A communication method and apparatus

Abstract

This application provides a communication method, apparatus, and device. The communication method may include: obtaining at least one first time unit; configuring the at least one first time unit to perform repeated transmission in a first transmission direction at a first position according to the number of repeated transmissions, the at least one first time unit includes at least one second time unit, and the time unit corresponding to the first position in the second time unit includes a time unit for transmission in a second transmission direction; if the actual code rate of the first signal transmitted in the second time unit is less than a preset code rate, then the first signal is transmitted in the second time unit. In this application, by making full use of time-domain resources that could not originally be used for repeated transmission in the first transmission direction, the first signal can complete k repeated transmissions in the first transmission direction as much as possible in at least one first time unit, thereby achieving better merging gain after the first signal is received, and thus improving the coverage enhancement effect.

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional application. The original application has the application number 202010704568.7 and the original application date is July 17, 2020. The entire contents of the original application are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

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

[0003] In wireless communication systems, such as new radio (NR) communication systems, information exchanged between terminals and network devices is carried through physical channels. Specifically, data transmitted by the terminal, i.e., uplink data, is typically carried through the physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH); control information transmitted by the terminal, i.e., uplink control information, is typically carried through the physical uplink control channel (PUCCH).

[0004] In wireless communication, path loss of wireless signals is severe in some deep coverage scenarios, such as cell edges or basements. In such cases, coverage enhancement needs to be considered. For example, coverage enhancement can be achieved by repeatedly transmitting data. That is, the terminal repeatedly transmits PUSCH data, and the network device merges the repeatedly transmitted data to improve cell coverage.

[0005] Currently, taking uplink retransmission as an example, the actual number of retransmissions performed by the terminal on the resources configured by the network device is often less than the number of retransmissions configured by the network device. As a result, the PUSCH merging gain received by the network device is small, and the coverage enhancement performance is limited. Summary of the Invention

[0006] This application provides a communication method and apparatus to improve coverage enhancement performance.

[0007] In a first aspect, this application provides a communication method that can be applied to a terminal or network device in a wireless communication system. The method may include: obtaining at least one first time unit; configuring the at least one first time unit to perform repeated transmission in a first transmission direction at a first position according to the number of repeated transmissions, wherein the at least one first time unit includes at least one second time unit, and the time unit corresponding to the first position in the second time unit includes a time unit for transmission in a second transmission direction; if the actual code rate of the first signal transmitted in the second time unit is less than a preset code rate, then transmitting the first signal in the second time unit.

[0008] The aforementioned time unit can be understood as a time-domain resource, such as a subframe, slot, mini-slot, or symbol.

[0009] In this application, by making full use of resources that could not originally be used for repeated transmission in the first transmission direction, the first signal can complete k uplink repeated transmissions as much as possible in at least one first time unit. In this way, after the repeatedly transmitted first signal is received, it can achieve a better merging gain, thereby improving the coverage enhancement effect.

[0010] In some possible implementations, the actual code rate of transmitting the first signal in the second time unit is less than a preset code rate, specifically including:

[0011] The preset code rate is a predefined code rate or a configured code rate, for example, configured via RRC signaling or DCI signaling; or, the preset code rate is m times the code rate of the repeated transmission of the first signal, where m is predefined, or configured via higher layer signaling or physical layer signaling.

[0012] Alternatively, the number of time-domain symbols contained in the time unit corresponding to the first position is greater than or equal to the first threshold.

[0013] In some other possible implementations, the first threshold is a predefined number of time-domain symbols or a configured number of time-domain symbols, for example, the number of time-domain symbols is configured by RRC signaling or DCI signaling; or, the first threshold is a value [n×l] obtained by rounding up to the number of time-domain symbols l required for a single repeated transmission of the first signal, where n is a predefined value or a configured value, and the rounding method can be rounding up, rounding down, or rounding to the nearest integer.

[0014] In some other possible implementations, the first time unit is a time slot, the second time unit is a time slot, and the time unit in the second time unit for the first transmission direction includes at least one time domain symbol.

[0015] In this application, the aforementioned time slot can be a single slot or a mini-slot.

[0016] In some other possible implementations, the first transmission direction is the uplink transmission direction and the second transmission direction is the downlink transmission direction; or, the first transmission direction is the downlink transmission direction and the second transmission direction is the uplink transmission direction.

[0017] Secondly, this application provides a communication method that can be applied to a terminal or network device in a wireless communication system. The method may include: determining a third time unit based on the transmission direction of at least one first time unit, wherein the at least one first time unit is configured to transmit a first signal in the first transmission direction according to a number of repetitions; the third time unit includes time units from the at least one first time unit that are entirely or partially used for transmission in the first transmission direction; repeatedly transmitting the first signal in the third time unit; if the third time unit does not satisfy the requirement of transmitting the first signal according to the number of repetitions, then transmitting the first signal in a fourth time unit, wherein the fourth time unit is located after at least one first time unit in the time domain, and the third and fourth time units satisfy the requirement of transmitting the first signal according to the number of repetitions, for example, the number of time-domain symbols contained in the third and fourth time units is greater than or equal to the number of time-domain symbols required to transmit the first signal according to the number of repetitions.

[0018] Wherein, at least one first time unit can be understood as a time unit configured for the terminal to repeatedly transmit the first signal, and the second time unit can be understood as a time unit actually used to repeatedly transmit the first signal to the network device, and the second time unit is a part of the at least one first time unit.

[0019] Optionally, the first time unit and the second time unit can be time units of the same granularity, such as the first time unit being a slot and the second time unit also being a slot; or, the first time unit and the second time unit can be time units of different granularities, with the second time unit being understood as a sub-unit of the first time unit, such as the first time unit being a slot and the second time unit being a symbol. Of course, the first time unit can also be a subframe, a mini-slot, etc., and correspondingly, the second time unit can also be a mini-slot, a slot, or a symbol. The second time unit is included in at least one first time unit, and this application does not specifically limit the scope of the embodiments.

[0020] In this application, when the actual number of repetitions of the first signal in at least one configured first time unit is less than k, the repetition in the first transmission direction can continue in a fourth time unit located after at least one first time unit in the time domain until the number of repetitions reaches k. In this way, the repetitions of the first signal can achieve better merging gain after being received, thereby improving the coverage enhancement effect.

[0021] In some possible implementations, determining a third time unit based on the transmission direction of at least one first time unit includes: determining a time unit in the at least one first time unit whose transmission direction is the first transmission direction as the third time unit.

[0022] In some other possible implementations, determining a third time unit based on the transmission direction of at least one first time unit includes: determining a time unit that meets a preset condition from at least one first time unit as a third time unit; wherein the preset condition includes: the actual code rate of the first signal transmitted by the first time unit is less than a preset code rate, the time unit corresponding to the first position in the first time unit includes a time unit for transmission in the second transmission direction, and the time unit corresponding to the first position is configured for repeated transmission in the first transmission direction; or, the number of time units in the first time unit for transmission in the first transmission direction is greater than or equal to a first threshold.

[0023] The preset code rate is a predefined code rate or a configured code rate, for example, configured through RRC signaling or DCI signaling; or, the preset code rate is m times the code rate of the repeated transmission of the first signal, where m is predefined, or configured through higher layer signaling or physical layer signaling.

[0024] The first threshold can be a predefined number of time-domain symbols; or, the first threshold can be a value [n×l] obtained by rounding up to n times the number of time-domain symbols l required for a single transmission of the first signal, where n is a predefined value or a signaling configuration, and the rounding method can be rounding up, rounding down, or rounding to the nearest integer.

[0025] In some other possible implementations, the third time unit does not satisfy the requirement of transmitting the first signal according to the number of repetitions, including: the number of third time units is less than or equal to a second threshold, the second threshold being the number of time units required to transmit the first signal according to the number of repetitions, such as l×k.

[0026] In some other possible implementations, determining a third time unit based on the transmission direction of at least one first time unit includes: obtaining first configuration information, the first configuration information being used to indicate the format of the time unit; determining a first time unit of a first format from at least one first time unit as a third time unit based on the first configuration information; or, determining a first time unit of a second format from at least one first time unit as a third time unit based on the first configuration information; wherein the first format is used entirely for the first transmission direction, and the second format is used partially for the first transmission direction.

[0027] In some other possible implementations, the first transmission direction is the uplink transmission direction and the second transmission direction is the downlink transmission direction; or, the first transmission direction is the downlink transmission direction and the second transmission direction is the uplink transmission direction.

[0028] In some other possible implementations, before transmitting the first signal on the fourth time unit, the method further includes: obtaining a first indication message for configuring the transmission of the first signal on a time unit following the first time unit.

[0029] In some other possible implementations, before transmitting the first signal on the fourth time unit, the method further includes sending a second indication message, the second indication message being used to indicate that the first signal is repeatedly transmitted on the fourth time unit.

[0030] Thirdly, this application provides a communication device, which can be a chip or system-on-a-chip in a communication device (such as a terminal or network device), or a functional module in the communication device for implementing the method described in the first aspect or any possible implementation of the first aspect. For example, the communication device includes: a first processing unit, configured to obtain at least one first time unit; the at least one first time unit is configured to perform repeated transmission in a first transmission direction at a first position according to the number of repeated transmissions, the at least one first time unit includes at least one second time unit, the time unit corresponding to the first position in the second time unit includes a time unit for transmission in a second transmission direction; a first transmission unit, configured to transmit the first signal in the second time unit if the actual code rate of the first signal transmitted in the second time unit is less than a preset code rate.

