Communication method and communication device

Abstract

Provided are a communication method and a communication device, the method comprising: a terminal device communicating with a network device through a first sub-channel, the first sub-channel occupying a part of frequency domain resources of a first channel, the uplink and downlink configuration of the first sub-channel in a first time window is different from the uplink and downlink configuration of the first channel in the first time window, and the first time window comprises one or more time units. The method provided by the embodiment of the invention is helpful to meet the requirements of the terminal equipment.

Description

Communication method and communication device Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the field of communication technology, and more specifically, to a communication method and a communication device. Background Art

[0002] With the development of communication technology, in some communication systems, fixed uplink and downlink time slot configurations can be used in the same spectrum (such as the same channel), so that terminal devices can perform uplink transmission in the uplink time slot and downlink transmission in the downlink time slot.

[0003] However, due to the limitations of uplink and downlink time slot configurations, the requirements of different terminal devices cannot be met, which may lead to increased transmission delay.

[0004] Summary of the Invention

[0005] The embodiments of the present application provide a communication method and a communication device. The following describes various aspects of the embodiments of the present application.

[0006] In a first aspect, a communication method is provided, including: a terminal device communicates with a network device through a first sub-channel, the first sub-channel occupies part of the frequency domain resources of the first channel, the uplink and downlink configuration of the first sub-channel in a first time window is different from the uplink and downlink configuration of the first channel in the first time window, and the first time window includes one or more time units.

[0007] In a second aspect, a communication method is provided, including: a network device communicates with a terminal device through a first sub-channel, the first sub-channel occupies part of the frequency domain resources of the first channel, the uplink and downlink configuration of the first sub-channel in the first time window is different from the uplink and downlink configuration of the first channel in the first time window, and the first time window includes one or more time units.

[0008] According to a third aspect, a communication device is provided, including: a communication unit for communicating with a network device through a first sub-channel, the first sub-channel occupies part of the frequency domain resources of the first channel, the uplink and downlink configuration of the first sub-channel in the first time window is different from the uplink and downlink configuration of the first channel in the first time window, and the first time window includes one or more time units.

[0009] In a fourth aspect, a communication device is provided, including: a communication unit, used to: communicate with a terminal device through a first sub-channel, the first sub-channel occupies part of the frequency domain resources of the first channel, the uplink and downlink configuration of the first sub-channel in the first time window is different from the uplink and downlink configuration of the first channel in the first time window, and the first time window includes one or more time units.

[0010] In a fifth aspect, a communication device is provided, comprising a memory, a transceiver and a processor, wherein the memory is used to store programs, the processor sends and receives data through the transceiver, and the processor is used to call the program in the memory so that the communication device executes the method described in the first aspect.

[0011] In the sixth aspect, a communication device is provided, comprising a memory, a transceiver and a processor, wherein the memory is used to store programs, the processor sends and receives data through the transceiver, and the processor is used to call the program in the memory so that the communication device executes the method described in the second aspect.

[0012] In a seventh aspect, a communication device is provided, comprising a processor configured to call a program from a memory so that the communication device executes the method described in the first aspect.

[0013] In an eighth aspect, a communication device is provided, comprising a processor for calling a program from a memory, so that the communication device executes the method described in the second aspect.

[0014] In a ninth aspect, a chip is provided, comprising a processor for calling a program from a memory so that a device equipped with the chip executes the method described in the first aspect.

[0015] In a tenth aspect, a chip is provided, comprising a processor for calling a program from a memory so that a device equipped with the chip executes the method described in the second aspect.

[0016] In an eleventh aspect, a computer-readable storage medium is provided, on which a program is stored, wherein the program enables a computer to execute the method described in the first aspect.

[0017] In a twelfth aspect, a computer-readable storage medium is provided, on which a program is stored, wherein the program enables a computer to execute the method described in the second aspect.

[0018] In a thirteenth aspect, a computer program product is provided, comprising a program, wherein the program enables a computer to execute the method described in the first aspect.

[0019] In a fourteenth aspect, a computer program product is provided, comprising a program, wherein the program enables a computer to execute the method described in the second aspect.

[0020] In a fifteenth aspect, a computer program is provided, which enables a computer to execute the method described in the first aspect.

[0021] In a sixteenth aspect, a computer program is provided, which enables a computer to execute the method described in the second aspect.

[0022] In an embodiment of the present application, the uplink and downlink configuration of the first subchannel in the first time window is different from the uplink and downlink configuration of the first channel in the first time window. The terminal device communicates with the network device through the first subchannel, which helps to meet the needs of the terminal device. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] FIG1 is an example diagram of a wireless communication system used in an embodiment of the present application.

[0024] FIG2 is a schematic diagram of the uplink and downlink configurations of a TDD system in an embodiment of the present application.

[0025] FIG3 is a schematic flowchart of a communication method provided in one embodiment of the present application.

[0026] FIG4 is a schematic diagram of a sub-channel division in an embodiment of the present application.

[0027] FIG5 is a schematic diagram of another sub-channel division in an embodiment of the present application.

[0028] FIG6 is a schematic diagram of another sub-channel division in an embodiment of the present application.

[0029] FIG7 is a schematic diagram of another sub-channel division in an embodiment of the present application.

[0030] FIG8 is a schematic diagram of another sub-channel division in an embodiment of the present application.

[0031] FIG9 is a schematic diagram of another sub-channel division in an embodiment of the present application.

[0032] FIG10 is a schematic diagram of another sub-channel division in an embodiment of the present application.

[0033] FIG11 is a schematic diagram of another sub-channel division in an embodiment of the present application.

[0034] FIG12 is a schematic diagram showing that the sub-channels in an embodiment of the present application are applicable to all terminal devices in a cell.

[0035] FIG13 is a schematic diagram showing that the sub-channels in an embodiment of the present application are applicable to some terminal devices within a cell.

[0036] FIG14 is a schematic diagram of terminal device transmission and reception under a sub-channel division in an embodiment of the present application.

[0037] FIG15 is a schematic diagram of transmission and reception of a terminal device under another seed channel division in an embodiment of the present application.

[0038] FIG16 is a schematic diagram of transmission and reception of a terminal device under another sub-channel division in an embodiment of the present application.

[0039] FIG17 is a schematic diagram of transmission and reception of a terminal device under another sub-channel division in an embodiment of the present application.

[0040] FIG18 is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device provided in one embodiment of the present application.

[0041] FIG19 is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device provided in another embodiment of the present application.

[0042] FIG20 is a schematic structural diagram of a device provided in an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0043] The technical solution in this application will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0044] FIG1 illustrates a wireless communication system 100 used in an embodiment of the present application. The wireless communication system 100 may include a network device 110 and a user equipment (UE) 120. The network device 110 may communicate with the UE 120. The network device 110 may provide communication coverage for a specific geographic area and may communicate with the UE 120 within the coverage area. The UE 120 may access a network (e.g., a wireless network) through the network device 110.

[0045] Figure 1 exemplarily shows a network device and two UEs. Optionally, the wireless communication system 100 may include multiple network devices, and each network device may include a different number of terminal devices within its coverage area, which is not limited in this embodiment of the present application. Optionally, the wireless communication system 100 may also include other network entities such as a network controller and a mobility management entity, which is not limited in this embodiment of the present application.

[0046] It should be understood that the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application can be applied to various communication systems, such as: fifth generation (5G) system or new radio (NR), long term evolution (LTE) system, LTE frequency division duplex (FDD) system, LTE time division duplex (TDD), etc. The technical solutions provided in this application can also be applied to future communication systems, such as the sixth generation mobile communication system, satellite communication system, etc.

