A method and apparatus for determining transmission configuration indication status

Abstract

This disclosure provides a method and apparatus for determining a Transmission Configuration Indication (TCI) state, applicable to the field of communication technology. The method, executed by a terminal device, includes receiving a Media Access Control (MAC) Controller Unit (CE), wherein the MAC CE is used to activate a Transmission Configuration Indication (TCI) state corresponding to at least one Radio Remote Head (RRH). Thus, by receiving the MAC CE used to activate the TCI state corresponding to at least one RRH, the terminal device can determine the beam corresponding to the RRH, thereby ensuring that multiple RRHs can simultaneously provide services to the terminal device, improving the utilization rate of the radio remote heads, and guaranteeing signal coverage.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to the field of communication technology, and in particular to a method and apparatus for determining a transmission configuration indication state. Background Technology

[0002] In communication systems, to ensure signal coverage in high-frequency channels where attenuation is rapid, beam-based information transmission and reception are required. Related technologies consider beam configurations of two Transmission Reception Points (TRPs). In Multi-DCI scenarios, each TRP's DCI indicates its own Transmission Configuration Indication (TCI) state. In single-DCI scenarios, a single TCI field's codepoint can support up to two TCI states.

[0003] When a network device contains multiple Remote Radio Heads (RRHs), these RRHs can simultaneously provide services to terminal devices. Therefore, how to configure TCI state based on multiple RRHs is a problem that urgently needs to be solved. Summary of the Invention

[0004] This disclosure provides a method and apparatus for determining a transmission configuration indication state, which can be applied in the field of communication technology.

[0005] In a first aspect, embodiments of this disclosure provide a method for determining a transmission configuration indication state, the method being executed by a terminal device, the method comprising: receiving a media access control (MAC) control unit (CE), wherein the MAC CE is used to activate a transmission configuration indication (TCI) state corresponding to at least one radio frequency remote head (RRH).

[0006] Optionally, the RRH corresponds to any of the following: RRH identifier ID, control resource set pool index, transmit / receive point TRPID, reference signal resource set ID, and reference signal resource ID.

[0007] Optional,

[0008] The MAC CE is used to activate the M TCI states corresponding to the L codepoints of the TCI field. The L codepoints are all associated with the same control resource set pool index, where L and M are positive integers.

[0009] Optional,

[0010] The MAC CE is used to activate the K TCI states corresponding to the N codepoints of the TCI field. The N codepoints are associated one-to-one with the N control resource set pool indices. Any two control resource set pool indices in the N control resource set pool indices may be the same or different.

[0011] Alternatively, the MAC CE is used to activate the K TCI states corresponding to the N codepoints of the TCI field, and the K TCI states corresponding to each of the N codepoints are associated one-to-one with the K control resource set pool indices. Any two control resource set pool indices in the N*K control resource set pool indices may be the same or different.

[0012] N and K are both positive integers.

[0013] Optional, also includes:

[0014] Receive downlink control information (DCI), wherein the DCI is used to indicate one of the N or L codepoints.

[0015] Optionally, one control resource set pool index corresponds to one or more RRHs.

[0016] Optional, also includes:

[0017] Based on the MAC CE, determine the control resource set pool index and / or RRH identifier corresponding to each TCI state.

[0018] Optionally, the TCIstate can be at least one of the following: a combined TCI state, an independent downlink TCI state, and an independent uplink TCI state, wherein the combined TCI state is used for both uplink and downlink transmissions.

[0019] Optional,

[0020] The multiple RRHs may correspond to the same Physical Cell Identifier (PCI), or the multiple RRHs may correspond to different PCIs.

[0021] Secondly, embodiments of this disclosure provide another method for determining the Transmission Configuration Indication (TCI) state, which is executed by a network device. The method includes: sending a Media Access Control (MAC) CE, wherein the MAC CE is used to activate the Transmission Configuration Indication (TCI) state corresponding to at least one Radio Remote Head (RRH).

[0022] Optionally, the RRH corresponds to any of the following: RRH identifier ID, control resource set pool index, transmit / receive point TRPID, reference signal resource set ID, and reference signal resource ID.

[0023] Optional,

[0024] The MAC CE is used to activate the M TCI states corresponding to the L codepoints of the TCI field. The L codepoints are all associated with the same control resource set pool index, where L and M are positive integers.

[0025] Optional,

[0026] The MAC CE is used to activate the K TCI states corresponding to the N codepoints of the TCI field. The N codepoints are associated one-to-one with the N control resource set pool indices. Any two control resource set pool indices in the N control resource set pool indices may be the same or different.

[0027] Alternatively, the MAC CE is used to activate the K TCI states corresponding to the N codepoints of the TCI field, and the K TCI states corresponding to each of the N codepoints are associated one-to-one with the K control resource set pool indices. Any two control resource set pool indices in the N*K control resource set pool indices may be the same or different.

[0028] N and K are both positive integers.

[0029] Optional, also includes:

[0030] Send downlink control information (DCI), wherein the DCI is used to indicate one of the N or L codepoints.

[0031] Optionally, one control resource set pool index corresponds to one or more RRHs.

[0032] Optional,

[0033] The MAC CE is also used to indicate the control resource set pool index and / or RRH identifier corresponding to each TCI state.

[0034] Optionally, the TCI state is at least one of the following: a combined TCI state, an independent downlink TCI state, and an independent uplink TCI state, wherein the combined TCI state is used for both uplink and downlink transmission.

[0035] Optionally, the multiple RRHs may correspond to the same Physical Cell Identifier (PCI), or the multiple RRHs may correspond to different PCIs.

[0036] Thirdly, embodiments of this disclosure provide a communication device that implements some or all of the functions of the terminal 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 disclosure, or it may have the functions of any one embodiment in this disclosure 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.

[0037] Fourthly, embodiments of this disclosure provide another communication device that implements some or all of the functions of the network device in the method example described in the second aspect above. For example, the communication device may have the functions of some or all of the embodiments in this disclosure, or it may have the functions of any one embodiment in this disclosure 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.

[0038] Fifthly, embodiments of this disclosure provide a communication device including a processor that, when the processor invokes a computer program in memory, executes the method described in the first aspect.

[0039] In a sixth aspect, embodiments of this disclosure 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.

[0040] In a seventh aspect, embodiments of this disclosure provide a communication device including a processor and a memory, the memory storing a computer program; when the computer program is executed by the processor, the communication device performs the method described in the first aspect above.

[0041] Eighthly, embodiments of this disclosure provide a communication device including a processor and a memory storing a computer program; when the computer program is executed by the processor, the communication device performs the method described in the second aspect above.

[0042] Ninthly, embodiments of this disclosure provide a communication device including a processor and an interface circuit. The interface circuit is configured to receive code instructions and transmit them to the processor, which is configured to execute the code instructions to cause the device to perform the method described in the first aspect above.

[0043] In a tenth aspect, embodiments of this disclosure provide a communication device including a processor and an interface circuit. The interface circuit is configured to receive code instructions and transmit them to the processor, which is configured to execute the code instructions to cause the device to perform the method described in the second aspect above.

[0044] Eleventhly, embodiments of this disclosure 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.

[0045] 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 method described in the first aspect to be implemented.