[0031] In some possible implementations, the actual code rate of transmitting the first signal in the second time unit is less than a preset code rate, specifically including:

[0032] The preset code rate is a predefined code rate or a configured code rate, for example, configured via RRC signaling or DCI signaling; or, the preset code rate is m times the code rate of the repeated transmission of the first signal, where m is predefined, or configured via higher layer signaling or physical layer signaling.

[0033] Alternatively, the number of time-domain symbols contained in the time unit corresponding to the first position is greater than or equal to the first threshold.

[0034] In some other possible implementations, the first threshold is a predefined number of time-domain symbols; or, the first threshold is a value [n×l] obtained by rounding up to n times the number of time-domain symbols l required for a single transmission of the first signal, where n is a predefined value or a signaling configuration, and the rounding method can be rounding up, rounding down, or rounding to the nearest integer.

[0035] In some other possible implementations, the first time unit is a time slot, the second time unit is a time slot, and the time unit in the second time unit for the first transmission direction includes at least one time domain symbol.

[0036] In some other possible implementations, the first transmission direction is the uplink transmission direction and the second transmission direction is the downlink transmission direction; or, the first transmission direction is the downlink transmission direction and the second transmission direction is the uplink transmission direction.

[0037] Fourthly, this application provides a communication device, which can be a chip or system-on-a-chip in a communication device (such as a terminal or network device), or a functional module in the communication device for implementing the method described in the second aspect or any possible implementation of the second aspect. For example, the communication device includes: a second processing unit configured to determine a third time unit based on the transmission direction of at least one first time unit, wherein the at least one first time unit is configured to transmit a first signal in the first transmission direction according to a number of repetitions; the third time unit includes time units in the at least one first time unit that are entirely or partially used for transmission in the first transmission direction; a second transmission unit configured to repeatedly transmit the first signal in the third time unit; and further configured to transmit the first signal in a fourth time unit if the third time unit does not satisfy the requirement of transmitting the first signal according to a number of repetitions, wherein the fourth time unit is located after at least one first time unit in the time domain, and the third and fourth time units satisfy the requirement of transmitting the first signal according to a number of repetitions.

[0038] In some possible implementations, the second processing unit is specifically used to determine at least one time unit in the first time unit whose transmission direction is the first transmission direction as the third time unit.

[0039] In some other possible implementations, the second processing unit is specifically used to determine at least one first time unit that meets a preset condition as a third time unit; wherein the preset condition includes: the actual code rate of the first signal transmitted in the first time unit is less than a preset code rate, the time unit corresponding to the first position in the first time unit includes a time unit for transmission in the second transmission direction, and the time unit corresponding to the first position is configured for repeated transmission in the first transmission direction; or, the number of time units in the first time unit for transmission in the first transmission direction is greater than or equal to a first threshold.

[0040] In some other possible implementations, the third time unit does not satisfy the requirement of transmitting the first signal according to the number of repetitions, including: the number of third time units is less than or equal to a second threshold, the second threshold being the number of time units required to transmit the first signal according to the number of repetitions.

[0041] In some other possible implementations, the second processing unit is specifically configured to obtain first configuration information, which indicates the format of the time unit; determine a first time unit of a first format from at least one first time unit as a third time unit based on the first configuration information; or, determine a first time unit of a second format from at least one first time unit as a third time unit based on the first configuration information; wherein the first format is used entirely for the first transmission direction, and the second format is used partially for the first transmission direction.

[0042] In some other possible implementations, the first transmission direction is the uplink transmission direction and the second transmission direction is the downlink transmission direction; or, the first transmission direction is the downlink transmission direction and the second transmission direction is the uplink transmission direction.

[0043] In some other possible implementations, the second processing unit is further configured to obtain a first indication message before transmitting the first signal in the fourth time unit, the first indication message being configured to transmit the first signal in a time unit following the first time unit.

[0044] In some other possible implementations, the second processing unit is further configured to send a second instruction message, which instructs the first signal to be repeatedly transmitted on the fourth time unit.

[0045] Fifthly, this application provides a communication device, comprising: a non-volatile memory and a processor coupled to each other, wherein the processor calls program code stored in the memory to execute the communication method as described in the first and second aspects and any possible implementation thereof.

[0046] In this application, the aforementioned communication device may be a terminal or network device in a wireless communication system.

[0047] In a sixth aspect, this application provides a computer-readable storage medium storing instructions that, when executed on a computer, perform the communication method as described in the first and second aspects and any possible implementation thereof.

[0048] In a seventh aspect, this application provides a computer program or computer program product that, when executed on a computer, causes the computer to implement the communication method described in the first and second aspects and any possible implementation thereof.

[0049] It should be understood that the third to seventh aspects of this application are consistent with the technical solutions of the first to second aspects of this application, and the beneficial effects obtained by each aspect and the corresponding feasible implementation are similar, so they will not be repeated here. Attached Figure Description

[0050] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application, the accompanying drawings used in the embodiments of this application or the background art will be described below.

[0051] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the architecture of the communication system in the embodiments of this application;

[0052] Figure 2 This is a schematic flowchart of a method for uplink retransmission in an embodiment of this application.

[0053] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of a time unit in an embodiment of this application;

[0054] Figure 4 This is a schematic flowchart of another method for uplink repeated transmission in the embodiments of this application;

[0055] Figure 5 This is a schematic flowchart of the downlink retransmission method in the embodiments of this application;

[0056] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of another method for uplink repeated transmission in the embodiments of this application;

[0057] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of another method for uplink repeated transmission in the embodiments of this application;

[0058] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the communication device in the embodiments of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0059] The embodiments of this application are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form part of this application and illustrate specific aspects of the embodiments of this application or to which specific aspects of the embodiments of this application may be used. It should be understood that the embodiments of this application can be used in other aspects and may include structural or logical variations not depicted in the drawings. For example, it should be understood that the disclosure of the described methods can be equally applied to corresponding devices or systems for performing the methods, and vice versa. For example, if one or more specific method steps are described, the corresponding device may include one or more units, such as functional units, to perform the described one or more method steps (e.g., one unit performs one or more steps, or multiple units, each performing one or more of the multiple steps), even if such one or more units are not explicitly described or illustrated in the drawings. On the other hand, for example, if a specific apparatus is described based on one or more units, such as functional units, the corresponding method may include a step to perform the functionality of one or more units (e.g., one step performs the functionality of one or more units, or multiple steps, each performing the functionality of one or more of the multiple units), even if such one or more steps are not explicitly described or illustrated in the drawings. Furthermore, it should be understood that, unless otherwise expressly stated, the features of the various exemplary embodiments and / or aspects described herein may be combined with each other.

[0060] In wireless communication systems, such as new radio (NR) systems, information exchanged between terminals and network devices is carried through physical channels. Specifically, data transmitted by the terminal, i.e., uplink data, is typically carried through the physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH); control information transmitted by the terminal, i.e., uplink control information, is typically carried through the physical uplink control channel (PUCCH). In addition, the terminal can also transmit sounding reference signals (SRS), which network devices receive to estimate the channel quality at different frequencies.

[0061] In some deep coverage scenarios, such as the edges of residential areas and basements, the path loss of wireless signals is very severe. Therefore, coverage enhancement is necessary in such cases. One method is to achieve coverage enhancement by repeatedly transmitting data. For example, the terminal repeatedly transmits PUSCH data, and the network device merges the repeatedly transmitted data to achieve coverage enhancement.

[0062] Taking uplink transmission as an example, the network device configures the time unit and the number of repetitions for the terminal and instructs the terminal so that the terminal can repeatedly send PUSCH data to the network device according to the number of repetitions configured by the network device in the time unit configured by the network device.

[0063] It should be noted that the time unit described in the embodiments of this application can be understood as a time-domain resource, such as a subframe, slot, mini-slot, symbol, etc. The time units described in one or more of the following embodiments are consistent with the above-described time units, and this application embodiment does not specifically limit them.

[0064] In this embodiment of the application, the network device can indicate to the terminal the configured time unit for repeated transmission and the number of repeated transmissions through radio resource control (RRC) signaling or downlink control information (DCI).

[0065] For example, network devices can configure the number of times PUSCH data can be repeatedly transmitted through the following field in the RRC signaling:

[0066] ConfiguredGrantConfig::RepK={n1,n2,n4,n8};

[0067] Alternatively, network devices can configure the number of SRS retransmissions via the following field in the RRC signaling:

[0068] SRS-Resource::RepetitionFactor={n1,n2,n4};

[0069] Alternatively, network devices can indicate the number of repeated transmissions by using an index in the time domain resource allocation (TDRA) table in the DCI;

[0070] Furthermore, network devices can also use DCI to indicate the time unit used for repeated transmissions. Specifically, network devices can use DCI to indicate the starting time domain resources and the duration of a single transmission. The terminal can determine the time unit used for repeated transmissions based on the number of repeated transmissions, the starting time domain resources, and the duration.

[0071] Of course, network devices can also indicate the time unit for repeated transmission and the number of repeated transmissions in other ways, and this application embodiment does not make specific limitations.

[0072] Therefore, the terminal can determine the time units for retransmission based on RRC signaling or DCI instructions, and then perform uplink retransmission in these time units according to the number of retransmissions. However, the time units configured by the network device for retransmission are not all used for uplink retransmission in actual transmission, especially in time domain duplex (TDD) systems. Due to reasons such as some time units being configured for downlink transmission or some time units being occupied by bursts of higher priority data, the actual number of retransmissions by the terminal is less than the number of retransmissions k configured by the network device. This means that the network device can only combine the signals with fewer retransmissions, resulting in a smaller combining gain and thus affecting the coverage enhancement effect.