[0047] The UE in the embodiments of the present application may also be referred to as a terminal device, an access terminal, a user unit, a user station, a mobile station, a mobile station (MS), a mobile terminal (MT), a remote station, a remote terminal, a mobile device, a user terminal, a terminal, a wireless communication device, a user agent, or a user apparatus. The UE in the embodiments of the present application may refer to a device that provides voice and / or data connectivity to a user and can be used to connect people, objects, and machines, such as a handheld device or an in-vehicle device with wireless connection capabilities. The UE in the embodiments of the present application can be a mobile phone, a tablet computer, a laptop computer, a PDA, a mobile internet device (MID), a wearable device, a virtual reality (VR) device, an augmented reality (AR) device, a wireless terminal in industrial control, a wireless terminal in self-driving, a wireless terminal in remote medical surgery, a wireless terminal in a smart grid, a wireless terminal in transportation safety, a wireless terminal in a smart city, a wireless terminal in a smart home, etc. Optionally, the UE can be used to act as a base station. For example, the UE can act as a scheduling entity that provides sidelink signals between UEs in V2X or D2D, etc. For example, a cellular phone and a car communicate with each other using sidelink signals. The cellular phone and smart home devices communicate without relaying the communication signal through a base station.

[0048] The network device in the embodiments of the present application may be a device for communicating with a UE, and may also be referred to as an access network device or a radio access network device. For example, the network device may be a base station. The network device in the embodiments of the present application may refer to a radio access network (RAN) node (or device) that connects a UE to a wireless network. A base station may broadly cover various names as follows, or be replaced with the following names, such as: NodeB, evolved NodeB (eNB), next generation NodeB (gNB), relay station, access point, transmitting and receiving point (TRP), transmitting point (TP), master station MeNB, secondary station SeNB, multi-standard radio (MSR) node, home base station, network controller, access node, wireless node, access point (AP), transmission node, transceiver node, baseband unit (BBU), remote radio unit (RRU), active antenna unit (AAU), remote radio head (RRH), central unit (CU), distributed unit (DU), positioning node, etc. A base station may be a macro base station, a micro base station, a relay node, a donor node, or the like, or a combination thereof.

[0049] In some embodiments, the network device can be fixed or mobile. For example, a helicopter or drone can be configured to act as a mobile network device, and one or more cells can move according to the location of the mobile network device. In other examples, the helicopter or drone can be configured to act as a device for communicating with another network device. In some embodiments, the network device can refer to a CU or a DU, or the network device can include a CU and a DU, or the network device can also include an AAU.

[0050] It should be understood that network devices can be deployed on land, including indoors or outdoors, handheld or vehicle-mounted; can also be deployed on water; and can also be deployed in the air on aircraft, balloons, and satellites. The embodiments of this application do not limit the network devices and the scenarios in which they are used.

[0051] It should also be understood that all or part of the functions of the network device and UE in this application can also be implemented through software functions running on hardware, or through virtualization functions instantiated on a platform (such as a cloud platform).

[0052] With the development of communication technology, in some communication systems, a fixed uplink and downlink configuration (also referred to as uplink and downlink time slot configuration or uplink and downlink time domain resource configuration, etc.) can be adopted in the same segment of spectrum (such as the same channel). In this way, the terminal device can perform uplink transmission in the uplink time slot and downlink transmission in the downlink time slot. For example, taking the time division duplex (TDD) system as an example, the terminal device transmits and receives on the same segment of spectrum (such as the same channel), and the transmission and reception are staggered in time. Without considering the special subframe, the uplink and downlink configurations of a typical TDD system can be as shown in Figure 2, where "U" in Figure 2 represents the uplink time slot and "D" represents the downlink time slot. The meanings of "U" and "D" in the subsequent figures of the embodiments of the present application are the same and will not be repeated in the subsequent embodiments. As shown in Figure 2, the uplink time slot and the downlink time slot of the same channel are staggered in time.

[0053] Typically, because download traffic outnumbers upload traffic, TDD systems allocate more time slots within the same channel to downlink traffic to meet the needs of download traffic. This makes sense, but it also creates a problem: the time interval between terminal transmission time slots can be very long. For example, when a terminal device has uplink traffic, it may need to wait a long time before it can transmit uplink traffic in an uplink time slot. This results in significant uplink latency for the terminal device, making it unsuitable for scenarios with stringent uplink latency requirements or high traffic volumes.

[0054] Similarly, when the TDD system allocates more time slots to the uplink within a channel to meet large uplink service demands, the downlink services of terminal devices with large downlink services may not be met.

[0055] In summary, in the prior art, due to the limitation of fixed uplink and downlink time slot configuration, it may not be possible to meet the needs of different terminal devices.

[0056] In order to solve one or more of the above technical problems, the present application proposes a communication method and a communication device.

[0057] The embodiments of the present application are described in detail below with reference to FIG3 to FIG17 .

[0058] FIG3 is a schematic flow chart of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present application. The method 300 shown in FIG3 may include step S310, which is as follows:

[0059] S310: The terminal device communicates with the network device through the first sub-channel.

[0060] The first sub-channel may occupy part of the frequency domain resources of the first channel. For example, FIG4 is an example of sub-channel division in the present application, where part of the frequency domain resources in the spectrum of channel 0 may be divided as sub-channel 1 (sub-channel 1 is equivalent to the first sub-channel).

[0061] The uplink and downlink configuration of the first subchannel in the first time window may be different from the uplink and downlink configuration of the first channel in the first time window. The different uplink and downlink configurations mentioned here can also be understood as: there is at least one time unit in the first time window in which the uplink and downlink transmission directions of the first subchannel and the first channel are different.

[0062] The first time window may include one or more time units. Optionally, the number of time units included in multiple first time windows in the time domain may be the same or different. For example, the first time window may be a preset period. The time unit may be a time slot. For ease of description, the figures of this application illustrate the first time window as a period including six time slots.

[0063] For example, as shown in Figure 4, the uplink and downlink configuration of channel 0 is 2U4D, meaning the first and sixth time slots are "U" and the remaining time slots are "D." Channel 0 can be used for high-speed downlink traffic. As shown in Figure 4, subchannel 1 can be configured with 5U1D, meaning the third time slot is "D" and the remaining time slots are "U," allowing subchannel 1 to be used for high-speed uplink traffic. The remaining spectrum in channel 0 can be used as subchannel 2, and subchannel 2 can be configured with the original uplink and downlink configuration of channel 0 (i.e., 2U4D), allowing it to continue to be used for high-speed downlink traffic.

[0064] In an embodiment of the present application, the uplink and downlink configuration of the first subchannel in the first time window is different from the uplink and downlink configuration of the first channel in the first time window. The terminal device communicates with the network device through the first subchannel, which helps to meet the needs of the terminal device.

[0065] The first channel may include the first sub-channel in each time unit in the time domain. For example, the first channel may include the first sub-channel in each time unit in the first time window.

[0066] Optionally, the first subchannel may be unconfigured or inactive in a second time window. The second time window may include one or more time units. The second time window may not overlap or may partially overlap with the first time window in the time domain. In the second time window, the spectrum occupied by the (unconfigured or inactive) first subchannel may be reserved and not used for transmission of the entire channel. This simplifies implementation.

[0067] The first channel may include the first subchannel in some time units in the time domain. In this case, the time units that do not include the first subchannel may be those in which the first subchannel is not configured or activated. In other words, in the time units that do not include the first subchannel, the spectrum occupied by the (unconfigured or inactivated) first subchannel may be released for transmission on the entire channel, thereby improving spectrum resource utilization.

[0068] The uplink and downlink configuration of the first subchannel in the first time window may be the same as the uplink and downlink configuration in the third time window, or the uplink and downlink configuration of the first subchannel in the first time window may be different from the uplink and downlink configuration in the third time window. The third time window may include one or more time units, and the third time window may not overlap or partially overlap with the first time window in the time domain.

[0069] The above embodiment describes the characteristics of sub-channels in the time domain. The following further introduces sub-channels in combination with various division methods.