[0046] In a thirteenth aspect, embodiments of the present invention provide a computer-readable storage medium for storing instructions for use by the aforementioned network device, which, when executed, enable the method described in the second aspect to be implemented.

[0047] In a fourteenth aspect, this disclosure 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.

[0048] In a fifteenth aspect, this disclosure 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 second aspect above.

[0049] In a sixteenth aspect, this disclosure provides a chip system including at least one processor and an interface for supporting a terminal device in implementing the functions involved in the first aspect, such as determining or processing at least one of the data and information involved in the above methods. In one possible design, the chip system further includes a memory for storing computer programs and data necessary for the terminal device. The chip system may be composed of chips or may include chips and other discrete devices.

[0050] In a seventeenth aspect, this disclosure provides a chip system including at least one processor and an interface for supporting network devices in implementing the functions involved in the second aspect, such as determining or processing at least one of the data and information involved in the above methods. In one possible design, the chip system further includes a memory for storing computer programs and data necessary for the network device. The chip system may be composed of chips or may include chips and other discrete devices.

[0051] In an eighteenth aspect, this disclosure provides a computer program that, when run on a computer, causes the computer to perform the method described in the first aspect above.

[0052] In a nineteenth aspect, this disclosure 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

[0053] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments or background art of this disclosure, the accompanying drawings used in the embodiments or background art of this disclosure will be described below.

[0054] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the architecture of a communication system provided in an embodiment of this disclosure;

[0055] Figure 2 This is a flowchart illustrating a method for determining a transmission configuration indication state according to an embodiment of this disclosure;

[0056] Figure 3 This is a flowchart illustrating a method for determining a transmission configuration indication state according to another embodiment of this disclosure;

[0057] Figure 4 This is a flowchart illustrating a method for determining a transmission configuration indication state according to another embodiment of this disclosure;

[0058] Figure 5 This is a flowchart illustrating a method for determining a transmission configuration indication state according to another embodiment of this disclosure;

[0059] Figure 6 This is a flowchart illustrating a method for determining a transmission configuration indication state according to another embodiment of this disclosure;

[0060] Figure 7 This is a flowchart illustrating a method for determining a transmission configuration indication state according to another embodiment of this disclosure;

[0061] Figure 8 This is a flowchart illustrating a method for determining a transmission configuration indication state according to another embodiment of this disclosure;

[0062] Figure 9 This is a flowchart illustrating a method for determining a transmission configuration indication state according to another embodiment of this disclosure;

[0063] Figure 10 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0064] Figure 11 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device according to another embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0065] Figure 12 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a chip according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Detailed Implementation

[0066] To facilitate understanding, the terminology used in this application will be introduced first.

[0067] 1. Remote Radio Head (RRH)

[0068] It converts baseband optical signals into radio frequency signals at a remote location, amplifies them, and transmits them. It can also be called a Remote Radio Unit (RRU).

[0069] 2. Transmission Configuration Indication (TCI)

[0070] Used to inform terminal devices that they are receiving the physical downlink control channel.

[0071] The PDCCH and physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) use the same receive beam as the synchronization signal block (SSB) or channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS) transmitted by the receiving network device.

[0072] Alternatively, it can be used to instruct the terminal device to send a physical uplink control channel.

[0073] The PUCCH and PUSCH (Physical Uplink Shared Channel) use and transmit a reference signal, such as a sounding reference signal (SRS), using the same transmit beam. Alternatively, they inform the terminal device which reference signal to use for transmitting and receiving the PUCCH and PUSCH, such as the transmit beam corresponding to the receive beam of the SSB or CSI-RS.

[0074] 3. Medium access control (MAC) control element (CE)

[0075] MAC CE is a means of exchanging control information between the UE and the network, in addition to radio resource control (RRC) messages and nonaccess stratum (NAS) messages. It exchanges control information about the MAC layer.

[0076] 4. Downlink Control Information (DCI)

[0077] Control information (DCI) is transmitted on the PDCCH channel and is related to the Physical Uplink / Downlink Shared Channel (PUSCH, PDSCH). This DCI information includes several related contents such as resource block (RB) allocation information and modulation scheme. Only when the terminal correctly decodes the DCI information can it correctly process PDSCH or PUSCH data.

[0078] To better understand the method for determining the transmission configuration indication state disclosed in this disclosure, the communication system to which this disclosure applies will be described first.

[0079] Please see Figure 1 , Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the architecture of a communication system provided in an embodiment of the present disclosure. The communication system may include, but is not limited to, a network device and a terminal device. Figure 1 The number and form of devices shown are for illustrative purposes only and do not constitute a limitation on the embodiments of this disclosure. In actual applications, two or more network devices and two or more terminal devices may be included. Figure 1 The communication system shown includes a network device 11 and a terminal device 12.

[0080] It should be noted that the technical solutions of this disclosure 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.

[0081] The network device 11 in this embodiment is a network-side entity used for transmitting or receiving signals. For example, the network device 11 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 disclosure does not limit the specific technology or device form used in the network device. The network device provided in this disclosure 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.

[0082] The terminal device 12 in this disclosure is a user-side entity used to receive or transmit 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, etc. The embodiments of this disclosure do not limit the specific technology or device form used in the terminal device.

[0083] It is understood that the communication system described in the embodiments of this disclosure is for the purpose of more clearly illustrating the technical solutions of the embodiments of this disclosure, and does not constitute a limitation on the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of this disclosure. 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 disclosure are also applicable to similar technical problems.

[0084] The method and apparatus for determining the transmission configuration indication status provided in this disclosure will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0085] Please see Figure 2 , Figure 2 This is a flowchart illustrating a method for determining a transmission configuration indication state according to an embodiment of this disclosure. This method is executed by a terminal device. Figure 2 As shown, the method may include, but is not limited to, the following steps:

[0086] Step 21: Receive Media Access Control (MAC) Unit CE, wherein the MAC CE is used to activate the Transmission Configuration Indicator (TCI) state corresponding to at least one Radio Remote Head (RRH).

[0087] Understandably, when a network device contains multiple RRHs, the network device can configure different TCI states corresponding to multiple remote radio heads for the terminal device. Through the configuration information, the TCI state corresponding to each RRH is sent to the terminal device. Then, as needed, the TCI state corresponding to the RRH can be activated using MAC CE. Thus, the terminal device can determine the TCI state corresponding to the RRH, that is, determine the beam used to receive the PDCCH and PDSCH corresponding to the RRH, or the beam used to send the PUCCH and PUSCH.

[0088] Optionally, RRH can correspond to at least one of the following: RRH identity document (ID), transmission reception point (TRP) identifier, control resource set pool index (CORESETPoolIndex), reference signal resource set ID, and reference signal resource ID. That is, in this embodiment of the invention, RRH can be interchanged with TRP, CORESETPoolIndex, reference signal resource set, or reference signal resource.

[0089] Optionally, the TCI state can be at least one of the following: a combined TCI state, a separate downlink TCI state, and a separate uplink TCI state, wherein the combined TCI state is used for both uplink and downlink transmissions.

[0090] Optionally, different RRHs can correspond to the same Physical Cell Identifier (PCI), or different radio remote heads can correspond to different PCIs. This disclosure does not limit this.

