Method and apparatus for transmitting downlink signals

Abstract

The application discloses a transmission method and device of a downlink signal, and is used for solving the problem that transmission of a demodulation reference signal consumes transmission resources. The method comprises the following steps: a network device sends a downlink control channel and a first demodulation reference signal to a terminal device, the first demodulation reference signal is associated with the downlink control channel, the downlink control channel is used for scheduling a downlink data channel, and the first demodulation reference signal is used for demodulating the downlink control channel and the downlink data channel; and the network device sends the downlink data channel to the terminal device.

Description

Technical Field

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

[0002] In wireless communication systems, wireless signal transmission is affected by channel fading, and the receiver needs channel information to recover the channel. Generally, the receiver can obtain channel information by using a demodulation reference signal (DMRS), and then demodulate the wireless signal carried by the channel.

[0003] Currently, downlink signals are typically associated with a DMRS (Digital Modulation Support Stream), such as downlink data channels and downlink control channels, each with its associated DMRS. During downlink transmission, the associated DMRS must be sent along with each different downlink signal so that the receiving end can demodulate the downlink signal transmitted along with that DMRS. DMRS occupy resource elements, consume transmission resources, and incur significant signaling overhead. Summary of the Invention

[0004] This application provides a method and apparatus for transmitting downlink signals, aiming to achieve the multiplexing of demodulation reference signals, thereby reducing the consumption of transmission resources and signaling overhead.

[0005] In a first aspect, this application provides a method for transmitting downlink signals, comprising: a network device transmitting a downlink control channel and a first demodulation reference signal to a terminal device, wherein the first demodulation reference signal is associated with the downlink control channel, the downlink control channel is used to schedule a downlink data channel, and the first demodulation reference signal is used to demodulate the downlink control channel and the downlink data channel; and the network device transmitting the downlink data channel to the terminal device. By setting a demodulation reference signal associated with the downlink control channel, it can be used to demodulate the downlink data channel, thereby realizing the multiplexing of the demodulation reference signal, reducing the consumption of transmission resources and signaling overhead.

[0006] In one optional implementation, one or more of the following conditions are satisfied: the downlink control channel and the downlink data channel use the same transmission mode; the second demodulation reference signal associated with the downlink control channel and the downlink data channel uses the same transmission mode; the first demodulation reference signal and the downlink data channel use the same transmission mode; and the first demodulation reference signal and the second demodulation reference signal associated with the downlink data channel use the same transmission mode. By setting the transmission mode of the downlink data channel, its scheduling downlink control channel, and the demodulation reference signal associated with the downlink control channel to be the same, the demodulation reference signal associated with the downlink control channel can be used to demodulate the downlink data channel, thus achieving multiplexing of the demodulation reference signal.

[0007] In one optional implementation, the method further includes: the network device sending first indication information to the terminal device, the first indication information indicating one or more of the following: the downlink control channel and the downlink data channel use the same transmission mode; the second demodulation reference signal associated with the downlink control channel and the downlink data channel uses the same transmission mode; the first demodulation reference signal and the downlink data channel use the same transmission mode; the first demodulation reference signal and the second demodulation reference signal associated with the downlink data channel use the same transmission mode.

[0008] In this application, the network device notifies the terminal device via a first indication message that the downlink data channel, its scheduling downlink control channel, and the demodulation reference signal associated with the downlink control channel are transmitted in the same manner, thereby achieving multiplexing of the demodulation reference signal. The terminal device can demodulate the downlink data channel according to the demodulation reference signal associated with the downlink control channel. This eliminates the need for the network device to send the demodulation reference signal associated with the downlink control channel, reducing transmission resource consumption and signaling overhead.

[0009] In one alternative implementation, the same transmission method includes the same transmission resources, the same precoding, and the same precoding granularity.

[0010] In one optional implementation, the method further includes: the network device sending a second demodulation reference signal associated with the downlink data channel to the terminal device. In this manner, the terminal device can combine the first demodulation reference signal and the second demodulation reference signal to demodulate the downlink data channel, thereby improving the detection performance of the downlink data channel.

[0011] In an optional implementation, the method further includes: the network device sending second indication information to the terminal device, the second indication information indicating the time-domain resource location and / or frequency-domain resource location occupied by the second demodulation reference signal. In this way, the time-frequency resource location of the second demodulation reference signal is directly and explicitly indicated to the terminal device.

[0012] In an optional implementation, the method further includes: the network device sending second indication information to the terminal device, the second indication information including information for indicating a first time-domain offset; wherein, the first time-domain offset is used to characterize the distance between the time-domain resource location of the second demodulation reference signal and the time-domain resource location of the downlink control channel (e.g., the start position or end position of the time-domain resource of the downlink control channel), or the first time-domain offset is used to characterize the distance between the time-domain resource location of the second demodulation reference signal and the time-domain resource location of the first demodulation reference signal, or the first time-domain offset is used to characterize the distance between the time-domain resource location of the second demodulation reference signal and the start position (or end position) of the time-domain resource of the downlink data channel. In this way, the time-domain resource location of the second demodulation reference signal can be indirectly or implicitly indicated to the terminal device, and the terminal device can determine the location of the second demodulation reference signal based on the time-domain resource location of the first demodulation reference signal / downlink control channel combined with the first time-domain offset.

[0013] In an optional implementation, the method further includes: the network device sending third indication information to the terminal device, the third indication information indicating one or more of the precoding granularity of the downlink control channel, the precoding granularity of the first demodulation reference signal, the precoding granularity of the downlink data channel, and the precoding granularity of the second demodulation reference signal; wherein the second demodulation reference signal is associated with the downlink data channel. In this way, the terminal device can demodulate part or all of the downlink data channel transmitted by the network device according to the third indication information and the first demodulation reference signal, realizing the multiplexing of the demodulation reference signal, reducing the transmission resources occupied by the second demodulation reference signal associated with the downlink data channel, and reducing signaling overhead.

[0014] In one optional implementation, the precoding granularity of the downlink control channel is related to the precoding granularity of the downlink data channel; or, the precoding granularity of the downlink control channel is related to the precoding granularity of the second demodulation reference signal; or, the precoding granularity of the first demodulation reference signal is related to the precoding granularity of the downlink data channel; or, the precoding granularity of the first demodulation reference signal is related to the precoding granularity of the second demodulation reference signal.

[0015] Secondly, this application provides a method for transmitting downlink signals, comprising: a terminal device receiving a downlink control channel and a first demodulation reference signal from a network device, wherein the first demodulation reference signal is associated with the downlink control channel, the downlink control channel is used to schedule a downlink data channel, and the first demodulation reference signal is used to demodulate the downlink control channel and the downlink data channel; the terminal device demodulating the downlink control channel according to the first demodulation reference signal; and the terminal device receiving the downlink data channel from the network device and demodulating the downlink data channel according to the first demodulation reference signal. By setting a demodulation reference signal associated with the downlink control channel, it can be used to demodulate the downlink data channel, thereby realizing the multiplexing of the demodulation reference signal, reducing the consumption of transmission resources and signaling overhead.

[0016] In one optional implementation, when the terminal device receives a downlink control channel from the network device and receives (acquires) the downlink data channel from the network device based on the downlink control channel, it first demodulates the downlink control channel and the downlink data channel respectively according to the first demodulation reference signal; or, the terminal device may first receive the downlink control channel from the network device, that is, demodulate the downlink control channel first according to the first demodulation reference signal, and then receive (acquire) the downlink data channel from the network device based on the control information in the downlink control channel, and demodulate the downlink data channel according to the first demodulation reference signal.

[0017] In one optional implementation, one or more of the following conditions are satisfied: the downlink control channel and the downlink data channel use the same transmission mode; the second demodulation reference signal associated with the downlink control channel and the downlink data channel uses the same transmission mode; the first demodulation reference signal and the downlink data channel use the same transmission mode; and the first demodulation reference signal and the second demodulation reference signal associated with the downlink data channel use the same transmission mode. By setting the transmission mode of the downlink data channel, its scheduling downlink control channel, and the demodulation reference signal associated with the downlink control channel to be the same, the demodulation reference signal associated with the downlink control channel can be used to demodulate the downlink data channel, thus achieving multiplexing of the demodulation reference signal.

[0018] In one optional implementation, the method further includes: the terminal device receiving first indication information from the network device, the first indication information indicating one or more of the following: the downlink control channel and the downlink data channel use the same transmission mode; the second demodulation reference signal associated with the downlink control channel and the downlink data channel uses the same transmission mode; the first demodulation reference signal and the downlink data channel use the same transmission mode; the first demodulation reference signal and the second demodulation reference signal associated with the downlink data channel use the same transmission mode.

[0019] In this application, the network device notifies the terminal device via a first indication message that the downlink data channel, its scheduling downlink control channel, and the demodulation reference signal associated with the downlink control channel are transmitted in the same manner, thereby achieving multiplexing of the demodulation reference signal. The terminal device can demodulate the downlink data channel according to the demodulation reference signal associated with the downlink control channel. This eliminates the need for the network device to send the demodulation reference signal associated with the downlink control channel, reducing transmission resource consumption and signaling overhead.

[0020] In one alternative implementation, the same transmission method includes the same transmission resources, the same precoding, and the same precoding granularity.

[0021] In one optional implementation, the method further includes: the terminal device receiving a second demodulation reference signal associated with the downlink data channel from the network device; and the terminal device demodulating the downlink data channel based on the first demodulation reference signal and the second demodulation reference signal. In this manner, the terminal device can combine the first demodulation reference signal and the second demodulation reference signal to demodulate the downlink data channel, thereby improving the detection performance of the downlink data channel.

[0022] In one optional implementation, the method further includes: receiving second indication information from the network device, the second indication information indicating the time-domain resource location and / or frequency-domain resource location occupied by the second demodulation reference signal. In this way, the time-frequency resource location of the second demodulation reference signal is directly and explicitly indicated to the terminal device.

[0023] In an optional implementation, the method further includes: receiving second indication information from the network device, the second indication information including information for indicating a first time-domain offset; wherein the first time-domain offset is used to characterize the distance between the time-domain resource location of the second demodulation reference signal and the time-domain resource location of the downlink control channel (e.g., the start position or end position of the time-domain resource of the downlink control channel), or the first time-domain offset is used to characterize the distance between the time-domain resource location of the second demodulation reference signal and the time-domain resource location of the first demodulation reference signal, or the first time-domain offset is used to characterize the distance between the time-domain resource location of the second demodulation reference signal and the start position (or end position) of the time-domain resource of the downlink data channel. In this way, the time-domain resource location of the second demodulation reference signal can be indirectly or implicitly indicated to the terminal device, and the terminal device can determine the location of the second demodulation reference signal based on the time-domain resource location of the first demodulation reference signal / downlink control channel combined with the first time-domain offset.

[0024] In an optional implementation, the method further includes: the terminal device receiving third indication information from the network device, the third indication information indicating one or more of the precoding granularity of the downlink control channel, the precoding granularity of the first demodulation reference signal, the precoding granularity of the downlink data channel, and the precoding granularity of the second demodulation reference signal; wherein the second demodulation reference signal is associated with the downlink data channel. In this way, the terminal device can demodulate part or all of the downlink data channel transmitted by the network device according to the third indication information and the first demodulation reference signal, realizing the multiplexing of the demodulation reference signal, reducing the transmission resources occupied by the second demodulation reference signal associated with the downlink data channel, and reducing signaling overhead.

[0025] In one optional implementation, the precoding granularity of the downlink control channel is related to the precoding granularity of the downlink data channel; or, the precoding granularity of the downlink control channel is related to the precoding granularity of the second demodulation reference signal; or, the precoding granularity of the first demodulation reference signal is related to the precoding granularity of the downlink data channel; or, the precoding granularity of the first demodulation reference signal is related to the precoding granularity of the second demodulation reference signal.

[0026] In one optional implementation, the terminal device demodulates the downlink data channel according to the first demodulation reference signal, comprising: the terminal device demodulating part or all of the downlink data channel transmitted by the network device according to the first demodulation reference signal and the third indication information.

[0027] In one optional implementation, the terminal device demodulates part or all of the downlink data channel transmitted by the network device according to the first demodulation reference signal and the third indication information, including: the terminal device determines the transmission mode of the downlink data channel and the transmission mode of the first demodulation reference signal according to the third indication information and the downlink control channel demodulated by the first demodulation reference signal; wherein the downlink data channel and the second demodulation reference signal adopt the same transmission mode, the first demodulation reference signal and the downlink control channel adopt the same transmission mode, and the transmission mode includes precoding, precoding granularity, and transmission resources.

[0028] If the transmission mode of the downlink data channel is entirely the same as the transmission mode of the first demodulation reference signal, then the terminal device demodulates all of the downlink data channel according to the first demodulation reference signal; if the transmission mode of the downlink data channel is partially the same as the transmission mode of the first demodulation reference signal, then the terminal device demodulates a portion of the downlink data channel according to the first demodulation reference signal.

[0029] In one optional implementation, the terminal device demodulates part or all of the downlink data channel transmitted by the network device according to the first demodulation reference signal and the third indication information, including: the terminal device determining, according to the third indication information, that the precoding granularity of the downlink data channel is the same as the precoding granularity of the first demodulation reference signal; the terminal device demodulating all of the downlink data channel transmitted by the network device according to the first demodulation reference signal; or, the terminal device demodulating the downlink data channel transmitted by the network device that occupies the same frequency domain resources as the first demodulation reference signal according to the first demodulation reference signal.

[0030] In one optional implementation, the terminal device demodulates part or all of the downlink data channel transmitted by the network device according to the first demodulation reference signal and the third indication information, including: the terminal device determining, according to the third indication information, that the precoding granularity of the downlink data channel is different from that of the first demodulation reference signal, and that the precoding resource block group of the downlink data channel partially overlaps with the precoding resource block group of the first demodulation reference signal; the terminal device demodulates the downlink data channel in the overlapping precoding resource block group according to the first demodulation reference signal in the overlapping precoding resource block group.

[0031] Thirdly, this application provides a downlink signal transmission apparatus applied to a network device. The apparatus includes: a processing module for generating a downlink control channel, a first demodulation reference signal, and a downlink data channel, wherein the first demodulation reference signal is associated with the downlink control channel, the downlink control channel is used to schedule the downlink data channel, and the first demodulation reference signal is used to demodulate the downlink control channel and the downlink data channel; a communication module for transmitting the downlink control channel and the first demodulation reference signal to a terminal device; and the communication module is further configured to transmit the downlink data channel to the terminal device. By setting a demodulation reference signal associated with the downlink control channel, it can be used to demodulate the downlink data channel, achieving multiplexing of the demodulation reference signal and reducing transmission resource consumption and signaling overhead.

