relationship between related objects, indicating that three relationships can exist. For example, A and / or B can represent: A existing alone, A and B existing simultaneously, or B existing alone. The symbol " / " in this article indicates that the related objects are in an "or" relationship; for example, A / B means A or B.

[0036] In the description of this invention, unless otherwise stated, "multiple" means two or more. For example, multiple resource sets mean two resource sets, or more than two resource sets.

[0037] Among related technologies, 3GPP is researching NTN technology, which generally uses satellite communication to provide communication services to terrestrial users. Compared to terrestrial cellular network communication, satellite communication has the following advantages:

[0038] First, satellite communication is not limited by the user's geographical location. For example, general land communication cannot cover areas such as oceans, mountains, and deserts where communication equipment cannot be set up or where there is no communication coverage due to sparse population. However, for satellite communication, since a single satellite can cover a large area of ​​the ground, and satellites can orbit the Earth, theoretically every corner of the Earth can be covered by satellite communication.

[0039] Secondly, satellite communication has significant social value. It can provide coverage in remote mountainous areas and impoverished, underdeveloped countries or regions at a relatively low cost, enabling people in these areas to enjoy advanced voice communication and mobile internet technologies. This helps narrow the digital divide with developed regions and promotes development in these areas.

[0040] Secondly, satellite communication has a long range, and the cost of communication does not increase significantly with the increase in communication distance; finally, satellite communication is highly stable and is not affected by natural disasters.

[0041] Communication satellites can be classified according to their orbital altitude into low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellites, medium-Earth orbit (MEO) satellites, geostationary Earth orbit (GEO) satellites, highly elliptical orbit (HEO) satellites, and so on. Currently, research primarily focuses on LEO and GEO.

[0042] 1. LEO

[0043] Low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites range in altitude from 500km to 1500km, with corresponding orbital periods of approximately 1.5 to 2 hours. The signal propagation delay for single-hop communication between user equipment and the satellite is generally less than 20ms. The maximum satellite visibility time is 20 minutes. Due to the short signal propagation distance and low link loss, the requirements for the user terminal's transmission power are not high.

[0044] 2. GEO

[0045] The geostationary orbit satellite has an orbital altitude of 35,786 km and an orbital period of 24 hours. The signal propagation delay for single-hop communication between user equipment and the satellite is typically 250 ms.

[0046] To ensure satellite coverage and improve the overall capacity of the satellite communication system, satellites use multi-beam coverage to cover the ground. A single satellite can generate dozens or even hundreds of beams to cover the ground; a single satellite beam can cover a ground area with a diameter of tens to hundreds of kilometers.

[0047] NR employs a two-tiered retransmission mechanism: the HARQ mechanism at the Media Access Control (MAC) layer and the Automatic Repeat-reQuest (ARQ) mechanism at the Radio Link Control (RLC) layer. Retransmission of lost or erroneous data is primarily handled by the MAC layer's HARQ mechanism, supplemented by retransmission functionality at the RLC layer. The MAC layer's HARQ mechanism provides fast retransmission, while the RLC layer's ARQ mechanism provides reliable data transmission.

[0048] HARQ uses the Stop-and-Wait Protocol to send data. In the Stop-and-Wait Protocol, the sender pauses to wait for an acknowledgment after sending one terabyte (TB). This constant pause after each transmission results in low user throughput. Therefore, NR uses multiple parallel HARQ processes. While one HARQ process is waiting for an acknowledgment, the sender can use another HARQ process to continue sending data. These HARQ processes together form a HARQ entity, which, combined with the Stop-and-Wait Protocol, allows for continuous data transmission. HARQ is divided into uplink HARQ and downlink HARQ. Uplink HARQ handles uplink data transmission, while downlink HARQ handles downlink data transmission; the two are independent of each other.

[0049] Based on the current NR protocol, each terminal device has its own HARQ entity for each serving cell. Each HARQ entity maintains a set of parallel downlink HARQ processes. Currently, each downlink carrier supports a maximum of 16 HARQ processes. The base station can indicate the maximum number of downlink HARQ processes to the UE through semi-static configuration via Radio Resource Control (RRC) signaling, depending on the network deployment. If the network does not provide corresponding configuration parameters, the default number of downlink HARQ processes is 8. Each downlink HARQ process corresponds to a HARQ process identifier (HARQ ID), and the BCCH uses a dedicated broadcast HARQ process.

[0050] For terminals that do not support downlink spatial multiplexing, each downlink HARQ process can only process 1 TB at a time; for terminals that support downlink spatial multiplexing, each downlink HARQ process can process 1 or 2 TB at a time.

[0051] HARQ is divided into synchronous and asynchronous types in the time domain, and non-adaptive and adaptive types in the frequency domain. NR downlink uses an asynchronous adaptive HARQ mechanism. Asynchronous HARQ means that retransmissions can occur at any time, and the time interval between a retransmission of the same terabyte (TB) and the previous transmission is not fixed. Adaptive HARQ can change the frequency domain resources and modulation and coding scheme (MCS) used for retransmissions.

[0052] The signal propagation delay between the terminal equipment (or user equipment) and the satellite in NTN is significantly increased compared to the New Radio (NR) system. If the hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) mechanism of the current terrestrial NR system is directly adopted in NTN, the reselection mechanism is insufficient to support the continuous transmission of data in NTN because the maximum number of HARQ processes supported by the current NR protocol is 16, resulting in a lower data transmission rate in NTN.

