A scheduling method and apparatus

Abstract

The application provides a scheduling method and device, which comprises the following steps: determining the number of symbols occupied by the first physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) of a first cell in a time unit; the symbol represents the unit of the time unit; determining the first symbol of the physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) of a second cell in the time unit according to the number of symbols; wherein the first cell and the second cell dynamically share the same spectrum resource. Through the above method, when the first cell and the second cell share the same spectrum resource by using the DSS technology, the network equipment can adjust the first symbol of the PDSCH of the second cell according to the number of symbols occupied by the first PDCCH of the first cell, so as to realize the flexible allocation of resources and improve the resource utilization rate and the spectrum efficiency of the second cell.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of communication technology, and in particular to a scheduling method and apparatus. Background Technology

[0002] Dynamic spectrum sharing (DSS) is a technique that allows new radio (NR) systems and long-term evolution (LTE) systems to share the same spectrum. Due to the scarcity of spectrum resources, this technique aims to improve resource utilization. DSS enables a smooth transition from LTE to NR systems. However, when using DSS, the resources available to the NR system are limited, and the resources allocated to the LTE system by network equipment are not fully utilized, resulting in resource waste and reduced network resource utilization.

[0003] In other words, when LTE and NR systems share overlapping spectrum resources, the resource utilization rate of NR systems is not high in order to avoid resource conflicts. Therefore, how to improve the resource utilization rate of the network is an urgent problem to be solved. Summary of the Invention

[0004] This application provides a scheduling method and apparatus to solve the problem of how to improve network resource utilization.

[0005] Firstly, this application provides a scheduling method. The execution subject of this method can be a network device, a chip within the network device, or a module. Here, a network device is used as the execution subject for example. The method includes: the network device determining the number of symbols occupied by the first physical downlink control channel of a first cell within a time unit; and the network device determining, based on the number of symbols, the first symbol occupied by the physical downlink shared channel of a second cell within the same time unit; wherein the first cell and the second cell are dynamically spectrum-sharing cells.

[0006] By implementing the method shown in this implementation, when the first cell and the second cell share the same spectrum resource using DSS technology, the network device can adjust the first symbol occupied by the physical downlink shared channel of the second cell according to the number of symbols occupied by the first physical downlink control channel, thereby flexibly adjusting the scheduling range of the physical downlink shared channel and improving the resource utilization and spectrum efficiency of the second cell.

[0007] In one possible implementation, determining the first symbol occupied by the physical downlink shared channel of the second cell within a time unit based on the number of symbols includes: if the number of symbols is 0, then determining the first symbol occupied by the physical downlink shared channel of the second cell within a time unit as the first symbol of the time unit.

[0008] By implementing the method shown in this implementation, when the number of symbols occupied by the first physical downlink control channel is 0, the physical downlink shared channel of the second cell is scheduled starting from the first symbol of the time unit. This allows the physical downlink shared channel to occupy more resources in the shared spectrum resources, thereby improving the resource utilization rate of the second cell in the shared spectrum resources.

[0009] In one possible implementation, the method further includes: using the resources corresponding to the Physical Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request Indication Channel in the first cell to transmit data from the second cell, wherein the Physical Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request Indication Channel is located in the first symbol of the time unit.

[0010] By implementing the method shown in this implementation, data is not transmitted in the Physical Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request Indication Channel in the first cell.

[0011] The physical hybrid automatic repeat request indicates that the resources corresponding to the channel can be used for data transmission in the second cell, thereby improving the resource utilization rate of the second cell in the shared spectrum resources.

[0012] In one possible implementation, the method further includes: using the resources corresponding to the Physical Control Format Indication Channel in the first cell to transmit data from the second cell, wherein the Physical Control Format Indication Channel is located in the first symbol of the time unit.

[0013] By implementing the method shown in this implementation, data is not mapped in the resources corresponding to the Physical Control Format Indication Channel in the first cell. The resources corresponding to the Physical Control Format Indication Channel can be used for data transmission in the second cell, thereby improving the resource utilization rate of the second cell in the shared spectrum resources.

[0014] In one possible implementation, determining the number of symbols occupied by the first physical downlink control channel in the first cell within a time unit includes: if it is determined that the first physical downlink control channel is not used in the first cell, then the number of symbols occupied by the first physical downlink control channel is 0.

[0015] By implementing the method shown in this implementation, when the first physical downlink control channel is not used in the first cell, the network device can accurately determine the number of symbols occupied by the first physical downlink control channel, thereby determining the position of the first symbol that can be occupied by the physical downlink shared channel in the second cell.

[0016] In one possible implementation, the first symbol occupied by the physical downlink shared channel of the second cell in a time unit is determined according to the number of symbols, including: if the number of symbols is 1, then the first symbol occupied by the physical downlink shared channel of the second cell in a time unit is determined to be the second symbol of the time unit, wherein the first physical downlink control channel of the first cell occupies the first symbol of the time unit.

[0017] By implementing the method shown in this implementation, when the number of symbols occupied by the first physical downlink control channel is 1, the network device schedules the physical downlink shared channel of the second cell starting from the second symbol of the time unit. This allows the physical downlink shared channel to occupy more resources in the shared spectrum resources, thereby improving the resource utilization rate of the second cell in the shared spectrum resources.

[0018] In one possible implementation, determining the number of symbols occupied by the first physical downlink control channel of the first cell within a time unit includes: if it is determined that the first physical downlink control channel is used in the first cell, and it is determined that the number of symbols occupied by the first physical downlink control channel is less than 2, then the number of symbols occupied by the first physical downlink control channel is determined to be 1.

[0019] In one possible implementation, if no downlink reference signal is configured in the second symbol of a time unit in the first cell, then the first symbol of the second physical downlink control channel of the second cell in the time unit is either the second symbol or the third symbol of the time unit.

[0020] By implementing the method shown in this implementation, scheduling the second physical downlink control channel of the second cell starting from the second or third symbol of the time unit can enable the second physical downlink control channel to occupy more resources in the shared spectrum resources, thereby improving the resource utilization rate of the second cell in the shared spectrum resources.

[0021] In one possible implementation, the method further includes: sending first information to a terminal device in the second cell, the first information being used to indicate the first symbol of the physical downlink shared channel within a time unit.

[0022] Secondly, this application provides a message transmission method. The execution subject of this method can be a terminal device, a chip in the terminal device, or a module. Here, the terminal device is used as the execution subject for example. The method includes: the terminal device located in a second cell receives first information from a network device, the first information indicating the first symbol of the physical downlink shared channel of the second cell in a time unit; the physical downlink shared channel is received through the first symbol, and the first cell and the second cell dynamically share the same spectrum resource.

[0023] It is understandable that the first symbol of the physical downlink shared channel within a time unit is determined by the network device based on the number of symbols occupied by the first physical downlink control channel of the first cell within the time unit.

[0024] In one possible implementation, if the number of symbols is 0, then the first symbol occupied by the physical downlink shared channel of the second cell within a time unit is the first symbol of the time unit.

[0025] In one possible implementation, the method further includes: sending or receiving data in the resources corresponding to the Physical Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request Indication Channel in the first cell, wherein the Physical Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request Indication Channel is located in the first symbol of the time unit.

[0026] In one possible implementation, the method further includes: sending or receiving data in the resources corresponding to the Physical Control Format Indication Channel in the first cell, wherein the Physical Control Format Indication Channel is located in the first symbol of the time unit.

[0027] The implementation methods of this aspect can be referred to the description of the implementation methods of the first aspect, and will not be repeated here.

[0028] Thirdly, this application provides a scheduling method. The execution subject of this method can be a network device, a chip in the network device, or a module. Here, the network device is used as the execution subject for example. The method includes: if the network device meets preset conditions, reconfiguring the number of cell-specific reference signal resources in a first cell, wherein the number of cell-specific reference signal resources after reconfiguration is less than the number of cell-specific reference signal resources before reconfiguration; sending reconfiguration information to a terminal device in a second cell, the reconfiguration information indicating the location and number of cell-specific reference signal resources, wherein the resources shared by the first cell and the second cell, excluding the cell-specific reference signal resources, are used for data transmission by the terminal device in the second cell; the first cell and the second cell are dynamically spectrum-sharing cells.

[0029] By implementing the method shown in this implementation, when preset conditions are met, the network device increases the number of resources that the second cell can use by reducing the number of cell-specific reference signal resources in the first cell, thereby improving the spectrum efficiency of the second cell.

[0030] In one possible implementation, reconfiguring the number of cell-specific reference signal resources of the first cell includes: changing the number of ports of the cell-specific reference signals of the first cell from a first number to a second number, wherein the first number is greater than the second number.