[0032] In one optional implementation, one or more of the following conditions are satisfied: the downlink control channel and the downlink data channel use the same transmission mode; the second demodulation reference signal associated with the downlink control channel and the downlink data channel uses the same transmission mode; the first demodulation reference signal and the downlink data channel use the same transmission mode; and the first demodulation reference signal and the second demodulation reference signal associated with the downlink data channel use the same transmission mode. By setting the transmission mode of the downlink data channel, its scheduling downlink control channel, and the demodulation reference signal associated with the downlink control channel to be the same, the demodulation reference signal associated with the downlink control channel can be used to demodulate the downlink data channel, thus achieving multiplexing of the demodulation reference signal.

[0033] In one optional implementation, the communication module is further configured to send first indication information to the terminal device, the first indication information indicating one or more of the following: the downlink control channel and the downlink data channel use the same transmission mode; the second demodulation reference signal associated with the downlink control channel and the downlink data channel uses the same transmission mode; the first demodulation reference signal and the downlink data channel use the same transmission mode; the first demodulation reference signal and the second demodulation reference signal associated with the downlink data channel use the same transmission mode.

[0034] In this application, the network device notifies the terminal device via a first indication message that the downlink data channel, its scheduling downlink control channel, and the demodulation reference signal associated with the downlink control channel are transmitted in the same manner, thereby achieving multiplexing of the demodulation reference signal. The terminal device can demodulate the downlink data channel according to the demodulation reference signal associated with the downlink control channel. This eliminates the need for the network device to send the demodulation reference signal associated with the downlink control channel, reducing transmission resource consumption and signaling overhead.

[0035] In one alternative implementation, the same transmission method includes the same transmission resources, the same precoding, and the same precoding granularity.

[0036] In one optional implementation, the communication module is further configured to send a second demodulation reference signal associated with the downlink data channel to the terminal device. In this way, the terminal device can combine the first demodulation reference signal and the second demodulation reference signal to demodulate the downlink data channel, thereby improving the detection performance of the downlink data channel.

[0037] In one optional implementation, the communication module is further configured to send second indication information to the terminal device, the second indication information being used to indicate the time-domain resource location and / or frequency-domain resource location occupied by the second demodulation reference signal.

[0038] In one optional implementation, the communication module is further configured to send second indication information to the terminal device. The second indication information includes information indicating a first time-domain offset. The first time-domain offset represents the distance between the time-domain resource location of the second demodulation reference signal and the time-domain resource location of the downlink control channel (e.g., the start or end position of the downlink control channel's time-domain resources), or it represents the distance between the time-domain resource location of the second demodulation reference signal and the time-domain resource location of the first demodulation reference signal, or it represents the distance between the time-domain resource location of the second demodulation reference signal and the start (or end) position of the downlink data channel's time-domain resources. In this way, the time-domain resource location of the second demodulation reference signal can be indirectly or implicitly indicated to the terminal device. Based on the time-domain resource location of the first demodulation reference signal / downlink control channel combined with the first time-domain offset, the terminal device can determine the location of the second demodulation reference signal.

[0039] In one optional implementation, the communication module is further configured to send third indication information to the terminal device. The third indication information indicates one or more of the following: the precoding granularity of the downlink control channel, the precoding granularity of the first demodulation reference signal, the precoding granularity of the downlink data channel, and the precoding granularity of the second demodulation reference signal; wherein the second demodulation reference signal is associated with the downlink data channel. In this way, the terminal device can demodulate part or all of the downlink data channel transmitted by the network device according to the third indication information and the first demodulation reference signal, achieving multiplexing of the demodulation reference signal. This reduces the transmission resources occupied by the second demodulation reference signal associated with the downlink data channel and reduces signaling overhead.

[0040] In one optional implementation, the precoding granularity of the downlink control channel is related to the precoding granularity of the downlink data channel; or, the precoding granularity of the downlink control channel is related to the precoding granularity of the second demodulation reference signal; or, the precoding granularity of the first demodulation reference signal is related to the precoding granularity of the downlink data channel; or, the precoding granularity of the first demodulation reference signal is related to the precoding granularity of the second demodulation reference signal.

[0041] Fourthly, this application provides a downlink signal transmission apparatus applied to a terminal device. The apparatus includes: a communication module for receiving a downlink control channel and a first demodulation reference signal from a network device, wherein the first demodulation reference signal is associated with the downlink control channel, the downlink control channel is used to schedule a downlink data channel, and the first demodulation reference signal is used to demodulate the downlink control channel and the downlink data channel; a processing module for demodulating the downlink control channel according to the first demodulation reference signal; the communication module is further configured to receive the downlink data channel from the network device; the processing module is further configured to demodulate the downlink data channel according to the first demodulation reference signal. By setting a demodulation reference signal associated with the downlink control channel, it can be used to demodulate the downlink data channel, realizing the multiplexing of the demodulation reference signal, reducing the consumption of transmission resources and signaling overhead.

[0042] In one optional implementation, the communication module is specifically configured to receive a downlink control channel from the network device and, based on the downlink control channel, receive (acquire) the downlink data channel from the network device; the processing module is specifically configured to demodulate the downlink control channel and the downlink data channel respectively according to the first demodulation reference signal; or, the communication module may first receive the downlink control channel from the network device, and the processing module may first demodulate the downlink control channel according to the first demodulation reference signal; the communication module may then receive (acquire) the downlink data channel from the network device based on the control information in the downlink control channel, and the processing module may then demodulate the downlink data channel according to the first demodulation reference signal.

[0043] In one optional implementation, one or more of the following conditions are satisfied: the downlink control channel and the downlink data channel use the same transmission mode; the second demodulation reference signal associated with the downlink control channel and the downlink data channel uses the same transmission mode; the first demodulation reference signal and the downlink data channel use the same transmission mode; and the first demodulation reference signal and the second demodulation reference signal associated with the downlink data channel use the same transmission mode. By setting the transmission mode of the downlink data channel, its scheduling downlink control channel, and the demodulation reference signal associated with the downlink control channel to be the same, the demodulation reference signal associated with the downlink control channel can be used to demodulate the downlink data channel, thus achieving multiplexing of the demodulation reference signal.

[0044] In one optional implementation, the communication module is further configured to receive first indication information from the network device, the first indication information indicating one or more of the following: the downlink control channel and the downlink data channel use the same transmission mode; the second demodulation reference signal associated with the downlink control channel and the downlink data channel uses the same transmission mode; the first demodulation reference signal and the downlink data channel use the same transmission mode; the first demodulation reference signal and the second demodulation reference signal associated with the downlink data channel use the same transmission mode.

[0045] In this application, the network device notifies the terminal device via a first indication message that the downlink data channel, its scheduling downlink control channel, and the demodulation reference signal associated with the downlink control channel are transmitted in the same manner, thereby achieving multiplexing of the demodulation reference signal. The terminal device can demodulate the downlink data channel according to the demodulation reference signal associated with the downlink control channel. This eliminates the need for the network device to send the demodulation reference signal associated with the downlink control channel, reducing transmission resource consumption and signaling overhead.

[0046] In one alternative implementation, the same transmission method includes the same transmission resources, the same precoding, and the same precoding granularity.

[0047] In one optional implementation, the communication module is further configured to receive a second demodulation reference signal associated with the downlink data channel from the network device; the processing module is further configured to demodulate the downlink data channel based on the first demodulation reference signal and the second demodulation reference signal. In this way, the terminal device can combine the first demodulation reference signal and the second demodulation reference signal to demodulate the downlink data channel, thereby improving the detection performance of the downlink data channel.

[0048] In one optional implementation, the communication module is further configured to send second indication information to the terminal device, the second indication information being further configured to indicate the time-domain resource location and / or frequency-domain resource location occupied by the second demodulation reference signal.

[0049] In one optional implementation, the communication module is further configured to send second indication information to the terminal device. The second indication information includes information indicating a first time-domain offset. The first time-domain offset represents the distance between the time-domain resource location of the second demodulation reference signal and the time-domain resource location of the downlink control channel (e.g., the start or end position of the downlink control channel's time-domain resources), or it represents the distance between the time-domain resource location of the second demodulation reference signal and the time-domain resource location of the first demodulation reference signal, or it represents the distance between the time-domain resource location of the second demodulation reference signal and the start (or end) position of the downlink data channel's time-domain resources. In this way, the time-domain resource location of the second demodulation reference signal can be indirectly or implicitly indicated to the terminal device. Based on the time-domain resource location of the first demodulation reference signal / downlink control channel combined with the first time-domain offset, the terminal device can determine the location of the second demodulation reference signal.

[0050] In one optional implementation, the communication module is further configured to receive third indication information from the network device. The third indication information indicates one or more of the following: the precoding granularity of the downlink control channel, the precoding granularity of the first demodulation reference signal, the precoding granularity of the downlink data channel, and the precoding granularity of the second demodulation reference signal; wherein the second demodulation reference signal is associated with the downlink data channel. In this way, the terminal device can demodulate part or all of the downlink data channel transmitted by the network device according to the third indication information and the first demodulation reference signal, achieving multiplexing of the demodulation reference signal. This reduces the transmission resources occupied by the second demodulation reference signal associated with the downlink data channel and reduces signaling overhead.

[0051] In one optional implementation, the precoding granularity of the downlink control channel is related to the precoding granularity of the downlink data channel; or, the precoding granularity of the downlink control channel is related to the precoding granularity of the second demodulation reference signal; or, the precoding granularity of the first demodulation reference signal is related to the precoding granularity of the downlink data channel; or, the precoding granularity of the first demodulation reference signal is related to the precoding granularity of the second demodulation reference signal.

[0052] In an optional implementation, the processing module is further configured to demodulate part or all of the downlink data channel transmitted by the network device based on the first demodulation reference signal and the third indication information.

[0053] In one optional implementation, the processing module is specifically configured to: determine the transmission mode of the downlink data channel and the transmission mode of the first demodulation reference signal based on the third indication information and the downlink control channel demodulated by the first demodulation reference signal; wherein the downlink data channel and the second demodulation reference signal use the same transmission mode, and the first demodulation reference signal and the downlink control channel use the same transmission mode, and the transmission mode includes precoding, precoding granularity, and transmission resources. If the transmission mode of the downlink data channel is entirely the same as the transmission mode of the first demodulation reference signal, then all of the downlink data channel is demodulated according to the first demodulation reference signal; if the transmission mode of the downlink data channel is partially the same as the transmission mode of the first demodulation reference signal, then a portion of the downlink data channel is demodulated according to the first demodulation reference signal.

[0054] In one optional implementation, the processing module is specifically configured to: determine, based on the third indication information, that the precoding granularity of the downlink data channel is the same as the precoding granularity of the first demodulation reference signal; demodulate all downlink data channels transmitted by the network device based on the first demodulation reference signal; or, the terminal device demodulates downlink data channels transmitted by the network device that occupy the same frequency domain resources as the first demodulation reference signal based on the first demodulation reference signal.

[0055] In one optional implementation, the processing module is specifically configured to: determine, based on the third indication information, that the precoding granularity of the downlink data channel is different from that of the first demodulation reference signal, and that the precoding resource block group of the downlink data channel partially overlaps with the precoding resource block group of the first demodulation reference signal; and demodulate the downlink data channel in the overlapping precoding resource block group based on the first demodulation reference signal in the overlapping precoding resource block group.

[0056] Fifthly, this application provides a communication device including a processor coupled to a memory for storing computer programs or instructions, and the processor for executing the computer programs or instructions to perform the implementations of the methods described in the first or second aspect above. The memory may be located within or outside the device. The number of processors may be one or more.

[0057] In a sixth aspect, this application provides a communication device, comprising: a processor and an interface circuit, wherein the interface circuit is used to communicate with other devices, and the processor is used for various implementations of the first or second aspect described above.

[0058] In a seventh aspect, this application provides a communication system, comprising: a network device for executing the implementation methods of the first aspect described above, and a terminal device for executing the implementation methods of the second aspect described above.

[0059] Eighthly, this application also provides a chip system, including: a processor for executing the implementation methods of the first or second aspect described above.

[0060] Ninthly, this application also provides a computer program product, which includes a computer program that, when the computer program is run, causes the implementation methods of the first or second aspect described above to be executed.

[0061] In a tenth aspect, this application also provides a computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program or instructions that, when executed on a computer, implement the implementation methods of the first or second aspect described above.

[0062] The technical effects that can be achieved in aspects five through ten above are similar to the technical effects that can be achieved by the corresponding technical solutions in aspects one through two above, and will not be repeated here. Attached Figure Description

[0063] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a structure for transmitting resources;

[0064] Figure 2 This is one of the schematic diagrams showing the distribution of the demodulation reference signal provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0065] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of a communication system architecture provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0066] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the interactive process of information transmission between network devices and terminal devices.

[0067] Figure 5 This is one of the schematic flowcharts of the downlink signal transmission method provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0068] Figure 6 This is a second schematic diagram of the downlink signal transmission method provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0069] Figure 7 This is the third schematic diagram of the downlink signal transmission method provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0070] Figure 8a A second schematic diagram showing the distribution of the demodulation reference signal provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0071] Figure 8b The third schematic diagram showing the distribution of the demodulation reference signal provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0072] Figure 9a This is one of the precoding schematic diagrams of the demodulation reference signal provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0073] Figure 9b This is the second schematic diagram of precoding the demodulation reference signal provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0074] Figure 9c The third schematic diagram of precoding the demodulation reference signal provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0075] Figure 9d Fourth schematic diagram of precoding of demodulation reference signal provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0076] Figure 10 This is the fourth schematic diagram of the downlink signal transmission method provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0077] Figure 11 This is the fifth schematic diagram of the downlink signal transmission method provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0078] Figure 12 This is a structural block diagram of a downlink signal transmission device provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0079] Figure 13 This is one of the structural schematic diagrams of a communication device provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0080] Figure 14 This is a second schematic diagram of a communication device provided in an embodiment of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0081] The embodiments of this application can be applied to wireless communication networks, such as 4G networks (e.g., LTE), 5G networks, or future networks. The application will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0082] First, some of the terms used in this application will be explained to facilitate understanding by those skilled in the art:

[0083] (1) Network equipment and terminal equipment

[0084] Network devices can communicate with terminal devices to provide them with wireless access services. Network devices can also be called base station devices, base stations, relay stations, or access nodes (ANs). For example, a network device can be a base transceiver station (BTS) in a Global System for Mobile Communication (GSM) or Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) network, an NB (NodeB) in a Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA) network, or an eNB or eNodeB (Evolutionary NodeB) in a Long Term Evolution (LTE) system. A network device can also be a radio controller in a cloud radio access network (CRAN) scenario. A network device can also be a base station in a 5G network or a network device in a future PLMN network. A network device can also be a wearable device or an in-vehicle device.

