A communication method and apparatus

Abstract

A communication method and device, wherein the method comprises: receiving configuration information from a network device; the configuration information is used to indicate an occasion and / or a period for sending a measurement signal on a second uplink carrier; obtaining a signal quality or signal strength on a downlink carrier associated with the first uplink carrier, or a signal quality or signal strength on a downlink resource in the first uplink carrier; when a first condition is met, occupying the occasion and / or the period on the second uplink carrier to send the measurement signal; or when the first condition is not met, determining not to occupy the occasion and / or the period on the second uplink carrier to send the measurement signal. Through the above method, when the terminal device judges that the first condition is met, the measurement signal is sent on the configured occasion or period. When the first condition is not met, the measurement signal can not be sent, thereby reducing the number of times of sending the measurement signal and reducing the number of times of interrupting uplink transmission.

Description

Technical Field

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

[0002] In mobile communication systems such as New Radio (NR) systems, in addition to uplink transmission on conventional uplink (NUL) carriers (e.g., the 2.6 GHz band), terminal devices can also utilize lower-frequency carriers from the Long Term Evolution (LTE) system for uplink transmission when uplink power is limited, potentially resulting in insufficient signal strength at the base station to guarantee coverage. These carriers are called supplementary uplink (SUL) carriers. Furthermore, to provide more ample uplink resources, multiple uplink carriers can be allocated to terminal devices on higher-frequency spectrum (e.g., the 4.9 GHz band), thereby allocating greater bandwidth of radio spectrum resources and improving throughput.

[0003] Before uplink transmission, the terminal device needs to send a sounding reference signal (SRS) to the base station so that the base station can measure the uplink channel quality based on the SRS. Therefore, in addition to NUL and SUL, the terminal device also needs to transmit SRS on multiple uplink carriers corresponding to 4.9 GHz. When the terminal device transmits SRS on multiple carriers in turn, it needs to adjust the radio frequency channel, which will cause data transmission interruptions. The longer the data transmission interruption duration, the greater the impact on system performance. Therefore, it is necessary to reduce the data transmission interruption duration caused by SRS transmission. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of this application is to provide a communication method and apparatus to solve the problem of how to reduce the interruption time of data transmission.

[0005] Firstly, this application provides a communication method applicable to scenarios where a network device configures at least one supplementary uplink carrier for a terminal device. The method is executed by the terminal device or a module within the terminal device; here, the terminal device is used as the executing entity for example. The method includes: receiving configuration information from the network device; the configuration information indicating the timing and / or period for transmitting a measurement signal on a second uplink carrier; obtaining the signal quality or signal strength on a downlink carrier associated with the first uplink carrier, or the signal quality or signal strength on downlink resources within the first uplink carrier; when a first condition is met, transmitting the measurement signal on the second uplink carrier using the timing and / or period; or, when the first condition is not met, determining that the measurement signal is not transmitted on the second uplink carrier using the timing and / or period; wherein the first condition includes: the signal quality or signal strength is greater than or equal to a first threshold.

[0006] Using the method described above, when the network device configures the terminal device to send a measurement signal on the second uplink carrier, the terminal device determines whether the first condition is met. If the first condition is met, the terminal device sends the measurement signal at the configured timing or period. If the first condition is not met, the terminal device may not send the measurement signal, thereby reducing the number of times the measurement signal is sent and reducing the number of uplink transmission interruptions.

[0007] In one possible implementation of the first aspect, feedback information is sent to the network device; the feedback information is used to indicate the timing and / or period during which measurement signals are not transmitted.

[0008] In one possible implementation of the first aspect, the second uplink carrier is an additional uplink carrier to the first uplink carrier.

[0009] In one possible implementation of the first aspect, the measurement signal is used to determine whether the second uplink carrier is used to transmit information or whether it is capable of being used to transmit information; or, the measurement signal is used to determine the carrier in the second uplink carrier that is used to transmit information or is capable of being used to transmit information.

[0010] In one possible implementation of the first aspect, the first condition further includes: the amount of data to be sent is greater than or equal to the second threshold.

[0011] Secondly, this application provides a communication method applicable to scenarios where a network device configures at least one supplementary uplink carrier for a terminal device. The method is executed by a network device or a module within a network device; here, the network device is used as the executing entity for example. The method includes: sending configuration information to the terminal device; the configuration information indicating the timing and / or period for transmitting a measurement signal on a second uplink carrier; and receiving the measurement signal on the second uplink carrier at the timing and / or period when a first condition is met; wherein the first condition includes: the signal quality or signal strength on a downlink carrier associated with the first uplink carrier is greater than or equal to a first threshold, or the signal quality or signal strength on downlink resources in the first uplink carrier is greater than or equal to the first threshold.

[0012] In one possible implementation of the second aspect, feedback information is sent to the network device; the feedback information is used to indicate the timing and / or period during which measurement signals are not transmitted.

[0013] In one possible implementation of the second aspect, the second uplink carrier is an additional uplink carrier to the first uplink carrier.

[0014] In one possible implementation of the second aspect, the measurement signal is used to determine whether the second uplink carrier is used to transmit information or whether it is capable of being used to transmit information; or, the measurement signal is used to determine the carrier in the second uplink carrier that is used to transmit information or is capable of being used to transmit information.

[0015] Thirdly, this application provides a communication method applicable to scenarios where a network device configures at least one supplementary uplink carrier for a terminal device. The method is executed by a terminal device or a module within a terminal device; here, the terminal device is used as the executing entity for example. The method includes: sending a scheduling request to the network device on a first resource or a second resource in the first uplink carrier; the scheduling request is used to request the network device to send scheduling information; when a scheduling request is sent on the first resource, receiving first scheduling information from the network device; the first scheduling information is used to instruct the terminal device to send a measurement signal on the second uplink carrier; or, when a scheduling request is sent on the second resource, receiving second scheduling information from the network device; the second scheduling information is used to instruct the terminal device on the resource used for data transmission.

[0016] Using the above method, when the terminal device sends a measurement signal, according to the network device configuration, it sends a scheduling request on the first resource when the triggering conditions are met. This allows the network device to trigger the terminal device to send a measurement signal even before determining the amount of data the terminal device needs to transmit and before knowing the terminal device's RSRP. The network device then activates the carrier for the terminal device based on the measurement signal, thereby meeting the terminal device's need for uplink carrier capacity expansion.

[0017] In one possible implementation of the third aspect, the signal quality or signal strength on the downlink carrier associated with the first uplink carrier, or the signal quality or signal strength on the downlink resources in the first uplink carrier, is obtained; wherein sending a scheduling request to the network device on the first or second resource in the first uplink carrier includes: when a first condition is met, sending a scheduling request to the network device on the first resource in the first uplink carrier; the first condition includes: the signal quality or signal strength is greater than or equal to a first threshold; or, when the first condition is not met, sending a scheduling request to the network device on the second resource in the first uplink carrier.

[0018] In one possible implementation of the third aspect, the first condition also includes: the amount of data to be sent is greater than or equal to the second threshold.

[0019] In one possible implementation of the third aspect, the second uplink carrier is an additional uplink carrier to the first uplink carrier.

[0020] In one possible implementation of the third aspect, the first scheduling information is also used to instruct the terminal device on the resources used to send data.

[0021] Fourthly, this application provides a communication method applicable to scenarios where a network device configures at least one supplementary uplink carrier for a terminal device. The method is executed by a network device or a module within a network device; here, the network device is used as the executing entity for example. The method includes: receiving a scheduling request from the terminal device on a first uplink carrier; the scheduling request is used to request scheduling information; when a scheduling request is received on a first resource, sending first scheduling information to the terminal device; the first scheduling information is used to instruct the terminal device to transmit measurement signals on a second uplink carrier; or, when a scheduling request is received on a second resource, sending second scheduling information to the terminal device; the second scheduling information is used to instruct the terminal device on the resources used for data transmission.

[0022] In one possible implementation of the fourth aspect, the second uplink carrier is an additional uplink carrier to the first uplink carrier.

[0023] In one possible implementation of the fourth aspect, the first scheduling information is also used to instruct the terminal device on the resources used to send data.

[0024] Fifthly, this application provides a communication method applicable to scenarios where a network device configures at least one supplementary uplink carrier for a terminal device. The method is executed by a terminal device or a module within a terminal device; here, the terminal device is used as the executing entity for description. The method includes: receiving first scheduling information; the first scheduling information includes first information and second information; the first information instructs the terminal device to transmit a measurement signal on a second uplink carrier; the second information instructs the terminal device to use resources on the first uplink carrier for data transmission; and transmitting the measurement signal on the second uplink carrier.

[0025] By using the above method, the network device can reuse the first scheduling information of the existing uplink resources to instruct the terminal device to send measurement signals on the second uplink carrier, thereby reducing the overhead of instructions and the overhead of the terminal device detecting instructions from the network device.

[0026] Based on the network device configuration, a measurement signal is sent on the corresponding resource when the triggering conditions are met. This enables the network device to trigger the terminal device to send aperiodic measurement signals, and then activates the carrier for the terminal device based on the measurement signals, thus meeting the terminal device's need for uplink carrier capacity expansion.

[0027] In one possible implementation of the fifth aspect, the first scheduling information further includes third information, which is used to instruct the terminal device to transmit a measurement signal on the first uplink carrier.

[0028] In one possible implementation of the fifth aspect, the first information is used to instruct the terminal device to send a measurement signal on the second uplink carrier. The first information is either an indication of whether to send a measurement signal on the second uplink carrier or an indication of sending a measurement signal on the second uplink carrier.

[0029] In one possible implementation of the fifth aspect, the bits occupied by the first information are jointly encoded with the bits occupied by the third information in the first scheduling information, or the bits occupied by the first information and the bits occupied by the third information in the first scheduling information are located in one field.

[0030] In one possible implementation of the fifth aspect, the first scheduling information is also used to indicate one or more of the following:

[0031] The timing and / or period for transmitting the measurement signal on the first uplink carrier; the timing and / or period for transmitting the measurement signal on the second uplink carrier.