[0053] To address the aforementioned problems, embodiments of the present invention provide a resource configuration method, a terminal device, and a network device. The network device can configure multiple resource sets for the terminal device, with at least one of these resource sets associated with a HARQ process group number. Upon receiving downlink control information sent by the network device, the network device can determine the HARQ process group number associated with the target resource set containing the downlink control information. Then, based on the HARQ identifier indicated in the downlink control information and the HARQ process group number associated with the target resource set, the target HARQ can be determined. By introducing the HARQ process group number, HARQs can be grouped, and a unique HARQ identifier can be determined using the group number and the HARQ identifier. This allows for the support of more than 16 HARQ processes, enabling the retransmission mechanism to support continuous data transmission in the NTN and improving the data transmission rate in the NTN.

[0054] The resource configuration method provided in this embodiment of the invention can be applied to wireless communication systems. For example, such as... Figure 1 The diagram shown is a schematic representation of the system architecture of a wireless communication system according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 1 In this wireless communication system, a terminal device and a network device are included, wherein the network device is a satellite. In practical applications, the connection between the terminal device and the satellite can be a wireless connection. The resource configuration method provided in this embodiment of the invention is applied to... Figure 1 In the wireless communication system shown, Figure 1The satellite can configure multiple resource sets for the terminal device; at least one of the multiple resource sets is associated with a Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request (HARQ) process group number; and the satellite can also send downlink control information to the terminal device, which can determine the HARQ process group number associated with the target resource set where the received downlink control information is located, and determine the target HARQ identifier based on the HARQ identifier indicated in the downlink control information and the HARQ process group number associated with the target resource set, wherein the target resource set is one of the multiple resource sets.

[0055] The terminal device in this embodiment of the invention can be referred to as user equipment (UE). This terminal device can be a personal communication service (PCS) phone, cordless phone, session initiation protocol (SIP) phone, wireless local loop (WLL) station, personal digital assistant (PDA), etc. It can also be a mobile phone, mobile station (MS), mobile terminal, or laptop computer. This terminal device can communicate with one or more core networks via a radio access network (RAN). For example, the terminal device can be a mobile phone (or "cellular" phone) or a computer with a mobile terminal. It can also be a portable, pocket-sized, handheld, computer-embedded, or vehicle-mounted mobile device that exchanges voice and / or data with the radio access network. The terminal device can also be a handheld device with wireless communication capabilities, a computing device or other processing device connected to a wireless modem, a vehicle-mounted device, a wearable device, a terminal device in a future 5G network, or a terminal device in a future evolved network. The above is just one example, and it is not limited to this in actual applications.

[0056] The network equipment in this embodiment of the invention can be a communication satellite in an NTN system, or an evolved Node B (eNB or e-NodeB) macro base station, micro base station (also called "small base station"), pico base station, access point (AP), transmission point (TP), or new generation Node B (gNodeB) in an LTE system, NR communication system, or authorized auxiliary access long-term evolution (LAA-LTE) system. The aforementioned network equipment can also be other types of network equipment in future 5G communication systems or future evolved networks.

[0057] The resource allocation method provided in this embodiment of the invention can be applied to scheduling uplink / downlink data transmission through downlink control information.

[0058] An embodiment of the present invention provides a resource configuration method comprising: a network device configuring multiple resource sets to a terminal device, wherein at least one of the multiple resource sets is associated with a HARQ process group number; the network device sending downlink control information to the terminal device, wherein the terminal device receiving the downlink control information sent by the network device, determining the HARQ process group number associated with the target resource set where the downlink control information is located, and determining a target HARQ identifier based on the HARQ identifier indicated in the downlink control information and the HARQ process group number associated with the target resource set, wherein the target resource set is one of the multiple resource sets.

[0059] The solution in this embodiment of the invention can group HARQ processes, and the HARQ process group number is a number used to distinguish each group. A HARQ process group number can be set for each HARQ process group.

[0060] Optionally, the network device can send downlink control information on multiple configured PDCCH search spaces, and correspondingly, the terminal device can receive downlink control information on multiple physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) search spaces configured by the network device.

[0061] In this embodiment of the invention, the above-mentioned resource set may include two cases:

[0062] The first scenario: Each of the multiple resource sets is a control resource set.

[0063] The second scenario: Each of the multiple resource sets is the PDCCH search space.

[0064] The resource configuration method provided in the embodiments of the present invention will be described below based on two different resource sets.

[0065] Example 1 (First Case: Each of the multiple resource sets is a control resource set)

[0066] like Figure 2 As shown, this embodiment of the invention provides a resource allocation method, which includes the following steps:

[0067] 201. Network devices configure multiple control resource sets for terminal devices.

[0068] Correspondingly, the terminal device receives multiple sets of control resources configured by the network device.

[0069] In this context, at least one control resource set in a plurality of control resource sets is associated with a HARQ process group number.

[0070] In this embodiment of the invention, multiple control resource sets do not overlap with each other in the frequency domain.

[0071] Optionally, the association between the control resource set and the HARQ process group number can be predefined in the communication protocol or configured by the network device.

[0072] Optionally, the aforementioned multiple control resource sets may be configured by the network device in the RRC signaling and sent to the terminal device. For example, the network device may configure the aforementioned multiple control resource sets in the RRC reconfiguration message and send them to the terminal device.

[0073] Optionally, the aforementioned multiple control resource sets can also be configured by the network device in the media access control (MAC) signaling and sent to the terminal device. For example, the network device can configure the aforementioned multiple control resource sets in the MAC control element (CE) and send them to the terminal device.

[0074] Optionally, the aforementioned multiple control resource sets can also be configured by the network device and carried in other messages to the terminal device; however, this embodiment of the invention does not impose such limitations.

