Communication method and apparatus

Abstract

This application provides a communication method and apparatus that can reduce the latency of updating TCI status information in CORESET, that is, reduce the latency of updating source reference signals that have a QCL relationship with the demodulation reference signal of PDCCH, or reduce the latency of the receiving beam used by the terminal when monitoring PDCCH in CORESET, thereby reducing the probability of communication link interruption. The method includes: the terminal reporting channel state information to the network device, the channel state information including the identifier of at least one reference signal and the RSRP and / or SINR corresponding to each of the at least one reference signal; when the channel state information meets preset conditions, PDCCH monitoring is started on the first SS; wherein, the demodulation reference signal of PDCCH on the first SS and the first reference signal satisfy a type D QCL relationship, and the first reference signal is the reference signal with the highest RSRP or the reference signal with the highest SINR in the channel state information.

Description

[0001] This application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 202210044848.9, filed with the State Intellectual Property Office of China on January 14, 2022, entitled "A Communication Method, Terminal and Network Device", the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0002] This application relates to the field of communication technology, and in particular to a communication method and apparatus. Background Technology

[0003] In millimeter-wave communication, during the initial stage of establishing a connection, the transceiver needs to determine the appropriate beam direction and corresponding spatial filtering parameters through a beam training process, and determine the beam pair link (BPL) between the transceiver.

[0004] In existing new radio (NR) systems, beam training is completed through a channel state information (CSI) reporting process. For example, network devices (transmitting devices) send channel state information reference signals (CSI-RS) to terminal devices (receiving devices) using different beams. There is usually a correspondence between different reference signals and beams. Terminal devices can use different beams to receive the CSI-RS signal, thereby obtaining a receive beam that matches the different transmit beams of the network device, i.e., determining one or more BPLs. Then, the terminal device reports the CSI-RS measurement results to the network device. These measurement results include the identifier of the reference signal and the corresponding reference signal received power or signal-to-noise ratio. Based on the CSI-RS measurement results, the network device can determine one or more better transmit beams, completing the beam training process.

[0005] After beam training is completed, network devices and terminal devices can transmit and receive downlink control information (DCI) carried by the physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) through the optimal BPL. Since the terminal device is unsure whether the network device will transmit DCI or where it will be transmitted, the network device will pre-configure a control resource set (CORESET) and a search space (SS) for the terminal device to determine some candidate time-frequency resource locations, so that the terminal device can perform blind detection of the physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) (or DCI) at these locations.

[0006] The CORESET configuration information includes Transmission Configuration Indicator (TCI) status information. TCI status information indicates the source reference signal (RS) that has a Type D quasi-co-location (QCL) relationship with the PDCCH's demodulation reference signal (DMRS). It can be understood that if two reference signals have a Type D QCL relationship, the receive beam corresponding to one reference signal can be determined based on the receive beam corresponding to the other reference signal. Therefore, the terminal device can determine the receive beam used for blind detection of the PDCCH based on the BPL corresponding to the Type D QCL source reference signal indicated by the TCI status information. Specifically, if the TCI status information indicates that the PDCCH's DMRS and a certain CSI-RS have a Type D QCL relationship, and the terminal device has previously determined the optimal receive beam corresponding to that CSI-RS through a beam training process, then the terminal device can use the same receive beam to perform blind detection of the PDCCH at the same time-frequency location.

[0007] However, when obstructions occur between transceiver devices, the communication quality of the previously determined optimal BPL may degrade. Therefore, network devices need to reconfigure (i.e., update) the TCI status information in the CORESET, that is, update the BPL used for PDCCH transmission and reception on the CORESET, which is essentially beam switching. The existing TCI status information reconfiguration process generally includes: the terminal device reporting a CSI; the network device receiving the CSI and replying with an acknowledgement (ACK) message; when the CSI indicates a degradation in the quality of the original BPL or a change in the optimal BPL, the network device sends signaling to activate the new TCI status information to update the BPL used for PDCCH transmission and reception; the terminal device demodulates and decodes this signaling and replies with an ACK message. This process involves complex signaling interactions, resulting in excessive delays in updating the TCI status information. In other words, this process causes excessive delays in updating the source reference signal that has a QCL relationship with the demodulation reference signal associated with the PDCCH (or DCI). During beam switching, the communication quality of the beam link typically degrades rapidly. If the new TCI status information or new BPL configuration is not completed before the beam link becomes completely unavailable, it may lead to a communication link interruption. Summary of the Invention

[0008] This application provides a communication method and apparatus that can reduce the latency of updating TCI status information in CORESET, that is, reduce the latency of updating source reference signals that have a QCL relationship with the demodulation reference signal of PDCCH, or reduce the latency of updating the receiving beam used by the terminal when monitoring PDCCH on CORESET / SS, thereby reducing the probability of communication link interruption.

[0009] To achieve the above objectives, this application adopts the following technical solution:

[0010] In a first aspect, this application provides a communication method, which can be executed by a terminal or by a component of the terminal, such as a processor, chip, or chip system of the terminal. The method includes: reporting channel state information to a network device, the channel state information including an identifier of at least one reference signal and a reference signal received power (RSRP) and / or a signal-to-interference-plus-noise ratio (SINR) corresponding to each of the at least one reference signal; when the channel state information meets preset conditions, starting to monitor the physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) on a first search space (SS); wherein the demodulation reference signal of the PDCCH on the first SS and the first reference signal satisfy a type D quasi-co-addressable (QCL) relationship, and the first reference signal is the reference signal with the highest RSRP or the reference signal with the highest SINR in the channel state information.

[0011] Based on the above technical solution, when the channel state information meets the preset conditions, it can be inferred that a change in the optimal BPL between the network device and the terminal will lead to a switch in the optimal BPL / beam. The network device can then send PDCCH to the terminal on the first SS, and the terminal begins monitoring the PDCCH on the first SS, meaning the first SS becomes effective or is activated. In other words, the terminal and the network device can directly use the new beam on the first SS to transmit and receive PDCCH. The demodulation reference signal of the PDCCH in the first SS and the first reference signal satisfy a type D QCL relationship. It can be understood that the type D source reference signal indicated in the TCI state information of the CORESET associated with the first SS is the first reference signal, or a reference signal with a type D QCL relationship with the first reference signal. The first reference signal is the reference signal with the highest RSRP or the reference signal with the highest SINR in the channel state information, meaning the BPL corresponding to the first reference signal is the optimal BPL. Therefore, the network device can use the transmit beam corresponding to this optimal BPL to transmit PDCCH, and the terminal can use the receive beam corresponding to this optimal BPL to monitor PDCCH.

[0012] In this way, when the channel state information reported by the terminal indicates a change in the optimal beam shift (BPL) between the terminal and the network device, the terminal and the network device can directly activate a temporary first SS. Both can then transmit and receive PDCCH on this temporary first SS according to the optimal BPL indicated in the channel state information, enabling faster and more efficient beam switching. Specifically, after the first SS is activated, the TCI state information of the CORESET associated with it is automatically configured, meaning the type D QCL source reference signal is the first reference signal. Therefore, the terminal and network device do not need to update the CORESET's TCI state information through complex signaling interactions, saving significant signaling interaction time and reducing the latency of updating the TCI state information. This reduces the latency of updating the receiving beam used by the terminal to monitor the PDCCH in the CORESET, or the latency of updating the source reference signal with a QCL relationship to the demodulation reference signal of the PDCCH (or DCI), thus reducing the probability of link interruption.

[0013] In one possible design, before reporting channel state information to the network device, the method further includes: receiving first configuration information from the network device; the first configuration information includes configuration information of a first control resource set (CORESET) and configuration information of a first service level (SS), the configuration information of the first CORESET and the configuration information of the first SS include time-frequency location information of candidate PDCCHs, the first SS is associated with the first CORESET, which can also be understood as the configuration information of the first CORESET being applicable to the first SS; the first CORESET is a first type of CORESET, wherein the SS associated with the first type of CORESET is the SS that the terminal does not perform PDCCH monitoring by default, which can also be understood as the terminal not performing PDCCH monitoring on the first SS after receiving the first configuration information. Furthermore, the fact that the demodulation reference signal of the PDCCH on the first SS and the first reference signal satisfy a type D QCL relationship can also be understood as the demodulation reference signal of the PDCCH on the first CORESET and the first reference signal satisfying a type D QCL relationship.

[0014] In one possible design, before reporting channel state information to the network device, the method further includes: receiving second configuration information from the network device; the second configuration information includes configuration information for at least one second type of CORESET and configuration information for at least one second SS, wherein the at least one second SS is associated with at least one second type of CORESET, and on the SS associated with the second type of CORESET, the terminal needs to perform PDCCH monitoring; the configuration information for each second type of CORESET includes Transmission Configuration Indicator (TCI) status information, which indicates the source reference signal, and the source reference signal and the demodulation reference signal of the PDCCH on the second type of CORESET satisfy a type D QCL relationship. The PDCCH on the second type of CORESET can be understood as the PDCCH on at least one second SS associated with the second type of CORESET.

[0015] In one possible design, the preset conditions include: the first reference signal and the second reference signal are different; or, the first reference signal and the second reference signal do not satisfy a type D QCL relationship; wherein, the second reference signal is a source reference signal indicated by TCI state information included in the configuration information of at least one second-type CORESET. Based on this design, when the preset conditions are met, it can be determined from the channel state information that the existing BPL used for PDCCH transmission and reception is of lower quality than the BPL corresponding to the first reference signal, therefore, PDCCH transmission and reception need to be performed on a new BPL.

[0016] In one possible design, the channel state information includes an identifier for a third reference signal and the corresponding RSRP and / or SINR. Preset conditions include: the RSRP or SINR value of the third reference signal is lower than a preset threshold, and the third reference signal is the same as the second reference signal; or, the RSRP or SINR value of the third reference signal is lower than a preset threshold, and the third reference signal and the second reference signal satisfy a type D QCL relationship. The second reference signal is a source reference signal indicated by TCI state information included in the configuration information of at least one second-type CORESET. Based on this design, when the preset conditions are met, it can be determined from the channel state information that the existing BPL used for PDCCH transmission and reception is lower than the preset threshold, therefore, PDCCH transmission and reception need to be performed on a new BPL.

[0017] In one possible design, the first SS is a first user-specific search space (USS), and at least one second SS includes at least one second USS. The method further includes: when PDCCH monitoring is required on the first USS and some or all of the second USS in the at least one second USS at the target time unit, PDCCH monitoring is preferentially performed on the first USS based on the terminal's monitoring capability. It can be understood that the BPL corresponding to the first USS is the optimal BPL indicated in the channel state information. Therefore, based on this design, the terminal preferentially monitors the PDCCH on the first USS, which can make PDCCH monitoring more efficient.

[0018] In one possible design, the first SS is a first USS, and at least one second SS includes at least one second USS. The method further includes: when PDCCH monitoring needs to be performed on the first USS and some or all of the second USS in the at least one second USS at the target time unit, PDCCH monitoring is performed on the corresponding USS according to the terminal's monitoring capability and the priority of the USS; wherein, the priority of the first USS is lower than the priority of the third USS but higher than the priority of the fourth USS, the third USS is the second highest priority second USS among the at least one second USS, and the fourth USS is the second highest priority second USS among the at least one second USS; or, the priority of the first USS is lower than the priority of the third USS but higher than the priority of the fourth USS, the third USS is the second highest priority second USS at the target time unit, and the fourth USS is the second highest priority second USS at the target time unit. Based on this design, the terminal prioritizes PDCCH monitoring on the second USS, which has the highest priority. In other words, the terminal prioritizes PDCCH monitoring on the existing BPL. This ensures that if the terminal activates the first SS when the network device does not receive channel state information, but the network device does not activate the first SS, the network device and the terminal cannot transmit and receive PDCCH on the new BPL. This ensures that the existing BPL can still perform some basic communication operations as long as the communication quality of the existing BPL is not completely degraded to unusable levels. Therefore, this scheme can guarantee that the communication link is not interrupted.

[0019] In one possible design, after monitoring the PDCCH on the first SS, the method further includes: stopping the monitoring of the PDCCH on the first SS after the first time point; the first time point is the time after the second time point, which is the time when channel state information is sent to the network device; or, the time when an acknowledgment message is received from the network device, the acknowledgment message being used to indicate that the network device has successfully received the channel state information; or, the time when the first SS first takes effect; or, the time when the PDCCH is first detected on the first SS.

[0020] In one possible design, after monitoring the PDCCH on the first SS, the method further includes: after receiving TCI status information included in the configuration information of the target CORESET reconfigured by the network device, stopping the monitoring of the PDCCH on the first SS, wherein the target CORESET belongs to at least one second type of CORESET; or, after receiving target indication information from the network device, stopping the monitoring of the PDCCH on the first SS, wherein the target indication information is used to instruct the terminal to stop monitoring the PDCCH on the first SS.