[0085] Terminal equipment can also be referred to as user equipment (UE), access terminal, terminal unit, terminal station, mobile station, mobile station, remote station, remote terminal, mobile device, mobile terminal, terminal, wireless communication equipment, terminal agent, or terminal device, etc. For example, terminal equipment can be a cellular phone, cordless phone, session initiation protocol (SIP) phone, wireless local loop (WLL) station, personal digital assistant (PDA), handheld device with wireless communication capabilities, computing device or other processing device connected to a wireless modem, automobile, in-vehicle equipment or in-vehicle module, wearable device, terminal equipment in a 5G network, or terminal equipment in a future PLMN network, etc.

[0086] (2) Downlink control channel, downlink data channel

[0087] During downlink transmission, the signals sent by network devices to terminal devices are also called downlink signals, which include downlink control signals and downlink data signals. In this embodiment, the downlink control channel refers to the downlink control signal; that is, the downlink control channel can also be understood as the downlink control signal, and the downlink control channel can be a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH). Similarly, in this embodiment, the downlink control channel refers to the downlink data signal; that is, the downlink data channel can also be understood as the downlink data signal, and the downlink data channel can be a physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH). For higher layers, these channels correspond to resource elements (REs) that carry bit information from the upper layer (e.g., Layer 2); for the air interface, these channels carry radio signals.

[0088] Downlink control channels are used to schedule downlink data channels. For example, PDCCH is used to transmit scheduling and configuration information related to PDSCH. PDCCH carries downlink control information (DCI), which is used to indicate the configuration information of PDSCH (e.g., time / frequency position, modulation information, etc.).

[0089] (3) Random access

[0090] The downlink transmissions involved in the embodiments of this application include the process of a network device sending a message to a terminal device during random access (RA) and the downlink transmissions between the network device and the terminal device after the terminal device has accessed the network.

[0091] Random access, in LTE or 5G communication systems with access control, is an information exchange mechanism (or process) used for devices not yet connected to the network to establish a connection with the network. Because the random access process is carried by the random access channel (RACH), RA and RACH are often used interchangeably in protocols and colloquial speech to refer to random access. Random access is divided into contention-based random access and non-contention-based random access. Contention-based random access typically consists of four steps, each corresponding to a message: message 1, message 2, message 3, and message 4, each carrying different signaling or information. Non-contention-based random access only has the first two steps. Furthermore, to reduce the access time of the four-step contention-based random access, there is a two-step random access. Two-step random access consists of two messages, A and B. Message A includes a preamble and the first data information (similar to messages 1 and 3 in four-step random access), while message B includes contention resolution and uplink scheduling (similar to messages 2 and 4 in four-step random access).

[0092] Random access opportunity: Also known as random access resource (RACH resource) or random access occasion (RACH occasion / RACH transmission occasion / RACH opportunity / RACH chance, RO), a random access opportunity refers to the time and frequency resources used to carry one or more random access preambles. Logically, a random access opportunity is used to carry information / signals of the physical random access channel (PRACH). It is sometimes also equivalently referred to as physical random access occasion (RO) or physical random access resource (PRACH resource).

[0093] Message 1 (Msg1): This is the preamble or sequence of random access, carried through the physical random access channel (PRACH). It is typically used by terminal devices to initiate connection requests, handover requests, synchronization requests, and scheduling requests to network devices.

[0094] Message 2 (Msg2): Also known as a random access response (RAR) message. It is the network device's response to the received Message 1. A single Message 2 can contain multiple responses to Message 1. For a single random access preamble, there is a specific random access response message in the MAC address. However, network devices often encapsulate the responses to all random access preambles detected during a random access opportunity into a single Message 2. That is, after the terminal device sends a random access preamble, it searches for the corresponding random access response message for its own random access preamble in the corresponding Message 2, ignoring response messages for other random access preambles. If the network receives Message 1, it encapsulates at least one of the following information into a random access response (RAR) and sends it: the index of Message 1 (random access preamble identity, RAPID), uplink grant, timing advance, temporary cell radio network temporary identity (TC-RNTI), etc. The network side can respond to multiple Msg1s simultaneously within the same Msg2, which means it can contain multiple RARs.

[0095] Message 3 (Msg3): Also known as the first uplink scheduling transmission, it is a retransmission scheduled by the UL grant in Message 2, or a DCI scheduling retransmission scrambled by TC-RNTI. Msg3 transmits higher-layer messages, such as a connection establishment request message (specifically, it may contain the identification information of the user initiating the connection request). This message is used for contention resolution; if multiple different devices use the same Msg1 for random access, Msg3 and Msg4 can jointly determine if there is a conflict. The protocol definition of Msg3 is: Message transmitted on UL-SCH (uplink shared channel) containing a C-RNTI MAC (Medium Access Control) CE (control element) or CCCH (Common Control Channel) SDU (Service Data Unit), submitted from the upper layer and associated with the UE Contention Resolution Identity, as part of a Random Access procedure. Message 3 transmission includes retransmissions and power control (i.e., the initial or retransmitted UL grant contains power control information).

[0096] Message 4 (Msg4): Used for contention resolution. It typically contains the CCCH SDU carried in Message 3. If the device detects its own CCCH SDU in Message 4, it considers the contention for random access successful and continues the subsequent communication process. Message 4 is retransmitted; that is, a corresponding physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) transmits feedback information (whether Message 4 was successfully detected). The device's power control is applied when transmitting feedback information on the PUCCH.

[0097] Transmit power, also known as output power, can be defined as the output power measured over all or part of the supported frequencies, bands, or bandwidths within a given time and / or period. For example, the measurement time may be at least 1 ms, or at least a time slot corresponding to a certain subcarrier interval. In one embodiment, the power obtained by measuring for at least 1 ms is used.

[0098] (4) Modulation and demodulation

[0099] Modulation is the process of processing information from a signal source and adding it to a carrier wave to transform it into a form suitable for transmission through a channel. Different modes correspond to different modulation methods, such as multi-carrier modulation versus single-carrier modulation, quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM), pulse amplitude modulation (PAM), phase shift keying (PSK) modulation, amplitude shift keying (ASK) modulation, and so on. Demodulation is the reverse process of modulation, recovering the original data bits or symbols from the signal. Demodulation is sometimes also referred to as detection.

[0100] (5) Reference signal, demodulation reference signal

[0101] A reference signal (RS) is used to acquire known signals affected by external factors (e.g., spatial channel conditions, non-ideals of transmitting or receiving devices) during transmission, for purposes such as channel estimation, auxiliary signal demodulation, and detection. The transmitting end (or receiving end) knows or can infer the time and frequency location of the reference signal, as well as other wireless signals / symbols carried at that time and frequency, according to predetermined rules. Functionally, reference signals include demodulation reference signals (DMRS), channel state information reference signals (CSI-RS), phase tracking reference signals (PTRS), and sounding reference signals (SRS). DMRS and CSI-RS are used to acquire channel information, while PTRS is used to acquire phase change information.

[0102] This application focuses on the application of the demodulation reference signal (DMRS) in downlink transmission. Downlink signals transmitted by network devices are affected by channel fading. Terminal devices need to obtain channel information via DMRS to restore the channel, and then demodulate the downlink signal based on the channel information obtained from DMRS.

[0103] Typically, terminal devices know or can infer the DMRS transmitted by network devices according to predetermined rules. As one implementation, the terminal device can perform channel estimation using a linear channel model based on the received DMRS from the network device and the DMRS transmitted by the network device. The linear channel model is as follows: y = Hx + n; where y is the signal received by the receiver, which can be the DMRS received by the terminal device; H represents the channel, or channel information; x is the signal transmitted by the transmitter, which can be the DMRS transmitted by the network device; and n is noise, which can be a predetermined known quantity. Furthermore, the terminal device can infer the downlink signal transmitted by the network device through this channel based on the channel estimation result. That is, the terminal device can recover x based on the channel H, for example, ignoring channel noise, x = H -1 y. Here, x indicates the downlink signal emitted by the network device, which also passes through channel H, and y indicates the downlink signal received by the terminal device.

[0104] (6) Precoding and codebook

[0105] In communication systems with multiple antennas, such as multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) systems, signals from multiple transmit antennas are superimposed on any one receive antenna. Therefore, the method of signal transmission at the transmitting end affects system performance, and recovering the transmitted signal from the MIMO channel at the receiving end is often complex. In this context, precoding can be introduced to transform the linear channel model into: y = HPx + n, where y is the received signal, H is the MIMO channel, x is the transmitted signal, n is noise, and P indicates precoding. As one implementation, P can be selected from a predefined set of matrices (or vectors), called the codebook. The method of signal transmission at the transmitting end is then called a codebook-based transmission method. As another implementation, if the transmitting end has all the information in H, and P can also be obtained at the transmitting end, then the method of signal transmission at the transmitting end is called a non-codebook (NCB) transmission method. Precoding can be implemented in open-loop or closed-loop modes. In the open-loop mode, the transmitting end determines the precoding codebook itself. In closed-loop mode, the transmitter determines the precoding codebook based on feedback and / or indication information from the receiver. Precoding is introduced to reduce system overhead and maximize the system capacity of MIMO, while also reducing the complexity of the receiver's implementation of inter-channel interference elimination. However, it should be noted that even with precoding, the receiver still performs channel estimation via DMRS; the estimated channel is actually the HP defined by the transmitter with precoding. In downlink transmission, the transmitter can be a network device, and the receiver can be a terminal device.

[0106] (7) Transmission Resources

[0107] The transmission resources involved in this application embodiment include time-domain resources and frequency-domain resources. Time-domain resources can refer to any of the following: time slots, or bundles or groups of multiple time slots. One time slot includes multiple consecutive orthogonal frequency divided multiplexing (OFDM) symbols, and the number of OFDM symbols is related to the subcarrier spacing (SCS). Frequency-domain resources can refer to any of the following: resource blocks, resource block groups, or precoded resource block groups. A resource block (RB), also known as a physical resource block (PRB), is the basic unit of frequency resources in an OFDM-based communication system. A resource block generally consists of N resource elements (REs), and each resource element is also called a subcarrier. N is typically 12. Several resource blocks form a resource block group (RBG), also called a physical resource block group. Generally, precoding is performed on a resource block or resource block group basis. The basic unit for precoding and transmission is also called a precoding resource block group (PRG). A precoding resource block group can be at least one resource block group. The number of resource blocks (RBs) or resource element groups (REGs) included in a precoding resource block group can be represented by the precoding granularity.

[0108] For PDCCH, the composition of N resource elements (REs) can also be called a resource element group (REG).

[0109] (8) Controlling resource sets and search space

[0110] The transmission resources involved in downlink transmission can be divided into the control area available for transmitting downlink control channels and the data area available for transmitting downlink data channels. For example... Figure 1 The diagram illustrates a transmission resource structure that distinguishes between a control region and a data region. The control region contains the time-domain and frequency-domain resources available for downlink control channels, while the data region contains the time-domain and frequency-domain resources available for downlink data channels. As one implementation, the location of the PDCCH can be determined within the control region, and the location of the PDSCH can be determined within the data region.

[0111] A control-resource set (CORESET) is a block of time-frequency resources within a control area. One CORESET corresponds to a group of terminal devices, also known as user equipment (UE). Figure 1 The diagram also illustrates that the control area includes CORESET 1 and CORESET 2. For example, if CORESET 1 corresponds to UE1, UE2, UE3, and UE4, and CORESET 2 corresponds to UE4, UE5, UE6, and UE7, then PDCCHs for UE1, UE2, UE3, and UE4 can be transmitted on CORESET 1, and PDCCHs for UE4, UE5, UE6, and UE7 can be transmitted on CORESET 2. Furthermore, a terminal device can correspond to multiple CORESETs, and the numbers (parameter sets) on these CORESETs can be the same or different. These parameter sets include the subcarrier spacing (SCS) and the cyclic prefix (CP) length. For example, if UE8 corresponds to both CORESET 1 and CORESET 2, then UE8's PDCCH can be transmitted on CORESET 1 and / or CORESET 2. For any terminal device in a group of terminal devices corresponding to a CORESET, each terminal device has its own corresponding search space within that CORESET, and the resources of that search space are less than or equal to the resources of the CORESET. Taking UE1 as an example, UE1's PDCCH can be sent in the search space corresponding to UE1 in CORESET 1. As mentioned above, it should be noted that a CORESET can be bound to multiple SearchSpaces, but a SearchSpace can only be bound to one CORESET.

[0112] As one implementation, CORESET indicates the time and frequency range within the time slots where the PDCCH may exist. SearchSpace is used to determine the possible time slots and OFDM symbol locations for the PDCCH. A CORESET and a SearchSpace must be bound together to determine the PDCCH configuration.

[0113] The following section, in conjunction with Table 1, introduces the main parameter configurations for the control resource set.

[0114] Table 1

[0115]

[0116] Further explanation is needed regarding CCE and REG. A CCE consists of 6 REGs, and one REG corresponds to one resource block (RB) on an OFDM symbol. That is, one REG includes the resources corresponding to one symbol in the time domain and one RB in the frequency domain. The resources that the PDCCH may occupy, as well as the resources actually occupied by the PDCCH, can be described using CCE.

[0117] The following sections, in conjunction with Tables 2 and 3, introduce the main parameter configurations for the search space.

[0118] Table 2

[0119]

[0120]

[0121] As shown in Table 3 below, there are many types of SearchSpace:

[0122] Table 3

[0123]

[0124] Further explanation regarding PDCCH candidates: After the terminal device determines the candidate time-frequency positions of the PDCCH based on the SearchSpace and CORESET configuration, the UE does not know which CCE the PDCCH will be transmitted on, so blind detection is required sequentially. The PDCCH candidate is the position among these candidate time-frequency positions that may contain the UE's PDCCH. To reduce the number of blind detections for the UE, the network places these PDCCHs according to certain rules, and the terminal device can reduce the number of blind detections by following these rules.

[0125] (9) Relationship between demodulation reference signal DMRS and downlink signal

[0126] During downlink transmission, the demodulation reference signal can be divided into a demodulation reference signal associated with the downlink control channel and a demodulation reference signal associated with the downlink data channel. In the embodiments of this application, the first demodulation reference signal is used to represent the demodulation reference signal associated with the downlink control channel, and the second demodulation reference signal is used to represent the demodulation signal associated with the downlink data channel.

[0127] The first demodulation reference signal is transmitted in the same way as the downlink control channel, and the second demodulation reference signal is transmitted in the same way as the downlink data channel.

