Carrier switching method and apparatus

Abstract

Embodiments of the present application disclose a carrier switching method and device, receiving a carrier switching indication, determining a target carrier of a physical uplink control channel from candidate carriers according to the carrier switching indication, wherein the carrier switching indication comprises at least one of the following: an added field in downlink control information DCI, multiplexing physical uplink control channel resource indication PRI, multiplexing hybrid automatic repeat request HARQ feedback time indication, multiplexing uplink / supplementary uplink UL / SUL indication, multiplexing carrier indication in downlink control information DCI, so that the terminal device can perform carrier switching according to the indication, ensuring the reliability and feedback efficiency of HARQ-ACK transmission, reducing interference, and improving load balancing.

Description

Technical Field

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

[0002] With the continuous development of mobile communication technology, the topics of IIoT (Industrial Internet of Things) and URLLC (Ultra Reliable and Low Latency Communication) have been proposed in the context of 5G (5th Generation Mobile Communication Technology). When PUCCH (Physical Uplink Control Channel) resources are unavailable, dynamic switching of PUCCH carriers can be performed. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The first aspect of this application provides a carrier switching method, which is executed by a terminal device. The method includes: receiving a carrier switching instruction; and determining a target carrier of the physical uplink control channel from candidate carriers according to the carrier switching instruction.

[0004] The carrier switching indication includes at least one of the following: an added field in the downlink control information (DCI);

[0005] Multiplex the Physical Uplink Control Channel Resource Indicator (PRI); Multiplex the Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request (HARQ) Feedback Time Indicator;

[0006] Multiplex uplink / supplementary uplink UL / SUL indications; multiplex carrier indications in downlink control information (DCI).

[0007] Optionally, when there are two candidate carriers, the carrier switching indication includes an additional field in the downlink control information (DCI); wherein the additional field is at least 1 bit and is used to indicate carrier switching between the two candidate carriers.

[0008] Optionally, when there are two candidate carriers, the carrier switching indication includes: multiplexing the Physical Uplink Control Channel Resource Indication (PRI); wherein the multiplexing of the Physical Uplink Control Channel Resource Indication (PRI) is at least 1 bit, used to indicate carrier switching between the two candidate carriers.

[0009] Optionally, when there are two candidate carriers, the carrier switching indication includes: multiplexing the Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request (HARQ) feedback time indication; wherein the HARQ feedback time indication is used to implicitly indicate carrier switching between the two candidate carriers.

[0010] Optionally, when there are two candidate carriers, the carrier switching indication includes: multiplexing the uplink / supplementary uplink UL / SUL indication; wherein the uplink / supplementary uplink UL / SUL indication is used to indicate carrier switching between the two candidate carriers.

[0011] Optionally, when the number of candidate carriers is four, the carrier switching indication includes: multiplexing the Physical Uplink Control Channel Resource Indication (PRI); wherein, multiplexing the Physical Uplink Control Channel Resource Indication (PRI) includes first indication information and second indication information, the first indication information is used to indicate the candidate carrier subset where the target carrier is located or the carrier index of the target carrier, and the second indication information is used to indicate the PUCCH time-frequency resources available for the target carrier.

[0012] Optionally, when the number of candidate carriers is four, the carrier switching indication includes: multiplexing the Physical Uplink Control Channel Resource Indication (PRI); wherein the Physical Uplink Control Channel Resource Indication (PRI) includes third indication information, which is used to indicate the target carrier and the corresponding PUCCH time-frequency resources.

[0013] Optionally, when the number of candidate carriers is four, the carrier switching indication includes: a joint indication of the uplink / supplementary uplink UL / SUL and the physical uplink control channel resource indication PRI; wherein, the uplink / supplementary uplink UL / SUL indication is used to indicate the subset of candidate carriers in which the target carrier is located, and the physical uplink control channel resource indication PRI is used to indicate the target PUCCH time-frequency resource in the time-frequency resource set corresponding to the subset of candidate carriers.

[0014] Optionally, when there are four candidate carriers, the carrier switching indication includes: a joint indication of the carrier indication in the downlink control information (DCI) and the physical uplink control channel resource indication (PRI); wherein the carrier indication is used to indicate the carrier index of the target carrier, and the physical uplink control channel resource indication (PRI) is used to indicate the target PUCCH time-frequency resource in the time-frequency resource set corresponding to the target carrier.

[0015] Optionally, when the number of candidate carriers is four, the carrier switching indication includes: a joint indication of the Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request (HARQ) feedback time and the Physical Uplink Control Channel Resource Indication (PRI); wherein the HARQ feedback time indication is used to implicitly indicate the subset of candidate carriers in which the target carrier is located, and the PRI indicates the target PUCCH time-frequency resource in the time-frequency resource set corresponding to the subset of candidate carriers.

[0016] A second aspect of this application provides a carrier switching method, which is executed by a network device. The method includes: sending a carrier switching indication; wherein the carrier switching indication is used to instruct a terminal device to determine a target carrier of the physical uplink control channel from candidate carriers.

[0017] The carrier switching indication includes at least one of the following: an added field in the downlink control information (DCI); multiplexing the physical uplink control channel resource indication (PRI); multiplexing the hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) feedback time indication; multiplexing the uplink / supplementary uplink (UL / SUL) indication; and multiplexing the carrier indication field in the downlink control information (DCI).

[0018] Optionally, when there are two candidate carriers, the carrier switching indication includes an additional field in the downlink control information (DCI); wherein the additional field is at least 1 bit and is used to indicate carrier switching between the two candidate carriers.

[0019] Optionally, when there are two candidate carriers, the carrier switching indication includes: multiplexing the Physical Uplink Control Channel Resource Indication (PRI); wherein the multiplexing of the Physical Uplink Control Channel Resource Indication (PRI) is at least 1 bit, used to indicate carrier switching between the two candidate carriers.

[0020] Optionally, when there are two candidate carriers, the carrier switching indication includes: multiplexing the Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request (HARQ) feedback time indication; wherein the HARQ feedback time indication is used to implicitly indicate carrier switching between the two candidate carriers.

[0021] Optionally, when there are two candidate carriers, the carrier switching indication includes: multiplexing the uplink / supplementary uplink UL / SUL indication; wherein the uplink / supplementary uplink UL / SUL indication is used to indicate carrier switching between the two candidate carriers.

[0022] Optionally, when the number of candidate carriers is four, the carrier switching indication includes: multiplexing the Physical Uplink Control Channel Resource Indication (PRI); wherein, multiplexing the Physical Uplink Control Channel Resource Indication (PRI) includes first indication information and second indication information, the first indication information is used to indicate the candidate carrier subset where the target carrier is located or the carrier index of the target carrier, and the second indication information is used to indicate the PUCCH time-frequency resources available for the target carrier.

[0023] Optionally, when the number of candidate carriers is four, the carrier switching indication includes: multiplexing the Physical Uplink Control Channel Resource Indication (PRI); wherein the Physical Uplink Control Channel Resource Indication (PRI) includes third indication information, which is used to indicate the target carrier and the corresponding PUCCH time-frequency resources.

[0024] Optionally, when the number of candidate carriers is four, the carrier switching indication includes: a joint indication of the uplink / supplementary uplink UL / SUL and the physical uplink control channel resource indication PRI; wherein, the uplink / supplementary uplink UL / SUL indication is used to indicate the subset of candidate carriers in which the target carrier is located, and the physical uplink control channel resource indication PRI is used to indicate the target PUCCH time-frequency resource in the time-frequency resource set corresponding to the subset of candidate carriers.

[0025] Optionally, when there are four candidate carriers, the carrier switching indication includes: a joint indication of the carrier indication in the downlink control information (DCI) and the physical uplink control channel resource indication (PRI); wherein the carrier indication is used to indicate the carrier index of the target carrier, and the physical uplink control channel resource indication (PRI) is used to indicate the target PUCCH time-frequency resource in the time-frequency resource set corresponding to the target carrier.

[0026] Optionally, when the number of candidate carriers is four, the carrier switching indication includes: a joint indication of the Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request (HARQ) feedback time and the Physical Uplink Control Channel Resource Indication (PRI); wherein the HARQ feedback time indication is used to implicitly indicate the subset of candidate carriers in which the target carrier is located, and the PRI indicates the target PUCCH time-frequency resource in the time-frequency resource set corresponding to the subset of candidate carriers.

[0027] A third aspect of this application provides a carrier switching device, the device comprising:

[0028] The transceiver unit is used to receive a carrier switching instruction; the processing unit is used to determine the target carrier of the physical uplink control channel from the candidate carriers according to the carrier switching instruction.

[0029] The carrier switching indication includes at least one of the following: an added field in the downlink control information (DCI);

[0030] Multiplex the Physical Uplink Control Channel Resource Indicator (PRI); Multiplex the Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request (HARQ) Feedback Time Indicator;

[0031] Multiplex uplink / supplementary uplink UL / SUL indications; multiplex carrier indications in downlink control information (DCI).

[0032] Optionally, when there are two candidate carriers, the carrier switching indication includes an additional field in the downlink control information (DCI); wherein the additional field is at least 1 bit and is used to indicate carrier switching between the two candidate carriers.

[0033] Optionally, when there are two candidate carriers, the carrier switching indication includes: multiplexing the Physical Uplink Control Channel Resource Indication (PRI); wherein the multiplexing of the Physical Uplink Control Channel Resource Indication (PRI) is at least 1 bit, used to indicate carrier switching between the two candidate carriers.

[0034] Optionally, when there are two candidate carriers, the carrier switching indication includes: multiplexing the Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request (HARQ) feedback time indication; wherein the HARQ feedback time indication is used to implicitly indicate carrier switching between the two candidate carriers.

[0035] Optionally, when there are two candidate carriers, the carrier switching indication includes: multiplexing the uplink / supplementary uplink UL / SUL indication; wherein the uplink / supplementary uplink UL / SUL indication is used to indicate carrier switching between the two candidate carriers.

[0036] Optionally, when the number of candidate carriers is four, the carrier switching indication includes: multiplexing the Physical Uplink Control Channel Resource Indication (PRI); wherein, multiplexing the Physical Uplink Control Channel Resource Indication (PRI) includes first indication information and second indication information, the first indication information is used to indicate the candidate carrier subset where the target carrier is located or the carrier index of the target carrier, and the second indication information is used to indicate the PUCCH time-frequency resources available for the target carrier.

[0037] Optionally, when the number of candidate carriers is four, the carrier switching indication includes: multiplexing the Physical Uplink Control Channel Resource Indication (PRI); wherein the Physical Uplink Control Channel Resource Indication (PRI) includes third indication information, which is used to indicate the target carrier and the corresponding PUCCH time-frequency resources.

[0038] Optionally, when the number of candidate carriers is four, the carrier switching indication includes: a joint indication of the uplink / supplementary uplink UL / SUL and the physical uplink control channel resource indication PRI; wherein, the uplink / supplementary uplink UL / SUL indication is used to indicate the subset of candidate carriers in which the target carrier is located, and the physical uplink control channel resource indication PRI is used to indicate the target PUCCH time-frequency resource in the time-frequency resource set corresponding to the subset of candidate carriers.

[0039] Optionally, when there are four candidate carriers, the carrier switching indication includes: a joint indication of the carrier indication in the downlink control information (DCI) and the physical uplink control channel resource indication (PRI); wherein the carrier indication is used to indicate the carrier index of the target carrier, and the physical uplink control channel resource indication (PRI) is used to indicate the target PUCCH time-frequency resource in the time-frequency resource set corresponding to the target carrier.

[0040] Optionally, when the number of candidate carriers is four, the carrier switching indication includes: a joint indication of the Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request (HARQ) feedback time and the Physical Uplink Control Channel Resource Indication (PRI); wherein the HARQ feedback time indication is used to implicitly indicate the subset of candidate carriers in which the target carrier is located, and the PRI indicates the target PUCCH time-frequency resource in the time-frequency resource set corresponding to the subset of candidate carriers.

[0041] A fourth aspect of this application provides a carrier switching device, the device comprising:

[0042] A transceiver unit is used to transmit a carrier switching indication; wherein the carrier switching indication is used to instruct the terminal device to determine the target carrier of the physical uplink control channel from the candidate carriers;

[0043] The carrier switching indication includes at least one of the following: an added field in the downlink control information (DCI); multiplexing the physical uplink control channel resource indication (PRI); multiplexing the hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) feedback time indication; multiplexing the uplink / supplementary uplink (UL / SUL) indication; and multiplexing the carrier indication field in the downlink control information (DCI).

[0044] Optionally, when there are two candidate carriers, the carrier switching indication includes an additional field in the downlink control information (DCI); wherein the additional field is at least 1 bit and is used to indicate carrier switching between the two candidate carriers.