[0070] Method 1: Divide sub-channels based on a fixed method

[0071] As shown in Figure 5, subchannel 1 can be partitioned from channel 0 in each time unit. The remaining spectrum in channel 0 can be used as subchannel 2. Within each time window (e.g., cycle), a 5U1D uplink and 1D downlink configuration can be configured for subchannel 1. Simultaneously, the original uplink and 4D downlink configuration of channel 0 can be configured for subchannel 2.

[0072] It can be seen that in FIG5 , the uplink and downlink configurations of subchannel 1 in each cycle may be the same, that is, both are 5U1D.

[0073] Method 2: Divide sub-channels based on demand

[0074] Of course, subchannels can also be configured or activated only when needed, for example, upon request by a terminal device or proactively configured by a base station. For example, as shown in Figure 6, subchannel 1 may be configured and activated within a first time window (e.g., a period), but not configured or activated within a second time window. Subchannel 1 may then be configured and activated again within a third time window.

[0075] For timeslots where subchannel 1 is not configured or activated, the corresponding spectrum can be processed using the following two methods:

[0076] Method 1: Release the spectrum occupied by subchannel 1 for transmission of the entire channel (the uplink and downlink time configuration follows the basic configuration of the entire channel (ie, channel 0), which is equal to the configuration of subchannel 2 in Figure 6).

[0077] Method 2: The spectrum occupied by sub-channel 1 will still be reserved and will not be used for transmission of the entire channel.

[0078] It should be noted that the length of the second time window in FIG6 may be equal to or not equal to the period length, that is, the configuration or activation start time point of subchannel 1 may be fixed (eg, periodic) or arbitrary.

[0079] Method 3: Divide sub-channels based on different uplink and downlink configurations

[0080] The time slot configuration (e.g., uplink / downlink ratio) of the subchannels in each time window in Figures 5 and 6 is the same, which can be extended to an adjustable time slot configuration. As shown in Figures 7 and 8, the time slot configuration (e.g., uplink / downlink ratio) in each time window can be different.

[0081] In the embodiments of this application, a channel containing two sub-channels is used as an example, but the number of sub-channels divided in the channel is not limited in the embodiments of this application. For example, as shown in Figure 9, for a scenario where multiple terminal devices have different time slot configuration requirements, an additional separate sub-channel 3 can be configured to solve the problem.

[0082] Method 4: Divide sub-channels in specific time units

[0083] For example, as shown in FIG10 , an uplink sub-channel (or a downlink sub-channel) may be defined only in the downlink time slot of channel 0.

[0084] For another example, as shown in FIG11 , a downlink sub-channel (or uplink sub-channel) may be defined only in the uplink time slot of channel 0.

[0085] The above embodiment describes the division of sub-channels in detail. The following introduces various methods of requesting, configuring, and changing sub-channels.

[0086] Method 1: Configuration based on terminal device request

[0087] When the terminal device requires an uplink or downlink configuration different from the current carrier, it can directly initiate a request to the network device (for example, an uplink or downlink configuration change request or a sub-channel configuration request).

[0088] For example, the terminal device may send first information to the network device, and the first information may be used to indicate the target uplink and downlink configuration expected by the terminal device.

[0089] The target uplink and downlink configuration may include an uplink ratio in a time window, a downlink ratio in a time window, and / or the number of time units in a time window. The time unit may include one or more of the following: an uplink symbol, a downlink symbol, an uplink time slot, a downlink time slot, an uplink subframe, and a downlink subframe.

[0090] For example, the target uplink and downlink configuration may include one or more of the following:

[0091] Percentage of uplink configuration in a time unit, percentage of downlink configuration in a time unit, number of uplink symbols in a time unit, number of downlink symbols in a time unit, number of uplink time units in a subframe, number of downlink time units in a subframe, number of uplink subframes in a frame, and number of downlink subframes in a frame.

[0092] For example, the uplink configuration percentage in a time unit (or the downlink configuration percentage in a time unit) may be 10%, 20%, 30%, etc.

[0093] During specific implementation, the terminal device may send the first information to the network device via radio resource control (RRC) signaling.

[0094] For example, the candidate set of uplink configuration percentages in a time slot can be pre-defined as {10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 90%}, and the terminal device can indicate its desired target uplink configuration percentage to the network device through a few bits in the RRC signaling.

[0095] Alternatively, a candidate set of uplink symbol numbers for a timeslot can be predefined as {1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14}, and the terminal device can indicate its desired target number of uplink symbols to the network device using a few bits in RRC signaling. For example, if the terminal device reports three uplink symbols, the sum of the corresponding downlink symbols and protection symbols in the timeslot is 11.

[0096] After receiving the first information, the network device may configure a subchannel (such as the first subchannel) for the terminal device with reference to the target uplink and downlink configuration reported by the terminal device. Optionally, the network device may send a second information to the terminal device, which may be used to indicate the uplink and downlink configuration of the subchannel. The terminal device may then perform subsequent service transmissions on the subchannel.

[0097] Taking into account that the number of users in a cell may be relatively large and the types of services at the same time may vary greatly, the uplink and downlink configurations of the sub-channels actually configured for the terminal device here may be close to but not completely equal to the target uplink and downlink configurations reported by the terminal. In other words, the uplink and downlink configurations indicated by the second information are not completely equal to the target uplink and downlink configurations.

[0098] Method 2: Indication method based on predefined configuration

[0099] In the first of the above-mentioned methods, the terminal device reports its desired uplink and downlink configurations, and the network device further determines an available uplink and downlink configuration for the terminal device based on the report.

[0100] In the second method, the network device notifies the terminal device of the uplink and downlink configuration information (such as the candidate uplink and downlink configuration set) that can be selected in the cell, such as by broadcasting or by dedicated RRC signaling. The terminal device selects an uplink and downlink configuration from the information and notifies the network device.

[0101] Optionally, the network device may send third information to the terminal device, where the third information may be used to indicate a candidate uplink and downlink configuration set for the cell where the terminal device is located. Subsequently, after receiving the third information, the terminal device may determine its desired target uplink and downlink configuration based on the candidate uplink and downlink configuration set (for example, select a target uplink and downlink configuration from the candidate uplink and downlink configuration set), and report the target uplink and downlink configuration to the network device.

[0102] For example, the network device can inform the terminal device through broadcasting that there are three uplink and downlink configurations in the cell: configuration 1 is a low uplink ratio (such as 10%), configuration 2 is a high uplink ratio (such as 90%), and configuration 3 is a medium uplink ratio (such as 50%). After receiving this information, the terminal device can determine its desired configuration 2 and indicate it to the network device. Subsequently, after receiving this indication information, the network device can configure the corresponding sub-channel for the terminal device.

[0103] Method 3: Based on the terminal device's autonomous configuration selection

[0104] In mode 3, the network device may inform the terminal device of the sub-channel information corresponding to different uplink and downlink configurations through broadcast or dedicated RRC signaling. Each sub-channel may be defined with a corresponding initial access time-frequency resource or random access preamble. For example, the sub-channel information may indicate the correspondence between the uplink and downlink configurations and the initial access time-frequency resource or random access preamble.

[0105] For example, the network device may send fourth information to the terminal device, where the fourth information may be used to indicate a set of candidate uplink and downlink configurations, where each uplink and downlink configuration in the set of candidate uplink and downlink configurations corresponds to an initial access time-frequency resource or a random access preamble. In other words, the set of candidate uplink and downlink configurations may indicate a correspondence between the uplink and downlink configurations and the initial access time-frequency resource or the random access preamble.

[0106] When the terminal device needs to adjust its uplink and downlink configuration, it can initiate random access on the target time-frequency resources in the above-mentioned optional sub-channel time-frequency resources, or initiate random access using the random access preamble code corresponding to the target uplink and downlink configuration (or target sub-channel).

[0107] For example, the terminal device may initiate random access based on the initial access time-frequency resources or random access preamble corresponding to the target uplink and downlink configuration, wherein the target uplink and downlink configuration may be determined by the terminal device based on the candidate uplink and downlink configuration set.