[0128] Taking the downlink control channel as PDCCH as an example, the first demodulation reference signal can be the DMRS associated with the PDCCH, or simply PDCCH DMRS. Figure 2Figure (a) illustrates the distribution of PDCCH DMRS within a REG. It shows that this REG includes 12 resource elements (REs), with a fixed density of 1 / 4 for PDCCH DMRS, and the timing begins from the second RE of a REG. For PDCCH-associated DMRS, the channel experienced by a PDCCH symbol on a given antenna port can be derived from the channel experienced by the DMRS symbol on the same antenna port. Specifically, the PDCCH-associated DMRS symbol and the PDCCH symbol use the same precoding transmission resources, or in other words, the PDCCH-associated DMRS symbol and the PDCCH symbol use the same frequency resources, the same OFDM symbols (time slots), and the same precoding resource block group (PRG). It is understandable that the frequency domain precoding granularity of PDCCH and PDCCH DMRS can be consistent with the precoding granularity of their respective CORESET.

[0129] Taking the downlink control channel as PDSCH as an example, the second demodulation reference signal can be the DMRS associated with PDSCH, or simply PDSCH DMRS. Figure 2 Figure (b) illustrates the distribution of PDSCHDMRS within a Resource Registry (RB) using configuration type 1. It shows that this RB comprises 12 resource elements (REs), the density of PDSCHDMRS is fixed at 1 / 2, and the time distribution starts from the first RE in a REG. For example... Figure 2 Figure (c) illustrates the distribution of PDSCH DMRS within a Resource Block (RB) using configuration type 2. It shows that this RB comprises 12 resource elements (REs), with a fixed density of 2 / 6 for PDSCH DMRS, and the PDSCH DMRS are distributed sequentially from the first RE of a REG across two consecutive REs. For a PDSCH-associated DMRS, the channel experienced by a PDSCH symbol on a given antenna port can be derived from the channel experienced by the DMRS symbol on the same antenna port. Specifically, the DMRS symbol associated with the PDSCH and the PDSCH symbol share the same frequency resources, the same time slot, and the same precoding resource block group (PRG).

[0130] It should be noted that, Figure 2 The diagram in (a) shows the PDCCH DMRS. Figure 2 PDSCH DMRS illustrated in (b) Figure 2 The PDSCH DMRS shown in (c) is mainly to distinguish the different distribution positions of PDCCH DMRS and PDSCH DMRS. Although the three use the same pattern to represent PDCCH DMRS / PDSCH DMRS, it is only an example and does not mean that the precoding of the three is the same.

[0131] In addition, for the PDSCH DMRS corresponding to downlink broadcast / multicast / initial access messages (PBCH, SIB1, paging messages, message 2, message 4, other system messages, RRC configuration messages, etc.), configuration type 1 is mainly used. For downlink messages other than SIB1 (such as message 2, message 4, paging messages, other system messages, RRC configuration messages, etc.), their PDSCH DMRS can also be configured to configuration type 2. These downlink messages will be explained in subsequent sections.

[0132] Currently, network devices independently transmit PDCCH and PDCCH DMRS in a channel on one antenna port, and PDSCH and PDSCH DMRS in a channel on another antenna port. Terminal devices demodulate the PDCCH using PDCCH DMRS, and then obtain PDSCH and PDSCH DMRS based on the demodulated PDCCH, and demodulate the PDSCH using PDSCH DMRS. The independent transmission of PDCCH DMRS and PDSCH DMRS by network devices occupies resource elements, but these occupied resource elements cannot carry upper-layer bit information, consuming transmission resources and resulting in significant overhead. Therefore, this application provides a downlink signal transmission method that, by multiplexing PDSCH DMRS and PDCCH DMRS, allows PDCCH DMRS to be used for PDSCH demodulation, reducing the resources occupied by transmitting PDSCH DMRS and alleviating transmission resource consumption and related overhead.

[0133] The downlink signal transmission method provided in this application embodiment can be applied to, for example... Figure 3 This diagram illustrates a communication system architecture, which includes network equipment and terminal equipment.

[0134] The network device is configured with a first demodulation reference signal, which can be used to demodulate the downlink control channel and the downlink data channel. The terminal device can, upon receiving the downlink control channel from the network device and based on that downlink control channel, receive (acquire) the downlink data channel from the network device, and then demodulate the downlink control channel and downlink data channel respectively according to the first demodulation reference signal; alternatively, the terminal device can first receive the downlink control channel from the network device, that is, first demodulate the downlink control channel according to the first demodulation reference signal, and then, based on the control information in the downlink control channel, receive (acquire) the downlink data channel from the network device, and demodulate the downlink data channel according to the first demodulation reference signal.

[0135] In addition, the network device can also indicate to the terminal device the transmission method related to the downlink data channel, such as transmission resources, precoding, and precoding granularity. The terminal device can then, in conjunction with the network device's instructions, demodulate part or all of the downlink data channel according to the first demodulation reference signal.

[0136] The following describes the scenarios in which the embodiments of this application can be applied. See also Figure 4 Taking the interaction process of information transmission between network devices and terminal devices in 5G NR as an example, the downlink transmission involved in this application embodiment includes the following steps: the network device sends downlink messages to the terminal device. The transmission of downlink messages involves PDCCH and PDSCH, such as PBCH, SIB1, paging messages, message 2, message 4, other system messages, Radio Resource Control (RRC) configuration messages, etc. RRC configuration messages include (such as RRC Reconfiguration, RRC Connection Reconfiguration, etc.). Among them, PDCCH is responsible for transmitting scheduling and configuration information related to PDSCH, such as through DCI indication. PDSCH is responsible for carrying downlink data.

[0137] The specific interaction process for information transmission between network devices and terminal devices is as follows:

[0138] P100: Network devices (or base stations) transmit synchronization signals at specific locations. In NR, the synchronization signal transmitted by the network device is called the synchronization signal / physical broadcast channel block (SS / PBCH block, also abbreviated as SSB), which is periodically transmitted by the network device. The content carried by the physical broadcast channel is called the master information block (MIB), which indicates the search space (i.e., searchSpaceZero) and control resource set (i.e., controlResourceSetZero) of SIB1.

[0139] After the UE (User Equipment) is powered on or needs to reconnect to the network, it scans the synchronization signals of the network devices to perform downlink time and frequency synchronization, and at the same time receives configuration information about random access resources from the system information.

[0140] P101: Network devices send system information (broadcast) at specific locations. The signal carrying the system information is also called a system information block (SIB). In particular, system information block 1 (SIB1) carries information such as random access configuration information and PDCCH search space 1 (Message 2 / Message 4).

[0141] P101b: Network devices periodically send paging information within the paging time window. Idle terminals periodically listen for paging information, i.e., search for the corresponding PDCCH. The PDCCH is scrambled with the paging radio network temporary identifier (P-RNTI). The payload of the paging information is carried by the PDSCH, and the corresponding PDCCH indicates the time-frequency position of the PDSCH.

[0142] P102: Based on the random access resource configuration information and the synchronized SSB, the terminal selects the random access resource associated with the SSB. This resource includes time and frequency resources, and code domain resources (random access preamble). The terminal then uses this random access resource to send the random access signal, also known as message 1 (Msg1). In NR, through the association between the SSB and the random access resource, the network device, upon detecting the random access preamble, can acquire the downlink beam to send message 2 and / or the corresponding message. Accordingly, the network device will attempt to receive the random access preamble.

[0143] P103: After receiving message 1 from the UE, the network device estimates the UE's timing advance based on the preamble sent by the user and replies with message 2 (Msg2). Message 2 includes configuration information such as the time-frequency resource location and modulation / coding scheme used by the UE to send message 3 (Msg3) for conflict resolution. The random access response (RAR) can be referred to as message 2 in both the physical layer and the medium access control (MAC) layer. However, in the physical layer, it is generally referred to as the response message corresponding to a specific random access preamble (e.g., sent by the terminal); while in the MAC layer, it is a combination of all random access preamble response messages detected by the network device in a certain random access opportunity or multiple random access opportunities, packaged in the form of MAC data units. After the terminal sends random access preamble message 1, it will attempt to detect message 2 within the random access response time window. Note that the PDCCH search space corresponding to message 2 here or message 4 in P105 is the SearchSpace1 mentioned in P101. If not configured in P101, the search space / control resource set is the same as that of SIB1 in P100.

[0144] P104: After receiving message 2, the UE sends message 3 in the corresponding time and frequency resources according to the configuration in message 2.

[0145] P105: After receiving message 3, the network device replies to the user with message 4 (Msg4), indicating that the terminal device has successfully accessed the network.

[0146] The communication systems and application scenarios described in the embodiments of this application are for the purpose of more clearly illustrating the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application, and do not constitute a limitation on the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of this application.

[0147] In this application's embodiments, "multiple" refers to two or more. "And / or" describes the relationship between associated objects, indicating that three relationships can exist. For example, A and / or B can represent: the presence of A, the simultaneous presence of A and B, or the presence of B. The character " / " generally indicates that the preceding and following associated objects have an "or" relationship. Furthermore, it should be understood that although the terms "first," "second," etc., may be used to describe objects in this application's embodiments, these objects should not be limited to these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish the objects from each other.

[0148] The terms "comprising" and "having," and any variations thereof, used in the description of the embodiments of this application, are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion. For example, a process, method, system, product, or device that includes a series of steps or units is not limited to the listed steps or units, but may optionally include other steps or units not listed, or may optionally include other steps or units inherent to these processes, methods, products, or devices. It should be noted that in the embodiments of this application, words such as "exemplary" or "for example" are used to indicate examples, illustrations, or descriptions. Any embodiment or design described as "exemplary" or "for example" in the embodiments of this application should not be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments or designs. Specifically, the use of words such as "exemplary" or "for example" is intended to present the relevant concepts in a specific manner.

[0149] The following details the downlink signal transmission method provided in the embodiments of this application, as well as the interaction process between network devices and terminal devices involved in different methods.

[0150] Method 1: Set one or more of the following conditions in a predefined manner: the downlink control channel and the downlink data channel use the same transmission mode; the second demodulation reference signal associated with the downlink control channel and the downlink data channel uses the same transmission mode; the first demodulation reference signal and the downlink data channel use the same transmission mode; the first demodulation reference signal and the second demodulation reference signal associated with the downlink data channel use the same transmission mode, then the first demodulation reference signal can be used to demodulate the downlink control channel and the downlink data channel.

[0151] Using the same transmission method includes using the same transmission resources (which can also be partially the same), the same precoding, and the same precoding granularity. Furthermore, using the same transmission resources can also be understood as using the same time and frequency. Time can refer to any one of the following: a time slot, or a bundle of multiple time slots; frequency can refer to any one of the following: a resource block, or a group of resource blocks. Using the same precoding and the same precoding granularity can also be understood as using the same precoding resource block group. Using the same transmission method can also indicate using the same transmit beam (antenna port). When the transmission resources are partially the same, the first demodulation reference signal can be used to demodulate the downlink control channel and the downlink data channel on the same transmission resources. For example, if the downlink control channel is PDCCH and the first demodulation reference signal is PDCCH DMRS; and the downlink data channel is PDSCH and the second demodulation reference signal is PDSCH DMRS, it can also be predefined that the DMRS or PDCCH DMRS at the CORESET location of PDCCH can be used to demodulate PDCCH and PDSCH, provided that the first condition is met. Alternatively, for a PDSCH DMRS and its associated PDSCH, and the PDCCH that schedules the PDSCH, the channels traversed by a PDSCH symbol on a certain antenna port can be derived from the channels traversed by the DMRS associated with the PDCCH that schedules the PDSCH (or the CORESET where the PDCCH is located), and / or from the channels traversed by the PDCCH that schedules the PDSCH, and must satisfy a first condition. The first condition includes at least one of the following: (1) The PDSCH DMRS symbol and the PDSCH symbol are in the same (frequency) resource, the same time slot, and the same precoding resource block group. (2) The PDSCH symbol and the PDCCH DMRS (or the DMRS in the CORESET where the PDCCH is located) symbol are in the same (frequency) resource, the same time slot, and the same precoding resource block group. (3) The PDSCH symbol and the PDCCH (or the CORESET where the PDCCH is located) symbol are in the same (frequency) resource, the same time slot, and the same precoding resource block group. (4) The antenna port of PDSCH corresponds to the antenna port of PDCCH DMRS (or the DMRS in the CORESET where PDCCH is located). (5) The antenna port of PDSCH corresponds to the antenna port of PDCCH.

[0152] Then as Figure 5 A schematic diagram illustrating a downlink signal transmission method, which includes the following steps:

[0153] S501a: The network device sends a first demodulation reference signal and a downlink control channel to the terminal device. The first demodulation reference signal is used to demodulate the downlink control channel and the downlink data channel scheduled by the downlink control channel.

[0154] S501b: The network device sends downlink data channels scheduled by the downlink control channel to the terminal device. It should be noted that there is no specific order between S501a and S501b.

[0155] S502: The terminal device acquires the downlink control channel and the first demodulation reference signal, and demodulates the downlink control channel through the first demodulation reference signal.

[0156] S503: The terminal device obtains the downlink data channel based on the demodulated downlink control channel, and demodulates the downlink data channel according to the first demodulation reference signal.

[0157] In this embodiment, by setting the downlink data channel and the downlink control channel that schedules it, and the demodulation reference signal associated with the downlink control channel to be transmitted in the same way, the demodulation reference signal associated with the downlink control channel can be used to demodulate the downlink data channel. In this way, the network device does not need to send the demodulation reference signal associated with the downlink data channel to the terminal device, thereby reducing the occupation of transmission resources, reducing DMRS overhead, and reducing demodulation (detection) complexity.

[0158] Method 2: The network device transmits the downlink control channel, the first demodulation reference signal, and the downlink data channel using the same transmission method, and sends first indication information to the terminal device. The first indication information indicates one or more of the following: (1) The downlink control channel and the downlink data channel use the same transmission method. (2) The second demodulation reference signal associated with the downlink control channel and the downlink data channel uses the same transmission method. (3) The first demodulation reference signal and the downlink data channel use the same transmission method. (4) The first demodulation reference signal and the second demodulation reference signal associated with the downlink data channel use the same transmission method. Then, based on the first indication information, the terminal device can determine that the first demodulation reference signal can be used to demodulate the downlink control channel and the downlink data channel.

[0159] Optionally, the network device may send the first indication information before sending the first demodulation reference signal and / or downlink control channel to the terminal device; alternatively, the network device may also use the downlink control channel to carry the first indication information, thus sending the first indication information to the terminal device. For example, taking the downlink control channel as PDCCH, the first indication information may be specifically carried in the DCI, and the first indication information may specifically be a field defined in the DCI.

[0160] In summary, see Figure 6 A schematic diagram illustrating a downlink signal transmission method, which includes the following steps:

[0161] S601a: The network device sends a first demodulation reference signal and a downlink control channel to the terminal device. The first demodulation reference signal is used to demodulate the downlink control channel and the downlink data channel scheduled by the downlink control channel. The downlink control channel carries the aforementioned first indication information.

[0162] S601b: The network device sends downlink data channels scheduled by the downlink control channel to the terminal device. It should be noted that S501a and S501b are not in any particular order.