[0073] To address the problem of limited coverage enhancement performance caused by the actual number of repeated transmissions being less than the configured number of repeated transmissions, embodiments of this application provide a communication method that can be applied to a communication system. Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the communication system architecture in the embodiments of this application. See also: Figure 1 As shown. The communication system 10 may include a terminal 11 and a network device 12.

[0074] The aforementioned network equipment can be communication devices on the access network side used to support terminal access to the wireless communication system. For example, it can be an evolved NodeB (eNB) in a 4G access technology communication system, a next-generation NodeB (gNB) in a 5G access technology communication system, a transmission reception point (TRP), a relay node (RN), an access point (AP), etc.

[0075] The aforementioned terminal can be a communication device that provides voice or data connectivity to a user, such as user equipment (UE), mobile station, subscriber unit, station, or terminal equipment (TE). The terminal can also be a cellular phone, personal digital assistant (PDA), modem, handheld device, laptop computer, cordless phone, wireless local loop (WLL) station, or tablet computer. With the development of wireless communication technology, any device that can access a wireless communication system, communicate with the network side of the wireless communication system, or communicate with other devices through the wireless communication system can be a terminal in the embodiments of this application. Examples include terminals and vehicles in intelligent transportation, home appliances in smart homes, electricity meter reading instruments, voltage monitoring instruments, environmental monitoring instruments in smart grids, video surveillance instruments in smart security networks, cash registers, etc. In the embodiments of this application, the terminal can communicate with network devices, and multiple terminals can also communicate with each other. The terminal can be statically fixed or mobile. The terminal or communication device described in the embodiments of this application can also be a part of any of the aforementioned devices, such as a chip, chip system, or circuit structure.

[0076] First, taking the uplink repeated transmission as an example, the communication method provided in the embodiments of this application will be described.

[0077] In the embodiments of this application, in the scenario of uplink repeated transmission, the first communication device can be a terminal and the second communication device can be a network device, and repeated transmission refers to repeated sending; while in the scenario of downlink repeated transmission, the first communication device can be a network device and the second communication device can be a terminal, and repeated transmission refers to repeated receiving.

[0078] Figure 2 This is a schematic flowchart of a method for uplink repeated transmission in an embodiment of this application. See also... Figure 2 As shown by the solid line, the method may include:

[0079] S201: The network device configures the number of repeated transmissions and related time-domain resource configuration parameters for the terminal;

[0080] The number of repeated transmissions (denoted as k) can be understood as the number of times the network device expects the terminal to repeat the transmission. The related time-domain configuration parameters may include the starting position of the time unit of a single transmission (denoted as s) and the duration of a single transmission (denoted as l). Of course, the network device can also configure other configuration parameters related to repeated transmissions for the terminal, such as the mapping type of PUSCH, which are not specifically limited in this embodiment.

[0081] In some possible implementations, the above-mentioned k can be indicated in the following ways: for PUSCHs scheduled for transmission via the physical downlink control channel (PDCCH), the corresponding k can be configured through the higher-layer signaling PUSCH aggregation factor; for PUSCHs scheduled for transmission via configuration grant, the corresponding k can be configured through ConfiguredGrantConfig::RepK in RRC signaling; and for PDSCHs scheduled for transmission via configure grant, the corresponding k can be configured through the pdsch-aggregation factor in RRC signaling.

[0082] In practical applications, the range of values ​​for k can be as follows: when k is configured using pusch-aggregationfactor, there are three candidate values ​​for k: {2, 4, 8}. When this field is omitted (i.e., there is no such field), k defaults to 1. When k is configured using ConfiguredGrantConfig::RepK, the candidate values ​​for k are {n1, n2, n4, n8}, which correspond to 1, 2, 4, and 8 repetitions, respectively.

[0083] Furthermore, the relevant time-domain resource configuration parameters can be indicated by the TDRA field in DCI. Assuming the value of this field is m, then m+1 indicates a row index of a time-domain resource allocation table, and the information in that row will specifically indicate the aforementioned time-domain resource configuration parameters.

[0084] In practical applications, corresponding to the first DCI format, the TDRA field has a total of 4 bits. The terminal can obtain the corresponding s and l values ​​from the predefined time domain resource allocation table according to the TDRA field, based on the first DCI format and the radio network tempory identity (RNTI) scrambling type.

[0085] Alternatively, for other DCI formats, the TDRA field in the DCI can be {0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5} bits. Based on the TDRA field, a PUSCH-timeDomainResourceAllocation is selected from a PUSCH-timeDomainResourceAllocation list configured at a higher level. The selected PUSCH-timeDomainResourceAllocation contains start and length indicator values ​​(SLIV) = {0, ..., 127}. The terminal can calculate the values ​​of s and l according to the SLIV values ​​using the following code.

[0086] if (l-1)≤7then

[0087] SLIV = 14(l-1) + s

[0088] else

[0089] SLIV = 14(14-l+1) + (14-1-s)

[0090] where 0 <l≤14-s

[0091] Furthermore, for different PUSCH mapping types, the values ​​of s, l, or s+l can be found in Table 1 below.

[0092] Table 1

[0093]

[0094] Of course, network devices can also use other configuration parameters to indicate k, s, and l, which are not specifically limited in the embodiments of this application.

[0095] S202: The network device sends the number of repeated transmissions and related time-domain resource configuration parameters to the terminal;

[0096] The network device sends the configured number of repeated transmissions and related time-domain resource configuration parameters to the terminal. For example, the network device sends the configured number of repeated transmissions and related time-domain resource configuration parameters to the terminal via RRC signaling or DCI to indicate s, l, and k to the terminal.

[0097] S203: The terminal determines the number of repeated transmissions and at least one first time unit;

[0098] In this configuration, at least one first time unit is configured to transmit a first signal in the uplink transmission direction (such as the first transmission direction) according to the number of repetitions k. In other words, at least one first time unit can be understood as a time unit configured for the terminal to repeatedly transmit the first signal.

[0099] After receiving the number of repeated transmissions and related time-domain resource configuration parameters sent by the network device, the terminal can determine at least one time unit, or at least one first time unit, configured by the network device for uplink repeated transmissions based on s, l, and k. For example, taking a slot as the time unit, if the PUSCH mapping type is Type A, the terminal can perform repeated transmissions at the first position within k slots, where the repeated PUSCH transmissions within each slot occupy the same time-domain symbol position (i.e., the symbol time window from s to s+l in each slot); if the PUSCH mapping type is Type B, the terminal can perform repeated transmissions within the symbol time window from s to s+l×k.

[0100] It should be noted that, in the embodiments of this application, the first position refers to the time-domain position in the first time unit used for transmitting the first signal. For example, the first position refers to the time-domain symbol position in the first time unit configured by the network device for the terminal to repeatedly transmit the first signal when the PUSCH mapping type is Type A. For example, the first position can be a symbol time window from s to s+1 in a slot. Then, the terminal can repeatedly transmit the first signal within the symbol time window from s to s+1 in k slots.

[0101] S204: The terminal determines the second time unit (which can also be referred to as the third time unit) based on the transmission direction of at least one first time unit;

[0102] The second time unit is a time unit used for uplink transmission (i.e., the first transmission direction) transmission in all or part of the at least one first time unit. In other words, the second time unit can be understood as a time unit actually used to repeatedly transmit the first signal to the network device. The second time unit is a part of the at least one first time unit.

[0103] Optionally, the first time unit and the second time unit can be time units of the same granularity, such as the first time unit being a slot and the second time unit also being a slot; or, the first time unit and the second time unit can be time units of different granularities, with the second time unit being understood as a sub-unit of the first time unit, such as the first time unit being a slot and the second time unit being a symbol. Of course, the first time unit can also be a subframe, a mini-slot, etc., and correspondingly, the second time unit can also be a mini-slot, a slot, or a symbol. The second time unit is included in at least one first time unit, and this application does not specifically limit the scope of the embodiments.

[0104] In some possible embodiments, see Figure 2 As shown by the dashed line, before S204, the above method may further include: S205: The terminal repeatedly transmits the first signal to the network device in at least one second time unit;

[0105] Here, after determining at least one first time unit via S203, the terminal can begin repeatedly transmitting uplink data, i.e., the first signal, to the network device in at least one first time unit (such as a slot). However, during the process of the terminal repeatedly transmitting the first signal, some time units (which can be slots or symbols) in at least one first time unit may be scheduled by the base station for transmitting the second signal in the downlink transmission direction (second transmission direction), or scheduled by the base station for transmitting the second signal with higher priority in the uplink transmission direction. Therefore, the terminal can only repeatedly transmit the first signal in the time units used for uplink transmission in at least one first time unit. In other words, the terminal can only repeatedly transmit uplink data to the network device in the second time unit.

[0106] In some possible implementations, since some time units in at least one first time unit may be scheduled for downlink transmission or for transmitting a second signal with higher priority in the uplink transmission direction, after the terminal repeatedly transmits the first signal to the network device via S204, it can exclude the time units used for downlink transmission and / or the time units used for transmitting the second signal from at least one first time unit, and determine the second time unit, which is the time unit actually used for repeatedly transmitting the first signal. For example, suppose the network device configures the terminal with 5 slots (5 first time units) for uplink transmission. If 3 of these 5 slots are scheduled for downlink transmission, then only 2 slots (2 second time units) are actually used for uplink transmission. Therefore, the number of second time units is less than the number of first time units. As another example, suppose the network device configures the terminal with 2 slots (2 first time units, totaling 28 symbols) for uplink transmission. If 5 of these 2 slots are scheduled for transmitting higher-priority second signals in the uplink direction, then only 23 symbols (23 second time units) are actually used for transmitting first signals in the uplink direction. Therefore, the number of second time units is less than the total number of sub-units consisting of 2 first time units.