[0021] Secondly, this application provides a communication method, which can be executed by a network device or by a component of the network device, such as a processor, chip, or chip system of the network device. The method includes: receiving channel state information from a terminal, the channel state information including an identifier of at least one reference signal and RSRP and / or SINR corresponding to each of the at least one reference signal; determining that the terminal starts monitoring PDCCH on a first SS when the channel state information meets preset conditions; wherein the demodulation reference signal of the PDCCH on the first SS and the first reference signal satisfy a type D QCL relationship, and the first reference signal is the reference signal with the highest RSRP or the reference signal with the highest SINR in the first channel state information.

[0022] In one possible design, before receiving channel state information from the terminal, the method further includes: sending first configuration information to the terminal; the first configuration information includes configuration information of a first CORESET and configuration information of a first SS, the configuration information of the first CORESET and the configuration information of the first SS including time-frequency position information of candidate PDCCHs, the first SS being associated with the first CORESET, which can also be understood as the configuration information of the first CORESET being applicable to the first SS; the first CORESET is a first type of CORESET, wherein the SS associated with the first type of CORESET is the SS that the terminal does not perform PDCCH monitoring by default. This can also be understood as the terminal not performing PDCCH monitoring on the first SS after receiving the first configuration information. Furthermore, the fact that the demodulation reference signal of the PDCCH on the first SS and the first reference signal satisfy a type D QCL relationship can also be understood as the demodulation reference signal of the PDCCH on the first CORESET and the first reference signal satisfying a type D QCL relationship.

[0023] In one possible design, before receiving channel state information from the terminal, the method further includes: sending second configuration information to the terminal; the second configuration information includes configuration information for at least one second type of CORESET and configuration information for at least one second SS, wherein the at least one second SS is associated with at least one second type of CORESET, and the terminal needs to perform PDCCH monitoring on the SS associated with the second type of CORESET; the configuration information for each second type of CORESET includes Transmission Configuration Indicator (TCI) status information, which indicates the source reference signal, and the source reference signal and the demodulation reference signal of the PDCCH on the second type of CORESET satisfy a type D QCL relationship. The PDCCH on the second type of CORESET can be understood as the PDCCH on at least one second SS associated with the second type of CORESET.

[0024] In one possible design, the preset conditions include: the first reference signal and the second reference signal are different; or, the first reference signal and the second reference signal do not satisfy the type D QCL relationship; wherein, the second reference signal is a source reference signal indicated by TCI status information included in the configuration information of at least one second type CORESET.

[0025] In one possible design, the channel state information includes an identifier for a third reference signal and the corresponding RSRP and / or SINR of the third reference signal; preset conditions include: the RSRP value or SINR value of the third reference signal is lower than a preset threshold, and the third reference signal is the same as the second reference signal; or, the RSRP value or SINR value of the third reference signal is lower than a preset threshold, and the third reference signal and the second reference signal satisfy a type D QCL relationship; wherein, the second reference signal is a source reference signal indicated by TCI state information included in the configuration information of at least one second-type CORESET.

[0026] In one possible design, after determining that the terminal begins monitoring the PDCCH on the first SS, the method further includes: after a first time point, determining that the terminal stops monitoring the PDCCH on the first SS; the first time point is a time of a target duration after a second time point, and the second time point is: the time when the channel state information is received from the terminal; or, the time when an acknowledgment message is sent to the terminal, the acknowledgment message being used to indicate that the network device has successfully received the channel state information; or, the time when the first SS first becomes active; or, the time when the PDCCH is first sent to the terminal on the first SS.

[0027] In one possible design, after determining that the terminal has started monitoring PDCCH on the first SS, the method further includes: after sending the TCI status information included in the configuration information of the reconfigured target CORESET to the terminal, determining that the terminal stops monitoring PDCCH on the first SS, wherein the target CORESET belongs to at least one second type of CORESET; or, after sending target indication information to the terminal, determining that the terminal stops monitoring PDCCH on the first SS, wherein the target indication information is used to instruct the terminal to stop monitoring PDCCH on the first SS.

[0028] Thirdly, this application provides a communication device, which can be the terminal mentioned in the first aspect, or a device containing the terminal, or a device included in the terminal, such as a chip. The communication device includes modules, units, or means that implement the methods described above. These modules, units, or means can be implemented in hardware, software, or by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more modules or units corresponding to the functions described above. In one possible design, the communication device includes a communication module (or communication unit, transceiver unit, transceiver module) and a processing module (or processing unit); the communication module is used to report channel state information to a network device, the channel state information including an identifier of at least one reference signal and the RSRP and / or SINR corresponding to each of the at least one reference signal; the processing module is used to start monitoring the PDCCH on a first SS when the channel state information meets preset conditions; wherein the demodulation reference signal of the PDCCH on the first SS and the first reference signal satisfy a type D QCL relationship, and the first reference signal is the reference signal with the highest RSRP or the reference signal with the highest SINR in the channel state information.

[0029] In one possible design, the communication module is further configured to receive first configuration information from the network device. The first configuration information includes configuration information for a first core set and configuration information for a first SS. The configuration information for the first core set and the first SS includes time-frequency location information of candidate PDCCHs. The first SS is associated with the first core set, meaning the configuration information for the first core set can be applied to the first SS. The first core set is a core set of a first type, where the SS associated with the first type core set is an SS that the communication device does not perform PDCCH monitoring by default. This can also be understood as the terminal not performing PDCCH monitoring on the first SS after receiving the first configuration information. Furthermore, the fact that the demodulation reference signal of the PDCCH on the first SS and the first reference signal satisfy a type D QCL relationship can also be understood as the demodulation reference signal of the PDCCH on the first core set and the first reference signal satisfying a type D QCL relationship.

[0030] In one possible design, the communication module is further configured to receive second configuration information from the network device. The second configuration information includes configuration information for at least one second-type core set and configuration information for at least one second-type side array (SS). The at least one second-type SS is associated with at least one second-type core set. On the SS associated with the second-type core set, the communication device needs to perform PDCCH monitoring. The configuration information for each second-type core set includes TCI status information, which indicates the source reference signal. The source reference signal and the demodulation reference signal of the PDCCH on the second-type core set satisfy a type-D QCL relationship. The PDCCH on the second-type core set can be understood as the PDCCH on at least one second-type SS associated with the second-type core set.

[0031] In one possible design, the preset conditions include: the first reference signal and the second reference signal are different; or, the first reference signal and the second reference signal do not satisfy the type D QCL relationship; wherein, the second reference signal is a source reference signal indicated by TCI status information included in the configuration information of at least one of the second type CORESETs.

[0032] In one possible design, the channel state information includes an identifier for a third reference signal and the corresponding RSRP and / or SINR of the third reference signal; preset conditions include: the RSRP value or SINR value of the third reference signal is lower than a preset threshold, and the third reference signal is the same as the second reference signal; or, the RSRP value or SINR value of the third reference signal is lower than a preset threshold, and the third reference signal and the second reference signal satisfy a type D QCL relationship; wherein, the second reference signal is a source reference signal indicated by TCI state information included in the configuration information of at least one second-type CORESET.

[0033] In one possible design, the first SS is a first user-specific search space (USS), and at least one second SS includes at least one second USS; the processing module is further configured to prioritize PDCCH monitoring on the first USS based on the monitoring capability of the communication device when PDCCH monitoring is required on some or all of the second USS, including the first USS and at least one second USS, at a target time unit.

[0034] In one possible design, the first SS is a first USS, and at least one second SS includes at least one second USS; the processing module is further configured to perform PDCCH monitoring on the corresponding USS according to the monitoring capability of the communication device and the priority of the USS when PDCCH monitoring is required on the first USS and some or all of the second USS in the at least one second USS at the target time unit; wherein, the priority of the first USS is lower than the priority of the third USS and higher than the priority of the fourth USS, the third USS is the second highest priority second USS among the at least one second USS, and the fourth USS is the second highest priority second USS among the at least one second USS; or, the priority of the first USS is lower than the priority of the third USS and higher than the priority of the fourth USS, the third USS is the second highest priority second USS in the target time unit, and the fourth USS is the second highest priority second USS in the target time unit.

[0035] In one possible design, the processing module is further configured to stop monitoring the PDCCH on the first SS after the first time point; the first time point is the time after the target duration following the second time point, and the second time point is: the time when channel state information is sent to the network device; or the time when an acknowledgment message is received from the network device, the acknowledgment message being used to indicate that the network device has successfully received the channel state information; or the time when the first SS first takes effect; or the time when the PDCCH is first detected on the first SS.

[0036] In one possible design, the processing module is further configured to stop monitoring PDCCH on the first SS after receiving TCI status information included in the configuration information of the target CORESET reconfigured by the network device, wherein the target CORESET belongs to at least one second type of CORESET; or, the processing module is further configured to stop monitoring PDCCH on the first SS after receiving target indication information from the network device, wherein the target indication information is used to instruct the communication device to stop monitoring PDCCH on the first SS.

[0037] Fourthly, this application provides a communication device, which can be the network device described in the second aspect above, or a device containing the network device, or a device included in the network device, such as a chip. The communication device includes modules, units, or means that implement the methods described above. These modules, units, or means can be implemented in hardware, software, or by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more modules or units corresponding to the functions described above. In one possible design, the communication device includes a communication module (or communication unit, transceiver module, transceiver unit) and a processing module (or processing unit); the communication module is used to receive channel state information from a terminal, the channel state information including an identifier of at least one reference signal and RSRP and / or SINR corresponding to each of the at least one reference signal; the processing module is used to determine that the terminal starts monitoring the PDCCH on a first SS when the channel state information meets preset conditions; wherein the demodulation reference signal of the PDCCH on the first SS and the first reference signal satisfy a type D QCL relationship, and the first reference signal is the reference signal with the highest RSRP or the reference signal with the highest SINR in the first channel state information.

[0038] In one possible design, the communication module is further configured to send first configuration information to the terminal. This first configuration information includes configuration information for a first core set and configuration information for a first SS. The configuration information for the first core set and the first SS includes time-frequency location information of candidate PDCCHs. The first SS is associated with the first core set, meaning the configuration information for the first core set can be applied to the first SS. The first core set is a core set of a first type, and the SS associated with the first type core set is the SS that the terminal does not monitor for PDCCHs by default. This can also be understood as the terminal not monitoring PDCCHs on the first SS after receiving the first configuration information. Furthermore, the fact that the demodulation reference signal of the PDCCH on the first SS and the first reference signal satisfy a type D QCL relationship can also be understood as the demodulation reference signal of the PDCCH on the first core set and the first reference signal satisfying a type D QCL relationship.

[0039] In one possible design, the communication module is further configured to send second configuration information to the terminal. This second configuration information includes configuration information for at least one second-type core set and configuration information for at least one second-type side switch (SS). The at least one second-type SS is associated with at least one second-type core set. On the SS associated with the second-type core set, the terminal needs to perform PDCCH monitoring. The configuration information for each second-type core set includes Transmission Configuration Indicator (TCI) status information, which indicates the source reference signal. The source reference signal and the demodulation reference signal of the PDCCH on the second-type core set satisfy a type-D QCL relationship. The PDCCH on the second-type core set can be understood as the PDCCH on at least one second-type SS associated with the second-type core set.

[0040] In one possible design, the preset conditions include: the first reference signal and the second reference signal are different; or, the first reference signal and the second reference signal do not satisfy the type D QCL relationship; wherein, the second reference signal is a source reference signal indicated by TCI status information included in the configuration information of at least one second type CORESET.

[0041] In one possible design, the channel state information includes an identifier for a third reference signal and the corresponding RSRP and / or SINR of the third reference signal; preset conditions include: the RSRP value or SINR value of the third reference signal is lower than a preset threshold, and the third reference signal is the same as the second reference signal; or, the RSRP value or SINR value of the third reference signal is lower than a preset threshold, and the third reference signal and the second reference signal satisfy a type D QCL relationship; wherein, the second reference signal is a source reference signal indicated by TCI state information included in the configuration information of at least one second-type CORESET.

[0042] In one possible design, the processing unit is further configured to determine, after the first time, that the terminal stops monitoring the PDCCH on the first SS; the first time is the time after the second time for a target duration, and the second time is: the time when the channel state information is received from the terminal; or, the time when an acknowledgment message is sent to the terminal, the acknowledgment message being used to indicate that the communication device has successfully received the channel state information; or, the time when the first SS first takes effect; or, the time when the PDCCH is first sent to the terminal on the first SS.

[0043] In one possible design, the processing unit is further configured to determine, after sending the TCI status information included in the configuration information of the reconfigured target CORESET to the terminal, that the terminal stops monitoring PDCCH on the first SS, wherein the target CORESET belongs to at least one second type of CORESET; or, the processing unit is further configured to determine, after sending target indication information to the terminal, that the terminal stops monitoring PDCCH on the first SS, wherein the target indication information is used to instruct the terminal to stop monitoring PDCCH on the first SS.

[0044] Fifthly, this application provides a communication device, including a processor and a communication interface; the communication interface is used to communicate with other devices; the processor is used to execute computer programs or instructions to cause the communication device to perform the method described in the first aspect and any of the designs described above, or to cause the communication device to perform the method described in the second aspect and any of the designs described above.