[0091] By implementing the embodiments of this disclosure, the terminal device can determine the beam corresponding to the RRH by receiving the MAC CE used to activate the TCI state corresponding to at least one RRH. This not only ensures that multiple RRHs can provide services to the terminal device simultaneously, improving the utilization rate of the radio frequency remote head, but also guarantees the signal coverage.

[0092] Please see Figure 3 , Figure 3 This is a flowchart illustrating a method for determining a transmission configuration indication state according to an embodiment of this disclosure. This method is executed by a terminal device. Figure 3 As shown, the method may include, but is not limited to, the following steps:

[0093] Step 31: Receive MAC CE, where MAC CE is used to activate M TCI states corresponding to the L codepoints of the TCI field, and the L codepoints are all associated with the same control resource set pool index, where L and M are positive integers.

[0094] Optionally, a control resource set pool index (CORESETPoolIndex) can correspond to one or more RRHs. For example, RRH1 and RRH2 can both correspond to the same CORESETPoolIndex. Or RRH1 corresponds to CORESETPoolIndex1, and RRH2 corresponds to CORESETPoolIndex2.

[0095] It should be noted that there can be multiple MAC CEs in this embodiment, such as two, three, etc., and this disclosure does not limit this. Each MAC CE can activate the M TCI states corresponding to the L codepoints of the TCI field contained in its associated CORESETPoolIndex. Different MAC CEs can activate the TCI states corresponding to different CORESETPoolIndexes.

[0096] Optionally, the terminal device may also determine the control resource set pool index and / or RRH identifier corresponding to each TCI state based on the MAC CE.

[0097] For example, in this embodiment, the TCIstate corresponding to any MAC CE activated control resource set pool index can be as shown in Table 1.

[0098] Table 1

[0099]

[0100] Wherein, CORESETPoolIndex is the control resource set pool index activated by MAC CE; TCI codepoint#0, TCI codepoint#1, TCI codepoint#2, etc., are the codepoints contained in the TCI field; TCI(0,1), TCI(0,2), TCI(0,3), etc., are the TCI states corresponding to TCI codepoint#0; TCI(1,1), TCI(1,2), TCI(1,3), etc., are the TCI states corresponding to TCI codepoint#1; TCI(2,1), TCI(2,2), TCI(2,3), etc., are the TCI states corresponding to TCI codepoint#2, and so on. It should be noted that the number of TCI states corresponding to each TCI codepoint can be up to X, where X can be 2, 3, or 4, or even larger, and this invention does not impose any restrictions. The number of TCI states corresponding to each TCI codepoint given in Table 1 as 3 is just an example.

[0101] It is understood that each element and each correspondence in Table 1 exists independently; these elements and correspondences are listed in the same table as an example, but this does not mean that all elements and correspondences in the table must exist simultaneously as shown in Table 1. The value of each element and each correspondence is independent of any other element value or correspondence in Table 1. Therefore, those skilled in the art will understand that the value of each element and each correspondence in Table 1 is an independent embodiment.

[0102] Step 32: Receive downlink control information (DCI), where DCI is used to indicate one of the L codepoints.

[0103] Optionally, DCI can indicate one of the L codepoints, so that the terminal device can determine one or more TCI states corresponding to the codepoint based on the codepoint and the correspondence between the codepoint and the TCI state indicated by MAC CE.

[0104] It should be noted that when L equals 1, the terminal device only needs to determine the TCI state corresponding to the RRH, i.e., the beam corresponding to the RRH, based on the MAC CE. When the value of L is greater than 1, for example, L is 2 or 3, the terminal device needs to receive the MAC CE sent by the network device, and then determine the codepoint indicated by the DCI from the L codepoints based on the DCI information sent by the network device. After that, it can determine the beam corresponding to the RRH based on the TCI state corresponding to that codepoint.

[0105] By implementing the embodiments of this disclosure, the terminal device first receives MAC CEs corresponding to M TCI states for each of the L codepoints used to activate the TCI field. All L codepoints are associated with the same control resource set pool index. Then, if L is greater than 1, the corresponding TCI state is determined according to the codepoint indicated by the DCI, and then the beam corresponding to the RRH is determined. This not only ensures that multiple RRHs can provide services to the terminal device at the same time, improving the utilization rate of the radio remote head, but also ensures the signal coverage.

[0106] Please see Figure 4 , Figure 4 This is a flowchart illustrating a method for determining a transmission configuration indication state according to an embodiment of this disclosure. This method is executed by a terminal device. Figure 4 As shown, the method may include, but is not limited to, the following steps:

[0107] Step 41: Receive MAC CE, where MAC CE is used to activate the K TCI states corresponding to the N codepoints of the TCI field. The N codepoints are associated one-to-one with the N control resource set pool indices. Any two control resource set pool indices in the N control resource set pool indices may be the same or different. N and K are positive integers.

[0108] Optionally, a control resource set pool index can correspond to one or more RRHs. For example, RRH1 and RRH2 can both correspond to the same CORESETPoolIndex. Or RRH1 corresponds to CORESETPoolIndex1, and RRH2 corresponds to CORESETPoolIndex2.

[0109] Optionally, the terminal device can determine the control resource set pool index and / or RRH identifier corresponding to each TCI state based on the MAC CE.

[0110] It is understood that there can be one MAC CE in this embodiment of the present disclosure. This one MAC CE can activate the K TCI states corresponding to the N codepoints of the TCI field corresponding to multiple RRHs.

[0111] Optionally, the RRH identifier corresponding to the codepoint of each TCI field can be independently indicated. That is, each TCI field codepoint can correspond to a different RRH.

[0112] For example, in this embodiment, the TCIstate corresponding to any MAC CE activated control resource set pool index can be as shown in Table 2.

[0113] Table 2

[0114]

[0115] As shown in Table 2, after receiving the MAC CE, the terminal device can determine that: TCI(0,1), TCI(0,2), TCI(0,3), etc. are the TCI states corresponding to CORESETPoolIndex#0, and TCI codepoint#0 is associated with CORESETPoolIndex#0; TCI(1,1), TCI(1,2), TCI(1,3), etc. are the TCI states corresponding to CORESETPoolIndex#1, and TCI codepoint#1 is associated with CORESETPoolIndex#1; TCI(2,1), TCI(2,2), TCI(2,3), etc. are the TCI states corresponding to CORESETPoolIndex#1, and TCI codepoint#2 is associated with CORESETPoolIndex#2, etc. When different RRHs correspond to different CORESETPoolIndexes, the CORESETPoolIndex corresponding to each TCI codepoint can be configured independently. That is, different TCI codepoints can correspond to the same CORESETPoolIndex or different CORESETPoolIndexes. This also means that different TCI codepoints can correspond to the same RRH or different RRHs.

[0116] It is understood that each element and each correspondence in Table 2 exists independently; these elements and correspondences are listed in the same table as an example, but this does not mean that all elements and correspondences in the table must exist simultaneously as shown in Table 2. The value of each element and each correspondence is independent of any other element value or correspondence in Table 2. Therefore, those skilled in the art will understand that the value of each element and each correspondence in Table 2 is an independent embodiment.

[0117] Step 42: Receive downlink control information (DCI), where DCI is used to indicate one of the N codepoints.

[0118] The specific implementation of step 42 can be found in the detailed descriptions of other embodiments in this disclosure, and will not be repeated here.