[0045] Optionally, when there are two candidate carriers, the carrier switching indication includes: multiplexing the Physical Uplink Control Channel Resource Indication (PRI); wherein the multiplexing of the Physical Uplink Control Channel Resource Indication (PRI) is at least 1 bit, used to indicate carrier switching between the two candidate carriers.

[0046] Optionally, when there are two candidate carriers, the carrier switching indication includes: multiplexing the Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request (HARQ) feedback time indication; wherein the HARQ feedback time indication is used to implicitly indicate carrier switching between the two candidate carriers.

[0047] Optionally, when there are two candidate carriers, the carrier switching indication includes: multiplexing the uplink / supplementary uplink UL / SUL indication; wherein the uplink / supplementary uplink UL / SUL indication is used to indicate carrier switching between the two candidate carriers.

[0048] Optionally, when the number of candidate carriers is four, the carrier switching indication includes: multiplexing the Physical Uplink Control Channel Resource Indication (PRI); wherein, multiplexing the Physical Uplink Control Channel Resource Indication (PRI) includes first indication information and second indication information, the first indication information is used to indicate the candidate carrier subset where the target carrier is located or the carrier index of the target carrier, and the second indication information is used to indicate the PUCCH time-frequency resources available for the target carrier.

[0049] Optionally, when the number of candidate carriers is four, the carrier switching indication includes: multiplexing the Physical Uplink Control Channel Resource Indication (PRI); wherein the Physical Uplink Control Channel Resource Indication (PRI) includes third indication information, which is used to indicate the target carrier and the corresponding PUCCH time-frequency resources.

[0050] Optionally, when the number of candidate carriers is four, the carrier switching indication includes: a joint indication of the uplink / supplementary uplink UL / SUL and the physical uplink control channel resource indication PRI; wherein, the uplink / supplementary uplink UL / SUL indication is used to indicate the subset of candidate carriers in which the target carrier is located, and the physical uplink control channel resource indication PRI is used to indicate the target PUCCH time-frequency resource in the time-frequency resource set corresponding to the subset of candidate carriers.

[0051] Optionally, when there are four candidate carriers, the carrier switching indication includes: a joint indication of the carrier indication in the downlink control information (DCI) and the physical uplink control channel resource indication (PRI); wherein the carrier indication is used to indicate the carrier index of the target carrier, and the physical uplink control channel resource indication (PRI) is used to indicate the target PUCCH time-frequency resource in the time-frequency resource set corresponding to the target carrier.

[0052] Optionally, when the number of candidate carriers is four, the carrier switching indication includes: a joint indication of the Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request (HARQ) feedback time and the Physical Uplink Control Channel Resource Indication (PRI); wherein the HARQ feedback time indication is used to implicitly indicate the subset of candidate carriers in which the target carrier is located, and the PRI indicates the target PUCCH time-frequency resource in the time-frequency resource set corresponding to the subset of candidate carriers.

[0053] A fifth aspect of this application provides a communication device, the device including 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 carrier switching method described in the first aspect of the embodiment above.

[0054] A sixth aspect of this application provides a communication device, the device including 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 carrier switching method described in the second aspect of the application above.

[0055] A seventh aspect of this application provides 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 carrier switching method described in the first aspect of the application.

[0056] An eighth aspect of this application provides 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 carrier switching method described in the second aspect of the application.

[0057] A ninth aspect of this application provides a computer-readable storage medium for storing instructions that, when executed, enable the carrier switching method described in the first aspect of this application.

[0058] A tenth aspect of this application provides a computer-readable storage medium for storing instructions that, when executed, enable the carrier switching method described in the second aspect of the application.

[0059] The eleventh aspect of this application provides a computer program that, when run on a computer, causes the computer to perform the carrier switching method described in the first aspect embodiment.

[0060] The twelfth aspect of this application provides a computer program that, when run on a computer, causes the computer to perform the carrier switching method described in the second aspect embodiment.

[0061] This application provides a carrier switching method and apparatus that, by receiving a carrier switching indication, determines a target carrier for the physical uplink control channel from candidate carriers based on the carrier switching indication. The carrier switching indication includes at least one of the following: an added field in the downlink control information (DCI), multiplexing the physical uplink control channel resource indication (PRI), multiplexing the hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) feedback time indication, multiplexing the uplink / supplementary uplink (UL / SUL) indication, and multiplexing the carrier indication in the downlink control information (DCI). This allows the terminal device to perform carrier switching according to the indication, ensuring the reliability and feedback efficiency of HARQ-ACK transmission, reducing interference, and improving load balancing.

[0062] Additional aspects and advantages of this application will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of this application. Attached Figure Description

[0063] 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.

[0064] Figure 1 This application provides a schematic diagram of the architecture of a communication system.

[0065] Figure 2 This is a flowchart illustrating a carrier switching method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0066] Figure 3 This is a flowchart illustrating a carrier switching method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0067] Figure 4 This is a flowchart illustrating a carrier switching method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0068] Figure 5 This is a flowchart illustrating a carrier switching method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0069] Figure 6 This is a flowchart illustrating a carrier switching method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0070] Figure 7 This is a flowchart illustrating a carrier switching method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0071] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a carrier switching device provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0072] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a carrier switching device provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0073] Figure 10 This is a schematic diagram of another carrier switching device provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0074] Figure 11 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a chip provided in an embodiment of this disclosure. Detailed Implementation

[0075] Exemplary embodiments will now be described in detail, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. When the following description relates to the drawings, unless otherwise indicated, the same numbers in different drawings represent the same or similar elements. The embodiments described in the following exemplary embodiments do not represent all embodiments consistent with those of this application. Rather, they are merely examples of apparatuses and methods consistent with some aspects of the embodiments of this application as detailed in the appended claims.

[0076] The terminology used in the embodiments of this application is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to limit the embodiments of this application. The singular forms “a” and “the” as used in the embodiments of this application and the appended claims are also intended to include the plural forms, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It should also be understood that the term “and / or” as used herein refers to and includes any or all possible combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0077] It should be understood that although the terms first, second, third, etc., may be used to describe various information in the embodiments of this application, such information should not be limited to these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish information of the same type from each other. For example, without departing from the scope of the embodiments of this application, first information may also be referred to as second information, and similarly, second information may also be referred to as first information. Depending on the context, the words "if" and "suppose" as used herein can be interpreted as "when," "when," or "in response to a determination."

[0078] Embodiments of this application 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 throughout. The embodiments described below with reference to the accompanying drawings are exemplary and intended to explain this application, and should not be construed as limiting this application.

[0079] To better understand the carrier switching method disclosed in the embodiments of this application, the communication system to which the embodiments of this application are applicable is described below.

[0080] Please see Figure 1 , Figure 1 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 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 application. In actual applications, it may include two or more network devices and two or more terminal devices. Figure 1 The communication system shown is exemplified by a network device 101 and a terminal device 102.

[0081] 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, fifth-generation mobile communication systems, 5G New Radio systems, or other future new mobile communication systems.

[0082] The network device 101 in this embodiment is a network-side entity used for transmitting or receiving signals. For example, the network device 101 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.

[0083] In this application embodiment, the terminal device 102 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, and so on. The embodiments of this application do not limit the specific technology or device form used in the terminal device.

[0084] Terminal device 102 can detect and correct errors in the received data, and send feedback information to network device 101 based on the detection results. If the data is received correctly, terminal device 102 sends HARQ-ACK (Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request Acknowledgement) to network device 101. After receiving the HARQ-ACK from terminal device 102, network device 101 will continue to send the next set of data.

[0085] In related technologies, network device 101 and terminal device 102 support PUCCH dynamic carrier switching, that is, when the PUCCH time-frequency resources of the primary cell are unavailable, HARQ-ACK can be sent through the carrier on the PUCCH time-frequency resources of the secondary cell.

[0086] In the embodiments of this application, by receiving a carrier switching indication, the target carrier of the physical uplink control channel is determined from the candidate carriers according to the carrier switching indication. The carrier switching indication includes at least one of the following: an added field in the downlink control information (DCI), multiplexing the physical uplink control channel resource indication (PRI), multiplexing the hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) feedback time indication, multiplexing the uplink / supplementary uplink (UL / SUL) indication, and multiplexing the carrier indication in the downlink control information (DCI). This allows the terminal device to perform carrier switching according to the indication, ensuring the reliability and feedback efficiency of HARQ-ACK transmission, reducing interference, and improving load balancing.

[0087] 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.

[0088] The carrier switching method and apparatus provided in this application will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0089] Please see Figure 2 , Figure 2 This is a flowchart illustrating a carrier switching method provided in an embodiment of this application. It should be noted that the carrier switching method in this embodiment is executed by a terminal device. Figure 2 As shown, the method may include the following steps:

[0090] Step 201: Receive carrier switching instruction.

[0091] The carrier switching indication includes at least one of the following: an additional field in the downlink control information (DCI), a multiplexed physical uplink control channel resource indication (PRI), a multiplexed hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) feedback time indication, a multiplexed uplink / supplementary uplink (UL / SUL) indication, and a multiplexed carrier indication in the downlink control information (DCI).

[0092] It should be noted that the PRI, HARQ feedback time indication, UL / SUL indication, and carrier indication are all existing fields in the Downlink Control Information (DCI) format, while the added field is a field added to the DCI as defined in this application embodiment.

[0093] The PRI field is 3 bits long, the UL / SUL indication and carrier indication fields are 1 bit long, and the HARQ feedback time indication value indicates how long it takes to send HARQ-ACK information after receiving PDSCH (Physical Downlink Shared Channel) data. This field is 3 bits long and takes the value {1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8}.

[0094] In this embodiment of the application, the terminal device can determine the target carrier from the candidate carriers based on at least one of the following: carrier switching indication, namely, the additional field in the downlink control information (DCI), the multiplexed physical uplink control channel resource indication (PRI), the multiplexed hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) feedback time indication, the multiplexed uplink / supplementary uplink (UL / SUL) indication, and the multiplexed carrier indication in the downlink control information (DCI).

[0095] In some embodiments, the carrier switching indication includes an additional field in the DCI.

[0096] In some embodiments, the carrier switching indication includes a Multiplexed Physical Uplink Control Channel Resource Indication (PRI).

[0097] In some embodiments, the carrier switching indication includes a multiplexed Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request (HARQ) feedback time indication.

[0098] In some embodiments, the carrier switching indication includes a multiplexed uplink / supplementary uplink UL / SUL indication.

[0099] In some embodiments, the carrier switching indication includes a combined indication of uplink / supplementary uplink UL / SUL and physical uplink control channel resource indication PRI.

[0100] In some embodiments, the carrier switching indication includes a combined indication of a Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request (HARQ) Feedback Time Indication and a Physical Uplink Control Channel Resource Indication (PRI).

[0101] In some embodiments, the carrier switching indication includes a joint indication of the carrier indication in the downlink control information (DCI) and the physical uplink control channel resource indication (PRI).

[0102] It should be noted that joint indication means that each indication information in the joint indication plays an indicative role in determining the target carrier.

[0103] Additionally, it should be noted that for multiplexing indication information, such as PRI, HARQ feedback time indication, UL / SUL indication, or carrier indication, multiplexing effectiveness indication information can also be set to indicate that the multiplexing is effective.

[0104] It is understood that the above carrier switching indication method is exemplary, and other indication or joint indication methods can be flexibly selected according to the candidate carrier and the resources available for the candidate carrier.

[0105] Step 202: Determine the target carrier of the physical uplink control channel from the candidate carriers according to the carrier switching indication.

[0106] Among them, the candidate carrier refers to the carrier on the PUCCH time-frequency resource that the terminal device can use to send HARQ-ACK, and the target carrier is determined according to the carrier switching indication and is ultimately used to send the PUCCH time-frequency resource of the HARQ-ACK.

[0107] Optionally, the number of candidate carriers can be two or four.

[0108] It should be noted that the candidate carriers include the original carriers, where the original carriers refer to the carriers on the PUCCH time-frequency resources that the terminal device originally intended to use to transmit the HARQ-ACK. The candidate carriers include the original carriers, and the target carrier can also be an original carrier.

[0109] Optionally, after determining the target carrier of the physical uplink control channel from the candidate carriers according to the carrier switching indication, the terminal device further includes: transmitting feedback information on the target carrier.

[0110] In summary, by receiving a carrier switching instruction and determining the target carrier of the physical uplink control channel from the candidate carriers according to the carrier switching instruction, the terminal device can perform carrier switching according to the instruction, which ensures the reliability and feedback efficiency of HARQ-ACK transmission, reduces interference, and improves load balancing.

[0111] Please see Figure 3 , Figure 3 This is a flowchart illustrating a carrier switching method provided in an embodiment of this application. It should be noted that the carrier switching method in this embodiment is executed by a terminal device. Figure 3 As shown, the method may include the following steps:

[0112] Step 301: Receive carrier switching instruction.