[0045] Sixthly, this application provides a communication device, including: a processor and a memory; the memory is used to store computer instructions, which, when executed by the processor, cause the communication device to perform the method described in the first or second aspect above. The communication device may be a terminal as described in the first aspect, or a device including the terminal, or a device included in the terminal, such as a chip; or, the communication device may be a network device as described in the second aspect, or a device including the network device, or a device included in the network device, such as a chip.

[0046] In a seventh aspect, this application provides a communication device, comprising: at least one processor; the processor being configured to execute a computer program or instructions stored in a memory to cause the communication device to perform the method described in the first or second aspect above. The memory may be coupled to the processor, or may be independent of the processor. The communication device may be a terminal as described in the first aspect above, or a device including the terminal, or a device included in the terminal, such as a chip; or, the communication device may be a network device as described in the second aspect above, or a device including the network device, or a device included in the network device, such as a chip.

[0047] Eighthly, this application provides a computer-readable storage medium including a computer program or instructions that, when executed on a communication device, cause the communication device to perform the method as described in the first aspect and any of the designs described above, or cause the communication device to perform the method as described in the second aspect and any of the designs described above.

[0048] Ninthly, this application provides a computer program product comprising: a computer program or instructions that, when executed on a computer, cause the computer to perform the method described in the first aspect and any of the designs described above, or cause the computer to perform the method described in the second aspect and any of the designs described above.

[0049] In a tenth aspect, this application provides a chip, including: a processing circuit and transceiver pins, the processing circuit and transceiver pins being used to implement the method provided in any of the designs in the first or second aspect described above. The processing circuit is used to perform processing actions in the corresponding method, and the transceiver pins are used to perform receiving / transmitting actions in the corresponding method.

[0050] In the eleventh aspect, this application provides a communication system, including: a communication device provided in the third aspect or any of the designs described above, and a communication device provided in the fourth aspect or any of the designs described above.

[0051] It should be noted that the technical effects of any of the designs in the second to eleventh aspects mentioned above can be found in the technical effects of the corresponding designs in the first aspect, and will not be repeated here. Attached Figure Description

[0052] Figure 1 A schematic diagram illustrating CSI-RS transmission and reception using different beams for an embodiment of this application;

[0053] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of a configured CORESET and SS provided for an embodiment of this application;

[0054] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of an existing process for updating TCI status information in CORESET.

[0055] Figure 4 This application provides a schematic diagram of the architecture of a communication system.

[0056] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the architecture of another communication system provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0057] Figure 6 A flowchart illustrating a communication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0058] Figure 7 This application provides a schematic diagram of a process for activating a first SS.

[0059] Figure 8 A flowchart illustrating yet another communication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0060] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0061] Figure 10 This is a schematic diagram of another communication device provided in an embodiment of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0062] The technical solutions in the embodiments of this application will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0063] In the description of this application, unless otherwise stated, " / " means "or," for example, A / B can mean A or B. The "and / or" in this document is merely a description of the relationship between related objects, indicating that three relationships can exist. For example, A and / or B can represent: A alone, A and B simultaneously, and B alone. Furthermore, "at least one" means one or more, and "multiple" means two or more. The terms "first," "second," etc., do not limit the quantity or order of execution, and "first," "second," etc., do not necessarily imply differences.

[0064] It should be noted that, in this application, the terms "exemplary" or "for example" are used to indicate that something is being described as an example, illustration, or illustration. Any embodiment or design described as "exemplary" or "for example" in this application should not be construed as being more preferred or advantageous than other embodiments or design solutions. Specifically, the use of terms such as "exemplary" or "for example" is intended to present the relevant concepts in a concrete manner.

[0065] In the description of this application, "instruction" can include direct and indirect instructions, as well as explicit and implicit instructions. The information indicated by a certain piece of information is called the information to be instructed. In specific implementations, there are many ways to instruct the information to be instructed. For example, the information to be instructed can be directly instructed, including the information itself or its index. Alternatively, the information to be instructed can be indirectly indicated by instructing other information, where there is a correlation between the other information and the information to be instructed. Another example is that only a portion of the information to be instructed can be indicated, while the other portions are known or pre-agreed upon. Furthermore, the instruction of specific information can be achieved by using a pre-agreed (e.g., protocol-defined) arrangement of various pieces of information, thereby reducing instruction overhead to some extent.

[0066] Furthermore, 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.

[0067] To facilitate understanding, the technical terms and related concepts that may be involved in the embodiments of this application will be introduced below.

[0068] 1. Millimeter wave communication and beamforming

[0069] Millimeter-wave communication utilizes frequency bands (referred to as millimeter-wave bands) that range from 30 gigahertz (GHz) to 300 GHz. In some cases, bands close to 30 GHz, such as 26 GHz and 28 GHz, are also classified as millimeter-wave bands. Compared to the traditional sub-6 GHz band, millimeter-wave bands offer wider spectrum resources, supporting high data rates. Simultaneously, the shorter wavelength of millimeter-wave bands allows for smaller antenna sizes, facilitating multi-antenna integration. Therefore, millimeter-wave communication is a key technology in fifth-generation (5G) NR systems and future communication systems. However, compared to the traditional sub-6 GHz band, millimeter-wave bands experience greater channel attenuation. Therefore, devices using millimeter-wave bands must employ beamforming technology to concentrate signal transmission and reception energy in a specific direction, i.e., a specific beam, to improve the equivalent channel gain between transceivers and ensure coverage performance and data transmission rates.

[0070] A beam can be a wide beam, a narrow beam, or other types of beams. The technology used to form the beam can be beamforming technology or other techniques. Beamforming technology can specifically be digital beamforming technology, analog beamforming technology, or hybrid digital / analog beamforming technology. A beam includes a transmit beam and a receive beam. The transmit beam refers to the distribution of signal strength in different directions in space after a signal is transmitted through an antenna, while the receive beam refers to the distribution of received signal strength in different directions in space, where the antenna array strengthens or weakens the received signal.

[0071] A common implementation of beamforming involves setting different amplitude gains and / or phase deviations on multiple transmit / receive antenna elements, which can effectively form a spatial filter, thereby enabling signal transmission and reception in a specific beam direction. Therefore, different beams can be referred to as (or "correspond to") different spatial parameters, spatial filters, or spatial filter parameters, etc.; different transmit beams can be referred to as (or "correspond to") different spatial transmit parameters, spatial transmit filters, or spatial transmit filter parameters, etc.; different receive beams can be referred to as different spatial receive parameters, spatial receive filters, or spatial receive filter parameters, etc. In the embodiments of this application, "spatial domain" can also be referred to as "space," and "space" can also be referred to as "spatial domain," which have the same meaning.

[0072] 2. Beam training and beam tracking

[0073] Since the location and channel information between the transceiver devices are usually unknown during the initial stage of establishing a connection, the transceiver devices need to determine the appropriate beam and corresponding spatial filtering parameters through a beam training process.

[0074] Taking the transmitting device as a network device and the receiving device as a terminal as an example, in existing NR systems, the beam training process between the network device and the terminal is completed through the CSI reporting process. This CSI reporting process specifically includes: the network device first configures multiple CSI-RSs for the terminal using the CSI-RS configuration information. The CSI-RS configuration information includes the time-frequency location, index, number of ports, and port pattern of each CSI-RS. For example... Figure 1 As shown, the network device sends multiple CSI-RS to the terminal. When sending each CSI-RS, the network device can use different spatial transmission parameters, that is, it can use different transmission beams.

[0075] Then, the terminal receives each CSI-RS sent by the network device and measures the reference signal received power (RSRP) and / or signal-to-interference-plus-noise ratio (SINR) of each CSI-RS. It then reports the CSI to the network device, which includes the index of the CSI-RS and the corresponding RSRP and / or SINR values. The terminal can also use different beams to receive the CSI-RS. For each transmitting beam of the network device, the terminal can use a different receiving beam to determine an optimal receiving beam for each transmitting beam. After receiving the CSI reported by the terminal, the network device, knowing the beams used to transmit each CSI-RS, can determine which beams will allow the terminal to receive a higher-energy signal. For these transmitting beams, the terminal can also determine the corresponding receiving beams. Thus, the beamforming pair (BPL) between the terminal and the network device can be determined, completing the beam training process.

[0076] It can be understood that BPL refers to the transmission link formed by the transmit beam and the corresponding receive beam. Among the BPLs between the terminal and the network equipment, there may be one or more optimal or better BPLs, that is, there may be one or more BPLs with good communication quality.

[0077] After a connection is established between the terminal and the network device, the optimal beam alignment (BPL) between them may change due to factors such as terminal movement, potential obstruction, and changes in the surrounding scattering environment. To ensure that the terminal's receiving beam remains aligned with the network device's transmitting beam, the network device sends a beam tracking signal (CSI-RS) to the terminal. The network device can use the transmitting beam corresponding to the optimal BPL obtained through beam training to transmit the CSI-RS, and the terminal can use the receiving beam corresponding to that optimal BPL to receive the CSI-RS, enabling continuous measurement of the quality of that optimal BPL. Alternatively, the network device can use other beams to transmit the CSI-RS, and the terminal can use different receiving beams for each transmitting beam of the network device to determine the corresponding optimal receiving beam. This process redetermines the optimal BPL between the network device and the terminal, thus achieving beam tracking.

[0078] Optionally, in the embodiments of this application, CSI-RS can be a synchronization signal (SS) physical broadcast channel (PBCH) block (SSB) or a non-zero-power (NZP) CSI-RS, etc. This application does not specifically limit the type of CSI-RS.

[0079] 3. CORESET, SS

[0080] In a 5G NR system, after beam training is complete, the terminal and network equipment can transmit and receive DCI carried by the PDCCH using the previously trained beam (e.g., the optimal BPL). However, since the terminal cannot determine whether the network equipment will send DCI or where it will send it, the network equipment will pre-configure CORESET and SS for the terminal. CORESET and SS can be used to determine certain time-frequency resource locations so that the terminal can perform blind decoding (BD) of the PDCCH (or DCI) at these locations to obtain the DCI. Based on the DCI, the network equipment can then determine whether to schedule the terminal for data transmission, channel state information reporting, etc. In this embodiment, blind decoding can also be referred to as or understood as monitoring.

[0081] CORESET can be used to determine the frequency domain position and the number of symbols occupied by the PDCCH carrying DCI in the frequency domain. The configuration information of CORESET includes the CORESET identifier, frequency domain position, number of symbols occupied in the time domain, mapping relationship from control channel element (CCE) to specific resource element group (REG), and TCI status information. In this embodiment, TCI status information can also be simply referred to as TCI status. For example, one CCE can correspond to six REGs, and one REG represents the resource corresponding to one symbol in the time domain and one resource block (RE) in the frequency domain.

[0082] The SS (Site Controller) can be used to determine the starting symbol number occupied by the PDCCH in the time domain, the PDCCH monitoring period, and other information. The configuration information in the SS includes the SS type, SS sequence number (or identifier), SS period and offset within the period, the position of the starting symbol of the SS in the time slot, the number of PDCCH candidates at various aggregation levels, and the type of DCI to be monitored. The PDCCH is formed by the aggregation of several CCEs; the number of CCEs that aggregate into a PDCCH is called the aggregation level.

[0083] In this context, an SS is associated with (or corresponds to) a CORESET. A CORESET can be associated with one or more SSs; it can also be understood as a CORESET or its configuration information being applied to that SS. For example, such as... Figure 2 As shown, the network device configures two CORESETs for the terminal, namely CORESET0 and CORESET1. CORESET0 occupies two symbols in the time domain and 12 physical resource blocks (PRBs) in the frequency domain, while CORESET1 occupies one symbol in the time domain and 24 PRBs in the frequency domain. The network device also configures two SSs for the terminal. SS0 is associated with CORESET0, and the monitoring period of SS0 is one slot, with the starting symbol located at symbol 0 of the corresponding slot. SS1 is associated with CORESET1, and the monitoring period of SS1 is two slots, with the starting symbol located at symbol 0 of the corresponding slot.

[0084] It is understood that the time-frequency resources determined by CORESET and SS include many CCEs, but the terminal is not sure which CCEs the PDCCH is aggregated from. Therefore, all resources that may be PDCCHs are called PDCCH candidate sets. That is, the PDCCH sent by the network device may appear on each PDCCH candidate set. In the embodiments of this application, the PDCCH candidate set can also be called candidate PDCCH.

[0085] The SS types include the common search space (CSS) and the user equipment (UE) specific search space (USS). CSS is typically used to broadcast information common to the cell. The USS, however, can only be used by a specific terminal; for example, it can be used after that terminal accesses the network equipment. CSS has higher priority than USS, and USS with smaller sequence numbers have higher priority than those with larger sequence numbers. It should be noted that, based on considerations of terminal processing complexity and power consumption, there are certain limitations on the number of times a terminal can monitor, the number of CCEs that can be used for channel estimation, and the number of candidate PDCCHs that can be monitored in each time unit. Therefore, when the number of candidate PDCCHs configured on a terminal device in a certain time unit exceeds the limit, the terminal device will prioritize monitoring PDCCHs on the CSS, and then monitor PDCCHs in ascending order according to the USS index (or identifier, sequence number, etc.), which can also be understood as monitoring PDCCHs in descending order of USS priority. The terminal device's priority in monitoring PDCCH on the CSS can also be understood as the CSS assigning candidate PDCCHs.