[0031] In one possible implementation, the method further includes: changing the transmission mode of the multimedia broadcast multicast single-frequency network subframes of the first cell from a first mode to a second mode; wherein, the period duration corresponding to the first mode is a first duration, and the number of multimedia broadcast multicast single-frequency network subframes transmitted within one period corresponding to the first mode is a third quantity; the period duration corresponding to the second mode is a second duration, and the number of multimedia broadcast multicast single-frequency network subframes included within one period corresponding to the second mode is a fourth quantity; changing the transmission mode of the multimedia broadcast multicast single-frequency network subframes of the first cell from the first mode to the second mode includes: the first duration is greater than the second duration, and / or, the third quantity is less than the fourth quantity.

[0032] By implementing the method shown in this embodiment, the network device can increase the number of MBSFN subframes by reducing the period duration of the transmission cycle, thereby reducing the amount of cell-specific reference signal (CRS) resources. With fewer CRS resources, the CRS resources originally used for CRS transmission can be used for data transmission in the PDSCH of the second cell, increasing the resources available for the PDSCH of the second cell, reducing resource overhead in the second cell, and improving resource utilization. Furthermore, by increasing the number of MBSFN subframes in each cycle, the network device reduces the number of CRS resources, thereby reducing resource overhead in the second cell and improving resource utilization.

[0033] In one possible implementation, the preset conditions include at least one of the following: the service load of the first cell is less than or equal to the first load; the service load of the neighboring cells with the same coverage of the first cell is less than or equal to the second load.

[0034] In one possible implementation, the method further includes: suspending service to terminal devices in the first cell.

[0035] In one possible implementation, the method further includes: the first symbol occupied by the physical downlink shared channel of the second cell within a time unit is the first symbol of the time unit.

[0036] By implementing the method shown in this implementation, the network device schedules the physical downlink shared channel of the second cell starting from the first symbol of the time unit, which allows the physical downlink shared channel to occupy more resources in the shared spectrum resources, thereby improving the resource utilization rate of the second cell in the shared spectrum resources.

[0037] Fourthly, this application provides a message transmission method. The execution subject of this method can be a terminal device, a chip in the terminal device, or a module. Here, the method is described using a terminal device as the execution subject. The method includes: a terminal device located in a second cell receiving reconfiguration information from a network device. The reconfiguration information indicates the location and quantity of cell-specific reference signal resources in a first cell. The resources shared by the first and second cells, excluding the cell-specific reference signal resources, are used for data transmission by the terminal device in the second cell. The first and second cells are dynamically spectrum-sharing cells. The quantity of cell-specific reference signal resources after reconfiguration is less than the quantity of cell-specific reference signal resources before reconfiguration.

[0038] Fifthly, this application also provides a communication device having any method or implementation mode provided in any of the first to fourth aspects described above. The communication device can be implemented in hardware or by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more units or modules corresponding to the above-described functions.

[0039] In one possible implementation, the communication device includes a processor configured to support the communication device in performing corresponding functions of the network device described above. The communication device may also include a memory coupled to the processor, which stores necessary program instructions and data for the communication device. Optionally, the communication device further includes interface circuitry for supporting communication between the communication device and devices such as terminal devices or network devices.

[0040] In one possible implementation, the communication device includes a processing unit and a communication unit, which can perform the corresponding functions in the above method examples, as described in the methods provided in the first or third aspects, and will not be repeated here.

[0041] A sixth aspect provides a communication device, including a processor and an interface circuit. The interface circuit is configured to receive signals from other communication devices outside the communication device and transmit them to the processor, or to send signals from the processor to other communication devices outside the communication device. The processor is configured to execute computer programs or instructions stored in the memory to implement the methods in any possible implementation of any of the first to fourth aspects. Optionally, the device further includes a memory storing computer programs or instructions.

[0042] In a seventh aspect, a computer-readable storage medium is provided, which stores a computer program or instructions that, when executed on a computer, cause the computer to implement the method in any possible implementation of any of the first to fourth aspects.

[0043] Eighthly, a computer program product storing computer-readable instructions is provided, which, when executed on a computer, cause the computer to implement the method in any possible implementation of any of the first to fourth aspects.

[0044] Ninth aspect, a chip is provided, the chip including a processor and further including a memory, the processor being coupled to the memory for executing computer programs or instructions stored in the memory, such that the chip implements the methods in any possible implementation of any of the first to fourth aspects.

[0045] In a tenth aspect, a communication system is provided, the system comprising means for implementing the first aspect (such as a network device) and means for implementing the second aspect (such as a terminal device). Attached Figure Description

[0046] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a network architecture applicable to embodiments of this application;

[0047] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of a single RB resource in a subframe when the CRS is 4 ports in an LTE system.

[0048] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of a single RB resource in a subframe when the CRS is 2 ports in an LTE system.

[0049] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of a single RB resource in a subframe when the CRS is port 1 in an LTE system.

[0050] Figure 5 This is a schematic flowchart of a scheduling method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0051] Figure 6 A schematic diagram of PDSCH scheduling provided for an embodiment of this application (taking a single RB resource in a single subframe as an example);

[0052] Figure 7 A schematic diagram of PDSCH scheduling provided for an embodiment of this application (taking a single RB resource in a single subframe as an example);

[0053] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram illustrating a scenario of changing number of terminal devices in a first cell, as provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0054] Figure 9 This application provides a schematic diagram of a random access procedure as an embodiment of the present application.

[0055] Figure 10 A schematic diagram of cell capacity variation provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0056] Figure 11 This is a schematic flowchart of a scheduling method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0057] Figure 12 This application provides a schematic diagram of MBSFN subframe configuration in an LTE cell.

[0058] Figure 13 This application provides a schematic diagram of MBSFN subframe configuration in an LTE cell.

[0059] Figure 14 This is a schematic diagram of a communication device structure provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0060] Figure 15 This is a schematic diagram of a communication device structure provided in an embodiment of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0061] The embodiments of this application will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0062] The embodiments of this application can be applied to various mobile communication systems, such as: NR system, LTE system, Global System of Mobile Communication (GSM) system, Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) system, General Packet Radio Service (GPRS), Future Communication System, and other communication systems. Specifically, no limitation is made here.

[0063] In this application embodiment, the terminal device can be a device with wireless transceiver capabilities or a chip that can be installed in any device. It can also be referred to as user equipment (UE), access terminal, user unit, user station, mobile station, mobile station, remote station, remote terminal, mobile device, user terminal, wireless communication device, user agent, or user device. The terminal device in this application embodiment can be a mobile phone, tablet computer, computer with wireless transceiver capabilities, virtual reality (VR) terminal, augmented reality (AR) terminal, wireless terminal in industrial control, wireless terminal in self-driving, etc.

[0064] In the embodiments of this application, the network device can be a wireless access device under various standards, such as a next-generation node B (gNB) in an NR system, an evolved node B (eNB), a radio network controller (RNC) or a node B (NB), a base station controller (BSC), a base transceiver station (BTS), a home base station (e.g., a home evolved Node B, or a home Node B, HNB), a baseband unit (BBU), an access point (AP), a wireless relay node, a wireless backhaul node, a transmission and reception point (TRP or transmission point, TP) in a wireless fidelity (WIFI) system, or a gNB or transmission point in a 5G (NR) system, or one or a group of antenna panels (including multiple antenna panels) of a base station in a 5G system. In 5G systems, base stations can also be referred to as transmission reception points (TRPs) or next-generation node Bs (gNBs or gNodeBs). The base station in this embodiment can be an integrated base station, or a base station comprising a centralized unit (CU) and a distributed unit (DU). A base station including CUs and DUs can also be referred to as a base station with separate CUs and DUs, such as a base station comprising gNB-CU and gNB-DU. Furthermore, the CU can be separated into a CU control plane (CU-CP) and a CU user plane (CU-CP), such as a base station comprising gNB-CU-CP, gNB-CU-UP, and gNB-DU.

[0065] like Figure 1The diagram illustrates a network architecture applicable to embodiments of this application. This network architecture includes network devices and terminal devices. The network devices can support multiple communication systems and can be configured with multiple cells. For example, the network devices can support both LTE and NR systems, and can simultaneously configure LTE and NR cells, where the LTE and NR cells can share the same spectrum resources. This technology can be dynamic spectrum sharing (DSS). The above technologies are merely examples. Furthermore, this application does not limit the scenarios in which DSS technology is used; DSS technology can also be applied to other networks, and this application does not limit its application in this regard. The terminal devices can be devices supporting one or more of the aforementioned multiple communication systems, and the type of terminal device is not limited.