[0113] As a first possible implementation, the carrier switching indication includes an additional field in the downlink control information (DCI).

[0114] As a second possible implementation, the carrier switching indication includes a Multiplexed Physical Uplink Control Channel Resource Indication (PRI).

[0115] As a third possible implementation, the carrier switching indication includes a multiplexed Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request (HARQ) feedback time indication.

[0116] As a fourth possible implementation, the carrier switching indication includes a multiplexed uplink / supplementary uplink UL / SUL indication.

[0117] Step 302: Indicate a carrier switching between two candidate carriers according to the carrier switching indication.

[0118] As a first possible implementation, the carrier switching indication includes an additional field in the downlink control information (DCI).

[0119] Optionally, to save overhead, the additional field is set to 1 bit, which indicates the carrier switching between two candidate carriers. For example, setting the additional field to 0 indicates switching from the original carrier to another carrier, and setting it to 1 indicates no switching. Similarly, setting the additional field to 1 indicates switching from the original carrier to another carrier, and setting it to 0 indicates no switching.

[0120] Understandably, additional fields of other lengths can also be set. For example, a 2-bit additional field can be set. When the additional field is 00 or 11, it indicates switching from the original carrier to another carrier. When the additional field is 01 or 10, it indicates no switching, and so on.

[0121] As a second possible implementation, the carrier switching indication includes a Multiplexed Physical Uplink Control Channel Resource Indication (PRI).

[0122] Optionally, the Physical Uplink Control Channel Resource Indicator (PRI) is multiplexed to 1 bit, and this multiplexed 1-bit PRI indicates carrier handover between two candidate carriers. For example, the multiplexed 1-bit PRI can be set to the most significant bit of the 3 bits. Setting the most significant bit to 0 indicates handover from the original carrier to another carrier, and setting the most significant bit to 1 indicates no handover. Similarly, the most significant bit can be set to 1 to indicate handover from the original carrier to another carrier, and 0 to indicate no handover.

[0123] Understandably, the second most significant PRI or the least significant PRI can also be reused to indicate the handover between two candidate carriers.

[0124] Additionally, a 2-bit PRI can be multiplexed. When this additional field is 00 or 01, it indicates switching from the original carrier to another carrier. When this additional field is 10 or 11, it indicates no switching, and so on.

[0125] As a third possible implementation, the carrier switching indication includes a multiplexed Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request (HARQ) feedback time indication.

[0126] As mentioned earlier, the value of the Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request (HARQ) Feedback Time Indicator indicates the timeframe within which HARQ-ACK information should be sent after receiving data from the PDSCH. This field is 3 bits long and takes values ​​{1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8}. Therefore, using the Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request (HARQ) Feedback Time Indicator to indicate carrier switching is an implicit indication.

[0127] Optionally, the HARQ feedback time indicator can be reused as an even / odd indicator. For example, setting the HARQ feedback time indicator to an odd value indicates a switch from the original carrier to another carrier, and setting the HARQ feedback time indicator to an even value indicates no switch. Similarly, the HARQ feedback time indicator can be set to an even value to indicate a switch from the original carrier to another carrier, and an odd value to indicate no switch.

[0128] Optionally, the HARQ feedback time indicator can be set to a preset specific value. For example, setting the HARQ feedback time indicator to {1,2} indicates a switch from the original carrier to another carrier, while setting it to {3,4,5,6,7,8} indicates no switch. It is understood that this preset specific value can be changed according to the scenario and requirements, allowing for flexible configuration.

[0129] As a fourth possible implementation, the carrier switching indication includes a multiplexed uplink / supplementary uplink UL / SUL indication.

[0130] Optionally, setting the UL / SUL indicator to 0 indicates a switch from the original carrier to another carrier, and setting the UL / SUL indicator to 1 indicates no switch. Similarly, setting the UL / SUL indicator to 1 indicates a switch from the original carrier to another carrier, and setting the UL / SUL indicator to 0 indicates no switch.

[0131] It should be noted that, in the embodiments of this application, the PUCCH time-frequency resources available for the candidate carrier can be pre-set. When the carrier is switched according to the carrier switching instruction, the PUCCH time-frequency resources available for the target carrier are also determined.

[0132] Additionally, it should be noted that in the embodiments of this application, multiplexing activation indication information can also be set to indicate the activation of the multiplexing for the reused PRI, HARQ feedback time indication and UL / SUL indication.

[0133] In summary, by receiving carrier switching instructions and indicating carrier switching between two candidate carriers according to the instructions, the terminal device can switch carriers according to the instructions, which ensures the reliability and feedback efficiency of HARQ-ACK transmission, reduces interference, and improves load balancing.

[0134] Please see Figure 4 , Figure 4 This is a flowchart illustrating a carrier switching method provided in an embodiment of this application. It should be noted that the carrier switching method in this embodiment is executed by a terminal device. Figure 4 As shown, the method may include the following steps:

[0135] Step 401: Receive carrier switching instruction.

[0136] As a first possible implementation, the carrier switching indication includes an additional field in the downlink control information (DCI).

[0137] As a second possible implementation, the carrier handover indication includes a Multiplexed Physical Uplink Control Channel Resource Indication (PRI), wherein the Multiplexed Physical Uplink Control Channel Resource Indication (PRI) includes 1 bit of first indication information and 2 bits of second indication information.

[0138] As a third possible implementation, the carrier handover indication includes a Multiplexed Physical Uplink Control Channel Resource Indication (PRI), wherein the Multiplexed Physical Uplink Control Channel Resource Indication (PRI) includes 2 bits of first indication information and 1 bit of second indication information.

[0139] As a fourth possible implementation, the carrier handover indication includes a multiplexed physical uplink control channel resource indication (PRI), wherein the PRI includes third indication information.

[0140] As a fifth possible implementation, the carrier switching indication includes a joint indication of uplink / supplementary uplink UL / SUL and physical uplink control channel resource indication PRI.

[0141] As a sixth possible implementation, the carrier switching indication includes a joint indication of the carrier indication in the downlink control information (DCI) and the physical uplink control channel resource indication (PRI).

[0142] As a seventh possible implementation, the carrier switching indication includes a joint indication of the Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request (HARQ) feedback time and the Physical Uplink Control Channel Resource Indication (PRI).

[0143] Step 402: Determine the target carrier from four candidate carriers according to the carrier switching instruction.

[0144] As a first possible implementation, the carrier switching indication includes an additional field in the downlink control information (DCI).

[0145] Optionally, to save overhead, this additional field is 2 bits. Based on this 2-bit additional field, the carrier index of the target carrier is indicated, and the target carrier is determined from four candidate carriers. For example, setting the additional field to 00 indicates that the carrier index of the target carrier is 1, that is, the target carrier is CC1; setting the additional field to 01 indicates that the carrier index of the target carrier is 2, that is, the target carrier is CC2; setting the additional field to 10 indicates that the carrier index of the target carrier is 3, that is, the target carrier is CC3; and setting the additional field to 11 indicates that the carrier index of the target carrier is 4, that is, the target carrier is CC4.

[0146] Understandably, the length of this additional field can also be greater than 2 bits. Based on the indication of this additional field, the carrier index of the indicated target carrier can be determined.

[0147] As a second possible implementation, the carrier handover indication includes a Multiplexed Physical Uplink Control Channel Resource Indication (PRI), wherein the Multiplexed Physical Uplink Control Channel Resource Indication (PRI) includes 1 bit of first indication information and 2 bits of second indication information.

[0148] As mentioned earlier, the PRI field is 3 bits long.

[0149] Optionally, the first indication information is the most significant bit of the 3 bits, and the second indication information is the second most significant bit and the least significant bit of the 3 bits.

[0150] Understandably, the first indication information can also be set to the least significant bit of the 3 bits, and the second indication information can be set to the most significant bit and the second most significant bit of the 3 bits.

[0151] The first indication information indicates the candidate carrier subset in which the target carrier is located, and the second indication information indicates the available PUCCH time-frequency resources for the target carrier. The candidate carrier subset is formed by dividing the four carriers into two candidate carrier subsets, with each subset containing two candidate carriers.

[0152] Furthermore, the second indication information indicates the resource index of the PUCCH time-frequency resource.

[0153] For example, the first subset contains two candidate carriers with carrier indices 1 and 2, set1 = {CC1, CC2}, and the second subset contains two candidate carriers with carrier indices 3 and 4, set2 = {CC3, CC4}. Each subset of candidate carriers has a maximum of four available PUCCH time-frequency resources for the two candidate carriers. For instance, the available PUCCH time-frequency resources for the candidate carriers in the first subset could be set as {CC1 PUCCH resource0, CC2 PUCCH resource1, CC2 PUCCH resource2, CC2 PUCCH resource3}, where PUCCH resource represents the PUCCH time-frequency resource, and the numbers 0, 1, 2, and 3 after resource are resource indices. The first indication information can be set to 0 to indicate that the candidate carrier subset containing the target carrier is the first subset set1, and to 1 to indicate that the candidate carrier subset containing the target carrier is the second subset set2. Similarly, the first indication information can be set to 1 to indicate that the candidate carrier subset containing the target carrier is the first subset set1, and to 0 to indicate that the candidate carrier subset containing the target carrier is the second subset set2. Setting the second indication information to 00 indicates that the resource index is 0, which is PUCCH resource0 on the target carrier CC1; setting it to 01 indicates that the resource index is 1, which is PUCCH resource1 on the target carrier CC2; setting it to 10 indicates that the resource index is 2, which is PUCCH resource2 on the target carrier CC2; and setting it to 11 indicates that the resource index is 3, which is PUCCH resource3 on the target carrier CC2.

[0154] It should be noted that the available PUCCH time-frequency resources for each candidate carrier in each candidate carrier subset can be pre-set. With a maximum of no more than 4 available PUCCH time-frequency resources for the two candidate carriers in each candidate carrier subset, the available time-frequency resources for the candidate carriers can be flexibly adjusted and configured according to the scenario and requirements.

[0155] As a third possible implementation, the carrier handover indication includes a Multiplexed Physical Uplink Control Channel Resource Indication (PRI), wherein the Multiplexed Physical Uplink Control Channel Resource Indication (PRI) includes 2 bits of first indication information and 1 bit of second indication information.

[0156] Optionally, the first indication information is the most significant and second most significant bits of the 3 bits, and the second indication information is the least significant bit of the 3 bits.

[0157] It is understandable that the first indication information can also be set to the second highest and lowest bits of the 3 bits, and the second indication information can be set to the highest bit of the 3 bits.

[0158] The first indication information is used to indicate the carrier index of the target carrier, and the second indication information is used to indicate the available PUCCH time-frequency resources for the target carrier.

[0159] It should be noted that each candidate carrier has a maximum of two available PUCCH time-frequency resources.

[0160] For example, setting the first indication information to 00 indicates that the carrier index of the target carrier is 1, which is CC1; setting it to 01 indicates that the carrier index is 2, which is CC2; setting it to 10 indicates that the carrier index is 3, which is CC3; and setting it to 11 indicates that the carrier index is 4, which is CC4. Setting the second indication information to 0 indicates that the available time-frequency resource for the target carrier is PUCCH resource0; setting it to 1 indicates that the available time-frequency resource is PUCCH resource1. It can be understood that the PUCCH resource0 corresponding to different carriers can be the same or different.

[0161] It should be noted that the available PUCCH time and frequency resources for each candidate carrier can be pre-set. With a maximum of no more than two available PUCCH time and frequency resources for each candidate carrier, the available time and frequency resources for the candidate carrier can be flexibly adjusted and configured according to the scenario and requirements.

[0162] As a fourth possible implementation, the carrier handover indication includes a multiplexed physical uplink control channel resource indication (PRI), wherein the PRI includes third indication information.

[0163] Optionally, the third indication information is 3 bits.

[0164] The third indication information is used to indicate the target carrier and the corresponding PUCCH time-frequency resources.

[0165] It should be noted that the four candidate carriers have a maximum of eight available PUCCH time-frequency resources. The four candidate carriers and the available PUCCH time-frequency resources can form a new carrier-resource set, such as {CC1resource0, CC2 resource1, CC2resource2, CC2 resource3, CC3 resource4, CC3resource5, CC3 resources6, CC4 resource7}.