[0032] In one possible implementation of the fifth aspect, receiving the first scheduling information includes: receiving the first scheduling information on a downlink carrier associated with the first uplink carrier, or on downlink resources of the first uplink carrier.

[0033] In one possible implementation of the fifth aspect, the second uplink carrier is an additional uplink carrier to the first uplink carrier.

[0034] Sixthly, this application provides a communication method applicable to scenarios where a network device configures at least one supplementary uplink carrier for a terminal device. The method is executed by a network device or a module within a network device; here, the network device is used as the executing entity for example. The method includes: sending first scheduling information; the first scheduling information includes first information and second information; the first information instructs the terminal device to send a measurement signal on a second uplink carrier; the second information instructs resources on the first uplink carrier for data transmission; and receiving the measurement signal on the second uplink carrier.

[0035] In one possible implementation of the sixth aspect, the first scheduling information further includes third information, which is used to instruct the terminal device to transmit a measurement signal on the first uplink carrier.

[0036] In one possible implementation of the sixth aspect, the first information used to instruct the terminal device to send a measurement signal on the second uplink carrier means that the first information is an indication of whether to send a measurement signal on the second uplink carrier, or the first information is an indication of whether to send a measurement signal on the second uplink carrier.

[0037] In one possible implementation of the sixth aspect, the bits occupied by the first information are jointly encoded with the bits occupied by the third information in the first scheduling information, or the bits occupied by the first information and the bits occupied by the third information in the first scheduling information are located in one field.

[0038] In one possible implementation of the sixth aspect, the first scheduling information is also used to indicate one or more of the following:

[0039] The timing and / or period for transmitting the measurement signal on the first uplink carrier; the timing and / or period for transmitting the measurement signal on the second uplink carrier.

[0040] In one possible implementation of the sixth aspect, receiving the first scheduling information includes: receiving the first scheduling information on a downlink carrier associated with the first uplink carrier, or on a downlink resource of the first uplink carrier.

[0041] In one possible implementation of the sixth aspect, the second uplink carrier is an additional uplink carrier to the first uplink carrier.

[0042] Seventhly, this application provides a communication method applicable to scenarios where a network device configures at least one supplementary uplink carrier for a terminal device. The method is executed by a terminal device or a module within a terminal device; the method is described here using the terminal device as the executing entity. The method includes: receiving a first instruction from a network device, the first instruction indicating which of K second uplink carriers can be used to transmit information or a second uplink carrier used to transmit information; transmitting a measurement signal among L second uplink carriers; where L second uplink carriers are the second uplink carriers among the K second uplink carriers other than those that can be used to transmit information or a second uplink carrier used to transmit information, L is an integer less than or equal to K, and K is an integer greater than 0.

[0043] By using the above method, after determining the second uplink carrier that can be used to send information or to send information, measurement signals are no longer sent on these carriers, which can reduce the number of times measurement signals are sent and reduce the number of uplink transmission interruptions on the terminal device.

[0044] In one possible implementation of the seventh aspect, a second instruction is received from a network device; the second instruction is used to indicate K timings for transmitting measurement signals in K second uplink carriers.

[0045] In one possible implementation of the seventh aspect, the L timings for transmitting the measurement signal on the L second uplink carriers are determined based on the K timings for transmitting the measurement signal on the K second uplink carriers.

[0046] In one possible implementation of the seventh aspect, a third instruction is received from a network device; the third instruction is used to indicate L timings for transmitting measurement signals in L second uplink carriers.

[0047] In one possible implementation of the seventh aspect, the L opportunities are the opportunities corresponding to the second uplink carrier other than the second uplink carrier that can be used to transmit information among the K opportunities.

[0048] In one possible implementation of the seventh aspect, the L opportunities are either the L opportunities that occur first in the time domain among the K opportunities, or the L opportunities are the L opportunities that occur last in the time domain among the K opportunities.

[0049] In one possible implementation of the seventh aspect, the order in which the L second uplink carriers transmit measurement signals at K opportune moments is the same as the order in which the L second uplink carriers transmit measurement signals at L opportune moments.

[0050] In one possible implementation of the seventh aspect, the order in which the L second uplink carriers transmit measurement signals at L opportune times is the same as the order in which the L second uplink carriers transmit measurement signals at L opportune times.

[0051] Eighthly, this application provides a communication method applicable to scenarios where a network device configures at least one supplementary uplink carrier for a terminal device. The method is executed by a network device or a module within a network device; here, the network device is used as the executing entity for example. The method includes: sending a first instruction to the terminal device, the first instruction indicating which of K second uplink carriers can be used to transmit information or a second uplink carrier used to transmit information;

[0052] Measurement signals from the terminal device are received in L second uplink carriers; L second uplink carriers are second uplink carriers other than those that can be used to transmit information or are used to transmit information among K second uplink carriers, where L is an integer less than or equal to K and K is an integer greater than 0.

[0053] In one possible implementation of the eighth aspect, a second instruction is sent to the terminal device; the second instruction is used to indicate K opportunities for transmitting measurement signals in K second uplink carriers.

[0054] In one possible implementation of the eighth aspect, the L timings for transmitting the measurement signal on the L second uplink carriers are determined based on the K timings for transmitting the measurement signal on the K second uplink carriers.

[0055] In one possible implementation of the eighth aspect, a third instruction is sent to the terminal device; the third instruction is used to indicate the L timings for transmitting the measurement signal in the L second uplink carriers.

[0056] In one possible implementation of the eighth aspect, the L opportunities are the opportunities corresponding to the second uplink carrier other than the second uplink carrier that can be used to transmit information among the K opportunities.

[0057] In one possible implementation of the eighth aspect, the L opportunities are either the L opportunities that occur first in the time domain among the K opportunities, or the L opportunities are the L opportunities that occur last in the time domain among the K opportunities.

[0058] In one possible implementation of the eighth aspect, the order in which the L second uplink carriers transmit measurement signals at K opportune moments is the same as the order in which the L second uplink carriers transmit measurement signals at L opportune moments.

[0059] In one possible implementation of the eighth aspect, the order in which the L second uplink carriers transmit measurement signals at L opportune times is the same as the order in which the K second uplink carriers transmit measurement signals at K opportune times.

[0060] Ninthly, this application also provides a communication device having any of the methods provided in the first, third, fifth, or seventh aspects described above. This communication device can be implemented in hardware or by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more units or modules corresponding to the functions described above.

[0061] In one possible implementation, the communication device includes a processor configured to support the communication device in performing corresponding functions of the terminal device in the methods described above. The communication device may also include a memory coupled to the processor, which stores necessary program instructions and data for the communication device. Optionally, the communication device further includes a communication interface for supporting communication between the communication device and devices such as network devices.

[0062] In one possible implementation, the communication device includes corresponding functional modules, each used to implement the steps in the above method. The functions can be implemented in hardware or by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more modules corresponding to the functions described above.

[0063] In one possible implementation, the communication device includes a processing unit and a communication unit, which can perform the corresponding functions in the above method examples, as described in the method provided in the first aspect, and will not be repeated here.

[0064] Tenthly, this application also provides a communication device having any of the methods provided in the second, fourth, sixth, or eighth aspects described above. This communication device can be implemented in hardware or by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more units or modules corresponding to the functions described above.

[0065] In one possible implementation, the communication device includes a processor configured to support the communication device in performing corresponding functions of the network device described above. The communication device may also include a memory coupled to the processor, which stores necessary program instructions and data for the communication device. Optionally, the communication device further includes a communication interface for supporting communication between the communication device and devices such as terminal devices.

[0066] In one possible implementation, the communication device includes corresponding functional modules, each used to implement the steps in the above method. The functions can be implemented in hardware or by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more modules corresponding to the functions described above.

[0067] In one possible implementation, the communication device includes a processing unit and a communication unit, which can perform the corresponding functions in the above method examples, as described in the method provided in the third aspect, and will not be repeated here.

[0068] Eleventhly, a communication device is provided, including a processor and a communication interface, the communication interface being used to receive signals from other communication devices outside the communication device and transmit them to the processor or to send signals from the processor to other communication devices outside the communication device, the processor being used to implement the methods provided in the first, third, fifth, or seventh aspects through logic circuits or execution code instructions.

[0069] In a twelfth aspect, a communication device is provided, including a processor and a communication interface, the communication interface being used to receive signals from other communication devices outside the communication device and transmit them to the processor or to send signals from the processor to other communication devices outside the communication device, the processor being used to implement the methods provided in the second, fourth, sixth, or eighth aspects by means of logic circuits or execution code instructions.

[0070] In a thirteenth aspect, a computer-readable storage medium is provided that stores a computer program or instructions which, when executed by a processor, implement the methods of any one of the first, third, fifth, or seventh aspects, and any possible implementation thereof.

[0071] In a fourteenth aspect, a computer program product comprising instructions is provided, which, when executed by a processor, implement the methods of any one of the second, fourth, sixth, or eighth aspects, and any possible implementation thereof.

[0072] In a fifteenth aspect, a chip system is provided, comprising a processor and potentially a memory, for implementing the methods of any one of the first, third, fifth, or seventh aspects, and any possible implementation thereof. The chip system may be composed of chips or may include chips and other discrete devices.

[0073] In a sixteenth aspect, a chip system is provided, comprising a processor and potentially a memory, for implementing the methods of any of the second, fourth, sixth, or eighth aspects described above, and any possible implementation thereof. The chip system may be composed of chips or may include chips and other discrete devices.

[0074] In a seventeenth aspect, a communication system is provided, the system comprising the apparatus (such as a terminal device) described in the first, third, fifth, or seventh aspect and the apparatus (such as a network device) described in the second, fourth, sixth, or eighth aspect. Attached Figure Description

[0075] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a network architecture applicable to embodiments of this application;

[0076] Figure 2 This is a schematic flowchart of a communication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0077] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of a pattern provided for an embodiment of this application;

[0078] Figure 4 This is a schematic flowchart of a communication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0079] Figure 5 This is a schematic flowchart of a communication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0080] Figure 6 This is a schematic flowchart of a communication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0081] Figure 7 A schematic diagram of a pattern provided for an embodiment of this application;

[0082] Figure 8 A schematic diagram of a pattern provided for an embodiment of this application;

[0083] Figure 9 A schematic diagram of a pattern provided for an embodiment of this application;

[0084] Figure 10 A schematic diagram of a pattern provided for an embodiment of this application;

[0085] Figure 11 A schematic diagram of a pattern provided for an embodiment of this application;

[0086] Figure 12 A schematic diagram of a pattern provided for an embodiment of this application;

[0087] Figure 13 A schematic diagram of a pattern provided for an embodiment of this application;

[0088] Figure 14 This is a schematic diagram of a communication device structure provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0089] Figure 15 This is a schematic diagram of a communication device structure provided in an embodiment of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0090] The embodiments of this application will now be described in further detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0091] The technical solution provided in this application can be applied to various communication systems, such as Long Term Evolution (LTE) systems and New Radio (NR) systems, and is not limited thereto.