[0066] Taking the dynamic spectrum sharing scenario between LTE and NR systems as an example, since the physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) in the NR system cannot occupy the cell-specific reference signal (CRS) resources in the LTE system, the orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) symbols that can be scheduled for use by the PDCCH and physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) in the NR system are limited. This is described below with reference to the accompanying figures. An OFDM symbol can refer to a signal waveform generated using OFDM technology. The length of an OFDM symbol in the time domain is equal to the reciprocal of the subcarrier spacing of that waveform. For ease of description, the OFDM symbol will be simply referred to as a symbol in the following description.

[0067] To facilitate understanding of the subsequent solutions, we will first introduce time units, subframes, and Multimedia Broadcast Multicast Service Single Frequency Network (MBSFN) subframes. In the LTE system, a subframe consists of 14 symbols, and in the NR system, a time slot consists of 14 symbols. For ease of description, in this embodiment, subframes in the LTE system and time slots in the NR system can be collectively referred to as time units. Subframes in LTE can be further divided into two types: MBSFN subframes and non-MBSFN subframes. MBSFN subframes have fewer resource elements (REs) used for CRS transmission than non-MBSFN subframes. For example, when the number of CRS ports is 4, within a resource block (RB), a non-MBSFN subframe includes 24 RE resources for CRS transmission, while an MBSFN subframe only includes 8.

[0068] Assuming the number of CRS ports in an LTE system is 4, then the resources occupied by the CRS in the LTE system can be as follows: Figure 2 As shown. Figure 2 The diagram illustrates the structure of a time slot, which comprises 14 symbols. Symbols 0 through 13 are designated as the first through fourteenth. The RE resources occupied by the CRS are located in symbols 0, 1, 4, 7, 8, and 11. To avoid resource conflicts with the LTE system, the PDCCH in the NR system is configured in symbol 2. The PDSCH in the NR system can be scheduled to use symbols 2 through 13, but cannot schedule the first two symbols.

[0069] Combination Figure 2 A time slot contains 14 × 12 = 168 RE resources, of which one RE resource is in Figure 2 In the diagram, each small square represents a RE resource occupied by the CRS. Black squares represent RE resources not occupied by the CRS, and white squares represent RE resources not occupied by the CRS. The same principle applies to other accompanying diagrams. The number of RE resources usable by the NR system is: 168 - 2 × 8 - 6 × 4 = 128. Here, 2 × 8 represents the number of RE resources in symbols 0 and 1 excluding those occupied by the CRS, and 6 × 4 represents the number of RE resources occupied by the CRS in symbols 0, 1, 4, 7, 8, and 11.

[0070] As can be seen from the above process, when the number of CRS ports in the LTE system is 4, the RE resource overhead rate for the NR system is (168-128) / 168 = 23.81%, which means that at least 23.81% of the RE resources are unusable.

[0071] Assuming the LTE system has 2 CRS ports, then the RE resources occupied by the CRS in the LTE system can be as follows: Figure 3 As shown. Figure 3 A time slot is shown, consisting of 14 symbols, from symbols 0 to 13. The RE resources occupied by the CRS are located in symbols 0, 4, 7, and 11. To avoid resource conflicts with the LTE system, in this case, the PDCCH in the NR system is configured in symbols 1 and / or 2 (the figure shows the case where the PDCCH in the NR system is configured in symbols 1 and 2; other cases are not shown). The range of symbols that the PDSCH in the NR system can schedule is from symbols 1 to 13; symbol 0 cannot be scheduled.

[0072] Combination Figure 3 The number of RE resources that the NR system can use in one time slot is: 168 - 1×8 - 4×4 = 144. Where 1×8 represents the number of RE resources on symbol 0 other than those occupied by CRS, and 4×4 represents the number of RE resources occupied by CRS in symbols 0, 4, 7 and 11.

[0073] As can be seen from the above process, when the number of CRS ports in the LTE system is 2, the RE resource overhead rate for the NR system is (168-144) / 168 = 14.29%.

[0074] Assuming the CRS port count in an LTE system is 1, then the RE resources occupied by the CRS in the LTE system can be as follows: Figure 4 As shown. Figure 4 A time slot is shown, consisting of 14 symbols, from symbols 0 to 13. The RE resources occupied by the CRS are located in symbols 0, 4, 7, and 11. To avoid resource conflicts with the LTE system, in this case, the PDCCH in the NR system is configured in symbols 1 and / or 2 (the figure shows the PDCCH configured in symbols 1 and 2 in the NR system; other cases are not shown). The range of symbols that the PDSCH in the NR system can schedule is from symbols 1 to 13; symbol 0 cannot be scheduled.

[0075] Combination Figure 4The number of RE resources that the NR system can use in one time slot is: 168 - 1 × 10 - 4 × 2 = 150. Where 1 × 10 represents the number of RE resources on symbol 0 other than those occupied by CRS, and 4 × 2 represents the number of RE resources occupied by CRS in symbols 0, 4, 7 and 11.

[0076] As can be seen from the above process, when the number of CRS ports in the LTE system is 1, the RE resource overhead rate for the NR system is (168-150) / 168 = 10.71%.

[0077] As described above, in DSS technology, because the NR system needs to share spectrum resources with the LTE system, the NR system cannot schedule the resources occupied by the LTE system, and the resources that the NR system's PDSCH can schedule are limited, resulting in low resource utilization of the NR system.

[0078] This application provides a method that, in a DSS scenario, can reduce the resource overhead of the NR system and improve the downlink rate and spectrum efficiency of the NR system.

[0079] In the various embodiments of this application, unless otherwise specified or in case of logical conflict, the terminology and / or descriptions of different embodiments are consistent and can be referenced by each other. The technical features of different embodiments can be combined to form new embodiments according to their inherent logical relationship.

[0080] It is understood that the various numerical designations used in the embodiments of this application are merely for descriptive convenience and are not intended to limit the scope of the embodiments of this application. The order of the process numbers described above does not imply the order of execution; the execution order of each process should be determined by its function and internal logic.

[0081] The network architecture and business scenarios described in the embodiments of this application are for the purpose of more clearly illustrating the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application, and do not constitute a limitation on the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of this application. As those skilled in the art will know, with the evolution of network architecture and the emergence of new business scenarios, the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of this application are also applicable to similar technical problems.

[0082] In this application, the interaction between network devices and terminal devices is used as an example for illustration. The operation performed by the network device can also be performed by the chip or module inside the network device, and the operation performed by the terminal device can also be performed by the chip or module inside the terminal device.

[0083] like Figure 5The diagram shown is a flowchart of a scheduling method provided in this application. In this method, the network device can support multiple communication systems, such as LTE and NR systems. The network device can establish multiple cells, such as a first cell and a second cell. The first cell and the second cell are dynamically spectrum-sharing cells, meaning they dynamically share the same spectrum resource; that is, the first cell and the second cell use DSS technology to share the same spectrum resource. In one implementation, the first cell is an LTE cell and the second cell is an NR cell. In another implementation, the first cell is an NR cell and the second cell is an LTE cell. The first cell and the second cell may also be other types of cells, which is not limited in this application embodiment.

[0084] The first cell includes physical channels such as the first PDCCH, the physical HARQ indicator channel (PHICH), and the physical control format indicator channel (PCFICH).

[0085] The first PDCCH can carry uplink and downlink resource scheduling information sent to the terminal device, while the PHICH can carry HARQ acknowledgment (ACK) or HARQ negative acknowledgment (NACK) feedback. The PCFICH is used to indicate the number of symbols occupied by the first PDCCH in a time unit.

[0086] The method shown in this embodiment, taking an LTE cell as the first cell and an NR cell as the second cell as an example, may include the following steps:

[0087] S501: The network device determines the number of symbols occupied by the first PDCCH of the first cell within a time unit.

[0088] In this context, a symbol can be understood as a segment of a signal waveform, and the length of a symbol in the time domain is equal to the reciprocal of the subcarrier spacing of that waveform. The length of a symbol in the time domain can serve as the basic unit of a time unit; that is, a time unit can include multiple symbols. The symbols used in this application can refer to OFDM symbols or symbols similar to OFDM symbols; this application is not limited in this regard.

[0089] In this embodiment, a time unit can refer to a duration. Since this embodiment involves dynamic spectrum sharing between two different systems, the name of the time unit may differ in different systems. For example, in an NR system, a time unit can refer to a slot, while in an LTE system, the time unit can refer to the duration of a subframe.

[0090] In this embodiment, the number of symbols that the first PDCCH in the first cell can occupy is not a fixed value; it can occupy a maximum of 2 symbols and a minimum of 0 symbols. The specific method by which the network device determines the number of symbols occupied by the first PDCCH is not limited in this application.