[0107] In some other possible implementations, in addition to configuring at least one first time unit for the terminal, the network device also configures the transmission direction of each first time unit for the terminal. Therefore, before S204, the terminal can also obtain second configuration information, which indicates the transmission direction of each first time unit. Before executing S205, the terminal can also determine, based on the second configuration information, which first time units are used for uplink transmission and which are used for downlink transmission, and thus determine at least one second time unit. For example, the terminal can determine the second time unit as a second time unit by selecting all or part of the time units used for downlink transmission (second transmission direction) from the at least one first time unit, or by selecting the second time unit as a second time unit by selecting all the time units used for uplink transmission from the at least one first time unit. Other situations are also possible, and this application embodiment does not specifically limit the possibilities. The terminal can then determine the second time unit from the at least one first time unit and transmit the first signal on the second time unit (see below for details). Figure 4 Example (Example).

[0108] S206: The terminal determines whether the second time unit satisfies the requirement of transmitting the first signal according to the number of repeated transmissions k; if not, execute S207; if yes, the process ends.

[0109] Here, the terminal may determine whether the number of time units required to transmit the first signal according to the number of repetitions is greater than the number of second time units after the transmission of the first signal in the second time unit ends, or before the second time unit is determined from at least one first time unit. That is, it may determine whether the number of second time units is less than or equal to a second threshold. Here, the second threshold is the number of time units required to transmit the first signal according to the number of repetitions k, i.e., l×k.

[0110] It should be noted that when the second time unit is a sub-unit of the first time unit, the number of time units required for the first signal to be transmitted according to the number of repeated transmissions can be understood as the total number of sub-units of the first time unit occupied by the first signal to be transmitted repeatedly according to the configured number of repeated transmissions. For example, if the first time unit is a slot, then the number of time units required for the first signal to be transmitted according to the number of repeated transmissions can refer to the total number of symbols occupied by the first signal to be transmitted repeatedly according to k. In this case, the second time unit can be a symbol.

[0111] After the terminal completes the repeated transmission of the first signal to the network device in the second time unit through S205, it can determine the actual time unit used for the repeated transmission of the first signal. Then, the terminal can determine whether the time unit required for repeated transmission in the uplink direction according to the configured number of repeated transmissions k is more than the second time unit. If so, it means that the actual number of repeated transmissions by the terminal is less than k. That is to say, the terminal cannot complete k repeated transmissions in the uplink direction in at least one first time unit configured for it by the network device. In this case, the terminal needs to continue the repeated transmission in the uplink direction in other time units (such as the fourth time unit) located after at least one first time unit in the time domain until the number of repeated transmissions reaches k. Conversely, it means that the actual number of repeated transmissions by the terminal reaches k. That is to say, the terminal can complete k repeated transmissions in the uplink direction in at least one first time unit configured for it by the network device, so that the network device can achieve better merging gain after receiving the repeated transmission of the first signal, thereby improving the coverage enhancement effect.

[0112] In some possible implementations, the third time unit can be a time unit located in the time domain after at least one first time unit. The third time unit can be a time unit at the level of subframe, slot, mini-slot, symbol, etc. The embodiments of this application do not make specific limitations.

[0113] Furthermore, the third time unit can be a time unit configured by the network device for the terminal for uplink or downlink transmission, or it can be a time unit not configured by the network device for the terminal. This application embodiment does not make specific limitations.

[0114] S207: The terminal repeatedly transmits the first signal to the network device on a fourth time unit after at least one first time unit.

[0115] If the terminal cannot achieve k retransmissions in the uplink direction in the second time unit, then the terminal may continue to retransmit the first signal to the network device in one or more time units (i.e., the fourth time unit) after at least one first time unit, until the terminal's retransmission of the first signal to the network device in the second and fourth time units reaches the configured number of retransmission time units. This can be understood as the terminal retransmitting the first signal to the network device in the second and fourth time units, where the total number of the second and fourth time units is greater than or equal to the number of time units required for the first signal to be transmitted according to the retransmission number. Alternatively, it can be understood as the terminal retransmitting the first signal to the network device according to the configured number of retransmissions k in the second and fourth time units.

[0116] For example, Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the time unit in an embodiment of this application. See also: Figure 3As shown, the network device configures the terminal with the following PUSCH mapping type: s = symbol 0 in slot 0, l = 5, k = 3. That is, the network device instructs the terminal to repeat the transmission of symbol 0 to symbol 4 three times in each of the three slots from slot 0 to slot 2 (a total of three slots). After receiving the above configuration, the terminal first determines at least one first time unit (i.e., slot 0 to slot 2) and the number of repeated transmissions k=3. Then, the terminal repeatedly transmits the first signal to the network device in slots 0 to 2. If symbols 2, 4, and 5 in slot 1 are scheduled for downlink transmission, then the terminal actually only repeatedly transmits the first signal in the second time unit (i.e., symbols 0 to 4 in slot 0 and symbols 0 to 4 in slot 2). It can be seen that the terminal actually repeatedly transmits the first signal to the network device twice in the second time unit, which does not reach the k=3 configured by the network device. That is to say, the actual number of repeated transmissions by the terminal is less than k. Thus, the terminal can repeatedly transmit the first signal to the network device again in the fourth time unit after the first time unit (such as symbols 0 to 4 in slot 3), so that the terminal repeatedly transmits the first signal to the network device a total of 3 times in slots 0 to 3. In practical applications, the terminal can choose slot 3, which is adjacent to the last first time unit (i.e., slot 2), as the fourth time unit, or it can choose other slots, such as slot 5 or slot 6. This application embodiment does not make specific limitations.

[0117] In other embodiments of this application, in addition to configuring at least one first time unit for the terminal, the network device also configures the transmission direction of each first time unit for the terminal. Then, the terminal can also obtain first configuration information, which indicates the transmission direction of each first time unit. That is, the terminal can determine, based on the first configuration information, which first time units are used for uplink transmission and which are used for downlink transmission.

[0118] Accordingly, in some possible implementations, Figure 4 This is a schematic flowchart illustrating another method for uplink repeated transmission in an embodiment of this application. See also... Figure 4 As shown, the above method may further include:

[0119] S401: The network device configures the number of repeated transmissions and related time-domain resource configuration parameters for the terminal;

[0120] S402: The network device sends the number of repeated transmissions and related time-domain resource configuration parameters to the terminal;

[0121] S403: The terminal determines the number of repeated transmissions and at least one first time unit;

[0122] S401 to S403 can be referred to the descriptions of S201 to S203 in the above embodiments, and will not be repeated here.

[0123] S404: The terminal obtains the second configuration information;

[0124] The second configuration information is used to indicate the transmission direction corresponding to the first time unit;

[0125] In this embodiment, the second configuration information can be configured by the network device for the terminal, or it can be pre-negotiated between the network device and the terminal, or it can be specified in the communication protocol. This embodiment does not impose any specific limitations. Of course, the terminal can execute S404 during, before, or after executing S401 to S403. This embodiment does not impose any specific limitations in this regard.

[0126] S405: The terminal, based on the second configuration information, excludes the fifth time unit used for downlink transmission and / or the sixth time unit used for uplink transmission of the second signal from the first time unit to obtain the second time unit;

[0127] In practical applications, the first configuration information mentioned above can be the transmission direction (i.e., the format of the time unit) of each time unit in the TDD frame structure. That is, it configures whether each time unit is used for uplink transmission or downlink transmission, and indicates it to the terminal through RRC signaling or DCI.

[0128] For example, network devices configure time units (e.g., slots) through the TDD-UL-DL common configuration TDD-ConfigCommon in RRC signaling. The configuration methods can be, but are not limited to, the following two.

[0129] Configuration method 1 (pattern 1):

[0130] dl-UL-TransmissionPeridicity: The configuration period q milliseconds for one slot. Based on the configuration period of each slot and the subcarrier interval, the number of slots in the current period can be determined as t = q × 2. μ Where μ represents the subcarrier spacing;

[0131] nrofDownlinkSlots: value d slots That is, to determine the first d slots in the current t slots.slots Each slot is used for downlink transmission.

[0132] nrofDownlinkSymbols: value d sym That is, to determine in d slots After a slot used for downlink transmission, consecutive d sym These symbols are time-domain symbols used for transmission in the downlink direction;

[0133] nrofUplinkSlots: value u slots That is, to determine the last u in the current t slots. slots Each slot is used for uplink transmission.

[0134] nrofUplinkSymbols: Value u sym That is, to determine in u slots The slot before the uplink transmission direction u sym For the time domain symbols used in uplink transmission;

[0135] Using the above method, the terminal can determine which slots out of t slots are used for uplink transmission, which are used for downlink transmission, which are used for uplink transmission, and which are used for downlink transmission. However, x time-domain symbols remain undetermined as to whether they are used for uplink or downlink transmission. Where, d sym This indicates the number of time-domain symbols contained in the slot of each PUSCH schedule. x time-domain symbols can be called flexible symbols.

[0136] Configuration method 2 (pattern 2):

[0137] The parameter settings for pattern2 are similar to those for pattern1. Pattern1 is used to configure the transmission format of some slots within a certain period of time, while pattern2 is used to configure the transmission format of some slots within another period of time.

