A method and apparatus for triggering a detection reference signal (SRS) for antenna switching.

Abstract

This application discloses a method and apparatus for triggering a Sounding Reference Signal (SRS) for antenna switching, applicable to 5G NR systems. The method includes: a network device receiving capability reporting information from a terminal device, the capability reporting information indicating antenna switching configuration combinations supported by the terminal device; and the network device configuring at least one functional SRS resource for the terminal device within the supported antenna switching configuration combinations based on the capability reporting information, the at least one function including antenna switching configuration. By implementing this application embodiment, switching or falling back to different antenna switching configurations can be achieved more flexibly and quickly.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of communication technology, and in particular to a method and apparatus for triggering a detection reference signal (SRS) for antenna switching. Background Technology

[0002] In 5G mobile communication systems, terminal devices support antenna switching transmission methods for SRS (Sounding Reference Signal), including 1T2R, 2T4R, 1T4R, or T=R. Depending on the SRS transmission period, SRS can be categorized as periodic, semi-continuous, and aperiodic. SRS antenna switching transmission is suitable for scenarios where uplink and downlink are reciprocal, used by network devices to obtain downlink channel information. For example, to adapt to current services or scenarios, terminal devices may need to change antenna configurations, such as downgrading from 2T4R to 1T4R or 2T2R, or changing from 2T2R to 4T4R. In such cases, different SRS resource configurations with the function of "antenna switching" are required for obtaining downlink CSI (Channel State Information).

[0003] In the SRS enhancements of Release 17, the number of antennas increases to 6Rx or 8Rx, supporting more antenna switching scenarios and making the corresponding SRS configuration more complex. Releases 15 and 16 do not support flexible and dynamic antenna switching configurations within the Bandwidth Part (BWP). Introducing a dynamic antenna switching configuration scheme further complicates the triggering process. Therefore, it is necessary to consider methods for triggering SRS for various functions, including multiple antenna switching configurations. Summary of the Invention

[0004] This application provides a detection reference signal (SRS) triggering method and apparatus for antenna switching, which can be applied to 5G NR systems and allows for more flexible and faster switching or fallback to different antenna switching configurations.

[0005] In a first aspect, embodiments of this application provide a detection reference signal (SRS) triggering method for antenna switching, the method being applied to a network device, the method comprising:

[0006] The terminal device receives capability reporting information, which indicates the antenna switching configuration combinations supported by the terminal device.

[0007] Based on the capability reporting information, at least one SRS resource is configured for the terminal device in the supported antenna switching configuration combinations, wherein the at least one function includes antenna switching configuration.

[0008] Secondly, embodiments of this application provide another method for triggering a Sounding Reference Signal (SRS) for antenna switching, the method being applied to a terminal device, the method comprising:

[0009] Send capability reporting information to network devices, wherein the capability reporting information is used to indicate the antenna switching configuration combinations supported by the terminal device;

[0010] Receive SRS resource configuration information sent by the network device based on the capability reporting information;

[0011] Based on the SRS resource configuration information and the capability reporting information, an uplink SRS is sent to the network device.

[0012] Thirdly, embodiments of this application provide a communication device that implements some or all of the functions of the network device described in the first aspect above. For example, the communication device may have the functions of some or all of the embodiments in this application, or it may have the functions of any one embodiment in this application implemented individually. The functions may be implemented by hardware or by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more units or modules corresponding to the above functions.

[0013] In one implementation, the communication device may include a transceiver module and a processing module, the processing module being configured to support the communication device in performing the corresponding functions described in the above method. The transceiver module supports communication between the communication device and other devices. The communication device may also include a storage module, coupled to the transceiver module and the processing module, which stores necessary computer programs and data for the communication device.

[0014] As an example, the processing module can be a processor, the transceiver module can be a transceiver or a communication interface, and the storage module can be a memory.

[0015] Fourthly, embodiments of this application provide another communication device that implements some or all of the functions of the terminal device described in the method example of the second aspect above. For example, the communication device may have the functions of some or all of the embodiments in this application, or it may have the functions of any one embodiment in this application implemented individually. The functions may be implemented by hardware or by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more units or modules corresponding to the above functions.

[0016] In one implementation, the communication device may include a transceiver module and a processing module, the processing module being configured to support the communication device in performing the corresponding functions described in the above method. The transceiver module is used to support communication between the communication device and other devices. The communication device may also include a storage module, which is coupled to the transceiver module and the processing module, and stores the necessary computer programs and data of the communication device.

[0017] As an example, the processing module can be a processor, the transceiver module can be a transceiver or a communication interface, and the storage module can be a memory.

[0018] Fifthly, embodiments of this application provide a communication device including a processor, which executes the method described in the first aspect when it calls a computer program in memory.

[0019] In a sixth aspect, embodiments of this application provide a communication device including a processor that, when the processor invokes a computer program in memory, executes the method described in the second aspect above.

[0020] In a seventh aspect, embodiments of this application provide a communication device, which includes a processor and a memory, wherein the memory stores a computer program; the processor executes the computer program stored in the memory to cause the communication device to perform the method described in the first aspect above.

[0021] Eighthly, embodiments of this application provide a communication device including a processor and a memory, the memory storing a computer program; the processor executes the computer program stored in the memory to cause the communication device to perform the method described in the second aspect above.

[0022] Ninthly, embodiments of this application provide a communication device, the device including a processor and an interface circuit, the interface circuit being used to receive code instructions and transmit them to the processor, the processor being used to execute the code instructions to cause the device to perform the method described in the first aspect above.

[0023] In a tenth aspect, embodiments of this application provide a communication device including a processor and an interface circuit. The interface circuit is used to receive code instructions and transmit them to the processor, which is used to execute the code instructions to cause the device to perform the method described in the second aspect above.

[0024] Eleventhly, embodiments of this application provide a communication system, which includes the communication device described in the third aspect and the communication device described in the fourth aspect, or the system includes the communication device described in the fifth aspect and the communication device described in the sixth aspect, or the system includes the communication device described in the seventh aspect and the communication device described in the eighth aspect, or the system includes the communication device described in the ninth aspect and the communication device described in the tenth aspect.

[0025] In a twelfth aspect, embodiments of the present invention provide a computer-readable storage medium for storing instructions for use by the aforementioned terminal device, which, when executed, cause the terminal device to perform the method described in the first aspect.

[0026] In a thirteenth aspect, embodiments of the present invention provide a readable storage medium for storing instructions for use by the network device described above, which, when executed, cause the network device to perform the method described in the second aspect above.

[0027] In a fourteenth aspect, this application also provides a computer program product including a computer program that, when run on a computer, causes the computer to perform the method described in the first aspect above.

[0028] In a fifteenth aspect, this application also provides a computer program product including a computer program, which, when run on a computer, causes the computer to perform the method described in the second aspect above.

[0029] In a sixteenth aspect, this application provides a computer program that, when run on a computer, causes the computer to perform the method described in the first aspect above.

[0030] In a seventeenth aspect, this application provides a computer program that, when run on a computer, causes the computer to perform the method described in the second aspect above. Attached Figure Description

[0031] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application or the background art, the accompanying drawings used in the embodiments of this application or the background art will be described below.

[0032] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the SRS mapping region within a time slot;

[0033] Figure 2 This application provides a schematic diagram of the architecture of a communication system.

[0034] Figure 3 This is a flowchart of a detection reference signal (SRS) triggering method for antenna switching provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0035] Figure 4This is a flowchart of another detection reference signal (SRS) triggering method for antenna switching provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0036] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0037] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of another communication device provided in an embodiment of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0038] The embodiments of this disclosure are described in detail below, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein the same or similar reference numerals denote the same or similar elements or elements having the same or similar functions throughout. The embodiments described below with reference to the accompanying drawings are exemplary and intended to explain this disclosure, and should not be construed as limiting this disclosure. In the description of this disclosure, unless otherwise stated, " / " means "or," for example, A / B can mean A or B; "and / or" in this document is merely a description of the relationship between related objects, indicating that three relationships can exist, for example, A and / or B can represent: A existing alone, A and B existing simultaneously, and B existing alone.

[0039] It should be noted that in this article, "SRS resource configuration" refers to the SRS resource parameter values ​​that the network device arranges for the terminal device to comply with; "SRS triggering" refers to the action of the network device transmitting the SRS resource parameter values ​​configured by the network device to the terminal device through control signaling.