[0092] like Figure 1 The diagram shown is a network architecture applicable to an embodiment of this application. Figure 1 In the network shown, network devices can communicate with terminal devices via multiple carriers. Taking this network as a 5G network as an example, the communication carriers between network devices and terminal devices include carriers on the main frequency bands used for 5G. Optionally, the main frequency band can be the 3.5GHz band. When using frequency division duplex (FDD) mode, this carrier can be divided into uplink carriers and downlink carriers. Compared to other frequency bands, the uplink carrier can also be called a NUL carrier. When using time division duplex (TDD) mode, this carrier can be multiplexed for uplink and downlink in a time-division manner, meaning that the carrier can include uplink resources and downlink resources.

[0093] In 5G networks, at least one SUL carrier can also be configured to ensure uplink coverage performance. In this embodiment, the network device can select at least one carrier as the SUL from carriers in lower frequency bands of the LTE system (e.g., 700MHz, 1.8GHz, or 2.1GHz).

[0094] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the network device can also operate on a higher frequency carrier. For example, the network device can operate on a 4.9 GHz carrier, or a higher frequency carrier in the FR1 (frequency range), or a carrier in the FR2 (frequency range), thereby providing more sufficient uplink resources.

[0095] Combination Figure 1 Terminal devices can transmit measurement signals on uplink carriers, and network devices can determine whether to use the uplink carrier as an active or operational carrier based on the signal strength of the received measurement signals. Therefore, when network devices operate on multiple frequency bands, how terminal devices can transmit measurement signals to reduce the number of transmissions and avoid impacting uplink data transmission is a pressing issue, which will be described in detail below.

[0096] It should be noted that the terminal device can be a device with wireless transceiver capabilities or a chip that can be installed in any device. It can also be referred to as user equipment (UE), access terminal, user unit, user station, mobile station, mobile station, mobile device, user terminal, wireless communication device, or user apparatus. In the embodiments of this application, the terminal device can be a mobile phone, tablet computer, computer with wireless transceiver capabilities, virtual reality (VR) terminal, augmented reality (AR) terminal, wireless terminal in industrial control, wireless terminal in self-driving, wireless terminal in remote medical care, wireless terminal in smart grid, etc.

[0097] Network equipment can be a next-generation node B (gNB) in an NR system, or an evolved node B (eNB) in an LTE system. When the network equipment is a gNB, it can consist of a centralized unit (CU) and a distributed unit (DU).

[0098] In this application, the active carrier can be understood as a carrier used for uplink data transmission, or a carrier capable of being used for uplink data transmission.

[0099] It should be noted that the network architecture and business scenarios described in the embodiments of this application are for the purpose of more clearly illustrating the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application, and do not constitute a limitation on the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of this application. As those skilled in the art will know, with the evolution of network architecture and the emergence of new business scenarios, the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of this application are also applicable to similar technical problems.

[0100] For ease of description, some of the terms used in this application will be explained below.

[0101] The measurement signal can refer to SRS, preamble, demodulation reference signal (DMRS), code division multiple access (CDMA) code, or any uplink signal. This application does not limit the specific implementation of the measurement signal.

[0102] Signal quality includes, but is not limited to, one or more of the following: reference signal received quality (RSRQ) or signal to interference plus noise ratio (SINR).

[0103] Signal strength includes, but is not limited to, one or more of the following: reference signal receiving power (RSRP) or received signal strength indicator (RSSI).

[0104] The symbol can refer to an orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) symbol, or other types of symbols, and will be referred to as a symbol in the following text.

[0105] In this application, the first uplink carrier can be a carrier containing uplink resources. This first uplink carrier can also contain downlink resources. For example, uplink resources may dominate compared to downlink resources. That is, the first uplink carrier is an uplink-dominant (UL) carrier. The first uplink carrier can also be a carrier containing only uplink resources. In other words, the first uplink carrier is only used for uplink transmission. The first uplink carrier can also be referred to as a TDD carrier.

[0106] The first uplink carrier contains both uplink and downlink resources. This can be understood as the first uplink carrier containing time units of both downlink and uplink resources. A time unit includes at least one of a time slot, subframe, symbol, or mini-time slot. For example, the first uplink carrier may be a TDD carrier, a carrier that is multiplexed for both uplink and downlink.

[0107] Optionally, in this application, the first uplink carrier includes only uplink resources, or is used only for uplink transmission. In this case, the first uplink carrier is also associated with a first downlink carrier, which is used for downlink transmission. The association between the first uplink carrier and the first downlink carrier can mean that the first uplink carrier and the first downlink carrier are located in the same cell. This cell is configured by the network device. That is, the first uplink carrier and the first downlink carrier belong to the same serving cell. For example, the first uplink carrier is an FDD carrier.

[0108] When the first uplink carrier contains downlink resources, the network device can send configuration information, first scheduling information, etc., to the terminal device on the first uplink carrier. When the first uplink carrier contains uplink resources, the terminal device can send scheduling requests, etc., to the network device on the first uplink carrier.

[0109] The network device can also be configured with at least one second uplink carrier. If the first uplink carrier is a carrier that includes uplink resources, the at least one second uplink carrier can be a supplementary uplink carrier to the first uplink carrier. If the first uplink carrier is a carrier that only includes downlink resources, the at least one second uplink carrier can be a supplementary uplink carrier to the uplink carrier associated with the first uplink carrier. The at least one second uplink carrier can be a supplementary uplink carrier to the first uplink carrier, and can also be referred to as a supplementary uplink carrier.

[0110] Optionally, the frequency of the second uplink carrier is higher than that of the first uplink carrier. For example, the frequency of the second uplink carrier is 4.9 GHz, and the frequency of the first uplink carrier is 3.5 GHz.

[0111] In this application, the first uplink carrier and the second uplink carrier can be one or more carriers, without limitation.

[0112] In this application embodiment, the interaction between devices such as terminal devices and network devices is used as an example for illustration. The method provided in this application embodiment can also be applied to the interaction between other execution entities, such as the interaction between a terminal device chip or module and a chip or module in a network device. When the execution entity is a chip or module, the description in this application embodiment can be referred to, and will not be repeated here.

[0113] Example 1:

[0114] In Embodiment 1, when the network device configures the terminal device to periodically transmit measurement signals on at least one uplink carrier, the terminal device determines whether a trigger condition is met. Only when the trigger condition is met does the terminal device transmit the measurement signal at the configured occasion. When the trigger condition is not met, the terminal device may not transmit the measurement signal, thereby reducing the number of measurement signal transmissions and the number of uplink transmission interruptions. Embodiment 1 can be applied to scenarios requiring periodic transmission of measurement signals, as well as other scenarios, and is not limited thereto.

[0115] Based on the preceding description, such as Figure 2 The diagram shown is a schematic flowchart of a communication method provided in an embodiment of this application. See also... Figure 2 The method includes:

[0116] Step 201: The network device sends configuration information to the terminal device.

[0117] Alternatively, the network device may transmit configuration information via the first uplink carrier.

[0118] Optionally, in this embodiment, the first uplink carrier includes downlink resources.

[0119] Optionally, the network device may also transmit configuration information via a downlink carrier. This downlink carrier can be a downlink carrier associated with the first uplink carrier, or it can be another downlink carrier.

[0120] Step 202: The terminal device receives configuration information from the network device.

[0121] The configuration information indicates at least one of the timing and period for transmitting measurement signals on the second uplink carrier. The timing for transmitting the measurement signal can refer to a time window or time range for transmitting the measurement signal; the timing can also refer to at least one of the occupied time slot information or symbol information; the timing can also refer to at least one of the time slot information or symbol information within the time window for transmitting the measurement signal. The symbol information can include at least one of the symbol position and the number of symbols; the time slot information can include at least one of the time slot position and the time slot offset.

[0122] The configuration information is used to indicate the period, and may include, but is not limited to, the duration of the period, the start position of the period, the number of periods, and the end position of the period.

[0123] In this embodiment of the application, the configuration information may also indicate one or more of the following:

[0124] The period for transmitting the measurement signal, for example, a period of 10ms, indicates that the duration of the measurement signal period is 10ms; the number of measurement signal periods N, where N is an integer greater than 0, for example, N equals 5, indicating that 5 periods of measurement signal need to be transmitted; the number of times the measurement signal is repeatedly transmitted, which can refer to the number of times the measurement signal needs to be repeatedly transmitted; and a first pattern, wherein the first pattern indicates at least one of the carrier sequence and timing of the terminal device transmitting the measurement signal on at least one second uplink carrier. The number of repeated transmissions can be the number of consecutive transmissions, such as the number of symbols of the measurement signal transmitted consecutively; or it can be the number of times the measurement signal is repeatedly transmitted according to the period of transmission. The number of repeated transmissions is not limited to whether the transmission is repeated within one period.

[0125] In one possible implementation, the configuration information can directly indicate the timing; in another implementation, the configuration information can indirectly indicate the timing, for example, the configuration information indicates a pattern that includes the timing of transmitting measurement signals on at least one second uplink carrier.

