Communication method and related device

Abstract

Provided are a communication method and a related device, which can reduce the signaling overhead when a network device notifies a first device of the weight of a beam. The method comprises: a network device generating first indication information, and sending the first indication information to a first device, the first indication information indicating a first weight and indicating a parameter for determining a plurality of weights by the first weight, the plurality of weights corresponding to a plurality of first time-frequency resources, and the plurality of first time-frequency resources not overlapping; correspondingly, the first device receives the first indication information, and determines a plurality of weights corresponding to the plurality of first time-frequency resources based on the first indication information.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the field of communication technology, and in particular to a communication method and related devices. Background Art

[0002] In actual communication scenarios, due to the obstruction of buildings, walls, etc., there is no line of sight (LOS) path between the terminal and the network device, that is, the terminal and the network device communicate via a non-LOS path, and communication via a non-LOS path may result in poor signal quality received by the terminal, affecting communication performance. At present, in order to improve communication performance, it can be achieved by deploying devices with receiving, reflecting and forwarding functions, such as intelligent reflecting surfaces (IRS) and other devices.

[0003] Exemplarily, the IRS can adjust the phase distribution of the reflecting surface through the weights indicated by the network device, thereby changing the direction of the reflected beam, thereby reflecting the signal transmitted to the IRS by the network device or terminal to the desired direction, thereby improving the non-LOS path to the LOS path, thereby improving the communication performance between the terminal and the network device.

[0004] Currently, when the IRS performs beam scanning, the network device needs to immediately notify the IRS of the weight of reflecting each beam before each beam scanning, which may bring about a large signaling overhead. Summary of the invention

[0005] The present application provides a communication method and related devices, which can reduce the signaling overhead when a network device notifies a first device of a weight.

[0006] In a first aspect, the present application provides a communication method, which can be applied to a first device. For example, it can be executed by the first device, or it can also be executed by a component configured in the first device (such as a chip, a chip system, etc.), or it can also be implemented by a logic module or software that can implement all or part of the functions of the first device, and the present application does not limit this.

[0007] Exemplarily, the method includes: receiving first indication information, the first indication information indicating a first weight, and indicating parameters of multiple weights determined by the first weight, the multiple weights corresponding to multiple first time-frequency resources, and the multiple first time-frequency resources do not overlap; based on the first indication information, determining multiple weights corresponding to the multiple first time-frequency resources.

[0008] The non-overlapping of multiple first time-frequency resources can be understood as the non-overlapping of multiple first time-frequency resources in the time domain, or the non-overlapping of multiple first time-frequency resources in the frequency domain, or the non-overlapping of multiple first time-frequency resources in both the time domain and the frequency domain.

[0009] The size of the first time-frequency resource may be predefined or configured by the network device.

[0010] In the present application, the first device can determine multiple weights corresponding to multiple time-frequency resources from one weight based on the received first indication information, so that the first device can use corresponding weights to reflect the beam in different time-frequency resources to achieve beam scanning, without the need for the network device to indicate the weight corresponding to the current time-frequency resource through control signaling each time the beam scanning direction is switched, thereby effectively reducing the signaling overhead used to notify the weight of the reflected beam.

[0011] In combination with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the method further includes: receiving a first parameter, the first parameter being used to indicate information included in the first indication information. In other words, the first parameter indicates a format of signaling carrying the first indication information.

[0012] In the second aspect, the present application provides a communication method, which can be applied to a network device. For example, it can be executed by a network device, or it can be executed by a component configured in the network device (such as a chip, a chip system, etc.), or it can be implemented by a logic module or software that can implement all or part of the network device functions, and the present application does not limit this.

[0013] Exemplarily, first indication information is generated, the first indication information indicating a first weight and parameters of multiple weights determined by the first weight, the multiple weights correspond to multiple first time-frequency resources, and the multiple first time-frequency resources do not overlap; the first indication information is sent to a first device.

[0014] In the present application, the network device sends a first indication message to the first device for indicating a first weight and a parameter of multiple weights determined by the first weight, so that the first device can determine multiple weights corresponding to multiple time-frequency resources based on the received first indication message. In this way, the first device can use corresponding weights to reflect beams in different time-frequency resources to achieve beam scanning, without the network device indicating the weight corresponding to the current time-frequency resource through control signaling each time the beam scanning direction is switched, thereby effectively reducing the signaling overhead used to notify the weight of the reflected beam.

[0015] In conjunction with the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the method further includes: sending a first parameter, where the first parameter is used to indicate information included in the first indication information. In other words, the first parameter indicates a format of signaling carrying the first indication information.

[0016] In combination with the first aspect and the second aspect, in some implementations, the first device is a device having receiving, forwarding and reflecting functions.

[0017] Exemplarily, the first device may also be called IRS, reconfigurable intelligent surface (RIS) or other names.

[0018] In combination with the first aspect and the second aspect, in some implementations, the parameter includes a change in the index of the first weight.

[0019] Exemplarily, the change amount of the first index may be one or more. When the change amount of the first index is multiple, the multiple change amounts are different.

[0020] When the parameter includes changes in the indexes of multiple first weights, the multiple changes may satisfy a preset relationship, or there may be no regularity between the multiple variables.

[0021] In combination with the first aspect and the second aspect, in some implementations, the parameter also includes the number of changes in the index of the first weight.

[0022] In the present application, the shift of the index of the first weight by one according to the change amount of the index of the first weight is referred to as one change.

[0023] In combination with the first aspect and the second aspect, in some implementations, the parameter includes a validity period of the first weight.

[0024] Optionally, when the parameter includes the validity period of the first weight, the parameter may further include the number of periods of the validity period of the first weight.

[0025] The validity period may be indicated by a duration or the number of subcarriers. For example, the validity period of the first weight is the first duration, or the validity period of the first weight is the first number of subcarriers. The number of periods of the validity period of the first weight may be understood as the number of times the first weight is effective.

[0026] Exemplarily, the first device can determine on which time-frequency resources the first weight is effective based on the effective period; in other words, the first device can determine on which time-frequency resources the weights corresponding to the first weights are based on the effective period; in other words, the first device can determine on which time-frequency resources the first weight is used to reflect signals from network devices or terminals based on the effective period.

[0027] In combination with the first aspect and the second aspect, in some implementations, the parameters also include the effective period of each weight in the first weight set, the first weight set including the first weight, and the weight determined based on the change amount of the index of the first weight and the number of changes of the index of the first weight.

[0028] Optionally, when the parameter includes the validity period of each weight in the first weight set, the parameter also includes the number of periods of the validity period of each weight in the first weight set.

[0029] For the description of the effective period, please refer to the previous description and will not be repeated here.

[0030] In combination with the first aspect and the second aspect, in some implementations, the first indication information further indicates a second weight, and indicates parameters of multiple weights determined by the second weight.

[0031] The parameters of multiple weights determined by the second weights correspond to multiple second time-frequency resources, and the multiple second time-frequency resources do not overlap.

[0032] Similar to the first time-frequency resource described above, the non-overlapping of multiple second time-frequency resources can be understood as multiple second time-frequency resources not overlapping in the time domain, or not overlapping in the frequency domain, or not overlapping in both the time domain and the frequency domain. The size of the second time-frequency resource can be predefined or configured by the network device.