[0119] By implementing the embodiments of this disclosure, the terminal device first receives MAC CEs for the N codepoints used to activate the TCI field, which correspond to the K TCI states respectively. The N codepoints are associated one-to-one with the N control resource set pool indices. Then, when L is greater than 1, the corresponding TCI state is determined according to the codepoint indicated by the DCI, and the beam corresponding to the RRH is determined. This not only ensures that multiple RRHs can provide services to the terminal device at the same time, improving the utilization rate of the radio remote head, but also ensures the signal coverage.

[0120] Please see Figure 5 , Figure 5 This is a flowchart illustrating a method for determining a transmission configuration indication state according to an embodiment of this disclosure. This method is executed by a terminal device. Figure 5 As shown, the method may include, but is not limited to, the following steps:

[0121] Step 51: Receive MAC CE, where MAC CE is used to activate the K TCI states corresponding to the N codepoints of the TCI field. The K TCI states corresponding to each of the N codepoints are associated one-to-one with the K control resource set pool indices. Any two control resource set pool indices in the N*K control resource set pool indices may be the same or different, and N and K are positive integers.

[0122] Optionally, a control resource set pool index (CORESETPoolIndex) can correspond to one or more RRHs. For example, RRH1 and RRH2 can both correspond to the same CORESETPoolIndex. Or RRH1 corresponds to CORESETPoolIndex1, and RRH2 corresponds to CORESETPoolIndex2.

[0123] Optionally, the terminal device can determine the CORESETPoolIndex and / or RRH identifier corresponding to each TCI state based on the MAC CE.

[0124] It is understood that there can be one MAC CE in this embodiment of the present disclosure. This one MAC CE can activate the K TCI states corresponding to the N codepoints of the TCI field corresponding to multiple RRHs.

[0125] Optionally, when using independent uplink TCI states and / or multiple independent downlink TCI states, each independent downlink TCI state corresponding to the same codepoint in a TCI field corresponds to one CORESETPoolIndex, and each independent uplink TCI state corresponds to one CORESETPoolIndex. That is, the CORESETPoolIndex corresponding to the independent downlink and uplink TCI states corresponding to the same codepoint in a TCI field can be configured independently. When different RRHs correspond to different CORESETPoolIndexes, that is, multiple TCI states corresponding to the same codepoint in a TCI field can be configured with different RRH identifiers or the same RRH identifier.

[0126] Optionally, when the same codepoint in a TCI field corresponds to multiple TCI states, each TCI state can correspond to one CORESETPoolIndex. That is, multiple TCI states corresponding to the same codepoint in a TCI field can each correspond to a different CORESETPoolIndex. When different RRHs correspond to different CORESETPoolIndexes, that is, multiple TCI states corresponding to the same codepoint in a TCI field can be configured with different RRH identifiers or the same RRH identifier.

[0127] Among them, multiple TCI states can be multiple joint TCI states, or multiple independent uplink TCI states, and / or multiple independent downlink TCI states, etc., and this disclosure does not limit them.

[0128] For example, in this embodiment, the TCIstate corresponding to any MAC CE activated control resource set pool index can be as shown in Table 3.

[0129] Table 3

[0130] As shown in Table 3, after receiving the MAC CE, the terminal device can determine that: the TCI state corresponding to TCI codepoint #0 can include: TCI(0,1), TCI(0,2), TCI(0,3), etc.; the CORESETPoolIndex corresponding to TCI(0,1) can be CORESETPoolIndex#0; the CORESETPoolIndex corresponding to TCI(0,2) can be CORESETPoolIndex#1; and the CORESETPoolIndex corresponding to TCI(0,3) can be CORESETPoolIndex#2; the TCI codepoint #1 corresponds to... The state can include TCI(1,1), TCI(1,2), TCI(1,3), etc. The CORESETPoolIndex corresponding to TCI(1,1) can be CORESETPoolIndex#3, the CORESETPoolIndex corresponding to TCI(1,2) can be CORESETPoolIndex#0, and the CORESETPoolIndex corresponding to TCI(1,3) can be CORESETPoolIndex#1. The TCI state corresponding to TCI codepoint#2 can include TCI(2,1), TCI(2,2), TCI(2,3), etc. The CORESETPoolIndex corresponding to TCI(2,1) can be CORESETPoolIndex#2, the CORESETPoolIndex corresponding to TCI(2,2) can be CORESETPoolIndex#1, and the CORESETPoolIndex corresponding to TCI(2,3) can be CORESETPoolIndex#0. When different RRHs correspond to different CORESETPoolIndex, that is, multiple TCI states corresponding to the same codepoint of a TCI field can be configured with different RRH identifiers or the same RRH identifier.

[0131] It is understood that each element and each correspondence in Table 3 exists independently; these elements and correspondences are listed in the same table as an example, but this does not mean that all elements and correspondences in the table must exist simultaneously as shown in Table 3. The value of each element and each correspondence is independent of any other element value or correspondence in Table 3. Therefore, those skilled in the art will understand that the value of each element and each correspondence in Table 3 is an independent embodiment.

[0132] Step 52: Receive downlink control information (DCI), where DCI is used to indicate one of the N codepoints.

[0133] The specific implementation of step 52 can be found in the detailed descriptions of other embodiments in this disclosure, and will not be repeated here.

[0134] By implementing the embodiments of this disclosure, the terminal device first receives MAC CEs for activating the N codepoints corresponding to the K TCI states, respectively. Each of the N codepoints corresponds to one of the K TCI states and is associated with one of the K control resource set pool indices. Then, when L is greater than 1, the beam corresponding to the RRH is determined according to the TCI state corresponding to the codepoint indicated by the DCI. This not only ensures that multiple RRHs can provide services to the terminal device at the same time, improving the utilization rate of the radio remote head, but also ensures the signal coverage.

[0135] Please see Figure 6 , Figure 6 This is a flowchart illustrating a method for determining a transmission configuration indication state according to an embodiment of this disclosure. This method is executed by a network device. Figure 6 As shown, the method may include, but is not limited to, the following steps:

[0136] Step 61: Send the Media Access Control (MAC) Control Unit (CE), wherein the MAC CE is used to activate the Transmission Configuration Indicator (TCI) state corresponding to at least one Radio Remote Head (RRH).

[0137] Understandably, when a network device contains multiple RRHs, the network device can configure different TCI states corresponding to multiple remote radio heads for the terminal device. Through the configuration information, the TCI state corresponding to each RRH is sent to the terminal device. Then, as needed, the TCI state corresponding to the RRH can be activated using MAC CE. Thus, the terminal device can determine the TCI state corresponding to the RRH, that is, determine the beam used to receive the PDCCH and PDSCH corresponding to the RRH, or the beam used to send the PUCCH and PUSCH.

[0138] Optionally, RRH can correspond to at least one of the following: RRH identity document (ID), transmission reception point (TRP) identifier, control resource set pool index (CORESETPoolIndex), reference signal resource set ID, and reference signal resource ID. That is, in this embodiment of the invention, RRH can be interchanged with TRP, CORESETPoolIndex, reference signal resource set, or reference signal resource.

[0139] Optionally, the TCI state can be at least one of the following: a combined TCI state, a separate downlink TCI state, and a separate uplink TCI state, wherein the combined TCI state is used for both uplink and downlink transmissions.