[0126] For example, such as Figure 3 The image shown is a schematic diagram of a pattern. Figure 3 The pattern in the diagram indicates the timing for transmitting measurement signals on the four carriers (carrier 1 to carrier 4), specifically indicating the position and number of symbols used for transmitting measurement signals on each carrier. Figure 3 The following description uses a time slot comprising 14 symbols (symbols 0 to 13) as an example. The terminal device needs to transmit measurement signals sequentially in each carrier, from carrier 1 to carrier 4. The measurement signal in each carrier occupies one symbol, specifically symbols 0, 3, 6, and 9. Optionally, the measurement signal in each carrier can also consist of at least one symbol. For example, the measurement signal in each carrier can also consist of multiple symbols. As an example, the measurement signal in each carrier occupies two symbols, specifically symbols 0 and 1, 4 and 5, 8 and 9, and 12 and 13.

[0127] It should be noted that the symbol occupied by the measurement signal in at least one uplink carrier indicated in a pattern belongs to a time slot or at least one consecutive time slot; or, the first pattern is a time slot offset or a set of time slot offsets relative to the first downlink carrier; or, the first pattern is a time slot offset or a set of time slot offsets relative to the first uplink carrier.

[0128] In this embodiment of the application, the terminal device can store multiple patterns, each pattern corresponding to an identifier; the network device can carry the identifier of a pattern through configuration information, thereby indicating the corresponding pattern to the terminal device.

[0129] In this embodiment, the terminal device can also acquire multiple patterns, each pattern corresponding to an identifier; the network device can carry the identifier of a pattern through configuration information, thereby indicating the corresponding pattern to the terminal device. These multiple patterns can be acquired from the network device or pre-configured.

[0130] The above are just examples; the configuration information can also indicate other content, which will not be listed here one by one.

[0131] It should be noted that, in the embodiments of this application, the measurement signal is used to determine whether the second uplink carrier is used to transmit information or whether it can be used to transmit information; or, the measurement signal is used to determine the carriers in the second uplink carrier that are used to transmit information or can be used to transmit information. A carrier that can be used to transmit information can be called an active carrier. A carrier used to transmit information can be called a working carrier.

[0132] Step 203: The terminal device obtains the signal quality or signal strength on the downlink carrier associated with the first uplink carrier, or the signal quality or signal strength on the downlink resources in the first uplink carrier.

[0133] The terminal device can measure the signal on the first downlink carrier associated with the first uplink carrier or the downlink resources in the first uplink carrier to obtain the signal quality or signal strength. The specific way the terminal device performs the measurement is not limited in this application embodiment.

[0134] It should be noted that if the terminal device is configured to send measurement signals in N cycles, the terminal device can make a judgment for each cycle or timing separately. That is, it can acquire the signal quality or signal strength before each cycle or timing to determine whether to send the measurement signal in that cycle or timing. Alternatively, the terminal device can make a judgment for multiple cycles out of the N cycles. That is, it can acquire the signal quality or signal strength before each of these multiple cycles or timings to determine whether to send the measurement signal in each of these multiple cycles or timings. The terminal device can also acquire the signal quality or signal strength at regular intervals and use the most recently acquired signal quality or signal strength when making a judgment for each cycle or timing.

[0135] Step 204: When the first condition is met, the terminal device transmits the measurement signal on the second uplink carrier at at least one of the timing and period.

[0136] Specifically, transmitting the uplink measurement signal on the second uplink carrier during the specified timing and / or period can be understood as transmitting the uplink measurement signal during that timing and / or period on the second uplink carrier, or transmitting the uplink measurement signal via the second uplink carrier during the specified timing and / or period. Transmitting the measurement signal during the specified timing and / or period can also be understood as transmitting the measurement signal during the specified timing and / or period.

[0137] It should be noted that network devices can be configured with at least one second uplink carrier, and terminal devices can transmit measurement signals on at least one second uplink carrier. The second uplink carrier can be an additional uplink carrier to the first uplink carrier.

[0138] The first condition includes: the measured signal strength is greater than or equal to a first threshold. Optionally, the first condition further includes: the amount of data to be transmitted by the terminal device is greater than or equal to a second threshold. The amount of data to be transmitted by the terminal device can refer to the amount of data that needs to be transmitted in the uplink buffer of the terminal device. The amount of data to be transmitted by the terminal device being greater than or equal to the second threshold indicates that the uplink carrier currently configured for the terminal device by the network device cannot meet the uplink transmission requirements, and more uplink carriers need to be activated for the terminal device. For example, the amount of data to be transmitted by the terminal device can be a buffer status report (BSR).

[0139] The first threshold and the second threshold can be configured by the network device. For example, the network device can configure the first threshold and the second threshold through radio resource control (RRC) signaling. The first threshold and the second threshold can also be determined in other ways, which are not limited in the embodiments of this application.

[0140] Step 205: When the first condition is not met, the terminal device determines that it will not occupy at least one of the timing and period to transmit the measurement signal on the second uplink carrier.

[0141] It should be noted that, assuming the network device is configured to send measurement signals to the terminal device in N cycles, and the terminal device ultimately only sends measurement signals in a portion of those cycles, the terminal device can still send feedback information to the network device; the feedback information is used to indicate one or more of the following: determining at least one of the cycles and timings in which measurement signals are not sent on the second uplink carrier; determining the start cycle or start timing of not sending measurement signals; determining the end cycle or end timing of not sending measurement signals.

[0142] For example, if a network device is configured with five cycles, namely cycle 1 to cycle 5, and the terminal device determines that it will not send measurement signals in cycles 2 to 4, then it can indicate cycles 2 to 4 through feedback information, or it can indicate cycles 2 and 4.

[0143] Step 206: The network device receives a measurement signal from the terminal device in the second uplink carrier.

[0144] The measurement signal is sent by the terminal device when it determines that the first condition is met.

[0145] The network device can determine whether to activate the second uplink carrier based on the measurement signal received in the second uplink carrier. If the terminal device transmits measurement signals via the second uplink carrier in multiple cycles, the network device can determine whether to activate the second uplink carrier based on the measurement signals received in the multiple cycles. That is, the network device can determine whether to activate the second uplink carrier based on the measurement signal received in the second uplink carrier, either based on a single transmission or by performing layer 3 filtering on the strength of multiple received signals. This application does not limit how the network device specifically determines whether to activate the second uplink carrier; for example, please refer to the description in Embodiment 5 below, which will not be repeated here.

[0146] In Embodiment 1, when the network device configures the terminal device to periodically transmit measurement signals on at least one uplink carrier, the terminal device determines whether a trigger condition is met. If the trigger condition is met, the terminal device transmits the measurement signal at the configured timing or period. If the trigger condition is not met, the terminal device may not transmit the measurement signal, thereby reducing the number of measurement signal transmissions and the number of uplink transmission interruptions.

[0147] Example 2:

[0148] In Embodiment 2, when a terminal device has data transmission or scheduling needs, it determines whether a triggering condition is met. If the triggering condition is met, the terminal device sends a scheduling request on a configured first resource. If the triggering condition is not met, the terminal device sends a scheduling request on a configured second transmission resource. The scheduling request sent on the first resource triggers the network device to indicate the transmission of a measurement signal, while the scheduling request sent on the second resource does not trigger the network device to indicate the transmission of a measurement signal. This allows for on-demand triggering of measurement signal transmission, reducing uplink transmission interruptions on the terminal device. Embodiment 2 can be applied to scenarios involving non-periodic transmission of measurement signals, or to other scenarios, without limitation.

[0149] like Figure 4 The diagram shown is a flowchart of a communication method provided in an embodiment of this application. The method includes:

[0150] Step 401: The terminal device sends a scheduling request to the network device on the first resource or the second resource in the first uplink carrier; the scheduling request is used to request the network device to send scheduling information.

[0151] In this embodiment, the first uplink carrier includes uplink resources.

[0152] In this embodiment of the application, the network device can configure a first resource and a second resource for the terminal device, and both the first resource and the second resource can be used to send scheduling requests.

[0153] Step 402: The network device receives a scheduling request from the terminal device.

[0154] Step 403: When the terminal device sends a scheduling request on the first resource, the network device sends the first scheduling information to the terminal device, and the terminal device receives the first scheduling information from the network device.

[0155] The first scheduling information is used to instruct the terminal device to transmit measurement signals on the second uplink carrier. The first scheduling information can also be used to instruct the terminal device on resources for transmitting data. These resources are located on carriers in the NUL (Non-Upper Rank). The NUL carrier can be the first uplink carrier, or it can be a carrier in this frequency band other than the first uplink carrier that contains uplink resources.

[0156] Step 404: When the terminal device sends a scheduling request on the second resource, the network device sends second scheduling information to the terminal device, and the terminal device receives the second scheduling information from the network device.

[0157] The second scheduling information is used to indicate the resources used by the terminal device to transmit data. These data transmission resources are located on a carrier of the NUL (Non-Upper-Layer) frequency band. The NUL carrier can be the first uplink carrier, or it can be a carrier containing uplink resources other than the first uplink carrier in that frequency band.

[0158] It should be noted that when the first uplink carrier includes downlink resources, either the first scheduling information or the second scheduling information can be transmitted through the first uplink carrier. When the first uplink carrier does not include downlink resources, the first scheduling information and the second scheduling information can be transmitted through the first downlink carrier associated with the first uplink carrier. In this embodiment, the terminal device can determine whether to use the first resource or the second resource to send the scheduling request based on the following methods.

[0159] In the first implementation, it can be applied to situations where the first carrier is an uplink carrier and there is an associated downlink carrier. When the terminal device determines that the signal quality or signal strength of the downlink carrier associated with the first carrier is greater than or equal to a first threshold, and the amount of uplink data to be transmitted by the terminal device is greater than or equal to a second threshold, it can determine to send a scheduling request through the first resource.

[0160] Accordingly, when the terminal device determines that the signal quality or signal strength of the downlink carrier associated with the first carrier is less than the first threshold, or the amount of uplink data to be transmitted by the terminal device is less than the second threshold, it can determine to send a scheduling request through the second resource.

[0161] In the second implementation, which can be applied to TDD mode, the first carrier includes both uplink and downlink resources. When the terminal device determines that the signal quality or signal strength of the first carrier is greater than or equal to a first threshold, and the amount of uplink data to be transmitted by the terminal device is greater than or equal to a second threshold, it can determine to send a scheduling request through the first resource. The signal quality or signal strength of the first carrier is determined based on the downlink reference signal.