[0040] In 5G NR systems, uplink SRS can be periodic, semi-persistent, or aperiodic, narrowband or wideband, single-port or multi-port. Uplink SRS parameters can be configured from network devices to terminal devices, including the number of ports, frequency domain resource locations, time domain resource locations, sequence, and sequence cycle offset. For example... Figure 1 As shown, in a 5G NR system, an SRS is mapped over a maximum of six symbols in an uplink time slot. For example, a network device can configure multiple uplink SRS sets for a terminal device, and a resource set contains one or more SRS resources. An SRS resource can be located on N consecutive OFDM (Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing) symbols, where N can occupy 1, 2, or 4 symbols.

[0041] It is understandable that the NR system supports the gNB (base station) side to obtain downlink channel information through channel reciprocity to improve downlink data transmission performance. To support gNBs effectively obtaining downlink information through channel reciprocity under various terminal transceiver capabilities, the NR system specifically designed the SRS reference signal. Currently, the transceiver capabilities of terminals defined in R15 / 16 can be divided into those with the same number of transceiver antennas (T=R) and those with more transceiver antennas than transceiver antennas (R>T), mainly one transceiver and one transceiver (1T1R), two transceivers and two transceivers (2T2R), and four transceivers and four transceivers (4T4R). The cases where more transceiver antennas than transceiver antennas mainly include: one transceiver and two transceivers (1T2R), one transceiver and four transceivers (1T4R), and two transceivers and four transceivers (2T4R).

[0042] The SRS resource configuration varies depending on the antenna configuration. Several examples are provided below:

[0043] 1) For terminals with the same number of transmit and receive antennas (T=R), a gNB can be configured with a maximum of two SRS resource sets. Each set contains only one SRS resource with the number of ports equal to the number of transmit antennas of the terminal. One of the two SRS resource sets can be configured as periodic, and the other can be configured as aperiodic.

[0044] 2) For terminals with 1T2R capability, gNB can be configured with a maximum of two SRS resource sets, with two SRS resources in one set and only one port for each SRS resource.

[0045] 3) For terminals with two transmit and four receive (2T4R) capability, gNB can be configured with a maximum of two SRS resource sets, with two SRS resources in one set and two ports in each SRS resource.

[0046] 4) For terminals with 1T4R (One Transmit, Four Receive) capability, gNB SRS resource configuration requires special consideration. Periodic or semi-persistent SRS resources can be configured in a maximum of one resource set, containing four SRS resources, each with one port. For aperiodic SRS resources, a maximum of two SRS resource sets can be configured, containing a total of four SRS resources. These four resources are transmitted within two slots and by different physical antennas. Each resource set can be configured with two resources, or one set with one resource and the other with three resources, with each resource having only one port.

[0047] Network devices (such as base stations) typically configure SRS resources for terminals based on the UE (User Equipment) capability reports submitted by the terminal devices. Different terminal versions support different UE capabilities. For example, R15 terminals support the following UE capabilities: t1r2, t1r4, t2r4, t1r4-t2r4, t1r1, t2r2, t4r4; while R16 terminals support the following UE capabilities: t1r1-t1r2, t1r1-t1r2-t1r4, t1r1-t1r2-t2r2-t2r4, t1r1-t1r2-t2r2-t1r4-t2r4, t1r1-t2r2, t1r1-t2r2-t4r4.

[0048] In the current R17 research, considering the need for a further increase in the number of antennas in terminal devices, the number of antennas will be further increased to a maximum of 6 or 8 antennas. The currently defined typical antenna configuration is {1T6R, 1T8R, 2T6R, 2T8R, [4T6R], 4T8R}, as shown in Table 1 below.

[0049] Table 1: SRS antenna switching configuration combinations with up to 8 antennas

[0050] Tx\Rx 6Rx 8Rx 1T 1T6R 1T8R 2T 2T6R 2T8R 4T 4T6R 4T8R

[0051] To adapt to the current business or scenario, the terminal device may need to change the antenna configuration, such as reducing it from 2T4R to 1T4R or 2T2R, or changing it from 2T2R to 4T4R. In this case, different SRS resource configurations with the function of "antenna switching" are needed for the acquisition of downlink CSI.

[0052] In the SRS enhancement of R17, the number of antennas will increase to 6 / 8Rx, antenna switching will support more scenarios, and the corresponding SRS configuration will be more complex.

[0053] As the number of antennas on a terminal device increases, one type of SRS used for antenna switching configuration may need to include up to 4 SRS resource sets. The current SRS triggering request is 3 codepoints. At the same time, SRS triggering for other functional uses (such as "codebook", "non-codebook", "beam management") also needs to be considered.

[0054] Versions R15 / 16 do not support flexible and dynamic antenna switching configurations within BWP. Introducing dynamic antenna switching configuration schemes would complicate the triggering process. Therefore, it is necessary to consider methods for triggering SRS for various functions, including multiple antenna switching configurations.

[0055] To address the aforementioned issues, this application provides a method for triggering a sounding reference signal (SRS) for antenna switching. To better understand the SRS triggering method for antenna switching disclosed in this application, the communication system used in this application embodiment is described below.

[0056] Please see Figure 2 , Figure 2 This application provides a schematic diagram of the architecture of a communication system according to an embodiment. The communication system may include, but is not limited to, a terminal device and a network device. Figure 2 The number and form of devices shown are for illustrative purposes only and do not constitute a limitation on the embodiments of this application. In actual applications, they may include two or more terminal devices and two or more network devices. Figure 2 The communication system shown is an example including a network device 201 and a terminal device 202.

[0057] It should be noted that the technical solutions of this application embodiment can be applied to various communication systems. For example, long term evolution (LTE) systems, 5th generation (5G) mobile communication systems, 5G new radio (NR) systems, or other future new mobile communication systems, etc.

[0058] The network device 201 in this embodiment is a network-side entity used for transmitting or receiving signals. For example, the network device 201 can be an evolved NodeB (eNB), a transmission reception point (TRP), a next-generation NodeB (gNB) in an NR system, a base station in other future mobile communication systems, or an access node in a wireless fidelity (WiFi) system. This application does not limit the specific technology or device form used in the network device. The network device provided in this embodiment can be composed of a central unit (CU) and a distributed unit (DU). The CU can also be called a control unit. Using a CU-DU structure allows the protocol layer of a network device, such as a base station, to be separated. Some protocol layer functions are centrally controlled by the CU, while the remaining or all protocol layer functions are distributed in the DU, which is centrally controlled by the CU.

[0059] In this application's embodiments, the terminal device 201 is a user-side entity used for receiving or transmitting signals, such as a mobile phone. The terminal device can also be referred to as a terminal, user equipment (UE), mobile station (MS), mobile terminal (MT), etc. The terminal device can be a car with communication capabilities, a smart car, a mobile phone, a wearable device, a tablet computer, a computer with wireless transceiver capabilities, a virtual reality (VR) terminal device, an augmented reality (AR) terminal device, a wireless terminal device in industrial control, a wireless terminal device in self-driving, a wireless terminal device in remote medical surgery, a wireless terminal device in a smart grid, a wireless terminal device in transportation safety, a wireless terminal device in a smart city, a wireless terminal device in a smart home, and so on. The embodiments of this application do not limit the specific technology or device form used in the terminal device.

[0060] It is understood that the communication system described in the embodiments of this application is for the purpose of more clearly illustrating the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application, and does 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 system 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.

[0061] The detection reference signal (SRS) triggering method and apparatus for antenna switching provided in this application will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0062] Please see Figure 3 , Figure 3 This is a flowchart illustrating a Sounding Reference Signal (SRS) triggering method for antenna switching according to an embodiment of this application. It should be noted that the SRS triggering method for antenna switching in this embodiment is executed by a network device. Figure 3 As shown, the detection reference signal (SRS) triggering method for antenna switching may include, but is not limited to, the following steps.

[0063] Step 301: Receive capability reporting information sent by the terminal device. The capability reporting information is used to indicate the antenna switching configuration combinations supported by the terminal device.

[0064] It is understandable that, to adapt to the current business or scenario, terminal devices may need to change their antenna configuration, such as downgrading from 2T4R to 1T4R or 2T2R, or changing from 2T2R to 4T4R. In this case, different SRS resource configurations with the function of "antenna switching" are required for downlink CSI acquisition. Optionally, the terminal device can inform the network device that it needs to change its antenna configuration based on the current business or scenario. The terminal device can inform the network device by sending capability reporting information. For example, the terminal device can send its capability reporting information to the network device, so that the network device can receive the capability reporting information sent by the terminal device. This capability reporting information can indicate the antenna switching configuration combinations supported by the terminal device.