[0163] S602: The terminal device acquires the downlink control channel and the first demodulation reference signal, demodulates the downlink control channel through the first demodulation reference signal, acquires the first indication information, and determines that the first demodulation reference signal can be used to demodulate the downlink control channel and the downlink data channel based on the first indication information.

[0164] S603: The terminal device obtains the downlink data channel based on the demodulated downlink control channel, and demodulates the downlink data channel according to the first demodulation reference signal.

[0165] In this embodiment, the network device transmits the downlink data channel, its scheduling downlink control channel, and the demodulation reference signal associated with the downlink control channel using the same transmission method, and indicates to the terminal device that the relevant transmission methods are the same. This allows both communicating parties to know that the demodulation reference signal associated with the downlink control channel can be used to demodulate the downlink data channel. Therefore, the network device does not need to send the demodulation reference signal associated with the downlink data channel to the terminal device, reducing the occupation of transmission resources, lowering DMRS overhead, and reducing demodulation (detection) complexity.

[0166] Method 3: Building upon Method 1 or Method 2, the network device can further transmit a second demodulation reference signal associated with the downlink data channel. The terminal device can then demodulate the downlink data channel according to Method 1 or Method 2, or it can demodulate the downlink data channel using the second demodulation reference signal. By combining the first and second demodulation reference signals, the terminal device can improve its downlink data channel detection performance.

[0167] In one optional implementation, the network device can directly and explicitly indicate to the terminal device the transmission resources occupied by the second demodulation reference signal. For example, the network device sends second indication information to the terminal device. The second indication information is used to indicate whether the second demodulation reference signal exists in the transmission resources other than the time domain position occupied by the downlink control channel, the number of second demodulation reference signals, the time domain resource position and / or frequency domain resource position of the second demodulation reference signal, or one or more of these. Here, the transmission resources refer to the same transmission resources used by the second demodulation reference signal, the first demodulation reference signal, the downlink control channel, and the downlink data channel. The definition of these transmission resources can be understood with reference to Method 1, and will not be elaborated further in this embodiment.

[0168] In another optional implementation, the network device can implicitly and indirectly indicate the transmission resources occupied by the second demodulation reference signal to the terminal device. For example, the network device sends second indication information to the terminal device, the second indication information including information for indicating a first time-domain offset, to indicate the time-domain resource location of the second demodulation reference signal. The first time-domain offset is used to characterize the distance between the time-domain resource location of the second demodulation reference signal and the time-domain resource location of the downlink control channel (e.g., the start or end position of the downlink control channel's time-domain resources), or the first time-domain offset is used to characterize the distance between the time-domain resource location of the second demodulation reference signal and the time-domain resource start (or end) position of the downlink data channel.

[0169] Based on this embodiment, the time-domain position of the second demodulation reference signal can be adjusted for different channel conditions, thereby achieving a better channel match and improving demodulation performance. For example, in scenarios with high mobility, where channel time-varying is relatively large, the spacing between the second demodulation reference signal and the first demodulation reference signal can be slightly larger, resulting in a more accurate estimated channel and better demodulation performance.

[0170] Optionally, the network device may send the aforementioned second indication information before sending the first demodulation reference signal and / or downlink control channel to the terminal device; alternatively, the network device may also use the downlink control channel to carry the second indication information, sending the second indication information to the terminal device in a manner that carries the second indication information in the downlink control channel. For example, taking the downlink control channel as PDCCH, the second indication information may be specifically carried in the DCI, and the second indication information may specifically be a field defined in the DCI. It should be noted that, based on method two, the first and second indication information may be carried together in the DCI and sent to the terminal device, or they may be carried together in other messages (e.g., RRC messages). Furthermore, the second and first indication information may also be considered as, or combined into, a single piece of information that can indicate both the content indicated by the first and second indication information; this embodiment of the application does not limit this.

[0171] See also Figure 7 A schematic diagram illustrating a downlink signal transmission method, which includes the following steps:

[0172] S701a: The network device sends a first demodulation reference signal and a downlink control channel to the terminal device. The first demodulation reference signal is used to demodulate the downlink control channel and the downlink data channel scheduled by the downlink control channel. Optionally, the downlink control channel carries the aforementioned first indication information and / or second indication information.

[0173] S701b: The network device sends the downlink data channel scheduled by the downlink control channel and the second demodulation reference signal associated with the downlink data channel to the terminal device. It should be noted that S501a and S501b are not in any particular order.

[0174] S702: The terminal device acquires the downlink control channel and the first demodulation reference signal, and demodulates the downlink control channel using the first demodulation reference signal. Optionally, the terminal device may also acquire first indication information and / or second indication information, and determine, based on the first indication information and / or the second indication information, that the first demodulation reference signal can be used to demodulate the downlink control channel and the downlink data channel.

[0175] S703: The terminal device obtains the downlink data channel and the second demodulation reference signal based on the demodulated downlink control channel, and demodulates the downlink data channel according to the first demodulation reference signal and the second demodulation reference signal.

[0176] Taking the downlink control channel as PDCCH, the first demodulation reference signal as PDCCH DMRS, and the downlink data channel as PDSCH, with the second demodulation reference signal as PDSCH DMRS, as an example. See also... Figure 8aThe diagram illustrates a demodulation reference signal distribution, showing that the transmission method of PDSCH is the same as that of PDCCH (or its CORESET), and that there is no PDSCH DMRS in the non-PDCCH position of the PDSCH time slot. In other words, the second indication information can be used to indicate that there is no PDSCH DMRS in the non-PDCCH position of the PDSCH time slot within the same transmission resource. Upon receiving the second indication information, the terminal device can demodulate the PDSCH according to the PDCCH DMRS sent by the network device.

[0177] Taking the downlink control channel as PDCCH, the first demodulation reference signal as PDCCH DMRS, and the downlink data channel as PDSCH, with the second demodulation reference signal as PDSCH DMRS, as an example. See also... Figure 8b This illustrates that the transmission method of PDSCH is the same as that of PDCCH (or its CORESET), and PDSCH DMRS exists in a non-PDCCH location within the PDSCH time slot, with the PDSCH DMRS location separated from the PDCCH DMRS (or the PDCCH CORESET) by K3 OFDM symbols. K3 OFDM symbols represent the aforementioned first time-domain offset. Therefore, the second indication information may include K3 to indicate the time-domain resource location of PDSCH DMRS relative to the PDCCH. The network device sends this second indication information to implicitly indicate that it has sent PDSCH DMRS, enabling the terminal device to know that it can demodulate PDSCH based on the PDCCH DMRS and PDSCH DMRS sent by the network device, thus improving PDSCH detection performance. Figure 8b The example illustrates the case where K3 = 7. However, it should be noted that the embodiment of this application does not limit the value of K3, nor does it limit the first time-domain offset. The first time-domain frequency shift can be reflected in OFDM and represented by K3 OFDMs; the first time-domain frequency shift can also be an offset in the time slot, etc.

[0178] It should be understood that in this application (e.g., method one, method two, or method three), the bandwidth of the downlink data channel may be less than the bandwidth of the downlink control channel (or the CORESET in which the downlink control channel is located). Furthermore, the frequency resource block location (or the set of indexes of resource blocks) where the downlink data channel is located belongs to a subset of the frequency resource block locations of the downlink control channel (or the CORESET in which the downlink control channel is located).

[0179] Method 4: The network device sends a downlink control channel, a first demodulation reference signal, and a downlink data channel to the terminal device, and also sends third indication information to the terminal device. The third indication information indicates one or more of the precoding granularity of the downlink control channel, the first demodulation reference signal, the downlink data channel, and the second demodulation reference signal; wherein the second demodulation reference signal is associated with the downlink data channel. The terminal device can demodulate part or all of the downlink data channel sent by the network device according to the third indication information and the first demodulation reference signal.

[0180] Optionally, the network device may send the third indication information before sending the first demodulation reference signal and / or downlink control channel; alternatively, the network device may also use the downlink control channel to carry the third indication information, thus sending the third indication information to the terminal device. For example, taking the downlink control channel as PDCCH, the third indication information can be specifically carried in the DCI, and the first indication information can specifically be a field defined in the DCI.

[0181] Optionally, the terminal device can demodulate part or all of the downlink data channel sent by the network device according to the third indication information and the first demodulation reference signal. This can be implemented as follows: First, the terminal device can determine the transmission mode of the downlink data channel or the transmission mode of the second demodulation reference signal according to the third indication information and the downlink control channel demodulated by the first demodulation reference signal. The transmission mode includes one or more of precoding, precoding granularity, and transmission resources. Then, the terminal device determines whether the transmission mode of the downlink control channel (or the first demodulation reference signal) is the same as the transmission mode of the downlink data channel (or the second demodulation reference signal). If they are partially the same, the terminal device can demodulate part of the downlink data channel sent by the network device according to the first demodulation reference signal; if they are completely the same, the terminal device can demodulate all of the downlink data channel sent by the network device according to the first demodulation reference signal.

[0182] The following provides a detailed explanation of how the terminal device determines the transmission mode of the downlink data channel or the transmission mode of the second demodulation reference signal under different circumstances indicated by the third indication information sent by the network device.

[0183] The first scenario: The network device and terminal device are predefined with the following known relationships: the precoding granularity of the downlink control channel is related to the precoding granularity of the downlink data channel; or, the precoding granularity of the downlink control channel is related to the precoding granularity of the second demodulation reference signal; or, the precoding granularity of the first demodulation reference signal is related to the precoding granularity of the downlink data channel; or, the precoding granularity of the first demodulation reference signal is related to the precoding granularity of the second demodulation reference signal. The first demodulation reference signal and the downlink control channel use the same precoding granularity, and the second demodulation reference signal and the downlink data channel use the same precoding granularity.

[0184] For example, PDCCH DMRS has the same precoding granularity as PDCCH, with PDCCH having a precoding granularity of K1 REGs, where K1 can take any value from 2, 3, 4, 6, or the bandwidth. Similarly, PDSCH DMRS has the same precoding granularity as PDSCH, with PDSCH having a precoding granularity of K2 RBs (REGs), where K2 can take any value from 2 or 4. It can be predefined that when the precoding granularity of PDCCH is 2 REGs, the precoding granularity of PDSCH is 2 RBs; when the precoding granularity of PDCCH is 4 REGs, the precoding granularity of PDSCH is 4 RBs; when the precoding granularity of PDCCH is 3 REGs, the precoding granularity of PDSCH is 2 RBs; and when the precoding granularity of PDCCH is 6 REGs, the precoding granularity of PDSCH is 3 RBs.

[0185] The third indication information sent by the network device indicates either the precoding granularity of the downlink control channel or the precoding granularity of the first demodulation reference signal. The terminal device can determine other precoding granularities not indicated by the network device based on known correlations and the third indication information. For example, if the third indication information sent by the network device indicates the precoding granularity of the downlink control channel, the terminal device can determine the precoding granularity of the associated downlink data channel, the precoding granularity of the second demodulation reference signal, and the precoding granularity of the first demodulation reference signal.

[0186] Taking the determination of the downlink data channel transmission mode by the terminal device as an example, if the precoding granularity of the downlink data channel known to the terminal device is the same as the precoding granularity of the first demodulation reference signal, then the terminal device determines that the downlink data channel and the first demodulation reference signal use the same precoding resource block group. The terminal device can demodulate all of the downlink data channel sent by the network device according to the first demodulation reference signal, or demodulate the downlink data channel sent by the network device according to the first demodulation reference signal that has the same frequency position (or frequency domain resource) as the first demodulation reference signal. For example Figure 9aAs shown, the vertical axis represents the time domain dimension, and the horizontal axis represents the frequency domain dimension. The PDCCH and PDCCH DMRS are located at OFDM symbol number 0, while the PDSCH and PDSCH DMRS start from OFDM symbol number 1 (the number of continuous OFDM symbols is not limited). The precoding granularity of the PDCCH is K1 REGs, where K1 is 2; the precoding granularity of the PDSCH is K2 REGs (or RBs), where K2 is 2. The precoding resource block groups of the PDCCH and PDSCH at the same frequency position use the same precoding, such as... Figure 9a The same pattern illustrates that PDSCH PRG j and PDCCH precoding REG group j use the same precoding, and that PDSCH PRG j+1 and PDCCH precoding REG group j+1 use the same precoding. The terminal device can demodulate all of the PDSCH transmitted by the network device according to the PDCCH DMRS demodulation, or demodulate the downlink data channel transmitted by the network device that has the same frequency position as the first demodulation reference signal according to the first demodulation reference signal.

[0187] Taking the transmission mode of the downlink data channel determined by the terminal device as an example, if the precoding granularity of the downlink data channel known by the terminal device is different from the precoding granularity of the first demodulation reference signal, and the precoding resource block group used by the downlink data channel and the first demodulation reference signal are partially overlapped, the terminal device can demodulate the downlink data channel in the overlapping part according to the first demodulation reference signal in the overlapping part.

[0188] For example Figure 9b As shown, the vertical axis represents the time domain dimension, and the horizontal axis represents the frequency domain dimension. PDCCH and PDCCH DMRS are located at OFDM symbol number 0, while PDSCH and PDSCH DMRS start from OFDM symbol number 1 (the number of sustained OFDM symbols is not limited). The precoding granularity of PDCCH is K1 REGs, where K1 is 3; the precoding granularity of PDSCH is K2 REGs (or RBs), where K2 is 2. There is some overlap between the precoding resource block groups of PDCCH and PDSCH, such as... Figure 9b The diagram illustrates PDSCH PRG j and PDCCH precoding REG group j: PDCCH precoding REG group j contains PDSCH PRG j, and the overlapping part is that the precoding of PDSCH PRG j is the same as the precoding of PDCCH precoding REG group j. Figure 9bThe same pattern indicates identical precoding. The terminal device can demodulate the PDSCH in PDSCH PRG j according to the PDCCH DMRS. Furthermore, for the precoding of PDSCH PRG j+1, the precoding of PDSCH PRG j+1 can be set to be the same as the precoding method of the PDCCH corresponding to the position of the smallest RB in the precoding of PDSCH PRG j+1. Figure 9b It also indicates that the precoding of PDSCH PRG j+1 is the same as the precoding of PDCCH precoding REG group j. The terminal device can determine the precoding of PDSCH PRG j+1 based on this setting.