[0075] 202. Network devices configure multiple PDCCH search spaces for terminal devices.

[0076] Correspondingly, the terminal device receives multiple PDCCH search spaces configured by the network device.

[0077] In this context, at least one of the multiple PDCCH search spaces is associated with a control resource set.

[0078] Optionally, the association between the PDCCH search space and the control resource set can be predefined in the communication protocol or configured by the network device.

[0079] It should be noted that the methods for configuring multiple control resource sets in 201 and multiple PDCCH search spaces in 202 are similar and will not be repeated here.

[0080] Optionally, the aforementioned multiple control resource sets and multiple PDCCH search spaces can be configured in the same configuration message (e.g., all in an RRC reconfiguration message), or they can be configured through different configuration messages (e.g., one in an RRC reconfiguration message and the other in a MAC CE). This embodiment of the invention does not impose any limitations.

[0081] 203. Network devices send downlink control information to terminal devices across multiple PDCCH search spaces.

[0082] Correspondingly, the terminal device receives downlink control information in multiple PDCCH search spaces configured by the network device.

[0083] 204. The terminal device determines the target PDCCH search space where the downlink control information is located.

[0084] The target PDCCH search space is one of multiple PDCCH search spaces.

[0085] 205. The terminal device determines the target control resource set associated with the target PDCCH search space.

[0086] In this embodiment of the invention, since at least one of the multiple PDCCH search spaces is associated with a control resource set, after determining the target PDCCH search space, the target control resource set can be determined based on the association between the PDCCH search space and the control resource set.

[0087] 206. The terminal device determines the HARQ process group number associated with the target control resource set.

[0088] In this embodiment of the invention, since at least one control resource set in a plurality of control resource sets is associated with a HARQ process group number, after determining the target control resource set, a unique HARQ process group number can be determined based on the association between the control resource set and the HARQ process group number.

[0089] 207. The terminal device determines the target HARQ identifier based on the HARQ identifier and HARQ process group number indicated in the downlink control information.

[0090] Optionally, the above Figure 2 204 to 206 can also be replaced with 208 and 209 as described below.

[0091] 208. The terminal equipment determines the target control resource set where the downlink control information is located.

[0092] 209. The terminal device determines the HARQ process group number associated with the target control resource set.

[0093] Optionally, the maximum value of the HARQ process group number is determined by the maximum number of HARQ processes.

[0094] Optionally, the minimum value for the HARQ process group number is 1.

[0095] Optionally, the maximum value of the HARQ process group number is determined by the following formula:

[0096] M = ceil(N / 2) n ); where M is the maximum value of the HARQ process group number, N is the maximum number of HARQ processes supported by the terminal device, and n is the number of bits used to indicate the HARQ identifier in the downlink control information.

[0097] In related technologies, the downlink control information uses 4 bits to indicate the HARQ identifier (HARQ-ID), meaning that the downlink control information can indicate 16 HARQ processes.

[0098] Optionally, the maximum number of HARQ processes (which can be represented as N) supported by the terminal device in the NTN can be indicated by predefined methods in the communication protocol or by network device configuration.

[0099] Optionally, in this embodiment of the invention, when configuring the association between the network device's resource set and the HARQ process group number, the association between the PDCCH search space and the control resource set, and the maximum number of HARQ processes supported by the terminal device, the configuration can be made through RRC signaling, MAC signaling, or other messages. This embodiment of the invention does not impose specific limitations.

[0100] Optionally, in this embodiment of the invention, the method by which the network device configures the association between the resource set and the HARQ process group number, the association between the PDCCH search space and the control resource set, and the maximum number of HARQ processes supported by the terminal device may include at least one of the following configuration methods:

[0101] Static configuration, semi-static configuration, and dynamic configuration.

[0102] For example, for a maximum of N HARQ processes, taking the HARQ identifier indicated by 4 bits in the downlink control information as an example, the HARQ processes can be divided into groups of 16, resulting in a total of M = ceil(N / 16) groups. Here, N, M, and n are all integers.

[0103] Optionally, the HARQ process group number can be represented as m, where m is greater than or equal to 1 and less than or equal to M.

[0104] The target HARQ identifier (also known as the extended HARQ identifier) ​​can be calculated using the following formula:

[0105] e-HARQ-ID = (m-1)*2 n +HARQ-ID, where e-HARQ-ID is the extended HARQ identifier, m is the HARQ process group number, HARQ-ID is the HARQ identifier indicated in the downlink control information, and n is the number of bits in the downlink control information used to indicate the HARQ identifier.

[0106] For example, taking the HARQ identifier indicated by 4 bits in the downline control information as an example, the target HARQ identifier (also known as the extended HARQ identifier) ​​can be calculated according to the following formula: e-HARQ-ID = (m-1)*16 + HARQ-ID.

[0107] In related technologies, the downlink control information uses 4 bits to indicate the HARQ identifier, which can indicate 16 HARQ processes. In this embodiment of the invention, without changing the information format of the downlink control information in related technologies that uses 4 bits to indicate the HARQ identifier, more than 16 HARQ processes can be indicated by using the HARQ process group number and these 4 bits.

[0108] It should be noted that the number of bits n used to indicate the HARQ identifier in the downlink control information can be any integer greater than or equal to 1. In this embodiment of the invention, the HARQ process group number and these n bits can be used to indicate a value greater than 2. n One HARQ process.