[0108] After receiving the random access information from the terminal device, the network device can know its desired target uplink and downlink configuration information. After the random access is completed, the terminal device can work on the sub-channel of the configured target uplink and downlink configuration.

[0109] For example, the network device can broadcast the existence of the following three uplink and downlink configurations in the cell, configuration 1 is a low uplink ratio (such as 10%), configuration 2 is a high uplink ratio (such as 90%), and configuration 3 is a medium uplink ratio (such as 50%), and the corresponding initial access time-frequency resources are {resource 1, resource 2, resource 3} or the corresponding random access preambles are {preamble1, preamble2, preamble3}. After the terminal device receives this information, it can use the initial access time-frequency resource 2 to initiate random access, or use the random access preamble preamble2 to initiate random access. After receiving the random access information, the network device can configure a sub-channel with a high uplink ratio for the terminal device. When the random access is completed, the terminal device can work on the sub-channel of the configured target uplink and downlink configuration.

[0110] After the terminal device completes the transmission of the service, it can initiate a sub-channel deconfiguration or deactivation request to the network device to restore to the original channel or initiate an uplink and downlink configuration change request (which carries new target uplink and downlink configuration information).

[0111] For example, the terminal device may send fifth information to the network device, and the fifth information may be used to request to deconfigure or deactivate the uplink and downlink configuration of the first subchannel, or the fifth information may be used to request to change the uplink and downlink configuration of the first subchannel.

[0112] If the network device receives a sub-channel deconfiguration or deactivation request, the network device may deconfigure or deactivate the sub-channel, so that the terminal device returns to the original channel to continue working.

[0113] If the network device receives an uplink and downlink configuration change request, the network device can refer to the new target uplink and downlink configuration information to make configuration changes, for example, changing the uplink and downlink configuration of subchannel 1 to a new uplink and downlink configuration, or changing subchannel 1 of the terminal to subchannel 2.

[0114] Of course, the terminal device can also change the uplink and downlink configuration through a variety of methods, as follows:

[0115] Method 1:

[0116] The uplink and downlink configuration changes can be made using the terminal device's autonomous configuration selection in the third method described above. For example, the terminal device can enter the idle state and then initiate random access again on the initial access time-frequency resources or random access preamble corresponding to the switched uplink and downlink configuration, thereby actively completing the switching of uplink and downlink configurations and subchannels.

[0117] Method 2:

[0118] The uplink and downlink configuration changes can be made using the configuration method based on the terminal device request in the above method 1.

[0119] For example, the terminal device may initiate an uplink and downlink configuration change request (which may carry new target uplink and downlink configuration information) to the network device or initiate a sub-channel deconfiguration or deactivation request to restore to the original channel.

[0120] For another example, after the network device receives a new uplink and downlink configuration change request from the terminal device, it can refer to the new target uplink and downlink configuration information to make configuration changes. For example, the uplink and downlink configuration of sub-channel 1 can be changed to a new uplink and downlink configuration, or the sub-channel 1 of the terminal can be changed to sub-channel 2.

[0121] For another example, if the network device receives a sub-channel deconfiguration or deactivation request, it may deconfigure or deactivate sub-channel 1, and the terminal device returns to the original channel to continue working.

[0122] In the embodiment of the present application, activation and deactivation of sub-channels may be further introduced.

[0123] For example, before S310 , the network device may send sixth information to the terminal device, and the sixth information may be used to activate the first sub-channel.

[0124] The activation and deactivation operations can be implemented through medium access control (MAC) signaling. Compared with RRC signaling, MAC signaling is faster to implement. For example, the sixth information can be carried in MAC signaling.

[0125] When the terminal device wants to switch from channel 0 to subchannel 1 (or when the network device wants to switch the terminal device from channel 0 to subchannel 1), if the network device has configured subchannel 1, the subchannel can be activated through MAC signaling.

[0126] It should be noted that here we distinguish between the two operations of configuring a sub-channel and activating a sub-channel by the network device. If the network device configures sub-channel 1 but does not activate sub-channel 1, the terminal device still works on channel 0; only when the network device configures sub-channel 1 and activates sub-channel 1, the terminal device switches from channel 0 to sub-channel 1. The advantage of this approach is that the network device can complete the information exchange work of configuring the sub-channel through RRC signaling in advance, that is, configure it first but do not switch it. When switching is required, the switching can be completed quickly through MAC signaling to reduce the channel switching delay.

[0127] When the terminal device wants to enter channel 0 from subchannel 1 (or when the network device wants to switch the terminal device from subchannel 1 to channel 0), if the network device has already configured and activated subchannel 1, the subchannel can be directly deactivated through MAC signaling. At this point, the terminal device has completed the operation of switching from subchannel 1 to channel 0, but the terminal device and the network device can still retain the configuration information of subchannel 1. When the terminal device wants to switch from channel 0 to subchannel 1 again, the network device can quickly complete the switch directly through MAC signaling, without having to exchange configuration information through slower RRC signaling again, thereby saving time and signaling.

[0128] In the embodiment of the present application, the applicable scope of the sub-channel may be further limited.

[0129] For example, all terminal devices in the cell where the terminal device is located can use the first sub-channel. In other words, the divided sub-channel is applicable to all terminal devices in the cell.

[0130] As shown in Figure 12, the network equipment configures subchannel 1 within the cell. During the timeslots where subchannel 1 applies (when subchannel 1 applies only to a subset of timeslots as shown in Figures 10 and 11, the applicable timeslots in Figures 12 and 13 are only for those timeslots where subchannels are defined), channel 0 within the cell is divided into subchannel 1 and subchannel 2. A terminal device (UE1 or UE2) can operate on either subchannel 1 or subchannel 2 (in single-carrier operation), or on both subchannel 1 and subchannel 2 (in multi-carrier operation).

[0131] For another example, some terminal devices in the cell where the terminal device is located can use the first sub-channel. In other words, the divided sub-channel is applicable to some terminal devices in the cell.

[0132] As shown in Figure 13, the network equipment can configure subchannel 1 for certain areas or terminals within the cell. During the timeslots applicable to subchannel 1, UE1 can operate on subchannel 1 or subchannel 2 (when operating in a single carrier), or subchannel 1 and subchannel 2 (when operating in a multi-carrier). UE2 can operate on channel 0. Of course, to avoid co-channel interference, it can also be stipulated that not all UEs in the cell can operate on subchannel 1, whose spectrum overlaps with UE1.

[0133] Regarding the transmission and reception of terminal devices, after configuring subchannels, the following methods can be used:

[0134] Method 1: The terminal device's transmission and reception are both located in the sub-channel

[0135] For example, the first sub-channel may be used for the terminal device to send signals to the network device and for the terminal device to receive signals sent by the network device.

[0136] As shown in FIG14 , the network device configures subchannel 1 for the terminal device in each time slot of channel 0. Then, in the time slot where subchannel 1 is applicable, the terminal device can both transmit and receive in subchannel 1.

[0137] Method 2: The terminal device's transmission is located in the sub-channel, and the terminal device's reception is located in the original channel

[0138] For example, the first sub-channel may be used by the terminal device to send a signal to the network device, and the first channel may be used by the terminal device to receive a signal sent by the network device.

[0139] As shown in Figure 15, subchannel 1 is only configured in part of the time slot and only the uplink subchannel is configured. Then, during the time when the subchannel is configured, the terminal device's transmission can work on subchannel 1, and the terminal device's reception can work on channel 0.

[0140] It should be noted that this refers to the time slots configured with subchannels for transmission, during which the terminal device transmits on subchannel 1. For transmission time slots not configured with subchannel 1, the terminal device can operate on either subchannel 1 or channel 0. For example, time slots 1 and 6 are shown in Figure 15 .

[0141] Method 3: The receiving terminal device is located in the sub-channel, and the transmitting terminal device is located in the original channel

[0142] For example, the first channel may be used for the terminal device to send a signal to the network device, and the first sub-channel may be used for the terminal device to receive a signal sent by the network device.