[0065] In one implementation, different versions of the terminal support different UE capabilities, meaning the antenna switching configuration combinations supported by the terminal will also differ. To enable more flexible and rapid switching or fallback to different antenna switching configurations, this embodiment of the application allows the terminal device to report its supported antenna switching configuration combinations to the network device. The network device then configures at least one functional SRS resource for the terminal device within the supported switching configuration combinations based on the terminal device's reported capabilities. Here, "at least one" can be understood as one or more.

[0066] Step 302: Based on the capability reporting information, configure at least one functional SRS resource for the terminal device in the supported antenna switching configuration combinations.

[0067] In this embodiment of the application, the at least one function may include antenna switching configuration.

[0068] In one implementation, the SRS resources for antenna switching configurations can be configured by RRC (Radio Resource Control) signaling on the same bandwidth portion (BWP). The SRS resources for the antenna switching configuration can be a set of SRS resources for different antenna switching configurations that the terminal device can support; wherein, each antenna switching configuration can contain one or more sets of SRS resources.

[0069] It should be noted that in 5G NR systems, uplink SRS can be either semi-persistent SRS or aperiodic SRS. The triggering methods for semi-persistent SRS and aperiodic SRS are different. The triggering methods for semi-persistent SRS and aperiodic SRS are described below.

[0070] In one implementation, the SRS is a semi-persistent SRS (SP-SRS). In this implementation, the network device can send a Media Access Control Layer Control Unit (MAC CE) signaling to the terminal device based on the capability reporting information sent by the terminal device to trigger the semi-persistent SRS, wherein the MAC CE signaling is used to simultaneously activate or deactivate the target SRS resource set.

[0071] As an example of a possible implementation, the target SRS resource set may include: an SRS resource set with one or more functions. These functions may be the same or different. In this example, for an SRS resource set whose function is antenna switching, one or more SRS resource sets with the corresponding configuration can be activated.

[0072] For example, a MAC CE can be used to trigger a semi-persistent SRS (SP-SRS) to simultaneously activate / deactivate SRS resource sets with the following characteristics: triggering one or more SRS resource sets with different functions; or triggering one or more SRS resource sets with the same function. For SRS resource sets whose function is antenna switching, one or more SRS resource sets with the corresponding configuration can be activated.

[0073] In one implementation, the SRS is an aperiodic SRS (A-SRS), which can be triggered by MAC CE and DCI (Downlink Control Information).

[0074] In one possible implementation, when the SRS is aperiodic, one method to trigger the aperiodic SRS via MAC CE and DCI (hereinafter referred to as Method 1) is as follows:

[0075] Optionally, the above-mentioned implementation method of configuring at least one function of SRS resources for the terminal device in the supported antenna switching configuration combinations based on the capability reporting information may include: sending RRC signaling to the terminal device, wherein the RRC signaling does not configure trigger parameters for non-periodic SRS resources.

[0076] Optionally, the above implementation method of configuring at least one function of SRS resources for the terminal device in the supported antenna switching configuration combinations according to the capability reporting information may further include: sending MAC CE signaling to the terminal device according to the capability reporting information. The MAC CE signaling is used to activate or update the SRS used for antenna switching, wherein one or more SRS resource sets are activated, and the parameters in the non-periodic SRS resource trigger list of each SRS resource set are reconfigured and written into the entry value. At the same time, the terminal device is restricted to having the same entry value for multiple SRS resource sets corresponding to the same antenna switching configuration.

[0077] Optionally, the above implementation method of configuring at least one function of SRS resources for the terminal device in the supported antenna switching configuration combinations based on the capability reporting information may further include: sending downlink control information (DCI) to the terminal device, and configuring the non-periodic SRS resource trigger request field of the DCI to trigger non-periodic SRS resource triggers with different code point values.

[0078] For example, the implementation of Method 1 above using MAC CE and DCI to trigger aperiodic SRS is as follows: 1) The aperiodic SRS (A-SRS) resource set is not configured with triggering parameters for aperiodic SRS resources in the RRC signaling. These triggering parameters can be the higher-layer signaling parameter `aperiodicSRS-ResourceTrigger`. 2) For SRS functions related to antenna switching, activation / update can be performed via MAC CE. This allows activation of one or more SRS resource sets and reconfiguration of the entry value in `aperiodicSRS-ResourceTriggerList` for each SRS resource set. Simultaneously, the terminal device is restricted from configuring the same entry value for multiple SRS resource sets corresponding to the same antenna switching. 3) The existing / extended DCI SRS triggering request field is used to trigger SRS resource sets via codepoints. For example, the DCI SRS triggering request field can be used to trigger aperiodic SRS resource triggers configured with different codepoint values.

[0079] Optionally, MAC CE and GC-DCI (User Packet Downlink Control Information) can also be used to trigger aperiodic SRS. In this implementation, the RRC signaling and MAC CE configurations are the same as in Method 1. Method 1 also uses DCI configuration, while this example uses GC-DCI configuration. That is, in this example, the implementation of sending downlink control information (DCI) to the terminal device and configuring the aperiodic SRS resource trigger request field of the DCI to trigger aperiodic SRS resource triggers with different code point values ​​can include the following steps: sending enhanced DCI2-3 to the terminal device, where enhanced DCI2-3 indicates that the trigger code point corresponding to the aperiodic SRS resource trigger request field enhances the triggering of a group of terminal devices' SRS; or, sending GC-DCI to the terminal device, where GC-DCI indicates that the trigger code point corresponding to the aperiodic SRS resource trigger request field enhances the triggering of a group of terminal devices' SRS.

[0080] For example, using MAC CE and User Packet Downlink Control Information (GC-DCI) to trigger aperiodic SRS can be implemented as follows: 1) The aperiodic SRS (A-SRS) resource set is not configured with triggering parameters for aperiodic SRS resources in the RRC signaling. These triggering parameters can be higher-layer signaling parameters such as aperiodicSRS-ResourceTrigger. 2) For SRS with antenna switching functionality, activation / update can be achieved via MAC CE. This allows activation of one or more SRS resource sets and reconfiguration of the entry value in the aperiodicSRS-ResourceTriggerList for each SRS resource set. Simultaneously, terminal devices are restricted from configuring the same entry value for multiple SRS resource sets corresponding to the same antenna switching. 3) Enhanced DCI2-3 or a new GC-DCI can be used. Enhanced DCI2-3 or the new GC-DCI can be used to indicate the trigger code point corresponding to the SRS trigger request field, which can enhance the triggering of SRS for a group of terminal devices, thereby reducing signaling overhead.

[0081] In some embodiments of this application, when the SRS is an aperiodic SRS, a method for triggering the aperiodic SRS via MAC CE and DCI (hereinafter referred to as Method 2) is as follows:

[0082] Optionally, the above implementation method of configuring at least one function of SRS resources for the terminal device in the supported antenna switching configuration combinations according to the capability reporting information may include: sending MAC CE signaling to the terminal device according to the capability reporting information, wherein the MAC CE signaling is used to activate or update part of the code point values ​​in the partial aperiodic SRS resource trigger list of the RRC configuration.

[0083] Optionally, the above implementation method of configuring at least one function of SRS resources for the terminal device in the supported antenna switching configuration combination based on the capability reporting information may further include: sending downlink control information (DCI) to the terminal device, and triggering one or more sets of SRS resources with different functions in the aperiodic SRS resource triggering request field of the DCI, wherein the function may include antenna switching configuration; wherein the one or more sets of SRS resources with different functions may include one or more sets of SRS resources corresponding to the antenna switching configuration.

[0084] For example, the implementation of Method 2 above, which uses MAC CE and DCI to trigger aperiodic SRS, is as follows: 1) Use MAC CE to activate / update a portion of the codepoint values ​​in the aperiodicSRS-ResourceTriggerList of the RRC configuration; 2) Use the existing / extended DCI SRS triggeringrequest field to trigger one or more different SRS resource sets through codepoints. This function may include antenna switching configurations, and the one or more different SRS resource sets may contain one or more SRS resource sets corresponding to a certain antenna switching configuration.

