A communication method, network device and terminal device

Abstract

The application provides a communication method and a network control relay device (NCR), and relates to the field of communication. The NCR comprises K donor antenna ports and K service antenna ports. The method comprises the following steps: the NCR uses N service antenna ports and N donor antenna ports to perform uplink forwarding in any one of K time unit sets; the N service antenna ports and the N donor antenna ports are part of the K service antenna ports and the K donor antenna ports respectively; in any two of the K time unit sets, the NCR uses different donor antenna ports and service antenna ports. The application can obtain high-precision downlink CSI when the number of uplink forwarding channels of the NCR is different from the number of downlink forwarding channels.

Description

[0001] This application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 202210146286.9, filed with the State Intellectual Property Office of China on February 17, 2022, entitled "An Antenna Switching Method, Network Relay Device, Network Device and Electronic Device", the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0002] This application relates to the field of communications, and more particularly to a communication method, network equipment, and terminal equipment. Background Technology

[0003] Network Controlled Repeater (NCR) devices, serving as radio frequency relays between network devices and terminal devices located at considerable distances, amplify and forward radio frequency signals, thereby improving the coverage of cellular networks. They are widely used in mobile communication networks such as 4G and 5G.

[0004] Multistream transmission refers to the transmission of multiple signal streams on the same time-frequency resources. This typically requires transceiver equipment with multiple antennas, i.e., Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO), to achieve spatial multiplexing gain. Single-stream transmission, on the other hand, refers to the transmission of a single signal stream on the same time-frequency resources. Compared to single-stream transmission, multistream transmission improves spectrum utilization and transmission rate, and is therefore widely used in cellular communication networks.

[0005] Network devices (such as base stations) can provide downlink multistream transmission in wireless transmission through downlink precoding design. The design of downlink precoding is closely related to the downlink channel state information (CSI) obtained by the network device between the network device and the terminal device. Accurate downlink CSI leads to accurate precoding design, allowing the network device to provide higher-rate multistream transmission. Typically, to obtain a high-precision downlink CSI, network devices can measure the sounding reference signal (SRS) transmitted by the terminal device to obtain the uplink channel coefficient matrix, and then determine the downlink channel coefficient matrix based on channel reciprocity (i.e., obtain a high-precision downlink CSI), thus obtaining the downlink channel. When the network device communicates with the terminal device via NCR, the above method can also be used to obtain an accurate downlink CSI and thus determine the downlink channel. Summary of the Invention

[0006] When NCRs have the same number of uplink and downlink forwarding channels, obtaining a high-precision downlink CSI using the above method is feasible. However, when NCRs have different numbers of uplink and downlink forwarding channels, it is impossible to determine the downlink channel coefficient matrix through channel reciprocity, and therefore, it is impossible to obtain a high-precision downlink CSI.

[0007] Generally, the number of uplink forwarded data points in a network current transformer (NCR) is less than the number of downlink forwarded data points. Therefore, the number of uplink forwarding channels in an NCR may be less than the number of downlink forwarding channels. Thus, the technical problem we need to solve is how to provide a communication method that accurately determines the downlink channel coefficient matrix when the number of uplink and downlink forwarding channels in the NCR differs, thereby obtaining a high-precision downlink CSI. This allows network devices to perform precise precoding design, ultimately providing accurate multi-stream transmission in wireless communication.

[0008] Firstly, a communication method is provided. This method is applied to a network control relay device, which includes KN donor antenna ports and KN service antenna ports. The method includes: the network control relay device performing uplink forwarding on K time unit sets. Specifically, in any one of the K time unit sets, i.e., the k-th time unit set, the network control relay device uses N service antenna ports and N donor antenna ports for uplink forwarding. The N service antenna ports are a subset of the KN service antenna ports, and the N donor antenna ports are a subset of the KN donor antenna ports. In any two time unit sets of the K time unit sets, the donor antenna ports used by the network control relay device are different, and the service antenna ports used by the network control relay device are also different. Here, K is a positive integer greater than 1, N is a positive integer greater than or equal to 1, k is any integer greater than 0 and less than or equal to K, and KN represents the product of K and N. In this way, when the number of uplink forwarding channels and the number of downlink forwarding channels of the network control relay device (NCR) are different, the NCR can accurately determine the downlink channel coefficient matrix by performing uplink forwarding of this scheme on a set of K time units, thereby obtaining a high-precision downlink CSI. This allows the network device to accurately perform precoding design, thus providing higher-rate multi-stream transmission in wireless transmission.

[0009] Optionally, the network control relay device performs uplink forwarding using N service antenna ports and N donor antenna ports in any one of the K time unit sets, i.e., the kth time unit set. This includes: the network control relay device using N service antenna ports to receive information or data from the terminal device and using N donor antenna ports to forward it to the network device.

[0010] According to the first aspect, N donor antenna ports are associated one-to-one with N service antenna ports, thus forming N associations. The set of N associations constitutes the first association relationship. KN service antenna ports are associated one-to-one with KN donor antenna ports, thus forming KN associations. The set of KN associations constitutes the second association relationship. The first association relationship is a part of the second association relationship.

[0011] According to the first aspect and any one thereof, when the network control relay device performs downlink forwarding, KN service antenna ports and KN donor antenna ports are used; wherein, the KN service antenna ports and KN donor antenna ports still maintain the second association relationship.

[0012] According to the first aspect and any one thereof, the i-th donor antenna port among the aforementioned N donor antenna ports is associated with the j-th service antenna port among the aforementioned N service antenna ports in both uplink and downlink forwarding, and the gain coefficient from the j-th service antenna port to the i-th donor antenna port in uplink forwarding is a. i-1 In downlink forwarding, the gain coefficient from the i-th donor antenna port to the j-th service antenna port is a. i-1 ',a i-1 and a i-1 'Meet at least one of the following conditions: a i-1 and a i-1 The amplitude difference is less than the first amplitude threshold; i-1 and a i-1 The phase difference is less than the first phase threshold. Here, i and j are both positive integers less than or equal to N.

[0013] Optionally, j can be equal to i. Optionally, j may not be equal to i.

[0014] According to the first aspect and any one thereof, the first association is part of the second association, including: according to the second association, selecting N associations from the KN service antenna ports and KN donor antenna ports corresponding to the second association to form the first association; or, according to the first association, selecting the remaining (K-1)N service antenna ports and (K-1)N donor antenna ports, in addition to the N service antenna ports and N donor antenna ports corresponding to the first association, i.e., a total of KN service antenna ports and KN donor antenna ports, to form the second association.

[0015] According to the first aspect and any one thereof, N donor antenna ports and N service antenna ports correspond to N uplink forwarding channels, and KN donor antenna ports and KN service antenna ports correspond to KN downlink forwarding channels.

[0016] According to the first aspect and any one thereof, in any two time unit sets of the K time unit sets, the service antenna ports used by the network control relay equipment are different, and the donor service antenna ports used by the network control relay equipment are also different, including: in any two time unit sets of the K time unit sets, the service antenna ports used by the network control relay equipment are completely different and have no overlap; the donor service antenna ports used by the network control relay equipment are also completely different and have no overlap. This solution clarifies the content included in this difference.

[0017] According to the first aspect and any one thereof, in the set of K time units, KN ​​service antenna ports have been used once by the network control relay device, and KN donor antenna ports have also been used once by the network control relay device.

[0018] Optionally, all KN service antenna ports have been used once by the network control relay device, and all KN donor antenna ports have also been used once by the network control relay device. This includes situations where all KN service antenna ports have been used only once by the network control relay device, and all KN donor antenna ports have also been used only once by the network control relay device. This solution clarifies the content included in this "used once" clause.

[0019] According to the first aspect and any one thereof, before the network control relay device performs uplink forwarding on the K time unit set, the method further includes: the network control relay device receiving indication information from the network device, the indication information instructing the network control relay device to perform uplink forwarding on the K time unit set. That is, this solution provides a method in which the network control relay device receives indication information from the network device, and then performs uplink forwarding on the K time unit set based on the indication information.

[0020] According to the first aspect and any one thereof, the instruction information further instructs the network control relay device to perform uplink forwarding using the N service antenna ports and the N donor antenna ports on the k-th time unit set of the K time unit set.

[0021] According to the first aspect and any one of the first aspects, before the network control relay device receives the indication information from the network device, the method further includes: the network control relay device sending capability indication information to the network device, the capability indication information indicating to the network device that: the network control relay device can use N of the KN donor antenna ports and N of the KN service antenna ports during uplink forwarding; and the network control relay device can use KN donor antenna ports and KN service antenna ports during uplink forwarding.

[0022] According to the first aspect and any one thereof, the network control relay device performs uplink forwarding on a set of K time units, including: the network control relay device receives K probe reference signals or a set of K probe reference signals from the terminal device on a set of K time units, and performs uplink forwarding.

[0023] According to the first aspect and any one thereof, the network control relay device performs uplink forwarding using N service antenna ports and N donor antenna ports in any one of the K time unit sets, i.e., the kth time unit set, including: the network control relay device receiving the kth probe reference signal or the kth probe reference signal set from the terminal device using N service antenna ports in any one of the K time unit sets, i.e., the kth time unit set, and sending the kth probe reference signal or the kth probe reference signal set to the network device using N donor antenna ports.

[0024] According to the first aspect and any one thereof, the network control relay equipment and the terminal equipment are associated.

[0025] Secondly, a communication method is provided. This method is applied to a terminal device and includes: the terminal device transmitting the kth probe reference signal from the K probe reference signals in any one of the time unit sets (i.e., the kth time unit set) of the K probe reference signals. The kth time unit set corresponds to the kth time unit set in the first aspect and any one of the first aspects. The kth probe reference signal includes J probe reference signal ports. Any two probe reference signals from the K probe reference signals are located in two different time unit sets. K is a positive integer greater than 1, k is any integer greater than 0 and less than or equal to K, and J is a positive integer greater than or equal to 1. Thus, when the number of uplink forwarding channels and the number of downlink forwarding channels of the network control relay device (NCR) are different, the terminal device, by transmitting according to this scheme in the K time unit sets, enables the network device to accurately determine the downlink channel coefficient matrix, thereby obtaining a high-precision downlink CSI. This allows the network device to accurately perform precoding design, thereby providing accurate multi-stream transmission in wireless transmission.

[0026] According to the second aspect, the J probe reference signal ports of the k-th probe reference signal are located in the same time unit.

[0027] According to the second aspect, the J probe reference signal ports of the k-th probe reference signal may not be located in the same time unit.

[0028] According to the second aspect and any one of the second aspect, before the terminal device transmits K probe reference signals on K time unit sets, the method further includes: the terminal device receiving probe reference signal configuration information from the network device, the probe reference signal configuration information being used to configure the K probe reference signals, and the time unit set where each probe reference signal is located; wherein, each probe reference signal includes J probe reference signal ports, and different probe reference signals are located on different time unit sets.

[0029] According to the second aspect and any one of the second aspects, the probe reference signal configuration information is also used to configure the time unit (also known as time domain resource) where each probe reference signal port is located.

[0030] According to the second aspect and any one thereof, the probe reference signal configuration information is also used to configure the frequency unit (also known as frequency domain resource) where each probe reference signal or each probe reference signal port is located.

[0031] According to the second aspect and any one thereof, the probe reference signal configuration information is also used to configure the code domain unit (also known as code domain resource) where each probe reference signal or each probe reference signal port is located.

[0032] According to the second aspect and any one thereof, the terminal device can use X uplink antenna ports during uplink transmission; where J is a positive integer less than or equal to X. X can be understood as the number of uplink channels of the terminal device. That is, in this scheme, the number of uplink channels of the terminal device is indicated in a statically defined manner.

[0033] According to the second aspect and any one thereof, before the terminal device receives the probe reference signal configuration information from the network device, the method further includes: the terminal device instructing the network device that the terminal device can use X antenna ports during uplink transmission. That is, this solution provides a method in which the terminal device first provides the network device with the number of uplink channels X of the terminal device, then receives the probe reference signal configuration information from the network device, and subsequently transmits probe reference signals on a set of K time units based on the probe reference signal configuration information.

[0034] According to the second aspect and any one of the second aspects, the set of the kth time units corresponds to the set of the kth time units in the first aspect and any one of the first aspects, including: the kth time unit is the same as the set of the kth time units in the first aspect and any one of the first aspects.

[0035] According to the second aspect and any one of the second aspect, the phase difference between any two detector reference signals of the same order in any two detector reference signal sets in the K detector reference signal sets does not exceed the first threshold.

[0036] Thirdly, a communication method is provided. This communication method is applied to a terminal device, and the method includes: the terminal device transmitting K sets of probe reference signals over K sets of time units. Specifically, the terminal device transmits the kth probe reference signal set from the K sets of probe reference signals in any one of the K sets of time units, i.e., the kth time unit set. The kth time unit set corresponds to the kth time unit set in the first aspect and any one of the first aspects. The kth probe reference signal set includes L probe reference signals, and each probe reference signal includes J probe reference signal ports. Any two probe reference signals in the kth probe reference signal set are located in two different time units, and the antenna ports associated with any two probe reference signals are different. In any two sets of probe reference signals from the K sets of probe reference signals, the terminal device uses the same antenna port to transmit the same numbered probe reference signal ports of the probe reference signals with the same order in each of the two sets of probe reference signals. K is a positive integer greater than 1, k is any integer greater than 0 and less than or equal to K, L is a positive integer greater than or equal to 1, and J is a positive integer greater than or equal to 1. In this way, when the number of uplink forwarding channels and the number of downlink forwarding channels of the network control relay device (NCR) are different, the terminal device can transmit according to this scheme over a set of K time units, which enables the network device to accurately determine the downlink channel coefficient matrix, thereby obtaining a high-precision downlink CSI. This allows the network device to accurately perform precoding design, thus providing accurate multi-stream transmission in wireless transmission.

[0037] According to the third aspect, before the terminal device transmits K sets of probe reference signals on K time unit sets, the method further includes: the terminal device receiving probe reference signal configuration information from the network device, the probe reference signal configuration information being used to configure the K sets of probe reference signals and the time unit set where each probe reference signal is located; wherein each set of probe reference signals includes L probe reference signals, each probe reference signal includes J probe reference signal ports, and any two probe reference signals in the kth set of probe reference signals are located on two different time units. That is, this solution provides a method in which the terminal device receives indication information from the network device, and then, based on this indication information, transmits probe reference signals on the K time unit sets.

[0038] According to the third aspect and any one thereof, the probe reference signal configuration information is also used to configure the frequency unit where each probe reference signal or each probe reference signal port is located. Optionally, the probe reference signal configuration information can also configure the frequency unit where each probe reference signal or each probe reference signal port is located.

[0039] According to the third aspect and any one thereof, the terminal device can use X antenna ports for uplink transmission and Y antenna ports for downlink transmission. X antenna ports are a subset of Y antenna ports. L is determined based on X and Y, where Y is a positive integer greater than or equal to 1, and X is a positive integer less than or equal to Y. In other words, this scheme statically defines the number of uplink and downlink channels of the terminal device and provides the relationship between L and X and Y.

[0040] According to the third aspect and any one of the third aspects, before the terminal device receives the probe reference signal configuration information from the network device, the method further includes: the terminal device instructing the network device that the terminal device can use X antenna ports during uplink transmission and Y antenna ports during downlink transmission, wherein the X antenna ports are a subset of the Y antenna ports; where Y is a positive integer greater than or equal to 1, and X is a positive integer less than or equal to Y. That is, this solution provides a method in which the terminal device first provides the network device with the number of uplink channels X and the number of downlink channels Y, then receives the probe reference signal configuration information from the network device, and subsequently transmits probe reference signals on a set of K time units based on this probe reference signal configuration information.

[0041] According to the third aspect and any one thereof, the J probe reference signal ports of the k-th probe reference signal are located in the same time unit.

[0042] According to the third aspect and any one of the third aspects, the J probe reference signal ports of the k-th probe reference signal may not be located in the same time unit.

[0043] According to the third aspect and any one thereof, L is determined based on X and Y, including: L = Y / X, or, or, That is, L can be the quotient of Y divided by X, or L can be the floor result of the quotient of Y divided by X, or L can be the floor result of the quotient of Y divided by X.

[0044] According to the third aspect and any one of the third aspects, the set of the kth time units corresponds to the set of the kth time units in the first aspect and any one of the first aspects, including: the set of the kth time units is the same as the set of the kth time units in the first aspect and any one of the first aspects.

[0045] According to the third aspect and any one of the third aspects, the phase difference between any two detection reference signals of the same order in any two detection reference signal sets in the K detection reference signal sets does not exceed the first threshold.

[0046] Fourthly, a communication method is provided. This method is applied to a network device, which learns that a terminal device can use X antenna ports during uplink transmission, a network control relay device can use N donor antenna ports and N service antenna ports during uplink forwarding, and that the network control relay device can use KN donor antenna ports and KN service antenna ports during downlink forwarding. The method includes: the network device sending indication information to the network control relay device, the indication information instructing the network control relay device to perform uplink forwarding on K time unit sets; wherein, the indication information instructs the network control relay device to use N donor antenna ports and N service antenna ports for uplink forwarding on any one of the K time unit sets, i.e., the k-th time unit set. The N donor antenna ports are a subset of the KN donor antenna ports, and the N service antenna ports are a subset of the KN service antenna ports. On the K time unit sets, the network device receives K probe reference signals or a set of K probe reference signals from the terminal device through the network control relay device. The network device determines the equivalent downlink channel coefficient matrix from the network relay device to the terminal device based on the measurement results of K probe reference signals or a set of K probe reference signals. When receiving K probe reference signals from the terminal device, the k-th probe reference signal among the K probe reference signals is located on the k-th time unit set; or, when receiving a set of K probe reference signals from the terminal device, the k-th probe reference signal set among the K probe reference signal sets is located on the k-th time unit set, where each set of reference probe reference signals contains L probe reference signals, where L is a positive integer greater than or equal to 1. Here, X and N are both positive integers greater than or equal to 1, K is a positive integer greater than 1, k is any integer less than or equal to K, and KN represents the product of K and N.

[0047] In this way, when the number of uplink forwarding channels and the number of downlink forwarding channels of the Network Control Relay (NCR) are different, the network device instructs the NCR to perform uplink forwarding of this scheme on a set of K time units. This enables the network device to accurately determine the downlink channel coefficient matrix, thereby obtaining a high-precision downlink CSI. This allows the network device to accurately perform precoding design, thus providing accurate multi-stream transmission in wireless transmission.

[0048] According to the fourth aspect, the instruction information instructs the network control relay device to use N donor antenna ports and N service antenna ports for uplink forwarding in any one of the K time unit sets, i.e., the k-th time unit set. This includes: the instruction information instructs the network control relay device to use N service antenna ports and N donor antenna ports for uplink forwarding in the k-th time unit set. Specifically, in any two time unit sets of the K time unit sets, the service antenna ports used by the network control relay device are different, and the donor service antenna ports used by the network control relay device are also different.

[0049] According to the fourth aspect and any one of the fourth aspects, the instruction information also indicates that different ports of the same probe reference signal in the L probe reference signals are located on the same time unit.

[0050] According to the fourth aspect and any one of the fourth aspects, when receiving K probe reference signals from a terminal device, the method further includes: before the network device sends indication information to the network control relay device, the network device sends probe reference signal configuration information to the terminal device. The probe reference signal configuration information is used to configure the K probe reference signals and the time unit set of each probe reference signal, wherein each probe reference signal includes J probe reference signal ports, different probe reference signals are located in different time units, and J is a positive integer less than or equal to X. That is, this solution provides a method in which the network device first sends probe reference signal configuration information to the terminal device, and then the network device sends indication information to the network control relay device. Both the probe reference signal configuration information and the indication information are used to instruct the terminal device to send probe reference signals and instruct NCR uplink forwarding respectively under the same set of K time units.

[0051] According to the fourth aspect and any one of the fourth aspects, in the case of receiving K sets of probe reference signals from the terminal device, the method further includes: before the network device sends indication information to the network control relay device, the network device sends probe reference signal configuration information to the terminal device. The probe reference signal configuration information is used to configure the K sets of probe reference signals and the time unit set where each set of probe reference signals is located, thereby configuring the K sets of probe reference signals. Each set of probe reference signals includes L probe reference signals, each probe reference signal includes J probe reference signal ports, different sets of probe reference signals are located on different time unit sets, and J is a positive integer less than or equal to X.

[0052] According to the fourth aspect and any one of the fourth aspects, the probe reference signal configuration information is also used to configure the time unit in which each probe reference signal port is located.

[0053] According to the fourth aspect and any one of the fourth aspects, the probe reference signal configuration information is also used to configure the frequency unit where each probe reference signal or each probe reference signal port is located.

[0054] According to the fourth aspect and any one of the fourth aspects, before the network device sends the probe reference signal configuration information to the terminal device, the network device knows that the terminal device can use X antenna ports during uplink transmission.

[0055] According to the fourth aspect and any one of the fourth aspects, the network device learns that the terminal device can use X antenna ports during uplink transmission, including: the network device receives first capability indication information from the terminal device, the first capability indication information instructing the network device that the terminal device can use X antenna ports during uplink transmission.