[0166] The third indication information is used to indicate the target carrier and the corresponding PUCCH time-frequency resource. For example, when the third indication information is set to 000, the target carrier is indicated as CC1 and the corresponding PUCCH time-frequency resource is resource0; when the third indication information is set to 001, the target carrier is indicated as CC2 and the corresponding PUCCH time-frequency resource is resource1; when the third indication information is set to 010, the target carrier is indicated as CC2 and the corresponding PUCCH time-frequency resource is resource2; when the third indication information is set to 011, the target carrier is indicated as CC2 and the corresponding PUCCH time-frequency resource is resource3; when the third indication information is set to 100, the target carrier is indicated as CC3 and the corresponding PUCCH time-frequency resource is resource4; when the third indication information is set to 101, the target carrier is indicated as CC3 and the corresponding PUCCH time-frequency resource is resource5; when the third indication information is set to 110, the target carrier is indicated as CC3 and the corresponding PUCCH time-frequency resource is resource6; and when the third indication information is set to 111, the target carrier is indicated as CC4 and the corresponding PUCCH time-frequency resource is resource7.

[0167] It should be noted that the candidate carriers and available PUCCH time-frequency resources can be pre-set. With a maximum of no more than 8 available PUCCH time-frequency resources for the four candidate carriers, the available time-frequency resources of the candidate carriers can be flexibly adjusted and configured according to the scenario and requirements.

[0168] As a fifth possible implementation, the carrier switching indication includes a joint indication of uplink / supplementary uplink UL / SUL and physical uplink control channel resource indication PRI.

[0169] Among them, the uplink / supplementary uplink UL / SUL indication is used to indicate the candidate carrier subset in which the target carrier is located, and the physical uplink control channel resource indication PRI is used to indicate the target PUCCH time-frequency resource in the time-frequency resource set corresponding to the candidate carrier subset.

[0170] The candidate carrier subset is formed by dividing the four carriers into two candidate carrier subsets, with each subset containing two candidate carriers.

[0171] It should be noted that each candidate carrier subset contains no more than 8 PUCCH time-frequency resources in its corresponding time-frequency resource set.

[0172] For example, the first subset contains two candidate carriers with carrier indices 1 and 2, set1 = {CC1, CC2}, and the second subset contains two candidate carriers with carrier indices 3 and 4, set2 = {CC3, CC4}. Each candidate carrier subset contains a maximum of eight PUCCH time-frequency resources. For instance, the available PUCCH time-frequency resources for the candidate carriers in the first subset could be set as {CC1 resource0, CC1 resource1, CC2 resource2, CC2 resource3, CC2 resource4, CC2 resource5, CC2 resources6, CC2 resource7}. The UL / SUL indicator can be set to 0 to indicate that the candidate carrier subset containing the target carrier is the first subset set1, and UL / SUL to 1 to indicate that the candidate carrier subset containing the target carrier is the second subset set2. Similarly, the UL / SUL indicator can be set to 1 to indicate that the candidate carrier subset containing the target carrier is the first subset set1, and UL / SUL to 0 to indicate that the candidate carrier subset containing the target carrier is the second subset set2. When PRI is set to 000, the target PUCCH time-frequency resource is indicated as resource0; when PRI is set to 001, the target time-frequency resource is indicated as resource1; when PRI is set to 010, the target PUCCH time-frequency resource is indicated as resource2; when PRI is set to 011, the target PUCCH time-frequency resource is indicated as resource3; when PRI is set to 100, the target PUCCH time-frequency resource is indicated as resource4; when PRI is set to 101, the target PUCCH time-frequency resource is indicated as resource5; when PRI is set to 110, the target PUCCH time-frequency resource is indicated as resource6; and when PRI is set to 111, the target PUCCH time-frequency resource is indicated as resource7.

[0173] It should be noted that the available PUCCH time-frequency resources for each candidate carrier in each candidate carrier subset can be pre-set. With a maximum of no more than 8 available PUCCH time-frequency resources for the two candidate carriers in each candidate carrier subset, the available time-frequency resources for the candidate carriers can be flexibly adjusted and configured according to the scenario and requirements.

[0174] As a sixth possible implementation, the carrier switching indication includes a joint indication of the carrier indication in the downlink control information (DCI) and the physical uplink control channel resource indication (PRI).

[0175] Among them, the carrier indicator is used to indicate the carrier index of the target carrier, and the physical uplink control channel resource indicator (PRI) is used to indicate the target PUCCH time-frequency resource in the time-frequency resource set corresponding to the target carrier.

[0176] It should be noted that the time-frequency resource set corresponding to the target carrier contains no more than 8 PUCCH time-frequency resources.

[0177] For example, when the carrier indicator is set to 00, it means that the carrier index of the target carrier is 1, that is, the target carrier is CC1. When the carrier indicator is set to 01, it means that the carrier index of the target carrier is 2, that is, the target carrier is CC2. When the carrier indicator is set to 10, it means that the carrier index of the target carrier is 3, that is, the target carrier is CC3. When the carrier indicator is set to 11, it means that the carrier index of the target carrier is 4, that is, the target carrier is CC4. When PRI is set to 000, the target PUCCH time-frequency resource is indicated as resource0; when PRI is set to 001, the target time-frequency resource is indicated as resource1; when PRI is set to 010, the target PUCCH time-frequency resource is indicated as resource2; when PRI is set to 011, the target PUCCH time-frequency resource is indicated as resource3; when PRI is set to 100, the target PUCCH time-frequency resource is indicated as resource4; when PRI is set to 101, the target PUCCH time-frequency resource is indicated as resource5; when PRI is set to 110, the target PUCCH time-frequency resource is indicated as resource6; and when PRI is set to 111, the target PUCCH time-frequency resource is indicated as resource7.

[0178] It should be noted that the available PUCCH time and frequency resources for each candidate carrier can be pre-set. With a maximum of 8 available PUCCH time and frequency resources for each candidate carrier, the available time and frequency resources for the candidate carrier can be flexibly adjusted and configured according to the scenario and requirements.

[0179] As a seventh possible implementation, the carrier switching indication includes a joint indication of the Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request (HARQ) feedback time and the Physical Uplink Control Channel Resource Indication (PRI).

[0180] Among them, the Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request (HARQ) feedback time indication is used to implicitly indicate the candidate carrier subset in which the target carrier is located, and the Physical Uplink Control Channel Resource Indication (PRI) is used to indicate the target PUCCH time-frequency resource in the time-frequency resource set corresponding to the candidate carrier subset.

[0181] The candidate carrier subset is formed by dividing the four carriers into two candidate carrier subsets, with each subset containing two candidate carriers. For example, the first subset contains two candidate carriers with carrier indices 1 and 2, set1 = {CC1, CC2}, and the second subset contains two candidate carriers with carrier indices 3 and 4, set2 = {CC3, CC4}.

[0182] Optionally, the HARQ feedback time indicator can be reused as an even / odd indicator. For example, setting the HARQ feedback time indicator to an odd value indicates that the subset of candidate carriers containing the target carrier is the first subset set1, and setting the HARQ feedback time indicator to an even value indicates that the subset of candidate carriers containing the target carrier is the second subset set2. Similarly, the HARQ feedback time indicator can be set to an even value to indicate that the subset of candidate carriers containing the target carrier is the first subset set1, and setting the HARQ feedback time indicator to an odd value to indicate that the subset of candidate carriers containing the target carrier is the second subset set2.

[0183] Optionally, the HARQ feedback time indicator can be reused as a preset specific value. For example, setting the HARQ feedback time indicator to {1,2} indicates that the candidate carrier subset containing the target carrier is the first subset set1, and setting the HARQ feedback time indicator to {3,4,5,6,7,8} indicates that the candidate carrier subset containing the target carrier is the second subset set2. It is understood that this preset specific value can be flexibly configured according to the scenario and requirements.

[0184] It should be noted that each candidate carrier subset contains no more than 8 PUCCH time-frequency resources in its corresponding time-frequency resource set. For example, the available PUCCH time-frequency resources for the candidate carriers in the first subset are set as {CC1 resource0, CC1resource1, CC2 resource2, CC2 resource3, CC2 resource4, CC2 resource5, CC2resources6, CC2 resource7}.

[0185] For example, setting PRI to 000 indicates that the target PUCCH time-frequency resource is resource0; setting PRI to 001 indicates that the target time-frequency resource is resource1; setting PRI to 010 indicates that the target PUCCH time-frequency resource is resource2; setting PRI to 011 indicates that the target PUCCH time-frequency resource is resource3; setting PRI to 100 indicates that the target PUCCH time-frequency resource is resource4; setting PRI to 101 indicates that the target PUCCH time-frequency resource is resource5; setting PRI to 110 indicates that the target PUCCH time-frequency resource is resource6; and setting PRI to 111 indicates that the target PUCCH time-frequency resource is resource7.

[0186] It should be noted that the available PUCCH time and frequency resources for each candidate carrier can be pre-set. With a maximum of 8 available PUCCH time and frequency resources for each candidate carrier, the available time and frequency resources for the candidate carrier can be flexibly adjusted and configured according to the scenario and requirements.

[0187] It is understood that, in the embodiments of this application, the granularity of the PUCCH time-frequency resources can also be flexibly adjusted and configured according to the scenario and needs.

[0188] Additionally, it should be noted that in the embodiments of this application, multiplexing activation indication information indicating the activation of the multiplexing can also be set for the multiplexed PRI, HARQ feedback time indication, UL / SUL indication and carrier indication.

[0189] In summary, by receiving carrier switching instructions and determining the target carrier from four candidate carriers based on these instructions, the terminal device can perform carrier switching according to the instructions, ensuring the reliability and feedback efficiency of HARQ-ACK transmission, reducing interference, and improving load balancing.

[0190] Please see Figure 5 , Figure 5 This is a flowchart illustrating a carrier switching method provided in an embodiment of this application. It should be noted that the carrier switching method in this embodiment is executed by a network device. Figure 5 As shown, the method may include the following steps:

[0191] Step 501: Send a carrier switching indication, wherein the carrier switching indication is used to instruct the terminal device to determine the target carrier of the physical uplink control channel from the candidate carriers.

[0192] The carrier switching indication includes at least one of the following: an added field in the downlink control information (DCI); multiplexing the physical uplink control channel resource indication (PRI); multiplexing the hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) feedback time indication; multiplexing the uplink / supplementary uplink (UL / SUL) indication; and multiplexing the carrier indication field in the downlink control information (DCI).

[0193] It should be noted that the PRI, HARQ feedback time indication, UL / SUL indication, and carrier indication are all existing fields in the Downlink Control Information (DCI) format, while the added field is a field added to the DCI as defined in this application embodiment.

[0194] The PRI field is 3 bits long, the UL / SUL indication and carrier indication fields are 1 bit long, and the HARQ feedback time indication value indicates how long it takes to send HARQ-ACK information after receiving PDSCH (Physical Downlink Shared Channel) data. This field is 3 bits long and takes the value {1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8}.

[0195] In this embodiment of the application, the terminal device can determine the target carrier from the candidate carriers based on at least one of the following: carrier switching indication, namely, the additional field in the downlink control information (DCI), the multiplexed physical uplink control channel resource indication (PRI), the multiplexed hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) feedback time indication, the multiplexed uplink / supplementary uplink (UL / SUL) indication, and the multiplexed carrier indication in the downlink control information (DCI).

[0196] In some embodiments, the carrier switching indication includes an additional field in the DCI.

[0197] In some embodiments, the carrier switching indication includes a Multiplexed Physical Uplink Control Channel Resource Indication (PRI).

[0198] In some embodiments, the carrier switching indication includes a multiplexed Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request (HARQ) feedback time indication.

[0199] In some embodiments, the carrier switching indication includes a multiplexed uplink / supplementary uplink UL / SUL indication.

[0200] In some embodiments, the carrier switching indication includes a combined indication of uplink / supplementary uplink UL / SUL and physical uplink control channel resource indication PRI.

[0201] In some embodiments, the carrier switching indication includes a combined indication of a Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request (HARQ) Feedback Time Indication and a Physical Uplink Control Channel Resource Indication (PRI).

[0202] In some embodiments, the carrier switching indication includes a joint indication of the carrier indication in the downlink control information (DCI) and the physical uplink control channel resource indication (PRI).

[0203] It should be noted that joint indication means that each indication information in the joint indication plays an indicative role in determining the target carrier.

[0204] Additionally, it should be noted that for multiplexing indication information, such as PRI, HARQ feedback time indication, UL / SUL indication, or carrier indication, multiplexing effectiveness indication information can also be sent to indicate that the multiplexing is effective.

[0205] It is understood that the above carrier switching indication method is exemplary, and other indication or joint indication methods can be flexibly selected according to the candidate carrier and the resources available for the candidate carrier.

[0206] Among them, the candidate carrier refers to the carrier on the PUCCH time-frequency resource that the terminal device can use to send HARQ-ACK, and the target carrier is determined according to the carrier switching indication and is ultimately used to send the PUCCH time-frequency resource of the HARQ-ACK.

[0207] Optionally, the number of candidate carriers can be two or four.