[0189] For example Figure 9c As shown, the vertical axis represents the time domain dimension, and the horizontal axis represents the frequency domain dimension. PDCCH and PDCCH DMRS are located at OFDM symbol number 0, while PDSCH and PDSCH DMRS start from OFDM symbol number 1 (the number of sustained OFDM symbols is not limited). The precoding granularity of PDCCH is K1 REGs, where K1 is 3; the precoding granularity of PDSCH is K2 REGs (RBs), where K2 is 2. There is some overlap between the precoding resource block groups of PDCCH and PDSCH, such as... Figure 9c The diagram illustrates PDSCH PRG j and PDCCH precoding REG group j. PDCCH precoding REG group j contains PDSCH PRG j; the overlapping part is that the precoding of PDSCH PRG j is the same as the precoding of PDCCH precoding REG group j. Figure 9c The same pattern indicates identical precoding. The terminal device can demodulate the PDSCH in PDSCH PRG j according to the PDCCH DMRS. Furthermore, for the precoding of PDSCH PRG j+1, the precoding of PDSCH PRG j+1 can be set to be the same as the precoding method of the PDCCH corresponding to the position of the largest RB in the precoding of PDSCH PRG j+1. Figure 9c It also shows that the precoding of PDSCH PRG j+1 is the same as the precoding of PDCCH precoding REG group j+1. The terminal device can determine the precoding of PDSCH PRG j+1 based on this setting.

[0190] For example Figure 9dAs shown, the vertical axis represents the time domain dimension, and the horizontal axis represents the frequency domain dimension. PDCCH and PDCCH DMRS are located at OFDM symbol number 0, while PDSCH and PDSCH DMRS start from OFDM symbol number 1 (the number of sustained OFDM symbols is not limited). The precoding granularity of PDCCH is K1 REGs, where K1 is 3; the precoding granularity of PDSCH is K2 REGs (RBs), where K2 is 2. There is some overlap between the precoding resource block groups of PDCCH and PDSCH, such as... Figure 9d The diagram illustrates PDSCH PRG j and PDCCH precoding REG group j. PDCCH precoding REG group j contains PDSCH PRG j; the overlapping part is that the precoding of PDSCH PRG j is the same as the precoding of PDCCH precoding REG group j. Figure 9d The same pattern indicates identical precoding. The terminal device can demodulate the PDSCH in PDSCH PRG j according to the PDCCH DMRS. In addition, the precoding for PDSCH PRG j+1 is not set, and the network device can send it arbitrarily.

[0191] In another implementation, the precoding resource block groups of the PDCCH and PDSCH have partially overlapping precodings. The terminal device can determine the precodings of the non-overlapping parts based on the precodings of the overlapping parts. For example, Figure 9d In PDSCH PRG j, there is partial overlap with PDCCH REG group j, i.e., PDSCH PRG j. The terminal device can determine the precoding P1 of PDSCH PRG j+1 based on the precoding P0 of PDCCH REG group j (or the precoding P0 of PDSCH PRG j), denoted as P1 = P × P0; where P is a predefined or precoding vector determined according to preconfiguration information; for example, This approach reduces the indication overhead of PDSCH precoding and increases PDSCH diversity through more flexible precoding, thereby improving transmission performance.

[0192] It should be understood that in this application (e.g., method four), the bandwidth of the downlink data channel may differ from the bandwidth of the downlink control channel (or the CORESET in which the downlink control channel resides). Furthermore, the frequency resource block location (or set of indexes of resource blocks) in which the downlink data channel resides may only partially overlap with the frequency resource block location of the downlink control channel (or the CORESET in which the downlink control channel resides).

[0193] The second scenario involves setting the default precoding granularity of the second demodulation reference signal or downlink data channel using a predefined method. The second demodulation reference signal and the downlink data channel employ the same precoding granularity. For example, in NR, the precoding granularity of the PDSCH corresponding to messages during downlink broadcast / multicast / initial access (PBCH, SIB1, paging message, message 2, other system messages, message 4, RRC configuration message, etc.) defaults to 2 RBs.

[0194] The third indication information sent by the network device indicates either the precoding granularity of the downlink control channel or the precoding granularity of the first demodulation reference signal. The precoding granularity of the downlink control channel is the same as the precoding granularity of the first demodulation reference signal. For example, in NR, the precoding granularity of the PDCCH (or PDCCH DMRS) is the same as the precoding granularity of its corresponding CORESET. The CORESET precoding granularity configured by the network device can be 2, 4, or 6 REGs, or the entire CORESET bandwidth, configured by the base station in SIB1. Furthermore, in NR, the terminal device can also assume that the CORESET precoding granularity corresponding to the paging message, message 2, and message 4 is exactly the same as the SIB1 CORESET precoding granularity, which can also be configured by the base station in SIB1. The terminal device can determine the precoding granularity of the downlink data channel and the second demodulation reference signal, as well as the precoding granularity of the downlink control channel and the first demodulation reference signal, based on the third indication information and the aforementioned default precoding granularity. Then, based on the third instruction information and the first demodulation reference signal, the terminal device demodulates part or all of the downlink data channel sent by the network device. This can be implemented with reference to the example in the first case mentioned above, and will not be described again in this application embodiment.

[0195] The third scenario: The third indication information sent by the network device indicates any one of the precoding granularity of the downlink control channel, the precoding granularity of the first demodulation reference signal, and any one of the precoding granularity of the downlink data channel and the precoding granularity of the second demodulation reference signal. Specifically, the precoding granularity of the downlink control channel is the same as the precoding granularity of the first demodulation reference signal; the precoding granularity of the downlink data channel is the same as the precoding granularity of the second demodulation reference signal. The terminal device can determine the precoding granularity of the downlink data channel and the second demodulation reference signal, as well as the precoding granularity of the downlink control channel and the first demodulation reference signal, based on the third indication information. Then, the terminal device demodulates part or all of the downlink data channel sent by the network device according to the third indication information and the first demodulation reference signal, which can be implemented with reference to the example in the first scenario described above; this application embodiment will not elaborate further on this.

[0196] For the three situations mentioned above, please refer to [link / reference]. Figure 10This application provides a schematic flowchart of a downlink signal transmission method, which includes the following steps:

[0197] S1001a: The network device sends a first demodulation reference signal and a downlink control channel to the terminal device. The first demodulation reference signal is used to demodulate the downlink control channel and the downlink data channel scheduled by the downlink control channel. Optionally, the downlink control channel carries the aforementioned third indication information. The specific content of the third indication information varies depending on the situation, and can be understood by referring to the three situations described above. Figure 10 The text does not provide a specific illustration of the third instruction information.

[0198] S1001b: The network device sends downlink data channels scheduled by the downlink control channel to the terminal device. It should be noted that S501a and S501b are not in any particular order.

[0199] S1002: The terminal device acquires the downlink control channel and the first demodulation reference signal, and demodulates the downlink control channel using the first demodulation reference signal. Optionally, the terminal device may also acquire third indication information.

[0200] S1003: The terminal device obtains the downlink data channel based on the demodulated downlink control channel, and demodulates part or all of the downlink data channel sent by the network device according to the first demodulation reference signal and the third indication information.

[0201] Method 5: Building upon Method 4, the network device can further transmit a second demodulation reference signal associated with the downlink data channel. The terminal device can then demodulate the downlink data channel using either Method 4 or the second demodulation reference signal. By combining the first and second demodulation reference signals, the terminal device can improve its downlink data channel detection performance.

[0202] See also Figure 11 This application provides a schematic flowchart of a downlink signal transmission method, which includes the following steps:

[0203] S1101a: The network device sends a first demodulation reference signal and a downlink control channel to the terminal device. The first demodulation reference signal is used to demodulate the downlink control channel and the downlink data channel scheduled by the downlink control channel. Optionally, the downlink control channel carries the aforementioned third indication information. The content indicated by the third indication information can be implemented with reference to method four, and will not be described again in this embodiment.

[0204] S1101b: The network device sends the downlink data channel scheduled by the downlink control channel and the second demodulation reference signal associated with the downlink data channel to the terminal device. It should be noted that S501a and S501b are not in any particular order.

[0205] S1102: The terminal device acquires the downlink control channel and the first demodulation reference signal, and demodulates the downlink control channel using the first demodulation reference signal. Optionally, the terminal device may also acquire third indication information.

[0206] S1103: The terminal device obtains the downlink data channel and the second demodulation reference signal based on the demodulated downlink control channel, and demodulates the downlink data channel sent by the network device according to the first demodulation reference signal and the second demodulation reference signal.

[0207] Based on the same concept, see [link / reference] Figure 12 This application provides a downlink signal transmission device 1200, which includes a processing module 1201 and a communication module 1202. The communication device 1200 can be a network device, or an apparatus applied to a network device that enables the network device to execute a downlink signal transmission method. Alternatively, the communication device 1200 can be a terminal device, or an apparatus applied to a terminal device that enables the terminal device to execute a downlink signal transmission method.

[0208] The communication module can also be called a transceiver module, transceiver, transceiver device, etc. The processing module can also be called a processor, processing board, processing unit, processing device, etc. Optionally, the device in the communication module used to implement the receiving function can be considered as a receiving unit. It should be understood that the communication module is used to perform the sending and receiving operations on the network device side or the terminal device side in the above method embodiments. The device in the communication module used to implement the sending function can be considered as a sending unit, that is, the communication module includes a receiving unit and a sending unit. When the device 1200 is applied to a network device, the receiving unit included in its communication module 1202 is used to perform the receiving operation on the network device side, such as receiving uplink signals (uplink control channel / uplink data channel) from the terminal device; the sending unit included in its communication module 1202 is used to perform the sending operation on the network device side, such as sending downlink signals to the terminal device. When the device 1200 is applied to a terminal device, the receiving unit included in its communication module 1202 is used to perform the receiving operation on the terminal device side, such as receiving downlink signals from the network device. Its communication module 1202 includes a transmitting unit for performing transmitting operations on the terminal device side, such as sending uplink signals to network devices. Furthermore, it should be noted that if the device is implemented using a chip / chip circuit, the communication module can be an input / output circuit and / or a communication interface, performing input operations (corresponding to the aforementioned receiving operations) and output operations (corresponding to the aforementioned transmitting operations); the processing module is an integrated processor, microprocessor, or integrated circuit.

[0209] The following provides a detailed description of an implementation of the device 1200 applied to a network device. The device 1200 includes:

[0210] The processing module 1201 is used to generate a downlink control channel, a first demodulation reference signal, and a downlink data channel. The first demodulation reference signal is associated with the downlink control channel. The downlink control channel is used to schedule the downlink data channel. The first demodulation reference signal is used to demodulate the downlink control channel and the downlink data channel.

[0211] The communication module 1202 is used to send the downlink control channel and the first demodulation reference signal to the terminal device.

[0212] The communication module 1202 is also used to send the downlink data channel to the terminal device.

[0213] In this embodiment, a demodulation reference signal associated with the downlink control channel can be set to demodulate the downlink data channel, thereby implementing the multiplexing of the demodulation reference signal, reducing the consumption of transmission resources and signaling overhead.

[0214] In an optional implementation, the communication module 1202 is further configured to send first indication information to the terminal device, the first indication information indicating one or more of the following: the downlink control channel and the downlink data channel use the same transmission mode; the second demodulation reference signal associated with the downlink control channel and the downlink data channel uses the same transmission mode; the first demodulation reference signal and the downlink data channel use the same transmission mode; the first demodulation reference signal and the second demodulation reference signal associated with the downlink data channel use the same transmission mode.

[0215] In this embodiment, by setting the downlink data channel and its scheduling downlink control channel, as well as the demodulation reference signal associated with the downlink control channel, to transmit in the same manner, the demodulation reference signal associated with the downlink control channel can be used to demodulate the downlink data channel, thus implementing the multiplexing of the demodulation reference signal. The network device notifies the terminal device through a first indication message instead of sending the demodulation reference signal associated with the downlink control channel, thereby reducing the consumption of transmission resources and signaling overhead.

[0216] One or more of the following conditions must be met: the downlink control channel and the downlink data channel use the same transmission mode; the second demodulation reference signal associated with the downlink control channel and the downlink data channel uses the same transmission mode; the first demodulation reference signal and the downlink data channel use the same transmission mode; the first demodulation reference signal and the second demodulation reference signal associated with the downlink data channel use the same transmission mode. By setting the transmission mode of the downlink data channel, its scheduling downlink control channel, and the demodulation reference signal associated with the downlink control channel to be the same, the demodulation reference signal associated with the downlink control channel can be used to demodulate the downlink data channel, thus realizing the multiplexing of the demodulation reference signal.

[0217] In an optional implementation, the communication module 1202 is further configured to send first indication information to the terminal device, the first indication information indicating one or more of the following: the downlink control channel and the downlink data channel use the same transmission mode; the second demodulation reference signal associated with the downlink control channel and the downlink data channel uses the same transmission mode; the first demodulation reference signal and the downlink data channel use the same transmission mode; the first demodulation reference signal and the second demodulation reference signal associated with the downlink data channel use the same transmission mode.

[0218] In this application, the network device notifies the terminal device via a first indication message that the downlink data channel, its scheduling downlink control channel, and the demodulation reference signal associated with the downlink control channel are transmitted in the same manner, thus implementing the multiplexing of the demodulation reference signal. The terminal device can then demodulate the downlink data channel based on the demodulation reference signal associated with the downlink control channel. This eliminates the need for the network device to send the demodulation reference signal associated with the downlink control channel, reducing transmission resource consumption and signaling overhead.

[0219] In one alternative implementation, the same transmission method includes the same transmission resources, the same precoding, and the same precoding granularity.

[0220] In an optional implementation, the communication module 1202 is further configured to send a second demodulation reference signal associated with the downlink data channel to the terminal device. In this way, the terminal device can combine the first demodulation reference signal and the second demodulation reference signal to demodulate the downlink data channel, thereby improving the detection performance of the downlink data channel.

[0221] In an optional implementation, the communication module 1202 is further configured to send second indication information to the terminal device, the second indication information being used to indicate the time-domain resource location and / or frequency-domain resource location occupied by the second demodulation reference signal.

[0222] In an optional implementation, the communication module 1202 is further configured to send second indication information to the terminal device. The second indication information includes information indicating a first time-domain offset. The first time-domain offset represents the distance between the time-domain resource location of the second demodulation reference signal and the time-domain resource location of the downlink control channel (e.g., the start or end position of the downlink control channel's time-domain resources), or it represents the distance between the time-domain resource location of the second demodulation reference signal and the time-domain resource location of the first demodulation reference signal, or it represents the distance between the time-domain resource location of the second demodulation reference signal and the start (or end) position of the downlink data channel's time-domain resources. In this way, the time-domain resource location of the second demodulation reference signal can be indirectly or implicitly indicated to the terminal device. Based on the time-domain resource location of the first demodulation reference signal / downlink control channel combined with the first time-domain offset, the terminal device can determine the location of the second demodulation reference signal.