[0056] According to the fourth aspect and any one of the fourth aspects, before the network device sends the probe reference signal configuration information to the terminal device, the network device learns that the network control relay device can use N donor antenna ports and N service antenna ports during uplink forwarding, and that the network control relay device can use KN donor antenna ports and KN service antenna ports during downlink forwarding.

[0057] According to the fourth aspect and any one of the fourth aspects, the network device learns that the network control relay device can use N donor antenna ports and N service antenna ports during uplink forwarding, and that the network control relay device can use KN donor antenna ports and KN service antenna ports during downlink forwarding, including: the network device receives second capability indication information from the network control relay device, the second capability indication information indicating to the network device that: the network control relay device can use KN donor antenna ports and KN service antenna ports during downlink forwarding, and that the network control relay device can use N of the KN donor antenna ports and N of the KN service antenna ports during uplink forwarding.

[0058] According to the fourth aspect and any one of the fourth aspects, the terminal equipment and the network control relay equipment are associated.

[0059] Optionally, the association between the terminal device and the network control relay device can be determined or indicated by the network device.

[0060] In one implementation, the network device can pre-obtain the locations of both the terminal device and the network control relay device, and determine their association based on these locations. For example, the network device determines that the two devices are associated when the distance between their locations is less than or equal to a preset threshold.

[0061] In another implementation, the network device can determine the association between the terminal device and the network control relay device based on the indication information from the core network device. For example, after the core network device determines that the two are associated, it sends the information to the network device. The network device then confirms the association based on the indication information from the core network device.

[0062] According to the fourth aspect and any one of the fourth aspects, the phase difference between any two of the K detection reference signals does not exceed a first threshold; or, the phase difference between any two detection reference signals of the same order in the set of K detection reference signals does not exceed the first threshold.

[0063] According to the fourth aspect and any one of the fourth aspects, one of the sets of K time units includes one or more time units, and the time unit includes a time slot or a symbol.

[0064] Optionally, a time unit may include a time slot or a symbol.

[0065] Optionally, a time unit may include multiple time slots or multiple symbols.

[0066] According to the fourth aspect and any one of the fourth aspects, the K time unit sets include at least two time unit sets, and the two time unit sets include the same number of time units.

[0067] According to the fourth aspect and any one of the fourth aspects, the instruction information instructs the network control relay device to use N donor antenna ports and N service antenna ports for uplink forwarding in any one of the K time unit sets, i.e., the kth time unit set, including: the instruction information instructs the network control relay device to use N service antenna ports and N donor antenna ports for uplink forwarding in the kth time unit set; wherein, in any two time unit sets of the K time unit sets, the service antenna ports used by the network control relay device are different, and the donor service antenna ports used by the network control relay device are also different.

[0068] Optionally, in the set of K time units, all KN service antenna ports have been used once by the network control relay device, and all KN donor antenna ports have also been used once by the network control relay device.

[0069] According to the fourth aspect and any one of the fourth aspects, in any two time unit sets of the K time unit sets, the service antenna ports used by the network control relay equipment are different, and the donor service antenna ports used by the network control relay equipment are also different, including: in any two time unit sets of the K time unit sets, the service antenna ports used by the network control relay equipment are completely different and have no overlap; the donor service antenna ports used by the network control relay equipment are also completely different and have no overlap. That is, this solution clarifies the content included in this difference.

[0070] According to the fourth aspect and any one of the fourth aspects, the KN service antenna ports have been used once by the network control relay device, and the KN donor antenna ports have also been used once by the network control relay device, including: the KN service antenna ports have been used only once by the network control relay device, and the KN donor antenna ports have also been used only once by the network control relay device.

[0071] According to the fourth aspect and any one of the fourth aspects, the K time unit sets include at least two time unit sets, and the two time unit sets include the same number of time units.

[0072] Alternatively, the two time unit sets mentioned above may include different numbers of time units.

[0073] According to the fourth aspect and any one thereof, the network device determines the equivalent downlink channel coefficient matrix H0 from the network device to the terminal device via the network relay device based on the K probe reference signals:

[0074]

[0075] Among them, h k This is an M-row, J-column matrix, where M is the number of antenna ports of the network device, and h k This represents the uplink channel coefficient matrix between the M antenna ports of the network device and the J antenna ports of the terminal device when the network control relay device performs uplink forwarding using the N donor antenna ports and the N service antenna ports in the (k+1)th time unit set. The network device determines h based on the measurement of the (k+1)th sounding reference signal. k ;

[0076] Alternatively, the network device determines the equivalent downlink channel coefficient matrix H0 from the network device to the terminal device via the network relay device based on the K sets of probe reference signals:

[0077]

[0078] Among them, h k，l is a matrix of M rows and J columns, where M is the number of antenna ports of the network device. h k，l represents the uplink channel coefficient matrix between the M antenna ports of the network device and the J antenna ports of the terminal device that transmit the (l + 1)-th reference signal in the (k + 1)-th sounding reference signal set when the network control relay device performs uplink forwarding using the N donor antenna ports and the N service antenna ports in the (k + 1)-th time unit set. The network device determines h based on the measurement of the l-th reference signal in the (k + 1)-th sounding reference signal set k，l .

[0079] According to the fourth aspect and any one of the fourth aspect, the equivalent downlink channel coefficient matrix is denoted as H0

[0080] Among them, f m,i is the gain coefficient from the (m + 1)-th antenna port A of the network device m to the (i + 1)-th donor antenna port D among the KN donor antenna ports of the network control relay device i , a i is the gain coefficient of the (i + 1)-th downlink forwarding channel among the KN downlink forwarding channels of the network control relay device. The (i + 1)-th downlink forwarding channel includes the donor antenna port D i and a corresponding service antenna port S among the KN service antenna ports of the network control relay device i to the donor antenna port D i , g i,j is the gain coefficient from the service antenna port S i to the antenna port T of the terminal device j ; among them, the network device includes M antenna ports, the terminal device includes Y antenna ports, M is a positive integer greater than or equal to 1, m is an integer less than M, i is an integer less than KN, and j is an integer less than Y

[0081] Among them, in H0 is directly obtained, and then can be used to calculate is not calculated by directly calculating f m,i , a i and g i,j first and then calculating . f m,i , a i and g i,j The above meanings of are also explained in a static way for f m,i , a i and g i,jThis does not mean that f is obtained separately first. m,i a i and g i,j Then ask for it. of.

[0082] According to the fourth aspect and any one of its terms, when Y = N,

[0083]

[0084] According to the fourth aspect and any one thereof, when the network device includes only one antenna port...

[0085]

[0086] According to the fourth aspect and any one of its terms, when Y = N,

[0087]

[0088] According to the fourth aspect and any one of its terms, when N = 2 and KN = 4,

[0089]

[0090] According to the fourth aspect and any one of its terms, when Y = KN,

[0091]

[0092] According to the fourth aspect and any one of its terms, when KN = 4,

[0093]

[0094] Fifthly, a network control relay device is provided. The network control relay device includes a processor and a memory storing a computer program that, when executed by the processor, causes the network control relay device to perform the method described in the first aspect and any one thereof.

[0095] The technical effects corresponding to the fifth aspect and any implementation thereof can be found in the first aspect and any implementation thereof mentioned above, and will not be repeated here.

[0096] Sixthly, a terminal device is provided. The terminal device includes a processor and a memory storing a computer program that, when executed by the processor, causes the terminal device to perform the methods described in the second aspect and any one of the second aspect, and the third aspect and any one of the third aspect.

[0097] The technical effects corresponding to the sixth aspect and any of its implementations can be found in the second aspect and any of its implementations, as well as the third aspect and any of its implementations, and will not be repeated here.

[0098] A seventh aspect provides a network device. The network device includes a processor and a memory storing a computer program that, when executed by the processor, causes the network device to perform the methods described in the fourth aspect and any one thereof.

[0099] The technical effects of the seventh aspect and any of its implementations can be found in the fourth aspect and any of its implementations mentioned above, and will not be repeated here.

[0100] Eighthly, a computer-readable storage medium is provided. The computer-readable storage medium stores a computer program that, when executed on a network relay device, causes the network control relay device to perform the method described in the first aspect and any one of the first aspects.

[0101] The technical effects corresponding to the seventh aspect and any implementation thereof can be found in the first aspect and any implementation thereof mentioned above, and will not be repeated here.

[0102] Ninthly, a computer-readable storage medium is provided. The computer-readable storage medium stores a computer program that, when executed on a terminal device, causes the terminal device to perform the methods described in the second aspect and any one thereof, and the third aspect and any one thereof.

[0103] The technical effects corresponding to the ninth aspect and any of its implementations can be found in the second aspect and any of its implementations, as well as the third aspect and any of its implementations, and will not be repeated here.

[0104] A tenth aspect provides a computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program that, when executed on a network device, causes the network device to perform the method described in the fourth aspect and any one thereof.

[0105] The technical effects corresponding to the tenth aspect and any of its implementations can be found in the fourth aspect and any of its implementations mentioned above, and will not be repeated here.

[0106] Eleventhly, a computer program product is provided. The computer program product is stored on a computer-readable storage medium, and when the computer program product is run on a network relay device, it causes the network relay device to perform the method described in the first aspect and any one of the first aspects.

[0107] The technical effects corresponding to any of the eleventh aspects and any of the implementation methods can be found in the first aspect and any of the implementation methods of the first aspect mentioned above, and will not be repeated here.

[0108] In a twelfth aspect, a computer program product is provided. The computer program product is stored on a computer-readable storage medium, and when the computer program product is run on a terminal device, the terminal device causes the terminal device to perform the methods described in the second aspect and any one of the second aspects, and the third aspect and any one of the third aspects.

[0109] The technical effects corresponding to the twelfth aspect and any of its implementations can be found in the second aspect and any of its implementations, as well as the third aspect and any of its implementations, and will not be repeated here.

[0110] In a thirteenth aspect, a computer program product is provided. This computer program product is stored on a computer-readable storage medium, and when executed on a network device, causes the network device to perform the methods described in the fourth aspect and any one of the fourth aspects described above.

[0111] The technical effects corresponding to any of the implementation methods in the thirteenth and thirteenth aspects can be found in the fourth aspect and the technical effects corresponding to any of the implementation methods in the fourth aspect mentioned above, and will not be repeated here.

[0112] Fourteenth aspect: A chip is provided. The chip includes a processor and a memory coupled to the processor, the memory storing a computer program, the chip being located within a network relay device, wherein when the processor executes the computer program, the network relay device performs the method as described in the first aspect and any one thereof.

[0113] The technical effects corresponding to the fourteenth aspect and any of its implementations can be found in the first aspect and any of its implementations mentioned above, and will not be repeated here.

[0114] In a fifteenth aspect, a chip is provided. The chip includes a processor and a memory coupled to the processor, the memory storing a computer program. The chip is located within a network relay device, and when the processor executes the computer program, the network relay device performs the methods described in the second aspect and any one of the second aspect, the third aspect and any one of the third aspect.

[0115] The technical effects corresponding to the fifteenth aspect and any of its implementations can be found in the second aspect and any of its implementations, as well as the third aspect and any of its implementations, and will not be repeated here.

[0116] In a sixteenth aspect, a chip is provided. The chip includes a processor and a memory coupled to the processor, the memory storing a computer program. The chip is located within a network device, and when the processor executes the computer program, the network device performs the method as described in the fourth aspect above and any one of the fourth aspects.

[0117] The technical effects corresponding to the sixteenth aspect and any of its implementations can be found in the fourth aspect and any of its implementations mentioned above, and will not be repeated here.

[0118] In a sixteenth aspect, a communication system is provided. The communication system includes a network device, a network relay control device, and a terminal device. The network relay control device is configured to perform the method described in the first aspect and any one thereof as described above. The terminal device is configured to perform the method described in the second aspect and any one thereof, the third aspect and any one thereof as described above. The network device is configured to perform the method described in the fourth aspect and any one thereof as described above. Attached Figure Description

[0119] The above and other features, advantages, and aspects of the embodiments of this application will become more apparent from the accompanying drawings and the following detailed description. In the drawings, the same or similar reference numerals denote the same or similar elements, wherein:

[0120] Figure 1 A schematic diagram illustrating a scenario of the communication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0121] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the hardware structure of a network control relay device provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0122] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of the antenna port architecture involved in the communication method provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0123] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of an SRS configuration for a terminal device provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0124] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of another SRS configuration of the terminal device provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0125] Figure 6 A schematic diagram comparing the principles of uplink / downlink channel reciprocity and uplink / downlink channel non-reciprocity in the embodiments of this application;

[0126] Figure 7 A flowchart illustrating Embodiment 1 of the communication method provided in this application;

[0127] Figure 8 A schematic diagram of resource configuration in a physical resource block (PRB) for detecting the reference signal SRS.

[0128] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of a resource configuration for detecting a periodic SRS reference signal.

[0129] Figure 10 A schematic diagram illustrating the principle verification of the communication method provided in Embodiment 1 of this application;

[0130] Figure 11 A flowchart illustrating Embodiment 2 of the communication method provided in this application;

[0131] Figure 12 A schematic diagram of resource allocation for detecting a periodic SRS set of reference signals.

[0132] Figure 13 A schematic diagram illustrating the principle verification of the communication method provided in Embodiment 2 of this application;

[0133] Figure 14 This is a schematic diagram of the structural composition of a network device provided in an embodiment of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0134] Embodiments of this application will now be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. While the drawings illustrate certain embodiments of this application, it should be understood that this application can be implemented in various forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided to provide a more thorough and complete understanding of this application. It should be understood that the drawings and embodiments of this application are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of protection of this application.

[0135] In the description of embodiments of this application, the term "comprising" and similar terms should be understood as open-ended inclusion, i.e., "including but not limited to". The term "based on" should be understood as "at least partially based on". The term "one embodiment" or "the embodiment" should be understood as "at least one embodiment". The terms "first", "second", etc., may refer to different or the same objects. Other explicit and implicit definitions may also be included below.

[0136] Embodiments of this application may be implemented according to any suitable communication protocol, including but not limited to cellular communication protocols such as 3rd Generation (3G), 4th Generation (4G), 5th Generation (5G), and 6th Generation (6G), wireless local area network communication protocols such as Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11, and / or any other protocol currently known or to be developed in the future.

[0137] The technical solutions of this application are applicable to communication systems that follow any suitable communication protocol. Examples include: General Packet Radio Service (GPRS), Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), Enhanced Datarate for GSM Evolution (EDGE), Universal Mobile Telecommunications Service (UMTS), Long Term Evolution (LTE) systems, Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA), Code Division Multiple Access 2000 (CDMA2000), Time Division-Synchronization Code Division Multiple Access (TD-SCDMA), Frequency Division Duplex (FDD), Time Division Duplex (TDD), fifth-generation systems or New Radio (NR) systems, and future sixth-generation communication systems.

[0138] Before describing the specific embodiments of this application, some terms involved in this application will be explained.

[0139] Terminal equipment: refers to any terminal device capable of wired or wireless communication with network devices or with each other. Terminal equipment may sometimes be called user equipment (UE). Terminal equipment can be any type of mobile terminal, fixed terminal, or portable terminal. For example, terminal equipment may include mobile phones, sites, units, devices, mobile terminals (MT), customer premises equipment (CPE), subscription terminals, portable subscription terminals, internet nodes, communicators, desktop computers, laptop computers, notebook computers, tablet computers, personal communication system devices, personal navigation devices, personal digital assistants (PDAs), positioning devices, radio receivers, e-book devices, gaming devices, Internet of Things (IoT) devices, in-vehicle devices, aircraft, virtual reality (VR) devices, augmented reality (AR) devices, wearable devices, terminal equipment in 5G networks, or any terminal equipment in evolved Public Land Mobile Networks (PLMNs), other devices that can be used for communication, or any combination of the above. The embodiments of this application are not limited in this respect.

[0140] Network equipment refers to entities or nodes that can be used to communicate with terminal devices, such as access network equipment. Access network equipment can be devices deployed in a radio access network to provide wireless communication functions for mobile terminals, such as Radio Access Network (RAN) network equipment. Access network equipment can include various types of base stations. As examples, access network equipment can include various forms of macro base stations, micro base stations, pico base stations, femtobase stations, relay stations, access points, Remote Radio Units (RRUs), Radio Heads (RHs), Remote Radio Heads (RRHs), etc. The name of the access network equipment may differ in systems employing different radio access technologies; for example, in Long Term Evolution (LTE) networks it is called an evolved Node B (eNB or eNodeB), in 3G networks it is called a Node B (NB), and in 5G networks it may be called a g Node B (gNB) or NR Node B (NR NB), etc. In some scenarios, access network equipment may include a Central Unit (CU) and / or a Distributed Unit (DU). The CU and DU can be placed in different locations; for example, the DU can be located remotely in a high-traffic area, while the CU is located in a central equipment room. Alternatively, the CU and DU can be located in the same equipment room. The CU and DU can also be different components within the same rack. For ease of description, in the subsequent embodiments of this application, the aforementioned devices providing wireless communication functions for terminal devices are collectively referred to as network devices, and the embodiments of this application are not specifically limited thereto.

[0141] Network-controlled relay equipment: refers to radio frequency relay equipment controlled by network equipment. For example, it can adjust its beam direction, power level, switching status, uplink and downlink forwarding timing, and time-frequency offset synchronization according to the instructions of the network equipment.

[0142] Channel reciprocity: In TDD systems, uplink and downlink channel information can be inferred from downlink / uplink channel measurements.

[0143] Detection Reference Signal Port (SRS Port): An SRS port corresponds to a portion of the time-frequency resource or time-frequency code resource in an SRS. When the terminal device transmits an SRS, each SRS port is associated with an antenna port. It can be understood that the time-frequency code resource corresponding to the SRS port and the signal on that resource are transmitted by the associated antenna port.

[0144] Antenna Port: In NR, an antenna port is a logical concept. One antenna port can correspond to one physical antenna, multiple physical antennas, or multiple physical antennas and the beamforming vectors used by those antennas. In NR, the channel experienced by a symbol transmitted through this antenna port can be inferred from the channel experienced by another symbol transmitted through the same antenna port.

[0145] Antenna switching: A terminal device includes Y receive antenna ports. When the terminal device reports its capabilities to the network device, it reports that it has XTYR capability, meaning it can select X antenna ports from the Y antenna ports to send SRS. Y is related to the number of all or part of the terminal device's receive antenna ports or the total number of receive antennas. T is an abbreviation for Transmit, and R is an abbreviation for Receive. The relationship between the number of receive antenna ports and the total number of receive antennas can be found in the previous description of antenna ports. When the terminal device uses X antenna ports to send an SRS, the network device can obtain the uplink channel coefficient matrix between the base station and these X antenna ports by measuring the SRS (specifically, when X=1, it can be understood as a matrix with only one row or one column). When the terminal device uses another X antenna ports (without overlap with the X antenna ports mentioned above) to send another SRS, the network device can obtain the uplink channel coefficient matrix between the network device and the other X antenna ports by measuring the SRS (also including a 1-row, 1-column matrix). Therefore, when the X antenna ports used by the terminal device to send SRS each time are completely different from the X antenna ports in the Y antenna ports, the network device can obtain the channel coefficient matrix (including a matrix with 1 row or 1 column) between the network device and these Y antenna ports by processing the measurement results of multiple SRSs.

[0146] A channel is a connection between the baseband module in a terminal or network device and a specific antenna port in the same device. A channel can also be called an RF chain. Channels are divided into uplink transmit channels (also called uplink transmission channels or uplink channels) and downlink receive channels (also called downlink channels). An uplink transmit channel connects the baseband module and an antenna port of the terminal device during uplink transmission, transmitting the baseband signal to the antenna. An uplink transmit channel may include at least one of a digital-to-analog converter, filter, mixer, or power amplifier. A downlink receive channel connects the baseband module and an antenna port of the terminal device during downlink reception, transmitting the signal received on the antenna to the baseband. A downlink receive channel may include at least one of an analog-to-digital converter, filter, mixer, or power amplifier. Uplink and downlink channels typically cannot be shared. A terminal device can have one or more uplink transmit channels and one or more downlink transmit channels. When a terminal device reports XTYR capability, it can be understood that the terminal device includes X uplink transmit channels and Y downlink receive channels.

[0147] Uplink channel coefficient matrix: This is a gain coefficient matrix connecting the antenna ports of the terminal device to the antenna ports of the network device. Each element of the uplink channel coefficient matrix is ​​a gain coefficient connecting one antenna port of the terminal device to one antenna port of the network device, specifically including amplitude and phase. It's important to understand that the amplitude of this gain coefficient can be less than 1.

[0148] Downlink channel coefficient matrix: This is a gain coefficient matrix connecting the various antenna ports of the network device to the various antenna ports of the terminal device. Each element of the downlink channel coefficient matrix is ​​a gain coefficient connecting one antenna port of the network device to one antenna port of the terminal device, specifically including amplitude and phase. It's important to understand that the amplitude of this gain coefficient can be less than 1.