[0208] It should be noted that the candidate carriers include the original carriers, where the original carriers refer to the carriers on the PUCCH time-frequency resources that the terminal device originally intended to use to transmit the HARQ-ACK. The candidate carriers include the original carriers, and the target carrier can also be an original carrier.

[0209] Optionally, after determining the target carrier of the physical uplink control channel from the candidate carriers according to the carrier switching indication, the terminal device further includes: transmitting feedback information on the target carrier.

[0210] In summary, by sending a carrier switching indication, which instructs the terminal device to determine the target carrier of the physical uplink control channel from the candidate carriers, the terminal device can perform carrier switching according to the indication, thereby ensuring the reliability and feedback efficiency of HARQ-ACK transmission, reducing interference, and improving load balancing.

[0211] Please see Figure 6 , Figure 6 This is a flowchart illustrating a carrier switching method provided in an embodiment of this application. It should be noted that the carrier switching method in this embodiment is executed by a network device. Figure 6 As shown, the method may include the following steps:

[0212] Step 601: Send a carrier switching indication, wherein the carrier switching indication is used to instruct the terminal device to switch carriers between two candidate carriers.

[0213] As a first possible implementation, the carrier switching indication includes an additional field in the downlink control information (DCI).

[0214] Optionally, to save overhead, the additional field is set to 1 bit, which indicates the carrier switching between two candidate carriers. For example, setting the additional field to 0 indicates switching from the original carrier to another carrier, and setting it to 1 indicates no switching. Similarly, setting the additional field to 1 indicates switching from the original carrier to another carrier, and setting it to 0 indicates no switching.

[0215] Understandably, additional fields of other lengths can also be set. For example, a 2-bit additional field can be set. When the additional field is 00 or 11, it indicates switching from the original carrier to another carrier. When the additional field is 01 or 10, it indicates no switching, and so on.

[0216] As a second possible implementation, the carrier switching indication includes a Multiplexed Physical Uplink Control Channel Resource Indication (PRI).

[0217] Optionally, the Physical Uplink Control Channel Resource Indicator (PRI) is multiplexed to 1 bit, and this multiplexed 1-bit PRI indicates carrier handover between two candidate carriers. For example, the multiplexed 1-bit PRI can be set to the most significant bit of the 3 bits. Setting the most significant bit to 0 indicates handover from the original carrier to another carrier, and setting the most significant bit to 1 indicates no handover. Similarly, the most significant bit can be set to 1 to indicate handover from the original carrier to another carrier, and 0 to indicate no handover.

[0218] Understandably, the second most significant PRI or the least significant PRI can also be reused to indicate the handover between two candidate carriers.

[0219] Additionally, a 2-bit PRI can be multiplexed. When this additional field is 00 or 01, it indicates switching from the original carrier to another carrier. When this additional field is 10 or 11, it indicates no switching, and so on.

[0220] As a third possible implementation, the carrier switching indication includes a multiplexed Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request (HARQ) feedback time indication.

[0221] As mentioned earlier, the value of the Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request (HARQ) Feedback Time Indicator indicates the timeframe within which HARQ-ACK information should be sent after receiving data from the PDSCH. This field is 3 bits long and takes values ​​{1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8}. Therefore, using the Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request (HARQ) Feedback Time Indicator to indicate carrier switching is an implicit indication.

[0222] Optionally, the HARQ feedback time indicator can be reused as an even / odd indicator. For example, setting the HARQ feedback time indicator to an odd value indicates a switch from the original carrier to another carrier, and setting the HARQ feedback time indicator to an even value indicates no switch. Similarly, the HARQ feedback time indicator can be set to an even value to indicate a switch from the original carrier to another carrier, and an odd value to indicate no switch.

[0223] Optionally, the HARQ feedback time indicator can be set to a preset specific value. For example, setting the HARQ feedback time indicator to {1,2} indicates a switch from the original carrier to another carrier, while setting it to {3,4,5,6,7,8} indicates no switch. It is understood that this preset specific value can be changed according to the scenario and requirements, allowing for flexible configuration.

[0224] As a fourth possible implementation, the carrier switching indication includes a multiplexed uplink / supplementary uplink UL / SUL indication.

[0225] Optionally, setting the UL / SUL indicator to 0 indicates a switch from the original carrier to another carrier, and setting the UL / SUL indicator to 1 indicates no switch. Similarly, setting the UL / SUL indicator to 1 indicates a switch from the original carrier to another carrier, and setting the UL / SUL indicator to 0 indicates no switch.

[0226] It should be noted that, in the embodiments of this application, the PUCCH time-frequency resources available for the candidate carrier can be pre-set. When the carrier is switched according to the carrier switching instruction, the PUCCH time-frequency resources available for the target carrier are also determined.

[0227] Additionally, it should be noted that in the embodiments of this application, for the reused PRI, HARQ feedback time indication and UL / SUL indication, a reuse effectiveness indication message indicating that the reuse is effective can also be sent.

[0228] In summary, by sending a carrier switching indication, which instructs the terminal device to switch between two candidate carriers, the terminal device can perform carrier switching according to the indication, ensuring the reliability and feedback efficiency of HARQ-ACK transmission, reducing interference, and improving load balancing.

[0229] Please see Figure 7 , Figure 7 This is a flowchart illustrating a carrier switching method provided in an embodiment of this application. It should be noted that the carrier switching method in this embodiment is executed by a network device. Figure 7 As shown, the method may include the following steps:

[0230] Step 701: Send a carrier switching instruction, wherein the carrier switching instruction is used to instruct the terminal device to determine the target carrier from four candidate carriers.

[0231] As a first possible implementation, the carrier switching indication includes an additional field in the downlink control information (DCI).

[0232] Optionally, to save overhead, this additional field is 2 bits. Based on this 2-bit additional field, the carrier index of the target carrier is indicated, and the target carrier is determined from four candidate carriers. For example, setting the additional field to 00 indicates that the carrier index of the target carrier is 1, that is, the target carrier is CC1; setting the additional field to 01 indicates that the carrier index of the target carrier is 2, that is, the target carrier is CC2; setting the additional field to 10 indicates that the carrier index of the target carrier is 3, that is, the target carrier is CC3; and setting the additional field to 11 indicates that the carrier index of the target carrier is 4, that is, the target carrier is CC4.

[0233] Understandably, the length of this additional field can also be greater than 2 bits. Based on the indication of this additional field, the carrier index of the indicated target carrier can be determined.

[0234] As a second possible implementation, the carrier handover indication includes a Multiplexed Physical Uplink Control Channel Resource Indication (PRI), wherein the Multiplexed Physical Uplink Control Channel Resource Indication (PRI) includes 1 bit of first indication information and 2 bits of second indication information.

[0235] As mentioned earlier, the PRI field is 3 bits long.

[0236] Optionally, the first indication information is the most significant bit of the 3 bits, and the second indication information is the second most significant bit and the least significant bit of the 3 bits.

[0237] Understandably, the first indication information can also be set to the least significant bit of the 3 bits, and the second indication information can be set to the most significant bit and the second most significant bit of the 3 bits.

[0238] The first indication information indicates the candidate carrier subset in which the target carrier is located, and the second indication information indicates the available PUCCH time-frequency resources for the target carrier. The candidate carrier subset is formed by dividing the four carriers into two candidate carrier subsets, with each subset containing two candidate carriers.

[0239] Furthermore, the second indication information indicates the resource index of the PUCCH time-frequency resource.

[0240] For example, the first subset contains two candidate carriers with carrier indices 1 and 2, set1 = {CC1, CC2}, and the second subset contains two candidate carriers with carrier indices 3 and 4, set2 = {CC3, CC4}. Each subset of candidate carriers has a maximum of four available PUCCH time-frequency resources for the two candidate carriers. For instance, the available PUCCH time-frequency resources for the candidate carriers in the first subset could be set as {CC1 PUCCH resource0, CC2 PUCCH resource1, CC2 PUCCH resource2, CC2 PUCCH resource3}, where PUCCH resource represents the PUCCH time-frequency resource, and the numbers 0, 1, 2, and 3 after resource are resource indices. The first indication information can be set to 0 to indicate that the candidate carrier subset containing the target carrier is the first subset set1, and to 1 to indicate that the candidate carrier subset containing the target carrier is the second subset set2. Similarly, the first indication information can be set to 1 to indicate that the candidate carrier subset containing the target carrier is the first subset set1, and to 0 to indicate that the candidate carrier subset containing the target carrier is the second subset set2. Setting the second indication information to 00 indicates that the resource index is 0, which is PUCCH resource0 on the target carrier CC1; setting the second indication information to 01 indicates that the resource index is 1, which is PUCCH resource1 on the target carrier CC2; setting the second indication information to 10 indicates that the resource index is 2, which is PUCCH resource2 on the target carrier CC3; and setting the second indication information to 11 indicates that the resource index is 3, which is PUCCH resource3 on the target carrier CC4.

[0241] It should be noted that the available PUCCH time-frequency resources for each candidate carrier in each candidate carrier subset can be pre-set. With a maximum of no more than 4 available PUCCH time-frequency resources for the two candidate carriers in each candidate carrier subset, the available time-frequency resources for the candidate carriers can be flexibly adjusted and configured according to the scenario and requirements.

[0242] As a third possible implementation, the carrier handover indication includes a Multiplexed Physical Uplink Control Channel Resource Indication (PRI), wherein the Multiplexed Physical Uplink Control Channel Resource Indication (PRI) includes 2 bits of first indication information and 1 bit of second indication information.

[0243] Optionally, the first indication information is the most significant and second most significant bits of the 3 bits, and the second indication information is the least significant bit of the 3 bits.

[0244] It is understandable that the first indication information can also be set to the second highest and lowest bits of the 3 bits, and the second indication information can be set to the highest bit of the 3 bits.

[0245] The first indication information is used to indicate the carrier index of the target carrier, and the second indication information is used to indicate the available PUCCH time-frequency resources for the target carrier.

[0246] It should be noted that each candidate carrier has a maximum of two available PUCCH time-frequency resources.

[0247] For example, setting the first indication information to 00 indicates that the carrier index of the target carrier is 1, which is CC1; setting it to 01 indicates that the carrier index is 2, which is CC2; setting it to 10 indicates that the carrier index is 3, which is CC3; and setting it to 11 indicates that the carrier index is 4, which is CC4. Setting the second indication information to 0 indicates that the available time-frequency resource for the target carrier is PUCCH resource0; setting it to 1 indicates that the available time-frequency resource is PUCCH resource1. It can be understood that the PUCCH resource0 corresponding to different carriers can be the same or different.

[0248] It should be noted that the available PUCCH time and frequency resources for each candidate carrier can be pre-set. With a maximum of no more than two available PUCCH time and frequency resources for each candidate carrier, the available time and frequency resources for the candidate carrier can be flexibly adjusted and configured according to the scenario and requirements.

[0249] As a fourth possible implementation, the carrier handover indication includes a multiplexed physical uplink control channel resource indication (PRI), wherein the PRI includes third indication information.

[0250] Optionally, the third indication information is 3 bits.

[0251] The third indication information is used to indicate the target carrier and the corresponding PUCCH time-frequency resources.

[0252] It should be noted that the four candidate carriers have a maximum of eight available PUCCH time-frequency resources. The four candidate carriers and the available PUCCH time-frequency resources can form a new carrier-resource set, such as {CC1resource0, CC2 resource1, CC2resource2, CC2 resource3, CC3 resource4, CC3resource5, CC3 resources6, CC4 resource7}.

[0253] The third indication information is used to indicate the target carrier and the corresponding PUCCH time-frequency resource. For example, when the third indication information is set to 000, the target carrier is indicated as CC1 and the corresponding PUCCH time-frequency resource is resource0; when the third indication information is set to 001, the target carrier is indicated as CC2 and the corresponding PUCCH time-frequency resource is resource1; when the third indication information is set to 010, the target carrier is indicated as CC2 and the corresponding PUCCH time-frequency resource is resource2; when the third indication information is set to 011, the target carrier is indicated as CC2 and the corresponding PUCCH time-frequency resource is resource3; when the third indication information is set to 100, the target carrier is indicated as CC3 and the corresponding PUCCH time-frequency resource is resource4; when the third indication information is set to 101, the target carrier is indicated as CC3 and the corresponding PUCCH time-frequency resource is resource5; when the third indication information is set to 110, the target carrier is indicated as CC3 and the corresponding PUCCH time-frequency resource is resource6; and when the third indication information is set to 111, the target carrier is indicated as CC4 and the corresponding PUCCH time-frequency resource is resource7.

[0254] It should be noted that the candidate carriers and available PUCCH time-frequency resources can be pre-set. With a maximum of no more than 8 available PUCCH time-frequency resources for the four candidate carriers, the available time-frequency resources of the candidate carriers can be flexibly adjusted and configured according to the scenario and requirements.