[0109] For example, suppose there are 4 groups, numbered 1, 2, 3 and 4, with each group containing 16 HARQ processes. Then, group 1 can indicate HARQ processes 0 to 15, group 2 can indicate HARQ processes 16 to 31, group 3 can indicate HARQ processes 32 to 47, and group 4 can indicate HARQ processes 48 to 63.

[0110] For example, such as Figure 3The diagram shown illustrates one approach to instructing the HARQ process, using four groups as an example. Figure 3 Each group is associated with at least one control resource set. The control resource sets associated with different groups do not overlap in the frequency domain.

[0111] The resource configuration method provided in this invention allows a network device to configure multiple control resource sets for a terminal device, with at least one control resource set associated with a HARQ process group number. Upon receiving downlink control information from the network device, the network device can determine the HARQ process group number associated with the target control resource set containing the downlink control information. Then, based on the HARQ identifier indicated in the downlink control information and the HARQ process group number, the target HARQ can be identified. By introducing the HARQ process group number, HARQs can be grouped, and a unique HARQ identifier can be determined using the group number and the HARQ identifier. This supports more than 16 HARQ processes, enabling the retransmission mechanism to support continuous data transmission in the NTN and improving the data transmission rate in the NTN.

[0112] Example 2 (Second Case: Each of the multiple resource sets is a PDCCH search space)

[0113] like Figure 4 As shown, this embodiment of the invention provides a resource allocation method, which includes the following steps:

[0114] 401. Network devices configure multiple PDCCH search spaces for terminal devices.

[0115] Correspondingly, the terminal device receives multiple PDCCH search spaces configured by the network device.

[0116] In this context, at least one of the multiple PDCCH search spaces is associated with a HARQ process group number.

[0117] In this embodiment of the invention, the PDCCH listening times corresponding to the above-mentioned multiple PDCCH search spaces do not overlap with each other in the time domain.

[0118] Optionally, the association between the PDCCH search space and the HARQ process packet number can be predefined in the communication protocol or configured by the network device.

[0119] Optionally, the aforementioned multiple PDCCH search spaces can be configured by the network device in the RRC signaling and sent to the terminal device. For example, the network device can configure the aforementioned multiple PDCCH search spaces in the RRC reconfiguration message and send them to the terminal device.

[0120] Optionally, the aforementioned multiple PDCCH search spaces can also be configured by the network device in the media access control (MAC) signaling and sent to the terminal device. For example, the network device can configure the aforementioned multiple PDCCH search spaces in the MAC control element (CE) and send them to the terminal device.

[0121] Optionally, the aforementioned multiple PDCCH search spaces can also be configured by the network device and carried in other messages to the terminal device; this embodiment of the invention does not impose such limitations.

[0122] 402. Network devices send downlink control information to terminal devices across multiple PDCCH search spaces.

[0123] Correspondingly, downlink control information is received in multiple PDCCH search spaces configured in the network device.

[0124] Optionally, the network device can also be configured with multiple control resource sets, where at least one of the multiple PDCCH search spaces is associated with a control resource set.

[0125] 403. The terminal device determines the target PDCCH search space where the downlink control information is located.

[0126] The target PDCCH search space is one of multiple PDCCH search spaces.

[0127] 404. The terminal device determines the HARQ process group number associated with the target PDCCH search space.

[0128] In this embodiment of the invention, since at least one of the multiple PDCCH search spaces is associated with a HARQ process group number, after determining the target PDCCH search space, a unique HARQ process group number can be determined based on the association between the PDCCH search space and the HARQ process group number.

[0129] 405. The terminal device determines the target HARQ identifier based on the HARQ identifier and HARQ process group number indicated in the downlink control information.

[0130] The method for determining the target HARQ identifier in this embodiment 405 is similar to the method for determining the target HARQ identifier in embodiment 1 207 above. Please refer to the relevant description of 207, which will not be repeated here.

[0131] For example, suppose there are 4 groups, numbered 1, 2, 3 and 4, with each group containing 16 HARQ processes. Then, group 1 can indicate HARQ processes 0 to 15, group 2 can indicate HARQ processes 16 to 31, group 3 can indicate HARQ processes 32 to 47, and group 4 can indicate HARQ processes 48 to 63.

[0132] For example, such as Figure 5 The diagram shown illustrates one approach to instructing the HARQ process, using four groups as an example. Figure 5 Each group is associated with at least one PDCCH search space. The PDCCH search spaces associated with different groups do not overlap in the frequency domain.

[0133] The resource configuration method provided in this invention allows a network device to configure multiple PDCCH search spaces for a terminal device. At least one of these PDCCH search spaces is associated with a HARQ process group number. Upon receiving downlink control information from the network device, the HARQ process group number associated with the target PDCCH search space containing the downlink control information can be determined. Then, based on the HARQ identifier indicated in the downlink control information and the HARQ process group number, the target HARQ can be identified. By introducing the HARQ process group number, HARQs can be grouped, and a unique HARQ identifier can be determined using the group number and the HARQ identifier. This supports more than 16 HARQ processes, enabling the retransmission mechanism to support continuous data transmission in the NTN and improving the data transmission rate in the NTN.

[0134] like Figure 6 As shown, an embodiment of the present invention provides a network device, including:

[0135] The sending module 601 is used to configure multiple resource sets to the terminal device; wherein at least one of the multiple resource sets is associated with a HARQ process group number; and to send downlink control information to the terminal device.

[0136] Optionally, the sending module 601 is further configured to configure multiple PDCCH search spaces before sending downlink control information to the terminal device, wherein at least one of the multiple PDCCH search spaces is associated with a control resource set.

[0137] The sending module 601 is specifically used to send downlink control information to the terminal device in multiple PDCCH search spaces.