[0086] 4. QCL relationship and TCI status information

[0087] In NR systems, the QCL (Quality Channel Clue) relationship is used to indicate that multiple antenna ports (or reference signals) share one or more identical or similar channel characteristics. Terminals can employ the same or similar communication configurations for multiple reference signals with a QCL relationship. Specifically, if two reference signals have a QCL relationship, the large-scale channel characteristics (or channel features) corresponding to the antenna port transmitting one reference signal can be inferred from the large-scale channel characteristics corresponding to the antenna port transmitting the other reference signal. Alternatively, the large-scale characteristics of reference signals with a QCL relationship are identical; or, the large-scale characteristics of one reference signal can be used to determine the large-scale characteristics of another reference signal with a QCL relationship; or, the difference between the large-scale characteristics of two reference signals is less than a certain threshold.

[0088] The large-scale characteristics of this channel include, but are not limited to, delay spread, Doppler spread, Doppler shift, average delay, average gain, and spatial Rx parameters. Spatial Rx parameters may include one or more of the following: angle of arrival (AOA), average AOA, AOA spread, angle of departure (AOD), average AOD, AOD spread, spatial correlation parameters of the receiving antenna, spatial correlation parameters of the transmitting antenna, transmit beam, and receive beam, etc.

[0089] In the 5G NR protocol, QCL relationships can be categorized into the following four types based on different parameters:

[0090] Type A: Doppler frequency shift, Doppler spread, average time delay, time delay spread;

[0091] Type B: Doppler frequency shift, Doppler spread;

[0092] Type C: Doppler frequency shift, average time delay;

[0093] Type D: Space reception parameters.

[0094] Among them, the parameters in Type A, Type B, and Type C can be used for time-frequency synchronization and channel estimation. Specifically, Doppler frequency shift can be used for frequency domain synchronization, average time delay can be used for time domain synchronization, and Doppler spread and time delay spread can be used for channel estimation.

[0095] Type D indicates that the spatial reception parameters used by the terminal to receive two reference signals can be the same or similar, and it can be used by the terminal to determine the spatial reception parameters. Optionally, these spatial reception parameters can be understood as the receive beam. Furthermore, in NR systems, the connection between network devices and terminals is established through a beam training process; therefore, Type D can also be used to indicate that the spatial transmission parameters used by the network device to transmit two reference signals are the same or similar, and these spatial transmission parameters can be understood as the transmission beam.

[0096] QCL relationships are typically configured using TCI status information. A TCI status message contains a downlink reference signal and its QCL type. Alternatively, a TCI status message may contain indication information for a first downlink reference signal and its corresponding QCL type, as well as a second downlink reference signal and its corresponding QCL type. The first downlink reference signal may correspond to a QCL type of type A, type B, or type C, and the second downlink reference signal may correspond to a QCL type of type D.

[0097] For example, TCI status information can be used to indicate a source reference signal that has a quasi-co-location (QCL) relationship with the DMRS of the PDCCH. In other words, TCI status can be used to indicate the QCL relationship between the DMRS and the source reference signal.

[0098] In some implementations, the configuration information of CORESET may include one or more TCI status information, and one of the TCI status information can be activated by the MAC control element (CE) on the medium access control (MAC) layer.

[0099] Once a CORESET is configured or a TCI status information is activated, the terminal can perform channel estimation for PDCCH monitoring of the CORESET based on the channel characteristics of the source reference signal indicated by the TCI status information, or determine the receiving beam to be used for PDCCH monitoring of the CORESET.

[0100] For example, when the type D QCL source reference signal indicated by the TCI status information is the CSI-RS during beam training, that is, when the DMRS of the PDCCH and the CSI-RS during beam training have a QCL type D relationship, the terminal can use the receiving beam that previously received the CSI-RS to receive the PDCCH.

[0101] The above is an introduction to the technical terms and related concepts that may be involved in the embodiments of this application, which will not be repeated below.

[0102] Currently, after obtaining the optimal BPL through beam training, the terminal and network device may use this optimal BPL for PDCCH transmission and reception on the CORESET configured for the terminal. However, the communication quality of this optimal BPL may degrade. For example, when the terminal moves, there may be obstructions or changes in the surrounding scattering environment between the terminal and network device, which may reduce the communication quality of the previously obtained optimal BPL. In other words, the optimal BPL between the terminal and network device may change, requiring beam switching. Therefore, the terminal can continuously report CSI to the network device to notify it of changes in the optimal transmission beam. When the network device receives the CSI, it will reconfigure (i.e., update) the TCI status information in the terminal device's CORESET, so that the terminal and network device can use the new BPL for PDCCH transmission and reception based on the updated TCI status information.

[0103] For example, such as Figure 3 As shown, the prior art provides a process for updating the TCI status information in CORESET.

[0104] The terminal generates a CSI by measuring the RSRP (or SINR) of the CSI-RS sent by the network device and generating the CSI based on the measurement result. The terminal then waits for an uplink time slot for CSI reporting, for example, n time slots later (where n is a positive integer). The terminal reports the CSI to the network device after n time slots. Subsequently, the network device receives the reported CSI by processing the channel carrying the CSI, determines whether the optimal transmission beam has changed based on the CSI, and replies with an ACK message to the terminal, indicating that the network device successfully received the CSI.

[0105] If the network device determines that the TCI status information in the CORESET needs to be updated based on the CSI, i.e., that the transmit / receive beams of the CORESET need to be updated, then it executes the process of updating the TCI status information. This process specifically includes: the network device generating a MACCE, which is used to update the TCI status of the CORESET, and sending the MACCE to the terminal. The type D QCL source reference signal indicated in the TCI status is the reference signal with the highest RSRP / SINR in the aforementioned CSI report, or the type D QCL source reference signal indicated in the TCI status has a direct type D QCL relationship with the reference signal with the highest RSRP / SINR in the aforementioned CSI report, or has an indirect type D QCL relationship. This process can be understood as instructing the terminal that the network device will subsequently use the optimal transmit beam corresponding to the optimal transmit beam in the aforementioned CSI to transmit the PDCCH on the SS associated with the CORESET. Therefore, the terminal device can subsequently use the receive beam corresponding to the optimal transmit beam in the aforementioned CSI to monitor the PDCCH on the SS associated with the CORESET.

[0106] The terminal then parses the received MAC CE, waits for an uplink time slot, and then replies with an ACK message in that uplink time slot. For example, if the ACK message is replied after m time slots (m being a positive integer), the terminal device will reply with an ACK message to the network device after m time slots to notify the network device that it has successfully received the MAC CE. In this way, the TCI status information in the CORESET is updated, and the network device and terminal can then transmit and receive PDCCH messages based on the updated TCI status information / BPL.

[0107] As mentioned above, during beam switching, the process of updating the TCI status information of the CORESET requires a long signaling interaction time, resulting in a long update delay for the TCI status information. In other words, the delay of the receiving beam used by the terminal when monitoring the PDCCH on the CORESET is too long. However, in this beam switching scenario, the communication quality of the best BPL may degrade rapidly, for example, within tens of milliseconds (ms) or even less than 10ms, its communication quality may degrade to the point of being unusable, meaning that the best BPL will be interrupted. Therefore, if the best BPL is interrupted during the signaling interaction process of updating the TCI status information of the CORESET, it will cause the new BPL configuration to fail, and the communication quality of other old (or "existing") BPLs will also degrade to the point of being unusable, that is, the link between the network device and the terminal device will be interrupted. In this case, the terminal and the network device need to initiate a time-consuming (up to hundreds of ms) beam failure recovery process.

[0108] Based on this, this application provides a communication method that can reduce the latency of updating TCI status information in CORESET, that is, reduce the latency of updating the source reference signal that has a QCL relationship with the demodulation reference signal of PDCCH, or reduce the latency of the receiving beam used by the terminal when monitoring PDCCH in CORESET, thereby reducing the probability of communication link interruption.

[0109] The technical solutions of this application can be applied to various communication systems. For example, orthogonal frequency-division multiple access (OFDMA), single-carrier frequency-division multiple access (SC-FDMA), satellite communication systems, NTN systems, Internet of Things (IoT) systems, NR systems, or future evolved communication systems. The term "system" can be used interchangeably with "network." Furthermore, the communication system can also be applied to future-oriented communication technologies, all of which are subject to the technical solutions provided in this application.

[0110] The communication systems described above that are applicable to this application are merely illustrative examples, and the communication systems applicable to this application are not limited to these. They will be uniformly described here and will not be repeated below.

[0111] like Figure 4 The diagram illustrates a communication system 10 provided in an embodiment of this application. The communication system 10 includes at least one network device 30 and one or more terminals 40 connected to the network device 30. Optionally, different terminals 40 can communicate with each other.

[0112] Or, such as Figure 5 The diagram illustrates another communication system 20 provided in this application embodiment. The communication system 20 includes at least one terminal (also referred to as a terminal device) 40 and one or more network devices 30 connected to the terminal 40. Optionally, different network devices 30 can communicate with each other.

[0113] by Figure 4 or Figure 5Taking the communication between the network device 30 and any terminal 40 as an example, in this application, the terminal reports channel state information to the network device, and correspondingly, the network device receives the channel state information from the terminal. The channel state information includes the identifier of at least one reference signal, and the RSRP and / or SINR corresponding to each reference signal. When the reported channel state information meets a preset condition, it can be understood that meeting this preset condition indicates a change in the optimal BPL between the network device and the terminal, leading to a switch in the optimal BPL / beam, and the first SS becomes effective or is activated. That is, the network device can send a PDCCH to the terminal on the first SS, and the terminal begins monitoring the PDCCH on the first SS. The demodulation reference signal of the PDCCH in the first SS and the first reference signal satisfy a type D QCL relationship, and the first reference signal is the reference signal with the highest RSRP or the reference signal with the highest SINR in the channel state information.

[0114] Based on this scheme, when the channel state information meets preset conditions, the first SS is activated, and the terminal and network device can directly use the new beam to transmit and receive PDCCH on the first SS. In other words, the first SS is not activated by default under normal circumstances, that is, the network device will not transmit PDCCH on the first SS, and the terminal will not monitor PDCCH on the first SS. However, when the information state information reported by the terminal meets preset conditions, such as indicating that the optimal beam has changed or the previous BPL quality is lower than a certain threshold, the terminal activates the first SS, and the network device also activates the first SS after receiving the channel state information and confirming that the state information meets the preset conditions.

[0115] Simultaneously, the demodulation reference signal of the PDCCH on the first SS has a type D QCL relationship with the first reference signal. That is, the type D source reference signal indicated in the TCI state information of the CORESET associated with the first SS is the first reference signal, or a reference signal with a type D QCL relationship to the first reference signal. This can also be understood as a type D QCL relationship between the demodulation reference signal of the PDCCH on the CORESET associated with the first SS and the first reference signal. In other words, network devices and terminals can transmit and receive PDCCH on the first SS based on the BPL corresponding to the first reference signal. The first reference signal is the reference signal with the highest RSRP or the reference signal with the highest SINR in the channel state information. That is, the BPL corresponding to the first reference signal is the optimal BPL, or equivalently, the optimal BPL in the channel state information is the transmit beam used by the network device to transmit the first reference signal and the receive beam used by the terminal to receive the first reference signal. Therefore, terminals and network devices can use this optimal BPL to transmit and receive PDCCH on the first SS or the corresponding CORESET.

[0116] Thus, when the terminal reports channel state information to the network device and the channel state information meets preset conditions, the corresponding SS will be directly activated. Based on the channel state information, the TCI status information of the CORESET associated with that SS will be determined. The terminal device can then monitor the PDCCH on that SS using the receive beam corresponding to the optimal BPL in the channel state information, or a beam similar to that receive beam (which can be understood as a beam with the same direction but potentially different beamwidths; this is a unified explanation here). Similarly, when the network device receives the channel state information and the channel state information meets preset conditions, it will also directly activate the corresponding SS. Based on the channel state information, the TCI status information of the CORESET associated with that SS will be determined. When the network device transmits PDCCH on that SS, it can use the transmit beam corresponding to the optimal BPL in the channel state information, or a beam similar to that transmit beam (which can be understood as a beam with the same direction but potentially different beamwidths).

[0117] In summary, when the channel state information reported by the terminal indicates a change in the optimal beam switching (BPL) between the terminal and the network device, a temporary first beam switching (SS) can be directly activated between the terminal and the network device. Both devices can then transmit and receive PDCCHs on this temporary first SS based on the optimal BPL indicated in the channel state information, achieving faster and more efficient beam switching. This means that the terminal and network device do not need to update the CORESET's TCI status information through complex signaling interactions, saving time and effort. Figure 3 The time spent on a large amount of signaling interaction can reduce the latency of updating TCI status information, that is, reduce the latency of updating the receiving beam used by the terminal to monitor the PDCCH in CORESET, or the latency of updating the source reference signal that has a QCL relationship with the demodulation reference signal of PDCCH (or DCI), thereby reducing the probability of link interruption.