[0255] As a fifth possible implementation, the carrier switching indication includes a joint indication of uplink / supplementary uplink UL / SUL and physical uplink control channel resource indication PRI.

[0256] Among them, the uplink / supplementary uplink UL / SUL indication is used to indicate the candidate carrier subset in which the target carrier is located, and the physical uplink control channel resource indication PRI is used to indicate the target PUCCH time-frequency resource in the time-frequency resource set corresponding to the candidate carrier subset.

[0257] The candidate carrier subset is formed by dividing the four carriers into two candidate carrier subsets, with each subset containing two candidate carriers.

[0258] It should be noted that each candidate carrier subset contains no more than 8 PUCCH time-frequency resources in its corresponding time-frequency resource set.

[0259] For example, the first subset contains two candidate carriers with carrier indices 1 and 2, set1 = {CC1, CC2}, and the second subset contains two candidate carriers with carrier indices 3 and 4, set2 = {CC3, CC4}. Each candidate carrier subset contains a maximum of eight PUCCH time-frequency resources. For instance, the available PUCCH time-frequency resources for the candidate carriers in the first subset could be set as {CC1 resource0, CC1 resource1, CC2 resource2, CC2 resource3, CC2 resource4, CC2 resource5, CC2 resources6, CC2 resource7}. The UL / SUL indicator can be set to 0 to indicate that the candidate carrier subset containing the target carrier is the first subset set1, and UL / SUL to 1 to indicate that the candidate carrier subset containing the target carrier is the second subset set2. Similarly, the UL / SUL indicator can be set to 1 to indicate that the candidate carrier subset containing the target carrier is the first subset set1, and UL / SUL to 0 to indicate that the candidate carrier subset containing the target carrier is the second subset set2. When PRI is set to 000, the target PUCCH time-frequency resource is indicated as resource0; when PRI is set to 001, the target time-frequency resource is indicated as resource1; when PRI is set to 010, the target PUCCH time-frequency resource is indicated as resource2; when PRI is set to 011, the target PUCCH time-frequency resource is indicated as resource3; when PRI is set to 100, the target PUCCH time-frequency resource is indicated as resource4; when PRI is set to 101, the target PUCCH time-frequency resource is indicated as resource5; when PRI is set to 110, the target PUCCH time-frequency resource is indicated as resource6; and when PRI is set to 111, the target PUCCH time-frequency resource is indicated as resource7.

[0260] It should be noted that the available PUCCH time-frequency resources for each candidate carrier in each candidate carrier subset can be pre-set. With a maximum of no more than 8 available PUCCH time-frequency resources for the two candidate carriers in each candidate carrier subset, the available time-frequency resources for the candidate carriers can be flexibly adjusted and configured according to the scenario and requirements.

[0261] As a sixth possible implementation, the carrier switching indication includes a joint indication of the carrier indication in the downlink control information (DCI) and the physical uplink control channel resource indication (PRI).

[0262] Among them, the carrier indicator is used to indicate the carrier index of the target carrier, and the physical uplink control channel resource indicator (PRI) is used to indicate the target PUCCH time-frequency resource in the time-frequency resource set corresponding to the target carrier.

[0263] It should be noted that the time-frequency resource set corresponding to the target carrier contains no more than 8 PUCCH time-frequency resources.

[0264] For example, when the carrier indicator is set to 00, it means that the carrier index of the target carrier is 1, that is, the target carrier is CC1. When the carrier indicator is set to 01, it means that the carrier index of the target carrier is 2, that is, the target carrier is CC2. When the carrier indicator is set to 10, it means that the carrier index of the target carrier is 3, that is, the target carrier is CC3. When the carrier indicator is set to 11, it means that the carrier index of the target carrier is 4, that is, the target carrier is CC4. When PRI is set to 000, the target PUCCH time-frequency resource is indicated as resource0; when PRI is set to 001, the target time-frequency resource is indicated as resource1; when PRI is set to 010, the target PUCCH time-frequency resource is indicated as resource2; when PRI is set to 011, the target PUCCH time-frequency resource is indicated as resource3; when PRI is set to 100, the target PUCCH time-frequency resource is indicated as resource4; when PRI is set to 101, the target PUCCH time-frequency resource is indicated as resource5; when PRI is set to 110, the target PUCCH time-frequency resource is indicated as resource6; and when PRI is set to 111, the target PUCCH time-frequency resource is indicated as resource7.

[0265] It should be noted that the available PUCCH time and frequency resources for each candidate carrier can be pre-set. With a maximum of 8 available PUCCH time and frequency resources for each candidate carrier, the available time and frequency resources for the candidate carrier can be flexibly adjusted and configured according to the scenario and requirements.

[0266] As a seventh possible implementation, the carrier switching indication includes a joint indication of the Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request (HARQ) feedback time and the Physical Uplink Control Channel Resource Indication (PRI).

[0267] Among them, the Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request (HARQ) feedback time indication is used to implicitly indicate the candidate carrier subset in which the target carrier is located, and the Physical Uplink Control Channel Resource Indication (PRI) is used to indicate the target PUCCH time-frequency resource in the time-frequency resource set corresponding to the candidate carrier subset.

[0268] The candidate carrier subset is formed by dividing the four carriers into two candidate carrier subsets, with each subset containing two candidate carriers. For example, the first subset contains two candidate carriers with carrier indices 1 and 2, set1 = {CC1, CC2}, and the second subset contains two candidate carriers with carrier indices 3 and 4, set2 = {CC3, CC4}.

[0269] Optionally, the HARQ feedback time indicator can be reused as an even / odd indicator. For example, setting the HARQ feedback time indicator to an odd value indicates that the subset of candidate carriers containing the target carrier is the first subset set1, and setting the HARQ feedback time indicator to an even value indicates that the subset of candidate carriers containing the target carrier is the second subset set2. Similarly, the HARQ feedback time indicator can be set to an even value to indicate that the subset of candidate carriers containing the target carrier is the first subset set1, and setting the HARQ feedback time indicator to an odd value to indicate that the subset of candidate carriers containing the target carrier is the second subset set2.

[0270] Optionally, the HARQ feedback time indicator can be reused as a preset specific value. For example, setting the HARQ feedback time indicator to {1,2} indicates that the candidate carrier subset containing the target carrier is the first subset set1, and setting the HARQ feedback time indicator to {3,4,5,6,7,8} indicates that the candidate carrier subset containing the target carrier is the second subset set2. It is understood that this preset specific value can be flexibly configured according to the scenario and requirements.

[0271] It should be noted that each candidate carrier subset contains no more than 8 PUCCH time-frequency resources in its corresponding time-frequency resource set. For example, the available PUCCH time-frequency resources for the candidate carriers in the first subset are set as {CC1 resource0, CC1resource1, CC2 resource2, CC2 resource3, CC2 resource4, CC2 resource5, CC2resources6, CC2 resource7}.

[0272] For example, setting PRI to 000 indicates that the target PUCCH time-frequency resource is resource0; setting PRI to 001 indicates that the target time-frequency resource is resource1; setting PRI to 010 indicates that the target PUCCH time-frequency resource is resource2; setting PRI to 011 indicates that the target PUCCH time-frequency resource is resource3; setting PRI to 100 indicates that the target PUCCH time-frequency resource is resource4; setting PRI to 101 indicates that the target PUCCH time-frequency resource is resource5; setting PRI to 110 indicates that the target PUCCH time-frequency resource is resource6; and setting PRI to 111 indicates that the target PUCCH time-frequency resource is resource7.

[0273] It should be noted that the available PUCCH time and frequency resources for each candidate carrier can be pre-set. With a maximum of 8 available PUCCH time and frequency resources for each candidate carrier, the available time and frequency resources for the candidate carrier can be flexibly adjusted and configured according to the scenario and requirements.

[0274] It is understood that, in the embodiments of this application, the granularity of the PUCCH time-frequency resources can also be flexibly adjusted and configured according to the scenario and needs.

[0275] Additionally, it should be noted that for the multiplexed PRI, HARQ feedback time indication, UL / SUL indication, and carrier indication, a multiplexing effectiveness indication message can also be sent to indicate that the multiplexing is effective.

[0276] In summary, by sending a carrier switching indication, which instructs the terminal device to determine the target carrier from four candidate carriers, the terminal device can perform carrier switching according to the indication, ensuring the reliability and feedback efficiency of HARQ-ACK transmission, reducing interference, and improving load balancing.

[0277] Corresponding to the carrier switching methods provided in the above embodiments, this application also provides a carrier switching device. Since the carrier switching device provided in this application corresponds to the methods provided in the above embodiments, the implementation of the carrier switching method is also applicable to the carrier switching device provided in the following embodiments, which will not be described in detail in the following embodiments.

[0278] Please see Figure 8 , Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of a carrier switching device provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0279] like Figure 8 As shown, the carrier switching 800 includes: a transceiver unit 810 and a processing unit 820, wherein:

[0280] Transceiver unit 810 is used to receive carrier switching indication;

[0281] Processing unit 820 is configured to determine the target carrier of the physical uplink control channel from the candidate carriers according to the carrier switching indication;

[0282] The carrier switching indication includes at least one of the following:

[0283] Added fields in Downlink Control Information (DCI);

[0284] Multiplex Physical Uplink Control Channel Resource Indicator (PRI);

[0285] Multiplex the Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request (HARQ) feedback time indicator;

[0286] Multiplex uplink / supplementary uplink UL / SUL indication;

[0287] Multiplex the carrier indication in the downlink control information (DCI).

[0288] Optionally, when there are two candidate carriers, the carrier switching indication includes: multiplexing the Physical Uplink Control Channel Resource Indication (PRI);

[0289] The Physical Uplink Control Channel Resource Indicator (PRI) is reused for at least 1 bit to indicate carrier switching between the two candidate carriers.

[0290] Optionally, when there are two candidate carriers, the carrier switching indication includes: multiplexing the Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request (HARQ) feedback time indication;

[0291] The Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request (HARQ) feedback time indication is used to implicitly indicate carrier switching between the two candidate carriers.

[0292] Optionally, when there are two candidate carriers, the carrier switching indication includes: multiplexing the uplink / supplementary uplink UL / SUL indication;

[0293] The uplink / supplementary uplink UL / SUL indication is used to indicate carrier switching between the two candidate carriers.

[0294] Optionally, when the number of candidate carriers is four, the carrier switching indication includes: multiplexing the Physical Uplink Control Channel Resource Indication (PRI);

[0295] The multiplexing of the Physical Uplink Control Channel Resource Indication (PRI) includes a first indication information and a second indication information. The first indication information is used to indicate the candidate carrier subset where the target carrier is located or the carrier index of the target carrier. The second indication information is used to indicate the available PUCCH time-frequency resources for the target carrier.

[0296] Optionally, when the number of candidate carriers is four, the carrier switching indication includes: multiplexing the Physical Uplink Control Channel Resource Indication (PRI);

[0297] The Physical Uplink Control Channel Resource Indication (PRI) includes third indication information, which is used to indicate the target carrier and the corresponding PUCCH time-frequency resources.

[0298] Optionally, when the number of candidate carriers is four, the carrier switching indication includes: a joint indication of the uplink / supplementary uplink UL / SUL and the physical uplink control channel resource indication PRI;

[0299] The uplink / supplementary uplink UL / SUL indication is used to indicate the subset of candidate carriers in which the target carrier is located, and the physical uplink control channel resource indication PRI is used to indicate the target PUCCH time-frequency resource in the time-frequency resource set corresponding to the candidate carrier subset.

[0300] Optionally, when the number of candidate carriers is four, the carrier switching indication includes: a joint indication of the carrier indication in the downlink control information (DCI) and the physical uplink control channel resource indication (PRI);

[0301] Wherein, the carrier indication is used to indicate the carrier index of the target carrier, and the physical uplink control channel resource indication (PRI) is used to indicate the target PUCCH time-frequency resource in the time-frequency resource set corresponding to the target carrier.

[0302] Optionally, when the number of candidate carriers is four, the carrier switching indication includes: a joint indication of the Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request (HARQ) feedback time and the Physical Uplink Control Channel Resource Indication (PRI);

[0303] Wherein, the Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request (HARQ) feedback time indication is used to implicitly indicate the candidate carrier subset in which the target carrier is located, and the Physical Uplink Control Channel Resource Indication (PRI) is used to indicate the target PUCCH time-frequency resource in the time-frequency resource set corresponding to the candidate carrier subset.

[0304] The carrier switching device in this embodiment can receive a carrier switching instruction and determine the target carrier of the physical uplink control channel from the candidate carriers according to the carrier switching instruction, so that the terminal device can perform carrier switching according to the instruction, ensuring the reliability and feedback efficiency of HARQ-ACK transmission, reducing interference, and improving load balancing.