[0085] Optionally, MAC CE and GC-DCI can also be used to trigger aperiodic SRS. In this implementation, the RRC signaling configuration and MAC CE configuration are the same as in Method 2. Method 2 also uses DCI configuration, while this example uses GC-DCI configuration. That is, in this example, the aforementioned sending downlink control information (DCI) to the terminal device, where the aperiodic SRS resource triggering request field of the DCI triggers one or more SRS resource sets with different functions, including antenna switching configuration, can be implemented by sending enhanced DCI2-3 to the terminal device. Enhanced DCI2-3 is used to instruct the trigger code point corresponding to the aperiodic SRS resource triggering request field to enhance the triggering of SRS for a group of terminal devices; or, sending user packet downlink control information (GC-DCI) to the terminal device, where GC-DCI is used to instruct the trigger code point corresponding to the aperiodic SRS resource triggering request field to enhance the triggering of SRS for a group of terminal devices.

[0086] For example, the implementation of Method 2 above, which uses MAC CE and DCI to trigger aperiodic SRS, is as follows: 1) Use MAC CE to activate / update some codepoint values ​​in the aperiodicSRS-ResourceTriggerList (aperiodic SRS resource trigger list) of the RRC configuration; 2) Use enhanced DCI2-3 or design a new GC-DCI. Enhanced DCI2-3 or the new GC-DCI is used to indicate the trigger codepoint corresponding to the SRS trigger request domain, which can be used to enhance the triggering of SRS for a group of terminal devices, thereby reducing signaling overhead.

[0087] By implementing the embodiments of this application, the SRS triggering method is implemented through MAC CE, which can save the currently very tight DCI signaling overhead. It can be implemented directly without modification or with simple extension of the existing R15 / R16 version SRS triggering design. The hybrid control scheme disclosed in the embodiments of this application can switch or fall back to different antenna switching configurations more flexibly and quickly.

[0088] It is understood that the above embodiments describe the implementation of the Sounding Reference Signal (SRS) triggering method for antenna switching from the network device side. This application also proposes a Sounding Reference Signal (SRS) triggering method for antenna switching, and its implementation will be described from the terminal device side below. Please refer to... Figure 4 , Figure 4 This is a flowchart illustrating another method for triggering a Sounding Reference Signal (SRS) for antenna switching, provided in an embodiment of this application. It should be noted that the SRS triggering method for antenna switching in this embodiment can be applied to terminal devices. Figure 4 As shown, the detection reference signal (SRS) triggering method for antenna switching may include, but is not limited to, the following steps.

[0089] Step 401: Send capability reporting information to the network device. The capability reporting information is used to indicate the antenna switching configuration combinations supported by the terminal device.

[0090] It is understandable that, to adapt to the current business or scenario, terminal devices may need to change their antenna configuration, such as downgrading from 2T4R to 1T4R or 2T2R, or changing from 2T2R to 4T4R. In this case, different SRS resource configurations with the function of "antenna switching" are required for downlink CSI acquisition. Optionally, the terminal device can inform the network device that it needs to change its antenna configuration based on the current business or scenario. The terminal device can inform the network device by sending capability reporting information. For example, the terminal device can send its capability reporting information to the network device, so that the network device can receive the capability reporting information sent by the terminal device. This capability reporting information can indicate the antenna switching configuration combinations supported by the terminal device.

[0091] In one implementation, different versions of the terminal support different UE capabilities, meaning that the antenna switching configuration combinations supported by the terminal will also be different. In order to switch or fall back to different antenna switching configurations more flexibly and quickly, this application embodiment can have the terminal device report the antenna switching configuration combinations it supports to the network device, so that the network device can configure at least one function of SRS resources for the terminal device in the supported switching configuration combinations based on the information reported by the terminal device's capabilities. The at least one function may include antenna switching configuration.

[0092] Step 402: Receive SRS resource configuration information sent by the network device based on the capability reporting information.

[0093] It should be noted that in 5G NR systems, uplink SRS can be either semi-persistent SRS or aperiodic SRS. The triggering methods for semi-persistent SRS and aperiodic SRS are different. The triggering methods for semi-persistent SRS and aperiodic SRS are described below.

[0094] In one implementation, the SRS is a semi-persistent SRS (SP-SRS). In this implementation, the network device can send a Media Access Control Layer Control Unit (MAC CE) signaling to the terminal device based on the capability reporting information sent by the terminal device to trigger the semi-persistent SRS. The terminal device can receive the MAC CE signaling sent by the network device based on the capability reporting information, wherein the MAC CE signaling is used to simultaneously activate or deactivate the target SRS resource set.

[0095] As an example of a possible implementation, the target SRS resource set may include: an SRS resource set with one or more functions. These functions may be the same or different. In this example, for an SRS resource set whose function is antenna switching, one or more SRS resource sets with the corresponding configuration can be activated.

[0096] For example, MAC CE can be used to trigger a semi-persistent SRS (SP-SRS) to simultaneously activate / deactivate SRS resource sets with the following functions: triggering one or more different SRS resource sets; or triggering one or more different SRS resource sets. For SRS resource sets whose function is antenna switching, one or more SRS resource sets with the corresponding configuration can be activated.

[0097] In one implementation, the SRS is an aperiodic SRS (A-SRS), which can be triggered by MAC CE and DCI (Downlink Control Information).

[0098] In one possible implementation, when the SRS is aperiodic, one method to trigger the aperiodic SRS via MAC CE and DCI (hereinafter referred to as Method 1) is as follows:

[0099] Optionally, the above-mentioned implementation method for receiving SRS resource configuration information sent by the network device based on the capability reporting information may include: receiving RRC signaling sent by the network device, wherein the RRC signaling does not configure trigger parameters for non-periodic SRS resources.

[0100] Optionally, the implementation of receiving SRS resource configuration information sent by the network device according to the capability reporting information may further include: receiving MAC CE signaling sent by the network device according to the capability reporting information. The MAC CE signaling is used to activate or update the SRS used for antenna switching. In this case, one or more SRS resource sets may be activated, and the parameters in the non-periodic SRS resource trigger list of each SRS resource set may be reconfigured and written into the entry value. At the same time, the terminal device is restricted to having the same entry value for multiple SRS resource sets corresponding to the same antenna switching configuration.

[0101] Optionally, the above-mentioned implementation of receiving SRS resource configuration information sent by the network device based on capability reporting information may further include: receiving downlink control information (DCI) sent by the network device, and configuring non-periodic SRS resource triggers with different code point values ​​in the SRS trigger request field of the DCI.

[0102] For example, the implementation of Method 1 above using MAC CE and DCI to trigger aperiodic SRS is as follows: 1) The aperiodic SRS (A-SRS) resource set is not configured with triggering parameters for aperiodic SRS resources in the RRC signaling. These triggering parameters can be the higher-layer signaling parameter `aperiodicSRS-ResourceTrigger`. 2) For SRS functions related to antenna switching, activation / update can be performed via MAC CE. This allows activation of one or more SRS resource sets and reconfiguration of the entry value in `aperiodicSRS-ResourceTriggerList` for each SRS resource set. Simultaneously, the terminal device is restricted from configuring the same entry value for multiple SRS resource sets corresponding to the same antenna switching. 3) The existing / extended DCI SRS triggering request field is used to trigger SRS resource sets via codepoints. For example, the DCI SRS triggering request field can be used to trigger aperiodic SRS resource triggers configured with different codepoint values.

[0103] Optionally, MAC CE and GC-DCI (User Packet Downlink Control Information) can also be used to trigger aperiodic SRS. In this implementation, the RRC signaling and MAC CE configurations are the same as in Method 1. Method 1 also uses DCI configuration, while this example uses GC-DCI configuration. That is, in this example, the configuration of receiving downlink control information (DCI) from the network device and configuring the aperiodic SRS resource trigger request field of the DCI to trigger aperiodic SRS resource triggers with different code point values ​​can include the following steps: receiving enhanced DCI2-3 from the network device, where enhanced DCI2-3 indicates that the trigger code point corresponding to the aperiodic SRS resource trigger request field enhances the triggering of SRS for a group of terminal devices; or receiving GC-DCI from the network device, where GC-DCI indicates that the trigger code point corresponding to the aperiodic SRS resource trigger request field enhances the triggering of SRS for a group of terminal devices.