[0138] Optionally, each of the multiple resource sets is a control resource set, and the multiple resource sets do not overlap with each other in the frequency domain.

[0139] Optionally, at least one of the multiple PDCCH search spaces may be associated with a control resource set.

[0140] Optionally, each of the multiple resource sets is a PDCCH search space, and the PDCCH listening times corresponding to the multiple resource sets do not overlap in the time domain.

[0141] Optionally, the maximum value of the HARQ process group number is determined by the maximum number of HARQ processes.

[0142] Optionally, the maximum value of the HARQ process group number is determined by the following formula:

[0143] M = ceil(N / 2) n ); where M is the maximum value of the HARQ process group number, N is the maximum number of HARQ processes supported by the terminal device, and n is the number of bits used to indicate the HARQ identifier in the downlink control information.

[0144] Optionally, the association between the resource set and the HARQ process group number, the association between the PDCCH search space and the control resource set, and the maximum number of HARQ processes supported by the terminal device are determined by at least one of the following methods:

[0145] The predefined ones in the communication protocol and the configurations of network devices.

[0146] It should be noted that the above network devices are an exemplary division based on functional modules, and there may be other division methods.

[0147] This invention also provides a network device, including: a memory storing executable program code;

[0148] A processor coupled to memory;

[0149] The processor calls the executable program code stored in the memory to execute the resource configuration method performed by the network device in this embodiment of the invention.

[0150] like Figure 7 As shown, the network device in this embodiment of the invention can be a communication satellite, which may include:

[0151] Transmitter 701 is used to configure multiple resource sets to a terminal device; wherein at least one of the multiple resource sets is associated with a HARQ process group number; and to send downlink control information to the terminal device.

[0152] Optionally, the transmitter 701 is also configured to configure multiple PDCCH search spaces before sending downlink control information to the terminal device, wherein at least one of the multiple PDCCH search spaces is associated with a control resource set.

[0153] Transmitter 701 is specifically used to send downlink control information to terminal devices across multiple PDCCH search spaces.

[0154] Optionally, each of the multiple resource sets is a control resource set, and the multiple resource sets do not overlap with each other in the frequency domain.

[0155] Optionally, at least one of the multiple PDCCH search spaces may be associated with a control resource set.

[0156] Optionally, each of the multiple resource sets is a PDCCH search space, and the PDCCH listening times corresponding to the multiple resource sets do not overlap in the time domain.

[0157] Optionally, the maximum value of the HARQ process group number is determined by the maximum number of HARQ processes.

[0158] Optionally, the maximum value of the HARQ process group number is determined by the following formula:

[0159] M = ceil(N / 2) n ); where M is the maximum value of the HARQ process group number, N is the maximum number of HARQ processes supported by the terminal device, and n is the number of bits used to indicate the HARQ identifier in the downlink control information.

[0160] Optionally, the minimum value for the HARQ process group number is 1.

[0161] Optionally, the association between the resource set and the HARQ process group number, the association between the PDCCH search space and the control resource set, and the maximum number of HARQ processes supported by the terminal device are determined by at least one of the following methods:

[0162] The predefined ones in the communication protocol and the configurations of network devices.

[0163] like Figure 8 As shown, an embodiment of the present invention provides a terminal device, including:

[0164] The receiving module 801 is used to receive multiple resource sets configured by the network device; wherein at least one of the multiple resource sets is associated with a HARQ process packet number; and to receive downlink control information sent by the network device.

[0165] The processing module 802 is used to determine the HARQ process group number associated with the target resource set where the downlink control information is located, and to determine the target HARQ identifier based on the HARQ identifier indicated in the downlink control information and the HARQ process group number associated with the target resource set. The target resource set is one of multiple resource sets.

[0166] Optionally, the receiving module 801 is specifically used to receive downlink control information in multiple PDCCH search spaces configured in the network device.

[0167] Optionally, each of the multiple resource sets is a control resource set, and the multiple resource sets do not overlap with each other in the frequency domain.

[0168] Optionally, at least one of the multiple PDCCH search spaces configured in the network device is associated with a control resource set.

[0169] Optionally, the processing module 802 is specifically used to determine the target PDCCH search space where the downlink control information is located. The target PDCCH search space is one of multiple PDCCH search spaces.

[0170] Determine the set of target control resources associated with the target PDCCH search space;

[0171] Determine the HARQ process group number associated with the target control resource set;

[0172] Optionally, the processing module 802 is specifically used to determine the target control resource set where the downlink control information is located;

[0173] Determine the HARQ process group number associated with the target control resource set.

[0174] Optionally, each of the multiple resource sets is a PDCCH search space, and the PDCCH listening times corresponding to the multiple resource sets do not overlap in the time domain.

[0175] Optionally, the processing module 802 is specifically used to determine the target PDCCH search space where the downlink control information is located. The target PDCCH search space is one of multiple PDCCH search spaces.

[0176] Determine the HARQ process group number associated with the target PDCCH search space.

[0177] Optionally, the maximum value of the HARQ process group number is determined by the maximum number of HARQ processes.

[0178] Optionally, the maximum value of the HARQ process group number is determined by the following formula:

[0179] M = ceil(N / 2) n ); where M is the maximum value of the HARQ process group number, N is the maximum number of HARQ processes supported by the terminal device, and n is the number of bits used to indicate the HARQ identifier in the downlink control information.

[0180] Optionally, the minimum value for the HARQ process group number is 1.