[0118] Optionally, the network device 30 in this embodiment is a device that connects the terminal 40 to a wireless network. The network device 30 can be a node in a wireless access network, also known as a base station, or a radio access network (RAN) node (or device). For example, network equipment may include evolved NodeBs (NodeBs, eNBs, or e-NodeBs) in long-term evolution (LTE) systems or evolved LTE-Advanced (LTE-A) systems, such as traditional macro base stations (eNBs) and micro base stations (eNBs) in heterogeneous network scenarios; or it may include next-generation node Bs (gNBs) in 5G new radio (NR) systems, or it may include transmission reception points (TRPs), home base stations (e.g., home evolved NodeBs, or home Node Bs, HNBs), base band units (BBUs), base band pools (BBU pools), or WiFi access points (APs); or it may include centralized units (CUs) and distributed units (CUs) in cloud radio access networks (CloudRAN) systems. The network device can be a base station in a non-terrestrial network (NTN), which can be deployed on a high-altitude platform or satellite. In an NTN, the network device can act as a Layer 1 (L1) relay, a base station, a DU, or an integrated access and backhaul (IAB) node. Alternatively, the network device can be a device that implements base station functions in IoT, such as a device that implements base station functions in vehicle-to-everything (V2X), device-to-device (D2D), or machine-to-machine (M2M) networks. The embodiments of this application are not limited to this.

[0119] Optionally, the base station in the embodiments of this application may include various forms of base stations, such as: macro base station, micro base station (also known as small station), relay station, access point, next-generation base station (gNodeB, gNB), home base station (e.g., home evolved nodeB, or home node B, HNB), baseband unit (BBU), transmitting and receiving point (TRP), transmitting point (TP), mobile switching center, etc. The embodiments of this application do not specifically limit this.

[0120] Optionally, the terminal 40 in this embodiment can be a device for implementing wireless communication functions, such as a terminal or a chip that can be used in the terminal. The terminal can be a user equipment (UE), access terminal, terminal unit, terminal station, mobile station, mobile station, remote station, remote terminal, mobile device, wireless communication device, terminal agent, or terminal device in a 5G network or a future evolved PLMN. Access terminals can be cellular phones, cordless phones, session initiation protocol (SIP) phones, wireless local loop (WLL) stations, personal digital assistants (PDAs), handheld devices with wireless communication capabilities, computing devices or other processing devices connected to a wireless modem, in-vehicle devices or wearable devices, virtual reality (VR) terminal devices, augmented reality (AR) terminal devices, wireless terminals in industrial control, wireless terminals in self-driving, wireless terminals in remote medical care, wireless terminals in smart grids, wireless terminals in transportation safety, wireless terminals in smart cities, wireless terminals in smart homes, etc. Alternatively, terminals can be communication-enabled terminals in the Internet of Things (IoT), such as terminals in V2X (e.g., vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication, terminals in D2D communication, or terminals in M2M communication, etc. Terminals can be mobile or fixed.

[0121] Optionally, the network device 30 and terminal 40 in this application embodiment can also be referred to as communication devices, which can be a general-purpose device or a special-purpose device. This application embodiment does not specifically limit this.

[0122] It should be noted that the communication method provided in the embodiments of this application can be applied to... Figure 4 as well as Figure 5 The specific implementation between the network device and the terminal shown can be referred to the method embodiment described later, and will not be repeated here.

[0123] It should be noted that the solutions in the embodiments of this application can also be applied to other communication systems, and the corresponding names can be replaced by the names of the corresponding functions in other communication systems.

[0124] It should be understood that Figure 4 as well as Figure 5 This is a simplified diagram for ease of understanding only; other devices may also be included in this communication system. Figure 4 as well as Figure 5 It was not drawn in the middle.

[0125] The following will refer to the accompanying drawings, Figure 4 or Figure 5 Taking the interaction between the network device 30 shown and any terminal 40 as an example, the communication provided in the embodiments of this application will be described in detail.

[0126] It should be noted that the names of each message or parameter in the message in the following embodiments of this application are just examples, and other names may be used in the specific implementation. This application does not specifically limit this.

[0127] It is understood that in the embodiments of this application, the terminal and / or network device may perform some or all of the steps in the embodiments of this application. These steps or operations are merely examples, and the embodiments of this application may also perform other operations or variations thereof. Furthermore, the various steps may be performed in different orders as presented in the embodiments of this application, and it is not necessarily necessary to perform all the operations in the embodiments of this application.

[0128] like Figure 6 The image shows a communication method provided in an embodiment of this application. The method includes the following steps:

[0129] S601. The terminal reports channel status information to the network device. Correspondingly, the network device receives the channel status information from the terminal.

[0130] The channel state information includes the identifier of at least one reference signal, and the RSRP and / or SINR corresponding to each reference signal.

[0131] For example, this reference signal can be referred to as CSI-RS. Optionally, the network device can configure multiple CSI-RS for beam measurement for the terminal, including configuring information such as the index, time-frequency location, and number of ports of these CSI-RS, and transmitting these CSI-RS to the terminal through a transmission beam at the corresponding time-frequency location. For each CSI-RS used for beam measurement, the transmission beam (or spatial transmission parameters) used by the network device can be the same or different. It should be noted that this application does not limit the timing of the network device transmitting CSI-RS; it can transmit periodically or non-periodically, and this application does not impose any limitation on this. Optionally, whether the CSI-RS is transmitted periodically, or the period size used when the CSI-RS is transmitted periodically, can be configured by the network device in the CSI-RS configuration information.

[0132] The terminal can receive CSI-RS from the network device via a receiving beam. Similarly, the receiving beam (or spatial receiving parameters) used by the terminal can be the same or different. Then, the terminal can generate channel state information based on the measurement results of each CSI-RS and subsequently report this channel state information to the network device. Optionally, the terminal can report channel state information periodically, semi-statically, or non-periodically. This application does not limit the method and timing of the terminal reporting channel state information to the network device. Optionally, the specific method and timing of reporting channel state information can be configured by the network device.

[0133] It is understandable that for each reference signal, the terminal can measure both RSRP and SINR simultaneously, or it can measure only one of them. Even when the terminal measures both RSRP and SINR simultaneously, the channel state information reported by the terminal can also include only one of these two measurements; the specific measurements reported can be configured by the network device.

[0134] S602. When the channel state information meets the preset conditions, the terminal begins monitoring the PDCCH in the first search space (SS). Correspondingly, when the network device receives the channel state information and the channel state information meets the preset conditions, the network device determines that the terminal begins monitoring the PDCCH in the first SS.

[0135] Among them, the demodulation reference signal of the PDCCH on the first SS and the first reference signal satisfy the type D quasi-co-address QCL relationship, and the first reference signal is the reference signal with the highest RSRP or the reference signal with the highest SINR in the channel state information.

[0136] It is understood that when the channel state information meets the preset conditions, the network device can use the first spatial transmission parameters to send the PDCCH to the terminal on the first SS, and the terminal can use the first spatial reception parameters to monitor the PDCCH or the PDCCH candidate set on the first SS. The first spatial transmission parameters are determined according to the spatial transmission parameters of the first reference signal, and the first spatial reception parameters are determined according to the spatial reception parameters of the first reference signal.

[0137] In other words, when the channel state information meets the preset conditions, the network device can use the first transmit beam to send the PDCCH to the terminal on the first SS, and the terminal can use the first receive beam to monitor the PDCCH on the first SS. The first transmit beam is the transmit beam corresponding to the best BPL indicated by the channel state information or a beam similar to the transmit beam, and the first receive beam is the receive beam corresponding to the best BPL indicated by the channel state information or a beam similar to the receive beam.

[0138] In other words, the first SS is not activated by default under normal circumstances. That is, the network device will not send PDCCH in the first SS, and the terminal device will not monitor PDCCH in the first SS. However, when the information status information reported by the terminal device meets the preset conditions, such as indicating that the optimal beam has changed or the previous BPL quality is lower than a certain threshold, the terminal device activates the first SS. After receiving the channel status information, the network device also activates the first SS after confirming that the status information meets the preset conditions.

[0139] It can be understood that when the first SS is associated with the first CORESET, activating the first SS can also be understood as activating the first CORESET. The terminal starting to monitor the PDCCH on the first SS can also be understood as the terminal starting to monitor the PDCCH on the first CORESET. The demodulation reference signal of the PDCCH on the first SS and the first reference signal satisfying a Type D quasi-co-address QCL relationship can also be understood as the demodulation reference signal of the PDCCH on the first CORESET and the first reference signal satisfying a Type D quasi-co-address QCL relationship.

[0140] Optionally, when the channel state information meets preset conditions and the terminal receives an ACK message from the network device regarding the channel state information, the terminal begins monitoring the PDCCH on the first SS. Equivalently, when the channel state information meets preset conditions and the network device replies with an ACK message regarding the channel state information, the network device determines that the terminal begins monitoring the PDCCH on the first SS. Based on this implementation, the terminal only begins monitoring the PDCCH on the first SS, i.e., activates the first SS, after determining that the network device has received channel state information that meets preset conditions. This ensures that both the terminal and the network device use the first SS for PDCCH transmission and reception, i.e., use the TCI state corresponding to the first SS. This avoids the problem of a mismatch in TCI configuration between the terminal and the network device when the terminal reports channel state information but the network device does not, resulting in the terminal using the TCI state corresponding to the first SS while the network device does not.

[0141] It can be understood that when the channel state information only includes the RSRP corresponding to each reference signal, the first reference signal is the reference signal with the highest RSRP in the channel state information. When the channel state information only includes the SINR corresponding to each reference signal, the first reference signal is the reference signal with the highest SINR in the channel state information. When the channel state information includes both RSRP and SINR corresponding to each reference signal, the first reference signal can be the reference signal with the highest RSRP, the reference signal with the highest SINR, or the reference signal with the highest RSRP and SINR simultaneously. Optionally, the specific method for determining the first reference signal can be network-configured or pre-configured.

[0142] Optionally, the preset conditions include: the first reference signal and the second reference signal are different; or, the first reference signal and the second reference signal do not satisfy the type D QCL relationship. Wherein, the second reference signal is a source reference signal indicated by TCI status information included in the configuration information of one of the at least one second-type CORESETs.

[0143] The second type of CORESET here can be understood as the CORESET normally used for sending and receiving PDCCH between the current terminal device and the network device (distinct from the CORESET associated with the backup first SS). On the SS associated with the second type of CORESET, the terminal device needs to continuously monitor PDCCH. Further details will be provided in the following description and will not be elaborated here. When the above preset conditions are met, it can be determined from the channel state information that the existing BPL used for sending and receiving PDCCH is of lower quality than the BPL corresponding to the first reference signal. Therefore, PDCCH sending and receiving needs to be performed on the new BPL.

[0144] In this embodiment of the application, the type D QCL relationship can be a direct type D QCL relationship or an indirect type D QCL relationship. For example, if there is a direct type D QCL relationship between signal A and signal B, and a direct type D QCL relationship between signal B and signal C, then there is an indirect type D QCL relationship between signal A and signal C.

[0145] Optionally, the second reference signal can be a source reference signal indicated by TCI status information included in the configuration information of at least one second-type CORESET. Specifically, the second reference signal can be a source reference signal indicated by TCI status information included in the configuration information of any second-type CORESET among at least one second-type CORESET, or it can be a source reference signal indicated by TCI status information included in the configuration information of the second-type CORESET with the smallest identifier (or sequence number) among at least one second-type CORESET, or it can be a source reference signal indicated by TCI status information included in the configuration information of the second-type CORESET with an identifier other than the smallest identifier. Here, "identifier" can be understood as the identifier included in the configuration information of the CORESET. Here, a source reference signal indicated by TCI status information can be understood as a type D QCL source reference signal in the TCI status information.

[0146] Optionally, the channel state information includes the identifier of the third reference signal and the corresponding RSRP and / or SINR of the third reference signal. Preset conditions may also include: the RSRP or SINR value of the third reference signal is lower than a preset threshold; the third reference signal is the same as the second reference signal; or, the RSRP or SINR value of the third reference signal is lower than a preset threshold; and the third reference signal and the second reference signal satisfy a type D QCL relationship. The introduction to the second reference signal is described above and will not be repeated here. When the above preset conditions are met, it can be determined from the channel state information that the quality of the existing BPL used for PDCCH transmission and reception is lower than the preset threshold, therefore, PDCCH transmission and reception need to be performed on a new BPL.

[0147] Optionally, the preset conditions may also include: the difference between the RSRP of the first reference signal and the RSRP of the second reference signal (or the third reference signal) is greater than a first preset threshold. Alternatively, the difference between the SINR of the first reference signal and the SINR of the second reference signal (or the third reference signal) is greater than a second preset threshold. That is, the activation of the first SS will only be triggered when the BPL quality corresponding to the first reference signal is greater than the existing BPL quality by a certain margin, and the new BPL will be used for PDCCH transmission and reception on the first SS, thus avoiding frequent activation of the first SS and frequent switching of the BPL due to short-term fluctuations in BPL quality.