[0140] Optionally, different RRHs can correspond to the same Physical Cell Identifier (PCI), or different radio remote heads can correspond to different PCIs. This disclosure does not limit this.

[0141] By implementing the embodiments of this disclosure, the network device sends a MAC CE to the terminal device to activate the TCI state corresponding to at least one RRH, so that the terminal device can determine the beam corresponding to the RRH. This not only ensures that multiple RRHs can provide services to the terminal device at the same time, improving the utilization rate of the radio frequency remote head, but also ensures the signal coverage.

[0142] Please see Figure 7 , Figure 7 This is a flowchart illustrating a method for determining a transmission configuration indication state according to an embodiment of this disclosure. This method is executed by a network device. Figure 7 As shown, the method may include, but is not limited to, the following steps:

[0143] Step 71: Send MAC CE, where MAC CE is used to activate the M TCI states corresponding to the L codepoints of the TCI field. The L codepoints are all associated with the same control resource set pool index, and L and M are positive integers.

[0144] Optionally, a control resource set pool index (CORESETPoolIndex) can correspond to one or more RRHs. For example, RRH1 and RRH2 can both correspond to the same CORESETPoolIndex. Or RRH1 corresponds to CORESETPoolIndex1, and RRH2 corresponds to CORESETPoolIndex2.

[0145] It should be noted that there can be multiple MAC CEs in this embodiment, such as two, three, etc., and this disclosure does not limit this. Each MAC CE can activate the M TCI states corresponding to the L codepoints of the TCI field contained in its associated CORESETPoolIndex. Different MAC CEs can activate the TCI states corresponding to different CORESETPoolIndexes.

[0146] Optionally, the MAC CE sent by the network device may also indicate to the terminal device the control resource set pool index and / or RRH identifier corresponding to each TCI state.

[0147] For example, in this embodiment, the TCIstate corresponding to the control resource set pool index activated by any MAC CE can be as shown in Table 1 of any embodiment of this disclosure, and will not be described in detail here.

[0148] Step 72: Send downlink control information (DCI), where DCI is used to indicate one of the L codepoints.

[0149] Optionally, DCI can indicate one of the L codepoints, so that the terminal device can determine one or more TCI states corresponding to the codepoint based on the codepoint and the correspondence between the codepoint and the TCI state indicated by MAC CE.

[0150] It should be noted that when L equals 1, the network device only needs to send MAC CE, and the terminal device can determine the TCI state corresponding to the RRH, i.e., the beam corresponding to the RRH. When the value of L is greater than 1, for example, L is 2 or 3, the network device needs to send DCI information to the terminal device after sending MAC CE, so that the terminal device can determine the codepoint indicated by the DCI from L codepoints, and then determine the beam corresponding to the RRH based on the TCI state corresponding to that codepoint.

[0151] By implementing the embodiments of this disclosure, the network device first sends MAC CEs to the terminal device for activating the TCI field, corresponding to M TCI states for each of the L codepoints. All L codepoints are associated with the same control resource set pool index. Then, if L is greater than 1, the network device sends DCIs to the terminal device so that the terminal device can determine the corresponding TCI state based on the codepoint indicated by the DCI, and then determine the beam corresponding to the RRH. This not only ensures that multiple RRHs can provide services to the terminal device simultaneously, improving the utilization rate of the radio remote head, but also ensures the signal coverage.

[0152] Please see Figure 8 , Figure 8 This is a flowchart illustrating a method for determining a transmission configuration indication state according to an embodiment of this disclosure. This method is executed by a network device. Figure 8 As shown, the method may include, but is not limited to, the following steps:

[0153] Step 81: Send MAC CE. MAC CE is used to activate the K TCI states corresponding to the N codepoints of the TCI field. The N codepoints are associated one-to-one with the N control resource set pool indices. Any two control resource set pool indices in the N control resource set pool indices may be the same or different. N and K are positive integers.

[0154] Optionally, a control resource set pool index can correspond to one or more RRHs. For example, RRH1 and RRH2 can both correspond to the same CORESETPoolIndex. Or RRH1 corresponds to CORESETPoolIndex1, and RRH2 corresponds to CORESETPoolIndex2.

[0155] Optionally, the MAC CE sent by the network device may also indicate to the terminal device the control resource set pool index and / or RRH identifier corresponding to each TCI state.

[0156] It is understood that there can be one MAC CE in this embodiment of the present disclosure. This one MAC CE can activate the K TCI states corresponding to the N codepoints of the TCI field corresponding to multiple RRHs.

[0157] Optionally, the RRH identifier corresponding to the codepoint of each TCI field can be independently indicated. That is, each TCI field codepoint can correspond to a different RRH.

[0158] For example, in this embodiment, the TCIstate corresponding to the control resource set pool index activated by any MAC CE can be as shown in Table 2 of any embodiment of this disclosure, and will not be described in detail here.

[0159] Step 82: Send downlink control information (DCI), where DCI is used to indicate one of the N codepoints.

[0160] The specific implementation of step 82 can be found in the detailed descriptions of other embodiments in this disclosure, and will not be repeated here.

[0161] By implementing the embodiments of this disclosure, the network device first sends MAC CEs to the terminal device for activating the N codepoints of the TCI field, corresponding to the K TCI states respectively. The N codepoints are associated one-to-one with the N control resource set pool indices. Then, when L is greater than 1, DCI is sent to the terminal device so that the terminal device can determine the corresponding TCI state according to the codepoint indicated by the DCI, and then determine the beam corresponding to the RRH. This not only ensures that multiple RRHs can provide services to the terminal device at the same time, improving the utilization rate of the radio remote head, but also ensures the signal coverage.

[0162] Please see Figure 9 , Figure 9 This is a flowchart illustrating a method for determining a transmission configuration indication state according to an embodiment of this disclosure. This method is executed by a network device. Figure 9 As shown, the method may include, but is not limited to, the following steps:

[0163] Step 91: Send MAC CE. MAC CE is used to activate the K TCI states corresponding to the N codepoints of the TCI field. The K TCI states corresponding to each of the N codepoints are associated one-to-one with the K control resource set pool indices. Any two control resource set pool indices in the N*K control resource set pool indices may be the same or different; N and K are positive integers.

[0164] Optionally, a control resource set pool index (CORESETPoolIndex) can correspond to one or more RRHs. For example, RRH1 and RRH2 can both correspond to the same CORESETPoolIndex. Or RRH1 corresponds to CORESETPoolIndex1, and RRH2 corresponds to CORESETPoolIndex2.

[0165] Optionally, the MAC CE sent by the network device may also indicate to the terminal device the control resource set pool index and / or RRH identifier corresponding to each TCI state.

[0166] It is understood that there can be one MAC CE in this embodiment of the present disclosure. This one MAC CE can activate the K TCI states corresponding to the N codepoints of the TCI field corresponding to multiple RRHs.

[0167] Optionally, when using independent uplink TCI states and / or multiple independent downlink TCI states, each independent downlink TCI state corresponding to the same codepoint in a TCI field corresponds to one CORESETPoolIndex, and each independent uplink TCI state corresponds to one CORESETPoolIndex. That is, the CORESETPoolIndex corresponding to the independent downlink and uplink TCI states corresponding to the same codepoint in a TCI field can be configured independently. When different RRHs correspond to different CORESETPoolIndexes, that is, multiple TCI states corresponding to the same codepoint in a TCI field can be configured with different RRH identifiers or the same RRH identifier.