[0104] For example, using MAC CE and User Packet Downlink Control Information (GC-DCI) to trigger aperiodic SRS can be implemented as follows: 1) The aperiodic SRS (A-SRS) resource set is not configured with triggering parameters for aperiodic SRS resources in the RRC signaling. These triggering parameters can be higher-layer signaling parameters such as aperiodicSRS-ResourceTrigger. 2) For SRS with antenna switching functionality, activation / update can be achieved via MAC CE. This allows activation of one or more SRS resource sets and reconfiguration of the entry value in the aperiodicSRS-ResourceTriggerList for each SRS resource set. Simultaneously, terminal devices are restricted from configuring the same entry value for multiple SRS resource sets corresponding to the same antenna switching. 3) Enhanced DCI2-3 or a new GC-DCI can be used. Enhanced DCI2-3 or the new GC-DCI can be used to indicate the trigger code point corresponding to the SRS trigger request field, which can enhance the triggering of SRS for a group of terminal devices, thereby reducing signaling overhead.

[0105] In some embodiments of this application, when the SRS is an aperiodic SRS, a method for triggering the aperiodic SRS via MAC CE and DCI (hereinafter referred to as Method 2) is as follows:

[0106] Optionally, the above-mentioned implementation of receiving SRS resource configuration information sent by the network device according to the capability reporting information may include: receiving MAC CE signaling sent by the network device according to the capability reporting information, wherein the MAC CE signaling is used to activate or update some code point values ​​in the partial non-periodic SRS resource trigger list of the RRC configuration.

[0107] Optionally, the implementation of receiving SRS resource configuration information sent by the network device based on capability reporting information may further include: receiving downlink control information (DCI) sent by the network device, wherein the aperiodic SRS resource triggering request field of the DCI triggers one or more SRS resource sets with different functions, which may include antenna switching configuration; wherein the one or more SRS resource sets with different functions include one or more SRS resource sets corresponding to a specified antenna switching configuration. For example, the implementation of the above method 2 using MAC CE and DCI to trigger aperiodic SRS is as follows: 1) Using MAC CE to activate / update part of the codepoint values ​​in the aperiodicSRS-ResourceTriggerList of the RRC configuration; 2) Using the existing / extended DCI SRS triggering request field, triggering one or more SRS resource sets with different functions through codepoints, which may include antenna switching configuration, wherein the one or more SRS resource sets with different functions may include one or more SRS resource sets corresponding to a certain antenna switching configuration.

[0108] Optionally, MAC CE and GC-DCI can also be used to trigger aperiodic SRS. In this implementation, the RRC signaling configuration and MAC CE configuration are the same as in Method 2. Method 2 also uses DCI configuration, while this example uses GC-DCI configuration. That is, in this example, the downlink control information (DCI) sent by the receiving network device triggers one or more SRS resource sets with different functions via the aperiodic SRS resource trigger request field. This function may include antenna switching configuration. The implementation of one or more SRS resource sets with different functions corresponding to one or more SRS resource sets specifying an antenna switching configuration may include the following steps: receiving enhanced DCI2-3 sent by the network device, where enhanced DCI2-3 is used to indicate that the trigger code point corresponding to the aperiodic SRS resource trigger request field enhances the triggering of SRS for a group of terminal devices; or receiving user packet downlink control information (GC-DCI) sent by the network device, where GC-DCI is used to indicate that the trigger code point corresponding to the aperiodic SRS resource trigger request field enhances the triggering of SRS for a group of terminal devices.

[0109] For example, the implementation of Method 2 above, which uses MAC CE and DCI to trigger aperiodic SRS, is as follows: 1) Use MAC CE to activate / update some codepoint values ​​in the aperiodicSRS-ResourceTriggerList (aperiodic SRS resource trigger list) of the RRC configuration; 2) Use enhanced DCI2-3 or design a new GC-DCI. Enhanced DCI2-3 or the new GC-DCI is used to indicate the trigger codepoint corresponding to the SRS trigger request domain, which can be used to enhance the triggering of SRS for a group of terminal devices, thereby reducing signaling overhead.

[0110] Step 403: Send uplink SRS to network devices based on SRS resource configuration information and capability reporting information.

[0111] Optionally, after receiving the SRS resource configuration information sent by the network device based on the capability reporting information, the terminal device can send an uplink SRS to the network device for CSI acquisition based on the SRS resource configuration information and the capability reporting information.

[0112] By implementing the embodiments of this application, the SRS triggering method is implemented through MAC CE, which can save the currently very tight DCI signaling overhead. It can be implemented directly without modification or with simple extension of the existing R15 / R16 version SRS triggering design. The hybrid control scheme disclosed in the embodiments of this application can switch or fall back to different antenna switching configurations more flexibly and quickly.

[0113] In the embodiments provided above, the methods provided by the embodiments of this application have been described from the perspectives of network devices and terminal devices, respectively. To implement the functions of the methods provided in the embodiments of this application, the network device and the terminal device may include hardware structures and software modules, implementing the above functions in the form of hardware structures, software modules, or a combination of hardware structures and software modules. One of the above functions can be executed in the form of hardware structures, software modules, or a combination of hardware structures and software modules.

[0114] Please see Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device 50 provided in an embodiment of this application. Figure 5 The communication device 50 shown may include a processing module 501 and a transceiver module 502. The transceiver module 502 may include a sending module and / or a receiving module. The sending module is used to implement the sending function, and the receiving module is used to implement the receiving function. The transceiver module 502 can implement both sending and / or receiving functions.

[0115] The communication device 50 can be a network device, a device within a network device, or a device compatible with a network device. Alternatively, the communication device 50 can be a terminal device, a device within a terminal device, or a device compatible with a terminal device.

[0116] The communication device 50 is a network device: In this embodiment of the application, the transceiver module 502 is used to receive capability reporting information sent by the terminal device, the capability reporting information being used to indicate the antenna switching configuration combinations supported by the terminal device; the processing module 501 is used to configure at least one function of SRS resources for the terminal device in the supported antenna switching configuration combinations according to the capability reporting information, the at least one function including antenna switching configuration.

[0117] In one implementation, the SRS resources for antenna switching configurations are allowed to be configured by Radio Resource Control (RRC) signaling on the same bandwidth portion (BWP), wherein the SRS resources for antenna switching configurations are a set of SRS resources for different antenna switching configurations that the terminal device can support; wherein each antenna switching configuration may contain one or more sets of SRS resources.

[0118] In one implementation, the SRS is a semi-persistent SRS; the processing module 501 is specifically used to: send a Media Access Control Layer Control Unit (MAC CE) signaling to the terminal device based on the capability reporting information to trigger the semi-persistent SRS, and the MAC CE signaling is used to simultaneously activate or deactivate the target SRS resource set.

[0119] In one possible implementation, the target SRS resource set includes: an SRS resource set with one or more functions; wherein, for an SRS resource set whose function is antenna switching, it is allowed to activate one or more SRS resource sets with corresponding configurations.

[0120] In one implementation, the SRS is an aperiodic SRS; the processing module 501 is specifically used to: send RRC signaling to the terminal device, wherein the RRC signaling does not contain triggering parameters for the aperiodic SRS resource.

[0121] In one possible implementation, the processing module 501 is further configured to: send MAC CE signaling to the terminal device according to the capability reporting information. The MAC CE signaling is used to activate or update the SRS used for antenna switching, wherein one or more SRS resource sets are activated, and the parameters in the non-periodic SRS resource trigger list of each SRS resource set are reconfigured and written into the entry value, while restricting the terminal device from having the same entry value for multiple SRS resource sets corresponding to the same antenna switching configuration.

[0122] In one possible implementation, the processing module 501 is further configured to: send downlink control information (DCI) to the terminal device, and configure the non-periodic SRS resource trigger request field of the DCI to trigger non-periodic SRS resource triggers with different code point values.

[0123] In one possible implementation, the processing module 501 is specifically used to: send enhanced DCI2-3 to the terminal device, where enhanced DCI2-3 is used to indicate that the trigger code point corresponding to the aperiodic SRS resource trigger request field enhances the SRS of a group of terminal devices; or, send user packet downlink control information GC-DCI to the terminal device, where GC-DCI is used to indicate that the trigger code point corresponding to the aperiodic SRS resource trigger request field enhances the SRS of a group of terminal devices.

[0124] In one implementation, the SRS is an aperiodic SRS; the processing module 501 is specifically used to: send MAC CE signaling to the terminal device according to the capability reporting information, the MAC CE signaling being used to activate or update some code point values ​​in the partial aperiodic SRS resource trigger list of the RRC configuration.