[0181] Optionally, the association between the resource set and the HARQ process group number, the association between the PDCCH search space and the control resource set, and the maximum number of HARQ processes supported by the terminal device are determined by at least one of the following methods:

[0182] The predefined ones in the communication protocol and the configurations of network devices.

[0183] It should be noted that the above-mentioned terminal devices are an exemplary division based on functional modules, and there may be other division methods.

[0184] This invention also provides a terminal device, including: a memory storing executable program code;

[0185] A processor coupled to memory;

[0186] The processor calls the executable program code stored in the memory to execute the resource configuration method executed by the terminal device in this embodiment of the invention.

[0187] Optionally, the terminal device in this embodiment of the invention can be a mobile phone.

[0188] For example, such as Figure 9 As shown, a mobile phone may include components such as a radio frequency (RF) circuit 910, a memory 920, an input unit 930, a display unit 940, a sensor 950, an audio circuit 960, a wireless fidelity (WiFi) module 970, a processor 980, and a power supply 990. The RF circuit 910 includes a receiver 910 and a transmitter 912. Those skilled in the art will understand that... Figure 9 The mobile phone structure shown does not constitute a limitation on the mobile phone and may include more or fewer components than shown, or combine certain components, or have different component arrangements.

[0189] RF circuit 910 can be used for receiving and transmitting signals during information transmission or calls. Specifically, it receives downlink information from the base station and processes it with processor 980; additionally, it transmits uplink data to the base station. Typically, RF circuit 910 includes, but is not limited to, an antenna, at least one amplifier, a transceiver, a coupler, a low-noise amplifier (LNA), and a duplexer. Furthermore, RF circuit 910 can also communicate wirelessly with networks and other devices. The aforementioned wireless communication can use any communication standard or protocol, including but not limited to Global System for Mobile Communication (GSM), General Packet Radio Service (GPRS), Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA), Long Term Evolution (LTE), email, and Short Message Service (SMS).

[0190] The memory 920 can be used to store software programs and modules. The processor 980 executes various functions and data processing of the mobile phone by running the software programs and modules stored in the memory 920. The memory 920 may mainly include a program storage area and a data storage area. The program storage area may store the operating system, at least one application program required for a function (such as sound playback function, image playback function, etc.), etc.; the data storage area may store data created according to the use of the mobile phone (such as audio data, phonebook, etc.). In addition, the memory 920 may include high-speed random access memory, and may also include non-volatile memory, such as at least one disk storage device, flash memory device, or other volatile solid-state storage device.

[0191] The input unit 930 can be used to receive input numerical or character information, and to generate key signal inputs related to user settings and function control of the mobile phone. Specifically, the input unit 930 may include a touch panel 931 and other input devices 932. The touch panel 931, also known as a touch screen, can collect touch operations performed by the user on or near it (such as operations performed by the user using a finger, stylus, or any suitable object or accessory on or near the touch panel 931), and drive the corresponding connected devices according to a pre-set program. Optionally, the touch panel 931 may include two parts: a touch detection device and a touch controller. The touch detection device detects the user's touch position and the signal generated by the touch operation, and transmits the signal to the touch controller; the touch controller receives touch information from the touch detection device, converts it into touch point coordinates, and sends it to the processor 980, and can also receive and execute commands sent by the processor 980. In addition, the touch panel 931 can be implemented using various types such as resistive, capacitive, infrared, and surface acoustic wave. In addition to the touch panel 931, the input unit 930 may also include other input devices 932. Specifically, other input devices 932 may include, but are not limited to, one or more of the following: physical keyboard, function keys (such as volume control buttons, power buttons, etc.), trackball, mouse, joystick, etc.

[0192] The display unit 940 can be used to display information input by the user or information provided to the user, as well as various menus of the mobile phone. The display unit 940 may include a display panel 941, which may optionally be configured as a liquid crystal display (LCD), organic light-emitting diode (OLED), or similar form. Further, a touch panel 931 may cover the display panel 941. When the touch panel 931 detects a touch operation on or near it, it transmits the information to the processor 980 to determine the type of touch event. Subsequently, the processor 980 provides corresponding visual output on the display panel 941 based on the type of touch event. Although in Figure 7 In this embodiment, the touch panel 931 and the display panel 941 are two separate components to realize the input and output functions of the mobile phone. However, in some embodiments, the touch panel 931 and the display panel 941 can be integrated to realize the input and output functions of the mobile phone.

[0193] The mobile phone may also include at least one sensor 950, such as a light sensor, a motion sensor, and other sensors. Specifically, the light sensor may include an ambient light sensor and a proximity sensor. The ambient light sensor can adjust the brightness of the display panel 941 according to the ambient light level, and the proximity sensor can turn off the display panel 941 and / or backlight when the phone is moved to the ear. As a type of motion sensor, an accelerometer sensor can detect the magnitude of acceleration in various directions (generally three axes). When stationary, it can detect the magnitude and direction of gravity and can be used for applications that recognize the phone's posture (such as landscape / portrait switching, related games, magnetometer posture calibration), vibration recognition-related functions (such as pedometer, tapping), etc. Other sensors that the mobile phone may also be equipped with, such as a gyroscope, barometer, hygrometer, thermometer, and infrared sensor, will not be described in detail here. In this embodiment of the invention, the terminal device may include an accelerometer, a depth sensor, or a distance sensor, etc.

[0194] Audio circuit 960, speaker 961, and microphone 962 provide an audio interface between the user and the mobile phone. Audio circuit 960 converts received audio data into electrical signals and transmits them to speaker 961, where speaker 961 converts them into sound signals for output. On the other hand, microphone 962 converts collected sound signals into electrical signals, which are received by audio circuit 960, converted into audio data, and then processed by processor 980 before being transmitted via RF circuit 910 to, for example, another mobile phone, or the audio data can be output to memory 920 for further processing.