[0162] Accordingly, when the terminal device determines that the signal quality or signal strength of the first carrier is less than the first threshold, or the amount of uplink data to be transmitted by the terminal device is less than the second threshold, it can determine to send a scheduling request through the second resource.

[0163] In this embodiment of the application, the scheduling request can be a scheduling request (SR) message.

[0164] In this embodiment, the first scheduling information and the second scheduling information can be downlink control information (DCI). For ease of description, when the first scheduling information is DCI, it is referred to as the first DCI; when the second scheduling information is DCI, it is referred to as the second DCI. The first DCI is different from the second DCI. The second DCI can be the DCI for scheduling the physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) in a 5G NR system or LTE system, where the PUSCH can be used to carry information such as buffer status report (BSR) sent by the terminal device. For example, the second DCI can be any one of DCI0-1, DCI0-0, or DCI0-2. DCI0-1, DCI0-0, or DCI0-2 can be referred to the description in the 5G NR system or LTE system, and will not be repeated here. In this embodiment, when the first scheduling information is the first DCI, the first DCI can be a DCI modified based on DCI0-1, DCI0-0, or DCI0-2.

[0165] In this application embodiment, the specific implementation of the first scheduling information is not limited. For example, you can refer to the description in Embodiment 3 below, which will not be repeated here.

[0166] Using the above method, when the terminal device sends a measurement signal, it sends the measurement signal on the corresponding resource according to the network device configuration and when the triggering condition is met. This allows the network device to trigger the terminal device to send a non-periodic measurement signal even before it obtains the terminal device's BSR and RSRP. The network device can then activate the carrier for the terminal device based on the measurement signal, thereby meeting the terminal device's need for uplink carrier capacity expansion.

[0167] Example 3:

[0168] In this embodiment of the application, the first scheduling information can be implemented in various ways, as described below.

[0169] like Figure 5 The diagram shown is a flowchart of a communication method provided in an embodiment of this application. The method includes:

[0170] Step 501: The network device sends the first scheduling information to the terminal device.

[0171] Wherein, if the first uplink carrier does not include downlink resources, the first scheduling information can be transmitted on the downlink carrier associated with the first uplink carrier; if the first uplink carrier includes downlink resources, the first scheduling information can be transmitted on the downlink resources of the first uplink carrier. Optionally, the first scheduling information can be a first DCI, for example, a DCI modified based on DCI0-1, DCI0-0, or DCI0-2.

[0172] Optionally, the network device may send first scheduling information when it receives a scheduling request in the first resource of the first uplink carrier. For details, please refer to the description in Embodiment 2, which will not be repeated here.

[0173] In this embodiment, the first scheduling information may include first information and second information. The first information is used to instruct the terminal device to transmit a measurement signal on the second uplink carrier; the second information is used to indicate the resources on the first uplink carrier used for transmitting data.

[0174] The first information is used to instruct the terminal device to send a measurement signal on the second uplink carrier. Specifically, the first information can be an indication of whether or not to send a measurement signal on the second uplink carrier. For example, if the bit corresponding to the first information has a first value, it instructs the terminal device to send a measurement signal on the second uplink carrier; if the bit corresponding to the first information has a second value, it instructs the terminal device not to send a measurement signal on the second uplink carrier.

[0175] The first information is used to instruct the terminal device to transmit a measurement signal on the second uplink carrier. Alternatively, the first information can refer to indication information for transmitting a measurement signal on the second uplink carrier. In this case, when the first scheduling information includes the first information, it indicates that the terminal device is instructed to transmit a measurement signal on the second uplink carrier; when it does not instruct the terminal device to transmit a measurement signal on the second uplink carrier, the first scheduling information may not include the first information.

[0176] For example, the first information is used to trigger the terminal device to use a second pattern, the second pattern indicating at least one of the transmission order and timing of the measurement signal transmitted by the terminal device in at least one second uplink carrier. When the first scheduling information includes the first information, the terminal device transmits the measurement signal in at least one second uplink carrier according to the second pattern. When the first scheduling information does not include the first information, the terminal device determines not to transmit the measurement signal in at least one second uplink carrier.

[0177] When the second information is used to indicate resources on the first uplink carrier for transmitting data, in one possible implementation, the second information can be used to schedule the PUSCH. For example, the second information can be at least one of the following: time-domain resource indication information, frequency-domain resource indication information, redundant version, or new data indication. The PUSCH can be used to carry information such as BSR transmitted by the terminal device.

[0178] In this embodiment of the application, the first scheduling information may further include third information, which is used to trigger the terminal device to send a measurement signal on the first uplink carrier.

[0179] In one possible implementation, the bits occupied by the first information are jointly encoded with the bits occupied by the third information in the first scheduling information to form a codepoint. Different codepoints correspond to different triggering scenarios. Therefore, the terminal device can distinguish whether the measurement signal triggering the transmission is on the first carrier, or on at least one second uplink carrier, or on both the first carrier and at least one second uplink carrier, by using different codepoints. As an example, when the codepoint is 01, it indicates that the measurement signal triggering the transmission is on the first carrier; when the codepoint is 10, it indicates that the measurement signal triggering the transmission is on at least one second uplink carrier; and when the codepoint is 11, it indicates that the measurement signal triggering the transmission is on both the first carrier and at least one second uplink carrier.

[0180] In another possible implementation, the bits occupied by the first information and the bits occupied by the third information in the first scheduling information are located in the same field. Different bit states in this field correspond to different triggering scenarios. Therefore, the terminal device can distinguish whether the measurement signal triggering the transmission is on the first carrier, or on at least one second uplink carrier, or on both the first carrier and at least one second uplink carrier, based on different bit states. As an example, when the bit state is 01, it indicates that the measurement signal triggering the transmission is on the first carrier; when the bit state is 10, it indicates that the measurement signal triggering the transmission is on at least one second uplink carrier; and when the bit state is 11, it indicates that the measurement signal triggering the transmission is on both the first carrier and at least one second uplink carrier.

[0181] In another possible implementation, the bits occupied by the first information are located in the first information block of the first scheduling information, and the bits occupied by the third information are located in the second information block of the first scheduling information. The first / second information blocks are merely examples. Therefore, the terminal device can distinguish whether the measurement signal triggering the transmission is on the first carrier or on at least one second uplink carrier by using different information blocks. As an example, when a bit in the first information block is 1, it indicates that the measurement signal triggering the transmission is on at least one second uplink carrier; when a bit in the second information block is 1, it indicates that the measurement signal triggering the transmission is on the first carrier.

[0182] As an example, the measurement signal that triggers the transmission in the three implementations described above is a second pattern on at least one second uplink carrier.

[0183] Optionally, the first scheduling information may also be used to indicate one or more of the following:

[0184] The timing and / or period for transmitting measurement signals on the first uplink carrier; the timing and / or period for transmitting measurement signals on the second uplink carrier; the number N of measurement signals transmitted on the second uplink carrier, where N is an integer greater than 0; and the number of repeated transmissions of the measurement signals on the second uplink carrier. For example, the measurement signal is a semi-persistent scheduling (SPS) transmission. The first scheduling information includes the index corresponding to the SPS transmission.

[0185] The first scheduling information can be indicated by reserved bits or by adding new fields; however, this application embodiment does not limit this.

[0186] Step 502: The terminal device receives the first scheduling information from the network device.

[0187] After receiving the first scheduling information, the terminal device can transmit a measurement signal in at least one second uplink carrier according to the first scheduling information.

[0188] For example, suppose a network device is configured with at least one second uplink carrier. The first information in the first scheduling information triggers the terminal device to use the second pattern. The terminal device can then send a measurement signal in at least one second uplink carrier according to the second pattern.

[0189] For example, suppose the second pattern can be as follows Figure 3 As shown, the terminal device can sequentially transmit a measurement signal on symbol 0 in carrier 1; transmit a measurement signal on symbol 3 in carrier 2; transmit a measurement signal on symbol 6 in carrier 3; and transmit a measurement signal on symbol 9 in carrier 1.

[0190] It should be noted that when a terminal device switches between different carriers, radio frequency (RF) retuning is required. For example, when the terminal switches from carrier 1 to carrier 2, the RF transmission channel also needs to adapt its frequency from carrier 1 to carrier 2. Since carrier 1 and carrier 2 have different frequencies, it takes a certain amount of time for the frequency adapted to the terminal's RF transmission channel to readjust from one frequency to another. This time can be denoted as RF retuning time, or RF retuning interval. For ease of description, it will be referred to as RF retuning time below.

[0191] like Figure 3 As shown, data transmission is interrupted during the handover process. As previously mentioned, this interruption time includes the radio frequency (RF) retuning time. Therefore, reducing the RF retuning time can reduce the data transmission interruption time, which is beneficial for improving system performance. The RF retuning time is related to the terminal's hardware and software configuration, especially the hardware and software configuration for the terminal's RF processing.

[0192] The network device can determine whether to activate the second uplink carrier based on the measurement signals received in the second uplink carrier. If the terminal device transmits multiple measurement signals through the second uplink carrier, the network device can determine whether to activate the second uplink carrier based on the multiple measurement signals. This application does not limit how the network device specifically determines whether to activate the second uplink carrier; for example, refer to the description in Embodiment 5 below, which will not be repeated here.

[0193] Using the method described above, when the terminal device sends a measurement signal, it transmits the signal on the corresponding resource based on the network device configuration and when the triggering conditions are met. This enables the network device to trigger the terminal device to send non-periodic measurement signals, and then activate the carrier for the terminal device based on the measurement signals, thus meeting the terminal device's need for uplink carrier capacity expansion.

[0194] Example 4:

[0195] After the network device determines the active carrier based on the measurement signal, the terminal device can choose not to send the measurement signal on the active carrier, thereby reducing unnecessary transmission of measurement signals and reducing data transmission interruption time caused by transmitting measurement signals. This is described in detail below.

[0196] like Figure 6 The diagram shown is a flowchart of a communication method provided in an embodiment of this application. The method includes:

[0197] Step 601: The terminal device transmits measurement signals in K second uplink carriers.

[0198] Where K is an integer greater than 0.