[0305] Please see Figure 9 , Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a network device provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0306] like Figure 9 As shown, the carrier switching device 900 includes: a transceiver unit 910, wherein:

[0307] Transceiver unit 910 is used to transmit carrier switching indication;

[0308] The carrier switching indication is used to instruct the terminal device to determine the target carrier of the physical uplink control channel from the candidate carriers;

[0309] The carrier switching indication includes at least one of the following:

[0310] Added fields in Downlink Control Information (DCI);

[0311] Multiplex Physical Uplink Control Channel Resource Indicator (PRI);

[0312] Multiplex the Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request (HARQ) feedback time indicator;

[0313] Multiplex uplink / supplementary uplink UL / SUL indication;

[0314] The carrier indication field in the downlink control information (DCI) is reused.

[0315] Optionally, when there are two candidate carriers, the carrier switching indication includes: multiplexing the Physical Uplink Control Channel Resource Indication (PRI);

[0316] The Physical Uplink Control Channel Resource Indicator (PRI) is reused for at least 1 bit to indicate carrier switching between the two candidate carriers.

[0317] Optionally, when there are two candidate carriers, the carrier switching indication includes: multiplexing the Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request (HARQ) feedback time indication;

[0318] The Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request (HARQ) feedback time indication is used to implicitly indicate carrier switching between the two candidate carriers.

[0319] Optionally, when there are two candidate carriers, the carrier switching indication includes: multiplexing the uplink / supplementary uplink UL / SUL indication;

[0320] The uplink / supplementary uplink UL / SUL indication is used to indicate carrier switching between the two candidate carriers.

[0321] Optionally, when the number of candidate carriers is four, the carrier switching indication includes: multiplexing the Physical Uplink Control Channel Resource Indication (PRI);

[0322] The multiplexing of the Physical Uplink Control Channel Resource Indication (PRI) includes a first indication information and a second indication information. The first indication information is used to indicate the candidate carrier subset where the target carrier is located or the carrier index of the target carrier. The second indication information is used to indicate the available PUCCH time-frequency resources for the target carrier.

[0323] Optionally, when the number of candidate carriers is four, the carrier switching indication includes: multiplexing the Physical Uplink Control Channel Resource Indication (PRI);

[0324] The Physical Uplink Control Channel Resource Indication (PRI) includes third indication information, which is used to indicate the target carrier and the corresponding PUCCH time-frequency resources.

[0325] Optionally, when the number of candidate carriers is four, the carrier switching indication includes: a joint indication of the uplink / supplementary uplink UL / SUL and the physical uplink control channel resource indication PRI;

[0326] The uplink / supplementary uplink UL / SUL indication is used to indicate the subset of candidate carriers in which the target carrier is located, and the physical uplink control channel resource indication PRI is used to indicate the target PUCCH time-frequency resource in the time-frequency resource set corresponding to the candidate carrier subset.

[0327] Optionally, when the number of candidate carriers is four, the carrier switching indication includes: a joint indication of the carrier indication in the downlink control information (DCI) and the physical uplink control channel resource indication (PRI);

[0328] Wherein, the carrier indication is used to indicate the carrier index of the target carrier, and the physical uplink control channel resource indication (PRI) is used to indicate the target PUCCH time-frequency resource in the time-frequency resource set corresponding to the target carrier.

[0329] Optionally, when the number of candidate carriers is four, the carrier switching indication includes: a joint indication of the Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request (HARQ) feedback time and the Physical Uplink Control Channel Resource Indication (PRI);

[0330] Wherein, the Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request (HARQ) feedback time indication is used to implicitly indicate the candidate carrier subset in which the target carrier is located, and the Physical Uplink Control Channel Resource Indication (PRI) is used to indicate the target PUCCH time-frequency resource in the time-frequency resource set corresponding to the candidate carrier subset.

[0331] The carrier switching device in this embodiment can send a carrier switching instruction, which is used to instruct the terminal device to determine the target carrier of the physical uplink control channel from the candidate carriers. This allows the terminal device to perform carrier switching according to the instruction, ensuring the reliability and feedback efficiency of HARQ-ACK transmission, reducing interference, and improving load balancing.

[0332] To implement the above embodiments, this application also proposes a communication device, including: a processor and a memory, wherein the memory stores a computer program, and the processor executes the computer program stored in the memory to cause the device to perform... Figures 2 to 4 The method shown in the embodiment.

[0333] To implement the above embodiments, this application also proposes a communication device, including: a processor and a memory, wherein the memory stores a computer program, and the processor executes the computer program stored in the memory to cause the device to perform... Figures 5 to 7 The method shown in the embodiment.

[0334] To implement the above embodiments, this application also proposes a communication device, including: a processor and an interface circuit, wherein the interface circuit is used to receive code instructions and transmit them to the processor, and the processor is used to execute the code instructions to perform... Figures 2 to 4 The method shown in the embodiment.

[0335] To implement the above embodiments, this application also proposes a communication device, including: a processor and an interface circuit, wherein the interface circuit is used to receive code instructions and transmit them to the processor, and the processor is used to execute the code instructions to perform... Figures 5 to 7 The method shown in the embodiment.

[0336] Please see Figure 10 , Figure 10This is a schematic diagram of another carrier switching device provided in this embodiment. The carrier switching device 1000 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, and for details, please refer to the description in the above method embodiments.

[0337] The carrier switching device 1000 may include one or more processors 1001. The processor 1001 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 carrier switching 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.

[0338] Optionally, the carrier switching device 1000 may further include one or more memories 1002, on which a computer program 1003 may be stored. The processor 1001 executes the computer program 1003 to cause the carrier switching device 1000 to perform the method described in the above method embodiments. The computer program 1003 may be embedded in the processor 1001, in which case the processor 1001 may be implemented in hardware.

[0339] Optionally, the memory 1002 may also store data. The carrier switching device 1000 and the memory 1002 can be configured separately or integrated together.

[0340] Optionally, the carrier switching device 1000 may further include a transceiver 1005 and an antenna 1006. The transceiver 1005 may be referred to as a transceiver unit, transceiver, or transceiver circuit, etc., and is used to implement the transceiver function. The transceiver 1005 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.

[0341] Optionally, the carrier switching device 1000 may further include one or more interface circuits 1007. The interface circuit 1007 is used to receive code instructions and transmit them to the processor 1001. The processor 1001 executes the code instructions to cause the carrier switching device 1000 to perform the method described in the above method embodiments.

[0342] Carrier switching device 1000 is a terminal device; transceiver 1005 is used for execution. Figure 2 Step 201 in the middle; Figure 3 Step 301 in the middle; Figure 4Step 401; Processor 1001 is used to execute Figure 2 Step 202 in the middle; Figure 3 Step 302 in the middle; Figure 4 Step 402 in the process.

[0343] The carrier switching device 1000 is a network device, and the transceiver 1005 is used to perform... Figure 5 Step 401 in the middle; Figure 6 Step 601 in the middle; Figure 7 Step 701 in the process.

[0344] In one implementation, the processor 1001 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.

[0345] In one implementation, the carrier switching device 1000 may include circuitry that performs the functions of transmitting, receiving, or communicating as described in the aforementioned 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 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.

[0346] The carrier switching device described in the above embodiments can be a network device or a terminal device, but the scope of the carrier switching device described in this disclosure is not limited to this, and the structure of the carrier switching device is not limited to this. Figures 8-9The carrier switching device can be a standalone device or part of a larger device. For example, a carrier switching device could be:

[0347] (1) Independent integrated circuit IC, or chip, or chip system or subsystem;

[0348] (2) A collection of one or more ICs, optionally including storage components for storing data and computer programs;

[0349] (3) ASIC, such as modem;

[0350] (4) Modules that can be embedded in other devices;

[0351] (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.

[0352] (6) Others, etc.

[0353] For cases where the carrier switching device can be a chip or a chip system, please refer to [link / reference]. Figure 11 The diagram shows the structure of the chip. Figure 11 The chip shown includes a processor 1101 and an interface 1102. There can be one or more processors 1101, and multiple interfaces 1102.

[0354] For cases where the chip is used to implement the functions of the network device in the embodiments of this disclosure:

[0355] Interface 1102 is used for code instructions and their transmission to the processor;

[0356] Processor 1101 is used to run code instructions to perform, such as Figures 2 to 4 The method.

[0357] Regarding the case where the chip is used to implement the functions of the terminal device in the embodiments of this disclosure:

[0358] Interface 1102 is used for code instructions and their transmission to the processor;

[0359] Processor 1101 is used to run code instructions to perform, such as Figures 5 to 7 The method.

[0360] Optionally, the chip also includes a memory 1103 for storing necessary computer programs and data.

[0361] 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 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.

[0362] This disclosure also provides a communication system, which includes the aforementioned... Figures 8-9 The embodiments include a carrier switching device as a terminal device and a carrier switching device as a network device; alternatively, the system may include the aforementioned... Figure 10 The embodiments include a carrier switching device as a terminal device and a carrier switching device as a network device.

[0363] This disclosure 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.

[0364] This disclosure also provides a computer program product that, when executed by a computer, implements the functions of any of the above method embodiments.

[0365] In the above embodiments, implementation can be achieved, in whole or in part, through software, hardware, firmware, or any combination thereof. When implemented in software, it can be implemented, in whole or in part, as a computer program product. A computer program product includes one or more computer programs. When a computer program is loaded and executed on a computer, it generates, in whole or in part, the flow or function according to the embodiments of this disclosure. 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, a 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 that a computer can access or a data storage device such as a server or data center that integrates one or more available media. The available media can 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)).

[0366] 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.

[0367] 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".

[0368] 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.

[0369] The predefined terms in this disclosure can be understood as defined, predefined, stored, pre-stored, pre-negotiated, pre-configured, solidified, or pre-burned.

[0370] 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.

[0371] Those skilled in the art will clearly 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.

[0372] It should be understood that the various forms of processes shown above can be used to reorder, add, or delete steps. For example, the steps described in the embodiments of this disclosure can be executed in parallel, sequentially, or in different orders, as long as the desired result of the technical solution disclosed in this invention can be achieved, and this is not limited herein.

[0373] The specific embodiments described above do not constitute a limitation on the scope of protection of this invention. Those skilled in the art should understand that various modifications, combinations, sub-combinations, and substitutions can be made according to design requirements and other factors. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, and improvements made within the spirit and principles of this invention should be included within the scope of protection of this invention.

Claims

1. A carrier switching method, characterized in that, The method is executed by a terminal device, and the method includes: Receive carrier switching indication; Based on the carrier switching indication, the target carrier of the physical uplink control channel is determined from the candidate carriers; Wherein, the carrier switching indication includes a multiplexed hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) feedback time indication; or, the carrier switching indication includes a multiplexed hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) feedback time indication and at least one of the following: Added fields in Downlink Control Information (DCI); Multiplex Physical Uplink Control Channel Resource Indicator (PRI); Multiplex uplink / supplementary uplink UL / SUL indication; Multiplex the carrier indication in the downlink control information (DCI); When there are two candidate carriers, the Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request (HARQ) feedback time indication is used to implicitly indicate carrier switching between the two candidate carriers.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, When there are two candidate carriers, the carrier switching indication includes an additional field in the downlink control information (DCI). The added field is at least 1 bit and is used to indicate carrier switching between the two candidate carriers.

3. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, When there are two candidate carriers, the carrier switching indication includes multiplexing the Physical Uplink Control Channel Resource Indication (PRI). The Physical Uplink Control Channel Resource Indicator (PRI) is reused for at least 1 bit to indicate carrier switching between the two candidate carriers.

4. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, When there are two candidate carriers, the carrier switching indication includes multiplexing the uplink / supplementary uplink UL / SUL indication; The uplink / supplementary uplink UL / SUL indication is used to indicate carrier switching between the two candidate carriers.

5. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, When the number of candidate carriers is four, the carrier switching indication includes multiplexing the Physical Uplink Control Channel Resource Indication (PRI); The multiplexing of the Physical Uplink Control Channel Resource Indication (PRI) includes a first indication information and a second indication information. The first indication information is used to indicate the candidate carrier subset where the target carrier is located or the carrier index of the target carrier. The second indication information is used to indicate the available PUCCH time-frequency resources for the target carrier.

6. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, When the number of candidate carriers is four, the carrier switching indication includes multiplexing the Physical Uplink Control Channel Resource Indication (PRI); The Physical Uplink Control Channel Resource Indication (PRI) includes third indication information, which is used to indicate the target carrier and the corresponding PUCCH time-frequency resources.

7. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, When there are four candidate carriers, the carrier switching indication includes a joint indication of the uplink / supplementary uplink UL / SUL and the physical uplink control channel resource indication PRI; The uplink / supplementary uplink UL / SUL indication is used to indicate the subset of candidate carriers in which the target carrier is located, and the physical uplink control channel resource indication PRI is used to indicate the target PUCCH time-frequency resource in the time-frequency resource set corresponding to the candidate carrier subset.

8. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, When there are four candidate carriers, the carrier switching indication includes: a joint indication of the carrier indication in the downlink control information (DCI) and the physical uplink control channel resource indication (PRI); Wherein, the carrier indicator is used to indicate the carrier index of the target carrier, and the physical uplink control channel resource indicator (PRI) is used to indicate the target PUCCH time-frequency resource in the time-frequency resource set corresponding to the target carrier.

9. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, When the number of candidate carriers is four, the carrier switching indication includes: a joint indication of the Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request (HARQ) feedback time and the Physical Uplink Control Channel Resource Indication (PRI); The Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request (HARQ) feedback time indication is used to implicitly indicate the candidate carrier subset in which the target carrier is located, and the Physical Uplink Control Channel Resource Indication (PRI) is used to indicate the target PUCCH time-frequency resource in the time-frequency resource set corresponding to the candidate carrier subset.

10. A carrier switching method, characterized in that, The method is performed by a network device, and the method includes: Send carrier switching indication; The carrier switching indication is used to instruct the terminal device to determine the target carrier of the physical uplink control channel from the candidate carriers; The carrier switching indication includes a multiplexed hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) feedback time indication; or, the carrier switching indication includes a multiplexed hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) feedback time indication and at least one of the following: Added fields in Downlink Control Information (DCI); Multiplex Physical Uplink Control Channel Resource Indicator (PRI); Multiplex uplink / supplementary uplink UL / SUL indication; Multiplex the carrier indication field in the downlink control information (DCI); When there are two candidate carriers, the Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request (HARQ) feedback time indication is used to implicitly indicate carrier switching between the two candidate carriers.

11. The method according to claim 10, characterized in that, When there are two candidate carriers, the carrier switching indication includes an additional field in the downlink control information (DCI); The added field is at least 1 bit and is used to indicate carrier switching between the two candidate carriers.

12. The method according to claim 10, characterized in that, When there are two candidate carriers, the carrier switching indication includes: Multiplexing Physical Uplink Control Channel Resource Indication (PRI); The Physical Uplink Control Channel Resource Indicator (PRI) is reused for at least 1 bit to indicate carrier switching between the two candidate carriers.

13. The method according to claim 10, characterized in that, When there are two candidate carriers, the carrier switching indication includes: multiplexing the uplink / supplementary uplink UL / SUL indication; The uplink / supplementary uplink UL / SUL indication is used to indicate carrier switching between the two candidate carriers.

14. The method according to claim 10, characterized in that, When the number of candidate carriers is four, the carrier switching indication includes: multiplexing the Physical Uplink Control Channel Resource Indication (PRI); The multiplexing of the Physical Uplink Control Channel Resource Indication (PRI) includes a first indication information and a second indication information. The first indication information is used to indicate the candidate carrier subset where the target carrier is located or the carrier index of the target carrier. The second indication information is used to indicate the available PUCCH time-frequency resources for the target carrier.

15. The method according to claim 10, characterized in that, When the number of candidate carriers is four, the carrier switching indication includes: multiplexing the Physical Uplink Control Channel Resource Indication (PRI); The Physical Uplink Control Channel Resource Indication (PRI) includes third indication information, which is used to indicate the available PUCCH time-frequency resources for the target carrier.

16. The method according to claim 10, characterized in that, When the number of candidate carriers is four, the carrier switching indication includes: a joint indication of the uplink / supplementary uplink UL / SUL and the physical uplink control channel resource indication PRI; The uplink / supplementary uplink UL / SUL indication is used to indicate the subset of candidate carriers in which the target carrier is located, and the physical uplink control channel resource indication PRI is used to indicate the target PUCCH time-frequency resource in the time-frequency resource set corresponding to the candidate carrier subset.

17. The method according to claim 10, characterized in that, When there are four candidate carriers, the carrier switching indication includes: a joint indication of the carrier indication in the downlink control information (DCI) and the physical uplink control channel resource indication (PRI); The carrier indicator is used to indicate the carrier index of the target carrier, and the physical uplink control channel resource indicator (PRI) is used to indicate the target PUCCH time-frequency resource in the time-frequency resource set corresponding to the target carrier.

18. The method according to claim 10, characterized in that, When the number of candidate carriers is four, the carrier switching indication includes: a joint indication of the Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request (HARQ) feedback time and the Physical Uplink Control Channel Resource Indication (PRI); The Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request (HARQ) feedback time indication is used to indicate the candidate carrier subset in which the target carrier is located, and the Physical Uplink Control Channel Resource Indication (PRI) is used to indicate the target PUCCH time-frequency resource in the time-frequency resource set corresponding to the candidate carrier subset.

19. A carrier switching device, characterized in that, The device includes: The transceiver unit is used to receive carrier switching instructions; The processing unit is configured to determine the target carrier of the physical uplink control channel from the candidate carriers according to the carrier switching indication; Wherein, the carrier switching indication includes a multiplexed hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) feedback time indication; or, the carrier switching indication includes a multiplexed hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) feedback time indication and at least one of the following: Added fields in Downlink Control Information (DCI); Multiplex Physical Uplink Control Channel Resource Indicator (PRI); Multiplex uplink / supplementary uplink UL / SUL indication; Multiplex the carrier indication in the downlink control information (DCI); When there are two candidate carriers, the Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request (HARQ) feedback time indication is used to implicitly indicate carrier switching between the two candidate carriers.

20. The apparatus according to claim 19, characterized in that, When there are two candidate carriers, the carrier switching indication includes: an additional field in the downlink control information (DCI); The added field is at least 1 bit and is used to indicate carrier switching between the two candidate carriers.

21. The apparatus according to claim 19, characterized in that, When there are two candidate carriers, the carrier switching indication includes: multiplexing the Physical Uplink Control Channel Resource Indication (PRI); The Physical Uplink Control Channel Resource Indicator (PRI) is reused for at least 1 bit to indicate carrier switching between the two candidate carriers.

22. The apparatus according to claim 19, characterized in that, When there are two candidate carriers, the carrier switching indication includes: multiplexing the uplink / supplementary uplink UL / SUL indication; The uplink / supplementary uplink UL / SUL indication is used to indicate carrier switching between the two candidate carriers.

23. The apparatus according to claim 19, characterized in that, When the number of candidate carriers is four, the carrier switching indication includes: multiplexing the Physical Uplink Control Channel Resource Indication (PRI); The multiplexing of the Physical Uplink Control Channel Resource Indication (PRI) includes a first indication information and a second indication information. The first indication information is used to indicate the candidate carrier subset where the target carrier is located or the carrier index of the target carrier. The second indication information is used to indicate the available PUCCH time-frequency resources for the target carrier.

24. The apparatus according to claim 19, characterized in that, When the number of candidate carriers is four, the carrier switching indication includes: multiplexing the Physical Uplink Control Channel Resource Indication (PRI); The Physical Uplink Control Channel Resource Indication (PRI) includes third indication information, which is used to indicate the target carrier and the corresponding PUCCH time-frequency resources.

25. The apparatus according to claim 19, characterized in that, When the number of candidate carriers is four, the carrier switching indication includes: a joint indication of the uplink / supplementary uplink UL / SUL and the physical uplink control channel resource indication PRI; The uplink / supplementary uplink UL / SUL indication is used to indicate the subset of candidate carriers in which the target carrier is located, and the physical uplink control channel resource indication PRI is used to indicate the target PUCCH time-frequency resource in the time-frequency resource set corresponding to the candidate carrier subset.

26. The apparatus according to claim 19, characterized in that, When there are four candidate carriers, the carrier switching indication includes: a joint indication of the carrier indication in the downlink control information (DCI) and the physical uplink control channel resource indication (PRI); Wherein, the carrier indicator is used to indicate the carrier index of the target carrier, and the physical uplink control channel resource indicator (PRI) is used to indicate the target PUCCH time-frequency resource in the time-frequency resource set corresponding to the target carrier.

27. The apparatus according to claim 19, characterized in that, When the number of candidate carriers is four, the carrier switching indication includes: a joint indication of the Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request (HARQ) feedback time and the Physical Uplink Control Channel Resource Indication (PRI); The Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request (HARQ) feedback time indication is used to implicitly indicate the candidate carrier subset in which the target carrier is located, and the Physical Uplink Control Channel Resource Indication (PRI) is used to indicate the target PUCCH time-frequency resource in the time-frequency resource set corresponding to the candidate carrier subset.

28. A carrier switching device, characterized in that, The device includes: The transceiver unit is used to transmit carrier switching indications; The carrier switching indication is used to instruct the terminal device to determine the target carrier of the physical uplink control channel from the candidate carriers; The carrier switching indication includes a multiplexed hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) feedback time indication; or, the carrier switching indication includes a multiplexed hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) feedback time indication and at least one of the following: Added fields in Downlink Control Information (DCI); Multiplex Physical Uplink Control Channel Resource Indicator (PRI); Multiplex uplink / supplementary uplink UL / SUL indication; Multiplex the carrier indication field in the downlink control information (DCI); When there are two candidate carriers, the Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request (HARQ) feedback time indication is used to implicitly indicate carrier switching between the two candidate carriers.

29. The apparatus according to claim 28, characterized in that, When there are two candidate carriers, the carrier switching indication includes an additional field in the downlink control information (DCI); The added field is at least 1 bit and is used to indicate carrier switching between the two candidate carriers.

30. The apparatus according to claim 28, characterized in that, When there are two candidate carriers, the carrier switching indication includes: Multiplexing Physical Uplink Control Channel Resource Indication (PRI); The Physical Uplink Control Channel Resource Indicator (PRI) is reused for at least 1 bit to indicate carrier switching between the two candidate carriers.

31. The apparatus according to claim 28, characterized in that, When there are two candidate carriers, the carrier switching indication includes: multiplexing the uplink / supplementary uplink UL / SUL indication; The uplink / supplementary uplink UL / SUL indication is used to indicate carrier switching between the two candidate carriers.

32. The apparatus according to claim 28, characterized in that, When the number of candidate carriers is four, the carrier switching indication includes: multiplexing the Physical Uplink Control Channel Resource Indication (PRI); The multiplexing of the Physical Uplink Control Channel Resource Indication (PRI) includes a first indication information and a second indication information. The first indication information is used to indicate the candidate carrier subset where the target carrier is located or the carrier index of the target carrier. The second indication information is used to indicate the available PUCCH time-frequency resources for the target carrier.

33. The apparatus according to claim 28, characterized in that, When the number of candidate carriers is four, the carrier switching indication includes: multiplexing the Physical Uplink Control Channel Resource Indication (PRI); The Physical Uplink Control Channel Resource Indication (PRI) includes third indication information, which is used to indicate the available PUCCH time-frequency resources for the target carrier.

34. The apparatus according to claim 28, characterized in that, When the number of candidate carriers is four, the carrier switching indication includes: a joint indication of the uplink / supplementary uplink UL / SUL and the physical uplink control channel resource indication PRI; The uplink / supplementary uplink UL / SUL indication is used to indicate the subset of candidate carriers in which the target carrier is located, and the physical uplink control channel resource indication PRI is used to indicate the target PUCCH time-frequency resource in the time-frequency resource set corresponding to the candidate carrier subset.

35. The apparatus according to claim 28, characterized in that, When there are four candidate carriers, the carrier switching indication includes: a joint indication of the carrier indication in the downlink control information (DCI) and the physical uplink control channel resource indication (PRI); The carrier indicator is used to indicate the carrier index of the target carrier, and the physical uplink control channel resource indicator (PRI) is used to indicate the target PUCCH time-frequency resource in the time-frequency resource set corresponding to the target carrier.

36. The apparatus according to claim 28, characterized in that, When the number of candidate carriers is four, the carrier switching indication includes: a joint indication of the Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request (HARQ) feedback time and the Physical Uplink Control Channel Resource Indication (PRI); The Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request (HARQ) feedback time indication is used to indicate the candidate carrier subset in which the target carrier is located, and the Physical Uplink Control Channel Resource Indication (PRI) is used to indicate the target PUCCH time-frequency resource in the time-frequency resource set corresponding to the candidate carrier subset.

37. 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 9.

38. 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 10 to 18.

39. 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 9.

40. 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 10 to 18.

41. A computer-readable storage medium for storing instructions that, when executed, cause the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 9 to be implemented.

42. A computer-readable storage medium for storing instructions that, when executed, cause the method of any one of claims 10 to 18 to be implemented.

Images