[0125] In one possible implementation, the processing module 501 is further configured to: send downlink control information (DCI) to the terminal device, wherein the aperiodic SRS resource triggering request domain of the DCI triggers one or more SRS resource sets with different functions, the functions including antenna switching configuration; wherein the one or more SRS resource sets with different functions include one or more SRS resource sets corresponding to the antenna switching configuration.

[0126] In one possible implementation, the processing module 501 is specifically used to: send enhanced DCI2-3 to the terminal device, where enhanced DCI2-3 is used to indicate that the trigger code point corresponding to the aperiodic SRS resource trigger request field enhances the SRS of a group of terminal devices; or, send user packet downlink control information GC-DCI to the terminal device, where GC-DCI is used to indicate that the trigger code point corresponding to the aperiodic SRS resource trigger request field enhances the SRS of a group of terminal devices.

[0127] The communication device 50 is a terminal device: In this embodiment, the transceiver module 502 is used to send capability reporting information to the network device, the capability reporting information being used to indicate the antenna switching configuration combinations supported by the terminal device; the transceiver module 502 is also used to receive SRS resource configuration information sent by the network device according to the capability reporting information, and send uplink SRS to the network device according to the SRS resource configuration information and the capability reporting information.

[0128] In one implementation, the SRS is a semi-persistent SRS; the transceiver module 502 is specifically used to: receive the Media Access Control Layer Control Unit (MAC CE) signaling sent by the network device according to the capability reporting information, the MAC CE signaling being used to simultaneously activate or deactivate the target SRS resource set.

[0129] In one possible implementation, the target SRS resource set includes: an SRS resource set with one or more functions; wherein, for an SRS resource set whose function is antenna switching, it is allowed to activate one or more SRS resource sets with corresponding configurations.

[0130] In one implementation, the SRS is an aperiodic SRS; the transceiver module 502 is specifically used to: receive RRC signaling sent by the network device, wherein the RRC signaling does not have trigger parameters configured for the aperiodic SRS resource.

[0131] In one possible implementation, the transceiver module 502 is further configured to: receive MAC CE signaling sent by the network device according to capability reporting information, the MAC CE signaling being used to activate or update the SRS used for antenna switching, activate one or more SRS resource sets and reconfigure the parameters in the non-periodic SRS resource trigger list of each SRS resource set into the entry value, while restricting the terminal device from having the same entry value for multiple SRS resource sets corresponding to the same antenna switching configuration.

[0132] In one possible implementation, the transceiver module 502 is further configured to: receive downlink control information (DCI) sent by the network device, and configure the non-periodic SRS resource trigger request field of the DCI to trigger non-periodic SRS resource triggers with different code point values.

[0133] In one possible implementation, the transceiver module 502 is specifically used to: receive enhanced DCI2-3 sent by the network device, which is used to indicate the trigger code point corresponding to the aperiodic SRS resource trigger request field to enhance the SRS of a group of terminal devices; or, receive user packet downlink control information GC-DCI sent by the network device, which is used to indicate the trigger code point corresponding to the aperiodic SRS trigger request field to enhance the SRS of a group of terminal devices.

[0134] In one implementation, the SRS is an aperiodic SRS; the transceiver module 502 is specifically used to: receive MAC CE signaling sent by the network device according to the capability reporting information, the MAC CE signaling being used to activate or update some code point values ​​in the partial aperiodic SRS resource trigger list of the RRC configuration.

[0135] In one possible implementation, the transceiver module 502 is further configured to: receive downlink control information (DCI) sent by a network device, wherein the aperiodic SRS resource triggering request field of the DCI triggers one or more SRS resource sets with different functions, the functions including antenna switching configuration; wherein the one or more SRS resource sets with different functions include one or more SRS resource sets corresponding to a specified antenna switching configuration.

[0136] In one possible implementation, the transceiver module 502 is specifically used to: receive enhanced DCI2-3 sent by the network device, which is used to indicate the trigger code point corresponding to the aperiodic SRS resource trigger request field to enhance the SRS of a group of terminal devices; or, receive user packet downlink control information GC-DCI sent by the network device, which is used to indicate the trigger code point corresponding to the aperiodic SRS resource trigger request field to enhance the SRS of a group of terminal devices.

[0137] Regarding the apparatus in the above embodiments, the specific manner in which each module performs its operation has been described in detail in the embodiments related to the method, and will not be elaborated upon here.

[0138] Please see Figure 6 , Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of another communication device 60 provided in an embodiment of this application. The communication device 60 can be a network device, a terminal device, a chip, chip system, or processor that supports the network device in implementing the above methods, or a chip, chip system, or processor that supports the terminal device in implementing the above methods. This device can be used to implement the methods described in the above method embodiments; for details, please refer to the descriptions in the above method embodiments.

[0139] The communication device 60 may include one or more processors 601. The processor 601 may be a general-purpose processor or a dedicated processor, such as a baseband processor or a central processing unit (CPU). The baseband processor can be used to process communication protocols and communication data, while the CPU can be used to control the communication device (e.g., base station, baseband chip, terminal equipment, terminal equipment chip, DU or CU, etc.), execute computer programs, and process data from the computer programs.

[0140] Optionally, the communication device 60 may further include one or more memories 602, on which a computer program 604 may be stored. The processor 601 executes the computer program 604 to cause the communication device 60 to perform the methods described in the above method embodiments. Optionally, the memory 602 may also store data. The communication device 60 and the memory 602 may be provided separately or integrated together.

[0141] Optionally, the communication device 60 may also include a transceiver 605 and an antenna 606. The transceiver 605 may be referred to as a transceiver unit, transceiver, or transceiver circuit, etc., and is used to implement the transmission and reception functions. The transceiver 605 may include a receiver and a transmitter. The receiver may be referred to as a receiver or receiving circuit, etc., and is used to implement the receiving function; the transmitter may be referred to as a transmitter or transmitting circuit, etc., and is used to implement the transmitting function.

[0142] Optionally, the communication device 60 may further include one or more interface circuits 607. The interface circuits 607 are used to receive code instructions and transmit them to the processor 601. The processor 601 executes the code instructions to cause the communication device 60 to perform the methods described in the above method embodiments.

[0143] Communication device 60 is a network device: processor 601 is used to execute Figure 3 Step 302 in the process. Transceiver 605 is used to perform... Figure 3 Step 301 in the process.

[0144] Communication device 60 is a terminal device: transceiver 605 is used to perform... Figure 4 Steps 401, 402, and 403 in the process.

[0145] In one implementation, the processor 601 may include a transceiver for implementing receive and transmit functions. For example, the transceiver may be a transceiver circuit, an interface, or an interface circuit. The transceiver circuit, interface, or interface circuit for implementing receive and transmit functions may be separate or integrated. The aforementioned transceiver circuit, interface, or interface circuit can be used for reading and writing code / data, or it can be used for transmitting or relaying signals.

[0146] In one implementation, processor 601 may store computer program 603, which runs on processor 601 and causes communication device 60 to perform the methods described in the above method embodiments. Computer program 603 may be embedded in processor 601; in this case, processor 601 may be implemented in hardware.

[0147] In one implementation, the communication device 60 may include circuitry capable of performing the functions of transmitting, receiving, or communicating as described in the foregoing method embodiments. The processor and transceiver described in this application can be implemented on integrated circuits (ICs), analog ICs, radio frequency integrated circuits (RFICs), mixed-signal ICs, application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), printed circuit boards (PCBs), electronic devices, etc. The processor and transceiver can also be manufactured using various IC process technologies, such as complementary metal oxide semiconductors (CMOS), n-metal-oxide-semiconductor (NMOS), positive channel metal oxide semiconductors (PMOS), bipolar junction transistors (BJTs), bipolar CMOS (BiCMOS), silicon germanium (SiGe), gallium arsenide (GaAs), etc.

[0148] The communication device described in the above embodiments can be a receiving end or a transmitting end, but the scope of the communication device described in this application is not limited to this, and the structure of the communication device can be unrestricted. Figure 6 The communication device may be a standalone device or part of a larger device. For example, the communication device may be:

[0149] (1) Independent integrated circuit IC, or chip, or chip system or subsystem;

[0150] (2) A collection of one or more ICs, optionally including storage components for storing data and computer programs;

[0151] (3) ASIC, such as modem;

[0152] (4) Modules that can be embedded in other devices;

[0153] (5) Receivers, terminal equipment, smart terminal equipment, cellular phones, wireless equipment, handheld devices, mobile units, vehicle-mounted equipment, network equipment, cloud equipment, artificial intelligence equipment, etc.