[0199] It should be noted that the terminal device can receive a second instruction from the network device; the second instruction is used to indicate K opportunities for transmitting measurement signals in the K second uplink carriers. Each of the K opportunities corresponds one-to-one with one of the K second uplink carriers. The opportunity can indicate at least one of the number of symbols occupied and the symbol positions occupied by the measurement signal transmitted in a carrier. In this embodiment, the K opportunities corresponding to the K second uplink carriers can be indicated by a pattern. For example, the second instruction includes an identifier for a third pattern, which may include the K opportunities.

[0200] For example, if K equals 5, the third pattern can be as follows: Figure 7 As shown. Figure 7 The text describes an example of a time slot consisting of 14 symbols (symbols 0 to 13). Figure 7 The pattern in the diagram indicates the timing of transmitting measurement signals on five carriers (carrier 1 to carrier 5). Specifically, the timing of the measurement signal on carrier 1 is: occupying symbol 0, occupying 1 symbol; the timing of the measurement signal on carrier 2 is: occupying symbol 3, occupying 1 symbol; the timing of the measurement signal on carrier 3 is: occupying symbol 6, occupying 1 symbol; the timing of the measurement signal on carrier 4 is: occupying symbol 9, occupying 1 symbol; and the timing of the measurement signal on carrier 5 is: occupying symbol 12, occupying 1 symbol. The terminal equipment can then... Figure 7 The timing indicated by the pattern is when the measurement signal is sent in each carrier.

[0201] It should be noted that for details on how the terminal device sends measurement signals, please refer to the descriptions in Embodiment 1 or Embodiment 2.

[0202] Step 602: The network device receives measurement signals in K second uplink carriers and determines, based on the measurement signals received in the K second uplink carriers, which are capable of transmitting information or are second uplink carriers capable of transmitting information.

[0203] The second uplink carrier that can be used to transmit information or is used to transmit information may refer to the activated second uplink carrier.

[0204] This application does not limit how the network device specifically determines whether to activate the second uplink carrier. For example, you can refer to the description in Embodiment 5 below, which will not be repeated here.

[0205] Step 603: The network device sends a first instruction to the terminal device, the first instruction being used to indicate which of the K second uplink carriers can be used to transmit information or a second uplink carrier used to transmit information.

[0206] Step 604: The terminal device receives the first instruction from the network device and transmits measurement signals in L second uplink carriers.

[0207] When the terminal device determines, according to the first instruction, that one of the K second uplink carriers can be used to transmit information or is a second uplink carrier used to transmit information, it will not transmit measurement signals from the second uplink carriers that cannot be used to transmit information or are not used to transmit information. That is, the L second uplink carriers are the second uplink carriers among the K second uplink carriers other than the second uplink carriers that can be used to transmit information or are used to transmit information, where L is an integer less than or equal to K.

[0208] In this embodiment, the L timings for transmitting measurement signals among the L second uplink carriers can be configured by the network device or determined autonomously by the terminal device; this embodiment does not limit this.

[0209] When the network device is configured with L timings, the terminal device can receive a third instruction from the network device; the third instruction is used to indicate the L timings for transmitting measurement signals among the L second uplink carriers. The L timings indicated by the third instruction can be determined by the network device, for example, by the network device based on the K timings for transmitting measurement signals among the K second uplink carriers.

[0210] The L timings are determined autonomously by the terminal device. There are multiple ways to determine the L timings. For example, the L timings can be determined based on the K timings of transmitting measurement signals in the K second uplink carriers, or they can be determined in other ways.

[0211] It should be noted that when the L timings are determined based on the K timings, the order in which the L second uplink carriers transmit measurement signals in the K timings can be the same as the order in which the L second uplink carriers transmit measurement signals in the L timings; or, the order in which the L second uplink carriers transmit measurement signals in the L timings can be the same as the order in which the K second uplink carriers transmit measurement signals in the K timings.

[0212] For example, the L second uplink carriers include carrier 1 and carrier 2. In the K timing opportunities, the timing corresponding to carrier 1 precedes the timing corresponding to carrier 2. Therefore, in the L timing opportunities determined from the K timing opportunities, the timing corresponding to carrier 1 still precedes the timing corresponding to carrier 2.

[0213] In the first implementation method, the L opportunities are the L opportunities that appear first in the time domain among the K opportunities, and the L opportunities correspond one-to-one with the L second uplink carriers.

[0214] In other words, in this implementation, the L opportunities can refer to the L earlier opportunities in the time domain among the K opportunities.

[0215] For ease of description, carriers that can be used to transmit information or are used for transmitting information will be referred to as activated carriers, and carriers that cannot be used to transmit information or are not used for transmitting information will be referred to as inactive carriers. For example, combining... Figure 7 Assuming carriers 2 and 4 are the activated carriers, then the first three of the five activation opportunities can be considered as the activation opportunities for the three inactive carriers. Specifically, for example... Figure 8 As shown, the timing of the measurement signal on carrier 1 is: occupying symbol 0, occupying 1 symbol; the timing of the measurement signal on carrier 3 is: occupying symbol 3, occupying 1 symbol; the timing of the measurement signal on carrier 5 is: occupying symbol 6, occupying 1 symbol.

[0216] In this implementation, if the first of the L earliest timings in the time domain among the K timings is not located at the start point of the time slot (starting symbol or symbol 0), each of these L timings can be shifted forward by x symbols in the time domain, where x is equal to the difference between the starting symbol index occupied by the first timing and the starting symbol index of the time slot.

[0217] In other words, when K opportunities are located in the same time slot, the L opportunities can refer to the L opportunities that occur first among the K opportunities, shifted forward by x symbols in the time domain.

[0218] For example, if K equals 5, the third pattern can be as follows: Figure 9 As shown. Figure 9The text describes an example of a time slot consisting of 14 symbols (symbols 0 to 13). Figure 9 The pattern in the diagram indicates the timing of transmitting measurement signals on the five carriers (carrier 1 to carrier 5). Specifically, the timing of the measurement signal on carrier 1 is: occupying symbol 1, occupying 1 symbol; the timing of the measurement signal on carrier 2 is: occupying symbol 3, occupying 1 symbol; the timing of the measurement signal on carrier 3 is: occupying symbol 6, occupying 1 symbol; the timing of the measurement signal on carrier 4 is: occupying symbol 9, occupying 1 symbol; and the timing of the measurement signal on carrier 5 is: occupying symbol 12, occupying 1 symbol.

[0219] Assuming that carriers 2 and 4 are the activated carriers, then we can... Figure 9 The first three of the five available opportunities are designated as the opportunities for the three inactive carriers. Since the opportunity in carrier 1 occupies one symbol, and the difference between its index and the starting symbol of the time slot is x = 1, the symbols occupied by the first three opportunities are shifted forward by one symbol. The resulting L opportunities can be obtained as follows: Figure 10 As shown. Figure 10 In the above, the timing of the measurement signal on carrier 1 is: occupying symbol 0, occupying 1 symbol; the timing of the measurement signal on carrier 3 is: occupying symbol 2, occupying 1 symbol; the timing of the measurement signal on carrier 5 is: occupying symbol 5, occupying 1 symbol.

[0220] In this implementation, when the network device is configured with L timings, the network device can indicate a fourth pattern, which indicates the L timings. For example, K third patterns are... Figure 7 When the pattern shown is shown, the fourth pattern can be... Figure 8 The pattern shown.

[0221] It should be noted that in this implementation, within the activated carrier, some symbols outside the symbols occupied by the L time slots can be used for PUSCH transmission. For example... Figure 8 In the PUSCH transmission, symbols 8 to 13 of carrier 2 and carrier 4 can be used.

[0222] In the second implementation method, the L opportunities are the L opportunities that appear last in the time domain among the K opportunities, and the L opportunities correspond one-to-one with the L second uplink carriers.

[0223] In other words, in this implementation, the L transmission opportunities can refer to the L later transmission opportunities out of the K transmission opportunities in the time domain. Alternatively, when the K transmission opportunities are located in the same time slot, the L transmission opportunities can refer to the L transmission opportunities preceding the end of that time slot out of the K transmission opportunities.

[0224] For example, combining Figure 7Assuming carriers 2 and 4 are the activated carriers, then the last three opportunities out of the five opportunities can be considered as the opportunities for the three inactive carriers. Specifically, for example... Figure 11 As shown, the timing of the measurement signal on carrier 1 is: occupying symbol 0, occupying 1 symbol; the timing of the measurement signal on carrier 3 is: occupying symbol 3, occupying 1 symbol; the timing of the measurement signal on carrier 5 is: occupying symbol 6, occupying 1 symbol.

[0225] In this implementation, if the last of the L time slots that last appears in the time domain among the K time slots is not located at the end point of the time slot (end symbol or symbol 13), each of these L time slots can be shifted backward by y symbols in the time domain, where y is equal to the difference between the starting symbol index occupied by the last sending time slot and the ending symbol index of the time slot.

[0226] In other words, when K opportunities are located in the same time slot, the L opportunities can refer to the L opportunities that occur last among the K opportunities, shifted backward by y symbols in the time domain.

[0227] For example, combining Figure 7 Assuming that carriers 2 and 4 are the activated carriers, then we can... Figure 7 The last three opportunities out of the five opportunities are considered as the opportunities for the three inactive carriers. Since the opportunity in carrier 5 occupies 12 symbols, and the difference between its index and the index of the end symbol of the time slot is y = 1, the symbols occupied by the last three opportunities are shifted forward by one symbol. The resulting L opportunities can be obtained as follows: Figure 12 As shown. Figure 12 In the above, the timing of the measurement signal on carrier 1 is as follows: occupying symbol 8, occupying 1 symbol; the timing of the measurement signal on carrier 3 is as follows: occupying symbol 10, occupying 1 symbol; the timing of the measurement signal on carrier 5 is as follows: occupying symbol 13, occupying 1 symbol.

[0228] In this implementation, when the network device is configured with L timings, the network device can indicate a fourth pattern, which indicates the L timings. For example, K third patterns are... Figure 7 When the pattern shown is shown, the fourth pattern can be... Figure 8 The pattern shown.