[0143] As shown in Figure 16, subchannel 1 is only configured in part of the time slot and only the downlink subchannel is configured. Then, during the time when the subchannel is configured, the terminal device's transmission can work on channel 0, and the terminal device's reception can work on subchannel 1.

[0144] It should be noted that this limitation applies to time slots configured with subchannels for reception, where the terminal device operates on subchannel 1. For reception time slots not configured with subchannel 1, the terminal device can operate on either subchannel 1 or channel 0. For example, time slots 2, 3, 4, and 5 in Figure 16 .

[0145] Mode 4: The terminal device's transmission is located in one subchannel (such as the first subchannel), and the terminal device's reception is located in another subchannel (such as the second subchannel)

[0146] In addition to the above-mentioned configurations of transmitting and receiving on the same sub-channel, configuring only the transmitting sub-channel, configuring only the receiving sub-channel, etc., the network device can also configure the transmitting and receiving of the terminal device on different sub-channels respectively.

[0147] For example, the first sub-channel may be used to configure uplink transmission of the terminal device, and the second sub-channel may be used to configure downlink transmission of the terminal device.

[0148] As shown in Figure 17, the uplink transmission of the terminal device (time slots 1, 2, 4, 5, and 6) can be configured in subchannel 1, and the downlink reception of the terminal device (time slot 3) can be configured in subchannel 2.

[0149] The solution in the embodiment of the present application, through the definition and configuration of the above sub-channels, can reduce the transmission delay of the network, improve the uplink or downlink throughput, and meet diverse business needs.

[0150] The method embodiment of the present application is described in detail above in conjunction with Figures 1 to 17 . The device embodiment of the present application is described in detail below in conjunction with Figures 18 to 20 . It should be understood that the description of the method embodiment corresponds to the description of the device embodiment. Therefore, for portions not described in detail, reference can be made to the above method embodiment.

[0151] FIG18 is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG18 , the device 1800 includes a communication unit 1810, which is specifically as follows:

[0152] Communication unit 1810 is used to communicate with the network device through a first sub-channel, the first sub-channel occupies part of the frequency domain resources of the first channel, the uplink and downlink configuration of the first sub-channel in the first time window is different from the uplink and downlink configuration of the first channel in the first time window, and the first time window includes one or more time units.

[0153] Optionally, the first channel includes the first sub-channel in each time unit of the first time window.

[0154] Optionally, the first subchannel is not configured or activated in a second time window, the second time window includes one or more time units, and the second time window does not overlap or partially overlaps with the first time window in the time domain.

[0155] Optionally, the uplink and downlink configuration of the first subchannel in the first time window is the same as the uplink and downlink configuration in the third time window, or the uplink and downlink configuration of the first subchannel in the first time window is different from the uplink and downlink configuration in the third time window.

[0156] Optionally, before communicating with the network device through the first sub-channel, the communication unit 1810 is also used to: send first information to the network device, the first information is used to indicate the target uplink and downlink configuration expected by the device; and receive second information sent by the network device, the second information is used to indicate the uplink and downlink configuration of the first sub-channel.

[0157] Optionally, the target uplink and downlink configuration includes the uplink proportion in a time window, the downlink proportion in a time window and / or the number of time units in a time window, and the time unit includes one or more of the following: uplink symbol, downlink symbol, uplink time slot, downlink time slot, uplink subframe, downlink subframe.

[0158] Optionally, before sending the first information to the network device, the communication unit 1810 is also used to: receive third information sent by the network device, and the third information is used to indicate a candidate uplink and downlink configuration set; the device 1800 also includes a determination unit 1820, which is used to: determine the target uplink and downlink configuration based on the candidate uplink and downlink configuration set.

[0159] Optionally, before communicating with the network device through the first sub-channel, the communication unit 1810 is further configured to: receive fourth information sent by the network device, where the fourth information is used to indicate a candidate uplink and downlink configuration set, where each uplink and downlink configuration in the candidate uplink and downlink configuration set corresponds to an initial access time-frequency resource or a random access preamble;

[0160] The apparatus 1800 further includes an access unit 1830 configured to initiate random access according to an initial access time-frequency resource or a random access preamble corresponding to a target uplink and downlink configuration, wherein the target uplink and downlink configuration is determined by the apparatus according to the candidate uplink and downlink configuration set.

[0161] Optionally, after communicating with the network device through the first sub-channel, the communication unit 1810 is also used to: send fifth information to the network device, the fifth information being used to request a change in the uplink and downlink configuration of the first sub-channel, or the fifth information being used to request deconfiguration or deactivation of the uplink and downlink configuration of the first sub-channel.

[0162] Optionally, before communicating with the network device through the first sub-channel, the communication unit 1810 is further used to: receive sixth information sent by the network device, where the sixth information is used to activate the first sub-channel.

[0163] Optionally, the sixth information is carried in media access control layer MAC signaling.

[0164] Optionally, the first sub-channel is applicable to all terminal devices in the cell where the apparatus is located, or the first sub-channel is applicable to some terminal devices in the cell where the apparatus is located.

[0165] Optionally, the first sub-channel is used by the apparatus to send signals to the network device and for the apparatus to receive signals sent by the network device.

[0166] Optionally, the first sub-channel is used by the apparatus to send a signal to a network device, and the first channel is used by the apparatus to receive a signal sent by the network device; or, the first channel is used by the apparatus to send a signal to a network device, and the first sub-channel is used by the apparatus to receive a signal sent by the network device.

[0167] Optionally, the first channel further includes a second sub-channel, which occupies part of the frequency domain resources of the first channel; the first sub-channel is used to configure uplink transmission of the device, and the second sub-channel is used to configure downlink transmission of the device.

[0168] FIG19 is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application. The communication device 1900 in FIG19 includes a communication unit 1910, which is specifically as follows:

[0169] Communication unit 1910 is used to: communicate with the terminal device through a first sub-channel, the first sub-channel occupies part of the frequency domain resources of the first channel, the uplink and downlink configuration of the first sub-channel in the first time window is different from the uplink and downlink configuration of the first channel in the first time window, and the first time window includes one or more time units.

[0170] Optionally, the first channel includes the first sub-channel in each time unit of the first time window.

[0171] Optionally, the first subchannel is not configured or activated in a second time window, the second time window includes one or more time units, and the second time window does not overlap or partially overlaps with the first time window in the time domain.

[0172] Optionally, the uplink and downlink configuration of the first subchannel in the first time window is the same as the uplink and downlink configuration in the third time window, or the uplink and downlink configuration of the first subchannel in the first time window is different from the uplink and downlink configuration in the third time window.

[0173] Optionally, before communicating with the terminal device through the first sub-channel, the communication unit 1910 is also used to: receive first information sent by the terminal device, the first information is used to indicate the target uplink and downlink configuration expected by the terminal device; and send second information to the terminal device, the second information is used to indicate the uplink and downlink configuration of the first sub-channel.

[0174] Optionally, the target uplink and downlink configuration includes the uplink proportion in a time window, the downlink proportion in a time window and / or the number of time units in a time window, and the time unit includes one or more of the following: uplink symbol, downlink symbol, uplink time slot, downlink time slot, uplink subframe, downlink subframe.

[0175] Optionally, before receiving the first information sent by the terminal device, the communication unit 1910 is further used to: send third information to the terminal device, where the third information is used to indicate a candidate uplink and downlink configuration set.

[0176] Optionally, before communicating with the terminal device through the first sub-channel, the communication unit 1910 is further used to: send fourth information to the terminal device, the fourth information being used to indicate a candidate uplink and downlink configuration set, each uplink and downlink configuration in the candidate uplink and downlink configuration set corresponding to an initial access time-frequency resource or a random access preamble code; the apparatus 1900 also includes a determination unit 1920, being used to: determine a target uplink and downlink configuration based on the initial access time-frequency resource or random access preamble code used when the terminal device initiates random access, the target uplink and downlink configuration being determined by the terminal device based on the candidate uplink and downlink configuration set.