[0154] (6) Others, etc.

[0155] Those skilled in the art will also understand that the various illustrative logical blocks and steps listed in the embodiments of this application can be implemented by electronic hardware, computer software, or a combination of both. Whether such functionality is implemented through hardware or software depends on the specific application and the overall system design requirements. Those skilled in the art can implement the described functionality using various methods for each specific application, but such implementation should not be construed as exceeding the scope of protection of the embodiments of this application.

[0156] This application also provides a communication system triggered by a detection reference signal (SRS) for antenna switching, the system comprising the aforementioned... Figure 5 In the embodiments, the communication device serves as a network device and the communication device serves as a terminal device; alternatively, the system includes the aforementioned components. Figure 6 The embodiments include a communication device as a network device and a communication device as a terminal device.

[0157] This application also provides a readable storage medium having instructions stored thereon that, when executed by a computer, implement the functions of any of the above method embodiments.

[0158] This application also provides a computer program product that, when executed by a computer, implements the functions of any of the above method embodiments.

[0159] In the above embodiments, implementation can be achieved, in whole or in part, through software, hardware, firmware, or any combination thereof. When implemented using software, it can be implemented, in whole or in part, as a computer program product. The computer program product includes one or more computer programs. When the computer program is loaded and executed on a computer, all or part of the processes or functions described in the embodiments of this application are generated. The computer can be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network, or other programmable device. The computer program can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium or transferred from one computer-readable storage medium to another. For example, the computer program can be transferred from one website, computer, server, or data center to another via wired (e.g., coaxial cable, fiber optic, digital subscriber line (DSL)) or wireless (e.g., infrared, wireless, microwave, etc.) means. The computer-readable storage medium can be any available medium accessible to a computer or a data storage device such as a server or data center that integrates one or more available media. The available media may be magnetic media (e.g., floppy disks, hard disks, magnetic tapes), optical media (e.g., high-density digital video discs (DVDs)), or semiconductor media (e.g., solid-state disks (SSDs)).

[0160] Those skilled in the art will understand that the various numerical designations such as "first," "second," etc., involved in this application are merely for the convenience of description and are not intended to limit the scope of the embodiments of this application, nor do they indicate the order of sequence.

[0161] At least one in this application can also be described as one or more, and multiple can be two, three, four or more, and this application does not impose any limitation. In the embodiments of this application, for a technical feature, the technical features in that technical feature are distinguished by "first", "second", "third", "A", "B", "C" and "D", and there is no order or size among the technical features described by "first", "second", "third", "A", "B", "C" and "D".

[0162] The correspondences shown in the tables of this application can be configured or predefined. The values ​​of the information in each table are merely examples and can be configured to other values; this application is not limited to these values. When configuring the correspondences between information and parameters, it is not necessarily required to configure all the correspondences shown in each table. For example, the correspondences shown in some rows of the tables in this application may not be configured. Furthermore, appropriate modifications and adjustments can be made based on the above tables, such as splitting, merging, etc. The names of the parameters shown in the headings of the above tables can also use other names that the communication device can understand, and the values ​​or representations of the parameters can also be other values ​​or representations that the communication device can understand. In the implementation of the above tables, other data structures can also be used, such as arrays, queues, containers, stacks, linear lists, pointers, linked lists, trees, graphs, structures, classes, heaps, hash tables, or hash tables, etc.

[0163] The term "predefined" in this application can be understood as definition, pre-defined, stored, pre-stored, pre-negotiated, pre-configured, solidified, or pre-burned.

[0164] Those skilled in the art will recognize that the units and algorithm steps of the various examples described in conjunction with the embodiments disclosed herein can be implemented in electronic hardware, or a combination of computer software and electronic hardware. Whether these functions are implemented in hardware or software depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Those skilled in the art can use different methods to implement the described functions for each specific application, but such implementation should not be considered beyond the scope of this application.

[0165] Those skilled in the art will understand that, for the sake of convenience and brevity, the specific working processes of the systems, devices, and units described above can be referred to the corresponding processes in the foregoing method embodiments, and will not be repeated here.

[0166] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of this application, but the scope of protection of this application is not limited thereto. Any variations or substitutions that can be easily conceived by those skilled in the art within the scope of the technology disclosed in this application should be included within the scope of protection of this application. Therefore, the scope of protection of this application should be determined by the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A method for triggering a detection reference signal (SRS) for antenna switching, characterized in that, The method is applied to a network device, and the method includes: The terminal device receives capability reporting information, which indicates the antenna switching configuration combinations supported by the terminal device. Based on the capability reporting information, configure at least one SRS resource with a function in the supported antenna switching configuration combinations for the terminal device, wherein the at least one function includes antenna switching configuration; Since the SRS is semi-persistent SRS, configuring at least one functional SRS resource for the terminal device based on the capability reporting information within supported antenna switching configuration combinations includes: Based on the capability reporting information, a Media Access Control Layer Control Unit (MAC CE) signaling is sent to the terminal device to trigger Semi-Persistent SRS. The MAC CE signaling is used to simultaneously activate or deactivate a target SRS resource set. The target SRS resource set includes one or more SRS resource sets with different functions. For an SRS resource set with antenna switching function, one or more SRS resource sets with the corresponding configuration can be activated. Since the SRS is aperiodic SRS, configuring at least one functional SRS resource for the terminal device based on the capability reporting information, within the supported antenna switching configuration combinations, includes: Based on the capability reporting information, an RRC signaling message is sent to the terminal device. The RRC signaling message does not contain any triggering parameters for non-periodic SRS resources. The triggering parameters include non-periodic SRS resource triggers. Based on the capability reporting information, a MAC CE signaling is sent to the terminal device. The MAC CE signaling is used to activate or update the SRS for antenna switching. The activation or update of the SRS for antenna switching includes: activating or updating one or more SRS resource sets, and reconfiguring the parameters in the non-periodic SRS resource trigger list of each SRS resource set into the entry value, while restricting the terminal device from having the same entry value for multiple SRS resource sets corresponding to the same antenna switching configuration. Based on the capability reporting information, downlink control information (DCI) is sent to the terminal device, and the non-periodic SRS resource trigger request field of the DCI triggers the configuration of non-periodic SRS resource triggers with different code point values. The step of sending downlink control information (DCI) to the terminal device, and configuring the aperiodic SRS resource trigger request field of the DCI to trigger aperiodic SRS resource triggers with different code point values, includes: The enhanced DCI2-3 is sent to the terminal device, wherein the enhanced DCI2-3 is used to instruct the trigger code point corresponding to the non-periodic SRS resource trigger request field to enhance the triggering of the SRS of a group of terminal devices; Alternatively, User Packet Downlink Control Information (GC-DCI) can be sent to the terminal device, wherein the GC-DCI is used to instruct the trigger code point corresponding to the non-periodic SRS resource trigger request field to enhance the SRS of a group of terminal devices.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The SRS resources for the antenna switching configuration are allowed to be configured by Radio Resource Control (RRC) signaling on the same bandwidth portion (BWP). The SRS resources for the antenna switching configuration are a set of SRS resources for different antenna switching configurations that the terminal device can support; wherein, each antenna switching configuration may contain one or more SRS resource sets.

3. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, Since the SRS is aperiodic SRS, configuring at least one functional SRS resource for the terminal device based on the capability reporting information, within the supported antenna switching configuration combinations, includes: Based on the capability reporting information, a MAC CE signaling message is sent to the terminal device. The MAC CE signaling message is used to activate or update a portion of the code point values ​​in the partial aperiodic SRS resource trigger list of the RRC configuration.

4. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that, The step of configuring at least one functional SRS resource for the terminal device in the supported antenna switching configuration combinations based on the capability reporting information further includes: Downlink control information (DCI) is sent to the terminal device. The aperiodic SRS resource triggering request field of the DCI triggers one or more SRS resource sets with different functions, the functions of which include antenna switching configuration; wherein, the one or more SRS resource sets with different functions include one or more SRS resource sets corresponding to the antenna switching configuration.