[0033] It can be understood that when the first indication information indicates the first weight and the second weight, the initial time-frequency resources corresponding to the first weight and the second weight are different.

[0034] The description of the parameters for determining multiple weights by the second weight can refer to the related description of the parameters for determining multiple weights by the first weight in the previous text, which will not be repeated here. That is, the first weight and the first time-frequency resource in the previous text can be replaced by the second weight and the second time-frequency resource.

[0035] In a third aspect, the present application provides a communication method, which can be applied to a first device. For example, it can be executed by the first device, or it can also be executed by a component configured in the first device (such as a chip, a chip system, etc.), or it can also be implemented by a logic module or software that can implement all or part of the functions of the first device, and the present application does not limit this.

[0036] Exemplarily, the method includes: receiving third indication information, the third indication information including an index of a third weight and a third time-frequency resource corresponding to the index of the third weight; and determining a third weight corresponding to the third time-frequency resource based on the third indication information and the first mapping relationship.

[0037] For the description of the first mapping relationship, please refer to the relevant description above and will not be repeated here.

[0038] Exemplarily, assume that the first device stores 2000 beams, and the indexes of the 2000 beams are 1 to 2000. In a non-periodic scenario, even if the network device notifies the weight of the first device by indicating the index of the beam, 11 bits of indication are required, and the signaling overhead is large. Since the service range of the first device is limited, among the above 2000 beams, only a very small number of beams (for example, 5 beams, with beam indices of {10, 100, 200, 1000, 1500}) may have limited gain to the terminal, and the quantization bits corresponding to these 5 beams are respectively represented as {00000001010, 00001100100, 00011001000, 01111101000, 10111011100}. The present application re-matches the weights corresponding to this small number of beams to index numbers, for example, the weights of 5 beams correspond to indexes 1 to 5, and the corresponding quantization bits are {001, 010, 011, 100, 101}. In this way, in the third indication information sent by the network device, the index of a weight can be indicated by 3 bits, which greatly reduces the signaling overhead.

[0039] In a fourth aspect, the present application provides a communication method, which can be applied to a network device. For example, it can be executed by a network device, or it can be executed by a component configured in the network device (such as a chip, a chip system, etc.), or it can be implemented by a logic module or software that can implement all or part of the network device functions, and the present application does not limit this.

[0040] Exemplarily, the method includes: generating third indication information according to the beam management result, the third indication information including the index of the third weight and the third time-frequency resource corresponding to the index of the third weight; and sending the third indication information to the first device.

[0041] Exemplarily, assume that the first device stores 2000 beams, and the indexes of the 2000 beams are 1 to 2000. In a non-periodic scenario, even if the network device notifies the IRS weight by indicating the index of the beam, 11 bits of indication are required, and the signaling overhead is large. Since the service range of the first device is limited, among the above 2000 beams, only a very small number of beams (for example, 5 beams, with beam indexes of {10, 100, 200, 1000, 1500}) may have limited gain to the terminal, and the quantization bits corresponding to these 5 beams are respectively expressed as {00000001010, 00001100100, 00011001000, 01111101000, 10111011100}. The present application re-indexes the weights corresponding to this very small number of beams. For example, the weights of 5 beams correspond to indexes 1 to 5, and the corresponding quantization bits are {001, 010, 011, 100, 101}. In this way, in the third information sent by the network device, the index of a weight can be indicated by 3 bits, which greatly reduces the signaling overhead.

[0042] In a fifth aspect, the present application provides a communication device, including a module or unit for implementing the method in any of the above aspects and any possible implementation of any of the aspects. It should be understood that each module or unit can implement the corresponding function by executing a computer program.

[0043] In a sixth aspect, the present application provides a communication device, comprising a processor, wherein the processor executes a computer program and / or executes the method described in any of the above aspects and any possible implementation of any of the aspects through a logic circuit.

[0044] The device may further include a memory for storing instructions and data. The memory is coupled to the processor, and when the processor executes the instructions stored in the memory, the methods described in the above aspects may be implemented.

[0045] The apparatus may further include a communication interface, and the communication interface is used for the apparatus to communicate with other devices. Exemplarily, the communication interface may be a transceiver, a circuit, a bus, a module, or other types of communication interfaces.

[0046] In the seventh aspect, the present application provides a chip system, which includes at least one processor for supporting the implementation of the functions involved in any of the above aspects and any possible implementation of any aspect, for example, receiving or processing the data and / or information involved in the above method.

[0047] In one possible design, the chip system also includes a memory, which is used to store program instructions and data, and the memory is located inside or outside the processor.

[0048] The chip system may be composed of the chip, or may include the chip and other discrete devices.

[0049] In an eighth aspect, the present application provides a computer-readable storage medium, including a computer program, which, when executed on a computer, enables the computer to implement any of the above aspects and any possible implementation of any of the aspects.

[0050] In a ninth aspect, the present application provides a computer program product, comprising: a computer program (also referred to as code, or instruction), which, when executed, enables a computer to execute a method in any of the above aspects and any possible implementation of any of the aspects.

[0051] In a tenth aspect, the present application provides a communication system, comprising the aforementioned first device and network equipment.

[0052] Optionally, the communication system may also include a terminal.

[0053] It should be understood that the fifth to tenth aspects of the present application correspond to the technical solutions of the first to fourth aspects of the present application, and the beneficial effects achieved by each aspect and the corresponding feasible implementation methods are similar and will not be repeated here. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0054] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a communication system applicable to the method of an embodiment of the present application;

[0055] Figure 2 is a schematic flow chart of a communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0056] Figures 3 to 6 It is a schematic diagram of a method for determining a weight corresponding to a first time-frequency resource provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0057] Figure 7 and Figure 8 It is a schematic diagram of a method for determining weights corresponding to multiple time-frequency resources provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0058] Fig. 9 is another schematic flow chart of the communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0059] Fig.10 and Fig.11 It is a schematic block diagram of the device provided in an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0060] The technical solution in this application will be described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0061] To facilitate understanding of the embodiments of the present application, the following points are first explained:

[0062] First, in the embodiments of the present application, the use of prefixes such as "first" and "second" is only to facilitate the distinction and description of different things belonging to the same name category, and does not restrict the order, size or quantity of things. For example, "first weight" and "second weight" are just different weights, and do not limit the size relationship or priority relationship.

[0063] Second, the "sending" and "receiving" in the embodiments of the present application indicate the direction of signal transmission. For example, "the network device sends a first indication message to the first device" can be understood as the destination end of the information is the first device, which can include direct sending through the air interface, and also include other units or modules indirectly sending through the air interface. "Receiving the first indication message from the network device" can be understood as the source end of the information is the network device, which can include directly receiving from the network device through the air interface, and also include indirectly receiving from the network device through the air interface from other units or modules. "Sending" can also be understood as the "output" of the chip interface, and "receiving" can also be understood as the "input" of the chip interface.