[0168] Optionally, when the same codepoint in a TCI field corresponds to multiple TCI states, each TCI state can correspond to one CORESETPoolIndex. That is, multiple TCI states corresponding to the same codepoint in a TCI field can each correspond to a different CORESETPoolIndex. When different RRHs correspond to different CORESETPoolIndexes, that is, multiple TCI states corresponding to the same codepoint in a TCI field can be configured with different RRH identifiers or the same RRH identifier.

[0169] Among them, multiple TCI states can be multiple joint TCI states, or multiple independent uplink TCI states, and / or multiple independent downlink TCI states, etc., and this disclosure does not limit them.

[0170] For example, in this embodiment, the TCIstate corresponding to any MAC CE activated control resource set pool index can be as shown in Table 3 of any embodiment of this disclosure, and will not be described in detail here.

[0171] Step 92: Send downlink control information (DCI), where DCI is used to indicate one of the N codepoints.

[0172] The specific implementation of step 92 can be found in the detailed descriptions of other embodiments in this disclosure, and will not be repeated here.

[0173] By implementing the embodiments of this disclosure, the network device first sends a MAC CE to the terminal device to activate the K TCI states corresponding to the N codepoints of the TCI field. Each of the N codepoints corresponds to one of the K TCI states and is associated with one of the K control resource set pool indices. Then, when L is greater than 1, a DCI is sent to the terminal device so that the terminal device can determine the corresponding TCI state according to the codepoint indicated by the DCI, and then the beam corresponding to the RRH. This not only ensures that multiple RRHs can provide services to the terminal device at the same time, improving the utilization rate of the radio remote head, but also ensures the signal coverage.

[0174] In the embodiments provided above, the methods provided by the present disclosure 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 the present disclosure, 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.

[0175] Please see Figure 10 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device 100 provided in an embodiment of this disclosure. Figure 10 The communication device 100 shown may include a processing module 1001 and a transceiver module 1002.

[0176] The transceiver module 1002 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 1002 can implement both sending and / or receiving functions.

[0177] It is understood that the communication device 100 can be a terminal device, a device within a terminal device, or a device that can be used in conjunction with a terminal device.

[0178] Communication device 100, on the terminal equipment side, the device includes:

[0179] The transceiver module 1002 is used to receive the Media Access Control (MAC) control unit CE, wherein the MAC CE is used to activate the Transmission Configuration Indicator (TCI) state corresponding to at least one Radio Remote Head (RRH).

[0180] Optionally, RRH corresponds to any of the following: RRH identifier ID, control resource set pool index, transmit / receive point TRP ID, reference signal resource set ID, and reference signal resource ID.

[0181] Optional,

[0182] MAC CE is used to activate the M TCI states corresponding to the L codepoints of the TCI field. All L codepoints are associated with the same control resource set pool index, where L and M are positive integers.

[0183] Optional,

[0184] MAC CE is used to activate the K TCI states corresponding to the N codepoints of the TCI field. The N codepoints are associated one-to-one with the N control resource set pool indices. Any two control resource set pool indices in the N control resource set pool indices may be the same or different.

[0185] Alternatively, MAC CE is used to activate the K TCI states corresponding to the N codepoints of the TCI field. The K TCI states corresponding to each of the N codepoints are associated one-to-one with the K control resource set pool indices. Any two control resource set pool indices in the N*K control resource set pool indices may be the same or different.

[0186] N and K are both positive integers.

[0187] Optionally, the transceiver module 1002 is also specifically used for:

[0188] Receive downlink control information (DCI), where DCI is used to indicate one of N or L codepoints.

[0189] Optional,

[0190] One control resource set pool index corresponds to one or more RRHs.

[0191] Optional, also includes:

[0192] The determination module 1001 is used to determine the control resource set pool index and / or RRH identifier corresponding to each TCI state based on the MAC CE.

[0193] Optionally, the TCI state can be at least one of the following: a combined TCI state, a separate downlink TCI state, and a separate uplink TCI state, wherein the combined TCI state is used for both uplink and downlink transmissions.

[0194] Optional,

[0195] Multiple RRHs may correspond to the same Physical Cell Identifier (PCI), or multiple RRHs may correspond to different PCIs.

[0196] The communication apparatus provided in this disclosure allows the terminal device to determine the beam corresponding to an RRH by receiving a MAC CE for activating the TCI state corresponding to at least one RRH. This not only ensures that multiple RRHs can provide services to the terminal device simultaneously, improving the utilization rate of the radio frequency remote head, but also guarantees the signal coverage.

[0197] It is understood that the communication device 100 can be a network device, a device within a network device, or a device that can be used in conjunction with a network device.

[0198] Communication device 100, on the network equipment side, the device includes:

[0199] The transceiver module 1002 is used to transmit the Media Access Control (MAC) control unit CE, wherein the MAC CE is used to activate the Transmission Configuration Indicator (TCI) state corresponding to at least one Radio Remote Head (RRH).

[0200] Optionally, RRH corresponds to any of the following: RRH identifier ID, control resource set pool index, transmit / receive point TRP ID, reference signal resource set ID, and reference signal resource ID.

[0201] Optional,

[0202] MAC CE is used to activate the M TCI states corresponding to the L codepoints of the TCI field. All L codepoints are associated with the same control resource set pool index, where L and M are positive integers.

[0203] Optional,

[0204] MAC CE is used to activate the K TCI states corresponding to the N codepoints of the TCI field. The N codepoints are associated one-to-one with the N control resource set pool indices. Any two control resource set pool indices in the N control resource set pool indices may be the same or different.

[0205] Alternatively, MAC CE is used to activate the K TCI states corresponding to the N codepoints of the TCI field. The K TCI states corresponding to each of the N codepoints are associated one-to-one with the K control resource set pool indices. Any two control resource set pool indices in the N*K control resource set pool indices may be the same or different.

[0206] N and K are both positive integers.

[0207] The optional 1002 transceiver module is also specifically used for:

[0208] Send downlink control information (DCI), where DCI is used to indicate one of N or L codepoints.

[0209] Optionally, a control resource set pool index may correspond to one or more RRHs.

[0210] Optional,

[0211] MAC CE is also used to indicate the control resource set pool index and / or RRH identifier corresponding to each TCI state.

[0212] Optionally, the TCI state can be at least one of the following: a combined TCI state, a separate downlink TCI state, and a separate uplink TCI state, wherein the combined TCI state is used for both uplink and downlink transmissions.

[0213] Optionally, multiple RRHs may correspond to the same Physical Cell Identifier (PCI), or multiple RRHs may correspond to different PCIs.

[0214] The communication apparatus provided in this disclosure allows the network device to send a MAC CE to the terminal device to activate the TCI state corresponding to at least one RRH, thereby enabling the terminal device to determine the beam corresponding to the RRH. This not only ensures that multiple RRHs can provide services to the terminal device simultaneously, improving the utilization rate of the radio frequency remote head, but also guarantees the signal coverage.

[0215] Please see Figure 11 , Figure 11This is a schematic diagram of another communication device 110 provided in this embodiment. The communication device 110 can be a network device, a terminal device, a chip, chip system, or processor that supports the implementation of the above methods in a network device, or a chip, chip system, or processor that supports the implementation of the above methods in a terminal device. 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.