[0148] For example, Figure 7 A schematic diagram showing the activation of the first SS is shown. (e.g.) Figure 7 As shown, the terminal generates a CSI, for example: the terminal measures the RSRP and / or SINR of the CSI-RS sent by the network device, and generates a CSI based on the measurement results. Then, the terminal waits for the CSI reporting time, for example, n time slots later (n is a positive integer), and reports the CSI to the network device. During the aforementioned time period, the first SS is not activated, i.e., the first SS is in an inactive state. Since the CSI meets preset conditions, the terminal device determines that the first SS is activated, i.e., it starts monitoring the PDCCH on the first SS. The receiving beam used to monitor the PDCCH is the receiving beam corresponding to the best BPL in the CSI or a beam similar to that receiving beam. Then, the network device receives the CSI and determines that the CSI meets preset conditions. Therefore, the network device activates the first SS after this step, i.e., the network device can send the PDCCH to the terminal through the first SS. The transmitting beam used to send the PDCCH on the first SS can be the transmitting beam corresponding to the best BPL in the CSI or a beam similar to that transmitting beam.

[0149] Optionally, in the embodiments of this application, "performing PDCCH monitoring" can also be described as "performing blind PDCCH detection".

[0150] Based on the above technical solution, when the channel state information meets the preset conditions, the first SS is activated, and the terminal and network device can directly use the new beam to transmit and receive PDCCH on the first SS. In other words, the first SS is not activated by default under normal circumstances, that is, the network device will not transmit PDCCH on the first SS, and the terminal will not monitor PDCCH on the first SS. However, when the information state information reported by the terminal meets the preset conditions, such as indicating that the optimal beam has changed or the previous BPL quality is lower than a certain threshold, the terminal activates the first SS, and the network device also activates the first SS after receiving the channel state information and confirming that the state information meets the preset conditions.

[0151] Simultaneously, a type D QCL relationship exists between the demodulation reference signal of the PDCCH on the first SS and the first reference signal. That is, the type D source reference signal indicated in the TCI state information of the CORESET associated with the first SS is either the first reference signal or a reference signal with a type D QCL relationship to the first reference signal. In other words, network devices and terminals can transmit and receive PDCCH on the first SS based on the BPL corresponding to the first reference signal. The first reference signal is the reference signal with the highest RSRP or the reference signal with the highest SINR in the channel state information. That is, the BPL corresponding to the first reference signal is the optimal BPL, or equivalently, the optimal BPL in the channel state information is the transmit beam used by the network device to transmit the first reference signal and the receive beam used by the terminal device to receive the first reference signal. Therefore, terminals and network devices can use this optimal BPL to transmit and receive PDCCH on the first SS.

[0152] Thus, when the terminal reports channel state information to the network device and the channel state information meets preset conditions, the corresponding SS will be directly activated. Based on the channel state information, the TCI state information of the CORESET associated with that SS will be determined. The terminal device can then monitor the PDCCH on that SS using the receive beam corresponding to the optimal BPL in the channel state information or a beam close to that receive beam. Similarly, when the network device receives the channel state information and the channel state information meets preset conditions, it will also directly activate the corresponding SS. Based on the channel state information, the TCI state of the CORESET associated with that SS will be determined. When the network device transmits the PDCCH on that SS, it can use the transmit beam corresponding to the optimal BPL in the channel state information or a beam close to that transmit beam.

[0153] In summary, when the channel state information reported by the terminal indicates a change in the optimal beam switching (BPL) between the terminal and the network device, a temporary first beam switching (SS) can be directly activated between the terminal and the network device. Both devices can then transmit and receive PDCCHs on this temporary first SS based on the optimal BPL indicated in the channel state information, achieving faster and more efficient beam switching. This means that the terminal and network device do not need to update the CORESET's TCI status information through complex signaling interactions, saving time and effort. Figure 3 The time spent on a large amount of signaling interaction can reduce the latency of updating TCI status information, that is, reduce the latency of updating the receiving beam used by the terminal to monitor the PDCCH in CORESET, or the latency of updating the source reference signal that has a QCL relationship with the demodulation reference signal of PDCCH (or DCI), thereby reducing the probability of link interruption.

[0154] In order to facilitate the terminal to know the specific details of the SS and CORESET configured for it by the network device, optionally, before step S601, such as Figure 8 As shown, Figure 6 The method shown also includes the following steps:

[0155] S603. The network device sends the first configuration information to the terminal. Correspondingly, the terminal receives the first configuration information from the network device.

[0156] The first configuration information includes the configuration information of the first CORESET and the configuration information of the first SS. The configuration information of the first CORESET and the first SS includes the time-frequency location information of the candidate PDCCH (or, the network device can send the time-frequency location information of the PDCCH to the terminal). That is, the terminal can determine the time-frequency location of the PDCCH that needs to be monitored after the first SS is activated based on the configuration information of the first CORESET and the first SS.

[0157] In one possible implementation, the initial TCI status information may not be included in the configuration information of the first CORESET by default. In this implementation, when the network device and terminal subsequently activate the first SS and the first CORESET, the network device and terminal can automatically configure the TCI status information in the configuration information of the first CORESET, and the source reference signal indicated by the TCI status information is the first reference signal.

[0158] It should be noted that the configuration information of the first CORESET and the configuration information of the first SS can be contained in one configuration file or in two separate configuration files. The configuration information of the first CORESET and the configuration information of the first SS can be sent to the terminal by the network device simultaneously or sequentially.

[0159] The first SS is associated with the first CORESET, or it can be described as the configuration information of the first CORESET being applicable to the first SS. In other words, the first CORESET is a CORESET applicable to the first SS. Optionally, in the embodiments of this application, the number of first SSs can be one or more.

[0160] The first CORESET is a first type of CORESET, wherein the SS associated with the first type of CORESET (in other words, the first type of CORESET is a CORESET applicable to this SS) is an SS that the terminal does not perform PDCCH monitoring by default (or, the network device does not send PDCCH to the terminal by default). That is, by default, the terminal will not perform PDCCH monitoring at the time-frequency positions of these SSs. Optionally, there can be one or more SSs associated with the first type of CORESET. It can also be understood that the first type of CORESET is a CORESET that the terminal does not perform PDCCH monitoring by default. It can also be understood that after the terminal device receives the first configuration information, the terminal may not perform PDCCH monitoring at the corresponding time-frequency positions.

[0161] S604. The network device sends second configuration information to the terminal. Correspondingly, the terminal receives the second configuration information from the network device.

[0162] The second configuration information includes configuration information for at least one second type of CORESET and configuration information for at least one second SS. The configuration information for the second type of CORESET and the second SS includes time-frequency location information of the PDCCH (or, referred to as candidate PDCCH) monitored by the terminal (or, the network device can send the time-frequency location information of the PDCCH to the terminal). That is, the terminal can determine the time-frequency location of the PDCCH to be monitored based on the configuration information of the second type of CORESET and the configuration information of the second SS. It can also be understood that after receiving the second configuration information, the terminal needs to monitor the PDCCH at the corresponding time-frequency location.

[0163] At least one second SS is associated with at least one second type CORESET. It should be understood that a second type CORESET can be associated with one or more second SSs; in other words, a second type CORESET is a CORESET applicable to a second SS.

[0164] Similarly, the configuration information for the second type of CORESET and the second SS can be included in one configuration file or in separate configuration files. Optionally, the configuration information for different second type of CORESETs can be included in one configuration file or in one or more different configuration files. When multiple configuration files are used, these multiple configuration files can be sent to the terminal by the network device simultaneously or sequentially.

[0165] It should be noted that, in the embodiments of this application, the specific configuration methods and distribution methods of the configuration information of the first type of CORESET, the second type of CORESET, the SS associated with the first type of CORESET, and the SS associated with the second type of CORESET are not limited in this application.

[0166] On the SS associated with the second type of CORESET, the terminal needs to perform PDCCH monitoring. In other words, the SS associated with the second type of CORESET (i.e., the second type of CORESET is the CORESET applicable to this SS) is the SS for which the terminal needs (or by default) to perform PDCCH monitoring (or, the network device can send PDCCH SS to the terminal). The configuration information of each second type of CORESET includes TCI configuration information, which indicates the source reference signal. This source reference signal and the demodulation reference signal of the PDCCH on the second type of CORESET (or the second SS associated with the second CORESET) satisfy a type D QCL relationship.

[0167] It should be noted that the first configuration information and the second configuration information can be sent to the terminal by the network device simultaneously or sequentially; this application does not limit this.

[0168] Furthermore, based on the received first and second configuration information, the terminal can monitor the PDCCH on the second SS (or the second type of CORESET) before the first SS is activated. After the first SS is activated, the terminal can continue to monitor the PDCCH on the second SS (or the second type of CORESET) in addition to monitoring the PDCCH on the first SS (or the first CORESET).

[0169] It is understandable that since the number of Service Providers (SSs) configured for a terminal by a network device within a time slot or span may exceed the terminal's monitoring capabilities, the terminal can monitor the PDCCH based on the priority of the SSs. SSs can be divided into USS and CSS, with CSS having a higher priority than USS. Generally, when a terminal monitors the PDCCH on a CSS, it will not exceed its monitoring capabilities. When a terminal monitors the PDCCH on a USS, the following are some possible implementation methods.

[0170] In one possible implementation, the first SS is a first USS, and at least one second SS includes at least one second USS. Figure 6 The method shown also includes step S605 (not shown in the figure):

[0171] S605. When the terminal needs to monitor the PDCCH on the first USS and at least some or all of the second USS in the target time unit, the terminal can prioritize monitoring the PDCCH on the first USS according to its monitoring capability.

[0172] The target time unit can be one or more time slots, one or more time domain symbols, or one or more spans. This application does not make specific limitations on this, but it is uniformly described here.

[0173] Optionally, the terminal can determine which SSs are located in the target time unit based on the SS configuration information, and the terminal can monitor the PDCCH on these SSs in the target time unit. This will be explained in a unified manner here.

[0174] Optionally, at least one second SS may also include one or more second CSSs.

[0175] For example, in a target time unit, when the terminal needs to monitor the PDCCH in the first USS and two second USSs, the terminal prioritizes monitoring the PDCCH in the first USS. That is, the first USS has the highest priority among all the USSs to be monitored. It can be understood that the BPL corresponding to the first USS is the best BPL indicated in the channel state information, so prioritizing PDCCH monitoring in the first USS is more efficient.

[0176] It is understandable that the terminal prioritizes PDCCH monitoring on a certain USS, which can be interpreted as the terminal assigning a candidate PDCCH to that USS.

[0177] In another possible implementation, the first SS is a first USS, and at least one second SS includes at least one second USS. Figure 6 The method shown also includes step S606 (not shown in the figure):

[0178] S606. When the terminal needs to monitor the PDCCH on the first USS and at least some or all of the second USS in the target time unit, the PDCCH monitoring can be performed on the corresponding USS according to the terminal's monitoring capability and the priority of the USS.

[0179] In this system, the first USS has a lower priority than the third USS but a higher priority than the fourth USS. The third USS is the highest priority second USS among at least one second USS, and the fourth USS is the second highest priority (or, referred to as the second highest) second USS among at least one second USS. In other words, the first USS is the second highest priority USS among all USS.

[0180] Alternatively, the first USS has a lower priority than the third USS but a higher priority than the fourth USS. The third USS is the second highest priority USS in the target time unit, and the fourth USS is the second highest priority USS in the target time unit. In other words, the first USS is the second highest priority USS that the terminal needs to monitor in the target time unit.

[0181] It is understandable that the terminal prioritizes PDCCH monitoring on a certain USS, which can be interpreted as the terminal assigning a candidate PDCCH to that USS.

[0182] Optionally, the priority of the aforementioned USS can be determined by the USS identifier. The rule for determination can be that the smaller the USS identifier, the higher the USS priority, or the larger the USS identifier, the higher the USS priority. Using this method, the terminal prioritizes PDCCH monitoring on the original BPL (corresponding to the second USS with the highest priority). When the network device does not receive channel state information, the terminal activates the first SS, but the network device does not activate the first SS. In this case, the network device and the terminal cannot transmit or receive PDCCH on the new BPL. However, this method ensures the smooth operation of the old BPL. As long as the quality of the old BPL has not deteriorated significantly, some basic communication can still be performed, ensuring that the communication link is not interrupted.

[0183] It is understood that a USS includes one or more candidate PDCCHs. Optionally, when the number of candidate PDCCHs in a USS that the terminal needs to monitor exceeds the terminal's monitoring capacity within a target time unit, the terminal can cancel monitoring of candidate PDCCHs in lower-priority USSs. For example, the terminal can sequentially cancel monitoring of candidate PDCCHs in n (n is a positive integer) lower-priority USSs in ascending order of priority, so that after ensuring that the terminal can monitor PDCCHs in the first USS, the number of candidate PDCCHs in the remaining USSs that need to be monitored does not exceed the terminal's monitoring capacity.

[0184] Optionally, the terminal can also stop monitoring the PDCCH on the first SS, which includes the following two possible implementation methods.

[0185] In one possible implementation, Figure 6 The method shown also includes step S607 (not shown in the figure):

[0186] S607. After the first moment, the terminal stops monitoring the PDCCH on the first SS. Accordingly, after the first moment, the network device determines that the terminal has stopped monitoring the PDCCH on the first SS.