[0229] It should be noted that in this implementation, within the activated carrier, some symbols outside the symbols occupied by the L time slots can be used for PUSCH transmission. For example... Figure 11 In the PUSCH transmission, symbols 0 to 5 of carrier 2 and carrier 4 can be used.

[0230] In the third implementation method, the L opportunities are the L opportunities corresponding to the L second uplink carriers out of the K opportunities.

[0231] For example, combining Figure 7 Assuming carriers 2 and 4 are the activated carriers, then the inactive carriers will no longer transmit measurement signals. In this case, the L timing points can be as follows: Figure 13 As shown. Figure 13 In the above, the timing of the measurement signal on carrier 1 is: occupying symbol 0, occupying 1 symbol; the timing of the measurement signal on carrier 3 is: occupying symbol 3, occupying 1 symbol; the timing of the measurement signal on carrier 5 is: occupying symbol 13, occupying 1 symbol.

[0232] Optionally, in this application, before transmitting measurement signals on the second uplink carrier, the terminal device may also report its own capability information to the network device. The capability information indicates that the terminal device can switch measurement signals one by one on the uplink carrier. After receiving the aforementioned capability information, the network device performs corresponding configuration. This capability information reporting is applicable to any embodiment in this application.

[0233] It should be noted that the above implementation method is an example, and there may be other implementation methods to determine L timings, which will not be listed here.

[0234] Example 5:

[0235] In this embodiment, the network device can determine whether a carrier can be used to transmit information based on the signal quality or signal strength of the measurement signal received on the carrier. For ease of description, carriers that can be used to transmit information are referred to as activated carriers, and carriers that cannot be used to transmit information are referred to as inactive carriers. The following is a detailed description.

[0236] Step 1: The network device receives at least one measurement signal on the second uplink carrier.

[0237] The measurement signal can be sent periodically or non-periodically by the terminal device. The meaning of the measurement signal can be found in the descriptions in the previous embodiments, and will not be repeated here.

[0238] Step 2: The network device determines whether the second uplink carrier can be used to transmit information based on the measurement results of at least one measurement signal.

[0239] Step 3: When it is determined that the activated second uplink carrier can be used to transmit information, the network device sends activation information to the terminal device, the activation information indicating that the second uplink carrier can be used to transmit information.

[0240] Network devices can send activation information via the first uplink carrier.

[0241] This application offers several implementations for determining whether a second uplink carrier can be used to transmit information. In one implementation, when the signal quality or signal strength of each of the at least one measurement signal is greater than or equal to a third threshold, the second uplink carrier is determined to be capable of transmitting information; when the signal quality or signal strength of one or more measurement signals is less than the third threshold, the second uplink carrier is determined to be incapable of transmitting information.

[0242] The third threshold can be pre-configured or determined in other ways; this application does not limit it. The specific meaning of signal strength can be found in the descriptions in the preceding embodiments, and will not be repeated here.

[0243] In another implementation, when the number of measurement signals with signal quality or signal strength greater than or equal to a third threshold among the at least one measurement signal is greater than or equal to H, it is determined that the second uplink carrier can be used to transmit information or is used to transmit information; when the number of measurement signals with signal quality or signal strength greater than or equal to the third threshold among the at least one measurement signal is less than H, it is determined that the second uplink carrier cannot be used to transmit information or is not used to transmit information. H is a number greater than 0.

[0244] In another implementation, when the average value of the signal quality or signal strength of the at least one measured signal is greater than or equal to a third threshold, it is determined that the second uplink carrier can be used to transmit information or can be used to transmit information; when the average value of the signal strength of the at least one measured signal is less than the third threshold, it is determined that the second uplink carrier cannot be used to transmit information or cannot be used to transmit information.

[0245] The above are just examples. There may be other ways to determine whether the second uplink carrier can be used to transmit information, which will not be listed here.

[0246] In this embodiment of the application, when the measurement signal is a semi-static scheduling (SPS), if the scheduled measurement signal is transmitted in N periods or at N times, or if the number of repeated transmissions of the scheduled measurement signal is K, the network device can also receive feedback information from the terminal device. This feedback information can indicate whether the terminal device has not transmitted a measurement signal during a specific period or at a specific time, or whether the terminal device has not transmitted the measurement signal a specific number of times.

[0247] When the network device performs Layer 3 filtering on the signal strength of at least one measurement signal on the second uplink carrier, it sets the period, timing, or repetition count of when the terminal device does not send a measurement signal to zero. This method avoids misjudgments caused by the network device's inability to determine the period, timing, or repetition count of the transmitted measurement signal, thus improving the filtering accuracy.

[0248] In the embodiments provided above, the methods provided by the embodiments of this application have been described from the perspective of interaction between various devices. To implement the functions of the methods provided in the embodiments of this application, network devices or terminal devices may include hardware structures and / or software modules, implementing the above functions in the form of hardware structures, software modules, or a combination of hardware structures and software modules. Whether a particular function is executed in the form of hardware structures, software modules, or a combination of hardware structures and software modules depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution.

[0249] The module division in this embodiment is illustrative and represents only one logical functional division; in actual implementation, other division methods may be used. Furthermore, the functional modules in the various embodiments of this application can be integrated into a single processor, exist as separate physical entities, or be integrated into a single module. The integrated modules described above can be implemented in hardware or as software functional modules.

[0250] Similar to the above concept, such as Figure 14 As shown, this application embodiment also provides an apparatus 1400 for implementing the functions of the network device or terminal device in the above method. For example, the apparatus can be a software module or a chip system. In this application embodiment, the chip system can be composed of chips or may include chips and other discrete devices. The apparatus 1400 may include: a processing unit 1401 and a communication unit 1402.

[0251] In this embodiment of the application, the communication unit may also be called a transceiver unit, which may include a sending unit and / or a receiving unit, respectively used to perform the sending and receiving steps of the network device or terminal device in the above method embodiment.

[0252] The following, combined with Figures 14 to 9 This application provides a detailed description of the communication device provided in its embodiments. It should be understood that the descriptions of the device embodiments correspond to the descriptions of the method embodiments; therefore, any content not described in detail here will be referred to the method embodiments above, and for the sake of brevity, will not be repeated here.

[0253] A communication unit can also be called a transceiver, transceiver device, or transceiver unit. A processing unit can also be called a processor, processing board, processing module, or processing device. Optionally, the device in communication unit 1402 used to implement the receiving function can be considered as a receiving unit, and the device in communication unit 1402 used to implement the transmitting function can be considered as a transmitting unit; that is, communication unit 1402 includes a receiving unit and a transmitting unit. A communication unit can sometimes also be called a transceiver, transceiver unit, or transceiver circuit. A receiving unit can sometimes be called a receiver, receiver, or receiving circuit. A transmitting unit can sometimes be called a transmitter, transmitter, or transmitting circuit.

[0254] Communication device 1400 performs the above embodiment Figure 2 The functions of the terminal device in the process shown are as follows:

[0255] A communication unit is configured to receive configuration information from a network device; the configuration information is used to indicate the timing and / or period for transmitting measurement signals on a second uplink carrier.

[0256] The processing unit is used to obtain the signal quality or signal strength on the downlink carrier associated with the first uplink carrier, or the signal quality or signal strength on the downlink resources in the first uplink carrier;

[0257] A communication unit is configured to transmit the measurement signal on the second uplink carrier during the specified time and / or period when a first condition is met; or, when the first condition is not met, to determine that the measurement signal is not transmitted on the second uplink carrier during the specified time and / or period; wherein the first condition includes: the signal quality or signal strength is greater than or equal to a first threshold.

[0258] Communication device 1400 performs the above embodiment Figure 2 The functions of the network devices in the illustrated process are as follows:

[0259] A processing unit is configured to generate configuration information; the configuration information is used to indicate the timing and / or period for transmitting measurement signals on a second uplink carrier.

[0260] A communication unit is configured to send configuration information to a terminal device; and when a first condition is met, receive the measurement signal at the specified timing and / or period on the second uplink carrier.

[0261] The first condition includes: the signal quality or signal strength on the downlink carrier associated with the first uplink carrier is greater than or equal to the first threshold, or the signal quality or signal strength on the downlink resources in the first uplink carrier is greater than or equal to the first threshold.

[0262] Communication device 1400 performs the above embodiment Figure 4The functions of the terminal device in the process shown are as follows:

[0263] The processing unit is configured to send a scheduling request to the network device via a communication unit on a first resource or a second resource in a first uplink carrier; the scheduling request is used to request the network device to send scheduling information.

[0264] The processing unit is configured to receive first scheduling information from the network device when the scheduling request is sent on the first resource via the communication unit; the first scheduling information is configured to instruct the terminal device to send a measurement signal on a second uplink carrier; or, when the scheduling request is sent on the second resource, receive second scheduling information from the network device; the second scheduling information is configured to instruct the terminal device on the resource for sending data.

[0265] Communication device 1400 performs the above embodiment Figure 4 The functions of the network devices in the illustrated process are as follows:

[0266] A communication unit is configured to receive a scheduling request from a terminal device in a first uplink carrier wave; the scheduling request is used to request scheduling information.

[0267] The processing unit is configured to, upon receiving the scheduling request on the first resource, send first scheduling information to the terminal device via the communication unit; the first scheduling information is used to instruct the terminal device to send a measurement signal on the second uplink carrier; or...

[0268] The processing unit is configured to send second scheduling information to the terminal device through the communication unit when it receives the scheduling request on the second resource; the second scheduling information is used to indicate the resources used by the terminal device for sending data.

[0269] Communication device 1400 performs the above embodiment Figure 5 The functions of the terminal device in the process shown are as follows:

[0270] A processing unit is configured to receive first scheduling information via a communication unit; the first scheduling information includes first information and second information; the first information is used to instruct the terminal device to transmit a measurement signal on a second uplink carrier; the second information is used to instruct the resources on the first uplink carrier for transmitting data.

[0271] The processing unit is configured to transmit the measurement signal on the second uplink carrier via the communication unit.