[0216] The communication device 110 may include one or more processors 1101. The processor 1101 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.

[0217] Optionally, the communication device 110 may further include one or more memories 1102, which may store a computer program 1104. The processor 1101 executes the computer program 1104 to cause the communication device 110 to perform the method described in the above method embodiments. Optionally, the memory 1102 may also store data. The communication device 110 and the memory 1102 may be provided separately or integrated together.

[0218] Optionally, the communication device 110 may also include a transceiver 1105 and an antenna 1106. The transceiver 1105 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 1105 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.

[0219] Optionally, the communication device 110 may further include one or more interface circuits 1107. The interface circuits 1107 are used to receive code instructions and transmit them to the processor 1101. The processor 1101 executes the code instructions to cause the communication device 110 to perform the methods described in the above method embodiments.

[0220] Communication device 110 is a terminal device: transceiver 1105 is used to perform... Figure 2 Step 21 in the process; Figure 3 Steps 31 and 32 in the process; Figure 4 Steps 41 and 42 in the text; or Figure 5 Steps 51, 52, etc.

[0221] Communication device 110 is a network device: transceiver 1105 is used to perform... Figure 6 Step 61 in the middle; Figure 7 Steps 71 and 72 in the text; Figure 8 Steps 81 and 82 in the text; or Figure 9 Steps 91, 92, etc.

[0222] In one implementation, the processor 1101 may include a transceiver for implementing receiving and transmitting 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 receiving and transmitting 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.

[0223] In one implementation, processor 1101 may store computer program 1103, which runs on processor 1101 and causes communication device 110 to perform the methods described in the above method embodiments. Computer program 1103 may be embedded in processor 1101, in which case processor 1101 may be implemented in hardware.

[0224] In one implementation, the communication device 110 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 disclosure 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-semiconductor (CMOS), n-metal-oxide-semiconductor (NMOS), positive-channel metal-oxide-semiconductor (PMOS), bipolar junction transistors (BJTs), bipolar CMOS (BiCMOS), silicon-germanium (SiGe), gallium arsenide (GaAs), etc.

[0225] The communication device described in the above embodiments may be a network device or a terminal device, but the scope of the communication device described in this disclosure is not limited thereto, and the structure of the communication device may vary. Figure 11 The communication device may be a standalone device or part of a larger device. For example, the communication device may be:

[0226] (1) Independent integrated circuit IC, or chip, or chip system or subsystem;

[0227] (2) A collection of one or more ICs, optionally including storage components for storing data and computer programs;

[0228] (3) ASIC, such as modem;

[0229] (4) Modules that can be embedded in other devices;

[0230] (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.

[0231] (6) Others, etc.

[0232] For cases where the communication device can be a chip or a chip system, please refer to [link / reference]. Figure 12 The diagram shows the structure of the chip. Figure 12 The chip shown includes a processor 1201 and an interface 1202. There can be one or more processors 1201, and multiple interfaces 1202.

[0233] Regarding the case where the chip is used to implement the functions of the terminal device in the embodiments of this disclosure:

[0234] Interface 1202 is used for execution Figure 2 Step 21 in the process; Figure 3 Steps 31 and 32 in the process; Figure 4 Steps 41 and 42 in the text; or Figure 5 Steps 51, 52, etc.

[0235] For cases where the chip is used to implement the functions of the network device in the embodiments of this disclosure:

[0236] Interface 1202 is used for execution Figure 6 Step 61 in the middle; Figure 7 Steps 71 and 72 in the text; Figure 8 Steps 81 and 82 in the text; or Figure 9 Steps 91, 92, etc.

[0237] Optionally, the chip also includes a memory 1203 for storing necessary computer programs and data.

[0238] Those skilled in the art will also understand that the various illustrative logical blocks and steps listed in the embodiments of this disclosure can be implemented by electronic hardware, computer software, or a combination of both. Whether such functionality is implemented in 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 disclosure.

[0239] This disclosure also provides a communication system, which includes the aforementioned... Figure 10 In the embodiments, the communication device serves as a terminal device and the communication device serves as a network device; alternatively, the system includes the aforementioned components. Figure 11 The embodiments include a communication device as a terminal device and a communication device as a network device.

[0240] This disclosure also provides a computer-readable storage medium having instructions stored thereon that, when executed by a computer, implement the functions of any of the above method embodiments.

[0241] This disclosure also provides a computer program product that, when executed by a computer, implements the functions of any of the above method embodiments.

[0242] In the above embodiments, implementation can be achieved, in whole or in part, through software, hardware, firmware, or any combination thereof. When implemented in software, it can be implemented, in whole or in part, as a computer program product. 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 disclosure 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)).

[0243] Those skilled in the art will understand that the various numerical designations such as "first," "second," etc., used in this disclosure are merely for the convenience of description and are not intended to limit the scope of the embodiments of this disclosure, nor do they indicate the order of events.

[0244] At least one of the features described in this disclosure can also be described as one or more, and multiple features can be two, three, four or more, and this disclosure does not impose any limitations. In the embodiments of this disclosure, for a technical feature, the technical features in that technical feature are distinguished by "first", "second", "third", "A", "B", "C" and "D", etc., and there is no sequential order or size order among the technical features described by "first", "second", "third", "A", "B", "C" and "D".

[0245] The correspondences shown in the tables of this disclosure can be configured or predefined. The values ​​of the information in each table are merely examples and can be configured to other values; this disclosure is not limiting. 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 disclosure 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 headers 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.

[0246] The predefined terms in this disclosure can be understood as defined, predefined, stored, pre-stored, pre-negotiated, pre-configured, solidified, or pre-burned.

[0247] 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 disclosure.

[0248] 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.

[0249] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of this disclosure, but the scope of protection of this disclosure 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 disclosure should be included within the scope of protection of this disclosure. Therefore, the scope of protection of this disclosure should be determined by the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A method for determining a transmission configuration indication state, characterized in that, The method, executed by a terminal device, includes: The MAC control unit CE is used to activate the Transmission Configuration Indicator (TCI) state corresponding to at least one radio remote head (RRH). The MAC CE is used to activate M TCI states corresponding to L codepoints in the TCI field, where each of the L codepoints is associated with the same control resource set pool index, and L and M are positive integers; or, The MAC CE is used to activate K TCI states corresponding to N codepoints in the TCI field. The N codepoints are associated one-to-one with N control resource set pool indices, and any two control resource set pool indices may be the same or different. Alternatively, the MAC CE is used to activate the K TCI states corresponding to the N codepoints in the TCI field, where each of the N codepoints corresponds to one of the K TCI states and is associated with one of the K control resource set pool indices. Any two control resource set pool indices in the K control resource set pool indices may be the same or different; N and K are both positive integers.

2. The method as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The RRH corresponds to any of the following: RRH identifier ID, control resource set pool index, transmit / receive point TRP ID, reference signal resource set ID, and reference signal resource ID.

3. The method as described in claim 1, characterized in that, Also includes: Receive downlink control information (DCI), wherein the DCI is used to indicate one of the N or L codepoints.

4. The method as described in claim 1, characterized in that, Each control resource set pool index corresponds to one or more RRHs.