[0064] In other words, sending and receiving can be performed between devices, for example, between a network device and a first apparatus; it can also be performed within a device, for example, sending or receiving between components, modules, chips, software modules or hardware modules within the device through a bus, wiring or interface.

[0065] It is understandable that before the information is sent from the source end to the destination end, it may be subjected to necessary processing, such as encoding, modulation, etc. After receiving the information from the source end, the destination end may also perform corresponding processing, such as decoding, demodulation, etc., so as to interpret the valid information from the source end. Similar expressions in this application can be understood similarly and will not be repeated.

[0066] Third, in the embodiments of the present application, "at least one" refers to one or more, and "more" refers to two or more. "And / or" describes the association relationship of associated objects, indicating that three relationships may exist. For example, A and / or B can represent: A exists alone, A and B exist at the same time, and B exists alone, where A and B can be singular or plural. The character " / " generally indicates that the previous and next associated objects are in an "or" relationship, but it does not exclude the situation where the previous and next associated objects are in an "and" relationship. The specific meaning can be understood in conjunction with the context. "At least one of the following" or similar expressions refers to any combination of these items, including any combination of single items or plural items. For example, at least one of a, b, or c can represent: a, b, c; a and b; a and c; b and c; or a and b and c. Where a, b, c can be single or multiple.

[0067] Fourth, in the embodiments of the present application, "indication" may include direct indication and indirect indication, and may also include explicit indication and implicit indication. The information indicated by a certain information (such as the indication information described below) is called information to be indicated. In the specific implementation process, there are many ways to indicate the information to be indicated, such as but not limited to, directly indicating the information to be indicated, such as the information to be indicated itself or the index of the information to be indicated. The information to be indicated may also be indirectly indicated by indicating other information, wherein the other information has an association with the information to be indicated; it may also be possible to indicate only a part of the information to be indicated, while the other parts of the information to be indicated are known or agreed in advance. For example, the indication of specific information may be achieved by means of the arrangement order of each information agreed in advance (such as predefined by the protocol), thereby reducing the indication overhead to a certain extent. The present application does not limit the specific method of indication.

[0068] It can be understood that, for the sender of the indication information, the indication information can be used to indicate the information to be indicated, and for the receiver of the indication information, the indication information can be used to determine the information to be indicated.

[0069] Fifth, the pre-defined in the present application can be understood as: define, pre-define, store, pre-store, pre-negotiate, pre-configure, solidify, or pre-burn.

[0070] The technical solution provided in this application can be applied to various communication systems, such as: long term evolution (LTE) system, LTE frequency division duplex (FDD) system, LTE time division duplex (TDD), sidelink (SL) communication system, worldwide interoperability for microwave access (WiMAX) communication system, fifth generation (5G) mobile communication system or new radio access technology (NR), satellite communication system, etc. Among them, the 5G mobile communication system can include non-standalone (NSA) and / or standalone (SA).

[0071] The technical solution provided in this application can also be applied to future communication systems, such as the sixth generation (6G) mobile communication system, etc. This application does not limit this.

[0072] The radio access network (RAN) device in this application is a device with wireless transceiver function. The radio access network device can provide wireless communication function services and can access the terminal to the wireless network. The radio access network device can be a node in the radio access network, referred to as a RAN node.

[0073] In a possible scenario, a RAN node may be a base station (BS), an evolved NodeB (eNodeB), a transmission reception point (TRP), a home evolved NodeB (or home Node B, HNB), an access point (AP) of wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi), a mobile switching center, a next generation NodeB (gNB) in a 5G mobile communication system, a next generation NodeB in a 6G mobile communication system, or a base station in a future mobile communication system. A RAN node may also be a device that performs base station functions in a device to device (D2D) communication system, a vehicle to everything (V2X) communication system, a machine to machine (M2M) communication system, and an Internet of Things (IoT) communication system. A RAN node may also be a RAN node in a non terrestrial network (NTN), that is, a RAN node may be deployed on a high altitude platform or a satellite. The RAN node can be a macro base station, a micro base station or an indoor station, a relay node or a donor node, or a wireless controller in a cloud radio access network (CRAN) scenario, a node in an open radio access network (O-RAN or ORAN) scenario, etc. Optionally, the RAN node can also be a server, a wearable device, a vehicle or an onboard device, etc. For example, the RAN node in the V2X technology can be a road side unit (RSU). Of course, the RAN node can also be a node in the core network.

[0074] In another possible scenario, multiple RAN nodes collaborate to assist the terminal in achieving wireless access, and different RAN nodes respectively implement part of the functions of the base station. For example, the RAN node can be a centralized unit (CU), a distributed unit (DU), a CU-control plane (CP), a CU-user plane (UP), or a radio unit (RU). The CU and DU can be set separately, or can also be included in the same network element, such as a baseband unit (BBU). The RU can be included in a radio frequency device or a radio frequency unit, such as a remote radio unit (RRU), an active antenna unit (AAU) or a remote radio head (RRH).

[0075] In different systems, CU (or CU-CP and CU-UP), DU or RU may also have different names, but those skilled in the art can understand their meanings. For example, in the ORAN system, CU may also be called an open CU (O-CU), DU may also be called an open DU (O-DU), CU-CP may also be called an open CU-CP (O-CU-CP), CU-UP may also be called an open CU-UP (O-CU-UP), and RU may also be called an open RU (O-RU).

[0076] Among them, any unit in CU (or CU-CP, CU-UP), DU and RU can be implemented by software module, hardware module, or a combination of software module and hardware module. That is, the wireless access network device in this application can be a virtualized device, for example, implemented by general hardware and instantiated virtualization functions, or special hardware and instantiated virtualization functions. Among them, the general hardware can be a server, such as a cloud server.

[0077] The terminal in this application may also be referred to as user equipment (UE), access terminal, user unit, user station, mobile station, mobile station, remote station, remote terminal, mobile device, user terminal, terminal equipment, wireless communication equipment, user agent or user device.

[0078] A terminal can be a device that provides voice / data connectivity to a user, for example, a handheld device with wireless connection function, a vehicle-mounted device, etc. At present, some examples of terminals can be: mobile phones, tablet computers (pad), computers with wireless transceiver functions (such as laptops, PDAs, etc.), mobile Internet devices (mobile internet devices, MIDs), virtual reality (virtual reality, VR) devices, augmented reality (augmented reality, AR) devices, wireless terminals in industrial control, wireless terminals in self-driving, drones, wireless terminals in remote medical, wireless terminals in smart grids, wireless terminals in transportation safety, wireless terminals in smart cities, wireless terminals in smart homes, cellular phones, cordless phones, session initiation protocol (session initiation protocol, SIP) phones, wireless local loop (wireless local loop, WLL) stations, personal digital assistants (personal digital assistants) assistant, PDA), handheld devices with wireless communication function, computing devices or other processing devices connected to a wireless modem, vehicle-mounted devices, wearable devices, terminals in 5G networks or terminals in future evolved public land mobile communication networks (public land mobile network, PLMN), etc.