[0091] In one possible implementation, if the network device determines that the first PDCCH will not be used in the first cell, then the number of symbols occupied by the first PDCCH is 0. For example, if the number of terminal devices in the radio resource control (RRC) connection state in the first cell is less than or equal to a first threshold, then it is determined that the first PDCCH will not be used, and the number of symbols occupied by the first PDCCH is 0.

[0092] In the prior art, PHICH and PCFICH occupy the first symbol by default, and the frequency domain resources occupied by PHICH and PCFICH are different. In the specific embodiment shown in this application, the network device can use the resources occupied by PHICH and / or PCFICH for data transmission in the second cell, thereby further improving the network's resource utilization efficiency.

[0093] Specifically, in one possible design, if the number of symbols occupied by the first PDCCH is 0, the network device may not need to transmit data in the PHICH within the first cell. The PHICH occupies the first symbol of the time unit. Correspondingly, in the second cell, the network device can schedule terminal devices to transmit data in the resources corresponding to the PHICH. For example, the network device can transmit data to the terminal device in the resources corresponding to the PHICH, or receive data from the terminal device in the resources corresponding to the PHICH.

[0094] Since the PHICH occupies the first symbol of the time unit, when the network device is not sending data in the PHICH, the PHICH will not be occupied by the first cell. Thus, the PHICH in the first cell can be used for data transmission in the second cell, improving the resource utilization of the second cell.

[0095] In one possible design, if the number of symbols occupied by the first PDCCH is 0, the network device may not map data in the resource corresponding to the PCFICH in the first cell. Here, the PCFICH occupies the first symbol of the time unit. Mapping data in the resource can refer to modulating data within the resource. Correspondingly, in the second cell, the network device can schedule terminal devices to perform data transmission in the resource corresponding to the PCFICH. For example, the network device can transmit data to the terminal device in the resource corresponding to the PCFICH, or receive data from the terminal device in the resource corresponding to the PCFICH.

[0096] Since PCFICH occupies the first symbol of the time unit, when the resource mapping data corresponding to PCFICH is not in the first cell, the resources corresponding to PCFICH can be used for data transmission in the second cell, thereby improving the resource utilization of the second cell.

[0097] In one possible implementation, if the network device determines that the first PDCCH is used in the first cell and determines that the number of symbols occupied by the first PDCCH is less than 2, then the number of symbols occupied by the first PDCCH can be 1. For example, if the number of terminal devices in the first cell in RRC connection state is greater than a first threshold, the network device determines that the first PDCCH is used in the first cell and determines that the number of symbols occupied by the first PDCCH is less than 2, thus determining that the number of symbols occupied by the first PDCCH is 1. The first threshold can be a number greater than or equal to 0, and can be determined according to actual needs; this application does not limit the specific value of the first threshold. For example, if the first threshold is equal to 0, that is, as long as there is at least one terminal device in the first cell in RRC connection state, then the network device determines that the first PDCCH is used in the first cell.

[0098] In this embodiment, when the number of terminal devices in the RRC connection state within the first cell is greater than a first threshold, the specific value of the number of symbols occupied by the first PDCCH can be determined based on factors such as the service requirements of the terminal devices. For example, if the amount of resources required by the terminal devices in the RRC connection state within the first cell is less than or equal to a second threshold, then the number of symbols occupied by the first PDCCH is 1; if the amount of resources required by the terminal devices in the RRC connection state within the first cell is greater than the second threshold, then the number of symbols occupied by the first PDCCH is 2. The second threshold can be determined based on actual needs and is not limited in this application. For example, if the second threshold is 10RB, then when the amount of resources required by the terminal devices in the RRC connection state within the first cell is less than or equal to 10RB, the number of symbols occupied by the first PDCCH is 1; otherwise, the number of symbols occupied by the first PDCCH is 2. It is understood that 10RB is a boundary value. Based on actual needs, the network device can also determine that the number of symbols occupied by the first PDCCH is 1 when the amount of resources required by the terminal devices in the RRC connection state within the first cell is less than 10RB. This application is not limited.

[0099] In one specific manner, after the network device determines the number of symbols occupied by the first PDCCH, it can send information to the second cell through an internal interface. This information includes the number of symbols occupied by the first PDCCH in the first cell, and optionally, it may also include information such as the index of the first symbol occupied by the first PDCCH. This method facilitates the network device in subsequently determining the number of symbols occupied by the second cell's PDSCH in that time unit based on the number of symbols occupied by the first PDCCH.

[0100] S502: The network device determines the first symbol occupied by the PDSCH of the second cell within a time unit based on the number of symbols.

[0101] In this embodiment, the specific position of the first symbol occupied by the PDSCH of the second cell within a time unit can be determined by the network device based on the number of symbols occupied by the first PDCCH of the first cell. Specifically, this can include, but is not limited to, the following situations:

[0102] Scenario 1: If the first PDCCH of the first cell occupies 0 symbols, the network device can configure the scheduling range of the PDSCH of the second cell within that time unit to be from the first symbol to the last symbol of that time unit. In other words, the network device can configure the first symbol occupied by the PDSCH of the second cell within that time unit to be the first symbol of that time unit. Taking a time unit comprising 14 symbols as an example, the scheduling range of the PDSCH of the second cell within that time unit is from the first symbol to the fourteenth symbol.

[0103] It is understood that in this embodiment of the application, the network device's configuration of the second cell's PDSCH to occupy the first symbol of the time unit does not mean that the network device will necessarily send data through the second cell's PDSCH in the first symbol of the time unit. Whether the network device specifically sends data through the second cell's PDSCH in the first symbol of the time unit needs to be determined based on the actual data transmission requirements. Similarly, the scheduling range of the network device's configuration of the second cell's PDSCH is from the first symbol to the last symbol of the time unit, but this does not mean that it will necessarily send data through the second cell's PDSCH from the first symbol to the last symbol of the time unit; this needs to be determined based on the actual data transmission requirements.

[0104] In scenario one, the scheduling range of the second PDCCH in the second cell within that time unit is from the first symbol to the third symbol of that time unit, and the symbols occupied by the second PDCCH cannot be the same as those occupied by the CRS in the first cell.

[0105] Combination Figure 5 The description of Case 1 of the illustrated embodiment, for example, Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of a PDSCH scheduling method. Figure 6 The resources shown include a resource block (RB) in the frequency domain, which comprises 12 subcarriers; and a subframe in an LTE system or a time slot in an NR system in the time domain, wherein the length of a subframe in an LTE system and the length of a time slot in an NR system are the same. Figure 6 Taking a subframe in an LTE system as an example, which consists of 14 symbols, the first to the fourteenth symbols are referred to as symbols 0 to 13 respectively.

[0106] Figure 6 Taking the first cell as an example, which has 4 CRS ports, the first and second symbols of the time unit include the CRS of the first cell.

[0107] Combination Figure 6In scenario one, the network device can transmit PDSCH data for the second cell within the first to fourteenth symbols of that time unit (i.e., symbols 0 to 13). Furthermore, since the symbols occupied by the second PDCCH of the second cell do not include the CRS of the first cell, the network device can configure the first symbol occupied by the second PDCCH of the second cell as the third symbol of that time unit, i.e., symbol 2.

[0108] Furthermore, if the first cell has 1 or 2 CRS ports, then the first cell's CRS is located in the first symbol of that time unit. Therefore, the network device can configure the scheduling range of the second PDCCH of the second cell to be from the second to the third symbol of that time unit, and the network device can configure the scheduling range of the PDSCH of the second cell to be from the second to the fourteenth symbol of that time unit. For example, the network device can configure the second PDCCH to occupy the second symbol of that time unit (i.e., symbol 1), and the network device can configure the PDSCH of the second cell to occupy the first symbol of that time unit (i.e., symbol 0), meaning the network device can send PDSCH data during the time period of the first symbol.

[0109] In other words, if the second PDCCH of the second cell does not occupy the symbols configured with the CRS of the first cell, and the second PDCCH of the second cell is located in the first three symbols of a time unit, then if the first PDCCH of the first cell occupies 0 symbols, that is, the first PDCCH does not occupy any symbols, then the PDSCH of the second cell can occupy the symbols originally occupied by the first PDCCH of the first cell, thereby increasing the number of symbols that the PDSCH of the second cell can occupy, thus improving the efficiency of network resource utilization.

[0110] Scenario 2: If the first PDCCH of the first cell occupies 1 symbol, then the network device can configure the first PDCCH of the first cell to occupy the first symbol of the time unit. Correspondingly, the network device can configure the scheduling range of the PDSCH of the second cell within that time unit to be from the second symbol to the last symbol of that time unit. In other words, the network device can configure the first symbol occupied by the PDSCH of the second cell within that time unit to be the second symbol of that time unit. For example, if the time unit includes 14 symbols, the scheduling range of the PDSCH of the second cell within that time unit is from the second symbol to the fourteenth symbol.