[0223] In an optional implementation, the communication module 1202 is further configured to send third indication information to the terminal device. The third indication information indicates one or more of the precoding granularity of the downlink control channel, the precoding granularity of the first demodulation reference signal, the precoding granularity of the downlink data channel, and the precoding granularity of the second demodulation reference signal; wherein the second demodulation reference signal is associated with the downlink data channel. In this way, the terminal device can demodulate part or all of the downlink data channel transmitted by the network device according to the third indication information and the first demodulation reference signal, implementing multiplexing of the demodulation reference signal. This reduces the transmission resources occupied by the second demodulation reference signal associated with the downlink data channel and reduces signaling overhead.

[0224] In one optional implementation, the precoding granularity of the downlink control channel is related to the precoding granularity of the downlink data channel; or, the precoding granularity of the downlink control channel is related to the precoding granularity of the second demodulation reference signal; or, the precoding granularity of the first demodulation reference signal is related to the precoding granularity of the downlink data channel; or, the precoding granularity of the first demodulation reference signal is related to the precoding granularity of the second demodulation reference signal.

[0225] The following provides a detailed description of an embodiment in which the device 1200 is applied to a terminal device. The device 1200 includes:

[0226] The communication module 1202 is used to receive a downlink control channel and a first demodulation reference signal from a network device. The first demodulation reference signal is associated with the downlink control channel, which is used to schedule a downlink data channel. The first demodulation reference signal is used to demodulate the downlink control channel and the downlink data channel.

[0227] Processing module 1201 is used to demodulate the downlink control channel according to the first demodulation reference signal.

[0228] The communication module 1202 is also used to receive the downlink data channel from the network device.

[0229] The processing module 1201 is further configured to demodulate the downlink data channel according to the first demodulation reference signal.

[0230] In this embodiment, a demodulation reference signal associated with the downlink control channel can be set to demodulate the downlink data channel, thereby implementing the multiplexing of the demodulation reference signal, reducing the consumption of transmission resources and signaling overhead.

[0231] In one optional implementation, the communication module 1202 is specifically configured to receive a downlink control channel from the network device and, based on the downlink control channel, receive (acquire) the downlink data channel from the network device; the processing module 1201 is specifically configured to demodulate the downlink control channel and the downlink data channel respectively according to the first demodulation reference signal; or, the communication module 1202 may first receive the downlink control channel from the network device, and the processing module 1201 may first demodulate the downlink control channel according to the first demodulation reference signal; the communication module 1202 may then receive (acquire) the downlink data channel from the network device based on the control information in the downlink control channel, and the processing module 1201 may then demodulate the downlink data channel according to the first demodulation reference signal.

[0232] In one optional implementation, one or more of the following conditions are satisfied: the downlink control channel and the downlink data channel use the same transmission mode; the second demodulation reference signal associated with the downlink control channel and the downlink data channel uses the same transmission mode; the first demodulation reference signal and the downlink data channel use the same transmission mode; and the first demodulation reference signal and the second demodulation reference signal associated with the downlink data channel use the same transmission mode. By setting the transmission mode of the downlink data channel, its scheduling downlink control channel, and the demodulation reference signal associated with the downlink control channel to be the same, the demodulation reference signal associated with the downlink control channel can be used to demodulate the downlink data channel, thus achieving multiplexing of the demodulation reference signal.

[0233] In an optional implementation, the communication module 1202 is further configured to receive first indication information from the network device, the first indication information indicating one or more of the following: the downlink control channel and the downlink data channel use the same transmission mode; the second demodulation reference signal associated with the downlink control channel and the downlink data channel uses the same transmission mode; the first demodulation reference signal and the downlink data channel use the same transmission mode; the first demodulation reference signal and the second demodulation reference signal associated with the downlink data channel use the same transmission mode.

[0234] In this application, the network device notifies the terminal device via a first indication message that the downlink data channel, its scheduling downlink control channel, and the demodulation reference signal associated with the downlink control channel are transmitted in the same manner, thus implementing the multiplexing of the demodulation reference signal. The terminal device can then demodulate the downlink data channel based on the demodulation reference signal associated with the downlink control channel. This eliminates the need for the network device to send the demodulation reference signal associated with the downlink control channel, reducing transmission resource consumption and signaling overhead.

[0235] In one alternative implementation, the same transmission method includes the same transmission resources, the same precoding, and the same precoding granularity.

[0236] In an optional implementation, the communication module 1202 is further configured to receive a second demodulation reference signal associated with the downlink data channel from the network device; the processing module 1201 is further configured to demodulate the downlink data channel according to the first demodulation reference signal and the second demodulation reference signal. In this way, the terminal device can combine the first demodulation reference signal and the second demodulation reference signal to demodulate the downlink data channel, thereby improving the detection performance of the downlink data channel.

[0237] In an optional implementation, the communication module 1202 is further configured to send second indication information to the terminal device, the second indication information being further configured to indicate the time-domain resource location and / or frequency-domain resource location occupied by the second demodulation reference signal.

[0238] In an optional implementation, the communication module 1202 is further configured to send second indication information to the terminal device.

[0239] The second indication information includes information for indicating a first time-domain offset; wherein, the first time-domain offset is used to characterize the distance between the time-domain resource location of the second demodulation reference signal and the time-domain resource location of the downlink control channel (e.g., the start or end position of the downlink control channel's time-domain resources), or the first time-domain offset is used to characterize the distance between the time-domain resource location of the second demodulation reference signal and the time-domain resource location of the first demodulation reference signal, or the first time-domain offset is used to characterize the distance between the time-domain resource location of the second demodulation reference signal and the start (or end) position of the downlink data channel's time-domain resources. In this way, the time-domain resource location of the second demodulation reference signal can be indirectly or implicitly indicated to the terminal device. Based on the time-domain resource location of the first demodulation reference signal / downlink control channel combined with the first time-domain offset, the terminal device can determine the location of the second demodulation reference signal.

[0240] In an optional implementation, the communication module 1202 is further configured to receive third indication information from the network device. The third indication information indicates one or more of the precoding granularity of the downlink control channel, the precoding granularity of the first demodulation reference signal, the precoding granularity of the downlink data channel, and the precoding granularity of the second demodulation reference signal; wherein the second demodulation reference signal is associated with the downlink data channel. In this way, the terminal device can demodulate part or all of the downlink data channel transmitted by the network device according to the third indication information and the first demodulation reference signal, implementing multiplexing of the demodulation reference signal. This reduces the transmission resources occupied by the second demodulation reference signal associated with the downlink data channel and reduces signaling overhead.

[0241] In one optional implementation, the precoding granularity of the downlink control channel is related to the precoding granularity of the downlink data channel; or, the precoding granularity of the downlink control channel is related to the precoding granularity of the second demodulation reference signal; or, the precoding granularity of the first demodulation reference signal is related to the precoding granularity of the downlink data channel; or, the precoding granularity of the first demodulation reference signal is related to the precoding granularity of the second demodulation reference signal.

[0242] In an optional implementation, the processing module 1201 is further configured to demodulate part or all of the downlink data channel transmitted by the network device according to the first demodulation reference signal and the third indication information.

[0243] In an optional implementation, the processing module 1201 is specifically configured to: determine the transmission mode of the downlink data channel and the transmission mode of the first demodulation reference signal based on the third indication information and the downlink control channel demodulated by the first demodulation reference signal; wherein the downlink data channel and the second demodulation reference signal use the same transmission mode, and the first demodulation reference signal and the downlink control channel use the same transmission mode, and the transmission mode includes precoding, precoding granularity, and transmission resources. If the transmission mode of the downlink data channel is entirely the same as the transmission mode of the first demodulation reference signal, then all of the downlink data channel is demodulated according to the first demodulation reference signal; if the transmission mode of the downlink data channel is partially the same as the transmission mode of the first demodulation reference signal, then a portion of the downlink data channel is demodulated according to the first demodulation reference signal.

[0244] In one optional implementation, the processing module 1201 is specifically configured to: determine, based on the third indication information, that the precoding granularity of the downlink data channel is the same as the precoding granularity of the first demodulation reference signal; demodulate all downlink data channels transmitted by the network device based on the first demodulation reference signal; or, the terminal device demodulates downlink data channels transmitted by the network device that occupy the same frequency domain resources as the first demodulation reference signal based on the first demodulation reference signal.

[0245] In one optional implementation, the processing module 1201 is specifically configured to: determine, based on the third indication information, that the precoding granularity of the downlink data channel is different from that of the first demodulation reference signal, and that the precoding resource block group of the downlink data channel partially overlaps with the precoding resource block group of the first demodulation reference signal; and demodulate the downlink data channel in the overlapping precoding resource block group based on the first demodulation reference signal in the overlapping precoding resource block group.

[0246] Based on the same concept, such as Figure 13 As shown, this application embodiment provides a communication device 1300, which may be a chip or a chip system. Optionally, in this application embodiment, the chip system may be composed of chips, or may include chips and other discrete devices.

[0247] The communication device 1300 may include at least one processor 1310 coupled to a memory, which may optionally be located within or outside the device. For example, the communication device 1300 may also include at least one memory 1320. The memory 1320 stores computer programs, configuration information, computer programs or instructions, and / or data necessary for implementing any of the above embodiments; the processor 1310 may execute the computer programs stored in the memory 1320 to perform the methods in any of the above embodiments.

[0248] The coupling in this embodiment is an indirect coupling or communication connection between devices, units, or modules, which can be electrical, mechanical, or other forms, used for information exchange between devices, units, or modules. The processor 1310 may operate in conjunction with the memory 1320. This embodiment does not limit the specific connection medium between the transceiver 1330, processor 1310, and memory 1320.

[0249] The communication device 1300 may also include a transceiver 1330, through which the communication device 1300 can exchange information with other devices. The transceiver 1330 can be a circuit, a bus, a transceiver unit, or any other device that can be used for information exchange, or a signal transceiver unit. Figure 13As shown, the transceiver 1330 includes a transmitter 1331, a receiver 1332, and an antenna 1333. Furthermore, when the communication device 1300 is a chip-based device or circuit, the transceiver in the device 1300 can also be an input / output circuit and / or a communication interface, capable of inputting data (or receiving data) and outputting data (or transmitting data). The processor is an integrated processor, a microprocessor, or an integrated circuit, and the processor can determine the output data based on the input data.

[0250] In one possible implementation, the communication device 1300 can be applied to a network device. Specifically, the communication device 1300 can be a network device or an apparatus capable of supporting a network device and implementing the functions of the network device in any of the above-mentioned embodiments. The memory 1320 stores the necessary computer programs, computer programs or instructions and / or data for implementing the functions of the network device in any of the above-mentioned embodiments. The processor 1310 can execute the computer program stored in the memory 1320 to complete the method executed by the network device in any of the above-mentioned embodiments. Applied to a network device, the transmitter 1331 in the communication device 1300 can be used to send transmission control configuration information to a terminal device through the antenna 1333, and the receiver 1332 can be used to receive transmission information sent by the terminal device through the antenna 1333.

[0251] In another possible implementation, the communication device 1300 can be applied to a terminal device. Specifically, the communication device 1300 can be a terminal device or an apparatus capable of supporting the terminal device and implementing the functions of the terminal device in any of the above embodiments. The memory 1320 stores the necessary computer programs, computer programs or instructions and / or data for implementing the functions of the terminal device in any of the above embodiments. The processor 1310 can execute the computer program stored in the memory 1320 to complete the method executed by the terminal device in any of the above embodiments. Applied to a terminal device, the receiver 1332 in the communication device 1300 can be used to receive transmission control configuration information sent by the network device through the antenna 1333, and the transmitter 1331 can be used to send transmission information to the network device through the antenna 1333.

[0252] Since the communication device 1300 provided in this embodiment can be applied to a network device to complete the method executed by the network device, or applied to a terminal device to complete the method executed by the terminal device, the technical effects it can achieve can be referred to the above method embodiments, and will not be repeated here.

[0253] In the embodiments of this application, the processor may be a general-purpose processor, a digital signal processor, an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), or other programmable logic devices, discrete gate or transistor logic devices, or discrete hardware components, and may implement or execute the methods, steps, and logic block diagrams disclosed in the embodiments of this application. The general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor or any conventional processor. The steps of the methods disclosed in the embodiments of this application can be directly manifested as being executed by a hardware processor, or executed by a combination of hardware and software modules within the processor.

[0254] In the embodiments of this application, the memory can be non-volatile memory, such as a hard disk drive (HDD) or a solid-state drive (SSD), or it can be volatile memory, such as random-access memory (RAM). The memory can also be any other medium capable of carrying or storing desired program code in the form of instructions or data structures, and accessible by a computer, but is not limited thereto. The memory in the embodiments of this application can also be a circuit or any other device capable of implementing storage functions, used to store computer programs, computer program or instruction and / or data.

[0255] Based on the above embodiments, see Figure 14 This application also provides another communication device 1400, including: an interface circuit 1410 and a processor 1420; the interface circuit 1410 is used to receive code instructions and transmit them to the processor; the processor 1420 is used to run the code instructions to execute the method executed by the network device or the method executed by the terminal device in any of the above embodiments.

[0256] Since the communication device 1400 provided in this embodiment can be applied to a network device to execute the method executed by the network device, or applied to a terminal device to execute the method executed by the terminal device, the technical effects it can obtain can be referred to the above method embodiments, and will not be repeated here.

[0257] Based on the above embodiments, this application also provides a communication system, which includes at least one communication device applied to a network device and at least one communication device applied to a terminal device. The technical effects obtained can be referred to the above method embodiments, and will not be repeated here.

[0258] Based on the above embodiments, this application also provides a computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program or instructions. When the instructions are executed, the method executed by the network device or the method executed by the terminal device in any of the above embodiments is implemented. The computer-readable storage medium may include various media capable of storing program code, such as a USB flash drive, portable hard drive, read-only memory, random access memory, magnetic disk, or optical disk.

[0259] To achieve the above Figures 12-14 In addition to the functions of the communication device, this application also provides a chip, including a processor, for supporting the communication device in implementing the functions involved in the network device or terminal device in the above method embodiments. In one possible design, the chip is connected to a memory or the chip includes a memory for storing the computer programs or instructions and data necessary for the communication device.

[0260] Those skilled in the art will understand that embodiments of this application can be provided as methods, systems, or computer program products. Therefore, this application can take the form of a completely hardware embodiment, a completely software embodiment, or an embodiment combining software and hardware aspects. Furthermore, this application can take the form of a computer program product embodied on one or more computer-usable storage media (including but not limited to disk storage, CD-ROM, optical storage, etc.) containing computer-usable program code.

[0261] This application is described with reference to flowchart illustrations and / or block diagrams of methods, apparatus (systems), and computer program products according to embodiments of this application. It will be understood that each block of the flowchart illustrations and / or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in the flowchart illustrations and / or block diagrams, can be implemented by a computer program or instructions. Such computer programs or instructions can be provided to a processor of a general-purpose computer, special-purpose computer, embedded processor, or other programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, such that the instructions, which execute via the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing apparatus, generate instructions for implementing the flowchart... Figure 1 One or more processes and / or boxes Figure 1 A device that provides the functions specified in one or more boxes.