[0272] Communication device 1400 performs the above embodiment Figure 5 The functions of the network devices in the illustrated process are as follows:

[0273] A processing unit is configured to send first scheduling information via a communication unit; the first scheduling information includes first information and second information; the first information is used to instruct the terminal device to send a measurement signal on a second uplink carrier; the second information is used to instruct the resources on the first uplink carrier for sending data.

[0274] The processing unit is configured to receive the measurement signal on the second uplink carrier via the communication unit.

[0275] Communication device 1400 performs the above embodiment Figure 6 The functions of the terminal device in the process shown are as follows:

[0276] The processing unit is configured to receive a first instruction from a network device via a communication unit, wherein the first instruction is configured to indicate which of the K second uplink carriers can be used to transmit information or a second uplink carrier used to transmit information.

[0277] The processing unit is used to transmit measurement signals in L second uplink carriers through the communication unit; the L second uplink carriers are the second uplink carriers other than those that can be used to transmit information or are used to transmit information among the K second uplink carriers, where L is an integer less than or equal to K, and K is an integer greater than 0.

[0278] Communication device 1400 performs the above embodiment Figure 6 The function of the network device in the process shown is as follows:

[0279] The processing unit is configured to send a first instruction to the terminal device via the communication unit. The first instruction is configured to indicate which of the K second uplink carriers can be used to transmit information or a second uplink carrier used to transmit information.

[0280] The processing unit is configured to receive measurement signals from the terminal device via the communication unit among L second uplink carriers; the L second uplink carriers are the second uplink carriers other than those that can be used to transmit information or are used to transmit information among the K second uplink carriers, where L is an integer less than or equal to K, and K is an integer greater than 0.

[0281] The above is just an example. Processing unit 1401 and communication unit 1402 can also perform other functions. For a more detailed description, please refer to [link / reference needed]. Figures 2 to 6 The relevant descriptions in the method embodiments shown are not repeated here.

[0282] like Figure 15 The image shown is of the apparatus 1500 provided in an embodiment of this application. Figure 15 The device shown can be Figure 14The illustrated device represents one hardware circuit implementation. This communication device can be applied to the flowchart shown above to perform the functions of the terminal device or network device in the method embodiments described. For ease of explanation, Figure 15 Only the main components of the communication device are shown.

[0283] like Figure 15 As shown, the communication device 1500 includes a processor 1510 and a communication interface 1520. The processor 1510 and the communication interface 1520 are coupled to each other. It is understood that the communication interface 1520 can be a transceiver or an input / output interface. Optionally, the communication device 1500 may also include a memory 1530 for storing instructions executed by the processor 1510, or storing input data required by the processor 1510 to execute instructions, or storing data generated after the processor 1510 executes instructions.

[0284] When the communication device 1500 is used to achieve Figures 2 to 6 In the method shown, the processor 1510 is used to implement the functions of the processing unit 801, and the communication interface 1520 is used to implement the functions of the communication unit 802.

[0285] When the aforementioned communication device is a chip applied to a terminal device, the terminal device chip implements the functions of the terminal device in the above method embodiments. The terminal device chip receives information from other modules (such as an RF module or antenna) in the terminal device, the information being sent to the terminal device by the network device; or, the terminal device chip sends information to other modules (such as an RF module or antenna) in the terminal device, the information being sent to the network device by the terminal device.

[0286] When the aforementioned communication device is a chip applied to a network device, the network device chip implements the functions of the network device in the above method embodiments. The network device chip receives information from other modules (such as radio frequency modules or antennas) in the network device, which is information sent from the terminal device to the network device; or, the network device chip sends information to other modules (such as radio frequency modules or antennas) in the network device, which is information sent from the network device to the terminal device.

[0287] It is understood that the processor in the embodiments of this application may be a Central Processing Unit (CPU), or other general-purpose processors, digital signal processors (DSPs), application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), or other programmable logic devices, transistor logic devices, hardware components, or any combination thereof. A general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor or any conventional processor.

[0288] In embodiments of this application, the processor may be a random access memory (RAM), flash memory, read-only memory (ROM), programmable read-only memory (PROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), register, hard disk, portable hard disk, CD-ROM, or any other form of storage medium known in the art. An exemplary storage medium is coupled to the processor, enabling the processor to read information from and write information to the storage medium. Of course, the storage medium may also be a component of the processor. The processor and storage medium may reside in an ASIC. Additionally, the ASIC may reside in a network device or terminal device. Alternatively, the processor and storage medium may exist as discrete components in the network device or terminal device.

[0289] Those skilled in the art will understand that embodiments of this application can be provided as methods, systems, or computer program products. Therefore, this application can take the form of a completely hardware embodiment, a completely software embodiment, or an embodiment combining software and hardware aspects. Furthermore, this application can take the form of a computer program product embodied on one or more computer-usable storage media (including, but not limited to, disk storage, optical storage, etc.) containing computer-usable program code.

[0290] This application is described with reference to flowchart illustrations and / or block diagrams of methods, apparatus (systems), and computer program products according to this application. It should be understood that each block of the flowchart illustrations and / or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in the flowchart illustrations and / or block diagrams, can be implemented by computer program instructions. These computer program instructions can be provided to a processor of a general-purpose computer, special-purpose computer, embedded processor, or other programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, such that the instructions, which execute via the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing apparatus, generate instructions for implementing the flowchart illustrations. Figure 1 One or more processes and / or boxes Figure 1 A device that provides the functions specified in one or more boxes.

[0291] These computer program instructions may also be stored in a computer-readable storage medium that can direct a computer or other programmable data processing device to function in a particular manner, such that the instructions stored in the computer-readable storage medium produce an article of manufacture including instruction means, which are implemented in a process Figure 1 One or more processes and / or boxes Figure 1 The function specified in one or more boxes.

[0292] Obviously, those skilled in the art can make various modifications and variations to this application without departing from the scope of this application. Therefore, if such modifications and variations fall within the scope of the claims of this application and their equivalents, this application also intends to include such modifications and variations.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that, include: Receive configuration information from network devices; The configuration information is used to indicate the timing and / or period for transmitting measurement signals on the second uplink carrier; Obtain the signal quality or signal strength on the downlink carrier associated with the first uplink carrier, or the signal quality or signal strength on the downlink resources in the first uplink carrier; When the first condition is met, the measurement signal is transmitted on the second uplink carrier at the specified timing and / or period. or, When the first condition is not met, it is determined that the timing and / or the period will not be occupied on the second uplink carrier to transmit the measurement signal; wherein, the first condition includes: the signal quality or signal strength is greater than or equal to a first threshold; the amount of data to be transmitted is greater than or equal to a second threshold.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, Also includes: Send feedback information to the network device; the feedback information is used to indicate the timing and / or period during which measurement signals are not being sent.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The second uplink carrier is an additional uplink carrier to the first uplink carrier.

4. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The measurement signal is used to determine whether the second uplink carrier is used to transmit information or whether it is capable of being used to transmit information.

5. A communication method, characterized in that, include: Send configuration information to the terminal device; The configuration information is used to indicate the timing and / or period for transmitting measurement signals on the second uplink carrier; When the first condition is met, the measurement signal is received at the timing and / or the period on the second uplink carrier; The first condition includes: the signal quality or signal strength on the downlink carrier associated with the first uplink carrier is greater than or equal to a first threshold, or the signal quality or signal strength on the downlink resources in the first uplink carrier is greater than or equal to the first threshold; and the amount of data to be transmitted by the terminal device is greater than or equal to a second threshold.

6. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that, Also includes: Receive feedback information from the terminal device; The feedback information is used to indicate the timing and / or period during which measurement signals are not transmitted.

7. The method according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that, The second uplink carrier is an additional uplink carrier to the first uplink carrier.

8. The method according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that, The measurement signal is used to determine whether the second uplink carrier is used to transmit information or whether it is capable of being used to transmit information.

9. A communication device, characterized in that, include: A communication unit, used to receive configuration information from network devices; The configuration information is used to indicate the timing and / or period for transmitting measurement signals on the second uplink carrier; The processing unit is used to obtain the signal quality or signal strength on the downlink carrier associated with the first uplink carrier, or the signal quality or signal strength on the downlink resources in the first uplink carrier; A communication unit is configured to transmit the measurement signal on the second uplink carrier at the specified timing and / or period when the first condition is met. Alternatively, if the first condition is not met, it is determined that the timing and / or the period will not be occupied on the second uplink carrier to transmit the measurement signal; wherein the first condition includes: the signal quality or signal strength is greater than or equal to a first threshold; the amount of data to be transmitted is greater than or equal to a second threshold.

10. The apparatus according to claim 9, characterized in that, The communication unit is also used for: Send feedback information to the network device; the feedback information is used to indicate the timing and / or period during which measurement signals are not being sent.

11. The apparatus according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that, The second uplink carrier is an additional uplink carrier to the first uplink carrier.

12. The apparatus according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that, The measurement signal is used to determine whether the second uplink carrier is used to transmit information or whether it can be used to transmit information.

13. A communication device, characterized in that, include: The processing unit is used to generate configuration information; The configuration information is used to indicate the timing and / or period for transmitting measurement signals on the second uplink carrier; The communication unit is used to send configuration information to the terminal device; When the first condition is met, the measurement signal is received at the timing and / or the period on the second uplink carrier; The first condition includes: the signal quality or signal strength on the downlink carrier associated with the first uplink carrier is greater than or equal to a first threshold, or the signal quality or signal strength on the downlink resources in the first uplink carrier is greater than or equal to the first threshold; and the amount of data to be transmitted by the terminal device is greater than or equal to a second threshold.

14. The apparatus according to claim 13, characterized in that, The communication unit is also used for: Receive feedback information from the terminal device; the feedback information is used to indicate the timing and / or period during which measurement signals are not transmitted.

15. The apparatus according to claim 13 or 14, characterized in that, The second uplink carrier is an additional uplink carrier to the first uplink carrier.

16. The apparatus according to claim 13 or 14, characterized in that, The measurement signal is used to determine whether the second uplink carrier is used to transmit information or whether it is capable of being used to transmit information.

17. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, Includes instructions that, when executed on a computer, cause the computer to perform the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 8.

18. A computer program product, characterized in that, Includes computer-readable instructions that, when read and executed by a computer, cause the computer to perform the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 8.

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