[0177] Optionally, after communicating with the terminal device through the first sub-channel, the communication unit 1910 is also used to: receive fifth information sent by the terminal device, the fifth information is used to request a change in the uplink and downlink configuration of the first sub-channel, or the fifth information is used to request to deconfigure or deactivate the uplink and downlink configuration of the first sub-channel.

[0178] Optionally, before communicating with the terminal device through the first sub-channel, the communication unit 1910 is further used to: send sixth information to the terminal device, where the sixth information is used to activate the first sub-channel.

[0179] Optionally, the sixth information is carried in media access control layer MAC signaling.

[0180] Optionally, the first sub-channel is applicable to all terminal devices in the cell where the terminal device is located, or the first sub-channel is applicable to some terminal devices in the cell where the terminal device is located.

[0181] Optionally, the first sub-channel is used by the apparatus to send signals to the terminal device and for the apparatus to receive signals sent by the terminal device.

[0182] Optionally, the first sub-channel is used by the apparatus to receive signals sent by the terminal device, and the first channel is used by the apparatus to send signals to the terminal device; or, the first channel is used by the apparatus to receive signals sent by the terminal device, and the first sub-channel is used by the apparatus to send signals to the terminal device.

[0183] Optionally, the first channel also includes a second sub-channel, which occupies part of the frequency domain resources of the first channel; the first sub-channel is used to configure the uplink transmission of the terminal device, and the second sub-channel is used to configure the downlink transmission of the terminal device.

[0184] Figure 20 is a schematic diagram of the structure of an apparatus provided in one embodiment of the present application. The dotted lines in Figure 20 indicate that the unit or module is optional. Apparatus 2000 may be used to implement the method described in the above method embodiment. Apparatus 2000 may be a chip or a communication device.

[0185] The device 2000 may include one or more processors 2010. The processor 2010 may support the device 2000 to implement the method described in the method embodiment above. The processor 2010 may be a general-purpose processor or a special-purpose processor. For example, the processor may be a central processing unit (CPU). Alternatively, the processor may be another general-purpose processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA) or other programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic device, discrete hardware component, etc. The general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor or the processor may be any conventional processor, etc.

[0186] The apparatus 2000 may further include one or more memories 2020. The memories 2020 may store programs that can be executed by the processor 2010, causing the processor 2010 to perform the methods described in the above method embodiments. The memories 2020 may be independent of the processor 2010 or integrated into the processor 2010.

[0187] The apparatus 2000 may further include a transceiver 2030. The processor 2010 may communicate with other devices or chips via the transceiver 2030. For example, the processor 2010 may transmit and receive data with other devices or chips via the transceiver 2030.

[0188] The present invention also provides a computer-readable storage medium for storing a program. The computer-readable storage medium can be applied to the communication device provided in the present invention, and the program enables a computer to execute the method performed by the communication device in each embodiment of the present invention.

[0189] The present application also provides a computer program product. The computer program product includes a program. The computer program product can be applied to the communication device provided in the present application, and the program causes a computer to execute the method performed by the communication device in each embodiment of the present application.

[0190] The embodiments of the present application also provide a computer program. The computer program can be applied to the communication device provided in the embodiments of the present application, and the computer program enables a computer to execute the method performed by the communication device in each embodiment of the present application.

[0191] It should be understood that in the embodiments of the present application, "B corresponding to A" means that B is associated with A and B can be determined based on A. However, it should also be understood that determining B based on A does not mean determining B based solely on A, but B can also be determined based on A and / or other information.

[0192] It should be understood that the term "and / or" in this document simply describes a relationship between related objects, indicating that three possible relationships exist. For example, "A and / or B" can represent: A exists alone, A and B exist simultaneously, or B exists alone. Furthermore, the character " / " in this document generally indicates that the related objects are in an "or" relationship.

[0193] It should be understood that in the various embodiments of the present application, the size of the serial numbers of the above-mentioned processes does not mean the order of execution. The execution order of each process should be determined by its function and internal logic, and should not constitute any limitation on the implementation process of the embodiments of the present application.

[0194] In the several embodiments provided in this application, it should be understood that the disclosed systems, devices and methods can be implemented in other ways. For example, the device embodiments described above are merely schematic. For example, the division of the units is merely a logical function division. In actual implementation, there may be other division methods, such as multiple units or components can be combined or integrated into another system, or some features can be ignored or not executed. Another point is that the mutual coupling or direct coupling or communication connection shown or discussed can be through some interfaces, indirect coupling or communication connection of devices or units, which can be electrical, mechanical or other forms.

[0195] The units described as separate components may or may not be physically separate, and the components shown as units may or may not be physical units, that is, they may be located in one place or distributed across multiple network units. Some or all of these units may be selected to achieve the purpose of this embodiment according to actual needs.

[0196] In addition, each functional unit in each embodiment of the present application may be integrated into one processing unit, or each unit may exist physically separately, or two or more units may be integrated into one unit.

[0197] In the above embodiments, it can be implemented in whole or in part by software, hardware, firmware or any combination thereof. When implemented using software, it can be implemented in whole or in part in the form of a computer program product. The computer program product includes one or more computer instructions. When the computer program instructions are loaded and executed on a computer, the process or function described in the embodiment of the present application is generated in whole or in part. The computer can be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network, or other programmable device. The computer instructions can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium or transmitted from one computer-readable storage medium to another computer-readable storage medium. For example, the computer instructions can be transmitted from one website, computer, server or data center to another website, computer, server or data center via a wired (e.g., coaxial cable, optical fiber, digital subscriber line (DSL)) or wireless (e.g., infrared, wireless, microwave, etc.) method. The computer-readable storage medium can be any available medium that can be read by a computer or a data storage device such as a server or data center that includes one or more available media integrated therein. The available medium may be a magnetic medium (eg, a floppy disk, a hard disk, a magnetic tape), an optical medium (eg, a digital versatile disc (DVD)), or a semiconductor medium (eg, a solid state disk (SSD)).

[0198] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of the present application, but the scope of protection of the present application is not limited thereto. Any changes or substitutions that can be easily conceived by a person skilled in the art within the technical scope disclosed in this application should be included in the scope of protection of this application. Therefore, the scope of protection of this application should be based on the scope of protection of the claims.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that: include: The terminal device communicates with the network device through a first sub-channel, the first sub-channel occupies part of the frequency domain resources of the first channel, the uplink and downlink configuration of the first sub-channel in the first time window is different from the uplink and downlink configuration of the first channel in the first time window, and the first time window includes one or more time units.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The first channel includes the first sub-channel in each time unit of the first time window.

3. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that The first subchannel is not configured or activated in a second time window, the second time window includes one or more time units, and the second time window does not overlap or partially overlaps with the first time window in the time domain.

4. The method according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that The uplink and downlink configuration of the first subchannel in the first time window is the same as that in the third time window, or the uplink and downlink configuration of the first subchannel in the first time window is different from that in the third time window.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that Before the terminal device communicates with the network device through the first sub-channel, the method further includes: The terminal device sends first information to the network device, where the first information is used to indicate a target uplink and downlink configuration desired by the terminal device; The terminal device receives second information sent by the network device, where the second information is used to indicate the uplink and downlink configuration of the first sub-channel.

6. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that The target uplink and downlink configuration includes the uplink proportion in a time window, the downlink proportion in a time window and / or the number of time units in a time window, and the time unit includes one or more of the following: uplink symbol, downlink symbol, uplink time slot, downlink time slot, uplink subframe, downlink subframe.

7. The method according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that Before the terminal device sends the first information to the network device, the method further includes: The terminal device receives third information sent by the network device, where the third information is used to indicate a candidate uplink and downlink configuration set; The terminal device determines the target uplink and downlink configuration according to the candidate uplink and downlink configuration set.

8. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that Before the terminal device communicates with the network device through the first sub-channel, the method further includes: The terminal device receives fourth information sent by the network device, where the fourth information is used to indicate a candidate uplink and downlink configuration set, where each uplink and downlink configuration in the candidate uplink and downlink configuration set corresponds to an initial access time-frequency resource or a random access preamble code; The terminal device initiates random access based on the initial access time-frequency resources or random access preamble code corresponding to the target uplink and downlink configuration, and the target uplink and downlink configuration is determined by the terminal device based on the candidate uplink and downlink configuration set.

9. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that After the terminal device communicates with the network device through the first sub-channel, the method further includes: The terminal device sends fifth information to the network device, where the fifth information is used to request a change in uplink and downlink configuration of the first sub-channel, or the fifth information is used to request deconfiguration or deactivation of the uplink and downlink configuration of the first sub-channel.

10. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that Before the terminal device communicates with the network device through the first sub-channel, the method further includes: The terminal device receives sixth information sent by the network device, where the sixth information is used to activate the first sub-channel.

11. The method according to claim 10, characterized in that The sixth information is carried in the media access control layer MAC signaling.

12. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that The first sub-channel is applicable to all terminal devices in the cell where the terminal device is located, or the first sub-channel is applicable to some terminal devices in the cell where the terminal device is located.

13. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that The first sub-channel is used by the terminal device to send signals to the network device and by the terminal device to receive signals sent by the network device.

14. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that The first sub-channel is used by the terminal device to send a signal to the network device, and the first channel is used by the terminal device to receive a signal sent by the network device; or The first channel is used by the terminal device to send signals to the network device, and the first sub-channel is used by the terminal device to receive signals sent by the network device.

15. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that The first channel further includes a second sub-channel, and the second sub-channel occupies part of the frequency domain resources of the first channel; The first sub-channel is used to configure uplink transmission of the terminal device, and the second sub-channel is used to configure downlink transmission of the terminal device.

16. A communication method, characterized in that: include: The network device communicates with the terminal device through a first sub-channel, the first sub-channel occupies part of the frequency domain resources of the first channel, the uplink and downlink configuration of the first sub-channel in the first time window is different from the uplink and downlink configuration of the first channel in the first time window, and the first time window includes one or more time units.

17. The method according to claim 16, characterized in that The first channel includes the first sub-channel in each time unit of the first time window.

18. The method according to claim 17, characterized in that The first subchannel is not configured or activated in a second time window, the second time window includes one or more time units, and the second time window does not overlap or partially overlaps with the first time window in the time domain.

19. The method according to claim 17 or 18, characterized in that The uplink and downlink configuration of the first subchannel in the first time window is the same as that in the third time window, or the uplink and downlink configuration of the first subchannel in the first time window is different from that in the third time window.

20. The method according to any one of claims 16 to 19, characterized in that Before the network device communicates with the terminal device through the first sub-channel, the method further includes: The network device receives first information sent by the terminal device, where the first information is used to indicate a target uplink and downlink configuration expected by the terminal device; The network device sends second information to the terminal device, where the second information is used to indicate the uplink and downlink configuration of the first sub-channel.

21. The method according to claim 20, characterized in that The target uplink and downlink configuration includes the uplink proportion in a time window, the downlink proportion in a time window and / or the number of time units in a time window, and the time unit includes one or more of the following: uplink symbol, downlink symbol, uplink time slot, downlink time slot, uplink subframe, downlink subframe.

22. The method according to claim 20 or 21, characterized in that Before the network device receives the first information sent by the terminal device, the method further includes: The network device sends third information to the terminal device, where the third information is used to indicate a candidate uplink and downlink configuration set.

23. The method according to any one of claims 16 to 19, characterized in that Before the network device communicates with the terminal device through the first sub-channel, the method further includes: The network device sends fourth information to the terminal device, where the fourth information is used to indicate a candidate uplink and downlink configuration set, where each uplink and downlink configuration in the candidate uplink and downlink configuration set corresponds to an initial access time-frequency resource or a random access preamble code; The network device determines the target uplink and downlink configuration based on the initial access time-frequency resources or random access preamble code used by the terminal device when initiating random access. The target uplink and downlink configuration is determined by the terminal device based on the candidate uplink and downlink configuration set.

24. The method according to any one of claims 16 to 23, characterized in that After the network device communicates with the terminal device through the first sub-channel, the method further includes: The network device receives the fifth information sent by the terminal device, where the fifth information is used to request a change in the uplink and downlink configuration of the first sub-channel, or the fifth information is used to request deconfiguration or deactivation of the uplink and downlink configuration of the first sub-channel.

25. The method according to any one of claims 16 to 24, characterized in that Before the network device communicates with the terminal device through the first sub-channel, the method further includes: The network device sends sixth information to the terminal device, where the sixth information is used to activate the first sub-channel.

26. The method according to claim 25, characterized in that The sixth information is carried in the media access control layer MAC signaling.

27. The method according to any one of claims 16 to 26, characterized in that The first sub-channel is applicable to all terminal devices in the cell where the terminal device is located, or the first sub-channel is applicable to some terminal devices in the cell where the terminal device is located.

28. The method according to any one of claims 16 to 27, characterized in that The first sub-channel is used by the network device to send signals to the terminal device and by the network device to receive signals sent by the terminal device.

29. The method according to any one of claims 16 to 27, characterized in that The first sub-channel is used by the network device to receive a signal sent by the terminal device, and the first channel is used by the network device to send a signal to the terminal device; or The first channel is used by the network device to receive signals sent by the terminal device, and the first sub-channel is used by the network device to send signals to the terminal device.

30. The method according to any one of claims 16 to 27, characterized in that The first channel further includes a second sub-channel, and the second sub-channel occupies part of the frequency domain resources of the first channel; The first sub-channel is used to configure uplink transmission of the terminal device, and the second sub-channel is used to configure downlink transmission of the terminal device.

31. A communication device, characterized in that: include: A communication unit is used to communicate with a network device through a first sub-channel, where the first sub-channel occupies part of the frequency domain resources of the first channel, and the uplink and downlink configurations of the first sub-channel in the first time window are different from the uplink and downlink configurations of the first channel in the first time window, and the first time window includes one or more time units.

32. The device according to claim 31, characterized in that The first channel includes the first sub-channel in each time unit of the first time window.

33. The device according to claim 32, characterized in that The first subchannel is not configured or activated in a second time window, the second time window includes one or more time units, and the second time window does not overlap or partially overlaps with the first time window in the time domain.

34. The device according to claim 32 or 33, characterized in that The uplink and downlink configuration of the first subchannel in the first time window is the same as that in the third time window, or the uplink and downlink configuration of the first subchannel in the first time window is different from that in the third time window.

35. The device according to any one of claims 31 to 34, characterized in that Before communicating with the network device through the first sub-channel, the communication unit is further configured to: Sending first information to the network device, where the first information is used to indicate the target uplink and downlink configuration expected by the apparatus; and receiving second information sent by the network device, where the second information is used to indicate the uplink and downlink configuration of the first sub-channel.

36. The device according to claim 35, characterized in that The target uplink and downlink configuration includes the uplink proportion in a time window, the downlink proportion in a time window and / or the number of time units in a time window, and the time unit includes one or more of the following: uplink symbol, downlink symbol, uplink time slot, downlink time slot, uplink subframe, downlink subframe.

37. The device according to claim 35 or 36, characterized in that Before sending the first information to the network device, the communication unit is further configured to: receiving third information sent by the network device, where the third information is used to indicate a candidate uplink and downlink configuration set; The apparatus further includes a determining unit configured to determine the target uplink and downlink configuration according to the candidate uplink and downlink configuration set.