[0079] Among them, wearable devices can also be called wearable smart devices, which are a general term for the intelligent design and development of wearable devices for daily wear using wearable technology, such as glasses, gloves, watches, clothing and shoes. Wearable devices are portable devices that are worn directly on the body or integrated into the user's clothes or accessories. Wearable devices are not only hardware devices, but also realize powerful functions through software support, data interaction, and cloud interaction. Broadly speaking, wearable smart devices include full-featured, large-sized, and independent of smartphones to achieve complete or partial functions, such as smart watches or smart glasses, as well as those that only focus on a certain type of application function and need to be used in conjunction with other devices such as smartphones, such as various smart bracelets and smart jewelry for vital sign monitoring.

[0080] In addition, the terminal can also be a terminal in the IoT system. IoT is an important part of the future development of information technology. Its main technical feature is to connect objects to the network through communication technology, thereby realizing an intelligent network of human-machine interconnection and object-to-object interconnection. IoT technology can achieve massive connections, deep coverage, and terminal power saving through narrow band (NB) technology, for example.

[0081] In addition, the terminal can also include sensors such as smart printers, train detectors, and gas stations. Its main functions include collecting data (partial terminals), receiving control information and downlink data from network devices, and sending electromagnetic waves to transmit uplink data to network devices.

[0082] The terminal in the present application may be a virtualized device, for example, implemented by general hardware and instantiated virtualization functions, or by dedicated hardware and instantiated virtualization functions. The general hardware may be a server, for example, a cloud server.

[0083] It should be understood that the present application does not limit the specific forms of the wireless access network equipment and terminals.

[0084] In actual communication scenarios, the obstruction of objects such as buildings or walls will result in the absence of LOS paths between the terminal and the network device, which may cause the terminal to receive poor signal quality, thus affecting communication performance. In order to improve the communication performance between the terminal and the network device, it is proposed to deploy IRS between the network device and the terminal to enhance the signal quality of the terminal and improve communication performance.

[0085] To facilitate understanding of the method provided in the embodiments of the present application, Figure 1 A communication system suitable for the method provided in an embodiment of the present application is introduced.

[0086] Figure 1 1 is a schematic diagram of a communication system 100 applicable to the method provided in the embodiment of the present application. Figure 1 As shown, the communication system 100 includes a network device 110, an IRS device 120, and a terminal 130. The network device 110 and the terminal 130 can communicate through the IRS 120, that is, the downlink signal sent by the network device 110 is reflected to the terminal 130 via the IRS 120, and the uplink signal sent by the terminal 130 is reflected to the network device 110 via the IRS 120.

[0087] Figure 1The IRS shown includes an antenna array and a processing module. The processing module is used to receive and process control signals from network devices, and to adjust the reflection phase of each array element based on the control signal. The antenna array surface is used to reflect uplink / downlink signals. In other words, the IRS can change the direction of the reflected beam by adjusting the phase distribution of the reflection surface, thereby reflecting the signal transmitted from the network device to the IRS in the desired direction, thereby achieving functions such as improving the channel environment in the weak coverage area and improving the non-LOS path to the LOS path.

[0088] IRS includes an antenna array and a processing module for receiving control signals from network devices, so IRS needs to adjust the weight of the reflected beam according to the instructions of the network device. For example, when IRS enhances scheduling, the network device needs to notify the current terminal of the corresponding reflection weight at the transmission time interval (TTI) level; and when IRS performs beam scanning, the scanning beam is predetermined and regular, which means that the weight switching of IRS has a certain periodic regularity. However, currently the network device needs to notify the IRS of the weight of the reflected beam in each scanning cycle, which may bring a large signaling overhead.

[0089] In view of this, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication method and a related device. In this method, for a regular or periodic beam, a network device can indicate the weight of a reflected beam corresponding to each time-frequency resource in multiple future time-frequency resources through information for indicating at least one weight and a switching rule of the weight, thereby effectively reducing the signaling overhead of the network device notifying the IRS of the weight of the reflected beam.

[0090] The following describes in detail the method provided by the embodiment of the present application in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. The method can be applied to Figure 1 The communication scenario shown is, but the embodiments of the present application are not limited to this.

[0091] exist Figure 2 In the flowchart shown, the method is illustrated from the perspective of device interaction, but the present application does not limit the execution subject of the method. Figure 2 The first device in the invention may be a chip, a chip system, or a processor that supports the device to implement the method, or a logic module or software that can implement all or part of the functions of the first device; the first device in the present application may be the IRS described above, or other devices with receiving, reflecting and forwarding functions. The first device may also be called a reconfigurable intelligent surface (RIS) or other names, which are not limited in the present application. Figure 2The network device in the method may be a chip, a chip system, or a processor that supports the network device to implement the method, or may be a logic module or software that can implement all or part of the network device functions.

[0092] Figure 2 2 is a schematic flow chart of a communication method 200 provided in an embodiment of the present application. Figure 2 As shown, the method 200 may include S201 to S203. Each step in the method 200 is described in detail below.

[0093] S201, a network device generates first indication information.

[0094] The first indication information indicates a first weight and parameters of multiple weights determined by the first weight, the multiple weights correspond to multiple first time-frequency resources, and the multiple first time-frequency resources do not overlap.

[0095] The first weight is a weight. The multiple weights corresponding to the multiple first time-frequency resources include the first weight. In other words, the multiple first time-frequency resources include the time-frequency resource corresponding to the first weight indicated by the first indication information.

[0096] The weights in the present application can be understood as the phase distribution state of each reflection array element of the first device, that is, the network device indicates different weights to the first device, and the reflection array elements of the first device correspond to different phase distributions, thereby realizing signal reflection in different directions.

[0097] It can be understood that the non-overlapping of multiple first time-frequency resources may mean that the multiple first time-frequency resources do not overlap in the time domain, or do not overlap in the frequency domain, or do not overlap in both the time domain and the frequency domain.

[0098] It can also be understood that the size of each first time-frequency resource among the multiple first time-frequency resources can be predefined or configured by the network device, and this application does not limit this.

[0099] S202: The network device sends first indication information to the first apparatus. Correspondingly, the first apparatus receives the first indication information from the network device.

[0100] The first indication information may be carried in a control signaling and sent by the network device to the first apparatus.

[0101] S203: The first device determines multiple weights corresponding to multiple first time-frequency resources based on the first indication information.

[0102] It can be understood that each of the multiple first time-frequency resources corresponds to a weight, and the multiple weights corresponding to the multiple first time-frequency resources can be the same or different. Whether the multiple weights are the same is determined by the parameter indicated by the first indication information.

[0103] Exemplarily, N first time-frequency resources correspond one-to-one to N weights (N is an integer greater than 1), and the first device uses the nth weight among the N weights to reflect the signal from the network device or terminal at the nth first time-frequency resource among the N first time-frequency resources, and the value of n is any integer from 1 to N.

[0104] Optionally, the first device may determine the weights corresponding to other time-frequency resources other than the multiple first time-frequency resources as preset weights.

[0105] Exemplarily, the first device may use preset weights to reflect signals from the network device or the terminal in other time-frequency resources.