[0149] In wireless communication systems such as NR, when network devices and terminal devices are far apart, NCR (Network Router Reduction) can be used to amplify and forward signals, improving the transmission link quality between network devices and terminal devices, thereby increasing network coverage and the uplink and downlink transmission rates of terminal devices. For example, Figure 1 This illustrates a scenario of the communication method provided in an embodiment of this application. For example... Figure 1 As shown, the network device 200 and the terminal device 300 are far apart. At this time, the signal can be amplified and forwarded by the network control relay device NCR100, thereby ensuring the quality of the transmission link between the network device 200 and the terminal device 300.

[0150] To facilitate understanding, let's first combine... Figure 2Let me explain the structure of NCR. Figure 2 An example is shown Figure 1 The specific structure of NCR in China. For example... Figure 2 As shown, the NCR can receive downlink signals from network devices (e.g., base stations) via a donor antenna (also known as a forward antenna). After being filtered and amplified by filters and amplifiers (the order and number of filters and amplifiers are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the signal), the filtered and amplified downlink signal is forwarded to the terminal device via a service antenna (also known as a backward antenna, retransmission antenna, or coverage antenna). The channel between the donor antenna and the service antenna in the process of receiving and forwarding downlink signals to the terminal device can be called the downlink forwarding channel. Similarly, the NCR can receive uplink signals from the terminal device via a service antenna. After being filtered and amplified by filters and amplifiers (the order and number of filters and amplifiers are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the signal), the filtered and amplified uplink signal is forwarded to the network device (e.g., a base station) via a donor antenna. The channel between the service antenna and the donor antenna in the process of receiving and forwarding uplink signals to the network device can be called the uplink forwarding channel.

[0151] Optionally, the uplink and downlink forwarding channels may also include mixers. For example, the NCR can first downconvert the high-frequency signal to an intermediate frequency or baseband using a mixer, filter it at the intermediate frequency or baseband, and then upconvert it back to a high frequency using another mixer before forwarding the signal.

[0152] Optionally, the uplink and downlink forwarding channels may also include at least one power amplifier. For example, Figure 2 The first power amplifier in the downlink relay channel can be a low-noise amplifier (LNA), which can boost signal power while suppressing noise to some extent. The second power amplifier can be a non-LNA power amplifier, which can achieve higher amplification.

[0153] Optionally, the NCR may also include a receiving module (not shown in the figure) for receiving control signaling from network devices. The antenna of the receiving module may reuse some or all of the donor antennas mentioned above, or it may be a separate antenna.

[0154] Optionally, the NCR may also include a processing module (not shown in the figure) for processing control signaling sent by the network device and generating information to be sent to the network device.

[0155] Optionally, the NCR may also include a transmitting module (not shown in the figure) for sending signaling to network devices, such as sending response information to network device control signaling. The antenna of the transmitting module may reuse some or all of the donor antennas mentioned above, or it may be a separate antenna.

[0156] It should be noted that, Figure 2 The present invention only illustrates one possible structure of the NCR and does not exclude other similar structures. For example, the uplink and / or downlink forwarding channels may not include a mixer and filtering may be performed directly at high frequencies. For example, the uplink and / or downlink forwarding channels may include only a power amplifier. As another example, the uplink and / or downlink forwarding channels may include only a filter, or no filter at all. As yet another example, the NCR may include multiple donor antennas, multiple service antennas, and multiple uplink and downlink forwarding channels.

[0157] when Figure 1 When network device 200 is in Frequency Division Duplexing (FDD) mode, the transmission frequencies of network device 200 and terminal device 300 are fixedly located on different frequency bands, respectively implementing downlink and uplink transmission. In this mode, uplink and downlink transmissions can occur simultaneously. Therefore, in FDD mode, the uplink and downlink forwarding channels need to be activated simultaneously and operate on different frequency bands. When the NCR 100 antenna does not have simultaneous transmit / receive capabilities, the NCR 100 requires at least two donor antennas for downlink signal reception and uplink signal forwarding respectively, and at least two service antennas for downlink signal forwarding and uplink signal reception respectively.

[0158] when Figure 1 When network device 200 is in Time Division Duplexing (TDD) mode, the transmission frequency of network device 200 and terminal device 300 are on the same frequency band, respectively implementing downlink and uplink transmission. At this time, uplink and downlink data are allocated to different time units (e.g., time slots or symbols). Therefore, in TDD mode, when NCR 100 can obtain uplink and downlink time configuration information, only one of the uplink and downlink forwarding channels needs to be activated; that is, NCR 100 can activate only the uplink forwarding channel in the uplink time unit and only the downlink forwarding channel in the downlink time unit. Optionally, in TDD mode, the donor antenna and service antenna do not need to be distinguished between those used for the downlink forwarding channel and those used for the uplink forwarding channel.

[0159] Figure 1In actual transmission, the network device 200 and terminal device 300 shown can improve the transmission rate through Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO) technology. In this case, both network device 200 and terminal device 300 can include multiple antenna ports, thus including multiple channels. The following section combines... Figure 3 Let me explain in detail.

[0160] For example, Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the antenna port architecture involved in the communication method provided in the embodiments of this application. Figure 3 As shown, network device 200 includes M antenna ports, NCR 100 includes KN donor antenna ports and KN service antenna ports, and terminal device 300 includes Y antenna ports. During downlink forwarding, KN channels can be formed between the KN donor antenna ports and KN service antenna ports of NCR 100. Each donor antenna port is associated with each service antenna port through a downlink forwarding channel, thus forming KN downlink forwarding channels, i.e., channels 0, ..., m, ..., KN-1. Furthermore, during uplink forwarding of NCR 100, N donor antenna ports can be selected from the KN donor antenna ports, and N service antenna ports can be selected from the KN service antenna ports. Each selected donor antenna port is associated with each selected service antenna port through an uplink forwarding channel, thus forming N uplink forwarding channels (not shown in the figure).

[0161] For ease of explanation, the following example illustrates downlink transmission from network device 200 to terminal device 300 via NCR 100. In this case, a channel F can be formed between network device 200 and NCR 100, which mathematically can be expressed by an M x K N coefficient matrix F0; a channel G can be formed between NCR 100 and terminal device 300, which mathematically can be expressed by a K N x Y coefficient matrix G0. Therefore, a channel H (not shown in the diagram) can be formed between network device 200 and terminal device 300, which mathematically can be expressed by an M x Y coefficient matrix H0. Uplink transmission is similar and will not be described in detail.

[0162] Mathematically, the channel coefficient matrix F0 between network device 200 and NCR 100 is an M-row, KN-column matrix, and the channel coefficient matrix G0 between NCR 100 and terminal device 300 is a KN-row, Y-column matrix. Therefore, the channel coefficient matrix H0 between network device 200 and terminal device 300 is H0 = F0 × diag(a0, a1, ..., a m ,…,a KN-1)×G, where diag(a0,a1,…,a) m ,…,a KN-1 ) represents the diagonal elements as a0, a1, ..., a m ,…,a KN-1 A diagonal matrix. Where a m a represents the gain coefficient on channel m. m The number can be complex. When the rank of the aforementioned channel coefficient matrix H0 is greater than 1, multi-stream transmission is possible between the network device and the terminal device. For example, the number of streams in multi-stream transmission is less than or equal to the rank of the aforementioned channel coefficient matrix H0. For example, the number of streams in multi-stream transmission can be adjusted by the network device.

[0163] Factors affecting the rank of the channel coefficient matrix H0 mentioned above include:

[0164] (1) Are there any scattering bodies between the network equipment and the terminal equipment?

[0165] Theoretically, if the channel between a network device and a terminal device does not pass through any scattering objects and there is only a line-of-sight (LoS) path, then regardless of the number of antennas between the network device and the terminal device, only single-stream transmission can occur. In this case, the rank of the channel coefficient matrix H0 between the network device and the terminal device is 1. However, in actual communication systems, there are scattering objects (such as buildings and dust in the air) between the network device, the NCR (Network Corresponding Component), and the terminal device. Therefore, single-stream transmission between the network device and the terminal device is impossible in practical communication systems.

[0166] (2) F0, diag(a0,a1,…,a m ,…,a KN-1 The minimum value of the rank of the three matrices G, G and G.

[0167] In practical communication systems, since the channel coefficient matrix H0 is obtained by multiplying multiple matrices, the rank of H0 is equal to F0, diag(a0,a1,…,a…). m ,…,a KN-1 The minimum rank of the three matrices H0, M, and KN. Generally, the rank of H0 can be determined by the minimum value among Y, M, and KN. In practice, network device 200 typically has a larger number of antenna ports M, while terminal device 300 has a smaller number of antenna ports Y.

[0168] When network device 200 communicates with terminal device 300 without going through NCR 100, the number of multi-stream transmissions is mainly limited by the number of antenna ports Y of terminal device 300. For example, the number of downlink multi-stream transmissions is mainly limited by the number of antenna ports of terminal device 300 used for downlink transmission.

[0169] When network device 200 communicates with terminal device 300 via NCR 100, it can generally be assumed that the number of streams transmitted in multi-stream mode depends on the minimum value of KN and Y.

[0170] Considering that downlink traffic in actual networks is generally much greater than uplink traffic, terminal device 300 typically uses more antenna ports for downlink transmission than for uplink transmission. That is, the number of channels Y that terminal device 300 can use for downlink transmission is greater than the number of channels X that can use for uplink transmission. In other words, terminal device 300 is configured as XTYR, where X is less than Y. Specifically, the number of channels Y that terminal device 300 can use for downlink transmission corresponds to Y antenna ports that terminal device 300 can use for downlink transmission; the number of channels X that terminal device 300 can use for uplink transmission corresponds to X antenna ports that terminal device 300 can use for downlink transmission. For example, a typical configuration for terminal devices in current 5G networks is 2T4R, which means 2 uplink transmit channels and 4 downlink receive channels. However, in some cases, X and Y may be the same. For example, the terminal device may be configured as 2T2R, which means 2 uplink transmit channels and 2 downlink receive channels.

[0171] To ensure that the terminal device 300 can perform uplink multi-stream transmission via stream number X and downlink multi-stream transmission via stream number Y, the uplink forwarding channel number N of NCR 100 is generally set to be greater than or equal to the uplink transmission channel number X of the terminal device 300, and the downlink forwarding channel number KN of NCR 100 is also set to be greater than or equal to the downlink reception channel number Y of the terminal device 300.

[0172] Furthermore, generally speaking, the larger the number of uplink forwarding channels N of the NCR 100, the higher the hardware cost of the NCR 100; similarly, the larger the number of downlink forwarding channels KN, the higher the hardware cost of the NCR 100. Considering cost control of the NCR 100, the number of uplink forwarding channels of the NCR 100 is usually set to be the same as the number of uplink channels X of the terminal device 300, and the number of downlink forwarding channels of the NCR 100 is usually set to be the same as the number of downlink channels Y of the terminal device 300. In this case, the NCR 100 uses Y donor antenna ports and Y service antenna ports for downlink forwarding, and uses X of the Y donor antenna ports and X of the Y service antenna ports for uplink forwarding.

[0173] However, sometimes the NCR 100 needs to be compatible with multiple terminal devices with different configurations. In this case, the NCR 100 can be configured to meet the requirements of multiple terminal devices with different configurations while also considering NCR cost control. For example, the NCR 100 needs to be compatible with terminal device 300 and terminal device 300' (not shown in the figure). Terminal device 300 is configured as 2T4R, and terminal device 300' is configured as 2T2R. In this case, the NCR 100 can be configured as 2T4R to accommodate both configurations of terminal device 300 and terminal device 300', while also considering the cost control of the NCR 100. In this case, since the NCR 100 frequently needs to be compatible with terminal device 300 and terminal device 300', even if terminal device 300 sometimes does not have uplink transmission requirements, and only terminal device 300' has uplink transmission requirements, the 2T4R configuration of the NCR 100 can still be maintained.

[0174] In summary, the above configuration of the NCR 100 ensures multi-stream transmission in both uplink and downlink (number of uplink streams X, number of downlink streams Y) while also addressing the need for cost reduction in the NCR. This results in the NCR having different numbers of uplink and downlink forwarding channels, meaning the number of uplink forwarding antenna ports in a single uplink forwarding operation differs from the number of downlink forwarding antenna ports in a single downlink forwarding operation.

[0175] When NCRs have the same number of uplink and downlink forwarding channels, network devices obtain the uplink channel coefficient matrix by measuring the Sounding Reference Signal (SRS) transmitted by the terminal device. Then, based on channel reciprocity, they determine the downlink channel coefficient matrix (i.e., obtain a high-precision downlink CSI), thus acquiring the downlink channel. Downlink CSI is closely related to precoding design. A biased downlink CSI leads to a biased precoding design. An accurate downlink CSI leads to an accurate precoding design. Network devices (e.g., base stations) can implement accurate precoding designs based on accurate downlink CSI, thereby providing accurate multi-stream transmission in wireless transmission. Furthermore, network devices (e.g., base stations) can also provide accurate array gain in wireless transmission through accurate precoding design. Array gain can be understood as the ability of network devices to concentrate the energy of transmitted signals in one or more "directions" (not necessarily physical spatial directions) using multiple antennas, improving the signal-to-interference-plus-noise ratio (SINR) of the received signal at the terminal device.

[0176] However, in the two scenarios described above, when the NCR has different numbers of uplink and downlink forwarding channels, it becomes impossible to determine the downlink channel using channel reciprocity. Generally, the uplink data volume of a terminal device is less than the downlink data volume; therefore, the number of uplink transmission channels of the terminal device is less than the number of downlink reception channels. Consequently, the number of uplink forwarding channels in the NCR is generally less than the number of downlink forwarding channels. Therefore, the technical problem we need to solve is how to provide a communication method that accurately determines the downlink channel coefficient matrix when the number of uplink and downlink forwarding channels in the NCR differs, thereby enabling network devices to perform precise precoding design and provide accurate multi-stream transmission in wireless transmission.

[0177] Before describing the specific process of the embodiments of this application, the network device first needs to configure the terminal device with SRS. The specific description of the SRS configuration is as follows.

[0178] The terminal device first sends its capabilities to the network device. Capabilities can be sent via indication information. For example, the terminal device's capabilities may include the number of antenna ports used for uplink transmission. Optionally, the terminal device's capabilities may also include the number of antenna ports used for downlink reception. The number of antenna ports used for uplink transmission corresponds to the number of uplink channels of the terminal device. The number of antenna ports used for downlink reception corresponds to the number of downlink channels of the terminal device. Correspondence includes identical connections.

[0179] For example, the capabilities of a terminal device include the number of uplink channels. Optionally, the capabilities of a terminal device may also include the number of downlink channels.

[0180] For example, the combination of the two examples above can be reflected in the capabilities of the terminal device. This will not be elaborated upon here.

[0181] After receiving the terminal device's capabilities from the terminal device, the network device sends SRS configuration information to the terminal device based on those capabilities. For example, the SRS configuration information may include the SRS ID, the corresponding time unit, and / or frequency unit. The SRS ID is used to identify the SRS, such as SRS0, SRS1, etc. The corresponding time unit includes the time unit (also called time domain resource) of the specific port of the SRS. The corresponding frequency unit includes the frequency unit (also called frequency domain resource) of the specific port of the SRS. Optionally, the SRS configuration information may also include the code domain resources (also called code domain units) corresponding to each port of the SRS.

[0182] After receiving the SRS configuration information from the network device, the terminal device can transmit the corresponding SRS on the corresponding time and frequency units according to the SRS configuration information. Generally, one SRS is associated with one antenna port, or one antenna port transmits signals on the time and frequency code resources corresponding to one SRS port.

[0183] After receiving the SRS sent by the terminal device, the network device obtains the equivalent downlink channel coefficient matrix of each antenna port from the network device to the terminal device according to the above method steps or the method steps provided in the embodiments of this application, and thus obtains the equivalent downlink CSI.

[0184] It should be noted that the equivalent downlink channel coefficient matrix in this application refers to the downlink channel coefficient matrix between the network device and the terminal device when the terminal device only receives the signal from the network device forwarded by the network control relay device.

[0185] For example, Figure 4 An SRS configuration of a terminal device provided in an embodiment of this application is illustrated. For example... Figure 4 As shown, the network device configures two SRS ports, SRS port 0 and SRS port 1, for the terminal device to transmit one SRS on the same time slot or symbol. SRS port 0 and SRS port 1 correspond to different time-frequency resources, specifically the same time unit and different frequency units. The terminal device transmits SRS port 0 on the first time-frequency resource through antenna port 0, and transmits SRS port 1 on the second time-frequency resource through antenna port 1. In this way, the network device obtains the equivalent downlink CSI between the multiple antenna ports of the network device and the terminal device according to the above method steps or the method steps provided in the embodiments of this application.

[0186] It should be noted that, although in Figure 4 One SRS port corresponds to one time unit, but this is merely an example. Those skilled in the art will understand that in this application, one SRS port may correspond to one or more time units. A time unit includes a time slot or a symbol.

[0187] For example, Figure 5 Another SRS configuration of the terminal device provided in this application embodiment is shown. For example... Figure 5As shown, the terminal device includes four antennas. Assuming one antenna port corresponds to one antenna, the terminal device has four antenna ports: antenna port 0, antenna port 1, antenna port 2, and antenna port 3. The terminal device is configured as a 2T4R (Transmit-to-Remote, Transmit-to-Remote) network. Since the terminal device only has two uplink channels, meaning it can only use two antenna ports to transmit SRS within the same time slot or symbol, the network device configures the terminal device to transmit two SRSs, SRS0 and SRS1, on different time slots or symbols. When transmitting SRS0 on the first symbol, the terminal device connects the two uplink channels to antenna ports 0 and 1 respectively, transmitting SRS0 port 0 and SRS0 port 1 respectively. When transmitting SRS1 on the second symbol, the terminal device connects the two uplink channels to antenna ports 2 and 3 respectively, transmitting SRS1 port 0 and SRS1 port 1 respectively. The network device receives SRS0 port 0 and SRS0 port 1 on the first symbol; and receives SRS1 port 0 and SRS1 port 1 on the second symbol. After a series of processing and merging, the network device can obtain the equivalent downlink channel coefficient matrix of antenna port 0, antenna port 1, antenna port 2 and antenna port 3 from the network device to the terminal device.

[0188] It should be noted that the downlink and uplink channels of a terminal device can include devices such as filters, power amplifiers, analog-to-digital converters (ADCs) for the downlink receiving channel, or digital-to-analog converters (DACs) for the uplink transmitting channel. The downlink and uplink channels of a terminal device can also be referred to as radio frequency links. In TDD systems, the uplink and downlink channels typically share an antenna; that is, the terminal device's antenna itself does not distinguish between uplink and downlink antennas. On uplink time slots / symbols, the antenna is connected to the uplink channel to perform uplink transmission; on downlink time slots / symbols, the antenna is connected to the downlink channel to perform downlink reception.

[0189] For example, Figure 6 This paper illustrates a comparison of the principles under two scenarios: uplink and downlink channel reciprocity provided in the embodiments of this application, and uplink and downlink channel non-reciprocity after the introduction of NCR. Figure 6 In (a), the terminal device (e.g., CPE) is configured as 2T4R, and the network device (e.g., base station) communicates with the terminal device. In this case, the uplink and downlink channels can be considered reciprocal. The network device instructs the terminal device to send an SRS. When the network device receives the SRS sent by the terminal device, it obtains the equivalent downlink channel coefficient matrix based on the channel reciprocity, which in turn obtains the equivalent downlink CSI. Figure 6 (a) shows the case excluding NCR. Although Figure 6 (a) is not shown, but it also includes cases where there is an NCR between the network device and the terminal device, and the NCR has the same number of uplink forwarding channels and downlink forwarding channels.

[0190] exist Figure 6 In (b), the terminal device (e.g., CPE) is configured as 2T4R, and the NCR is also configured as 2T4R. Network devices (e.g., base stations) can communicate with the terminal device through the NCR. In this case, because the number of uplink forwarding channels is not equal to the number of downlink forwarding channels, the uplink and downlink channels are no longer reciprocal. After receiving the SRS sent by the terminal device, the network device cannot directly obtain the equivalent downlink channel coefficient matrix based on channel reciprocity, and therefore cannot obtain the equivalent downlink CSI. Furthermore, Figure 6 Antennas 1 and 2 in (b) are only illustrative and do not indicate that the communication between the NCR and the network device is only through one antenna or only through one antenna port, nor do they indicate that the communication between the NCR and the terminal device is only through one antenna or only through one antenna port.

[0191] It should be noted that, in Figure 6 In (a) and (b), although the terminal device is configured as 2T4R, it is only an example. The terminal device can also be configured as XTYR, where Y is a positive integer, X is a positive integer less than Y, Y is the number of downlink channels, and X is the number of uplink channels.

[0192] Below, in conjunction with Figures 7-10 This application will now introduce two specific embodiments of the communication method provided in the embodiments of this application.

[0193] Example 1

[0194] Embodiment 1 of this application relates to Figures 7-10 .in, Figure 7 This is a flowchart illustrating Embodiment 1 of the communication method provided in this application. Figure 8 A schematic diagram of resource configuration in a physical resource block (PRB) for detecting the reference signal SRS. Figure 9 A schematic diagram of resource allocation for detecting a periodic SRS reference signal. Figure 10 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the principle verification of the communication method provided in Embodiment 1 of this application. The Network Control Relay (NCR) includes KN donor antenna ports and KN service antenna ports. These KN donor antenna ports and KN service antenna ports can be all or some of the antenna ports of the NCR.