[0111] In scenario two, the scheduling range of the second PDCCH in the second cell within the time unit is from the second symbol to the third symbol of the time unit, and the symbols occupied by the second PDCCH cannot overlap with the symbols occupied by the CRS in the first cell.

[0112] Combination Figure 5 The description of Case 2 of the illustrated embodiment, for example, Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of a PDSCH scheduling method. Figure 6 similar, Figure 7 Taking the first cell as an example, when the number of CRS ports in the first cell is 4, the first and second symbols of the time unit include the CRS of the first cell.

[0113] Combination Figure 7 In scenario two, the network device can transmit PDSCH data for the second cell within the second to fourteenth symbols (symbols 1 to 13) of that time unit. Furthermore, since the symbols occupied by the second PDCCH of the second cell do not include the CRS of the first cell, the network device can configure the symbols occupied by the second PDCCH of the second cell as the third symbol of that time unit, i.e., symbol 2.

[0114] Similar to Case 1, if the number of CRS ports in the first cell is 1 or 2, then the first symbol of the time unit includes the CRS of the first cell. The network device can configure the first symbol occupied by the second PDCCH of the second cell as the third symbol of the time unit, and configure the first symbol occupied by the PDSCH of the second cell as the second symbol of the time unit.

[0115] In other words, if the first PDCCH of the first cell occupies 1 symbol, the network device will configure the first PDCCH to occupy the first symbol of the time unit, configure the second PDCCH of the second cell to occupy the third symbol of the time unit, and configure the PDSCH of the second cell to occupy the second symbol of the time unit, thereby increasing the number of symbols available for the PDSCH of the second cell and further improving the efficiency of network resource utilization.

[0116] In this embodiment of the application, after the network device determines the first symbol occupied by the PDSCH in the time unit, it can also indicate the first symbol occupied by the PDSCH to the terminal device in the second cell, as can be seen in the following description.

[0117] S503: The network device sends the first information to the terminal device in the second cell.

[0118] The first information is used to indicate the first symbol occupied by PDSCH in the time unit, that is, to indicate the position of the first symbol occupied by PDSCH in the time unit.

[0119] The first information can indicate the symbol number of the first symbol occupied by the PDSCH. For example, if the first symbol occupied by the PDSCH is the first symbol of the time unit, then the symbol number indicated by the first information is symbol 0; if the first symbol occupied by the PDSCH is the second symbol of the time unit, then the symbol number indicated by the first information is symbol 1.

[0120] The first information can also indicate the number of symbols occupied by the PDSCH. The first information can be carried by downlink control information (DCI) or by RRC signaling. This application embodiment does not limit this.

[0121] In this embodiment of the application, the network device may also send second information to the terminal device in the second cell. The second information is used to indicate the first symbol occupied by the second PDCCH in the time unit and the number of symbols occupied by the second PDCCH.

[0122] Terminal devices in the second cell can receive PDSCH data at the first symbol occupied by the PDSCH based on the first information, and can also receive second PDCCH data at the first symbol occupied by the second PDCCH based on the second information. The specific process is not limited and will not be elaborated here.

[0123] Using the above method, when the first cell and the second cell share the same spectrum resource using DSS technology, the network device can adjust the number of symbols occupied by the PDSCH of the second cell according to the number of symbols occupied by the first PDCCH of the first cell, thereby achieving flexible allocation of resources and improving the resource utilization and spectrum efficiency of the second cell.

[0124] The following is a detailed description through a specific embodiment. Figure 5 The method is illustrated. Assume the first cell is an LTE cell and the second cell is an NR cell, and the first and second cells share the same spectrum resource using DSS technology. Network equipment can determine the number of terminal devices in RRC connected state within the first cell.

[0125] like Figure 8 As shown, taking the first threshold being equal to 0 as an example, this describes how the network device performs resource scheduling on the PDSCH of the second cell when the number of terminal devices in the RRC connection state in the first cell changes. Figure 8 The example provides four scenarios, which will be described below.

[0126] In scenario 1, the number of terminal devices in the RRC connected state in the first cell is equal to 0, which is equal to the first threshold, and the first cell is in a user idle state.

[0127] At this time, the number of symbols occupied by the first PDCCH of the first cell can be 0, and the first symbol occupied by the PDSCH of the second cell is the first symbol of the time unit. That is, the range of PDSCH of the second cell within a time unit is from symbol 0 to symbol 13 of that time unit, thereby maximizing the downlink throughput of the second cell.

[0128] In one implementation, the network device may also refrain from transmitting data in the PHICH of the first cell. In this implementation, the network device can use the PHICH of the first cell for data transmission in the second cell, thereby improving the resource utilization of the second cell.

[0129] In one implementation, the network device may also not map data in the resources corresponding to the PCFICH in the first cell. In this implementation, the network device can use the resources corresponding to the PCFICH of the first cell for data transmission in the second cell, thereby improving the resource utilization of the second cell.

[0130] For example, network devices may not send data in the PHICH and / or map data in the resources corresponding to the PCFICH in subframes in the first cell that do not require the transmission of paging messages and system information block (SIB) system messages.

[0131] Specifically, not sending data in the PHICH can mean not generating data that will be carried in the PHICH, and thus not sending data in the PHICH; not mapping data in the resources corresponding to the PCFICH can mean generating data that will be carried in the PCFICH, but ultimately not modulating the data into the resources corresponding to the PCFICH.

[0132] In scenario 2, a terminal device initiates a random access process within the first cell, resulting in a number of terminal devices in the RRC connection state that is greater than 0, i.e., the number of terminal devices is greater than the first threshold.

[0133] The random access procedure can sequentially include a four-step message flow: the terminal device sends message 1, which includes a preamble; the network device sends message 2, which can be a random access response (RAR) message; the terminal device sends message 3, which can be a response message to message 2; and the network device sends message 4, which can be a contention resolution message. This scenario 2 can be combined with... Figure 9Describe it.

[0134] like Figure 9 As shown, when the network device receives message 1 in the first cell, it can continue to map data in the resources corresponding to the PCFICH. Before sending message 2 to the terminal device, the network device maps data in the resources corresponding to the PCFICH in the first cell. After sending message 2, the network device does not map data in the resources corresponding to the PCFICH in the first cell. When the network device receives message 3 from the terminal device, it maps data in the resources corresponding to the PCFICH. After the terminal device accesses the first cell, the network device can send data in the PHICH.

[0135] In the above process, by dynamically adjusting whether to map data in the resources corresponding to PCFICH, the network device can improve the resource utilization of the second cell while ensuring that the data mapped in the resources corresponding to PCFICH in the first cell can be received by the terminal device, so that the terminal device can successfully access the first cell.

[0136] In scenario 3, there are terminal devices in the first cell that are in the RRC connected state. The network devices map data in the resources corresponding to PCFICH and send data in PHICH, and no longer share the first symbol of the time unit with the second cell.

[0137] Network equipment can determine the number of symbols occupied by the first PDCCH of the first cell based on the service requirements of the terminal equipment, and can also determine the first symbol occupied by the PDSCH of the second cell within a time unit based on the number of symbols. For details on how to determine the first symbol occupied by the PDSCH of the second cell within a time unit, please refer to [reference needed]. Figure 5 The description of S502 will not be repeated here.

[0138] In scenario 4, assuming the number of terminal devices in the RRC connection state in the first cell becomes 0 again, when the network device determines that the number of terminal devices in the RRC connection state is 0, it does not map data in the resources corresponding to PCFICH in the first cell, nor does it send data in PHICH.

[0139] At this time, the number of symbols occupied by the first PDCCH of the first cell can be 0, and the scheduling range of the PDSCH of the second cell within a time unit is from symbol 0 to symbol 13 of that time unit.

[0140] pass Figures 5 to 9The method shown allows the second cell's PDSCH to occupy the first two symbols of a time unit if the first PDCCH occupies zero symbols (for example, if the first cell has four CRS ports). In this case, the number of RE resources available in the second cell within a time unit increases from 128 to 144, resource overhead decreases from 23.81% to 14.29%, and resource utilization increases from 76.19% to 85.71%.

[0141] If the number of symbols occupied by the first PDCCH in the first cell is 1 and the number of CRS ports in the first cell is 2, the number of RE resources that can be used in the second cell within a time unit increases from 144 to 152, the resource overhead decreases from 14.29% to 9.52%, and the resource utilization rate increases from 85.71% to 90.48%.

[0142] If the number of symbols occupied by the first PDCCH in the first cell is 1, and the number of CRS ports in the first cell is 1, the number of RE resources that can be used in the second cell within a time unit increases from 150 to 160, the resource overhead decreases from 10.71% to 4.76%, and the resource utilization rate increases from 89.29% to 95.24%.