[0106] In an embodiment of the present application, the first device can determine multiple weights corresponding to multiple time-frequency resources from one weight based on the received first indication information, so that the first device can use corresponding weights to reflect the beam in different time-frequency resources to achieve beam scanning, without the network device indicating the weight corresponding to the current time-frequency resource through control signaling each time the beam scanning direction is switched, thereby effectively reducing the signaling overhead used to notify the weight of the reflected beam.

[0107] The following describes in detail the parameters indicated by the first indication information and how the first device determines multiple weights corresponding to multiple first time-frequency resources based on the first indication information, with reference to two examples.

[0108] Example 1: The multiple weights corresponding to the multiple first time-frequency resources are the same, that is, the multiple weights corresponding to the multiple first time-frequency resources are all first weights.

[0109] Optionally, the parameters indicated by the first indication information include a validity period of the first weight.

[0110] The validity period may be indicated by a duration and / or the number of subcarriers. For example, the validity period of the first weight value is a first duration and / or the validity period of the first weight value is a first number of subcarriers.

[0111] Exemplarily, the first device can determine on which time-frequency resources the first weight is effective based on the effective period; in other words, the first device can determine on which time-frequency resources the weights corresponding to the first weights are based on the effective period; in other words, the first device can determine on which time-frequency resources the first weight is used to reflect signals from network devices or terminals based on the effective period.

[0112] In the present application, the time-frequency resources for which the first weight determined by the first device based on the effectiveness period is effective are referred to as first time-frequency resources.

[0113] The following example takes the duration of each time-frequency resource in the time domain as 1 second (s) and the effective period as 3s. Figure 3 A plurality of first time-frequency resources corresponding to the first weight determined by the first device are introduced.

[0114] Figure 3 Schematic diagram of a method for determining a first time-frequency resource provided by an embodiment of the present application. Figure 3 As shown, the first weight indicated by the first indication information is X. When the initial time-frequency resource of the first weight X is time-frequency resource 0, the first device determines that the effective time slot of the first weight is time-frequency resource 3, time-frequency resource 6, and so on, and the time-frequency resource R1=3×i (the value of i is all integers greater than 2), that is, the first device can use the first weight to reflect the signal from the network device or terminal on time-frequency resource 0, time-frequency resource 3, time-frequency resource 6 and time-frequency resource R1=3×i.

[0115] Among them, time-frequency resource 0, time-frequency resource 3, time-frequency resource 6 and time-frequency resource R1 are multiple first time-frequency resources.

[0116] The following example takes the number of subcarriers occupied by each time-frequency resource in the frequency domain as 1 and the effective period as 3 subcarriers. Figure 4 A plurality of first time-frequency resources corresponding to the first weight determined by the first device are introduced.

[0117] Figure 4 FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of another method for determining the first time-frequency resource provided in an embodiment of the present application. Figure 4 As shown, the first weight indicated by the first indication information is X. When the initial time-frequency resource of the first weight X is time-frequency resource 0, the first device determines that the effective time slot of the first weight is time-frequency resource 3, time-frequency resource 6, and so on, and the time-frequency resource R1=3×i (the value of i is all integers greater than 2), that is, the first device can use the first weight to reflect the signal from the network device or terminal on time-frequency resource 0, time-frequency resource 3, time-frequency resource 6 and time-frequency resource R1=3×i.

[0118] Among them, time-frequency resource 0, time-frequency resource 3, time-frequency resource 6 and time-frequency resource R1 are multiple first time-frequency resources.

[0119] Understandably, Figure 3 The time-frequency resources in refer to the time-frequency resources that do not overlap in the time domain. Figure 4 The time-frequency resources in are non-overlapping time-frequency resources in the frequency domain.

[0120] Optionally, the parameters indicated by the first indication information also include the number of periods of the validity period.

[0121] Exemplarily, the first device can further determine the number of time-frequency resources for which the first weight is effective based on the number of periods of the effective period. That is, the first device can determine the number of multiple first time-frequency resources based on the number of periods of the effective period.

[0122] Combination Figure 3 and Figure 4 In the example shown, the number of cycles in the effective period is 5 (for Figure 3 , the effective period can be 5s. Figure 4 , the number of periods of the effective period may be 5 subcarriers), it may be determined that the value of i is 5. That is to say, the first weight may be effective on six time-frequency resources, namely, time-frequency resource 0, time-frequency resource 3, time-frequency resource 6, time-frequency resource 9, time-frequency resource 12, and time-frequency resource 15, and the number of the multiple first time-frequency resources is i+1.

[0123] Example 2: The multiple weights corresponding to the multiple first time-frequency resources are different. That is, there are at least two different weights among the multiple weights corresponding to the multiple first time-frequency resources.

[0124] Optionally, the parameter indicated by the first indication information may include a change in the index of the first weight. For the convenience of description, the index of the first weight is referred to as the first index hereinafter.

[0125] Exemplarily, the first device can determine the indexes of multiple weights corresponding to multiple first time-frequency resources based on the first index and the change in the first index; and then determine the weights corresponding to the indexes of the weights based on the first mapping relationship.

[0126] The first mapping relationship indicates a one-to-one correspondence between multiple indexes and multiple weights, and the multiple indexes include the first index. The multiple weights included in the first mapping relationship may be weights corresponding to beams that have gain for the terminal. The first mapping relationship includes multiple weights corresponding to beams that have gain for the terminal, and the multiple weights corresponding to beams that have gain for the terminal can be obtained according to the beam management result.

[0127] Exemplarily, the beam management process is as follows: the network device indicates multiple weights to the first device, and sends a downlink reference signal when the first device switches to different weights. For example, at time t1, the network device indicates to the first device a weight of Φ1, and the first device reflects the downlink signal from the network device to the terminal according to the weight Φ1. The terminal receives the downlink reference signal and reports to the network device a first reference signal receiving power (RSRP) corresponding to the downlink reference signal, referred to as RSRP1.

[0128] The downlink reference signal received by the terminal and the RSRP1 corresponding to the downlink reference signal satisfy the following relationship:

[0129] RSRP1=‖Y1‖2;

[0130] Among them, ‖Y1‖2 represents the second norm of Y1, Y1=(H d +H r Φ1G)W, represents the downlink reference signal received by the terminal, represents the precoding matrix of the network device, is the channel from the network device to the terminal, is a channel from the first device to the terminal, is the channel from the network device to the terminal, where N R 、N T 、N E They respectively represent the number of antennas of the terminal, the network device, and the first apparatus, and C represents a complex number set.

[0131] The network device can obtain the first device reported by the terminal and use multiple weights to reflect the downlink reference signal sent by the network device, the multiple weights correspond to multiple RSRPs, and the weight corresponding to the RSRP greater than a preset threshold among the multiple RSRPs obtained is determined as the weight that has a gain for the terminal, or the weight corresponding to the maximum RSRP among the multiple RSRPs obtained is determined as the weight that has a gain for the terminal.