[0195] like Figure 7 As shown, the method includes:

[0196] S101, The network device learns that the terminal device can use X antenna ports during uplink transmission;

[0197] In one implementation, the terminal device sends its capabilities to the network device. These capabilities may be sent as indication information. The capabilities include the terminal device's ability to use X antenna ports during uplink transmission. Optionally, the capabilities also include the terminal device's ability to use Y antenna ports during downlink transmission. X is a positive integer less than or equal to Y.

[0198] In other words, X can be understood as the number of antenna ports that the terminal device can use during a single uplink transmission, and Y can be understood as the number of antenna ports that the terminal device can use during a single downlink reception. Therefore, the network device can obtain this information by having the terminal device send capability indication information to the network device, which indicates that the terminal device can use X antenna ports during uplink transmission.

[0199] This implementation can also be understood as the terminal device being able to use X antenna ports to transmit SRS in a single uplink transmission; or, the terminal device being able to use X antenna ports simultaneously to transmit SRS in a single uplink transmission.

[0200] Optionally, when the terminal device sends capability indication information to the network device, the capability indication information indicates that the terminal device has XTYR capability, that is, the terminal device can use Y antenna ports to receive in downlink transmission and X antenna ports to transmit in uplink transmission, wherein X antenna ports are a part of Y antenna ports, and Y is related to the number of all or part of the receiving antenna ports of the terminal device. X is a positive integer less than or equal to Y.

[0201] In one implementation, the network device can learn about the capabilities of the terminal device through other devices. For example, after obtaining the capabilities of the terminal device, the other devices provide these capabilities to the network device. These capabilities include the terminal device's ability to use X antenna ports during uplink transmission. Optionally, the capabilities also include the terminal device's ability to use Y antenna ports during downlink transmission. X is a positive integer less than or equal to Y.

[0202] Optionally, the network device selects J from the number of uplink antenna ports X, where J is a positive integer less than or equal to X.

[0203] Optionally, the network device also knows in advance the Y antenna ports that the terminal device can use in downlink transmission.

[0204] Optionally, S101 can be a static expression, that is, S101 can be a statically defined step other than the method steps in the embodiments of this application.

[0205] Alternatively, in the above-described embodiments or optional embodiments of S101, the X antenna ports can be replaced with X uplink channels. In the above-described embodiments or optional embodiments of S101, the Y antenna ports can be replaced with Y downlink channels.

[0206] S102. The Network Control Relay (NCR) sends capability indication information to the network device. This capability indication information indicates that the NCR can use N of the KN donor antenna ports and N of the KN service antenna ports during uplink forwarding; and indicates that the NCR can use the aforementioned KN donor antenna ports and KN service antenna ports during downlink forwarding.

[0207] In other words, this capability indication information instructs the network device that: during downlink forwarding, the NCR can use KN donor antenna ports to receive information sent by the network device and use KN service antenna ports to forward the information to the terminal device; during uplink forwarding, it can use N service antenna ports to receive information sent by the terminal device and use N donor antenna ports to forward the information to the network device; wherein, the N donor antenna ports used in uplink forwarding are N donor antenna ports out of the KN donor antenna ports used in downlink forwarding, and the N service antenna ports used in uplink forwarding are N service antenna ports out of the KN service antenna ports used in downlink forwarding.

[0208] Optionally, S102 can be a static expression, that is, S102 can be a statically defined step other than the method steps in the embodiments of this application.

[0209] S103. The network device sends SRS configuration information to the terminal device. The SRS configuration information is used to configure K SRS and the time unit set where each SRS is located, thereby configuring K time unit sets. Each SRS includes J SRS ports. Different SRS are located on different time unit sets, and J is less than or equal to X.

[0210] Optionally, the SRS configuration information is also used to configure the time unit where each SRS port is located. For example, the SRS configuration information configures the time unit where each SRS port in the k-th SRS is located. In this case, the time unit where each SRS port in the k-th SRS is located is in the set of time units where the k-th SRS is located. Here, k is any positive integer less than or equal to K.

[0211] Optionally, the SRS configuration information is also used to configure the frequency unit (also known as frequency domain resource) where each SRS or each SRS port is located.

[0212] Optionally, the SRS configuration information is also used to configure the code domain unit (also known as code domain resource) where each SRS or each SRS port is located.

[0213] In one implementation, the SRS configuration information may include K SRS IDs; wherein each SRS ID corresponds to one SRS, and each SRS includes J SRS ports; each SRS port may have its corresponding time unit (also known as time-domain resource). Here, J is a positive integer less than or equal to X.

[0214] Optionally, each SRS port may have its corresponding frequency unit and / or code domain unit.

[0215] Optionally, each SRS port can correspond to one or more time units.

[0216] Optionally, different ports of the same SRS may be located on the same time unit.

[0217] Alternatively, different ports of the same SRS may be located on different time units.

[0218] Optionally, the time-frequency resources corresponding to the J SRS ports can be FDM. In this case, the time unit positions corresponding to the J ports of an SRS are the same, but the frequency unit positions are different. In this case, an SRS occupies one time unit, and each of the above K time unit sets contains only one time unit. The kth time unit set can also be understood as the kth time unit.

[0219] Optionally, the time-frequency resources corresponding to the J SRS ports can be TDM, in which case the time unit positions corresponding to the J ports of an SRS are different, but the frequency unit positions are the same. Alternatively, the time-frequency resources corresponding to the J SRS ports can be a mixture of FDM and TDM, in which case the time domain resource positions corresponding to the J ports of an SRS are not completely the same, and the frequency domain resource positions are not completely the same either.

[0220] like Figure 8 As shown in (a), an SRS contains two TDM SRS ports. Within a Physical Resource Block (PRB) of an Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) system, the two resource elements (REs) corresponding to the two SRS ports are located on the same subcarrier and on two different OFDM symbols. In this case, an OFDM symbol can be understood as a time unit, and these two symbols constitute the set of time units in which the SRS resides.

[0221] For example Figure 8 As shown in (b), an SRS contains two FDM SRS ports. Within a PRB of an OFDM system, the two REs corresponding to the two SRS ports are located on different subcarriers, and the two SRS ports are located on the same OFDM symbol. In this case, an OFDM symbol can be understood as a time unit, and this symbol is the set of time units in which the SRS is located.

[0222] For example Figure 8 As shown in (c), an SRS contains 4 TDM / FDM hybrid SRS ports. Within a PRB of an OFDM system, the 4 REs corresponding to the 4 SRS ports are located on 2 subcarriers and 2 OFDM symbols. At this time, an OFDM symbol can be understood as a time unit, and these 2 symbols are the time unit set where the SRS is located.

[0223] It is important to note that the J SRS ports in an SRS can also undergo code division multiplexing (CDM) in addition to the above. This means that each SRS port has its own corresponding code domain resources, and the code domain resources corresponding to different SRS ports are orthogonal. In this case, one SRS port can correspond to multiple REs in terms of time-frequency resources (but the total time-frequency resources corresponding to one SRS remain unchanged), enabling network devices to perform channel estimation more accurately.

[0224] Optionally, the SRS configuration information may include configuration information for time-domain resource locations and configuration information for frequency-domain resource locations.

[0225] In one implementation, the configuration information for time-domain resource locations and / or frequency-domain resource locations can be configured individually for each of the K SRSs.

[0226] In one implementation, the configuration information for the time-domain resource location and / or the configuration information for the frequency-domain resource location can be uniformly configured for the K SRSs. For example, the time-domain and frequency-domain resources of the first SRS among the K SRSs can be configured, and then the other SRSs can be time-offset relative to the first SRS. The frequency-domain resources of the other SRSs can be the same as or different from the frequency-domain resources of the first SRS. If they are different, the SRS configuration information can also indicate the offset difference between the frequency-domain resources of the other SRSs and the frequency-domain resources of the first SRS. As another example, the time-domain and frequency-domain resources of the first SRS among the K SRSs can be configured, and then the time-domain resources of the other SRSs can be offset by the amount of time-domain resources of the first SRS, such as offset by 1 time unit, 2 time units, etc.

[0227] Optionally, the time unit may include a time slot or a symbol.

[0228] Optionally, the K SRSs can be K SRSs of a single periodic SRS across K different periods. For example, the SRS configuration information may include information indicating that an SRS is a periodic SRS, which indicates that the terminal device needs to retransmit the SRS every one or more time units. Subsequently (e.g., in S107), the network device can select and measure the SRSs received in the K different periods to obtain the measurement results of the K SRSs, and determine the equivalent downlink channel coefficient matrix based on the measurement results of the K SRSs.

[0229] S103a. The network device sends SRS configuration information to the terminal device via NCR. The SRS configuration information is used to configure K SRS and the time unit set where each SRS is located, thereby configuring K time unit sets. Each SRS includes J SRS ports, and different SRS are located on different time unit sets, where J is less than or equal to X.

[0230] Apart from emphasizing NCR, the corresponding expanded content of S103a is the same as that of S103, and will not be repeated here.

[0231] It should be noted that S103a is a subordinate concept of S103, that is, S103 includes S103a.

[0232] It should be noted that, optionally, for S103, the network device is only aware that it sends configuration information to the terminal device, and is unaware of the existence of NCR; that is, the network device is unaware that the configuration information it sends to the terminal device has been forwarded by NCR.

[0233] S104. The network device indicates K time unit sets to the NCR, where the kth time unit set corresponds to the time unit of the kth SRS in the K SRS; simultaneously, the network device indicates to the NCR that the NCR is in uplink forwarding state on the K time unit sets, and that the NCR uses N service antenna ports and N donor antenna ports for uplink forwarding on the kth time unit set; wherein, the N service antenna ports are a part of the KN service antenna ports, and the N donor antenna ports are a part of the KN donor antenna ports; k is an integer less than or equal to K.

[0234] In the k-th time unit set, NCR using N service antenna ports and N donor antenna ports for uplink forwarding can be understood as follows: In the k-th time unit set, NCR uses N service antenna ports to receive information from the terminal device and uses N donor antenna ports to forward it to the network device. Alternatively, it can be understood as N uplink forwarding channels being used for uplink forwarding in the k-th time unit set.

[0235] Optionally, when each of the K time unit sets contains only one time unit, the K time unit sets can also be understood as K time units. The above process can also be understood as the network device instructing the NCR that the NCR is in the uplink forwarding state in the K time units, and that the NCR uses N service antenna ports and N donor antenna ports for uplink forwarding in the k-th time unit. Here, the N service antenna ports are a part of the KN service antenna ports, and the N donor antenna ports are a part of the KN donor antenna ports; k is an integer less than or equal to K.

[0236] Optionally, the kth time unit set in the K time unit set corresponds to the time unit where the kth SRS in the K SRS is located, including: the kth time unit set in the K time unit set is the same as the time unit where the kth SRS in the K SRS is located.

[0237] Optionally, the time unit in which the kth SRS is located among the K SRSs can be one or more time units.

[0238] Optionally, in the K time unit set, the service antenna port used by NCR is different each time, and the donor service antenna port used by NCR is also different each time, that is, antenna switching is performed; and in the K time unit set, all KN service antenna ports have been used by NCR once, and all KN donor antenna ports have also been used by NCR once.

[0239] Optionally, "used by NCR once" includes either "used by NCR only once" or "used by NCR at least once". When "used by NCR at least once", the network device can obtain the number of times it was used by NCR, and then perform subsequent calculations based on processing methods such as average values; this will not be elaborated here.

[0240] Optionally, in the k-th time unit set, N service antenna ports and N donor antenna ports are used for uplink forwarding. The N donor antenna ports are associated one-to-one with the N service antenna ports, thus forming N associations. The set of N associations constitutes the first association relationship. Similarly, considering the K time unit sets, KN ​​service antenna ports are associated one-to-one with the KN donor antenna ports, thus forming KN associations. The set of KN associations constitutes the second association relationship. The N donor antenna ports are a part of the KN donor antenna ports, and the N service antenna ports are a part of the KN service antenna ports. The first association relationship is a part of the second association relationship.

[0241] Optionally, associating a donor antenna port with a service antenna port can be understood as the donor antenna port and the service antenna port being connected via a forwarding channel. Specifically, when the NCR is in uplink forwarding mode, associating a donor antenna port with a service antenna port can be understood as follows: the donor antenna port and the service antenna port are connected via an uplink forwarding channel, meaning the network relay device amplifies the signal received at a service antenna port on the uplink forwarding channel and transmits it to its associated donor antenna port, which then transmits it. When the NCR is in downlink forwarding mode, associating a donor antenna port with a service antenna port can be understood as follows: the donor antenna port and the service antenna port are connected via a downlink forwarding channel, meaning the network relay device amplifies the signal received at a donor antenna port on the downlink forwarding channel and transmits it to its associated service antenna port, which then transmits it.

[0242] Optionally, association includes connection, the first association includes a first connection, and the second association includes a second connection.

[0243] Optionally, a forwarding channel is a logical forwarding channel, which is a logical concept. A logical forwarding channel corresponds to one or more physical forwarding channels.

[0244] When NCR is in downlink forwarding mode, the KN service antenna ports and KN donor antenna ports still maintain the second correlation relationship. Specifically, when K=1, i.e., N=KN, the KN service antenna ports and KN donor antenna ports still need to maintain the second correlation relationship during downlink forwarding. That is, the uplink and downlink correlation relationships need to remain the same in order to maintain the reciprocity of the uplink and downlink channels.

[0245] Taking N=2, K=2, KN=4 as an example, the NCR has a total of 4 donor antenna ports D0, D1, D2, and D3, and 4 service antenna ports S0, S1, S2, and S3. In the first time unit set, the NCR is in uplink forwarding state, using 2 service antenna ports S0 and S1, and 2 donor antenna ports such as D0 and D1; where S0 is associated with D0, and S1 is associated with D1. The sets of these two associations—S0 and D0, and S1 and D1—constitute the first association relationship. In the second time unit set, the NCR is in uplink forwarding state, using 2 service antenna ports S2 and S3, and 2 donor antenna ports such as D2 and D3; where S2 is associated with D2, and S3 is associated with D3. In summary, the four associations—S0 and D0, S1 and D1, S2 and D3, and S3 and D3—in the two time unit sets of uplink forwarding constitute the second association relationship. In the third time unit set, NCR is in downlink forwarding state, using four donor antenna ports D0, D1, D2, and D3, and four service antenna ports S0, S1, S2, and S3. Here, S0 is associated with D0, S1 with D1, S2 with D2, and S3 with D3, thus maintaining the second association relationship. This ensures that the impact of NCR on the channel is reciprocal in both uplink and downlink forwarding states, further guaranteeing the reciprocity of the uplink and downlink channels.

[0246] Optionally, the network device may indicate a specific first association and / or second association to the NCR.

[0247] Optionally, the i-th donor antenna port among the N donor antenna ports is associated with the j-th service antenna port among the N service antenna ports in both uplink and downlink forwarding. In uplink forwarding, the gain coefficient from the j-th service antenna port to the i-th donor antenna port is a. i-1 In downlink forwarding, the gain coefficient from the i-th donor antenna port to the j-th service antenna port is a. i-1 ',a i-1 and a i-1 'Meet at least one of the following conditions: a i-1 and a i-1 The amplitude difference is less than the first amplitude threshold; i-1 and a i-1 The phase difference is less than the first phase threshold; where i and j are both positive integers less than or equal to N. It should be noted that a i-1 a i-1 This is just an example of a tag; other examples are also allowed. For example, a i a i This application does not limit the marking method.

[0248] Optionally, a i-1 and a i-1 'Meet at least one of the following conditions: a i-1 and a i-1 The amplitude difference is less than the first amplitude threshold; i-1 and a i-1 The phase difference is less than the first phase threshold.

[0249] Optionally, the network device can indicate the gain coefficient of each uplink forwarding channel to the NCR. This gain coefficient can be an absolute value or a relative value relative to a reference point. The reference point is selected by the network device, and the specific selection method is not limited in this application. The network device can indicate the gain coefficient of each uplink forwarding channel individually, or it can indicate the gain coefficient of all uplink forwarding channels uniformly.

[0250] Optionally, the network device may indicate to the NCR the gain factor of each uplink forwarding channel, which is the same ratio as the gain factor of the corresponding single downlink forwarding channel in the downlink forwarding state.

[0251] Optionally, the gain coefficient is the same for each uplink forwarding channel in the NCR.

[0252] Optionally, the gain coefficient of each uplink forwarding channel in the NCR is the same, and is the same as the gain coefficient of the single downlink forwarding channel in the corresponding downlink forwarding state.

[0253] Optionally, an uplink forwarding channel is a logical uplink forwarding channel, which is a logical concept. A logical uplink forwarding channel corresponds to one or more physical uplink forwarding channels.

[0254] Optionally, when each of the K SRSs is a periodic SRS, and the K SRSs all have the same period, the k-th time unit set can be understood as corresponding to the time unit in which the k-th SRS is located in the first period. The first period can be any period. Correspondingly, the (k+1)-th time unit set can be understood as corresponding to the time unit in which the (k+1)-th SRS is located in the first period.

[0255] like Figure 9 As shown, the K SRS include the first SRS and the second SRS, where both the first and second SRS are periodic. The period of the first SRS is as follows: Figure 9 As shown in the first line, Figure 9 (a) represents the first period of the first SRS. Figure 9 (b) represents the second period of the first SRS. Figure 9 (c) represents the third period of the first SRS. Figure 9The ellipses on both sides of the first line indicate the other cycles of the first SRS. The first SRS is SRS0, which includes SRS0 port 0 and SRS0 port 1. The cycle of the second SRS is as follows: Figure 9 As shown in the second line, Figure 9 (d) represents the first period of the second SRS. Figure 9 (e) indicates the second period of the second SRS. Figure 9 (f) represents the third period of the second SRS. Figure 9 The ellipses on both sides of the second line indicate other periods. The second SRS is SRS1, which includes SRS1 port 0 and SRS1 port 1. The period of SRS0 is the same as the period of SRS1. Optionally, the K SRSs can also include more SRSs, such as a third SRS, etc., which are not shown in the figure. Figure 9 In (a) and (d), the first period of the first SRS is the same as the first period of the second SRS. Figure 9 In (b) and (e), the second period of the first SRS is the same as the second period of the second SRS. Figure 9 In (c) and (f), the third period of the first SRS is the same as the third period of the second SRS. The others are similar, and will not be elaborated further.

[0256] Using k=1 as an example, the first SRS in the first period falls within the time unit between t0 and t1. Therefore, the first set of time units can be understood as corresponding to the time unit where the first SRS falls within the first period, that is, the first set of time units can be understood as corresponding to the time unit between t0 and t1. Similarly, the second SRS in the first period falls within the time unit between t1 and t2. Therefore, the second set of time units can be understood as corresponding to the time unit where the second SRS falls within the first period, that is, the second set of time units can be understood as corresponding to the time unit between t1 and t2.

[0257] Although the first cycle was Figure 9 As shown in the figure Figure 9 As shown in (a) and (d), but Figure 9 The other two corresponding figures (for example, Figure 9 (b) and (e) can also be shown as the first period. This application does not limit this.

[0258] Furthermore, a time interval can exist between any two adjacent periods in the first, second, third, ..., cycles; for example, the interval between the first and second cycles is 100 milliseconds (ms). Then, the NCR can simultaneously use the aforementioned N donor antenna ports and N service antenna ports for uplink forwarding in the first time unit set (e.g., the first cycle) of the first, second, third, ..., cycles; the NCR can use another N donor antenna ports and N service antenna ports for uplink forwarding in the second time unit set (e.g., the second cycle) of the first, second, third, ..., cycles; ...; thus, the NCR can use the aforementioned KN donor antenna ports and KN service antenna ports for uplink forwarding in the first, second, third, ..., cycles. The NCR switches antenna ports and performs antenna switching in any one of the first, second, third, ..., cycles. Those skilled in the art will understand that the aforementioned 100ms is merely an example and does not limit the scope of this application.

[0259] During the time interval between any two adjacent cycles in the first cycle, second cycle, third cycle, etc., downlink forwarding is performed using the aforementioned KN donor antenna ports and KN service antenna ports, or no forwarding is performed.

[0260] S105. The terminal device sends SRS accordingly based on the SRS configuration information.

[0261] Specifically, after receiving the SRS configuration information sent by the network device in S103, the terminal device sends the SRS accordingly based on the SRS configuration information.

[0262] Optionally, the terminal device sends K SRS according to the time domain resources, frequency domain resources, and code domain resources corresponding to each port in the K SRS.

[0263] In this configuration, one SRS port is associated with one antenna port of the terminal device. For example, when the terminal device transmits SRS0 port 0, it transmits through antenna port 0 of the terminal device. That is, port 0 of an SRS is associated with antenna port 0. When the terminal device transmits any two SRS ports with the same number, the antenna ports associated with them must be the same. For example, when the terminal device transmits SRS0 port 0 and SRS1 port 0, it transmits through antenna port 0 of the terminal device. That is, the antenna port associated with both SRS0 port 0 and SRS1 port 0 is port 0.