[0143] In other words, through Figures 5 to 9 The method described above significantly increases the number of RE resources that the PDSCH in the NR cell can occupy within each time unit, further improving the efficiency of network resource utilization and thus increasing the downlink throughput of the NR cell.

[0144] In DSS scenarios, during the initial stages of network operation, such as Figure 10 As shown, the operator adopts the DSS scheme, enabling the network to meet NR cell coverage while maintaining LTE cell capacity. With the rollout of NR, the number of users / voice traffic in NR cells is increasing, while LTE cell capacity is decreasing. To balance LTE cell network capacity and NR cell network performance and meet the aforementioned communication network trends, this application embodiment also provides a method to improve the resource utilization of NR cells and achieve a smooth evolution from LTE to NR networks.

[0145] like Figure 11 The diagram shown is a flowchart of a scheduling method provided in an embodiment of this application. Taking an example where the first cell can be an LTE cell and the second cell can be an NR cell, the first and second cells dynamically share the same spectrum resource. The method includes the following steps:

[0146] S1101: If the network device determines that the first cell meets the preset conditions, it will reconfigure the number of CRS resources in the first cell, wherein the number of CRS resources after reconfiguration is less than the number of CRS resources before reconfiguration.

[0147] CRS resources can refer to the resources occupied by CRS. When the resources occupied by CRS are RE resources, one CRS resource can refer to one RE resource occupied by CRS.

[0148] In this embodiment, the preset conditions can be determined based on the service load of the first cell itself and the service load of neighboring cells with the same coverage. For example, the preset conditions may include at least one of the following:

[0149] The service load of the first cell is less than or equal to the first load;

[0150] The service load of neighboring cells with the same coverage of the first cell is less than or equal to the second load. The relationship between the first load and the second load is not limited in this application; for example, the first load may be greater than the second load.

[0151] When preset conditions are met, there may be multiple ways for a network device to reconfigure the number of CRS resources. For example, a network device can reconfigure the number of CRS resources in at least one of the following ways:

[0152] One possible implementation is that the network device modifies the number of CRS ports in the first cell from a first number to a second number, where the first number is greater than the second number. Since a larger number of CRS ports means more CRS resources, reducing the number of CRS ports can reduce the amount of CRS resources, thereby reducing resource overhead in the second cell and further saving more resources that can be used for data transmission, thus improving the resource utilization rate of the second cell.

[0153] One possible implementation involves the network device changing the transmission mode of MBSFN subframes in the first cell from a first mode to a second mode. The first mode has a period duration of 1, and the number of MBSFN subframes included in one period of the first mode is a third quantity. The second mode has a period duration of 2, and the number of MBSFN subframes included in one period of the second mode is a fourth quantity. The first duration is longer than the second duration, and the third quantity is less than the fourth quantity.

[0154] Because MBSFN subframes, except for the symbols occupied by the first PDCCH of the first cell, do not include CRS resources, the number of CRS resources included in MBSFN subframes is much smaller than that included in non-MBSFN subframes. By reducing the period duration of the transmission cycle of MBSFN subframes, the number of MBSFN subframes can be increased, thereby reducing the number of CRS resources. With fewer CRS resources, the CRS resources originally used for CRS transmission can be used for data transmission in the PDSCH of the second cell, increasing the resources available for the PDSCH of the second cell, reducing resource overhead in the second cell, and improving resource utilization. Furthermore, by increasing the number of MBSFN subframes in each cycle, the number of CRS resources is reduced, thereby reducing resource overhead in the second cell and improving resource utilization.

[0155] For example, before the preset conditions are met, such as Figure 12 As shown. See Figure 12 In (a) of the diagram, in the first cell, the MBSFN subframe transmission method is as follows: the network device transmits two MBSFN subframes every 40 milliseconds. Subframes marked with "M" represent MBSFN subframes, while subframes not marked with "M" represent non-MBSFN subframes. The structure of a non-MBSFN subframe is as follows... Figure 12 As shown in (b), when the number of CRS ports is 4, the number of CRS resources included in the non-MBSFN subframe is 24. The structure of the MBSFN subframe is as follows: Figure 12 As shown in (c), when the number of CRS ports is 4, the number of CRS resources included in the MBSFN subframe is 8, which is less than the number of CRS resources included in the non-MBSFN subframe.

[0156] When the preset conditions are met, such as Figure 13 As shown. See Figure 13 In (a) of the first cell, the MBSFN subframe transmission method is changed to: the network device transmits 6 MBSFN subframes every 10 milliseconds. Subframes marked with "M" represent MBSFN subframes, and subframes not marked with "M" represent non-MBSFN subframes. Furthermore, as... Figure 13 As shown in (b) of the diagram, the number of CRS ports in the first cell changes from 4 to 1. When the number of CRS ports is 1, the structure of the non-MBSFN subframe is shown in the diagram. In this case, the number of CRS resources included in the non-MBSFN subframe is 8. Figure 13 As shown in (c), when the number of CRS ports is 1, the structure of the MBSFN subframe is shown in the diagram. In this case, the number of CRS resources included in the MBSFN subframe is 2, which is less than the number of CRS resources included in the non-MBSFN subframe.

[0157] Combination Figure 12 and Figure 13 As will be understood by those skilled in the art, the method may include a variety of implementations. For example, the network device may only increase the transmission period of the MBSFN subframe (i.e., increase the number of MBSFN subframes), or the network device may only reduce the number of ports of the CRS resource. Alternatively, it may combine increasing both the number of MBSFN subframes and the number of ports of the CRS resource in the MBSFN subframes to ultimately increase the amount of resources that the NR cell can use, thereby improving the spectrum efficiency of the NR cell.

[0158] When a network device determines that the first cell meets preset conditions, it can consider that the conditions for shutting down the first cell have been met, thereby suspending service to terminal devices in the first cell. The network device can also perform at least one of the following procedures:

[0159] 1. Migrate terminal devices already connected to the first cell to other cells with the same coverage area. The first cell will no longer provide services to the terminal devices. A cell with the same coverage area can be a cell with the same coverage area as the first cell.

[0160] 2. The first cell will no longer support new terminal devices, that is, the first cell will be set to a barred state, and RRC idle terminal devices will not be allowed to initiate random access to the first cell.

[0161] 3. Set the priority of the first cell to the lowest, so that the RRC idle terminal device can migrate to the cell with a higher priority.

[0162] In one possible implementation, when the first cell is measured to be the strongest neighboring LTE cell, the LTE co-frequency handover process is not triggered. Instead, an inter-frequency / inter-system handover process is initiated, migrating the terminal device to the inter-frequency / inter-system cell instead of back to the first cell. This eliminates uplink and downlink co-frequency interference between LTE and NR systems caused by untimely handover of the terminal device. Here, "strongest neighboring cell" can mean that the first cell has the strongest signal, for example, the first cell has the highest reference signal receiving power (RSRP).

[0163] S1102: The network device sends reconfiguration information to the terminal devices in the second cell.

[0164] The reconfiguration information indicates the location and quantity of CRS resources in the first cell. Resources shared by the first and second cells, excluding CRS resources, can be used for data transmission by terminal devices in the second cell. Because the number of CRS resources in the first cell decreases, the number of usable resources in the second cell increases, thereby improving the spectral efficiency and data throughput of the second cell. Here, "resources" can refer to time-frequency resources, such as RE resources.

[0165] The network device can send reconfiguration information via a first RRC reconfiguration message. This reconfiguration information can be a CRS rate matching pattern within the first RRC reconfiguration message. The CRS rate matching pattern can be used to indicate the location and quantity of CRS resources in the first cell to the terminal devices in the second cell. This allows the terminal devices in the second cell to determine which RE resources are occupied by CRS, enabling them to perform processing at RE resources other than those occupied by CRS. For example, this processing could be demodulation of data in the channel.

[0166] In one possible implementation, the network device can also cancel the first PDCCH in the first cell and start scheduling PDSCH from the first symbol of a time unit in the second cell. That is, in a time unit, the PDSCH scheduling range of the second cell is from symbol 0 to symbol 13 of that time unit.

[0167] In this embodiment, the number of CRS ports in the first cell can be restored to the number of CRS ports before the preset conditions were met, and the MBSFN subframe transmission method in the first cell can also be restored to the MBSFN subframe transmission method before the preset conditions were met. For example, when the network device detects that the service load of the neighboring cells with the same coverage of the first cell is greater than the second load, the number of CRS ports in the first cell can be restored to the number of CRS ports before the preset conditions were met, and the MBSFN subframe transmission method in the first cell can also be restored to the MBSFN subframe transmission method before the preset conditions were met.