38. The device according to any one of claims 31 to 34, characterized in that Before communicating with the network device through the first sub-channel, the communication unit is further configured to: receiving fourth information sent by the network device, where the fourth information is used to indicate a candidate uplink and downlink configuration set, where each uplink and downlink configuration in the candidate uplink and downlink configuration set corresponds to an initial access time-frequency resource or a random access preamble; The device also includes an access unit, configured to initiate random access according to an initial access time-frequency resource or a random access preamble corresponding to a target uplink and downlink configuration, wherein the target uplink and downlink configuration is determined by the device according to the candidate uplink and downlink configuration set.

39. The device according to any one of claims 31 to 38, characterized in that After communicating with the network device through the first sub-channel, the communication unit is further configured to: Sending fifth information to the network device, where the fifth information is used to request changing the uplink and downlink configuration of the first sub-channel, or the fifth information is used to request deconfiguring or deactivating the uplink and downlink configuration of the first sub-channel.

40. The device according to any one of claims 31 to 39, characterized in that Before communicating with the network device through the first sub-channel, the communication unit is further configured to: Receive sixth information sent by the network device, where the sixth information is used to activate the first sub-channel.

41. The device according to claim 40, characterized in that The sixth information is carried in the media access control layer MAC signaling.

42. The device according to any one of claims 31 to 41, characterized in that The first sub-channel is applicable to all terminal devices in the cell where the apparatus is located, or the first sub-channel is applicable to some terminal devices in the cell where the apparatus is located.

43. The device according to any one of claims 31 to 42, characterized in that The first sub-channel is used by the apparatus to send a signal to the network device and for the apparatus to receive a signal sent by the network device.

44. The device according to any one of claims 31 to 42, characterized in that The first sub-channel is used by the apparatus to send a signal to a network device, and the first channel is used by the apparatus to receive a signal sent by the network device; or, The first channel is used by the apparatus to send signals to a network device, and the first sub-channel is used by the apparatus to receive signals sent by the network device.

45. The device according to any one of claims 31 to 42, characterized in that The first channel further includes a second sub-channel, and the second sub-channel occupies part of the frequency domain resources of the first channel; The first sub-channel is used to configure uplink transmission of the device, and the second sub-channel is used to configure downlink transmission of the device.

46. ​​A communication device, characterized in that include: A communication unit is used to communicate with a terminal device through a first sub-channel, the first sub-channel occupies part of the frequency domain resources of the first channel, the uplink and downlink configuration of the first sub-channel in the first time window is different from the uplink and downlink configuration of the first channel in the first time window, and the first time window includes one or more time units.

47. The device according to claim 46, characterized in that The first channel includes the first sub-channel in each time unit of the first time window.

48. The device according to claim 47, characterized in that The first subchannel is not configured or activated in a second time window, the second time window includes one or more time units, and the second time window does not overlap or partially overlaps with the first time window in the time domain.

49. The device according to claim 47 or 48, characterized in that The uplink and downlink configuration of the first subchannel in the first time window is the same as that in the third time window, or the uplink and downlink configuration of the first subchannel in the first time window is different from that in the third time window.

50. The device according to any one of claims 46 to 49, characterized in that Before communicating with the terminal device through the first sub-channel, the communication unit is further configured to: Receive first information sent by the terminal device, where the first information is used to indicate the target uplink and downlink configuration expected by the terminal device; and send second information to the terminal device, where the second information is used to indicate the uplink and downlink configuration of the first sub-channel.

51. The device according to claim 50, characterized in that The target uplink and downlink configuration includes the uplink proportion in a time window, the downlink proportion in a time window and / or the number of time units in a time window, and the time unit includes one or more of the following: uplink symbol, downlink symbol, uplink time slot, downlink time slot, uplink subframe, downlink subframe.

52. The device according to claim 50 or 51, characterized in that Before receiving the first information sent by the terminal device, the communication unit is further configured to: Send third information to the terminal device, where the third information is used to indicate a candidate uplink and downlink configuration set.

53. The device according to any one of claims 46 to 49, characterized in that Before communicating with the terminal device through the first sub-channel, the communication unit is further configured to: Sending fourth information to the terminal device, where the fourth information is used to indicate a candidate uplink and downlink configuration set, where each uplink and downlink configuration in the candidate uplink and downlink configuration set corresponds to an initial access time-frequency resource or a random access preamble; The device also includes a determination unit, which is used to: determine the target uplink and downlink configuration based on the initial access time-frequency resources or random access preamble code used by the terminal device when initiating random access, and the target uplink and downlink configuration is determined by the terminal device based on the candidate uplink and downlink configuration set.

54. The device according to any one of claims 46 to 53, characterized in that After communicating with the terminal device through the first sub-channel, the communication unit is further configured to: Receive the fifth information sent by the terminal device, where the fifth information is used to request a change in the uplink and downlink configuration of the first sub-channel, or the fifth information is used to request deconfiguration or deactivation of the uplink and downlink configuration of the first sub-channel.

55. The device according to any one of claims 46 to 54, characterized in that Before communicating with the terminal device through the first sub-channel, the communication unit is further configured to: Sending sixth information to the terminal device, where the sixth information is used to activate the first sub-channel.

56. The device according to claim 55, characterized in that The sixth information is carried in the media access control layer MAC signaling.

57. The device according to any one of claims 46 to 56, characterized in that The first sub-channel is applicable to all terminal devices in the cell where the terminal device is located, or the first sub-channel is applicable to some terminal devices in the cell where the terminal device is located.

58. The device according to any one of claims 46 to 57, characterized in that The first sub-channel is used by the apparatus to send signals to the terminal device and for the apparatus to receive signals sent by the terminal device.

59. The device according to any one of claims 46 to 57, characterized in that The first sub-channel is used by the apparatus to receive a signal sent by the terminal device, and the first channel is used by the apparatus to send a signal to the terminal device; or The first channel is used by the apparatus to receive signals sent by the terminal device, and the first sub-channel is used by the apparatus to send signals to the terminal device.

60. The device according to any one of claims 46 to 57, characterized in that The first channel further includes a second sub-channel, and the second sub-channel occupies part of the frequency domain resources of the first channel; The first sub-channel is used to configure uplink transmission of the terminal device, and the second sub-channel is used to configure downlink transmission of the terminal device.

61. A communication device, characterized in that The communication device comprises a memory, a transceiver and a processor, wherein the memory is used to store a program, the processor transmits and receives data through the transceiver, and the processor is used to call the program in the memory so that the communication device executes the method according to any one of claims 1 to 15.

62. A communication device, characterized in that The communication device comprises a memory, a transceiver and a processor, wherein the memory is used to store programs, the processor transmits and receives data through the transceiver, and the processor is used to call the program in the memory so that the communication device executes the method as described in any one of claims 16 to 30.

63. A communication device, characterized in that The device comprises a processor configured to call a program from a memory so as to enable the communication device to execute the method according to any one of claims 1 to 15.

64. A communication device, characterized in that The device comprises a processor configured to call a program from a memory so as to cause the communication device to execute the method according to any one of claims 16 to 30.

65. A chip, characterized in that The device comprises a processor configured to call a program from a memory so that a device equipped with the chip executes the method according to any one of claims 1 to 15.

66. A chip, characterized in that The device comprises a processor configured to call a program from a memory so that a device equipped with the chip executes the method according to any one of claims 16 to 30.

67. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that A program is stored thereon, the program causing a computer to execute the method according to any one of claims 1 to 15.

68. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that A program is stored thereon, the program causing a computer to execute the method according to any one of claims 16 to 30.

69. A computer program product, characterized in that The method comprises a program for causing a computer to execute the method according to any one of claims 1 to 15.

70. A computer program product, characterized in that A program is included, the program causing a computer to execute the method according to any one of claims 16 to 30.

71. A computer program, characterized in that The computer program causes a computer to execute the method according to any one of claims 1 to 15.

72. A computer program, characterized in that The computer program causes a computer to execute the method according to any one of claims 16 to 30.

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