[0195] WiFi is a short-range wireless transmission technology. Mobile phones using the WiFi module 970 can help users send and receive emails, browse web pages, and access streaming media, providing users with wireless broadband internet access. Although Figure 9 The WiFi module 970 is shown, but it is understood that it is not an essential component of a mobile phone and can be omitted as needed without changing the essence of the invention.

[0196] The processor 980 is the control center of the mobile phone, connecting various parts of the phone through various interfaces and lines. It executes software programs and / or modules stored in the memory 920 and calls data stored in the memory 9020 to perform various functions and process data, thereby providing overall monitoring of the phone. Optionally, the processor 980 may include one or more processing units; preferably, the processor 980 may integrate an application processor and a modem processor, wherein the application processor mainly handles the operating system, user interface, and applications, and the modem processor mainly handles wireless communication. It is understood that the modem processor may not be integrated into the processor 980.

[0197] The mobile phone also includes a power supply 990 (such as a battery) that supplies power to various components. Preferably, the power supply can be logically connected to the processor 980 through a power management system, thereby enabling functions such as charging, discharging, and power consumption management through the power management system. Although not shown, the mobile phone may also include a camera, Bluetooth module, etc., which will not be described in detail here.

[0198] In this embodiment of the invention, the RF circuit 910 is configured to receive multiple resource sets configured by the network device; wherein at least one of the multiple resource sets is associated with a Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request (HARQ) process packet number; and to receive downlink control information sent by the network device.

[0199] Processor 980 is used to determine the HARQ process group number associated with the target resource set where the downlink control information is located, and to determine the target HARQ identifier based on the HARQ identifier indicated in the downlink control information and the HARQ process group number associated with the target resource set. The target resource set is one of multiple resource sets.

[0200] Optionally, the RF circuit 910 is specifically used to receive downlink control information in the search space of multiple physical downlink control channels (PDCCHs) configured in the network device.

[0201] Optionally, each of the multiple resource sets is a control resource set, and the multiple resource sets do not overlap with each other in the frequency domain.

[0202] Optionally, at least one of the multiple PDCCH search spaces configured in the network device is associated with a control resource set.

[0203] Optionally, the processor 980 is specifically used to determine the target PDCCH search space where the downlink control information is located. The target PDCCH search space is one of multiple PDCCH search spaces.

[0204] Determine the set of target control resources associated with the target PDCCH search space;

[0205] Determine the HARQ process group number associated with the target control resource set;

[0206] Optionally, the processor 980 is specifically used to determine the target control resource set where the downlink control information is located;

[0207] Determine the HARQ process group number associated with the target control resource set.

[0208] Optionally, each of the multiple resource sets is a PDCCH search space, and the PDCCH listening times corresponding to the multiple resource sets do not overlap in the time domain.

[0209] Optionally, the processor 980 is specifically used to determine the target PDCCH search space where the downlink control information is located. The target PDCCH search space is one of multiple PDCCH search spaces.

[0210] Determine the HARQ process group number associated with the target PDCCH search space.

[0211] Optionally, the maximum value of the HARQ process group number is determined by the maximum number of HARQ processes.

[0212] Optionally, the maximum value of the HARQ process group number is determined by the following formula:

[0213] M = ceil(N / 2) n ); where M is the maximum value of the HARQ process group number, N is the maximum number of HARQ processes supported by the terminal device, and n is the number of bits used to indicate the HARQ identifier in the downlink control information.

[0214] Optionally, the minimum value for the HARQ process group number is 1.

[0215] Optionally, the association between the resource set and the HARQ process group number, the association between the PDCCH search space and the control resource set, and the maximum number of HARQ processes supported by the terminal device are determined by at least one of the following methods:

[0216] The predefined ones in the communication protocol and the configurations of network devices.

[0217] This invention also provides a computer-readable storage medium, including: computer instructions, which, when executed on a computer, cause the computer to perform various processes of the terminal device as described in the above method embodiments.

[0218] This invention also provides a computer-readable storage medium, including: computer instructions that, when executed on a computer, cause the computer to perform various processes of the network device as described in the above method embodiments.

[0219] This invention also provides a computer program product, including computer instructions. When the computer program product is run on a computer, the computer executes the computer instructions, causing the computer to perform various processes of the terminal device as described in the above method embodiments.

[0220] This invention also provides a computer program product, including computer instructions. When the computer program product is run on a computer, the computer executes the computer instructions, causing the computer to perform various processes of the network device as described in the above method embodiments.

[0221] This invention also provides a chip coupled to a memory in a terminal device, such that the chip calls program instructions stored in the memory during operation, enabling the terminal device to execute various processes as described in the above method embodiments.

[0222] This invention also provides a chip coupled to a memory in a network device, such that the chip calls program instructions stored in the memory during operation, enabling the network device to execute various processes of the network device as described in the above method embodiments.

[0223] In the above embodiments, implementation can be achieved, in whole or in part, through software, hardware, firmware, or any combination thereof. When implemented in software, it can be implemented, in whole or in part, as a computer program product. A 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 flow or function according to the embodiments of the present invention is generated. The computer can be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network, or other programmable device. The computer instructions can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium or transmitted from one computer-readable storage medium to another. For example, 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 store or a data storage device such as a server or data center that integrates one or more available media. The available medium can be a magnetic medium (e.g., floppy disk, hard disk, magnetic tape), an optical medium (e.g., DVD), or a semiconductor medium (e.g., a solid-state disk (SSD)).