[0187] The first time point is the time after the target duration following the second time point. The second time point is the time when the terminal reports channel state information to the network device. Correspondingly, it is the time when the network device receives the channel state information from the terminal. Or,

[0188] The moment the terminal receives the acknowledgment message from the network device. Correspondingly, the moment the network device sends the acknowledgment message to the terminal. This acknowledgment message indicates that the network device has successfully received the channel state information. Alternatively,

[0189] The moment when the first SS takes effect (or is activated). Or,

[0190] The moment when the terminal first detects the PDCCH on the first SS. Correspondingly, the moment when the network device first sends the PDCCH to the terminal on the first SS.

[0191] Optionally, the target duration can be configured or pre-configured by the network device.

[0192] It should be noted that in the embodiments of this application, the network device determines that the terminal stops detecting PDCCH on the first SS, which can also be understood as the network device not (or unable) sending PDCCH to the terminal on the first SS.

[0193] In another possible implementation, Figure 6The method shown may also include the following steps (not shown in the figure):

[0194] S608a. After receiving the TCI status information included in the configuration information of the reconfigured target CORESET from the network device, the terminal stops monitoring the PDCCH on the first SS. Correspondingly, after sending the TCI status information included in the reconfigured target CORESET to the terminal, the network device determines that the terminal has stopped monitoring the PDCCH on the first SS.

[0195] The target CORESET belongs to at least one second-type CORESET. The target CORESET can be one or more second-type CORESETs.

[0196] Optionally, the specific implementation of the network device reconfiguring the TCI status information included in the target CORESET configuration information for the terminal can be as follows: Figure 3 The method shown may be used in other ways, and this application does not make any specific limitation on it.

[0197] Alternatively, in S608b, after receiving the target indication information from the network device, the terminal stops monitoring the PDCCH on the first SS. Correspondingly, after sending the target indication information to the terminal, the network device determines that the terminal has stopped monitoring the PDCCH on the first SS.

[0198] The target indication information is used to instruct the terminal to stop monitoring the PDCCH on the first SS.

[0199] Optionally, in some embodiments, the first CORESET and the first SS are transmitted via... Figure 6 After the method shown is activated (or described as taking effect), the first CORESET and the first SS can also be configured as a second type of CORESET and the second SS.

[0200] In one possible implementation, after the first CORESET and the first SS are activated, a preset time is set, and they are automatically configured into a new second type of CORESET and second SS.

[0201] In another possible implementation, after the first CORESET and the first SS are activated, they automatically replace the previously configured second type CORESET and the second SS after a preset time, becoming the second type CORESET and the second SS.

[0202] In another possible implementation, after the terminal and network device complete a full data scheduling using the activated first CORESET and first SS, the first CORESET and first SS automatically replace the previously configured second type CORESET and second SS, becoming the second type CORESET and second SS, or automatically configured as a new second type CORESET and second SS.

[0203] Specifically, the specific second type CORESET and second SS that the first CORESET and the first SS replace can be configured in the second configuration information mentioned above, or they can be configured separately. This application does not impose any restrictions on this.

[0204] The above primarily describes the solutions provided by the embodiments of this application from a methodological perspective. It is understood that, in order to achieve the above functions, communication devices (e.g., network devices, terminal devices) include hardware structures and / or software modules corresponding to the execution of each function. By combining the units and algorithm steps of the various examples described in the embodiments disclosed in this application, the embodiments of this application can be implemented in hardware or a combination of hardware and computer software. Whether a function is executed by hardware or by computer software driving hardware depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Those skilled in the art can use different methods to implement the described functions for each specific application, but such implementation should not be considered beyond the scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application.

[0205] This application embodiment can divide the communication device into functional modules according to the above method example. For example, each function can be divided into its own functional modules, or two or more functions can be integrated into one processing unit. The integrated unit can be implemented in hardware or as a software functional module. It should be noted that the unit division in this application embodiment is illustrative and only represents one logical functional division. In actual implementation, there may be other division methods.

[0206] like Figure 9 As shown, a communication device provided in an embodiment of this application is provided. The communication device includes a processing module 901 and a communication module 902.

[0207] In one possible example, taking the communication device as a network device, the processing module 901 is used to support the network device in determining that the terminal starts monitoring the PDCCH on the first SS when the channel state information meets preset conditions; and / or other processing operations that the network device needs to perform in this embodiment. The communication module 902 is used to support the network device in performing... Figure 6 Step S601, Figure 8Steps S601, S603, and S604 in the embodiments of this application, and / or other communication operations that the network device needs to perform.

[0208] In another possible example, taking a communication device as the terminal device, the processing module 901 is used to support the terminal device in performing... Figure 6 Step S602 in the embodiment of this application, and / or other processing operations that the terminal device needs to perform. The communication module 902 is used to support the terminal device in performing... Figure 6 Step S601 in the process, Figure 8 Steps S601, S603, and S604 in the embodiments of this application, and / or other communication operations that the terminal device needs to perform.

[0209] Optionally, the communication device may also include a storage module 903 for storing the program code and data of the communication device, and the data may include, but is not limited to, raw data or intermediate data.

[0210] The processing module 901 can be a processor or controller, such as a CPU, a general-purpose processor, an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), or other programmable logic devices, transistor logic devices, hardware components, or any combination thereof. It can implement or execute the various exemplary logic blocks, modules, and circuits described in conjunction with the disclosure of this application. The processor can also be a combination that implements computational functions, such as a combination of one or more microprocessors, a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, etc.

[0211] The communication module 902 may be a communication interface, transceiver, or transceiver circuit, etc. Here, "communication interface" is a general term. In a specific implementation, the communication interface may include multiple interfaces, such as the interface between the base station and the terminal and / or other interfaces.

[0212] Storage module 903 can be a memory.

[0213] When the processing module 901 is a processor, the communication module 902 is a communication interface, and the storage module 903 is a memory, the communication device involved in the embodiments of this application can be... Figure 10 As shown.

[0214] See Figure 10As shown, the communication device includes a processor 1001, a communication interface 1002, and a memory 1003. Optionally, the communication device may also include a bus 1004. The communication interface 1002, processor 1001, and memory 1003 can be interconnected via the bus 1004; the bus 1004 can be a peripheral component interconnect (PCI) bus or an extended industry standard architecture (EISA) bus, etc. The bus 1004 can be divided into an address bus, a data bus, a control bus, etc. For ease of illustration, Figure 10 The bus is represented by a single thick line, but this does not mean that there is only one bus or one type of bus.

[0215] Optionally, embodiments of this application also provide a computer program product carrying computer instructions, which, when executed on a computer, causes the computer to perform the methods described in the above embodiments.

[0216] Optionally, embodiments of this application also provide a computer-readable storage medium that stores computer instructions that, when executed on a computer, cause the computer to perform the methods described in the above embodiments.

[0217] Optionally, embodiments of this application also provide a chip, including: a processing circuit and transceiver pins, the processing circuit and transceiver pins being used to implement the methods described in the above embodiments. The processing circuit is used to perform processing actions in the corresponding method, and the transceiver pins are used to perform receiving / transmitting actions in the corresponding method.

[0218] Optionally, embodiments of this application also provide a communication system, including: the network device provided in the above embodiments, and the terminal provided in the above embodiments.

[0219] Those skilled in the art will understand that the above embodiments can be implemented entirely or partially by software, hardware, firmware, or any combination thereof. When implemented using software, it can be implemented entirely or partially in the form of a computer program product. The computer program product includes one or more computer instructions. When the computer program instructions are loaded and executed on a computer, all or part of the processes or functions described in the embodiments of this application are generated. The computer can be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network, or other programmable device. The computer instructions can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium or transmitted from one computer-readable storage medium to another. For example, the computer instructions can be transmitted from one website, computer, server, or data center to another website, computer, server, or data center via wired (e.g., coaxial cable, fiber optic, Digital Subscriber Line (DSL)) or wireless (e.g., infrared, wireless, microwave, etc.) means. The computer-readable storage medium can be any available medium that a computer can access or a data storage device such as a server or data center that integrates one or more available media. The available media may be magnetic media (e.g., floppy disks, hard disks, magnetic tapes), optical media (e.g., digital video discs (DVDs)), or semiconductor media (e.g., solid-state drives (SSDs)).

[0220] In the several embodiments provided in this application, it should be understood that the disclosed systems, apparatuses, and methods can be implemented in other ways. For example, the apparatus embodiments described above are merely illustrative; for instance, the division of modules is only a logical functional division, and in actual implementation, there may be other division methods. For example, multiple modules or components may be combined or integrated into another system, or some features may be ignored or not executed. Furthermore, the coupling or direct coupling or communication connection shown or discussed may be through some interfaces, indirect coupling or communication connection between devices or modules, and may be electrical or other forms.

[0221] The units described as separate components may or may not be physically separate. The components shown as units may or may not be physical units; that is, they may be located in one place or distributed across multiple devices. Some or all of the units can be selected to achieve the purpose of this embodiment according to actual needs.

[0222] Through the above description of the embodiments, those skilled in the art can clearly understand that this application can be implemented by means of software plus necessary general-purpose hardware, and of course, it can also be implemented by hardware, but in many cases the former is a better implementation method. Based on this understanding, the technical solution of this application, in essence, or the part that contributes, can be embodied in the form of a software product. This computer software product is stored in a readable storage medium, such as a computer floppy disk, hard disk, or optical disk, and includes several instructions to cause a computer device (which may be a personal computer, server, or network device, etc.) to execute the methods described in the various embodiments of this application.

[0223] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of this application, but the scope of protection of this application is not limited thereto. Any variations or substitutions within the technical scope disclosed in this application should be included within the scope of protection of this application. Therefore, the scope of protection of this application should be determined by the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that, Applied to a terminal, the method includes: The channel state information is reported to the network device, the channel state information including the identifier of at least one reference signal and the reference signal received power RSRP and / or the signal-to-interference-plus-noise ratio SINR corresponding to each of the at least one reference signal; When the channel state information meets the preset conditions, the monitoring of the physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) begins on the first search space (SS); wherein, the demodulation reference signal of the PDCCH on the first SS and the first reference signal satisfy the type D quasi-co-address QCL relationship, and the first reference signal is the reference signal with the highest RSRP or the reference signal with the highest SINR in the channel state information.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, Before reporting the channel state information to the network device, the method further includes: Receive first configuration information from the network device; the first configuration information includes configuration information of a first control resource set CORESET and configuration information of the first SS, the configuration information of the first CORESET and the configuration information of the first SS include time-frequency location information of candidate PDCCH, and the first SS is associated with the first CORESET; The first CORESET is a first type of CORESET, wherein the SS associated with the first type of CORESET is the SS that the terminal does not perform PDCCH monitoring by default.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, Before reporting the channel state information to the network device, the method further includes: The terminal receives second configuration information from the network device. The second configuration information includes configuration information for at least one second type of CORESET and configuration information for at least one second SS. The at least one second SS is associated with the at least one second type of CORESET. On the SS associated with the second type of CORESET, the terminal needs to perform PDCCH monitoring. The configuration information for each type 2 CORESET includes Transmission Configuration Indicator (TCI) status information, which indicates a source reference signal that satisfies a type D QCL relationship with the demodulation reference signal of the PDCCH on the type 2 CORESET.

4. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that, The preset conditions include: The first reference signal and the second reference signal are different; or, the first reference signal and the second reference signal do not satisfy the type D QCL relationship. Wherein, the second reference signal is a source reference signal indicated by TCI status information included in the configuration information of one of the at least one second-type CORESETs.

5. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that, The channel state information includes the identifier of the third reference signal and the RSRP and / or SINR corresponding to the third reference signal; The preset conditions include: the RSRP value or SINR value of the third reference signal is lower than a preset threshold value; the third reference signal is the same as the second reference signal; or... The RSRP value or SINR value of the third reference signal is lower than the preset threshold value, and the third reference signal and the second reference signal satisfy a type D QCL relationship; Wherein, the second reference signal is a source reference signal indicated by TCI status information included in the configuration information of one of the at least one second-type CORESETs.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1-2 and 4-5, characterized in that, The first SS is a first user-specific search space (USS), and the at least one second SS includes at least one second USS. The method further includes: When PDCCH monitoring is required on the first USS and some or all of the at least one second USS at the target time unit, PDCCH monitoring shall be performed on the first USS first, according to the monitoring capability of the terminal.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1-2 and 4-5, characterized in that, The first SS is a first USS, and the at least one second SS includes at least one second USS. The method further includes: When PDCCH monitoring needs to be performed on some or all of the first USS and at least one second USS at the target time unit, PDCCH monitoring is performed on the corresponding USS according to the monitoring capability of the terminal and the priority of the USS. Wherein, the priority of the first USS is lower than the priority of the third USS but higher than the priority of the fourth USS, the third USS is the second USS with the highest priority among the at least one second USS, and the fourth USS is the second USS with the second highest priority among the at least one second USS. or, The first USS has a lower priority than the third USS but a higher priority than the fourth USS. The third USS is the second USS with the highest priority in the target time unit, and the fourth USS is the second USS with the second highest priority in the target time unit.