[0138] After the frame structure of each slot within a certain period of time is determined by tdd-UL-DL-ConfigurationCommon, if the UE is also configured with the dedicated TDD UL / DL configuration parameter tdd-UL-DL-ConfigurationDedicated, this parameter will continue to define the uplink and downlink transmission purposes of the aforementioned flexible symbols. The specific parameter configuration of tdd-UL-DL-ConfigurationDedicated is as follows:

[0139] slotSpecificConfigurationsToAddModList: The set of configured slots;

[0140] slotIndex: The index value of a specific slot in the configured set of slots;

[0141] symbols = allDownlink, which means that all time-domain symbols of the slot indicated above are time-domain symbols used for downlink transmission.

[0142] symbols = allUplink, which means that all time-domain symbols of the slot indicated above are time-domain symbols used for uplink transmission.

[0143] symbols = explicit. The first nfofDownlinkSymbols time-domain symbols in the current slot are configured as time-domain symbols for downlink transmission using nfofDownlinkSymbols; the next nfofUplinkSymbols time-domain symbols in the current slot are configured as time-domain symbols for uplink transmission using nfofUplinkSymbols; the remaining time-domain symbols are flexible symbols.

[0144] As can be seen, based on the second configuration information mentioned above, the terminal can determine which first time units in at least one first time unit are used for uplink transmission and which first time units are used for downlink transmission. The terminal can exclude the fifth time unit (which can be a slot or a symbol) used for the second transmission in the first time unit and determine the remaining time unit as the second time unit. In other words, the terminal excludes the time unit used for downlink transmission (i.e., the sixth time unit) from the first time unit and determines the remaining time unit as the second time unit.

[0145] In some possible implementations, if the fifth time unit is a slot, then the fifth time unit can refer to a first time unit (slot) that is entirely or partially used for downlink transmission. It is understood that a first time unit entirely used for downlink transmission means that all sub-units (symbols) in the first time unit are configured for downlink transmission, such as symbols = allDownlink; a first time unit partially used for downlink transmission means that one or more sub-units (symbols) in the first time unit are configured for downlink transmission, such as symbols = explicit, where nfofDownlinkSymbols is used to configure the first nfofDownlinkSymbols time-domain symbols in the current slot as time-domain symbols for downlink transmission. For example, if a slot contains symbols for uplink transmission, then that slot is used for uplink transmission; or, if a slot contains symbols for downlink transmission or all symbols are used for downlink transmission, then that slot is used for downlink transmission.

[0146] Next, execute S406: The terminal determines whether the second time unit satisfies the requirement to transmit the first signal according to the number of repetitions k; if not, execute S407; if yes, the process ends.

[0147] S407: The terminal transmits a first signal to the network device in the second time unit and at least the fourth time unit after the first time unit, according to the number of repetitions k.

[0148] S406 to S407 can be found in the description of S206 to S207 in the above embodiments, and will not be repeated here.

[0149] It should be noted that after the terminal obtains the second configuration information through S404, it can determine the transmission direction of each time unit in at least one first time unit based on the second configuration information. Then, before repeatedly transmitting the first signal, the terminal can determine the second time unit actually used for uplink transmission. It can then determine whether the time units required for repeated transmission in the uplink direction according to the configured number of repeated transmissions k, i.e., l×k time units, are more than the second time unit. If so, it means that the actual number of repeated transmissions by the terminal is less than k. In other words, the terminal cannot complete k repeated transmissions in the uplink direction in at least one first time unit configured for it by the network device. Therefore, the terminal needs to continue repeated transmission in the uplink direction in the second time unit and other time units (fourth time unit) after at least one time unit until the number of repeated transmissions reaches k. Conversely, it means that the actual number of repeated transmissions by the terminal can reach k. In other words, the terminal can complete k repeated transmissions in the uplink direction in at least one first time unit configured for it by the network device. This allows the network device to achieve better merging gain after receiving the repeatedly transmitted first signal, thereby improving the coverage enhancement effect.

[0150] For example, still refer to Figure 3As shown, the network device configures the terminal with the following PUSCH mapping type: s = symbol 0 in slot 0, l = 5, k = 3. That is, the network device instructs the terminal to repeat the transmission 3 times on symbol 0 to symbol 4 in each of the 3 slots from slot 0 to slot 2. After receiving the above configuration, the terminal first determines at least one first time unit (i.e., slots 0 to 2) and the number of repetitions k = 3. The terminal also obtains the second configuration information from the network device, which indicates that symbols 2, 4, and 5 in slot 1 are used for downlink transmission. Based on the first configuration information, the terminal excludes slot 1, obtaining the second time units (i.e., slots 0 and 2), which are used for uplink transmission. Next, the terminal determines that the number of symbols required to transmit the first signal according to the configured number of repetitions, i.e., l × k = 15, is greater than the number of second time units (i.e., 10). This means the terminal can only repetitively transmit the first signal twice in slots 0 to 3, not reaching the network device's configured k = 3. The terminal's actual number of repetitions is less than k. Therefore, the terminal can transmit the signal in the fourth unit after the first time unit (e.g., symbols 0 to 5 in slot 3). 4) The terminal repeatedly transmits the first signal to the network device, so that the terminal repeatedly transmits the first signal to the network device a total of 3 times in slots 0 to 3. In practical applications, the terminal can choose slot 3, which is adjacent to the last first time unit (i.e., slot 2), as the fourth time unit, or it can choose other slots, such as slot 5 or slot 6. This application embodiment does not make specific limitations.

[0151] Furthermore, as described above, the first time unit can have two formats. For example, the first time unit is a slot, and the format of the first time unit refers to the slot format. The first format means the entire first time unit is used for downlink transmission, while the second format means a portion of the first time unit is used for downlink transmission. To flexibly configure transmission resources, the terminal can, when executing S405 above, determine which format of the first time unit to use as the fifth time unit based on the configuration. Therefore, the method can further include: the terminal obtaining first configuration information, which indicates the format of the first time unit; the terminal determining, based on the first configuration information, the first time unit of the first format among at least one first time unit as the fifth time unit; or, based on the first configuration information, determining, the first time unit of the second format among at least one first time unit as the fifth time unit. That is, if both the first format and the second format of the first time unit exist simultaneously in at least one first time unit, the terminal can select, based on the first configuration information, either to exclude the first format first time unit or to exclude the second format first time unit, thus determining the second time unit.

[0152] In practical applications, the aforementioned first configuration information can be sent to the terminal by the network device. Specifically, the network device can send the first configuration information to the terminal via RRC signaling or DCI. For example, the first configuration information can be one bit in RRC signaling or DCI, used to indicate the format of the first time unit.

[0153] For example, see still Figure 3 As shown, the network device configures the terminal with the following PUSCH mapping type: s = symbol 0 in slot 0, l = 5, k = 3. That is, the network device instructs the terminal to repeat the transmission of symbol 0 to symbol 4 three times in each of the three slots from slot 0 to slot 2 (a total of three slots).

[0154] The network device indicates the slot format as the second format (i.e., the first time unit part is used for downlink transmission) through 1 bit in the DCI. After the terminal receives the above configuration, the terminal can first determine at least one first time unit (i.e., slot 0 to slot 2) and the number of repeated transmissions k=3. The terminal also obtains the first configuration information and the second configuration information configured by the network device. The second configuration information indicates that symbols 2, 4, and 5 in slot 1 are used for downlink transmission, and the first configuration information indicates that the slot format is the second format. Based on the first and second configuration information, the terminal excludes slot 1, obtaining the second time units (i.e., slot 0 and slot 2). Slot 0 and slot 2 are used for uplink transmission. Next, the terminal determines that the number of symbols required to transmit the first signal according to the configured number of repetitions, i.e., l×k=15, is greater than the number of second time units (i.e., 10). This means the terminal can only repetitively transmit the first signal to the network device twice in slots 0 to 3, which does not reach the network device's configured k=3. The actual number of repetitions is less than k. Therefore, the terminal can repetitively transmit the first signal to the network device again in the fourth time unit after the first time unit (such as symbols 0 to 4 in slot 3), resulting in a total of 3 repetitions of the first signal to the network device in slots 0 to 3. In practical applications, the terminal can choose slot 3, adjacent to the last first time unit (i.e., slot 2), as the third time unit, or it can choose other slots, such as slot 5 or slot 6. This embodiment does not impose specific limitations.

[0155] Alternatively, the network device may indicate the slot format as the first format (i.e., all first time units are used for downlink transmission) via 1 bit in the DCI. After the terminal receives the above configuration, it can first determine at least one first time unit (i.e., slot 0 to slot 2) and the number of repeated transmissions k=3. The terminal also obtains the first configuration information and the second configuration information configured by the network device. The second configuration information indicates that all symbols in slot 1 are used for downlink transmission, and symbols 7 to 9 in slot 2 are used for downlink transmission. The first configuration information indicates that the slot format is the first format. Based on the first and second configuration information, the terminal excludes slot 1, obtaining the second time units (i.e., slot 0 and slot 2). Slot 0 and slot 2 are used for uplink transmission. Next, the terminal determines that the number of symbols required to transmit the first signal according to the configured number of repetitions, i.e., l×k=15, is greater than the number of second time units (i.e., 10). This means the terminal can only repetitively transmit the first signal to the network device twice in slots 0 to 3, which does not reach the network device's configured k=3. The actual number of repetitions is less than k. Therefore, the terminal can repetitively transmit the first signal to the network device again in the fourth time unit after the first time unit (such as symbols 0 to 4 in slot 3), resulting in a total of three repetitions of the first signal to the network device in slots 0 to 3. In practical applications, the terminal can choose slot 3, which is adjacent to the last first time unit (i.e., slot 2), as the fourth time unit, or it can choose other slots, such as slot 5 or slot 6. This embodiment does not impose specific limitations.