[0168] The process by which the network device restores the first cell to its state before the preset conditions were met may include at least one of the following:

[0169] a) The network device modifies the CRS port configuration and MBSFN subframe configuration of the first cell. For example, the network device modifies the number of CRS ports of the first cell to 4 ports and modifies the transmission method of MBSFN subframes to: configure 2 MBSFN subframes every 40 milliseconds.

[0170] b) The network device allows the RRC idle state terminal device to access the first cell normally. For example, the network device no longer sets the first cell to a prohibited state, allowing the RRC idle state terminal device to initiate random access to the first cell; or the network device restores the priority of the first cell, allowing the RRC idle state terminal device to migrate to the first cell.

[0171] c) The network equipment allows RRC-connected terminal devices in the surrounding neighboring cells to normally switch into the first cell.

[0172] Similarly, the network device can also send a second RRC reconfiguration message to the terminal device in the second cell. The second RRC reconfiguration message indicates that the first cell should restore the number of CRS ports and the MBSFN subframe transmission method to the state before the preset conditions were met.

[0173] Using the above method, LTE cells can be deployed on demand. When the LTE network capacity is large, LTE cells are activated to absorb LTE traffic, and when the LTE network capacity is small, LTE cells are shut down. This effectively reduces the impact of LTE cells on NR cell performance in DSS scenarios. At the same time, it can reduce uplink and downlink co-channel interference between the LTE and NR systems caused by terminal equipment switching, thereby improving system stability.

[0174] The above embodiments can be implemented individually or in combination. In the above description of different embodiments, the differences between the embodiments are emphasized; other aspects between the different embodiments can be referred to interchangeably. It should be understood that not all steps shown in the flowcharts are mandatory; steps can be added or deleted based on actual needs.

[0175] To achieve the functions of the methods provided in the embodiments of this application, the network device, terminal device, or the aforementioned communication device may include hardware structures and / or software modules, implementing the aforementioned functions in the form of hardware structures, software modules, or a combination of hardware structures and software modules. Whether a particular function is executed in the form of hardware structures, software modules, or a combination of hardware structures and software modules depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution.

[0176] The module division in this embodiment is illustrative and represents only one logical functional division; in actual implementation, other division methods may be used. Furthermore, the functional modules in the various embodiments of this application can be integrated into a single processor, exist as separate physical entities, or be integrated into a single module. The integrated modules described above can be implemented in hardware or as software functional modules.

[0177] Similar to the above concept, such as Figure 14 As shown in the illustration, this application also provides a communication device 1400. The communication device 1400 may be... Figure 1 The network device in the above method embodiment is used to implement the method corresponding to the terminal device. The communication device can also be... Figure 1 The network device in the above method embodiments is used to implement the method corresponding to the network device. For specific functions, please refer to the description in the above method embodiments.

[0178] Specifically, the communication device 1400 may include a processing unit 1401 and a communication unit 1402. In this embodiment, the communication unit may also be called a transceiver unit, and may include a sending unit and / or a receiving unit, respectively used to perform the sending and receiving steps of the network device or terminal device in the above method embodiments. Hereinafter, in conjunction with... Figures 14 to 15 The communication device provided in the embodiments of this application is described in detail.

[0179] In some possible implementations, the above Figure 5 When the behavior and functions of the network device in the method embodiment shown are implemented through the communication device 1400:

[0180] The processing unit is used to determine the number of symbols occupied by the first physical downlink control channel of the first cell within a time unit;

[0181] The processing unit is configured to determine, based on the number of symbols, the first symbol occupied by the physical downlink shared channel of the second cell within the time unit; wherein the first cell and the second cell are cells with dynamic spectrum sharing.

[0182] In one possible implementation, the processing unit is specifically used for:

[0183] If the number of symbols is 0, then the first symbol occupied by the physical downlink shared channel of the second cell in the time unit is determined to be the first symbol of the time unit.

[0184] In one possible implementation, the communication unit is further configured to: use the resources corresponding to the Physical Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request Indication Channel in the first cell to transmit data from the second cell, wherein the Physical Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request Indication Channel is located in the first symbol of the time unit.

[0185] In one possible implementation, the communication unit is further configured to: use the resources corresponding to the Physical Control Format Indication Channel in the first cell to transmit data from the second cell, wherein the Physical Control Format Indication Channel is located in the first symbol of the time unit.

[0186] In one possible implementation, the processing unit is specifically used for:

[0187] If it is determined that the first physical downlink control channel is not used in the first cell, then the number of symbols occupied by the first physical downlink control channel is 0.

[0188] In one possible implementation, the processing unit is specifically used for;

[0189] If the number of symbols is 1, then the first symbol occupied by the physical downlink shared channel of the second cell in the time unit is determined to be the second symbol of the time unit, wherein the first physical downlink control channel of the first cell occupies the first symbol of the time unit.

[0190] In one possible implementation, the processing unit is specifically used for:

[0191] If it is determined that the first physical downlink control channel is used in the first cell, and it is determined that the number of symbols occupied by the first physical downlink control channel is less than 2, then the number of symbols occupied by the first physical downlink control channel is determined to be 1.

[0192] In one possible implementation, the communication unit is configured to send first information to a terminal device within the second cell, the first information being used to indicate the first symbol of the physical downlink shared channel within the time unit.

[0193] In some possible implementations, the above Figure 5 When the behavior and functions of the terminal device in the method embodiment shown are implemented through the communication device 1400:

[0194] A communication unit is used to receive first information from a network device in the second cell. The first information is used to indicate the first symbol of the physical downlink shared channel of the second cell within a time unit.

[0195] The communication unit is used to receive the physical downlink shared channel through the first symbol; wherein, the first symbol of the physical downlink shared channel in the time unit is determined according to the number of symbols occupied by the first physical downlink control channel of the first cell in the time unit, and the dynamic spectrum of the first cell and the second cell share the same spectrum resource.

[0196] In one possible implementation, if the number of symbols is 0, then the first symbol occupied by the physical downlink shared channel of the second cell within a time unit is the first symbol of the time unit.

[0197] In one possible implementation, the communication unit is further configured to: send or receive data in the resources corresponding to the Physical Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request Indication Channel in the first cell, wherein the Physical Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request Indication Channel is located in the first symbol of the time unit.

[0198] In one possible implementation, the communication unit is further configured to: send or receive data in the resources corresponding to the Physical Control Format Indication Channel in the first cell, wherein the Physical Control Format Indication Channel is located in the first symbol of the time unit.

[0199] In some possible implementations, the above Figure 11 When the behavior and functions of the network device in the method embodiment shown are implemented through the communication device 1400:

[0200] The processing unit is configured to reconfigure the number of cell-specific reference signal resources of the first cell if preset conditions are met, wherein the number of cell-specific reference signal resources after reconfiguration is less than the number of cell-specific reference signal resources before reconfiguration.

[0201] The communication unit is used to send reconfiguration information to terminal devices in the second cell. The reconfiguration information is used to indicate the location and quantity of cell-specific reference signal resources. Among the resources shared by the first cell and the second cell, the resources other than the cell-specific reference signal resources are used for data transmission by terminal devices in the second cell. The first cell and the second cell are cells with dynamic spectrum sharing.

[0202] In one possible implementation, reconfiguring the number of cell-specific reference signal resources of the first cell includes: changing the number of ports of the cell-specific reference signals of the first cell from a first number to a second number, wherein the first number is greater than the second number.

[0203] In one possible implementation, the processing unit is specifically configured to: change the transmission mode of the multimedia broadcast multicast single-frequency network subframes of the first cell from a first mode to a second mode; wherein, the period duration corresponding to the first mode is a first duration, and the number of multimedia broadcast multicast single-frequency network subframes transmitted within one period corresponding to the first mode is a third quantity; the period duration corresponding to the second mode is a second duration, and the number of multimedia broadcast multicast single-frequency network subframes included within one period corresponding to the second mode is a fourth quantity; changing the transmission mode of the multimedia broadcast multicast single-frequency network subframes of the first cell from the first mode to the second mode includes: the first duration is greater than the second duration, and / or, the third quantity is less than the fourth quantity.

[0204] In one possible implementation, the preset conditions include at least one of the following: the service load of the first cell is less than or equal to the first load; the service load of the neighboring cells with the same coverage of the first cell is less than or equal to the second load.

[0205] In one possible implementation, the communication unit is also used to: suspend service to the terminal equipment of the first cell.

[0206] In one possible implementation, the first symbol occupied by the physical downlink shared channel of the second cell within a time unit is the first symbol of the time unit.