[0264] Optionally, when the terminal device transmits K SRSs, it must satisfy the following condition: the phase difference between any two SRSs transmitted from the same numbered ports cannot exceed a first threshold. For example, when the terminal device transmits SRS0 port 0 and SRS1 port 0, the phase difference between SRS0 port 0 and SRS1 port 0 cannot exceed the first threshold. Examples of the first threshold include 10 degrees or 0.1 radians (RAD). The first threshold can be preset.

[0265] Optionally, when the terminal device sends K SRSs, it can send to the network device the phase deviation between the corresponding port of the first SRS and the corresponding port of each subsequent SRS, or the phase deviation between the corresponding port of each subsequent SRS and the corresponding port of the first SRS. For example, the terminal device reports to the network device the phase deviation between port 0 of SRS1 and port 0 of SRS0, the phase deviation between port 0 of SRS2 and port 0 of SRS0, ... the phase deviation between port 0 of SRS K-1 and port 0 of SRS0, the phase deviation between port 1 of SRS1 and port 1 of SRS0, ... the phase deviation between port J-1 of SRS K-1 and port J-1 of SRS0. Thus, since the network device needs to add up the equivalent downlink channel coefficient matrices obtained from each SRS measurement when obtaining the equivalent downlink channel coefficient matrix (i.e., the equivalent downlink channel coefficient matrix corresponding to K SRS measurements), the network device can remove the phase deviation of the subsequent (K-1) SRS reported by the terminal device before adding them up, so that the obtained equivalent downlink channel coefficient matrix is ​​more accurate.

[0266] S106, NCR is in the uplink forwarding state in the K time unit set, and uses N donor antenna ports out of the KN donor antenna ports and N service antenna ports out of the KN service antenna ports for uplink forwarding in the k time unit set; the antenna ports used by NCR are different in different time unit sets.

[0267] Optionally, within the same time unit set, the NCR uses the same antenna ports, meaning that the N donor antenna ports and N service antenna ports used by the NCR are the same.

[0268] The NCR uses different antenna ports in different time unit sets, including different donor antenna ports and different service antenna ports. These differences are completely distinct and do not overlap.

[0269] It should be noted that S105 and S106 can run simultaneously without any order of execution. Specifically, within the same time unit set, the SRS transmitted by S105 is received and forwarded by the NCR in S106.

[0270] Optionally, each donor antenna port is associated with a service antenna port.

[0271] Optionally, each service antenna port is associated with a donor antenna port.

[0272] Optionally, when the NCR is in downlink forwarding mode, the KN service antenna ports are associated one-to-one with the KN donor antenna ports. That is, each of the KN service antenna ports is associated with one of the KN donor antenna ports, and each of the KN donor antenna ports is also associated with one of the KN service antenna ports. Furthermore, the association relationship between the KN donor antenna ports and the KN service antenna ports in the uplink forwarding mode (i.e., the second association relationship) is the same as the association relationship between the KN donor antenna ports and the KN service antenna ports in the downlink forwarding mode.

[0273] At this time, any one of the KN donor antenna ports, D i One of the KN service antenna ports, S j If associated, then the donor antenna port D i With service antenna port S j The phase difference between uplink and downlink forwarding states needs to be kept constant. This is because the donor antenna port D... i For any donor antenna port D i Service antenna port S j To connect with donor antenna port D i The associated service antenna port requires that, in essence, any two associated donor antenna ports and service antenna ports have the same phase difference in both uplink and downlink forwarding states. This ensures reciprocity between the uplink and downlink forwarding channels. Regarding the donor antenna port D... i Service antenna port S j The association can be determined by the NCR itself, and there is no need to provide feedback or notification to network devices and / or terminal devices.

[0274] S107. The network device receives and measures the SRS accordingly, and finally obtains the measurement results of K SRS. Based on the measurement results of K SRS, the equivalent downlink channel coefficient matrix is ​​determined. This equivalent downlink channel coefficient matrix is ​​the downlink channel coefficient matrix between the network device and the terminal device via the NCR when the NCR is in the downlink forwarding state, using the aforementioned KN donor antenna ports and KN service antenna ports.

[0275] Optionally, the network device receives and measures the SRS accordingly. After obtaining the measurement result of the first SRS out of K SRS measurements, it determines the first equivalent downlink channel coefficient matrix corresponding to the measurement result of the first SRS; after obtaining the measurement result of the second SRS out of K SRS measurements, it determines the second equivalent downlink channel coefficient matrix corresponding to the measurement result of the second SRS; and so on, until the measurement result of the Kth SRS out of K SRS measurements is obtained, at which point the Kth equivalent downlink channel coefficient matrix corresponding to the measurement result of the Kth SRS is determined. Then, the K equivalent downlink channel coefficient matrices are added together to obtain the overall equivalent downlink channel coefficient matrix, which is the equivalent downlink channel coefficient matrix determined based on the measurement results of the K SRSs.

[0276] Optionally, the network device receives and measures the SRS accordingly. After obtaining the measurement results of all K SRS, it can sequentially determine the equivalent downlink channel coefficient matrices corresponding to the measurement results of each SRS in the K SRS measurement results. Then, the matrices are added together to obtain the overall equivalent downlink channel coefficient matrix, which is the equivalent downlink channel coefficient matrix determined based on the measurement results of the K SRS.

[0277] It should be noted that, in the absence of modifiers such as "each," "first," "second," or "Kth," the equivalent downlink channel coefficient matrix in this application refers to the overall equivalent downlink channel coefficient matrix, that is, the equivalent downlink channel coefficient matrix when the network control relay device uses KN donor antenna ports and KN service antenna ports for downlink forwarding.

[0278] In the downlink forwarding process, the KN donor antenna ports and KN service antenna ports used by NCR form a channel corresponding to KN downlink forwarding channels.

[0279] Optionally, after S107, the network device can send downlink control information or data information to the terminal device. In this case, the NCR can use KN downlink forwarding channels for forwarding. The NCR is in downlink forwarding state, and each of the KN service antenna ports of the NCR is associated with one of the KN donor antenna ports. That is, each service antenna port is associated with one of the KN donor antenna ports, and each donor antenna port is also associated with one of the KN service antenna ports. This set of KN associations maintains the second association relationship.

[0280] Optionally, when a network device sends downlink control information or data information to a terminal device, the network device may be unaware of the existence of NCR or the forwarding through NCR.

[0281] Optionally, the gain coefficient of each downlink forwarding channel in the NCR is the same as the ratio of the gain coefficient of the corresponding single uplink forwarding channel in the uplink forwarding state.

[0282] Optionally, the gain coefficient of each downlink forwarding channel in the NCR satisfies at least one of the following conditions as well as the gain coefficient of the corresponding single uplink forwarding channel in the uplink forwarding state: the difference between the amplitude of the gain coefficient of each downlink forwarding channel in the NCR and the amplitude of the gain coefficient of the corresponding single uplink forwarding channel in the uplink forwarding state is less than a first amplitude threshold; the difference between the phase of the gain coefficient of each downlink forwarding channel in the NCR and the phase of the gain coefficient of the corresponding single uplink forwarding channel in the uplink forwarding state is less than a first amplitude threshold.

[0283] Optionally, the gain coefficient is the same for each downlink forwarding channel in the NCR.

[0284] Optionally, the gain coefficient of each downlink forwarding channel in the NCR is the same, and is the same as the gain coefficient of the corresponding single uplink forwarding channel in the corresponding uplink forwarding state.

[0285] To further clarify Figure 7 The rationality of the corresponding technical solution will be discussed below. Figure 10 To further explain from a theoretical perspective. For example, Figure 10 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the principle verification of the communication method provided in Embodiment 1 of this application.

[0286] It should be noted that, for ease of explanation, in Figure 10In this paper, the i-th donor antenna port out of N donor antenna ports is associated with the j-th service antenna port out of N service antenna ports in both uplink and downlink forwarding. The example given is that the gain coefficient from the i-th service antenna port to the j-th donor antenna port in uplink forwarding is the same as the gain coefficient from the j-th donor antenna port to the i-th service antenna port in downlink forwarding. For instance, if donor antenna port D0 and service antenna port S0 are associated in both uplink and downlink forwarding, then the gain coefficient a0' from donor antenna port D0 to service antenna port S0 in uplink forwarding is the same as the gain coefficient a0 from service antenna port S0 to donor antenna port D0 in downlink forwarding. Hereinafter, a0 will be used to represent this. It should be noted that a0 and a0' are merely labeling examples; other labeling examples are also permitted. This application does not limit the labeling method.

[0287] like Figure 10As shown in (a) and (b), the terminal device has 2 uplink channels and 2 downlink channels, corresponding to 2 antenna ports T0 and T1. The NCR is configured as 2T4R, that is, 2 uplink forwarding channels and 4 downlink forwarding channels. Among them, when the NCR is in downlink forwarding state, the 4 downlink forwarding channels correspond to 4 donor antenna ports D0-D3 and 4 service antenna ports S0-S3; antenna port D0 of the NCR is associated with antenna port S0 of the NCR, and its channel gain coefficient is a0; antenna port D1 of the NCR is associated with antenna port S1 of the NCR, and its channel gain coefficient is a1; antenna port D2 of the NCR is associated with antenna port S2 of the NCR, and its channel gain coefficient is a2; antenna port D3 of the NCR is associated with antenna port S3 of the NCR, and its channel gain coefficient is a3. When the NCR is in uplink forwarding state, within a time unit set (e.g., a time unit set consisting of Slot 0), the two uplink forwarding channels correspond to two donor antenna ports and two service antenna ports. These two donor antenna ports and two service antenna ports are respectively two donor antenna ports (e.g., D0, D1) out of four donor antenna ports D0-D3 and two service antenna ports (e.g., S0, S1) out of four service antenna ports S0-S3. Specifically, antenna port S0 of the NCR is associated with antenna port D0 of the NCR, and its channel gain coefficient is also a0; antenna port S1 of the NCR is associated with antenna port D1 of the NCR, and its channel gain coefficient is also a1. In another set of time units (e.g., the set of time units consisting of Slot 1), these two uplink forwarding channels correspond to the remaining two donor antenna ports (e.g., D2 and D3) out of the four donor antenna ports D0-D3 and the remaining two service antenna ports (e.g., S2 and S3) out of the four service antenna ports S0-S3. Specifically, antenna port S2 of the NCR is associated with antenna port D2 of the NCR, and its channel gain coefficient is also a2; antenna port S3 of the NCR is associated with antenna port D3 of the NCR, and its channel gain coefficient is also a3.

[0288] In other words, NCR uses four downlink forwarding channels in downlink forwarding mode; in uplink forwarding mode, NCR uses two time unit sets (exemplarily, since the number of downlink forwarding channels in NCR is twice the number of uplink forwarding channels) for uplink forwarding. The association between the donor antenna port and the service antenna port is the same as in downlink forwarding, and the gain coefficient of the corresponding channel is also the same as in downlink forwarding. The network device has one antenna port A0. Each time unit set includes the same number of time units. Exemplarily, a time unit can be a time slot or a symbol. Figure 10 In (a)-(b), a set of time units includes a time slot.

[0289] It should be noted that network devices can also have more antenna ports. And / or, NCR can be configured as XTYR, i.e., X uplink forwarding channels and Y downlink forwarding channels, where X is not 2 or Y is not 4. And / or, each time unit set can include L time units, where L is not 1.

[0290] Optionally, Y is K times X, where K is a positive integer greater than 1. Optionally, Y is greater than K times X and less than (K+1) times X, where K is a positive integer greater than 1.

[0291] It should be noted that, Figure 10 The number of antenna ports of the network device, the number of uplink and downlink forwarding channels of the NCR, the number of uplink and downlink channels of the terminal device, and the number of time units included in each time unit set shown in (a) and (b) are merely exemplary and illustrative examples to facilitate the explanation of the principle of Embodiment 1, and do not constitute a limitation on the scope of Embodiment 1 of this application.

[0292] like Figure 10 As shown in (a) and (b), the downlink channel gain coefficients from antenna port A0 of the network device to antenna ports D0, D1, D2, and D3 of the NCR are f0, f1, f2, and f3, respectively. The channel gain coefficient from antenna port D0 of the NCR to antenna port S0 of the NCR is a0, the channel gain coefficient from antenna port D1 of the NCR to antenna port S1 of the NCR is a1, the channel gain coefficient from antenna port D2 of the NCR to antenna port S2 of the NCR is a2, and the channel gain coefficient from antenna port D3 of the NCR to antenna port S3 of the NCR is a3. The downlink channel gain coefficients from antenna port S0 of the NCR to antenna ports T0 and T1 of the terminal device are g... 0,0 g 0,1 The downlink channel gain coefficients from antenna port S1 of NCR to antenna ports T0 and T1 of the terminal device are g, respectively. 1,0 g 1,1 The downlink channel gain coefficients from antenna port S2 of NCR to antenna ports T0 and T1 of the terminal device are g, respectively. 2,0 g 2,1 The downlink channel gain coefficients from the NCR antenna port S3 to the terminal device antenna ports T0 and T1 are g, respectively. 3,0 g 3,1 .

[0293] like Figure 10 As shown in (a), since all four channels of NCR forward downlink in downlink forwarding mode, the equivalent downlink channel coefficient matrix H0 can be expressed as the superposition of the gain coefficients of each downlink channel, specifically as the equivalent downlink channel coefficient matrix.

[0294] like Figure 10 As shown in (b), since only two service antenna ports and two donor antenna ports participate in uplink forwarding in each time unit set during the uplink forwarding state of NCR, for example, the network device instructs NCR to forward through two different service antenna ports and two donor antenna ports in two time slots, Slot 0 and Slot 1 (each time slot constitutes a time unit set), specifically: in Slot 0, uplink forwarding is performed through service antenna ports S0 and S1, and donor antenna ports D0 and D1; in Slot 1, uplink forwarding is performed through service antenna ports S2 and S3, and donor antenna ports D2 and D3. In this case, the uplink channel coefficient matrix H1 can be expressed as the superposition of channel coefficient matrices under different antenna port forwarding conditions. For example, the network device can determine the uplink channel coefficient matrix h0 when NCR uses antenna ports D0 and S0 and D1 and S1 through SRS measurement in Slot 0, and the network device can determine the uplink channel coefficient matrix h1 when NCR uses antenna ports D2 and S2 and D3 and S3 through SRS measurement in Slot 1. Specifically: h0 = [f0a0g] 0，0 +f1a1g 1，0 f0a0g 0，1 +f1a1g 1，1 ], h1=[f2a2g 2，0 +f3a3g 3，0 f2a2g 2，1 +f3a3g 3，1 The network device can then add the two uplink channel coefficient matrices to determine the equivalent downlink channel coefficient matrix, i.e., H1 = h0 + h1. Therefore, we can obtain...

[0295] As shown above, the equivalent downlink channel coefficient matrix H0 is the same as the superposition of the uplink channel coefficient matrices for each time unit set in the uplink state. The number of time unit sets is indicated by the network device, which determines the number of time unit sets based on the ratio of the downlink forwarding channels to the uplink forwarding channels in the NCR. Therefore, even when the number of uplink forwarding channels in the NCR differs from the number of downlink forwarding channels, the equivalent downlink channel coefficient matrix H0 can still be obtained by superimposing the uplink channel coefficient matrices for each time unit set in the uplink state.

[0296] Example 1 enables the network device to obtain an accurate equivalent downlink channel coefficient matrix even when the number of uplink and downlink forwarding channels in the NCR differs, and when the number of uplink and downlink channels in the terminal device is the same. Furthermore, it eliminates the need to adjust the uplink forwarding channels of the NCR, utilizing the existing uplink and downlink forwarding channels. Compared to replacing the NCR (e.g., increasing the number of uplink forwarding channels to make the uplink and downlink forwarding channels the same), this method is less costly.

[0297] Example 2

[0298] This application also provides an embodiment 2, which relates to... Figures 11-13 and Figure 8 . Figure 11 This is a flowchart illustrating Embodiment 2 of the communication method provided in this application. Figure 12 A schematic diagram of resource allocation for detecting a periodic SRS set of reference signals. Figure 13 The schematic diagram for verifying the principle of the communication method provided in Embodiment 2 of this application is shown. Figure 8 This diagram illustrates the resource configuration of the Detection Reference Signal (SRS) within a Physical Resource Block (PRB). The Network Control Relay (NCR) includes KN donor antenna ports and KN service antenna ports. These KN donor and service antenna ports can represent all or some of the antenna ports of the NCR. For example... Figure 11 As shown, the method includes:

[0299] S201. The network device learns that the terminal device can use X antenna ports during uplink transmission and Y antenna ports during downlink transmission.

[0300] In one implementation, the terminal device sends its capabilities to the network device. These capabilities may be sent as indication information. The capabilities include the terminal device's ability to use X antenna ports during uplink transmission and Y antenna ports during downlink transmission. X is a positive integer less than or equal to Y.

[0301] In other words, X can be understood as the number of antenna ports that the terminal device can use during a single uplink transmission, and Y can be understood as the number of antenna ports that the terminal device can use during a single downlink reception. Therefore, the network device can obtain this information by having the terminal device send capability indication information to the network device, indicating that the terminal device can use X antenna ports during uplink transmission and Y antenna ports during downlink transmission.

[0302] This can be understood as the terminal device being able to use X antenna ports for signal transmission (e.g., SRS) during uplink transmission and Y antenna ports for signal reception during downlink transmission. Alternatively, the terminal device can simultaneously use X antenna ports for signal transmission (e.g., SRS) during uplink transmission and Y antenna ports for signal reception during downlink transmission. However, when transmitting signals using X antenna ports, it is not possible to simultaneously use Y antenna ports for signal reception.

[0303] Optionally, when the terminal device sends capability indication information to the network device, the capability indication information indicates that the terminal device has XTYR capability, that is, the terminal device can use Y antenna ports to receive in downlink transmission and X antenna ports to transmit in uplink transmission, wherein X antenna ports are a part of Y antenna ports, and Y is related to the number of all or part of the receiving antenna ports of the terminal device. X is a positive integer less than or equal to Y.

[0304] In one implementation, the network device can learn about the capabilities of the terminal device from other devices. For example, after obtaining the capabilities of the terminal device, the other devices provide these capabilities to the network device. These capabilities include the terminal device's ability to use X antenna ports during uplink transmission and Y antenna ports during downlink transmission. X is a positive integer less than or equal to Y.

[0305] Optionally, the network device determines L based on X and Y. For example, L = Y / X, or L is the result of rounding up the quotient of Y / X, or L is the result of rounding down the quotient of Y / X. The way the network device determines L based on X and Y is not limited to the examples above, and this application does not limit it.

[0306] Optionally, S201 can be a static expression, that is, S201 can be a statically defined step other than the method steps in the embodiments of this application.

[0307] Alternatively, in the above-described embodiments or optional embodiments of S201, the X antenna ports can be replaced with X uplink channels. Similarly, in the above-described embodiments or optional embodiments of S201, the Y antenna ports can be replaced with Y downlink channels.

[0308] S202. The Network Control Relay (NCR) sends capability indication information to the network device. This capability indication information indicates that the NCR can use N of the KN donor antenna ports and N of the KN service antenna ports during uplink forwarding; and indicates that the NCR can use the aforementioned KN donor antenna ports and KN service antenna ports during downlink forwarding.

[0309] In other words, this capability indication information instructs the network device that: during downlink forwarding, the NCR can use KN donor antenna ports to receive information sent by the network device and use KN service antenna ports to forward the information to the terminal device; during uplink forwarding, it can use N service antenna ports to receive information sent by the terminal device and use N donor antenna ports to forward the information to the network device; wherein, the N donor antenna ports used in uplink forwarding are N donor antenna ports out of the KN donor antenna ports used in downlink forwarding, and the N service antenna ports used in uplink forwarding are N service antenna ports out of the KN service antenna ports used in downlink forwarding.

[0310] Among them, KN donor antenna ports and KN service antenna ports correspond to KN downlink forwarding channels; N donor antenna ports and N service antenna ports correspond to N uplink forwarding channels.

[0311] Optionally, S202 can be a static expression, that is, S202 can be a statically defined step other than the method steps in the embodiments of this application.

[0312] S203. The network device sends SRS configuration information to the terminal device. The SRS configuration information is used to configure K SRS sets and the time unit set where each SRS set is located, thereby configuring K time unit sets. Each SRS set includes L SRSs, each SRS includes J SRS ports, different SRS sets are located on different time unit sets, J is less than or equal to X, and L is determined according to X and Y.

[0313] Optionally, the SRS configuration information is also used to configure the time unit where each SRS port is located.

[0314] Alternatively, different ports of the same SRS may be located in the same time unit, or different ports of the same SRS may be located in different time units.

[0315] Optionally, the SRS configuration information may also configure the frequency unit corresponding to each SRS or each SRS port.

[0316] Optionally, the SRS configuration information also configures the code domain resources corresponding to each SRS or each SRS port.

[0317] Optionally, the SRS configuration information also configures KL SRSs.

[0318] Optionally, the SRS configuration information also configures KLJ SRS ports.