[0262] These computer programs or instructions may also be stored in a computer-readable storage medium that can direct a computer or other programmable data processing device to function in a particular manner, such that the instructions stored in the computer-readable storage medium produce an article of manufacture including instruction means, which are implemented in a process Figure 1 One or more processes and / or boxes Figure 1 The function specified in one or more boxes.

[0263] These computer programs or instructions may also be loaded onto a computer or other programmable data processing equipment to cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer or other programmable equipment to produce a computer-implemented process, thereby providing instructions that execute on the computer or other programmable equipment for implementing the process. Figure 1 One or more processes and / or boxes Figure 1 The steps of the function specified in one or more boxes.

[0264] Obviously, those skilled in the art can make various modifications and variations to the embodiments of this application without departing from the scope of the embodiments of this application. Therefore, if these modifications and variations to the embodiments of this application fall within the scope of the claims of this application and their equivalents, this application also intends to include these modifications and variations.

Claims

1. A method for transmitting downlink signals, characterized in that, include: The network device sends a downlink control channel and a first demodulation reference signal to the terminal device. The first demodulation reference signal is associated with the downlink control channel, which is used to schedule the downlink data channel. The first demodulation reference signal is used to demodulate the downlink control channel and the downlink data channel. The first demodulation reference signal and the downlink control channel share the same frequency domain resources, time slots, and precoding groups. The first demodulation reference signal and the downlink data channel employ the same transmission method, which includes the same transmission resources, the same precoding, and the same precoding granularity. The network device sends the downlink data channel to the terminal device.

2. The method as described in claim 1, characterized in that, One or more of the following conditions must be met: The downlink control channel and the downlink data channel use the same transmission method; The second demodulation reference signal associated with the downlink control channel and the downlink data channel adopts the same transmission method; The first demodulation reference signal and the second demodulation reference signal associated with the downlink data channel use the same transmission method.

3. The method as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The method further includes: The network device sends a first indication information to the terminal device, the first indication information being used to indicate one or more of the following: The downlink control channel and the downlink data channel use the same transmission method; The second demodulation reference signal associated with the downlink control channel and the downlink data channel adopts the same transmission method; The first demodulation reference signal and the downlink data channel use the same transmission method; The first demodulation reference signal and the second demodulation reference signal associated with the downlink data channel use the same transmission method.

4. The method as described in claim 2 or 3, characterized in that, The method further includes: The network device sends the second demodulation reference signal associated with the downlink data channel to the terminal device.

5. The method as described in claim 4, characterized in that, The method further includes: The network device sends a second indication information to the terminal device, the second indication information being used to indicate the time-domain resource location and / or frequency-domain resource location of the second demodulation reference signal.

6. The method as described in claim 4, characterized in that, The method further includes: The network device sends a second indication information to the terminal device. The second indication information includes information for indicating a first time-domain offset. The first time-domain offset is used to characterize the distance between the time-domain resource position of the second demodulation reference signal and the time-domain resource position of the downlink control channel, or the first time-domain offset is used to characterize the distance between the time-domain resource position of the second demodulation reference signal and the time-domain resource start position of the first demodulation reference signal, or the first time-domain offset is used to characterize the distance between the time-domain resource position of the second demodulation reference signal and the time-domain resource start position of the downlink data channel.

7. The method as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The method further includes: The network device sends a third indication information to the terminal device. The third indication information is used to indicate one or more of the following: the precoding granularity of the downlink control channel, the precoding granularity of the first demodulation reference signal, the precoding granularity of the downlink data channel, and the precoding granularity of the second demodulation reference signal; wherein the second demodulation reference signal is associated with the downlink data channel.

8. The method as described in claim 7, characterized in that, The precoding granularity of the downlink control channel is related to the precoding granularity of the downlink data channel; or, the precoding granularity of the downlink control channel is related to the precoding granularity of the second demodulation reference signal; or, the precoding granularity of the first demodulation reference signal is related to the precoding granularity of the downlink data channel; or, the precoding granularity of the first demodulation reference signal is related to the precoding granularity of the second demodulation reference signal.

9. A method for transmitting downlink signals, characterized in that, include: The terminal device receives a downlink control channel and a first demodulation reference signal from a network device. The first demodulation reference signal is associated with the downlink control channel, which is used to schedule a downlink data channel. The first demodulation reference signal is used to demodulate the downlink control channel and the downlink data channel. The first demodulation reference signal and the downlink control channel share the same frequency domain resources, time slots, and precoding groups. The first demodulation reference signal and the downlink data channel employ the same transmission method, which includes the same transmission resources, the same precoding, and the same precoding granularity. The terminal device demodulates the downlink control channel according to the first demodulation reference signal; The terminal device receives the downlink data channel from the network device and demodulates the downlink data channel according to the first demodulation reference signal.

10. The method as described in claim 9, characterized in that, One or more of the following conditions must be met: The downlink control channel and the downlink data channel use the same transmission method; The second demodulation reference signal associated with the downlink control channel and the downlink data channel adopts the same transmission method; The first demodulation reference signal and the second demodulation reference signal associated with the downlink data channel use the same transmission method.

11. The method as described in claim 9, characterized in that, The method further includes: The terminal device receives first indication information from the network device, the first indication information being used to indicate one or more of the following: The downlink control channel and the downlink data channel use the same transmission method; The second demodulation reference signal associated with the downlink control channel and the downlink data channel adopts the same transmission method; The first demodulation reference signal and the downlink data channel use the same transmission method; The first demodulation reference signal and the second demodulation reference signal associated with the downlink data channel use the same transmission method.

12. The method as described in claim 10 or 11, characterized in that, The method further includes: The terminal device receives a second demodulation reference signal associated with the downlink data channel from the network device; The terminal device demodulates the downlink data channel based on the first demodulation reference signal and the second demodulation reference signal.

13. The method as described in claim 12, characterized in that, The method further includes: The system receives a second indication information from the network device, the second indication information being used to indicate the location of time-domain resources and / or frequency-domain resources occupied by the second demodulation reference signal.

14. The method as described in claim 12, characterized in that, The method further includes: The system receives second indication information from the network device, the second indication information including information for indicating a first time-domain offset; wherein the first time-domain offset is used to characterize the distance between the time-domain resource position of the second demodulation reference signal and the time-domain resource position of the downlink control channel, or the first time-domain offset is used to characterize the distance between the time-domain resource position of the second demodulation reference signal and the time-domain resource start position of the first demodulation reference signal, or the first time-domain offset is used to characterize the distance between the time-domain resource position of the second demodulation reference signal and the time-domain resource start position of the downlink data channel.

15. The method as described in claim 9, characterized in that, The method further includes: The terminal device receives third indication information from the network device. The third indication information is used to indicate one or more of the following: the precoding granularity of the downlink control channel, the precoding granularity of the first demodulation reference signal, the precoding granularity of the downlink data channel, and the precoding granularity of the second demodulation reference signal; wherein the second demodulation reference signal is associated with the downlink data channel.

16. The method as described in claim 15, characterized in that, The precoding granularity of the downlink control channel is related to the precoding granularity of the downlink data channel; or, the precoding granularity of the downlink control channel is related to the precoding granularity of the second demodulation reference signal; or, the precoding granularity of the first demodulation reference signal is related to the precoding granularity of the downlink data channel; or, the precoding granularity of the first demodulation reference signal is related to the precoding granularity of the second demodulation reference signal.

17. A downlink signal transmission device, characterized in that, Applied to network devices, the device includes: A processing module is used to generate a downlink control channel, a first demodulation reference signal, and a downlink data channel. The first demodulation reference signal is associated with the downlink control channel, which is used to schedule the downlink data channel. The first demodulation reference signal is used to demodulate the downlink control channel and the downlink data channel. The first demodulation reference signal and the downlink control channel share the same frequency domain resources, time slots, and precoding groups. The first demodulation reference signal and the downlink data channel employ the same transmission method, which includes the same transmission resources, the same precoding, and the same precoding granularity. The communication module is used to send the downlink control channel and the first demodulation reference signal to the terminal device; The communication module is also used to send the downlink data channel to the terminal device.

18. The apparatus as claimed in claim 17, characterized in that, One or more of the following conditions must be met: The downlink control channel and the downlink data channel use the same transmission method; The second demodulation reference signal associated with the downlink control channel and the downlink data channel adopts the same transmission method; The first demodulation reference signal and the second demodulation reference signal associated with the downlink data channel use the same transmission method.

19. The apparatus as claimed in claim 17, characterized in that, The communication module is further configured to send first indication information to the terminal device, the first indication information being used to indicate one or more of the following: The downlink control channel and the downlink data channel use the same transmission method; The second demodulation reference signal associated with the downlink control channel and the downlink data channel adopts the same transmission method; The first demodulation reference signal and the downlink data channel use the same transmission method; The first demodulation reference signal and the second demodulation reference signal associated with the downlink data channel use the same transmission method.

20. The apparatus as claimed in claim 18 or 19, characterized in that, The communication module is also used to send the second demodulation reference signal associated with the downlink data channel to the terminal device.

21. The apparatus as claimed in claim 20, characterized in that, The communication module is further configured to send second indication information to the terminal device, the second indication information being used to indicate the time-domain resource position and / or frequency-domain resource position occupied by the second demodulation reference signal in the transmission resources.

22. The apparatus as claimed in claim 20, characterized in that, The communication module is further configured to send second indication information to the terminal device, the second indication information including information for indicating a first time-domain offset; wherein, the first time-domain offset is used to characterize the distance between the time-domain resource position of the second demodulation reference signal and the time-domain resource position of the downlink control channel, or the first time-domain offset is used to characterize the distance between the time-domain resource position of the second demodulation reference signal and the time-domain resource position of the first demodulation reference signal, or the first time-domain offset is used to characterize the distance between the time-domain resource position of the second demodulation reference signal and the time-domain resource start position of the downlink data channel.

23. The apparatus as claimed in claim 17, characterized in that, The communication module is further configured to send third indication information to the terminal device, the third indication information being used to indicate one or more of the precoding granularity of the downlink control channel, the precoding granularity of the first demodulation reference signal, the precoding granularity of the downlink data channel, and the precoding granularity of the second demodulation reference signal; wherein the second demodulation reference signal is associated with the downlink data channel.

24. The apparatus as claimed in claim 23, characterized in that, The precoding granularity of the downlink control channel is related to the precoding granularity of the downlink data channel; or, the precoding granularity of the downlink control channel is related to the precoding granularity of the second demodulation reference signal; or, the precoding granularity of the first demodulation reference signal is related to the precoding granularity of the downlink data channel; or, the precoding granularity of the first demodulation reference signal is related to the precoding granularity of the second demodulation reference signal.

25. A downlink signal transmission device, characterized in that, Applied to a terminal device, the device includes: A communication module is configured to receive a downlink control channel and a first demodulation reference signal from a network device. The first demodulation reference signal is associated with the downlink control channel, which is used to schedule a downlink data channel. The first demodulation reference signal is used to demodulate the downlink control channel and the downlink data channel. The first demodulation reference signal and the downlink control channel share the same frequency domain resources, time slots, and precoding groups. The first demodulation reference signal and the downlink data channel employ the same transmission method, which includes the same transmission resources, the same precoding, and the same precoding granularity. The processing module is configured to demodulate the downlink control channel based on the first demodulation reference signal; The communication module is also configured to receive the downlink data channel from the network device; The processing module is further configured to demodulate the downlink data channel based on the first demodulation reference signal.

26. The apparatus as claimed in claim 25, characterized in that, One or more of the following conditions must be met: The downlink control channel and the downlink data channel use the same transmission method; The second demodulation reference signal associated with the downlink control channel and the downlink data channel adopts the same transmission method; The first demodulation reference signal and the second demodulation reference signal associated with the downlink data channel use the same transmission method.

27. The apparatus as claimed in claim 25, characterized in that, The communication module is further configured to receive first indication information from the network device, the first indication information being used to indicate one or more of the following: The downlink control channel and the downlink data channel use the same transmission method; The second demodulation reference signal associated with the downlink control channel and the downlink data channel adopts the same transmission method; The first demodulation reference signal and the downlink data channel use the same transmission method; The first demodulation reference signal and the second demodulation reference signal associated with the downlink data channel use the same transmission method.

28. The apparatus as claimed in claim 26 or 27, characterized in that, The communication module is further configured to receive a second demodulation reference signal associated with the downlink data channel from the network device; The processing module is further configured to demodulate the downlink data channel based on the first demodulation reference signal and the second demodulation reference signal.

29. The apparatus as claimed in claim 28, characterized in that, The communication module is further configured to receive second indication information from the network device, the second indication information being further configured to indicate the time-domain resource location and / or frequency-domain resource location occupied by the second demodulation reference signal in the transmission resources.

30. The apparatus as claimed in claim 28, characterized in that, The communication module is further configured to receive second indication information from the network device, the second indication information including information for indicating a first time-domain offset; wherein the first time-domain offset is used to characterize the distance between the time-domain resource position of the second demodulation reference signal and the time-domain resource position of the downlink control channel, or the first time-domain offset is used to characterize the distance between the time-domain resource position of the second demodulation reference signal and the time-domain resource position of the first demodulation reference signal, or the first time-domain offset is used to characterize the distance between the time-domain resource position of the second demodulation reference signal and the time-domain resource start position of the downlink data channel.

31. The apparatus as claimed in claim 25, characterized in that, The communication module is further configured to receive third indication information from the network device, the third indication information being used to indicate one or more of the precoding granularity of the downlink control channel, the precoding granularity of the first demodulation reference signal, the precoding granularity of the downlink data channel, and the precoding granularity of the second demodulation reference signal; wherein the second demodulation reference signal is associated with the downlink data channel.

32. The apparatus as claimed in claim 31, characterized in that, The precoding granularity of the downlink control channel is related to the precoding granularity of the downlink data channel; or, the precoding granularity of the downlink control channel is related to the precoding granularity of the second demodulation reference signal; or, the precoding granularity of the first demodulation reference signal is related to the precoding granularity of the downlink data channel; or, the precoding granularity of the first demodulation reference signal is related to the precoding granularity of the second demodulation reference signal.

33. A communication device, characterized in that, include: A processor coupled to a memory for storing computer programs or instructions, the processor for executing the computer programs or instructions to implement the method of any one of claims 1-8 or the method of any one of claims 9-16.

34. A communication device, characterized in that, include: A processor and an interface circuit, the interface circuit being used to communicate with other devices, the processor being used to perform the method according to any one of claims 1-8 or the method according to any one of claims 9-16.

35. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, The computer-readable storage medium stores a computer program or instructions that, when executed on a computer, implement the method described in any one of claims 1-8 or the method described in any one of claims 9-16.

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