5. A method for triggering a detection reference signal (SRS) for antenna switching, characterized in that, The method is applied to a terminal device, and the method includes: Send capability reporting information to network devices, wherein the capability reporting information is used to indicate the antenna switching configuration combinations supported by the terminal device; Receive SRS resource configuration information sent by the network device based on the capability reporting information; Based on the SRS resource configuration information and the capability reporting information, an uplink SRS is sent to the network device; Since the SRS is a semi-persistent SRS, receiving the SRS resource configuration information sent by the network device according to the capability reporting information includes: The network device receives a Media Access Control Layer Control Unit (MAC CE) signaling sent by the network device according to the capability reporting information. The MAC CE signaling is used to simultaneously activate or deactivate a target SRS resource set. The target SRS resource set includes one or more SRS resource sets with different functions. For an SRS resource set with antenna switching function, one or more SRS resource sets with the corresponding configuration can be activated. Since the SRS is a non-periodic SRS, receiving the SRS resource configuration information sent by the network device according to the capability reporting information includes: Receive the RRC signaling sent by the network device according to the capability reporting information, wherein the RRC signaling does not have a triggering parameter configured for aperiodic SRS resources, and the triggering parameter includes an aperiodic SRS resource trigger; The terminal device receives MAC CE signaling sent by the network device according to the capability reporting information. The MAC CE signaling is used to activate or update the SRS for antenna switching. The activation or update of the SRS for antenna switching includes: activating or updating one or more SRS resource sets, and reconfiguring the parameter writing entry value in the non-periodic SRS resource trigger list of each SRS resource set, while restricting the terminal device from having the same entry value for multiple SRS resource sets corresponding to the same antenna switching configuration. Receive downlink control information (DCI) sent by the network device according to the capability reporting information, and configure the aperiodic SRS resource trigger request field of the DCI to trigger aperiodic SRS resource triggers with different code point values; The receiving of downlink control information (DCI) sent by the network device, and the configuration of the aperiodic SRS resource trigger request field of the DCI to trigger aperiodic SRS resource triggers with different code point values, include: Receive the enhanced DCI2-3 sent by the network device, wherein the enhanced DCI2-3 is used to indicate the trigger code point corresponding to the non-periodic SRS resource trigger request field to enhance the SRS of a group of terminal devices; Alternatively, the network device may receive User Packet Downlink Control Information (GC-DCI), which is used to instruct the trigger code point corresponding to the non-periodic SRS resource trigger request field to enhance the SRS of a group of terminal devices.

6. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that, Since the SRS is a non-periodic SRS, receiving the SRS resource configuration information sent by the network device according to the capability reporting information further includes: The network device receives MAC CE signaling sent according to the capability reporting information. The MAC CE signaling is used to activate or update a portion of the code point values ​​in the partial aperiodic SRS resource trigger list of the RRC configuration.

7. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that, The step of receiving the SRS resource configuration information sent by the network device according to the capability reporting information further includes: The network device receives downlink control information (DCI) sent by the network device. The aperiodic SRS resource triggering request field of the DCI triggers one or more SRS resource sets with different functions, the functions including antenna switching configuration; wherein, the one or more SRS resource sets with different functions include one or more SRS resource sets corresponding to a specified antenna switching configuration.

8. A communication device, characterized in that, The device is applied to network equipment and includes: A transceiver module is used to receive capability reporting information sent by a terminal device, wherein the capability reporting information is used to indicate the antenna switching configuration combinations supported by the terminal device. The processing module is configured to configure at least one functional SRS resource for the terminal device in a supported antenna switching configuration combination based on the capability reporting information, wherein the at least one function includes antenna switching configuration. Since the SRS is a semi-persistent SRS, the processing module is specifically used for: Based on the capability reporting information, a Media Access Control Layer Control Unit (MAC CE) signaling is sent to the terminal device to trigger Semi-Persistent SRS. The MAC CE signaling is used to simultaneously activate or deactivate a target SRS resource set. The target SRS resource set includes one or more SRS resource sets with different functions. For an SRS resource set with antenna switching function, one or more SRS resource sets with the corresponding configuration can be activated. Since the SRS is an aperiodic SRS, the processing module is specifically used for: Based on the capability reporting information, an RRC signaling message is sent to the terminal device. The RRC signaling message does not contain any triggering parameters for non-periodic SRS resources. The triggering parameters include non-periodic SRS resource triggers. Based on the capability reporting information, a MAC CE signaling is sent to the terminal device. The MAC CE signaling is used to activate or update the SRS for antenna switching. The activation or update of the SRS for antenna switching includes: activating or updating one or more SRS resource sets, and reconfiguring the parameters in the non-periodic SRS resource trigger list of each SRS resource set into the entry value, while restricting the terminal device from having the same entry value for multiple SRS resource sets corresponding to the same antenna switching configuration. Based on the capability reporting information, downlink control information (DCI) is sent to the terminal device, and the non-periodic SRS resource trigger request field of the DCI triggers the configuration of non-periodic SRS resource triggers with different code point values. The step of sending downlink control information (DCI) to the terminal device, and configuring the aperiodic SRS resource trigger request field of the DCI to trigger aperiodic SRS resource triggers with different code point values, includes: The enhanced DCI2-3 is sent to the terminal device, wherein the enhanced DCI2-3 is used to instruct the trigger code point corresponding to the non-periodic SRS resource trigger request field to enhance the triggering of the SRS of a group of terminal devices; Alternatively, User Packet Downlink Control Information (GC-DCI) can be sent to the terminal device, wherein the GC-DCI is used to instruct the trigger code point corresponding to the non-periodic SRS resource trigger request field to enhance the SRS of a group of terminal devices.

9. A communication device, characterized in that, The device is applied to a terminal equipment and includes: A transceiver module is used to send capability reporting information to network devices, wherein the capability reporting information is used to indicate the antenna switching configuration combinations supported by the terminal device; The transceiver module is further configured to receive SRS resource configuration information sent by the network device according to the capability reporting information, and send uplink SRS to the network device according to the SRS resource configuration information and the capability reporting information; Since the SRS is a semi-persistent SRS, the transceiver module is specifically used for: The network device receives a Media Access Control Layer Control Unit (MAC CE) signaling sent by the network device according to the capability reporting information. The MAC CE signaling is used to simultaneously activate or deactivate a target SRS resource set. The target SRS resource set includes one or more SRS resource sets with different functions. For an SRS resource set with antenna switching function, one or more SRS resource sets with the corresponding configuration can be activated. Since the SRS is an aperiodic SRS, the transceiver module is specifically used for: Receive the RRC signaling sent by the network device according to the capability reporting information, wherein the RRC signaling does not have a triggering parameter configured for aperiodic SRS resources, and the triggering parameter includes an aperiodic SRS resource trigger; The terminal device receives MAC CE signaling sent by the network device according to the capability reporting information. The MAC CE signaling is used to activate or update the SRS for antenna switching. The activation or update of the SRS for antenna switching includes: activating or updating one or more SRS resource sets, and reconfiguring the parameter writing entry value in the non-periodic SRS resource trigger list of each SRS resource set, while restricting the terminal device from having the same entry value for multiple SRS resource sets corresponding to the same antenna switching configuration. Receive downlink control information (DCI) sent by the network device according to the capability reporting information, and configure the aperiodic SRS resource trigger request field of the DCI to trigger aperiodic SRS resource triggers with different code point values; The receiving of downlink control information (DCI) sent by the network device, and the configuration of the aperiodic SRS resource trigger request field of the DCI to trigger aperiodic SRS resource triggers with different code point values, include: Receive the enhanced DCI2-3 sent by the network device, wherein the enhanced DCI2-3 is used to indicate the trigger code point corresponding to the non-periodic SRS resource trigger request field to enhance the SRS of a group of terminal devices; Alternatively, the network device may receive User Packet Downlink Control Information (GC-DCI), which is used to instruct the trigger code point corresponding to the non-periodic SRS resource trigger request field to enhance the SRS of a group of terminal devices.

10. A communication device, characterized in that, The device includes a processor and a memory, the memory storing a computer program, and the processor executing the computer program stored in the memory to cause the device to perform the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 4.

11. A communication device, characterized in that, The device includes a processor and a memory, the memory storing a computer program, the processor executing the computer program stored in the memory to cause the device to perform the method as described in any one of claims 5 to 7.

12. A computer-readable storage medium storing instructions that, when executed, cause the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 4 to be implemented.

13. A computer-readable storage medium storing instructions that, when executed, cause the method as described in any one of claims 5 to 7 to be implemented.

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