[0319] Alternatively, S203 can be replaced by: the network device sending SRS configuration information to the terminal device. The SRS configuration information is used to configure KL SRSs, the time unit where each SRS or each SRS port is located, wherein each SRS includes J SRS ports, different SRSs are located in different time units, J is less than or equal to X, and L is determined according to X and Y. In this case, the k-th SRS set in this embodiment should be understood as the (k-1)L+1-th SRS to the kL-th SRS among KL SRSs, and correspondingly, the k-th time unit set should be understood as including the time units where the (k-1)L+1-th SRS to the kL-th SRS are located among KL SRSs.

[0320] In one implementation, the SRS configuration information may include K SRS set IDs. Each SRS set ID corresponds to an SRS set, each SRS set includes L SRSs, each SRS includes J SRS ports, and each SRS port corresponds to a time unit, frequency unit, and code domain resource, where J is less than or equal to X, and L is determined based on X and Y.

[0321] Optionally, the SRS configuration information may also include KLJ frequency units corresponding to KLJ SRS ports, where each SRS port corresponds to one frequency unit.

[0322] Optionally, L is determined based on X and Y. For example, L = Y / X, or L is the result of rounding up the quotient of Y / X, or L is the result of rounding down the quotient of Y / X. The way L is determined based on X and Y is not limited to the examples above, and this application does not limit it in this way.

[0323] Optionally, the time and frequency resources corresponding to the J SRS ports can be FDM, in which case the time unit positions of the J ports of an SRS are the same, but the frequency unit positions are different.

[0324] Optionally, the time-frequency resources corresponding to the J SRS ports can be TDM, in which case the time-domain resource locations corresponding to the J ports of an SRS are different, while the frequency-domain resource locations are the same. Alternatively, the time-frequency resources corresponding to the J SRS ports can be a mixture of FDM and TDM, in which case the time-domain resource locations corresponding to the J ports of an SRS are not entirely the same, and the frequency-domain resource locations are also not entirely the same.

[0325] like Figure 8As shown in (a), an SRS contains two TDM SRS ports. Within a Physical Resource Block (PRB) of an Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) system, the two resource elements (REs) corresponding to the two SRS ports are located on the same subcarrier but on different OFDM symbols. In this case, an OFDM symbol can be understood as a time unit, and these two symbols constitute the set of time units in which the SRS resides.

[0326] For example Figure 8 As shown in (b), an SRS contains two FDM SRS ports. Within a PRB of an OFDM system, the two REs corresponding to the two SRS ports are located on different subcarriers, and the two SRS ports are located on the same OFDM symbol. In this case, an OFDM symbol can be understood as a time unit, and this symbol is the set of time units in which the SRS is located.

[0327] For example Figure 8 As shown in (c), an SRS contains 4 TDM / FDM hybrid SRS ports. Within a PRB of an OFDM system, the 4 REs corresponding to the 4 SRS ports are located on 2 subcarriers and 2 OFDM symbols. At this time, an OFDM symbol can be understood as a time unit, and these 2 symbols are the time unit set where the SRS is located.

[0328] It is important to note that the J SRS ports in an SRS can also be used for code division multiplexing (CDM) on the basis of the above. That is, each SRS port has its corresponding code domain resources, and the code domain resources corresponding to different SRS ports are orthogonal. In this case, an SRS port can correspond to multiple REs in terms of time and frequency resources (but the total time and frequency resources corresponding to an SRS remain unchanged), which enables network devices to perform channel estimation more accurately.

[0329] Optionally, KL SRS can be K SRS in KL different periods of a single periodic SRS. For example, the SRS configuration information may include information indicating that an SRS is a periodic SRS. This information indicates that the SRS is repeatedly transmitted once every one or more time units, for a total of at least KL times, thus constituting at least KL SRS. Subsequently (e.g., in S207), the network device can select and measure the SRS received in KL different periods to obtain the measurement results of KL SRS, and determine the equivalent downlink channel coefficient matrix based on the measurement results of KL SRS.

[0330] Optionally, the SRS configuration information may include configuration information for the time unit location and configuration information for the frequency unit location.

[0331] In one implementation, the configuration information for the time unit position and / or the configuration information for the frequency unit position can be configured individually for each of the KL SRSs.

[0332] In one implementation, the configuration information for the time unit position and / or the configuration information for the frequency unit position can be uniformly configured for KL SRSs. For example, the time unit and frequency unit of the first SRS among the KL SRSs can be configured, and then the other SRSs can be time-offset relative to the first SRS. The frequency units of the other SRSs can be the same as or different from the frequency unit of the first SRS. If they are different, the SRS configuration information can also indicate the offset difference between the frequency units of the other SRSs and the frequency units of the first SRS. As another example, the time unit and frequency unit of the first SRS among the KL SRSs can be configured, and then the time units of the other SRSs can be offset by a certain number of time units from the time unit of the first SRS, such as offset by 1 time unit, 2 time units, etc.

[0333] Optionally, the configuration information for the time unit position and / or the configuration information for the frequency unit position can be uniformly configured for any one of the K SRS sets. For example, the time unit and frequency unit of the first SRS in any SRS set can be configured, and then the time offset of the other SRSs in that SRS set from the time unit of the first SRS can be indicated. The frequency unit of the other SRSs in that SRS set can be the same as or different from the frequency unit of the first SRS. If they are different, the SRS configuration information can also indicate the offset difference between the frequency units of the other SRSs in that SRS set and the frequency unit of the first SRS. As another example, the time unit and frequency unit of the first SRS in any SRS set can be configured, and then the offset amount of the time units of the other SRSs in that SRS set from the time unit of the first SRS can be indicated, such as offset by 1 time unit, 2 time units, etc.

[0334] Optionally, the time unit can be a time slot or a symbol.

[0335] Optionally, the K SRS sets can be K SRS sets in K different periods of a single periodic SRS set. For example, the SRS configuration information may include information indicating that an SRS set is a periodic SRS set, which indicates that the terminal device needs to repeatedly transmit L SRSs in the SRS set every one or more time units. Subsequently (e.g., in S207), the network device can select and measure the SRS received in K different periods to obtain the measurement results of KL SRSs, and determine the equivalent downlink channel coefficient matrix based on the measurement results of KL SRSs.

[0336] S203a. The network device sends SRS configuration information to the terminal device via NCR. The SRS configuration information is used to configure K SRS sets and the time unit set where each SRS set is located, thereby configuring K time unit sets. Each SRS set includes L SRSs, each SRS includes J SRS ports, different SRS sets are located on different time unit sets, J is less than or equal to X, and L is determined according to X and Y.

[0337] Aside from emphasizing NCR, the corresponding expanded content of S203a is the same as that of S203, and will not be repeated here.

[0338] It should be noted that S203a is a subordinate concept of S203, that is, S203 includes S203a.

[0339] It should be noted that, optionally, for S203, the network device is only aware that it sends SRS configuration information to the terminal device, and is unaware of the existence of NCR; that is, the network device is unaware that the SRS configuration information it sends to the terminal device has been forwarded by NCR.

[0340] S204. The network device indicates K time unit sets to the NCR, where the k-th time unit set corresponds to the time unit set containing the k-th SRS set among the K SRS sets; simultaneously, the network device indicates to the NCR that the NCR is in an uplink forwarding state on the K time unit sets, and that the NCR uses N uplink forwarding channels for uplink forwarding on the k-th time unit set; wherein the N service antenna ports are a part of the KN service antenna ports, and the N donor antenna ports are a part of the KN donor antenna ports; the antenna ports used by the NCR are different in different time unit sets; k is an integer less than or equal to K.

[0341] Optionally, the k-th time unit set in the K-time unit set corresponds to the time unit where the k-th SRS set in the K-SRS set is located, including: the k-th time unit set in the K-time unit set and the k-th SRS set in the K-SRS set are located in the same time unit.

[0342] Optionally, the time unit in which the kth SRS set is located among the K SRS sets can be one or more time units.

[0343] Optionally, in the k-th time unit set, the NCR uses N uplink forwarding channels for uplink forwarding, including: in the k-th time unit set, the NCR uses N service antenna ports for receiving and N donor antenna ports for transmitting for uplink forwarding. Specifically, in any two time unit sets within the K time unit sets, the service antenna ports used by the NCR are different, and the donor service antenna ports used by the NCR are also different.

[0344] Optionally, in the k-th time unit set, uplink forwarding is performed using N service antenna ports and N donor antenna ports. The N donor antenna ports are associated one-to-one with the N service antenna ports, thus forming N associations. The set of N associations constitutes the first association relationship. Similarly, considering the K time unit sets, KN ​​service antenna ports are associated one-to-one with the KN donor antenna ports, thus forming KN associations. The set of KN associations constitutes the second association relationship. The N donor antenna ports are a part of the KN donor antenna ports, and the N service antenna ports are a part of the KN service antenna ports. The first association relationship is a part of the second association relationship.

[0345] In addition, across the K time unit set, all KN service antenna ports were used once by NCR, and all KN donor antenna ports were also used once by NCR.

[0346] Optionally, "used by NCR once" includes either "used by NCR only once" or "used by NCR at least once". When "used by NCR at least once", the network device can obtain the number of times it was used by NCR, and then perform subsequent calculations based on processing methods such as average values; this will not be elaborated here.

[0347] When NCR is in downlink forwarding mode, the KN service antenna ports are associated one-to-one with the KN donor antenna ports. That is, each of the KN service antenna ports is associated with one of the KN donor antenna ports, and each of the KN donor antenna ports is also associated with one of the KN service antenna ports. This set of KN associations constitutes a second association relationship. In other words, the association relationships between antenna ports in uplink forwarding are the same as those in downlink forwarding.

[0348] Taking N=2, K=2, KN=4 as an example, the NCR has a total of 4 donor antenna ports D0, D1, D2, and D3, and 4 service antenna ports S0, S1, S2, and S3. In the first time unit set, the NCR is in uplink forwarding state, using 2 service antenna ports S0 and S1, and 2 donor antenna ports such as D0 and D1; where S0 is associated with D0, and S1 is associated with D1. The sets of these two associations—S0 and D0, and S1 and D1—constitute the first association relationship. In the second time unit set, the NCR is in uplink forwarding state, using 2 service antenna ports S2 and S3, and 2 donor antenna ports such as D2 and D3; where S2 is associated with D2, and S3 is associated with D3. In summary, the four associations—S0 and D0, S1 and D1, S2 and D3, and S3 and D3—in the two time unit sets of uplink forwarding constitute the second association relationship. In the third time unit set, NCR is in downlink forwarding state, using four donor antenna ports D0, D1, D2, and D3, and four service antenna ports S0, S1, S2, and S3. Here, S0 is associated with D0, S1 with D1, S2 with D2, and S3 with D3, thus maintaining the second association relationship. This ensures that the impact of NCR on the channel is reciprocal in both uplink and downlink forwarding states, further guaranteeing the reciprocity of the uplink and downlink channels.

[0349] Optionally, association includes connection, the first association includes a first connection, and the second association includes a second connection.

[0350] Optionally, the network device may indicate a specific first association and / or second association to the NCR.

[0351] Optionally, the i-th donor antenna port among the N donor antenna ports is associated with the j-th service antenna port among the N service antenna ports in both uplink and downlink forwarding. In uplink forwarding, the gain coefficient from the j-th service antenna port to the i-th donor antenna port is a. i-1 In downlink forwarding, the gain coefficient from the i-th donor antenna port to the j-th service antenna port is a. i-1',a i-1 and a i-1 'Meet at least one of the following conditions: a i-1 and a i-1 The amplitude difference is less than the first amplitude threshold; i-1 and a i-1 The phase difference is less than the first phase threshold; where i and j are both positive integers less than or equal to N. It should be noted that a i-1 a i-1 This is just an example of a tag; other examples are also allowed. For example, a i a i This application does not limit the marking method.

[0352] Optionally, a i-1 and a i-1 'Meet at least one of the following conditions: a i-1 and a i-1 The amplitude difference is less than the first amplitude threshold; i-1 and a i-1 The phase difference is less than the first phase threshold.

[0353] Optionally, the network device can indicate the gain coefficient of each uplink forwarding channel to the NCR. This gain coefficient can be an absolute value or a relative value relative to a reference point. The reference point is selected by the network device, and the specific selection method is not limited in this application. The network device can indicate the gain coefficient of each uplink forwarding channel individually, or it can indicate the gain coefficient of all uplink forwarding channels uniformly.

[0354] Optionally, the network device may indicate to the NCR the gain factor of each uplink forwarding channel, which is the same ratio as the gain factor of the corresponding single downlink forwarding channel in the downlink forwarding state.

[0355] Optionally, the gain coefficient is the same for each uplink forwarding channel in the NCR.

[0356] Optionally, the gain coefficient of each uplink forwarding channel in the NCR is the same, and is the same as the gain coefficient of the single downlink forwarding channel in the corresponding downlink forwarding state.

[0357] Optionally, the network device further indicates that: the N service antenna ports are a part of the KN service antenna ports, and the N donor antenna ports are a part of the KN donor antenna ports; the antenna ports used by NCR are different in different time unit sets.

[0358] Optionally, when each of the K SRS sets is a periodic SRS set, and the periods of the K SRS sets are all the same, the k-th time unit set can be understood as corresponding to the time unit in the first period where the k-th SRS set is located. The first period can be any period. Correspondingly, the (k+1)-th time unit set can be understood as corresponding to the time unit in the first period where the (k+1)-th SRS is located. The periodic SRS set refers to a set in which each SRS is a periodic SRS.

[0359] like Figure 12 As shown, there are K SRS sets, including a first SRS set and a second SRS set. The first SRS set includes SRS0 and SRS1, and the second SRS set includes SRS2 and SRS3. SRS0, SRS1, SRS2, and SRS3 are all periodic SRS sets, and all four have the same period. The period of SRS0 is as follows: Figure 12 As shown in the first line, Figure 12 (a0) represents the first period of SRS0. Figure 12 (b0) represents the second period of SRS0. Figure 12 (c0) represents the third period of SRS0. Figure 12 The ellipses on both sides of the first line indicate other cycles of SRS0; SRS0 includes SRS0 port 0 and SRS0 port 1. The cycle of SRS1 is as follows: Figure 12 As shown in the second line, Figure 12 (d0) represents the first period of SRS1. Figure 12 (e0) represents the second period of SRS1. Figure 12 (f0) represents the third period of SRS1. Figure 12 The ellipses on both sides of the second line indicate other cycles; SRS1 includes SRS1 port 0 and SRS1 port 1.

[0360] The period of SRS2 is as follows Figure 12 As shown in the third line, Figure 12 (a1) represents the first period of SRS2. Figure 12 (b1) represents the second period of SRS2. Figure 12 (c1) represents the third period of SRS2. Figure 12 The ellipses on both sides of the third line indicate other periods of SRS2; SRS2 includes SRS2 port 0 and SRS2 port 1. The period of SRS3 is as follows: Figure 12 As shown in the fourth line, Figure 12 (d1) represents the first period of SRS3. Figure 12 (e1) represents the second period of SRS3. Figure 12(f1) represents the third period of SRS3. Figure 12 The ellipses on both sides of the second line indicate other cycles; SRS3 includes SRS3 port 0 and SRS3 port 1.

[0361] Optionally, the K SRS sets can also include more SRS sets, such as a third SRS set, etc., which are not shown in the figure. Figure 12 In (a0), (d0), (a1), and (d1), the first period of SRS0, the first period of SRS1, the first period of SRS2, and the first period of SRS3 are all the same; Figure 12 In (b0), (e0), (b1), and (e1), the second period of SRS0, the second period of SRS1, the second period of SRS2, and the second period of SRS3 are all the same; the third period of SRS0, the third period of SRS1, the third period of SRS2, and the third period of SRS3 are all the same; ... the others are similar, and will not be elaborated one by one.

[0362] Although the first cycle was Figure 12 As shown in the figure Figure 12 As shown in (a0), (d0), (a1), and (d1), but Figure 12 The other four corresponding diagrams (for example, Figure 12 (b0), (e0), (b1), and (e1) can also be shown as the first period. This application does not limit this.

[0363] Furthermore, a time interval can exist between any two adjacent periods in the first, second, third, and so on cycles; for example, the interval between the first and second cycles is 100 milliseconds (ms). Then, the NCR can simultaneously use the aforementioned N donor antenna ports and N service antenna ports for uplink forwarding in the first time unit set (e.g., the first cycle) of the first, second, third, and so on cycles; the NCR can use another N donor antenna ports and N service antenna ports for uplink forwarding in the second time unit set (e.g., the second cycle) of the first, second, third, and so on cycles; ...; thus, the NCR can use the aforementioned KN donor antenna ports and KN service antenna ports for uplink forwarding in the first, second, third, and so on cycles. The NCR switches antenna ports and performs antenna switching in any one of the first, second, third, and so on cycles.

[0364] During the time interval between any two adjacent cycles in the first cycle, second cycle, third cycle, etc., downlink forwarding is performed using the aforementioned KN donor antenna ports and KN service antenna ports, or no forwarding is performed. This process can be achieved through the aforementioned antenna switching.

[0365] S205. The terminal device sends SRS according to the SRS configuration information; wherein, in the same SRS set, any two SRS are associated with different antenna ports; and in any two SRS sets, the terminal device uses the same antenna port to send the same numbered ports of the SRS with the same order in the two SRS sets.

[0366] Specifically, after receiving the SRS configuration information sent by the network device in S203, the terminal device sends the SRS accordingly based on the SRS configuration information.

[0367] Optionally, the terminal device sends SRS sequentially according to the time unit and frequency unit where the K SRS sets are located.

[0368] Within the same SRS set, any two SRSs are associated with different antenna ports; and within any two SRS sets, the terminal device uses the same antenna port to transmit the same numbered ports of SRSs with the same order in each of the two SRS sets. For example, any SRS set among the K SRS sets is called SRS set. i In, any two SRS such as SRS m and SRS n Associated antenna ports such as antenna port T x and antenna port T y They are different. Furthermore, any two SRS sets in the K SRS sets, such as SRS set SA... i and SRS set SA j The terminal devices use the same antenna port to transmit SA. i The SRSd Porte of the dth SRS, and SA j The SRSd Porte of the d-th SRS. The i, x, y, j, d, and e mentioned above are all used to represent any number within the specified range.

[0369] For example in Figure 13In this configuration, K=2, L=2, J=2. The first SRS set includes SRS0 and SRS1, located in Slot0 and Slot1 respectively; the second SRS set includes SRS2 and SRS3, located in Slot0 and Slot1 respectively. Each SRS contains 2 SRS ports. Since any two SRSs within the same SRS set are associated with different antenna ports, the terminal device uses antenna ports T0 and T1 respectively when transmitting SRS0 Port0 and SRS0 Port1, and antenna ports T2 and T3 respectively when transmitting SRS1 Port0 and SRS1 Port1. Since the terminal device uses the same antenna port to transmit the same numbered ports of the same sorted SRSs in both SRS sets, the antenna port used by the terminal device when transmitting SRS2 Port0 is the same as that used when transmitting SRS0 Port0 (T0); the antenna port used when transmitting SRS2 Port1 is the same as that used when transmitting SRS0 Port1 (T1); the antenna port used when transmitting SRS3 Port0 is the same as that used when transmitting SRS1 Port0 (T2); and the antenna port used when transmitting SRS3 Port1 is the same as that used when transmitting SRS1 Port1 (T3).

[0370] Optionally, when the terminal device transmits KL SRSs, it must satisfy the following condition: when the terminal device uses the same antenna port to transmit any two SRS sets with the same ordered SRSs at the same numbered port, the phase difference between the two cannot exceed a first threshold. For example, the terminal device uses the same antenna port to transmit SRS set SA i The SRSd porte of the d-th SRS, and the SRS set SA j When the SRSd porte of the d-th SRS is reached, the SRS set SA sent by the terminal device is... i The SRSdporte and SRS set SA of the d-th SRS j The phase difference between the SRSd porte of the d-th SRS cannot exceed a first threshold. Examples of the first threshold include 10 degrees or 0.1 radians (RAD). The first threshold can be preset.

[0371] Optionally, when the terminal device transmits KL SRSs, it needs to satisfy the following: When the terminal device transmits the same numbered ports of the same ordered SRSs in each of the K SRS sets using the same antenna port, the terminal device can report to the network device the phase deviation between the phase of the same numbered ports of the same ordered SRSs in each of the subsequent (K-1) SRS sets and the first phase, where the first phase is the phase of the same numbered ports of the same ordered SRSs in the first of the K SRS sets. For example, when a terminal device uses antenna port 0 to transmit the SRS port 0 of the first SRS in each of the K SRS sets, that is, when the terminal device uses antenna port 0 to transmit the SRS1 port 0 under each of the K SRS sets, the terminal device can report to the network device the phase deviation between the phase of the SRS1 port 0 of each of the subsequent (K-1) SRS sets and the first phase, where the first phase is the phase of transmitting the SRS1 port 0 of SRS set 1 in the K SRS sets; similarly, when the terminal device uses antenna port 1 to transmit the SRS port 1 of the first SRS in each of the K SRS sets, when the terminal device uses antenna port 2 to transmit the SRS port 2 of the first SRS in each of the K SRS sets, ..., when the terminal device uses antenna port LJ-1 to transmit the SRS port J-1 of the Lth SRS in each of the K SRS sets, the above method can also be used.