[0132] Exemplarily, if the first device stores 2000 beams, the indexes of the 2000 beams are 1 to 2000. The network device notifies the weight of the first device by requiring 11 bits to indicate the index of the beam, and the signaling overhead is large. Since the service range of the first device is limited, only a very small number of the above 2000 beams may have limited gain to the terminal. Based on the beam management results, for example, 5 beams with gain to the terminal can be determined from the 2000 beams, and the indexes of the beams are {10, 100, 200, 1000, 1500} respectively. The present application re-indexes the weights corresponding to the beams determined based on beam management. For example, the indexes corresponding to the weights of the 5 beams are 1 to 5, and the corresponding quantization bits are {001, 010, 011, 100, 101} respectively. In this way, the network device can indicate the index of a weight by 3 bits in the first indication information sent, which greatly reduces the signaling overhead.

[0133] It can be understood that the change amount of the first index can be one or more. When the change amount of the first index is multiple, the multiple change amounts are different.

[0134] Solution 1: The change amount of the first index is one, that is, the parameter indicated by the first indication information includes the change amount of one weight index.

[0135] Exemplarily, the change amount of the first index is change amount 1. When the first index is index 1, the first device can determine the indexes of multiple weights based on index 1 and change amount 1.

[0136] Among them, the difference between the indexes of any two weights among the indexes of the multiple weights determined by the first device is an integer multiple of the change 1.

[0137] Exemplarily, the indexes of multiple weights can be: index 2 = index 1 + change 1, index 3 = index 1 + 2× change 1, index 4 = index 1 + 3× change 1, and so on, index N = index 1 + (N-1) change 1, where N is an integer greater than 4.

[0138] Alternatively, the indexes of multiple weights can be: index 2 = index 1 - change 1, index 3 = index 1 - 2 × change 1, index 4 = index 1 - 3 × change 1, and so on, index N = index 1 - (N-1) change 1.

[0139] The following example takes the first index as X and the change in index as Δx as an example. Figure 5 and Figure 6 A plurality of weights corresponding to a plurality of first time-frequency resources determined by a first device are introduced.

[0140] Figure 5 FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of another method for determining the first time-frequency resource provided in an embodiment of the present application. Figure 5 As shown, when the initial time-frequency resource of X is time-frequency resource 0, the first device can determine that the weight index corresponding to time-frequency resource 1 is X+Δx, the weight index corresponding to time-frequency resource 2 is X+2×Δx, the weight index corresponding to time-frequency resource 3 is X+3×Δx, and so on. The weight index corresponding to time-frequency resource R2 is X+R2×Δx (the value of R2 is all integers greater than 3).

[0141] Similarly, when the change in the index is Δx and the initial time-frequency resource of the first index X is time-frequency resource 0, the first device determines that the weight index corresponding to time-frequency resource 1 is X-Δx, the weight index corresponding to time-frequency resource 2 is X-2×Δx, and the weight index corresponding to time-frequency resource 3 is X-3×Δx, and so on. The weight index corresponding to time-frequency resource R2 is X-R2×Δx.

[0142] Among them, time-frequency resource 0, time-frequency resource 1, time-frequency resource 2, time-frequency resource 3, and time-frequency resource R2 are multiple first time-frequency resources; time-frequency resource 0, time-frequency resource 1, time-frequency resource 2, time-frequency resource 3, and time-frequency resource R2 are multiple time-frequency resources that are continuous in the time domain.

[0143] It can be understood that the time-frequency resources corresponding to the above-mentioned X-Δx, the time-frequency resources corresponding to X-2×Δx, the time-frequency resources corresponding to X-3×Δx, and the time-frequency resources corresponding to X-R2×Δx may also be discontinuous time-frequency resources in the time domain.

[0144] Figure 6FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of another method for determining the first time-frequency resource provided in an embodiment of the present application. Figure 6 As shown, when the initial time-frequency resource of X is time-frequency resource 3, the first device can determine that the weight index corresponding to time-frequency resource 2 is X-Δx, the weight index corresponding to time-frequency resource 1 is X-2×Δx, the weight index corresponding to time-frequency resource 1 is X-3×Δx, the weight index corresponding to time-frequency resource 4 is X+Δx, and so on. The weight index corresponding to time-frequency resource R3 is X+(R3-3)×Δx (the value of R3 is all integers greater than 4).

[0145] Similarly, when the change in the index is Δx and the initial time-frequency resource of the first weight X is time-frequency resource 3, the first device can determine that the weight index corresponding to time-frequency resource 2 is X+Δx, the weight index corresponding to time-frequency resource 1 is X+2Δx, the weight index corresponding to time-frequency resource 4 is X-Δx, and so on. The weight index corresponding to time-frequency resource R is X-(R3-3)×Δx (the value of R3 is all integers greater than 4).

[0146] Among them, time-frequency resource 0, time-frequency resource 1, time-frequency resource 2, time-frequency resource 3, and time-frequency resource R3 are multiple first time-frequency resources. Time-frequency resource 0, time-frequency resource 1, time-frequency resource 2, time-frequency resource 3, and time-frequency resource R3 are multiple time-frequency resources that are continuous in the time domain.

[0147] It can be understood that the time-frequency resources corresponding to the above-mentioned X-Δx, the time-frequency resources corresponding to X+2×Δx, the time-frequency resources corresponding to X+Δx, and the time-frequency resources corresponding to X+(R3-3)×Δx may also be discontinuous time-frequency resources in the time domain.

[0148] Solution 2: The change amount of the index of the first weight is multiple.

[0149] Exemplarily, when the first index is index 1 and the changes of the first index are change 1, change 2, ..., change K, the first device can determine the indices of K weights based on index 1 and K changes, where K is an integer greater than 2.

[0150] Exemplarily, the indexes of multiple weights may be: index 2 = index 1 + change 1, index 3 = index 2 + change 2, index 4 = index 3 + change 3, and so on, index K = index K-1 + change K.

[0151] Alternatively, the indexes of multiple weights may be: index 2 = index 1 + change 1, index 3 = index 1 + change 2, index 4 = index 1 + change 3, and so on, index K = index 1 + change K.

[0152] In the first example, a preset relationship is satisfied between the K changes. For example, when the change 1 is Δx, the change k is k×Δx, where the value of k is any integer from 1 to K, and the value of k can include 1 and K. For another example, when the change 1 is Δx, the change k is Δx+k×q, where q is any non-zero integer.

[0153] Exemplarily, when K=3, the K changes may be Δx, 2×Δx, and 3×Δx, respectively. When the initial time-frequency resource of the first index X is time-frequency resource 0, the first device may determine that the index corresponding to time-frequency resource 1 is X+Δx, the index corresponding to time-frequency resource 2 is X+Δx+2×Δx, and the index corresponding to time-frequency resource 3 is X+Δx+2×Δx+3×Δx. Alternatively, the first device may determine that the index corresponding to time-frequency resource 1 is X-Δx, the index corresponding to time-frequency resource 2 is X-Δx-2Δx, and the index corresponding to time-frequency resource 3 is X-Δx-2×Δx-3×Δx.

[0154] Among them, time-frequency resource 0, time-frequency resource 1, time-frequency resource 2, and time-frequency resource 3 are multiple first time-frequency resources, and time-frequency resource 0, time-frequency resource 1, time-frequency resource 2, and time-frequency resource 3 can be continuous time-frequency resources in the time domain and / or frequency domain, or time-frequency resource 0, time-frequency resource 1, time-frequency resource 2, and time-frequency resource 3 are discontinuous time-frequency resources in the time domain and / or frequency domain.