[0207] A communication unit can also be called a transceiver, transceiver device, or transceiver unit. A processing unit can also be called a processor, processing board, processing module, or processing device. Optionally, the device in communication unit 1402 that implements the receiving function can be considered a receiving unit, and the device in communication unit 1402 that implements the transmitting function can be considered a transmitting unit; that is, communication unit 1402 includes a receiving unit and a transmitting unit. A communication unit can sometimes also be called a transceiver, transceiver unit, or transceiver circuit. A receiving unit can sometimes be called a receiver, receiver, or receiving circuit. A transmitting unit can sometimes be called a transmitter, transmitter, or transmitting circuit.

[0208] The above is just an example. Processing unit 1401 and communication unit 1402 can also perform other functions. For a more detailed description, please refer to [link / reference needed]. Figure 5 The relevant descriptions in the method embodiments shown in 11 are not repeated here.

[0209] like Figure 15 The image shown is a communication device 1500 provided in an embodiment of this application. Figure 15 The device shown can be Figure 14 The illustrated device represents one hardware circuit implementation. This communication device can be applied to the flowchart shown above to perform the functions of the terminal device or network device in the method embodiments described. For ease of explanation, Figure 15 Only the main components of the communication device are shown.

[0210] like Figure 15 As shown, the communication device 1500 includes a processor 1510 and an interface circuit 1520. The processor 1510 and the interface circuit 1520 are coupled to each other. It is understood that the interface circuit 1520 can be a transceiver or an input / output interface. Optionally, the communication device 1500 may also include a memory 1530 for storing instructions executed by the processor 1510, or storing input data required by the processor 1510 to execute instructions, or storing data generated after the processor 1510 executes instructions.

[0211] When the communication device 1500 is used to achieve Figure 5 When using the method shown in 11, the processor 1510 is used to implement the functions of the processing unit 1401, and the interface circuit 1520 is used to implement the functions of the communication unit 1402.

[0212] When the aforementioned 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 an RF module or antenna) in the terminal device, the information being sent to the terminal device by the network device; or, the terminal device chip sends information to other modules (such as an RF module or antenna) in the terminal device, the information being sent to the network device by the terminal device.

[0213] When the aforementioned 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 radio frequency modules or antennas) in the network device, which is information sent from the terminal device to the network device; or, the network device chip sends information to other modules (such as radio frequency modules or antennas) in the network device, which is information sent from the network device to the terminal device.

[0214] It is understood that the processor in the embodiments of this application may be a Central Processing Unit (CPU), or other general-purpose processors, digital signal processors (DSPs), application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), or other programmable logic devices or transistor logic devices. A general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor or any conventional processor.

[0215] In embodiments of this application, the memory may be random access memory (RAM), flash memory, read-only memory (ROM), programmable read-only memory (PROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), registers, hard disks, portable hard disks, or any other form of storage medium known in the art. An exemplary storage medium is coupled to a processor, enabling the processor to read information from and write information to the storage medium. Of course, the storage medium may also be a component of the processor. The processor and storage medium may reside in an ASIC. Additionally, the ASIC may reside in a network device or a terminal device. The processor and storage medium may also exist as discrete components in a network device or a terminal device.

[0216] Those skilled in the art will understand that embodiments of this application can be provided as methods, systems, or computer program products. Therefore, this application can take the form of a completely hardware embodiment, a completely software embodiment, or an embodiment combining software and hardware aspects. Furthermore, this application can take the form of a computer program product embodied on one or more computer-usable storage media (including, but not limited to, disk storage, optical storage, etc.) containing computer-usable program code.

[0217] This application is described with reference to flowchart illustrations and / or block diagrams of methods, apparatus (systems), and computer program products according to this application. It should be understood that each block of the flowchart illustrations and / or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in the flowchart illustrations and / or block diagrams, can be implemented by computer program instructions. These computer program instructions can be provided to a processor of a general-purpose computer, special-purpose computer, embedded processor, or other programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, such that the instructions, which execute via the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing apparatus, generate instructions for implementing the flowchart illustrations. Figure 1 One or more processes and / or boxes Figure 1 A device that provides the functions specified in one or more boxes.

[0218] These computer program instructions may also be stored in a computer-readable storage medium that can direct a computer or other programmable data processing device to function in a particular manner, such that the instructions stored in the computer-readable storage medium produce an article of manufacture including instruction means, which are implemented in a process Figure 1 One or more processes and / or boxes Figure 1 The function specified in one or more boxes.

[0219] Obviously, those skilled in the art can make various modifications and variations to this application without departing from the scope of this application. Therefore, if such modifications and variations fall within the scope of the claims of this application and their equivalents, this application also intends to include such modifications and variations.

Claims

1. A scheduling method, characterized in that, include: The number of symbols occupied by the first physical downlink control channel of the first cell within a time unit is determined; wherein, if the number of terminal devices in the first cell in the Radio Resource Control (RRC) connected state is less than or equal to a first threshold, the number of symbols is 0, and the first threshold is greater than 0; if the number of terminal devices in the first cell in the RRC connected state is greater than the first threshold, the number of symbols is greater than 0. Based on the number of symbols, the first symbol occupied by the physical downlink shared channel of the second cell within the time unit is determined; wherein, the first cell and the second cell are cells with dynamic spectrum sharing; if the number of symbols is 0, then the first symbol occupied by the physical downlink shared channel of the second cell within the time unit is the first symbol of the time unit; If a downlink reference signal is not configured in the second symbol of the time unit in the first cell, then the first symbol of the second physical downlink control channel of the second cell in the time unit is either the second symbol or the third symbol of the time unit.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The method further includes: The resources corresponding to the Physical Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request Indicator Channel in the first cell are used to transmit data from the second cell, wherein the Physical Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request Indicator Channel is located in the first symbol of the time unit.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The method further includes: The resources corresponding to the Physical Control Format Indication Channel in the first cell are used to transmit data from the second cell, wherein the Physical Control Format Indication Channel is located in the first symbol of the time unit.

4. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The step of determining the first symbol occupied by the physical downlink shared channel of the second cell within the time unit based on the number of symbols includes: If the number of symbols is 1, then the first symbol occupied by the physical downlink shared channel of the second cell in the time unit is determined to be the second symbol of the time unit, wherein the first physical downlink control channel of the first cell occupies the first symbol of the time unit.

5. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The method further includes: Send first information to the terminal device in the second cell, the first information being used to indicate the first symbol of the physical downlink shared channel in the time unit.

6. A communication device, characterized in that, include: The processing unit is configured to determine the number of symbols occupied by the first physical downlink control channel of the first cell within a time unit; wherein, if the number of terminal devices in the first cell in the Radio Resource Control (RRC) connected state is less than or equal to a first threshold, and the first threshold is greater than 0, then the number of symbols is 0; if the number of terminal devices in the first cell in the RRC connected state is greater than the first threshold, then the number of symbols is greater than 0. The processing unit is configured to determine, based on the number of symbols, the first symbol occupied by the physical downlink shared channel of the second cell within the time unit; wherein the first cell and the second cell are dynamically spectrum-sharing cells; if the number of symbols is 0, then the first symbol occupied by the physical downlink shared channel of the second cell within the time unit is the first symbol of the time unit; if in the first cell, no downlink reference signal is configured in the second symbol within the time unit, then the first symbol of the second physical downlink control channel of the second cell within the time unit is the second symbol or the third symbol of the time unit.

7. The apparatus according to claim 6, characterized in that, The communication device further includes a communication unit: The communication unit uses the resources corresponding to the Physical Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request Indication Channel in the first cell to transmit data from the second cell. The Physical Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request Indication Channel is located in the first symbol of the time unit.

8. The apparatus according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that, The communication device further includes a communication unit: The communication unit uses the resources corresponding to the Physical Control Format Indication Channel in the first cell to transmit data from the second cell, wherein the Physical Control Format Indication Channel is located in the first symbol of the time unit.

9. The apparatus according to claim 6, characterized in that, The processing unit is specifically used for; If the number of symbols is 1, then the first symbol occupied by the physical downlink shared channel of the second cell in the time unit is determined to be the second symbol of the time unit, wherein the first physical downlink control channel of the first cell occupies the first symbol of the time unit.

10. The apparatus according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that, The communication device further includes a communication unit: The communication unit is used to send first information to the terminal device in the second cell, the first information being used to indicate the first symbol of the physical downlink shared channel in the time unit.

11. A communication device, characterized in that, Includes modules for implementing the method of any one of claims 1 to 5.

12. A communication device, characterized in that, Includes a processor, which is coupled to memory; The processor is configured to execute computer programs or instructions stored in the memory, causing the communication device to implement the method described in any one of claims 1 to 5.

13. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, The computer contains a computer program or instructions that, when executed on a computer, cause the computer to perform the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 5.

14. A computer program product, characterized in that, Includes instructions that, when executed on a computer, cause the computer to perform the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 5.

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