[0372] In other words, network devices do not need to know the first phase; they only need to know the phase deviation of subsequent phases from the first phase. Thus, when obtaining the equivalent downlink channel coefficient matrix (i.e., the equivalent downlink channel coefficient matrix corresponding to KL SRS measurements), the network device needs to add the equivalent downlink channel coefficient matrices obtained from each SRS measurement. Before adding, the network device can remove the phase deviation of the subsequent (K-1) SRS reported by the terminal device for the p-th SRS, where p is a positive integer less than or equal to L (when p=1, it is the first SRS). This results in a more accurate equivalent downlink channel coefficient matrix.

[0373] S206. NCR is in the uplink forwarding state in the K time unit set, and uses N service antenna ports and N donor antenna ports for uplink forwarding in the k-th time unit set. The N service antenna ports are a part of the KN service antenna ports, and the N donor antenna ports are a part of the KN donor antenna ports. The antenna ports used by NCR are different in different time unit sets.

[0374] Optionally, within the same time unit set, the NCR uses the same antenna ports, meaning that the N donor antenna ports and N service antenna ports used by the NCR are the same.

[0375] Optionally, the NCR uses different antenna ports in different time unit sets, meaning that the NCR uses different donor antenna ports and different service antenna ports in different time unit sets. Here, "different" means completely different, i.e., there is no overlap.

[0376] It should be noted that S205 and S206 can run simultaneously without any order of execution. Specifically, within the same time unit set, the SRS set sent by S205 is received and forwarded by the NCR in S206.

[0377] Optionally, each donor antenna port is associated with a service antenna port.

[0378] Optionally, each service antenna port is associated with a donor antenna port.

[0379] Optionally, when the NCR is in downlink forwarding mode, the KN service antenna ports are associated one-to-one with the KN donor antenna ports. That is, each of the KN service antenna ports is associated with one of the KN donor antenna ports, and each of the KN donor antenna ports is also associated with one of the KN service antenna ports. Furthermore, the association relationship between the KN donor antenna ports and the KN service antenna ports in the uplink forwarding mode (i.e., the second association relationship) is the same as the association relationship between the KN donor antenna ports and the KN service antenna ports in the downlink forwarding mode. At this time, any one of the KN donor antenna ports, D... i One of the KN service antenna ports, S j If associated, then the donor antenna port D i With service antenna port S j The phase difference between uplink and downlink forwarding states needs to be kept constant. This is because the donor antenna port D... i For any donor antenna port D i Service antenna port S j To connect with donor antenna port D i The associated service antenna port requires that, in essence, any two associated donor antenna ports and service antenna ports have the same phase difference in both uplink and downlink forwarding states. This ensures reciprocity between the uplink and downlink forwarding channels. Regarding the donor antenna port D... i Service antenna port S jThe association can be determined by the NCR itself, and there is no need to provide feedback or notification to network devices and / or terminal devices.

[0380] S207. The network device receives and measures the SRS accordingly, ultimately obtaining the measurement results of KL SRSs. Based on the measurement results of KL SRSs, the equivalent downlink channel coefficient matrix is ​​determined. This equivalent downlink channel coefficient matrix is ​​the downlink channel coefficient matrix between the network device and the terminal device via the NCR when the NCR is in downlink forwarding state, using KN donor antenna ports and KN service antenna ports.

[0381] Optionally, the network device receives and measures the SRS accordingly. After obtaining the measurement result of the first SRS out of KL SRS measurements, it determines the first equivalent downlink channel coefficient matrix corresponding to the measurement result of the first SRS; after obtaining the measurement result of the second SRS out of KL SRS measurements, it determines the second equivalent downlink channel coefficient matrix corresponding to the measurement result of the second SRS; and so on, until the measurement result of the KLth SRS out of KL SRS measurements is obtained, at which point the KLth equivalent downlink channel coefficient matrix corresponding to the measurement result of the KLth SRS is determined. Then, the KL equivalent downlink channel coefficient matrices are added together to obtain the overall equivalent downlink channel coefficient matrix, which is the equivalent downlink channel coefficient matrix determined based on the measurement results of the KL SRSs.

[0382] Optionally, the network device receives and measures the SRS accordingly. After obtaining the measurement results of all KL SRS, it can sequentially determine the equivalent downlink channel coefficient matrices corresponding to the measurement results of each SRS in the KL SRS measurement results. Then, the matrices are added together to obtain the overall equivalent downlink channel coefficient matrix, which is the equivalent downlink channel coefficient matrix determined based on the measurement results of KL SRS.

[0383] It should be noted that, in the absence of modifiers such as "each", "first", "second", "KLth", etc., the equivalent downlink channel coefficient matrix in this application refers to the overall equivalent downlink channel coefficient matrix, that is, the equivalent downlink channel coefficient matrix when the network control relay device uses KN donor antenna ports and KN service antenna ports for downlink forwarding.

[0384] In the downlink forwarding process, the KN donor antenna ports and KN service antenna ports used by NCR form a channel corresponding to KN downlink forwarding channels.

[0385] Optionally, after S207, the network device can send downlink control information or data information to the terminal device. In this case, the NCR can use KN downlink forwarding channels for forwarding. The NCR is in downlink forwarding state, and each of the KN service antenna ports of the NCR is associated with one of the KN donor antenna ports. That is, each of the KN service antenna ports is associated with one of the KN donor antenna ports, and each of the KN donor antenna ports is also associated with one of the KN service antenna ports. The set of KN associations constitutes the second association relationship.

[0386] At this time, the association relationship (i.e., the maintained second association relationship) of KN donor antenna ports and KN service antenna ports in the downlink forwarding state of NCR is the same as that of KN donor antenna ports and KN service antenna ports in the uplink forwarding state of NCR.

[0387] Optionally, when a network device sends downlink control information or data information to a terminal device, the network device may be unaware of the existence of NCR or the forwarding through NCR.

[0388] Optionally, the gain coefficient of each downlink forwarding channel in the NCR is the same as the ratio of the gain coefficient of the corresponding single uplink forwarding channel in the uplink forwarding state.

[0389] Optionally, the gain coefficient of each downlink forwarding channel in the NCR is the same, and is the same as the gain coefficient of the corresponding single uplink forwarding channel in the corresponding uplink forwarding state.

[0390] To further clarify Figure 11 The rationality of the corresponding technical solution will be discussed below. Figure 13 To further explain from a theoretical perspective. For example, Figure 13 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the principle verification of the communication method provided in Embodiment 2 of this application.

[0391] It should be noted that, for ease of explanation, in Figure 13In this paper, the i-th donor antenna port out of N donor antenna ports is associated with the j-th service antenna port out of N service antenna ports in both uplink and downlink forwarding. The example given is that the gain coefficient from the i-th service antenna port to the j-th donor antenna port in uplink forwarding is the same as the gain coefficient from the j-th donor antenna port to the i-th service antenna port in downlink forwarding. For instance, if donor antenna port D0 and service antenna port S0 are associated in both uplink and downlink forwarding, then the gain coefficient a0' from donor antenna port D0 to service antenna port S0 in uplink forwarding is the same as the gain coefficient a0 from service antenna port S0 to donor antenna port D0 in downlink forwarding. Hereinafter, a0 will be used to represent this. It should be noted that a0 and a0' are merely labeling examples; other labeling examples are also permitted. This application does not limit the labeling method.

[0392] like Figure 13As shown in (a) and (b), the terminal device is configured as 2T4R, i.e., 2 uplink channels and 4 downlink channels. When the terminal is in downlink receiving mode, the 4 downlink channels can correspond to 4 antenna ports T0, T1, T2, and T3; when the terminal is in uplink transmitting mode, the 2 uplink channels correspond to 2 antenna ports. In different time unit sets, the same time units in the same order correspond to the same 2 antenna ports among the 4 antenna ports T0, T1, T2, and T3. For example, the first time unit set includes 2 time units, namely Slot0 and Slot1, and the second time unit set includes 2 time units, namely Slot2 and Slot3. Therefore, the 2 uplink channels are associated with antenna ports T0 and T1 in Slot0 and Slot2, and the 2 uplink channels are associated with antenna ports T2 and T3 in Slot1 and Slot3. Additionally, NCR is also configured as 2T4R, i.e., 2 uplink forwarding channels and 4 downlink forwarding channels. When the NCR is in downlink forwarding mode, the four downlink forwarding channels correspond to four donor antenna ports D0-D3 and four service antenna ports S0-S3; that is, antenna port D0 of the NCR is associated with antenna port S0 of the NCR, and its channel gain coefficient is a0; antenna port D1 of the NCR is associated with antenna port S1 of the NCR, and its channel gain coefficient is a1; antenna port D2 of the NCR is associated with antenna port S2 of the NCR, and its channel gain coefficient is a2; antenna port D3 of the NCR is associated with antenna port S3 of the NCR, and its channel gain coefficient is a3. When the NCR is in uplink forwarding mode, within a time unit set (e.g., a time unit set consisting of Slot 0), the two uplink forwarding channels correspond to two donor antenna ports and two service antenna ports. These two donor antenna ports and two service antenna ports are respectively two donor antenna ports (e.g., D0, D1) out of four donor antenna ports D0-D3 and two service antenna ports (e.g., S0, S1) out of four service antenna ports S0-S3. Specifically, antenna port S0 of the NCR is associated with antenna port D0 of the NCR, and its channel gain coefficient is also a0; antenna port S1 of the NCR is associated with antenna port D1 of the NCR, and its channel gain coefficient is also a1. In another set of time units (e.g., the set of time units consisting of Slot 1), these two uplink forwarding channels correspond to the remaining two donor antenna ports (e.g., D2 and D3) out of the four donor antenna ports D0-D3 and the remaining two service antenna ports (e.g., S2 and S3) out of the four service antenna ports S0-S3. Specifically, antenna port S2 of the NCR is associated with antenna port D2 of the NCR, and its channel gain coefficient is also a2; antenna port S3 of the NCR is associated with antenna port D3 of the NCR, and its channel gain coefficient is also a3.

[0393] In other words, NCR uses four downlink forwarding channels in downlink forwarding mode; in uplink forwarding mode, NCR uses two time unit sets (exemplarily, since the number of downlink forwarding channels in NCR is twice the number of uplink forwarding channels) for uplink forwarding. The association between the donor antenna port and the service antenna port is the same as in downlink forwarding, and the gain coefficient of the corresponding channel is also the same as in downlink forwarding. The network device has one antenna port A0. Each time unit set includes the same number of time units. Exemplarily, a time unit can be a time slot or a symbol.

[0394] It should be noted that network devices can have more antenna ports; and / or, terminal devices can be configured as X1TY1R, i.e., X1 uplink forwarding channels and Y1 downlink forwarding channels, where X1 is not 2 or Y1 is not 4; and / or, NCR can be configured as XTYR, i.e., X uplink forwarding channels and Y downlink forwarding channels, where X is not 2 or Y is not 4; and / or, each time unit set includes L time units, where L is not 2. Optionally, X1 and X can be the same or different. Optionally, Y1 and Y can be the same or different.

[0395] Optionally, Y1 is K times X1, where K is a positive integer greater than 1. Optionally, Y1 is greater than K times X1 and less than (K+1) times X1.

[0396] Optionally, Y is K times X, where K is a positive integer greater than 1. Optionally, Y is greater than K times X and less than (K+1) times X, where K is a positive integer greater than 1.

[0397] It should be noted that, Figure 13 The number of antenna ports of the network device, the number of uplink and downlink forwarding channels of the NCR, the number of uplink and downlink channels of the terminal device, and the number of time units included in each time unit set shown in (a) and (b) are merely illustrative examples to help explain the principle of Embodiment 2 and do not constitute a limitation on the scope of Embodiment 2 of this application.

[0398] like Figure 13 As shown in (a) and (b), the downlink channel gain coefficients from antenna port A0 of the network device to antenna ports D0, D1, D2, and D3 of the NCR are f0, f1, f2, and f3, respectively. The downlink channel gain coefficients from antenna port S0 of the NCR to antenna ports T0, T1, T2, and T3 of the terminal device are g... 0,0 g 0,1 g 0,2 and g 0,3 The downlink channel gain coefficients from antenna port S1 of the NCR to antenna ports T0, T1, T2, and T3 of the terminal device are g, respectively.1,0 g 1,1 g 1,2 and g 1,3 The downlink channel gain coefficients from the NCR's antenna port S2 to the terminal device's antenna ports T0, T1, T2, and T3 are respectively g 2,0 g 2,1 g 2,2 and g 2,3 The downlink channel gain coefficients from the NCR's antenna port S3 to the terminal device's antenna ports T0, T1, T2, and T3 are respectively g 3,0 g 3,1 g 3,2 and g 3,3 .

[0399] like Figure 13 As shown in (a), since all four channels of the NCR forward downlink in downlink forwarding mode, and the terminal device also uses four antenna ports T0, T1, T2, and T3 for reception, the equivalent downlink channel coefficient matrix H0 can be expressed as the superposition of the gain coefficients of each downlink channel, specifically as the equivalent downlink channel coefficient matrix.

[0400] like Figure 13As shown in (b), in the uplink forwarding state, only two service antenna ports and two donor antenna ports participate in uplink forwarding in each time unit set. For example, the network device instructs the NCR to forward using different antennas in two time unit sets. For instance, the network device instructs the NCR to forward uplink using two service antenna ports and two donor antenna ports in the first time unit set (which includes two time slots, Slot0 and Slot1), and to forward uplink using two additional service antenna ports and two additional donor antenna ports in the second time unit set (which includes two time slots, Slot2 and Slot3). The network device also instructs the terminal device to send SRS according to the SRS configuration information in S203 in both the first and second time unit sets. In Slot 0, the terminal device transmits SRS0 port 0 and SRS0 port 1 via antenna ports T0 and T1 respectively. In Slot 1, the terminal device transmits SRS1 port 0 and SRS1 port 1 via antenna ports T2 and T3 respectively. Meanwhile, NCR performs uplink forwarding in both Slot 0 and Slot 1 via antenna ports D0 and S0, and D1 and S1 respectively. In Slot 2, the terminal device transmits SRS2 port 0 and SRS2 port 1 via antenna ports T0 and T1 respectively. In Slot 3, the terminal device transmits SRS3 port 0 and SRS3 port 1 via antenna ports T2 and T3 respectively. Meanwhile, NCR performs uplink forwarding in both Slot 2 and Slot 3 via antenna ports D2 and S2, and D3 and S3 respectively. Therefore, the uplink channel coefficient matrix H1 can be expressed as the superposition of channel coefficient matrices under different antenna forwarding conditions. For example, network devices can determine the uplink channel coefficient matrix h between network devices and terminal antenna ports T0 and T1 when the network control relay device uses antenna ports D0 and S0, and D1 and S1, through SRS measurements within Slot 0. 0,0 Within Slot 1, network devices can determine the uplink channel coefficient matrix h between the network device and terminal antenna ports T2 and T3 when the network control relay device uses antenna ports D0 and S0, and D1 and S1. 0,1 Within Slot 2, network devices can determine the uplink channel coefficient matrix h between the network device and the terminal antenna ports T0 and T1 when the network control relay device uses antenna ports D2 and S2, and D3 and S3. 1,0 Within Slot 3, network devices can determine the uplink channel coefficient matrix h between the network device and the terminal antenna ports T2 and T3 when the network control device uses antenna ports D2 and S2, and D3 and S3, through SRS measurements. 1,1 , where h 0.0 =[f0a0g 0，0 +f1a1g 1，0 ,f0a0g0，1 +f1a1g 1，1 ], h 0.1 =[f0a0g 0，2 +f1a1g 1,2 ,f0a0g 0，3 +f1a1g 1,3 ], h 1.0 =[f2a2g 2,0 +f3a3g 3,0 ,f2a2g 2,1 +f3a3g 3,1 ], h 1.1 =[f2a2g 2,2 +f3a3g 3,2 ,f2a2g 2,3 +f3a3g 3,3 The network device can then sum the four uplink channel coefficient matrices pairwise to determine the equivalent downlink channel coefficient matrix, i.e., H1 = [h 0,0 +h 1,0 ,h 0,1 +h 1,1 ], which can be derived as follows It is equal to H0 above.

[0401] As shown above, the equivalent downlink channel coefficient matrix H0 is the same as the superposition of the uplink channel coefficient matrices for each time unit set in the uplink state. The number of time unit sets is indicated by the network device, which determines the number of time unit sets based on the ratio of the downlink forwarding channels to the uplink forwarding channels in the NCR. Therefore, even when the number of uplink forwarding channels in the NCR differs from the number of downlink forwarding channels, the equivalent downlink channel coefficient matrix H0 can still be obtained by superimposing the uplink channel coefficient matrices for each time unit set in the uplink state.

[0402] Example 2 enables the network device to obtain an accurate equivalent downlink channel coefficient matrix even when the number of uplink forwarding channels in the NCR differs from the number of downlink forwarding channels, and when the number of uplink channels in the terminal device differs from the number of downlink channels. Furthermore, it eliminates the need to adjust the uplink forwarding channels of the NCR, utilizing the existing uplink and downlink forwarding channels of the NCR, resulting in lower costs compared to replacing the NCR.

[0403] It should be noted that in S107 and S207, the network device assumes, in determining the equivalent downlink channel coefficient matrix, that the signal received by the terminal device is the signal transmitted by the network device only after being forwarded by NCR, and does not include the signal directly transmitted from the network device to the terminal device (i.e., the direct path signal), or the signal reflected to the terminal device after being scattered by environmental scatterers. When the above assumptions are not valid, the present invention can combine other methods to determine the equivalent downlink channel coefficient matrix. For example, the network device can close the NCR forwarding channel to measure the equivalent downlink channel coefficient matrix H' from the network device to the terminal device without NCR, and then eliminate the influence of the direct path signal and the signal reflected by scatterers in the stage of integrating the channel coefficient matrix, for example, determining the final equivalent downlink channel coefficient matrix as H0-(K-1)*H'.

[0404] It should be noted that the antenna ports in each solution of this application can be replaced with antennas. For example, the receiving antenna port can be replaced with a receiving antenna, and the transmitting antenna port can be replaced with a transmitting antenna, etc. The replaced technical solutions are also within the scope of this application.

[0405] Unless otherwise specified, all or any part of the above embodiments provided in this application can be freely combined, and the combined technical solutions are also within the scope of this application. The methods provided in the embodiments of this application are applicable to the following electronic devices.

[0406] Figure 14 The illustration shows an electronic device 1400 provided in this application. For example, the electronic device 1400 includes at least one processor 1410 and a memory 1420. The processor 1410 is coupled to the memory 1420. In this embodiment, the coupling can be a communication connection, an electrical connection, or other forms. Specifically, the memory 1420 is used to store program instructions. The processor 1410 is used to call the program instructions stored in the memory 1420, causing the electronic device 1400 to execute the steps performed by the electronic device in the method provided in this embodiment. It should be understood that the electronic device 1400 can be used to implement the method provided in this embodiment; related features can be referred to above and will not be repeated here.

[0407] Electronic device 1400 can be at least one of the network device, network control relay device and terminal device mentioned above.

[0408] Embodiments of this application also provide a chip, which may include an input interface, an output interface, and a processing circuit. In embodiments of this application, the input interface and output interface can be used to complete the interaction of signaling or data, and the processing circuit can be used to generate and process the signaling or data information.

[0409] Embodiments of this application also provide a chip system including a processor for supporting a computing device to implement the functions involved in any of the above embodiments. In one possible design, the chip system may further include a memory for storing necessary program instructions and data, which, when executed by the processor, cause the device on which the chip system is installed to implement the methods involved in any of the above embodiments. Exemplarily, the chip system may consist of one or more chips, or may include chips and other discrete devices.

[0410] Embodiments of this application also provide a processor for coupling with a memory storing instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform the methods and functions involved in any of the above embodiments.

[0411] Embodiments of this application also provide a computer program product containing instructions that, when run on a computer, cause the computer to perform the methods and functions involved in any of the embodiments described above.

[0412] Embodiments of this application also provide a computer-readable storage medium having computer instructions stored thereon, which, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform the methods and functions involved in any of the above embodiments.

[0413] Generally, the various embodiments of this application can be implemented in hardware or dedicated circuitry, software, logic, or any combination thereof. Some aspects can be implemented in hardware, while others can be implemented in firmware or software, which can be executed by a controller, microprocessor, or other computing device. Although various aspects of the embodiments of this application are shown and described as block diagrams, flowcharts, or represented using some other illustrations, it should be understood that the blocks, apparatuses, systems, techniques, or methods described herein can be implemented as, as non-limiting examples, in hardware, software, firmware, dedicated circuitry or logic, general-purpose hardware or controllers or other computing devices, or some combination thereof.

[0414] This application also provides at least one computer program product tangibly stored on a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium. The computer program product includes computer-executable instructions, such as instructions included in program modules, which execute in a device on a target real or virtual processor to perform the processes / methods as described above with reference to the accompanying drawings. Typically, program modules include routines, programs, libraries, objects, classes, components, data structures, etc., that perform specific tasks or implement specific abstract data types. In various embodiments, the functionality of program modules can be combined or divided among program modules as needed. The machine-executable instructions for the program modules can execute within a local or distributed device. In a distributed device, the program modules can reside in both local and remote storage media.