[0156] This completes the process of repeated uplink transmission.

[0157] In some possible implementations, in scenarios where the network device configures time units for multiple terminals, to achieve flexible scheduling of terminals, the network device can also enable different transmission functions for different terminals. For example, the network device can configure terminal A to perform repeated transmission in the fourth time unit, while not configuring this function for terminal B; or, the network device can enable the repeated transmission function for terminal A in the fourth time unit, while not enabling this function for terminal B. Then, before S205 or S407, the above method may further include: the terminal receiving a first indication message sent by the network device, the first indication message being used to configure the terminal to transmit a first signal in a time unit after the first time unit. Thus, as described in the above embodiments, if the number of repeated transmissions by the terminal in at least one first time unit does not reach k, repeated transmission can continue in the fourth time unit.

[0158] In some possible implementations, the terminal can decide for itself whether to enable the function of repeated transmission on the fourth time unit. If the terminal enables the function, then after S205 or S407, the above method may further include: the terminal sending a second indication message to the network device. The second indication message is used to indicate that it will repeatedly transmit the first signal on the fourth time unit. That is, if the terminal enables the function of repeated transmission on the fourth time unit, after the terminal completes the repeated transmission of the first signal through S205 or S407, it sends a second indication message to the network device to notify the network device that the terminal will also repeatedly transmit the first signal on the fourth time unit. In this way, the network device knows that in addition to receiving the first signal on the second time unit, it also needs to receive the first signal on the fourth time unit.

[0159] Secondly, taking the repeated transmission of the following line as an example, the communication method provided in the embodiments of this application will be described.

[0160] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the downlink retransmission method in an embodiment of this application. See also... Figure 5 As shown, the method may include:

[0161] S501: The network device configures the number of repeated transmissions and related time-domain resource configuration parameters for the terminal;

[0162] S502: The network device sends the number of repeated transmissions and related time-domain resource configuration parameters to the terminal;

[0163] S503: The network device determines the number of repeated transmissions and at least one first time unit;

[0164] S504: The network device determines the second time unit based on the transmission direction of at least one first time unit;

[0165] S505: The network device repeatedly transmits the first signal to the terminal in the second time unit;

[0166] The second time unit is a time unit that is used entirely or partially for downlink transmission (i.e., the second transmission direction) transmission in at least one first time unit. In other words, the second time unit can be understood as a time unit that is actually used to repeatedly transmit the first signal to the terminal. The second time unit is a part of the time unit in at least one first time unit.

[0167] After determining at least one first time unit based on the number of retransmissions configured for the terminal and related time-domain resource configuration parameters, the network device can then determine at least one first time unit via S503. It can then begin repeatedly transmitting downlink data (i.e., the first signal) to the terminal within at least one first time unit (e.g., a slot). However, during the repeated transmission of the first signal to the terminal, if a sudden surge in traffic occurs, the network device may schedule some time units (which could be slots or symbols) within the at least one first time unit for transmitting the second signal in the uplink direction (first transmission direction), or schedule them for transmitting a higher-priority second signal in the downlink direction. Therefore, the network device can, according to its own scheduling, repeatedly transmit the first signal within the time unit designated for transmitting the first signal in the downlink direction (i.e., the second time unit) within the at least one first time unit. In other words, the network device can repeatedly transmit the first signal to the terminal within the second time unit.

[0168] In some possible implementations, since some time units in at least one first time unit may be scheduled by the network device for uplink transmission (such as the fourth time unit) or for transmitting a second signal with higher priority in the downlink transmission direction (such as the fifth time unit) during the execution of S505, after the network device repeatedly transmits the first signal to the terminal through S505, it excludes the fourth time unit and / or the fifth time unit from at least one first time unit and determines the second time units, that is, which time units are actually used to repeatedly transmit the first signal.

[0169] S506: The network device determines whether the second time unit satisfies the requirement to transmit the first signal according to the number of repetitions k; if not, then execute S507; if yes, the process ends.

[0170] It should be noted that when the second time unit is a sub-unit of the first time unit, the number of time units required for the first signal to be transmitted according to the number of repeated transmissions can be understood as the total number of sub-units of the first time unit occupied by the first signal to be transmitted repeatedly according to the configured number of repeated transmissions.

[0171] After the network device completes the repeated transmission of the first signal to the network device in the second time unit through S505, it can determine the actual time unit used for the repeated transmission of the first signal. Then, the network device can determine whether the time unit required for repeated transmission in the downlink direction according to the configured number of repeated transmissions k is more than the second time unit. If so, it means that the actual number of repeated transmissions by the network device is less than k. That is to say, the network device cannot complete k repeated transmissions in the downlink direction in at least one configured first time unit. In this case, the network device needs to continue the repeated transmission in the downlink direction in other time units (such as the fourth time unit) after at least one time unit until the number of repeated transmissions reaches k. Conversely, it means that the actual number of repeated transmissions by the terminal reaches k. That is to say, the terminal can complete k repeated transmissions in the downlink direction in at least one configured first time unit by the network device. This allows the network device to achieve better merging gain after receiving the repeated first signal, thereby improving the coverage enhancement effect.

[0172] In some possible implementations, the fourth time unit can be a time unit located in the time domain after at least one first time unit. The fourth time unit can be a time unit at the level of subframe, slot, mini-slot, symbol, etc. The embodiments of this application do not make specific limitations.

[0173] Furthermore, the fourth time unit can be a time unit configured by the network device for the terminal for uplink or downlink transmission, or it can be a time unit not configured by the network device for the terminal. This application embodiment does not make specific limitations.

[0174] S507: The network device repeatedly transmits the first signal to the terminal on a fourth time unit after at least one first time unit.

[0175] If the network device cannot achieve k repetitions in the downlink transmission direction in the second time unit, then the network device may continue to repetitively transmit the first signal to the terminal in one or more time units (i.e., the fourth time unit) after at least one first time unit, until the number of repetitions of the first signal transmitted to the terminal by the network device in the second and fourth time units reaches k. This can be understood as the network device repeatedly transmitting the first signal to the terminal in the second and fourth time units, where the total number of the second and fourth time units is greater than or equal to the number of time units required for the first signal to be transmitted according to the configured number of repetitions k.

[0176] In some possible implementations, the network device can also configure the transmission direction of each time unit. Then, before executing S505, the network device can determine which time units in at least one first time unit are used for uplink transmission and which time units are used for downlink transmission based on the transmission direction of each time unit, and then determine the second time unit. In this way, the network device can also execute S506 first, and then execute S505 and S507.

[0177] In some possible embodiments, after executing S507, the network device may also send a notification to the terminal to inform the terminal that in addition to receiving the first signal in the second time unit, it can also receive the first signal in the fourth time unit, thereby merging the received first signal to obtain better merging gain and improve the performance of coverage enhancement.

[0178] Specifically, after S507, the network device can notify the terminal to continue receiving the first signal after at least one first time unit. The method may further include: the network device sending a first indication message to the terminal, the first indication message configuring the terminal to transmit (i.e. receive) the first signal in a time unit after the first time unit. Thus, as described in the above embodiments, when the number of repeated transmissions in at least one first time unit does not reach k, the terminal can receive the first signal not only in a second time unit but also in a fourth time unit.

[0179] Alternatively, after S507, the network device may also notify the terminal to continue receiving the first signal in a fourth time unit following at least one first time unit. The method may further include: the network device sending a second instruction message to the terminal, the second instruction message instructing the terminal to repeatedly transmit (i.e., receive) the first signal in the fourth time unit. Thus, as described in the above embodiments, when the number of repeated transmissions in at least one first time unit is less than k, the terminal can receive the first signal in both the second and fourth time units.

[0180] In some possible implementations, where the mapping type for PUSCH is Type A, this application also provides a communication method to address the problem of limited coverage enhancement performance caused by the actual number of repeated transmissions being less than the configured number of repeated transmissions. In uplink repeated transmission scenarios, this method can be applied to the aforementioned terminal. Therefore, Figure 6 This is a flowchart illustrating another method for uplink retransmission in an embodiment of this application. The method may include:

[0181] S601: The network device configures the number of repeated transmissions and related time-domain resource configuration parameters for the terminal;

[0182] S602: The network device sends the number of repeated transmissions and related time-domain resource configuration parameters to the terminal;

[0183] S603: The terminal determines the number of repeated transmissions and at least one first time unit;

[0184] S604: The terminal obtains the first configuration information and the second configuration information;

[0185] S601 to S604 can be referred to the descriptions in S401 to S404 in the above embodiments, and will not be repeated here.

[0186] S605: The terminal determines a first time unit that meets a preset condition from at least one first time unit as a second time unit based on the first configuration information and the second configuration information.

[0187] Here, after obtaining the first configuration information and the second configuration information, the terminal can determine the transmission direction of each first time unit and the format of the first time unit. If the PUSCH mapping type is Type A and the first configuration information indicates the first format (meaning that only when the first time unit is entirely used for downlink transmission, uplink transmission will not occur in that first time unit), the terminal can determine the second time unit as a time unit that meets preset conditions (e.g., a slot). For example, the terminal can select a time unit in the first time unit with the second format (i.e., the first time unit is partially used for downlink transmission) where the actual code rate of the first signal transmission is less than a preset code rate as the second time unit. Optionally, the preset code rate can be 1. Alternatively, the terminal may select a time unit (e.g., a slot) in the first time unit (e.g., a slot) of the second format whose number of time units (e.g., symbols) used for uplink transmission is greater than or equal to a first threshold as the second time unit. Optionally, the first threshold may be a predefined number of time domain symbols, or the first threshold may be a value obtained by rounding down to n times the number of time domain symbols l required for a single transmission of the first signal [n×l].