[0155] Similarly, when K=3, the K changes can be Δx, 2×Δx, and 3×Δx, respectively. When the initial time-frequency resource of the first index X is time-frequency resource 1, the first device can determine that the index corresponding to time-frequency resource 0 is X-Δx, the index corresponding to time-frequency resource 2 is X+2×Δx, and the index corresponding to time-frequency resource 3 is X+2×Δx+3×Δx. Alternatively, the first device can determine that the index corresponding to time-frequency resource 0 is X+Δx, the index corresponding to time-frequency resource 2 is X-2×Δx, and the index corresponding to time-frequency resource 3 is X-2×Δx-3×Δx.

[0156] Among them, time-frequency resource 0, time-frequency resource 1, time-frequency resource 2, and time-frequency resource 3 are multiple first time-frequency resources, and time-frequency resource 0, time-frequency resource 1, time-frequency resource 2, and time-frequency resource 3 can be continuous time-frequency resources in the time domain and / or frequency domain, or can be discontinuous time-frequency resources in the time domain and / or frequency domain.

[0157] In the second example, there is no regularity between the changes in the K indexes, which is similar to a random number sequence with a length of K.

[0158] For example, the changes of the K indexes are Δx1, Δx2, Δx3, ..., Δx K , where Δx1~Δx KThere is no regularity in the sequence. When the initial time-frequency resource of the first index X is time-frequency resource 0, the first device can determine that the index corresponding to time-frequency resource 1 is X+Δx1, the index corresponding to time-frequency resource 2 is X+Δx1+Δx2, ..., and the index corresponding to time-frequency resource K is X+Δx1+...+Δx K .

[0159] Among them, time-frequency resources 0 to time-frequency resources K are multiple first time-frequency resources, and time-frequency resources 0 to time-frequency resources K can be continuous time-frequency resources in the time domain and / or frequency domain, or time-frequency resources 0 to time-frequency resources K are discontinuous time-frequency resources in the time domain and / or frequency domain.

[0160] Optionally, the parameters indicated by the first indication information also include the number of times the first index changes.

[0161] In this application, a shift of the first index by a change amount of the index is referred to as a change.

[0162] Exemplarily, the first device may further determine the number of the plurality of first time-frequency resources based on the number of times the first index changes.

[0163] For example, when the first indication information indicates that the number of changes of the first index is C (C is a positive integer), the number A of the plurality of first time-frequency resources satisfies: A=C+1.

[0164] Combination Figure 5 or Figure 6 In the example shown, when the number of changes of the first index is 5, it can be determined that R2=R3=5, that is, the first device determines the six time-frequency resources of time-frequency resource 0, time-frequency resource 1, time-frequency resource 2, time-frequency resource 3, time-frequency resource 4 and time-frequency resource 5 as multiple first time-frequency resources.

[0165] It should be understood that Figure 5 and Figure 6 The time-frequency resources shown are time-frequency resources that do not overlap in the time domain. Figure 4 For example, in the solution shown in Example 2, the determined multiple first time-frequency resources may also be time-frequency resources that do not overlap in the frequency domain.

[0166] Optionally, the parameters indicated by the first indication information also include a validity period of the first weight, or a validity period of each weight in the first weight set.

[0167] The first weight set includes the first weight and a weight determined based on the change amount of the index of the first weight and the number of times the index of the first weight changes.

[0168] In a first possible implementation manner, the parameters indicated by the first indication information include a change amount of the first index, a number of changes of the first index, and a validity period of the first weight.

[0169] Regarding the description of the effective period, and the determination of the time-frequency resources in which the first weight is effective by the first device based on the effective period of the first weight, please refer to the relevant description of Example 1, which will not be repeated here.

[0170] It can be understood that the first time-frequency resources corresponding to each weight in the first weight set do not overlap with the multiple time-frequency resources for which the first weight is effective, which are determined by the first device based on the effective period of the first weight.

[0171] Optionally, the first device may determine the time-frequency resources in which each weight in the first weight set is effective based on the effectiveness period of the first weight.

[0172] Optionally, the parameters indicated by the first indication information also include the number of periods during which the first weight is valid.

[0173] Regarding the number of periods of the effective period and the description of determining the number of first time-frequency resources based on the number of periods, please refer to the relevant description in the previous example one, which will not be repeated here.

[0174] In a second possible implementation manner, the parameters indicated by the first indication information include a change amount of the first index, a number of changes of the first index, and a validity period of each weight in the first weight set.

[0175] For the description of the first weight set, please refer to the previous description and will not be repeated here.

[0176] Exemplarily, the first device may determine a plurality of time-frequency resources in which each weight in the first weight set is effective based on the effective period of each weight in the first weight set.

[0177] For example, when the first index is X, the change amount of the first index is Δx, and the number of changes of the first index is 2, the multiple weights in the first weight set can be: X, X+Δx, X+2×Δx; and X corresponds to time-frequency resource 0, X+Δx corresponds to time-frequency resource 3, and X+2×Δx corresponds to time-frequency resource 6.

[0178] When the parameters indicated by the first indication information include three effective periods corresponding to three weights: effective period 1, effective period 2, and effective period 3, the first device can determine the time-frequency resources for which index X is effective based on time-frequency resources 0 and effective period 1, determine the time-frequency resources for which index X+Δx is effective based on time-frequency resources 3 and effective period 2, and determine the time-frequency resources for which index X+2×Δx is effective based on time-frequency resources 6 and effective period 3.

[0179] Optionally, the parameters indicated by the first indication information also include the number of periods of validity period of each weight in the first weight set.

[0180] For the description of the number of cycles and determining the number of first time-frequency resources based on the number of cycles, please refer to the relevant description in the previous example one, which will not be repeated here.

[0181] Optionally, the first indication information further indicates a second weight and a parameter indicating multiple weights determined by the second weight. The multiple weights determined by the second weight may correspond one-to-one to multiple second time-frequency resources, and the multiple second time-frequency resources do not overlap.

[0182] The second weight is a weight. The multiple weights corresponding to the multiple second weights include the second weight. In other words, the multiple time-frequency resources include the time-frequency resources corresponding to the second weight.

[0183] Similar to the above-mentioned first time-frequency resource, the non-overlapping of multiple second time-frequency resources can be understood as multiple second time-frequency resources not overlapping in the time domain, or not overlapping in the frequency domain, or not overlapping in both the time domain and the frequency domain. The size of each second time-frequency resource can be predefined or configured by the network device.

[0184] It can be understood that when the first indication information indicates the first weight and the second weight, the initial time-frequency resources corresponding to the first weight and the second weight are different.

[0185] It can also be understood that the first weight and the second weight may be the same or different, and the size of the first time-frequency resource and the size of the second time-frequency resource may be the same or different.

[0186] When the first weight and the second weight are the same, the parameter corresponding to the first weight and the parameter corresponding to the second weight are different. Alternatively, when the first weight and the second weight are different, the parameter corresponding to the first weight and the parameter corresponding to the second weight are the same or different. The parameter corresponding to the first weight is the parameter of the multiple weights determined by the first weight indicated by the first indication information, and the parameter corresponding to the second weight is the parameter of the multiple weights determined by the second weight.