[0415] The computer program code used to implement the methods of this application may be written in one or more programming languages. This computer program code may be provided to the processor of a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, or other programmable data processing device, such that when executed by the computer or other programmable data processing device, the program code causes the functions / operations specified in the flowcharts and / or block diagrams to be implemented. The program code may be executed entirely on a computer, partially on a computer, as a stand-alone software package, partially on a computer and partially on a remote computer, or entirely on a remote computer or server.

[0416] In the context of this application, computer program code or related data may be included by any suitable carrier to enable a device, apparatus, or processor to perform the various processes and operations described above. Examples of carriers include signals, computer-readable media, and so on. Examples of signals may include electrical, optical, radio, sound, or other forms of propagation signals, such as carrier waves, infrared signals, etc.

[0417] A computer-readable medium can be any tangible medium that contains or stores a program for or relating to an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device. A computer-readable medium can be a computer-readable signal medium or a computer-readable storage medium. A computer-readable medium can be, but is not limited to, electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor systems, apparatus, or devices, or any suitable combination thereof. More detailed examples of computer-readable storage media include electrical connections with one or more wires, portable computer disks, hard disks, random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or flash memory), optical storage devices, magnetic storage devices, or any suitable combination thereof.

[0418] Furthermore, although the operation of the method of this application is described in a specific order in the accompanying drawings, this does not require or imply that the operations must be performed in that specific order, or that all the operations shown must be performed to achieve the desired result. On the contrary, the steps depicted in the flowchart can be performed in a different order. Additionally or alternatively, certain steps may be omitted, multiple steps may be combined into one step, and / or one step may be broken down into multiple steps. It should also be noted that the features and functions of two or more devices according to this application can be embodied in one device. Conversely, the features and functions of one device described above can be further divided and embodied by multiple devices.

[0419] In this application, as used in the specification and appended claims, the singular expressions “a,” “the,” “the,” “the,” and “this” are intended to include expressions such as “one or more,” unless the context explicitly indicates otherwise. It should also be understood that in the following embodiments of this application, “at least one” and “one or more” refer to one or more (including two). The term “and / or” is used to describe 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, or B alone, where A and B can be singular or plural. The character “ / ” generally indicates that the preceding and following related objects are in an “or” relationship.

[0420] References to "one embodiment" or "some embodiments" in this specification mean that one or more embodiments of this application include a specific feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with that embodiment. Therefore, the phrases "in one embodiment," "in some embodiments," "in other embodiments," "in still other embodiments," etc., appearing in different parts of this specification do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, but rather mean "one or more, but not all, embodiments," unless otherwise specifically emphasized. The terms "comprising," "including," "having," and variations thereof mean "including but not limited to," unless otherwise specifically emphasized. The term "connection" includes direct connections and indirect connections, unless otherwise stated. "First" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features indicated.

[0421] In the embodiments of this application, the words "exemplarily" or "for example" are used to indicate examples, illustrations, or explanations. Any embodiment or design described as "exemplarily" or "for example" in the embodiments of this application should not be construed as being more preferred or advantageous than other embodiments or design solutions. Specifically, the use of the words "exemplarily" or "for example" is intended to present the relevant concepts in a specific manner.

[0422] The various implementations of this application have been described above. These descriptions are exemplary and not exhaustive, nor are they limited to the disclosed implementations. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the described implementations. The terminology used herein is chosen to well explain the principles, practical applications, or improvements to technology in the market, or to enable others skilled in the art to understand the various implementations disclosed herein.

Claims

1. A communication method applied to a network control relay device, characterized by, The network control relay device includes KN donor antenna ports and KN service antenna ports, and the method includes: The network control relay device performs uplink forwarding on K time unit sets; wherein, on any one of the K time unit sets, i.e., the k-th time unit set, the network control relay device uses N service antenna ports and N donor antenna ports for uplink forwarding; wherein, the N service antenna ports are a part of the KN service antenna ports, and the N donor antenna ports are a part of the KN donor antenna ports; In any two time unit sets of the K time unit sets, the donor antenna port used by the network control relay device is different, and the service antenna port used by the network control relay device is also different. Where K is a positive integer greater than 1, N is a positive integer greater than or equal to 1, k is any integer greater than 0 and less than or equal to K, and KN represents the product of K and N.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein, The N donor antenna ports are associated one-to-one with the N service antenna ports, thus forming N associations, and the set of the N associations constitutes a first association relationship; the KN service antenna ports are associated one-to-one with the KN donor antenna ports, thus forming KN associations, and the set of the KN associations constitutes a second association relationship; the first association relationship is a part of the second association relationship.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein, When the network control relay device performs downlink forwarding, it uses the KN service antenna ports and the KN donor antenna ports; wherein the KN service antenna ports and the KN donor antenna ports still maintain the second association relationship.

4. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that, The i-th donor antenna port among the N donor antenna ports is associated with the j-th service antenna port among the N service antenna ports in both uplink and downlink forwarding. In uplink forwarding, the gain coefficient from the j-th service antenna port to the i-th donor antenna port is... In downlink forwarding, the gain coefficient from the i-th donor antenna port to the j-th service antenna port is: , and At least one of the following conditions must be met: and The amplitude difference is less than the first amplitude threshold; and The phase difference is less than the first phase threshold; Where i and j are both positive integers less than or equal to N.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1-4, characterized in that, The N donor antenna ports and the N service antenna ports correspond to N uplink forwarding channels, and the KN donor antenna ports and the KN service antenna ports correspond to KN downlink forwarding channels.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1-4, characterized in that, In any two time unit sets of the K time unit sets, the network control relay device uses different service antenna ports, and the network control relay device also uses different donor service antenna ports, including: In any two time unit sets of the K time unit sets, the service antenna ports used by the network control relay device are completely different and have no overlap; the donor service antenna ports used by the network control relay device are also completely different and have no overlap.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1-4, characterized in that, In the set of K time units, all KN service antenna ports have been used once by the network control relay device, and all KN donor antenna ports have also been used once by the network control relay device.

8. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that, All KN service antenna ports have been used once by the network control relay device, and all KN donor antenna ports have also been used once by the network control relay device, including: Each of the KN service antenna ports has been used only once by the network control relay device, and each of the KN donor antenna ports has also been used only once by the network control relay device.

9. The method according to any one of claims 1-4 and 8, characterized in that, Before the network control relay device performs uplink forwarding on the K time unit sets, the method further includes: The network control relay device receives an instruction from a network device, which instructs the network control relay device to perform uplink forwarding over a set of K time units.

10. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that, The instruction information also instructs the network control relay device to perform uplink forwarding using the N service antenna ports and the N donor antenna ports on the kth time unit set within the K time unit set.

11. The method according to claim 10, characterized in that, Before the network control relay device receives the indication information from the network device, the method further includes: The network control relay device sends capability indication information to the network device, the capability indication information indicating to the network device that: when forwarding uplink, the network control relay device can use N of the KN donor antenna ports and N of the KN service antenna ports; and when forwarding downlink, the network control relay device can use the KN donor antenna ports and the KN service antenna ports.

12. The method according to any one of claims 1-4, 8 and 10, characterized in that, The network control relay device performs uplink forwarding on the K time unit sets, including: The network control relay device receives K probe reference signals or a set of K probe reference signals from the terminal device at the K time unit set, and forwards them uplink.

13. The method according to any one of claims 1-4, 8 and 10, characterized in that, The network control relay device performs uplink forwarding using N service antenna ports and N donor antenna ports in any one of the K time unit sets, i.e., the kth time unit set, including: The network control relay device receives the kth probe reference signal or the kth probe reference signal set from the terminal device using the N service antenna ports in any of the K time unit sets, i.e., the kth time unit set, and transmits the kth probe reference signal or the kth probe reference signal set to the network device using the N donor antenna ports.

14. The method according to claim 13, characterized in that, The network control relay device is associated with the terminal device.

15. A communication method applied to a terminal device, characterized in that, The method includes: The terminal device transmits K probe reference signals on K time unit sets; wherein, the terminal device transmits the kth probe reference signal among the K probe reference signals on any one of the K time unit sets, i.e., the kth time unit set, the kth time unit set corresponds to the kth time unit set in any one of claims 1-14, and the kth probe reference signal includes J probe reference signal ports; wherein, any two probe reference signals among the K probe reference signals are located on two different time unit sets, K is a positive integer greater than 1, k is any integer greater than 0 and less than or equal to K, and J is a positive integer greater than or equal to 1.

16. The method according to claim 15, characterized in that, The J probe reference signal ports of the k-th probe reference signal are located in the same time unit.

17. The method according to claim 15 or 16, characterized in that, Before the terminal device transmits K probe reference signals over a set of K time units, the method further includes: The terminal device receives probe reference signal configuration information from the network device. The probe reference signal configuration information is used to configure the K probe reference signals and the time unit set where each probe reference signal is located. Each probe reference signal includes J probe reference signal ports, and different probe reference signals are located on different time unit sets.

18. The method according to claim 17, characterized in that, The detection reference signal configuration information is also used to configure the time unit of each detection reference signal port.

19. The method according to claim 18, characterized in that, The detection reference signal configuration information is also used to configure the frequency unit where each detection reference signal or each detection reference signal port is located.

20. The method according to claim 18 or 19, characterized in that, When transmitting data uplink, the terminal device can use X uplink antenna ports; where J is a positive integer less than or equal to X.

21. The method according to claim 18 or 19, characterized in that, Before the terminal device receives the probe reference signal configuration information from the network device, the method further includes: The terminal device indicates to the network device that it can use X antenna ports during uplink transmission.

22. The method according to claim 19, characterized in that, The kth time unit set corresponds to the kth time unit set in any one of claims 1-14, including: the kth time unit set is the same as the kth time unit set in any one of claims 1-14.

23. The method according to claim 22, characterized in that, The phase difference between any two detection reference signals of the same order in any two of the K detection reference signal sets does not exceed the first threshold.

24. A communication method applied to a terminal device, characterized in that, The method includes: The terminal device transmits K sets of probe reference signals on K sets of time units; wherein, the terminal device transmits the kth set of probe reference signals in any one of the K sets of time units, i.e., the kth set of time units, the kth set of time units corresponds to the kth set of time units in any one of claims 1-14, the kth set of probe reference signals includes L probe reference signals, each probe reference signal including J probe reference signal ports; wherein, any two probe reference signals in the kth set of probe reference signals are located on two different sets of time units, and the antenna ports associated with the two probe reference signals are different; in any two sets of probe reference signals in the K sets of probe reference signals, the terminal device uses the same antenna port to transmit the same numbered probe reference signal ports of the probe reference signals with the same order in each of the two sets of probe reference signals; K is a positive integer greater than 1, k is any integer greater than 0 and less than or equal to K, L is a positive integer greater than or equal to 1, and J is a positive integer greater than or equal to 1.

25. The method according to claim 24, characterized in that, Before the terminal device transmits K sets of probe reference signals over K time unit sets, the method further includes: The terminal device receives probe reference signal configuration information from the network device. The probe reference signal configuration information is used to configure the K sets of probe reference signals and the time unit set where each probe reference signal is located. Each set of probe reference signals includes L probe reference signals, each probe reference signal includes J probe reference signal ports, and any two probe reference signals in the kth set of probe reference signals are located in two different time units.

26. The method according to claim 24 or 25, characterized in that, The detection reference signal configuration information is also used to configure the frequency unit where each detection reference signal or each detection reference signal port is located.

27. The method according to claim 24, characterized in that, The terminal device can use X antenna ports during uplink transmission and Y antenna ports during downlink transmission. The X antenna ports are a subset of the Y antenna ports, where Y is a positive integer greater than or equal to 1 and X is a positive integer less than or equal to Y.

28. The method according to claim 24, characterized in that, Before the terminal device receives the probe reference signal configuration information from the network device, the method further includes: The terminal device sends an instruction to the network device: the terminal device can use X antenna ports during uplink transmission, and the terminal device can use Y antenna ports during downlink transmission, wherein the X antenna ports are a subset of the Y antenna ports; where Y is a positive integer greater than or equal to 1, and X is a positive integer less than or equal to Y.

29. The method according to claim 24, characterized in that, The J probe reference signal ports of any probe reference signal in the k-th probe reference signal set are located in the same time unit.

30. The method according to claim 24, characterized in that, The kth time unit set corresponds to the kth time unit set in any one of claims 1-14, including: the kth time unit set is the same as the kth time unit set in any one of claims 1-14.

31. The method according to claim 24, characterized in that, The phase difference between any two detection reference signals of the same order in any two of the K detection reference signal sets does not exceed the first threshold.

32. A communication method applied to a network device, characterized in that, The network device learns that: the terminal device can use X antenna ports during uplink transmission, the network control relay device can use N donor antenna ports and N service antenna ports during uplink forwarding, and the network control relay device can use KN donor antenna ports and KN service antenna ports during downlink forwarding; the method includes: The network device sends an instruction message to the network control relay device, the instruction message instructing the network control relay device to perform uplink forwarding on K time unit sets; wherein, the instruction message instructs the network control relay device to use the N donor antenna ports and the N service antenna ports for uplink forwarding on any one of the K time unit sets, i.e., the k-th time unit set; wherein, the N donor antenna ports are a part of the KN donor antenna ports, and the N service antenna ports are a part of the KN service antenna ports; The network device receives K probe reference signals or a set of K probe reference signals from the terminal device through the network control relay device at the K time unit set. The network device determines the equivalent downlink channel coefficient matrix from the network device to the terminal device via the network control relay device based on the measurement results of the K probe reference signals or the set of K probe reference signals. When receiving K probe reference signals from the terminal device, the kth probe reference signal among the K probe reference signals is located on the kth time unit set; or... When receiving K sets of probe reference signals from the terminal device, the kth set of probe reference signals in the K sets of probe reference signals is located on the kth time unit set, wherein each set of probe reference signals contains L probe reference signals, where L is a positive integer greater than or equal to 1; Where X and N are both positive integers greater than or equal to 1, K is a positive integer greater than 1, k is any integer less than or equal to K, and KN represents the product of K and N.

33. The method according to claim 32, characterized in that, The indication information instructs the network control relay device to perform uplink forwarding using the N donor antenna ports and the N service antenna ports in any one of the K time unit sets, i.e., the kth time unit set, including: The instruction information instructs the network control relay device to use N service antenna ports and N donor antenna ports for uplink forwarding in the k-th time unit set; wherein, in any two time unit sets of the K time unit sets, the service antenna ports used by the network control relay device are different, and the donor service antenna ports used by the network control relay device are also different.

34. The method according to claim 32 or 33, characterized in that, The indication information also indicates that different ports of one of the L probe reference signals are located in the same time unit.

35. The method according to claim 32, characterized in that, In the case of receiving K detection reference signals from the terminal device, the method further includes: Before the network device sends the indication information to the network control relay device, the network device sends the probe reference signal configuration information to the terminal device. The probe reference signal configuration information is used to configure K probe reference signals and the time unit set where each probe reference signal is located. Each probe reference signal includes J probe reference signal ports. Different probe reference signals are located in different time units, and J is a positive integer less than or equal to X.

36. The method according to claim 32, characterized in that, In the case of receiving K sets of detection reference signals from the terminal device, the method further includes: Before the network device sends indication information to the network control relay device, the network device sends probe reference signal configuration information to the terminal device. The probe reference signal configuration information is used to configure K probe reference signal sets and the time unit set where each probe reference signal set is located, thereby configuring K probe reference signal sets. Each probe reference signal set includes L probe reference signals, each probe reference signal includes J probe reference signal ports, and different probe reference signal sets are located on different time unit sets, where J is a positive integer less than or equal to X.

37. The method according to claim 35 or 36, characterized in that, The detection reference signal configuration information is also used to configure the time unit of each detection reference signal port.

38. The method according to claim 35, characterized in that, The detection reference signal configuration information is also used to configure the frequency unit where each detection reference signal or each detection reference signal port is located.

39. The method according to claim 35, characterized in that, Before the network device sends the probe reference signal configuration information to the terminal device, the network device learns that the terminal device can use X antenna ports during uplink transmission.

40. The method according to claim 39, characterized in that, The network device learns that the terminal device can use X antenna ports during uplink transmission, including: The network device receives first capability indication information from the terminal device, the first capability indication information indicating to the network device that the terminal device can use X antenna ports during uplink transmission.

41. The method according to claim 35, characterized in that, Before the network device sends the probe reference signal configuration information to the terminal device, the network device learns that the network control relay device can use N donor antenna ports and N service antenna ports during uplink forwarding, and that the network control relay device can use KN donor antenna ports and KN service antenna ports during downlink forwarding.

42. The method according to claim 41, characterized in that, The network device learns that the network control relay device can use N donor antenna ports and N service antenna ports during uplink forwarding, and that the network control relay device can use KN donor antenna ports and KN service antenna ports during downlink forwarding, including: The network device receives a second capability indication information from the network control relay device. The second capability indication information indicates to the network device that the network control relay device can use KN donor antenna ports and KN service antenna ports during downlink forwarding, and that the network control relay device can use N of the KN donor antenna ports and N of the KN service antenna ports during uplink forwarding.

43. The method according to claim 32, characterized in that, The terminal device is associated with the network control relay device.

44. The method according to claim 32, characterized in that, The phase difference between any two of the K detection reference signals does not exceed a first threshold, or the phase difference between any two detection reference signals of the same order in the K detection reference signal set does not exceed the first threshold.

45. The method according to claim 32, characterized in that, One of the K time unit sets includes one or more time units, and the time unit includes a time slot or a symbol.

46. ​​The method according to claim 32, characterized in that, The K time unit sets include at least two time unit sets, and the two time unit sets include the same number of time units.

47. The method according to claim 32, characterized in that, The network device determines the equivalent downlink channel coefficient matrix from the network device to the terminal device via the network relay device based on the K probe reference signals. for: in, It is an M-row, J-column matrix, where M is the number of antenna ports of the network device. Indicates the first In a set of time units, when the network control relay device uses the N donor antenna ports and the N service antenna ports for uplink forwarding, the M antenna ports of the network device send the first... The uplink channel coefficient matrix between the J antenna ports of the probe reference signal, the network device according to the measurement of the first... Each detection reference signal is determined. ; Alternatively, the network device determines the equivalent downlink channel coefficient matrix from the network device to the terminal device via the network relay device based on the K sets of probe reference signals. for: in, It is an M-row, J-column matrix, where M is the number of antenna ports of the network device. Indicates the first In a set of time units, when the network control relay device uses the N donor antenna ports and the N service antenna ports for uplink forwarding, the M antenna ports of the network device send the first... In the set of detection reference signals, the first The uplink channel coefficient matrix between the J antenna ports of the reference signals is determined by the network device based on the l-th reference signal in the (k+1)-th set of probe reference signals. .

48. A network control relay device, the network control relay device comprising a processor and a memory, the memory storing a computer program that, when executed by the processor, causes the network control relay device to perform the method as described in any one of claims 1-14.

49. A terminal device comprising a processor and a memory, the memory storing a computer program that, when executed by the processor, causes the terminal device to perform the method as described in any one of claims 15-31.

50. A network device comprising a processor and a memory, the memory storing a computer program that, when executed by the processor, causes the network device to perform the method as described in any one of claims 32-47.

51. A computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program or instructions, characterized in that, When the computer program or instructions are run, the method described in any one of claims 1-14 is performed.

52. A computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program or instructions, characterized in that, When the computer program or instructions are run, the method described in any one of claims 15-31 is performed.

53. A computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program or instructions, characterized in that, When the computer program or instructions are run, the method described in any one of claims 32-47 is performed.

54. A computer program product, comprising a computer program or instructions, characterized in that, When the computer program or instructions are run, the method described in any one of claims 1-14 is performed.

55. A computer program product, comprising a computer program or instructions, characterized in that, When the computer program or instructions are executed, the method described in any one of claims 15-31 is performed.

56. A computer program product, comprising a computer program or instructions, characterized in that, When the computer program or instructions are executed, the method described in any one of claims 32-47 is performed.

57. A chip comprising a processor and a memory coupled to the processor, characterized in that, The memory stores computer programs or instructions, and the chip is located within a network relay device. When the processor executes the computer programs or instructions, the method described in any one of claims 1-14 is performed.

58. A chip comprising a processor and a memory coupled to the processor, characterized in that, The memory stores a computer program or instructions, the chip is located within a network device, and when the processor executes the computer program or instructions, the method described in any one of claims 15-31 is performed.

59. A chip comprising a processor and a memory coupled to the processor, characterized in that, The memory stores a computer program or instructions, the chip is located within a network device, and when the processor executes the computer program or instructions, the method described in any one of claims 32-47 is performed.

60. A communication system, characterized in that, The communication system includes a network device, a network relay control device, and a terminal device. The network relay control device is used to perform the method as described in any one of claims 1-14. The terminal device is used to perform the method as described in any one of claims 15-31. The network device is used to perform the method as described in any one of claims 32-47.

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