[0224] The terms “first,” “second,” “third,” “fourth,” etc. (if present) in the specification, claims, and accompanying drawings of this invention are used to distinguish similar objects and are not necessarily used to describe a specific order or sequence. It should be understood that such data can be interchanged where appropriate so that the embodiments described herein can be implemented in orders other than those illustrated or described herein. Furthermore, the terms “comprising” and “having,” and any variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion; for example, a process, method, system, product, or apparatus that comprises a series of steps or units is not necessarily limited to those steps or units explicitly listed, but may include other steps or units not explicitly listed or inherent to such processes, methods, products, or apparatus.

Claims

1. A resource configuration method, characterized by, The method comprises: receiving a plurality of control resource sets and a plurality of physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) search spaces configured by a network device through RRC signaling, wherein each of the plurality of control resource sets is associated with a hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) process group number, and each of the plurality of PDCCH search spaces is associated with a control resource set; receiving downlink control information on the plurality of PDCCH search spaces; determining a target PDCCH search space in which the received downlink control information is located, the target PDCCH search space being one of the plurality of PDCCH search spaces; determining a target control resource set associated with the target PDCCH search space; determining a HARQ process group number associated with the target control resource set; determining a target HARQ identifier according to a HARQ identifier indicated in the downlink control information and the HARQ process group number associated with the target control resource set; wherein a maximum value of the HARQ process group number is determined by the following formula: M = ceil(N / 2 n ); wherein M is the maximum value of the HARQ process group number, N is the maximum number of HARQ processes supported by the terminal device, and n is the number of bit positions in the downlink control information for indicating the HARQ identifier.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of control resource sets do not overlap with each other in a frequency domain.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, an association relationship between the control resource sets and the HARQ process group numbers and an association relationship between the PDCCH search spaces and the control resource sets are predefined by a communication protocol.

4. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, a minimum value of the HARQ process group number is 1.

5. A resource configuration method, comprising: The method comprises: configuring a plurality of control resource sets and a plurality of physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) search spaces for a terminal device through RRC signaling, wherein each of the plurality of control resource sets is associated with a HARQ process group number, and each of the plurality of PDCCH search spaces is associated with a control resource set; sending downlink control information to the terminal device on the plurality of PDCCH search spaces; wherein a maximum value of the HARQ process group number is determined by the following formula: M = ceil(N / 2 n ); wherein M is the maximum value of the HARQ process group number, N is the maximum number of HARQ processes supported by the terminal device, and n is the number of bit positions in the downlink control information for indicating the HARQ identifier.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the plurality of control resource sets do not overlap with each other in a frequency domain.

7. The method according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that, an association relationship between the control resource sets and the HARQ process group numbers and an association relationship between the PDCCH search spaces and the control resource sets are predefined by a communication protocol.

8. The method according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that, a minimum value of the HARQ process group number is 1.

9. A terminal device, comprising: The method comprises: a receiving module configured to receive a plurality of control resource sets and a plurality of physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) search spaces configured by a network device through RRC signaling, wherein each of the plurality of control resource sets is associated with a HARQ process group number, and each of the plurality of PDCCH search spaces is associated with a control resource set, and receive downlink control information on the plurality of PDCCH search spaces; a processing module configured to determine a target PDCCH search space in which the received downlink control information is located, the target PDCCH search space being one of the plurality of PDCCH search spaces. determine a target control resource set associated with the target PDCCH search space; determine a HARQ process group number associated with the target control resource set; determine a target HARQ identifier according to the HARQ identifier indicated in the downlink control information and the HARQ process group number associated with the target resource set; wherein a maximum value of the HARQ process group number is determined by the following formula: M = ceil(N / 2 n ); wherein M is the maximum value of the HARQ process group number, N is the maximum number of HARQ processes supported by the terminal device, and n is the number of bit positions in the downlink control information for indicating the HARQ identifier.

10. The terminal device of claim 9, wherein the plurality of control resource sets do not overlap with each other in a frequency domain.

11. The terminal device according to claim 9 or 10, characterized by an association relationship between the control resource sets and the HARQ process group numbers, and an association relationship between the PDCCH search spaces and the control resource sets are predefined by a communication protocol.

12. The terminal device according to claim 9 or 10, characterized by a minimum value of the HARQ process group number is 1.

13. A network device, comprising: comprising: a sending module, configured to configure a terminal device with a plurality of control resource sets and a plurality of physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) search spaces through RRC signaling, wherein each of the plurality of control resource sets is associated with a HARQ process group number, and each of the plurality of PDCCH search spaces is associated with a control resource set; send downlink control information to the terminal device on the plurality of PDCCH search spaces; wherein a maximum value of the HARQ process group number is determined by the following formula: M = ceil(N / 2 n ); wherein M is the maximum value of the HARQ process group number, N is the maximum number of HARQ processes supported by the terminal device, and n is the number of bit positions in the downlink control information for indicating the HARQ identifier.

14. The network device of claim 13, wherein the plurality of control resource sets do not overlap with each other in a frequency domain.

15. The network device of claim 13 or 14, wherein, an association relationship between the control resource sets and the HARQ process group numbers, and an association relationship between the PDCCH search spaces and the control resource sets are predefined by a communication protocol.

16. The network device of claim 13 or 14, wherein, a minimum value of the HARQ process group number is 1.

17. A computer-readable storage medium comprising: computer instructions that, when executed on a computer, cause the computer to perform the method of any one of claims 1 to 4, or perform the method of any one of claims 5 to 8.

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