[0188] Understandably, according to the second configuration information, the portion of the time unit corresponding to the first position in a single second format that is used for uplink transmission may not reach 1. In other words, the first time unit is insufficient to complete one uplink repetition transmission. However, in order to improve the utilization of resources, if the actual code rate of the first signal transmitted in the first time unit is less than the preset code rate (e.g., 1), or the number of time units used for uplink transmission in the first time unit is greater than or equal to the first threshold (e.g., [n×1]), the terminal can determine the first time unit as the second time unit to transmit the first signal, so as to increase the actual number of repetition transmissions.

[0189] In this embodiment of the application, the first threshold can be a value obtained by rounding up k times l. It can also be the value obtained by rounding down from n times l. The embodiments in this application do not impose specific limitations on this.

[0190] In practical applications, the above-mentioned preset conditions can also be other, as long as the part of the first time unit of the second format used for uplink transmission can complete one uplink repeat transmission. This application embodiment does not specifically limit this.

[0191] S606: The terminal repeatedly transmits the first signal to the network device in the second time unit.

[0192] In some possible embodiments, after S606, if the actual number of repeated transmissions of the first signal still does not reach k, then S206 to S207 or S406 to S407 as described above can be executed to make the actual number of repeated transmissions of the first signal reach k.

[0193] As can be seen from the above, by making full use of resources that could not originally be used for uplink retransmission, the first signal can complete k uplink retransmissions as much as possible in at least one first time unit. In this way, after receiving the retransmitted first signal, the network device can achieve a better merging gain, thereby improving the coverage enhancement effect.

[0194] Based on the same inventive concept, and with the PUSCH mapping type being Type A, this application also provides a communication method that can be applied to the aforementioned terminal in scenarios involving repeated uplink transmissions. Therefore, Figure 7 This is a flowchart illustrating another method for uplink retransmission in an embodiment of this application. The method may include:

[0195] S701: The network device configures the number of repeated transmissions and related time-domain resource configuration parameters for the terminal;

[0196] S702: The network device sends the number of repeated transmissions and related time-domain resource configuration parameters to the terminal;

[0197] S703: The terminal determines the number of repeated transmissions and at least one first time unit;

[0198] S704: The terminal determines at least one second time unit from at least one first time unit;

[0199] The time unit corresponding to the first position in the second time unit includes the time unit used for downlink transmission.

[0200] The terminal determines the first time unit, which is used entirely or partially for downlink transmission, as the second time unit. For example, if the terminal determines the first time unit as slot 0 to 2, and slot 1 contains symbols 0 to 4 for downlink transmission, then the terminal determines slot 1 as the second time unit.

[0201] S705: The terminal determines whether the actual code rate of the first signal transmitted in the second time unit is less than the preset code rate; if yes, execute S706; if no, the process ends.

[0202] S706: The terminal repeatedly transmits the first signal to the network device in the second time unit.

[0203] Here, the terminal further judges the second time unit. If the actual code rate of the first signal transmitted by the second unit is less than the preset code rate, such as 1, the terminal can determine that the second time unit can be used for repeated transmission of the first signal. Then, the terminal transmits the first signal to the network device in the second time unit to complete one repeated transmission.

[0204] Furthermore, the time units in the first time unit where the actual code rate of transmitting the first signal is less than the preset code rate may also include time units (e.g., slots) in the first time unit (e.g., slots) where the number of time units (e.g., symbols) used for uplink transmission is greater than or equal to a first threshold. Then, the terminal may also define the time units (e.g., slots) in the first time unit (e.g., slots) where the number of time units (e.g., symbols) used for uplink transmission is greater than or equal to the first threshold as second time units. Optionally, the first threshold may be a predefined number of time-domain symbols, or the first threshold may be a value obtained by rounding down n times the number of time-domain symbols l required for a single transmission of the first signal [n×l]. Thus, when the second time unit is insufficient to complete one uplink repetition transmission, in order to improve resource utilization, if the actual code rate of transmitting the first signal in the second time unit is less than the preset code rate (e.g., 1), or the number of time units in the second time unit used for uplink transmission is greater than or equal to the first threshold (e.g., [n×l]), the terminal may use the second time unit to transmit the first signal, thereby increasing the actual number of repetition transmissions.

[0205] In this embodiment of the application, the first threshold can be a value obtained by rounding up k times l. It can also be the value obtained by rounding down from n times l. The embodiments in this application do not impose specific limitations on this.

[0206] In practical applications, the actual code rate of the first signal being transmitted may be less than the preset code rate, or there may be other cases, as long as the part of the second time unit used for uplink transmission can complete one uplink repetition transmission. This application embodiment does not specifically limit this.

[0207] For example, still refer to Figure 3As shown, the network device configures the terminal with the following settings: PUSCH mapping type is Type A, s = symbol 0 in slot 0, l = 5, k = 3. This means the network device instructs the terminal to repeat the transmission three times on symbols 0 to 4 in each of the three slots (slots 0 to 2). After receiving this configuration information, the terminal first determines at least one first time unit (slots 0 to 2) and the number of repetitions k = 3. The terminal also obtains the network device configuration, determining that symbols 2, 4, and 5 in slot 1 are used for downlink transmission. Therefore, the terminal can designate slot 1 as the second time unit. Further, the terminal checks if the actual bit rate of the first signal transmitted in slot 1 is less than 1. If so, the terminal can transmit the first signal to the network device in slot 1 to achieve one repetition; otherwise, the terminal can exclude slot 1 and cannot send the first signal to the network device in slot 0.

[0208] In some possible embodiments, after S706, if the actual number of repeated transmissions of the first signal still does not reach k, then S206 to S207 or S406 to S407 as described above can be executed to make the actual number of repeated transmissions of the first signal reach k.

[0209] As can be seen from the above, by making full use of resources that could not originally be used for uplink retransmission, the first signal can complete k uplink retransmissions as much as possible in at least one first time unit. In this way, after receiving the retransmitted first signal, the network device can achieve a better merging gain, thereby improving the coverage enhancement effect.

[0210] Based on the same inventive concept, embodiments of this application provide a communication device. This device can be a chip or system-on-a-chip in a communication device (such as a terminal or network device in one or more embodiments above), or it can be a component in the communication device used to implement the above-described... Figure 7 The functional modules of the method described in the embodiments. For example, Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the communication device in the embodiments of this application. See also: Figure 8 As shown, the communication device 800 may include a processing unit 801 and a transmission unit 802.

[0211] In this embodiment of the application, the processing unit 801 is used to obtain at least one first time unit; the at least one first time unit is configured to perform repeated transmission in a first transmission direction at a first position according to the number of repeated transmissions, the at least one first time unit includes at least one second time unit, and the time unit corresponding to the first position in the second time unit includes a time unit for transmission in a second transmission direction; the transmission unit 802 is used to transmit the first signal in the second time unit if the actual code rate of the first signal transmitted in the second time unit is less than a preset code rate.

[0212] In some possible implementations, the actual code rate of the first signal transmitted in the second time unit is less than a preset code rate, specifically including: the number of time-domain symbols contained in the time unit corresponding to the first position is greater than or equal to a first threshold.

[0213] In some other possible implementations, the first threshold is a predefined number of time-domain symbols; or, the first threshold is a value [n×l] obtained by rounding down n times the number of time-domain symbols l required for a single transmission of the first signal, where n is a predefined value.

[0214] In some other possible implementations, the first time unit is a time slot, the second time unit is a time slot, and the time unit in the second time unit for the first transmission direction includes at least one time domain symbol.

[0215] In some other possible implementations, the first transmission direction is the uplink transmission direction and the second transmission direction is the downlink transmission direction; or, the first transmission direction is the downlink transmission direction and the second transmission direction is the uplink transmission direction.

[0216] In other embodiments of this application, the aforementioned communication device may be a chip or system-on-a-chip in a communication device (such as a terminal or network device), or it may be a component in the communication device used to implement... Figures 2 to 6 The functional modules of any method described in the embodiments. For example, see still the examples. Figure 8 As shown, the processing unit 801 is further configured to determine a third time unit based on the transmission direction of at least one first time unit, wherein the at least one first time unit is configured to transmit a first signal in the first transmission direction according to the number of repetitions; the third time unit includes time units in the at least one first time unit that are used entirely or partially for transmission in the first transmission direction; the transmission unit 802 is configured to repeatedly transmit the first signal in the third time unit; and is further configured to transmit the first signal in a fourth time unit if the third time unit does not satisfy the requirement of transmitting the first signal according to the number of repetitions, wherein the fourth time unit is located after at least one first time unit in the time domain, and the third time unit and the fourth time unit satisfy the requirement of transmitting the first signal according to the number of repetitions.

[0217] In some possible implementations, the processing unit 801 is specifically configured to determine at least one time unit in the first time unit whose transmission direction is the first transmission direction as the third time unit.

[0218] In some other possible implementations, the processing unit 801 is specifically configured to determine at least one first time unit that meets a preset condition as a third time unit; wherein the preset condition includes: the actual code rate of the first signal transmitted by the first time unit is less than a preset code rate, the time unit corresponding to the first position in the first time unit includes a time unit for transmission in the second transmission direction, and the time unit corresponding to the first position is configured for repeated transmission in the first transmission direction; or, the number of time units in the first time unit for transmission in the first transmission direction is greater than or equal to a first threshold.