8. The method according to any one of claims 1-2 and 4-5, characterized in that, After monitoring the PDCCH on the first SS, the method further includes: After the first moment, PDCCH monitoring on the first SS is stopped; The first time point is the time after the target duration following the second time point, where the second time point is: The time at which the channel state information is sent to the network device; or... The moment the network device receives the acknowledgment message, the acknowledgment message is used to indicate that the network device has successfully received the channel state information; or... The moment when the first SS first takes effect; or, The moment when PDCCH was first detected on the first SS.

9. The method according to any one of claims 4-5, characterized in that, After monitoring the PDCCH on the first SS, the method further includes: After receiving the TCI status information included in the configuration information of the target CORESET reconfigured by the network device, the monitoring of PDCCH on the first SS is stopped, and the target CORESET belongs to the at least one second type of CORESET; or, After receiving target indication information from the network device, the terminal stops monitoring PDCCH on the first SS. The target indication information is used to instruct the terminal to stop monitoring PDCCH on the first SS.

10. A communication method, characterized in that, Applied to network devices, the method includes: The terminal receives channel state information, which includes an identifier of at least one reference signal and the RSRP and / or SINR corresponding to each of the at least one reference signal; When the channel state information meets the preset conditions, it is determined that the terminal starts monitoring the PDCCH on the first SS; wherein, the demodulation reference signal of the PDCCH on the first SS and the first reference signal satisfy the type D QCL relationship, and the first reference signal is the reference signal with the highest RSRP or the reference signal with the highest SINR in the first channel state information.

11. The method according to claim 10, characterized in that, Before receiving the channel state information from the terminal, the method further includes: Send first configuration information to the terminal; the first configuration information includes configuration information of the first CORESET and configuration information of the first SS, the configuration information of the first CORESET and the configuration information of the first SS include time-frequency location information of candidate PDCCH, and the first SS is associated with the first CORESET; The first CORESET is a first type of CORESET, wherein the SS associated with the first type of CORESET is the SS that the terminal does not perform PDCCH monitoring by default.

12. The method according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that, Before receiving the channel state information from the terminal, the method further includes: Send second configuration information to the terminal; the second configuration information includes configuration information of at least one second type of CORESET and configuration information of at least one second SS, the at least one second SS being associated with the at least one second type of CORESET, and the terminal needs to perform PDCCH monitoring on the SS associated with the second type of CORESET; The configuration information of each second type of CORESET includes Transmission Configuration Indicator (TCI) status information, which indicates the source reference signal. The source reference signal and the demodulation reference signal of the PDCCH on the second type of CORESET satisfy a type D QCL relationship.

13. The method according to claim 12, characterized in that, The preset conditions include: The first reference signal and the second reference signal are different; or, the first reference signal and the second reference signal do not satisfy the type D QCL relationship. Wherein, the second reference signal is a source reference signal indicated by TCI status information included in the configuration information of one of the at least one second-type CORESETs.

14. The method according to claim 13, characterized in that, The channel state information includes the identifier of the third reference signal and the RSRP and / or SINR corresponding to the third reference signal; The preset conditions include: the RSRP value or SINR value of the third reference signal is lower than a preset threshold value; the third reference signal is the same as the second reference signal; or... The RSRP value or SINR value of the third reference signal is lower than the preset threshold value, and the third reference signal and the second reference signal satisfy a type D QCL relationship; Wherein, the second reference signal is a source reference signal indicated by TCI status information included in the configuration information of one of the at least one second-type CORESETs.

15. The method according to any one of claims 10-11 and 13-14, characterized in that, After determining that the terminal has started monitoring the PDCCH on the first SS, the method further includes: After the first moment, it is determined that the terminal stops monitoring the PDCCH on the first SS; The first time point is the time after the target duration following the second time point, where the second time point is: The time at which the channel state information is received from the terminal; or... At the time of sending the confirmation message to the terminal, the confirmation message is used to indicate that the network device has successfully received the channel state information; or... The moment when the first SS first takes effect; or, The moment when the PDCCH is first sent to the terminal on the first SS.

16. The method according to any one of claims 13-14, characterized in that, After determining that the terminal has started monitoring the PDCCH on the first SS, the method further includes: After sending the TCI status information included in the configuration information of the reconfigured target CORESET to the terminal, it is determined that the terminal stops monitoring PDCCH on the first SS, and the target CORESET belongs to the at least one second type of CORESET; or, After sending target indication information to the terminal, it is determined that the terminal stops monitoring PDCCH on the first SS. The target indication information is used to instruct the terminal to stop monitoring PDCCH on the first SS.

17. A communication device, characterized in that, Includes a communication module and a processing module; The communication module is used to report channel state information to the network device. The channel state information includes the identifier of at least one reference signal and the RSRP and / or SINR corresponding to each of the at least one reference signal. The processing module is used to start monitoring the PDCCH on the first SS when the channel state information meets the preset conditions; wherein, the demodulation reference signal of the PDCCH on the first SS and the first reference signal satisfy the type D QCL relationship, and the first reference signal is the reference signal with the highest RSRP or the reference signal with the highest SINR in the channel state information.

18. The communication device according to claim 17, characterized in that, The communication module is further configured to receive first configuration information from the network device; the first configuration information includes configuration information of a first CORESET and configuration information of a first SS, the configuration information of the first CORESET and the configuration information of the first SS include time-frequency location information of candidate PDCCH, and the first SS is associated with the first CORESET; The first CORESET is a first type of CORESET, wherein the SS associated with the first type of CORESET is an SS that the communication device does not perform PDCCH monitoring by default.

19. The communication device according to claim 17 or 18, characterized in that, The communication module is further configured to receive second configuration information from the network device; the second configuration information includes configuration information of at least one second type of CORESET and configuration information of at least one second SS, wherein the at least one second SS is associated with the at least one second type of CORESET, and the communication device needs to perform PDCCH monitoring on the SS associated with the second type of CORESET; The configuration information for each type 2 CORESET includes TCI status information, which indicates the source reference signal and satisfies a type D QCL relationship with the demodulation reference signal of the PDCCH on the type 2 CORESET.

20. The communication device according to claim 19, characterized in that, The preset conditions include: The first reference signal and the second reference signal are different; or, the first reference signal and the second reference signal do not satisfy the type D QCL relationship. Wherein, the second reference signal is a source reference signal indicated by TCI status information included in the configuration information of one of the at least one second-type CORESETs.

21. The communication device according to claim 20, characterized in that, The channel state information includes the identifier of the third reference signal and the RSRP and / or SINR corresponding to the third reference signal; The preset conditions include: the RSRP value or SINR value of the third reference signal is lower than a preset threshold value; the third reference signal is the same as the second reference signal; or... The RSRP value or SINR value of the third reference signal is lower than the preset threshold value, and the third reference signal and the second reference signal satisfy a type D QCL relationship; Wherein, the second reference signal is a source reference signal indicated by TCI status information included in the configuration information of one of the at least one second-type CORESETs.

22. The communication device according to any one of claims 17-18 and 20-21, characterized in that, The first SS is a first user-specific search space (USS), and the at least one second SS includes at least one second USS; The processing module is further configured to, when PDCCH monitoring is required on the first USS and some or all of the at least one second USS at the target time unit, prioritize PDCCH monitoring on the first USS based on the monitoring capability of the communication device.

23. The communication device according to any one of claims 17-18 and 20-21, characterized in that, The first SS is a first USS, and the at least one second SS includes at least one second USS; The processing module is further configured to perform PDCCH monitoring on the corresponding USS according to the monitoring capability of the communication device and the priority of the USS when PDCCH monitoring is required on some or all of the first USS and at least one second USS in the target time unit. Wherein, the priority of the first USS is lower than the priority of the third USS but higher than the priority of the fourth USS, the third USS is the second USS with the highest priority among the at least one second USS, and the fourth USS is the second USS with the second highest priority among the at least one second USS. or, The first USS has a lower priority than the third USS but a higher priority than the fourth USS. The third USS is the second USS with the highest priority in the target time unit, and the fourth USS is the second USS with the second highest priority in the target time unit.

24. The communication device according to any one of claims 17-18 and 20-21, characterized in that, The processing module is also used to stop monitoring PDCCH on the first SS after the first moment; The first time point is the time after the target duration following the second time point, where the second time point is: The time at which the channel state information is sent to the network device; or... The moment the network device receives the acknowledgment message, the acknowledgment message is used to indicate that the network device has successfully received the channel state information; or... The moment when the first SS first takes effect; or, The moment when PDCCH was first detected on the first SS.

25. The communication device according to any one of claims 20-21, characterized in that, The processing module is further configured to stop monitoring the PDCCH on the first SS after receiving the TCI status information included in the configuration information of the target CORESET reconfigured by the network device, wherein the target CORESET belongs to the at least one second type of CORESET; or, The processing module is further configured to stop monitoring PDCCH on the first SS after receiving target indication information from the network device, wherein the target indication information is used to instruct the communication device to stop monitoring PDCCH on the first SS.

26. A communication device, characterized in that, Includes a communication module and a processing module; The communication module is configured to receive channel state information from the terminal. The channel state information includes an identifier of at least one reference signal and RSRP and / or SINR corresponding to each of the at least one reference signal. The processing module is used to determine that the terminal starts monitoring PDCCH on the first SS when the channel state information meets the preset conditions; wherein, the demodulation reference signal of PDCCH on the first SS and the first reference signal satisfy the type D QCL relationship, and the first reference signal is the reference signal with the highest RSRP or the reference signal with the highest SINR in the first channel state information.

27. The communication device according to claim 26, characterized in that, The communication module is further configured to send first configuration information to the terminal; the first configuration information includes configuration information of the first CORESET and configuration information of the first SS, the configuration information of the first CORESET and the configuration information of the first SS include time-frequency location information of candidate PDCCH, and the first SS is associated with the first CORESET; The first CORESET is a first type of CORESET, wherein the SS associated with the first type of CORESET is the SS that the terminal does not perform PDCCH monitoring by default.

28. The communication device according to claim 26 or 27, characterized in that, The communication module is further configured to send second configuration information to the terminal; the second configuration information includes configuration information of at least one second type of CORESET and configuration information of at least one second SS, wherein the at least one second SS is associated with the at least one second type of CORESET, and the terminal needs to perform PDCCH monitoring on the SS associated with the second type of CORESET; The configuration information of each second type of CORESET includes Transmission Configuration Indicator (TCI) status information, which indicates the source reference signal. The source reference signal and the demodulation reference signal of the PDCCH on the second type of CORESET satisfy a type D QCL relationship.

29. The communication device according to claim 28, characterized in that, The preset conditions include: The first reference signal and the second reference signal are different; or, the first reference signal and the second reference signal do not satisfy the type D QCL relationship. Wherein, the second reference signal is a source reference signal indicated by TCI status information included in the configuration information of one of the at least one second-type CORESETs.

30. The communication device according to claim 29, characterized in that, The channel state information includes the identifier of the third reference signal and the RSRP and / or SINR corresponding to the third reference signal; The preset conditions include: the RSRP value or SINR value of the third reference signal is lower than a preset threshold value; the third reference signal is the same as the second reference signal; or... The RSRP value or SINR value of the third reference signal is lower than the preset threshold value, and the third reference signal and the second reference signal satisfy a type D QCL relationship; Wherein, the second reference signal is a source reference signal indicated by TCI status information included in the configuration information of one of the at least one second-type CORESETs.

31. The communication device according to any one of claims 26-27 and 29-30, characterized in that, The processing module is also used to determine, after the first moment, that the terminal stops monitoring the PDCCH on the first SS; The first time point is the time after the target duration following the second time point, where the second time point is: The time at which the channel state information is received from the terminal; or... At the time when sending an acknowledgment message to the terminal, the acknowledgment message is used to indicate that the communication device has successfully received the channel state information; or... The moment when the first SS first takes effect; or, The moment when the PDCCH is first sent to the terminal on the first SS.

32. The communication device according to any one of claims 29-30, characterized in that, The processing module is further configured to determine, after sending the TCI status information included in the configuration information of the reconfigured target CORESET to the terminal, that the terminal stops monitoring PDCCH on the first SS, and that the target CORESET belongs to the at least one second type of CORESET; Alternatively, the processing module is further configured to determine, after sending target indication information to the terminal, that the terminal stops monitoring PDCCH on the first SS, wherein the target indication information is used to instruct the terminal to stop monitoring PDCCH on the first SS.

33. A communication device, characterized in that, It includes a processor and a communication interface; the communication interface is used to communicate with other devices; the processor is used to execute computer programs or instructions to cause the communication device to perform the method as described in any one of claims 1-9, or to cause the communication device to perform the method as described in any one of claims 10-16.

34. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, This includes a computer program or instructions that, when executed on a communication device, cause the communication device to perform the method as described in any one of claims 1-9, or cause the communication device to perform the method as described in any one of claims 10-16.

35. A computer program product, characterized in that, The computer program product includes: computer programs or instructions. When the computer program or instructions are run on the computer, the computer causes the computer to perform any one of claims 1-9. The method, or causing the computer to perform the method as described in any one of claims 10-16.

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