5. The method as described in claim 1, characterized in that, Also includes: Based on the MAC CE, determine the control resource set pool index and / or RRH identifier corresponding to each TCI state.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1-5, characterized in that, The TCI state is at least one of the following: a combined TCI state, an independent downlink TCI state, and an independent uplink TCI state, wherein the combined TCI state is used for both uplink and downlink transmission.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1-5, characterized in that, The multiple RRHs may correspond to the same Physical Cell Identifier (PCI), or the multiple RRHs may correspond to different PCIs.

8. A method for determining a transmission configuration indication state, characterized in that, Performed by a network device, the method includes: Send Media Access Control (MAC) Control Unit (CE), wherein the MAC CE is used to activate the Transmission Configuration Indicator (TCI) state corresponding to at least one Radio Remote Head (RRH); The MAC CE is used to activate M TCI states corresponding to L codepoints in the TCI field, where each of the L codepoints is associated with the same control resource set pool index, and L and M are positive integers; or, The MAC CE is used to activate K TCI states corresponding to N codepoints in the TCI field. The N codepoints are associated one-to-one with N control resource set pool indices, and any two control resource set pool indices may be the same or different. Alternatively, the MAC CE is used to activate the K TCI states corresponding to the N codepoints in the TCI field, where each of the N codepoints corresponds to one of the K TCI states and is associated with one of the K control resource set pool indices. Any two control resource set pool indices in the K control resource set pool indices may be the same or different; N and K are both positive integers.

9. The method as described in claim 8, characterized in that, The RRH corresponds to any of the following: RRH identifier ID, control resource set pool index, transmit / receive point TRP ID, reference signal resource set ID, and reference signal resource ID.

10. The method as described in claim 8, characterized in that, Also includes: Send downlink control information (DCI), wherein the DCI is used to indicate one of the N or L codepoints.

11. The method as described in claim 8, characterized in that, Each control resource set pool index corresponds to one or more RRHs.

12. The method as described in claim 8, characterized in that, The MAC CE is also used to indicate the control resource set pool index and / or RRH identifier corresponding to each TCI state.

13. The method according to any one of claims 8-12, characterized in that, The TCI state is at least one of the following: a combined TCI state, an independent downlink TCI state, and an independent uplink TCI state, wherein the combined TCI state is used for both uplink and downlink transmission.

14. The method according to any one of claims 8-12, characterized in that, The multiple RRHs may correspond to the same Physical Cell Identifier (PCI), or the multiple RRHs may correspond to different PCIs.

15. A communication device, characterized in that, The device is executed on the terminal device side, and the device includes: The transceiver module is used to receive the Media Access Control (MAC) control unit (CE), wherein the MAC CE is used to activate the Transmission Configuration Indicator (TCI) state corresponding to at least one Radio Remote Head (RRH). The MAC CE is used to activate M TCI states corresponding to L codepoints in the TCI field, where each of the L codepoints is associated with the same control resource set pool index, and L and M are positive integers; or, The MAC CE is used to activate K TCI states corresponding to N codepoints in the TCI field. The N codepoints are associated one-to-one with N control resource set pool indices, and any two control resource set pool indices may be the same or different. Alternatively, the MAC CE is used to activate the K TCI states corresponding to the N codepoints in the TCI field, where each of the N codepoints corresponds to one of the K TCI states and is associated with one of the K control resource set pool indices. Any two control resource set pool indices in the K control resource set pool indices may be the same or different; N and K are both positive integers.

16. The apparatus as claimed in claim 15, characterized in that, The RRH corresponds to any of the following: RRH identifier ID, control resource set pool index, transmit / receive point TRP ID, reference signal resource set ID, and reference signal resource ID.

17. The apparatus as claimed in claim 15, characterized in that, The transceiver module is also specifically used for: Receive downlink control information (DCI), wherein the DCI is used to indicate one of the N or L codepoints.

18. The apparatus as claimed in claim 15, characterized in that, Each control resource set pool index corresponds to one or more RRHs.

19. The apparatus as claimed in claim 15, characterized in that, Also includes: The determination module is used to determine the control resource set pool index and / or RRH identifier corresponding to each TCI state based on the MAC CE.

20. The apparatus according to any one of claims 15-19, characterized in that, The TCI state is at least one of the following: a combined TCI state, an independent downlink TCI state, and an independent uplink TCI state, wherein the combined TCI state is used for both uplink and downlink transmission.

21. The apparatus according to any one of claims 15-19, characterized in that, The multiple RRHs may correspond to the same Physical Cell Identifier (PCI), or the multiple RRHs may correspond to different PCIs.

22. A communication device, characterized in that, The apparatus is executed on the network device side, and the apparatus includes: The transceiver module is used to transmit the Media Access Control (MAC) control unit CE, wherein the MAC CE is used to activate the Transmission Configuration Indicator (TCI) state corresponding to at least one Radio Remote Head (RRH). The MAC CE is used to activate M TCI states corresponding to L codepoints in the TCI field, where each of the L codepoints is associated with the same control resource set pool index, and L and M are positive integers; or, The MAC CE is used to activate K TCI states corresponding to N codepoints in the TCI field. The N codepoints are associated one-to-one with N control resource set pool indices, and any two control resource set pool indices may be the same or different. Alternatively, the MAC CE is used to activate the K TCI states corresponding to the N codepoints in the TCI field, where each of the N codepoints corresponds to one of the K TCI states and is associated with one of the K control resource set pool indices. Any two control resource set pool indices in the K control resource set pool indices may be the same or different; N and K are both positive integers.

23. The apparatus as claimed in claim 22, characterized in that, The RRH corresponds to any of the following: RRH identifier ID, control resource set pool index, transmit / receive point TRP ID, reference signal resource set ID, and reference signal resource ID.

24. The apparatus as claimed in claim 22, characterized in that, The transceiver module is also specifically used for: Send downlink control information (DCI), wherein the DCI is used to indicate one of the N or L codepoints.

25. The apparatus as claimed in claim 22, characterized in that, Each control resource set pool index corresponds to one or more RRHs.

26. The apparatus as claimed in claim 22, characterized in that, The MAC CE is also used to indicate the control resource set pool index and / or RRH identifier corresponding to each TCI state.

27. The apparatus according to any one of claims 22-26, characterized in that, The TCI state is at least one of the following: a combined TCI state, an independent downlink TCI state, and an independent uplink TCI state, wherein the combined TCI state is used for both uplink and downlink transmission.

28. The apparatus according to any one of claims 22-26, characterized in that, The multiple RRHs may correspond to the same Physical Cell Identifier (PCI), or the multiple RRHs may correspond to different PCIs.

29. 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 1 to 7.

30. 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 8 to 14.

31. A communication device, characterized in that, include: Processor and interface circuitry; The interface circuit is used to receive code instructions and transmit them to the processor; The processor is configured to run the code instructions to perform the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 7.

32. A communication device, characterized in that, include: Processor and interface circuitry; The interface circuit is used to receive code instructions and transmit them to the processor; The processor is configured to run the code instructions to perform the method as described in any one of claims 8 to 14.

33. A computer-readable storage medium for storing instructions that, when executed, cause the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 7 to be implemented.

34. A computer-readable storage medium for storing instructions that, when executed, cause the method of any one of claims 8 to 14 to be implemented.

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