[0219] In some other possible implementations, the third time unit does not satisfy the requirement of transmitting the first signal according to the number of repetitions, including: the number of third time units is less than or equal to a second threshold, the second threshold being the number of time units required to transmit the first signal according to the number of repetitions.

[0220] In some other possible implementations, the processing unit 801 is specifically configured to obtain first configuration information, the first configuration information being used to indicate the format of the time unit; and, based on the first configuration information, determine a first time unit of a first format from at least one first time unit as a third time unit; or, based on the first configuration information, determine a first time unit of a second format from at least one first time unit as a third time unit; wherein the first format is used entirely for the first transmission direction, and the second format is used partially for the first transmission direction.

[0221] In some other possible implementations, the first transmission direction is the uplink transmission direction and the second transmission direction is the downlink transmission direction; or, the first transmission direction is the downlink transmission direction and the second transmission direction is the uplink transmission direction.

[0222] In some other possible implementations, the processing unit 801 is further configured to obtain a first indication message before transmitting the first signal in the fourth time unit, the first indication message being configured to transmit the first signal in a time unit following the first time unit.

[0223] In some other possible implementations, the processing unit 801 is also configured to send a second instruction message, which is used to instruct the first signal to be repeatedly transmitted on the fourth time unit.

[0224] It should be noted that the processing unit 801 can be one or more processors, and the transmission unit 802 can be a transceiver interface, transceiver circuit, or transceiver, etc.

[0225] Based on the same inventive concept, embodiments of this application provide a communication device, including: a non-volatile memory and a processor coupled to each other, wherein the processor calls program code stored in the memory to execute the communication method as described in any of the above embodiments.

[0226] In this application, the aforementioned communication device may be a terminal or network device in a wireless communication system.

[0227] Based on the same inventive concept, embodiments of this application provide a computer-readable storage medium storing instructions that, when executed on a computer, are used to perform the communication method as described in any of the above embodiments.

[0228] Based on the same inventive concept, embodiments of this application provide a computer program or computer program product that, when executed on a computer, causes the computer to implement the communication method as described in any of the above embodiments.

[0229] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the functionality described in conjunction with the various illustrative logic blocks, modules, and algorithmic steps disclosed herein can be implemented in hardware, software, firmware, or any combination thereof. If implemented in software, the functionality described by the various illustrative logic blocks, modules, and steps can be stored or transmitted as one or more instructions or codes on a computer-readable medium and executed by a hardware-based processing unit. The computer-readable medium may comprise a computer-readable storage medium, which corresponds to a tangible medium, such as a data storage medium, or a communication medium that includes any medium facilitating the transfer of a computer program from one place to another (e.g., according to a communication protocol). In this way, the computer-readable medium may substantially correspond to (1) a non-transitory tangible computer-readable storage medium, or (2) a communication medium, such as a signal or carrier wave. The data storage medium may be any available medium accessible by one or more computers or one or more processors to retrieve instructions, code, and / or data structures for implementing the techniques described in this application. A computer program product may comprise a computer-readable medium.

[0230] By way of example and not limitation, such computer-readable storage media may include RAM, ROM, EEPROM, CD-ROM or other optical disc storage devices, magnetic disk storage devices or other magnetic storage devices, flash memory, or any other media that can be used to store desired program code in the form of instructions or data structures and is accessible by a computer. Furthermore, any connection is properly referred to as computer-readable media. For example, if instructions are transmitted from a website, server, or other remote source using coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, digital subscriber line (DSL), or wireless technologies such as infrared, radio, and microwave, then coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, DSL, or wireless technologies such as infrared, radio, and microwave are included in the definition of media. However, it should be understood that the computer-readable storage media and data storage media do not include connections, carrier waves, signals, or other temporary media, but are specifically addressed to non-temporary tangible storage media. As used herein, disks and optical discs include compact optical discs (CDs), laser optical discs, optical discs, digital versatile optical discs (DVDs), and Blu-ray discs, where disks typically reproduce data magnetically, while optical discs reproduce data optically using lasers. The combination of the above items should also be included in the scope of computer-readable media.

[0231] Instructions can be executed by one or more processors, such as digital signal processors (DSPs), general-purpose microprocessors, application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), field-programmable arrays (FPGAs), or other equivalent integrated or discrete logic circuits. Therefore, the term "processor" as used herein can refer to any of the foregoing structures or any other structures suitable for implementing the techniques described herein. Furthermore, in some aspects, the functionality described in the various illustrative logic blocks, modules, and steps described herein can be provided within dedicated hardware and / or software modules configured for encoding and decoding, or incorporated into combined codecs. Moreover, the techniques can be fully implemented within one or more circuit or logic elements.

[0232] The technology of this application can be implemented in a wide variety of devices or apparatuses, including wireless handheld devices, integrated circuits (ICs), or a set of ICs (e.g., chipsets). The various components, modules, or units described in this application are intended to emphasize functional aspects of the apparatus for performing the disclosed technology, but do not necessarily need to be implemented by different hardware units. In fact, as described above, the various units can be combined with suitable software and / or firmware within a codec hardware unit, or provided via interoperable hardware units (containing one or more processors as described above).

[0233] In the above embodiments, the descriptions of each embodiment have different focuses. For parts not described in detail in a certain embodiment, please refer to the relevant descriptions in other embodiments.

[0234] The above description is merely an exemplary embodiment of this application, but the scope of protection of this application is not limited thereto. Any variations or substitutions that can be easily conceived by those skilled in the art within the scope of the technology disclosed in this application should be included within the scope of protection of this application. Therefore, the scope of protection of this application should be determined by the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A communication method characterized by comprising: The method comprises: determining a repetition transmission number and at least one first time slot, wherein the at least one first time slot is configured to transmit a first signal in an uplink transmission direction according to the repetition transmission number; obtaining a second time slot by excluding, according to a transmission direction of the at least one first time slot, a time slot having one or more symbols configured for downlink transmission direction transmission from the at least one first time slot; repeating transmission of the first signal on the second time slot and a fourth time slot according to the repetition transmission number, wherein the fourth time slot is located after the at least one first time slot in the time domain, the second time slot does not satisfy transmission of the first signal according to the repetition transmission number, and the second time slot and the fourth time slot satisfy transmission of the first signal according to the repetition transmission number.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein, The second time slot not satisfying transmission of the first signal according to the repetition transmission number comprises: a quantity of the second time slot is less than or equal to a second threshold value, and the second threshold value is a quantity of time slots required for transmission of the first signal according to the repetition transmission number.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The method further comprises: determining at least one first time unit according to a repetition number k, a starting position s of a single transmission time slot, and a time length l during which the single transmission lasts; wherein the first signal is carried by a physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH), a mapping type of the PUSCH is type A, and repetition transmission is performed on symbols from s to s+l in each of the k time slots, and each time slot repetition transmission occupies the same time domain symbol position.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, Before the transmission of the first signal on the fourth time slot, the method further comprises: obtaining a first indication message, the first indication message being used for configuring transmission of the first signal on a time slot after the first time slot.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, Before the transmission of the first signal on the fourth time slot, the method further comprises: sending a second indication message, the second indication message being used for indicating repetition transmission of the first signal on the fourth time slot.

6. A communication device, characterized by The method comprises: a processing unit configured to determine a repetition transmission number and at least one first time slot, and obtain a second time slot by excluding, according to a transmission direction of the at least one first time slot, a time slot having one or more symbols configured for downlink transmission direction transmission from the at least one first time slot; wherein the at least one first time slot is configured to transmit a first signal in an uplink transmission direction according to the repetition transmission number; a transmission unit configured to repeat transmission of the first signal on the second time slot and a fourth time slot according to the repetition transmission number, wherein the fourth time slot is located after the at least one first time slot in the time domain, the second time slot does not satisfy transmission of the first signal according to the repetition transmission number, and the second time slot and the fourth time slot satisfy transmission of the first signal according to the repetition transmission number.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein, The second time slot not satisfying transmission of the first signal according to the repetition transmission number comprises: a quantity of the second time slot is less than or equal to a second threshold value, and the second threshold value is a quantity of time slots required for transmission of the first signal according to the repetition transmission number.

8. The apparatus of claim 6 or 7, wherein, The processing unit is further configured to: determine at least one first time unit according to a repetition number k, a starting position s of a time slot of a single transmission, and a time length l during which the single transmission lasts; wherein the first signal is carried by a physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH), a mapping type of the PUSCH is type A, and the first signal is repeatedly transmitted on s to s+l symbols in each of the k time slots, and each time slot repeatedly transmits occupies a same time domain symbol position.

9. The apparatus of any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein, The processing unit is further configured to obtain a first indication message, the first indication message being used for configuring transmission of the first signal on a time slot after the first time slot.

10. The apparatus of any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein, The processing unit is further configured to send a second indication message, the second indication message being used for indicating repeated transmission of the first signal on the fourth time slot.

11. A communication device, characterized by comprising: a non-volatile memory and a processor coupled to each other, the processor invoking program codes stored in the memory to perform the communication method according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

12. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, The computer readable storage medium stores instructions; when the instructions are executed, the communication method according to any one of claims 1 to 5 is performed.

13. A computer program product, the computer program product comprising instructions embodied therein, wherein: When the instructions are executed on the computer, the computer implements the method according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

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