[0187] Exemplarily, the corresponding parameters of the first weight and the corresponding parameters of the second weight are different, which may be that the effective period of the first weight is different from the effective period of the second weight, and / or the number of periods of the effective period of the first weight is different from the number of periods of the effective period of the second weight.

[0188] Exemplarily, the corresponding parameters of the first weight are different from the corresponding parameters of the second weight, which may be that the change in the index of the first weight is different from the change in the index of the second weight, and / or the number of changes in the index of the first weight is different from the number of changes in the index of the second weight, and / or the effective period of the first weight is different from the effective period of the first weight, and / or the number of periods of the effective period of the first weight is different from the number of periods of the effective period of the second weight.

[0189] For the description of the parameters of determining multiple weights by the second weight, please refer to the related description of the parameters of determining multiple weights by the first weight in the previous text, which will not be repeated here. That is, the first weight and the first time-frequency resource in the previous text are replaced by the second weight and the second time-frequency resource.

[0190] In summary, the first indication information can indicate M weights, and parameters of multiple weights corresponding to N time-frequency resources determined by the M weights, the N time-frequency resources do not overlap, M and N are both positive integers, and N is greater than M.

[0191] When the M weights include the first weight and the second weight, the N time-frequency resources include a plurality of first time-frequency resources and a plurality of second time-frequency resources.

[0192] In the following, the duration of each time-frequency resource in the time domain is 1 second, and the first indication information indicates the first weight and the second weight at the same time. Figure 7 and Figure 8 A plurality of weights corresponding to a plurality of frequency resources determined by a first device are introduced.

[0193] Figure 7 This is a method for determining weights corresponding to multiple time-frequency resources provided by an embodiment of the present application. Figure 7 As shown, the first weight indicated by the first indication information is X, the second weight is Y, and the effective period of the indicated weight is 3s. When the initial time-frequency resource of the first weight X is time-frequency resource 0, and the initial resource of the second weight is 1, the first device determines the effective time-frequency resource 3, time-frequency resource 6, and so on of X, and the time-frequency resource R1=3×i (i is all integers greater than 2), and the first device determines the effective time-frequency resource 4, time-frequency resource 7, and so on of Y, and the time-frequency resource R4=3×i+1 (i is all integers greater than 2). That is, the first device can use the first weight X to reflect the signal from the network device or terminal on the time-frequency resource 0, time-frequency resource 3, time-frequency resource 6, and time-frequency resource R1=3×i; and can use the second weight Y to reflect the signal from the network device or terminal on the time-frequency resource 1, time-frequency resource 4, time-frequency resource 7, and time-frequency resource R4=3×i+1.

[0194] Among them, time-frequency resource 0, time-frequency resource 3, time-frequency resource 6 and time-frequency resource R1=3×i are multiple first time-frequency resources, and time-frequency resource 1, time-frequency resource 4, time-frequency resource 7 and time-frequency resource R4=3×i+1 are multiple second time-frequency resources.

[0195] Figure 8 This is another method for determining the weights corresponding to multiple time-frequency resources provided by the embodiment of the present application. Figure 8As shown, the index of the first weight indicated by the first indication information is X, the index of the second weight is Y, the change of the index of the indicated first weight is Δx=1, and the change of the index of the indicated second weight is Δy=2. When the initial time-frequency resource of X is time-frequency resource 0 and the initial time-frequency resource of X is time-frequency resource 5, the first device can determine that the index of the weight corresponding to time-frequency resource 1 is X+1, the index of the weight corresponding to time-frequency resource 2 is X+2, the index of the weight corresponding to time-frequency resource 3 is X+3, and the index of the weight corresponding to time-frequency resource 3 is X+4; and the first device can determine that the index of the weight corresponding to time-frequency resource 6 is Y+1, the index of the weight corresponding to time-frequency resource 7 is Y+2, the index of the weight corresponding to time-frequency resource 8 is Y+3, and the index of the weight corresponding to time-frequency resource 9 is Y+4.

[0196] Among them, time-frequency resource 0, time-frequency resource 1, time-frequency resource 2, time-frequency resource 3, and time-frequency resource 4 are multiple first time-frequency resources, and time-frequency resource 5, time-frequency resource 6, time-frequency resource 7, time-frequency resource 8, and time-frequency resource 9 are multiple second time-frequency resources.

[0197] It can be understood that the 10 time-frequency resources corresponding to index X, index X+1, index X+2, index X+3, index X+4, index Y, index Y+1, index Y+2, index Y+3, and index Y+4 may not be continuous in the time domain.

[0198] Optionally, the method 200 further includes: the network device sends second indication information to the first apparatus, where the second indication information is used to indicate the first mapping relationship. Correspondingly, the first apparatus receives the second indication information.

[0199] Optionally, the method 200 further includes: the network device sends a first parameter to the first apparatus, the first parameter indicating information included in the first indication information. In other words, the first parameter indicates a format of a signaling carrying the first indication information.

[0200] Exemplarily, when the first parameter indicates format 1, the corresponding first indication information should include: the first weight, the effective period of the first weight; when the first parameter indicates format 2, the corresponding first indication information should include: the first weight, the effective period of the first weight, and the number of periods of the effective period of the first weight; when the first parameter indicates format 3, the corresponding first indication information should include: the first weight, the second weight, the effective period of the first weight, and the effective period of the second weight. Other formats are not described here.

[0201] Above Figure 2 The communication method shown is applicable to periodic or regular beams, for example, the IRS performs beam scanning, which can be achieved through the above Figure 2The method shown determines the weight of the reflected beam of the IRS in each time period. For non-periodic beams, the network device also needs to immediately indicate the weight corresponding to each time period. In order to reduce the signaling overhead required when the network device notifies the first device of the weight corresponding to each time-frequency resource in the non-periodic scenario, the present application proposes the following Fig. 9 The method shown is used to reduce signaling overhead.

[0202] Fig. 9 FIG. 9 is another schematic flow chart of the communication method 900 provided in an embodiment of the present application. Fig. 9 As shown, the method 900 may include S901 to S903. The various steps shown in the method 900 are described in detail below.

[0203] S901: The network device generates third indication information according to a beam management result. The third indication information includes an index of a third weight and a third time-frequency resource corresponding to the index of the third weight.

[0204] The third weight is the same as the number of the third time-frequency resources. The size of the third time-frequency resources may be predefined or configured by the network device.

[0205] The process of beam management can be referred to the previous description and will not be repeated here.

[0206] S902, the network device sends third indication information to the first apparatus. Correspondingly, the first apparatus receives the third indication information.

[0207] The third indication information is carried in the control signaling and sent by the network device to the first apparatus.

[0208] For the description of the first device, please refer to the previous description and will not be repeated here.

[0209] S903: The first device determines a third weight corresponding to the third time-frequency resource based on the third indication information and the first mapping relationship.

[0210] Exemplarily, the first device transmits the received beam using a third weight on a third time-frequency resource.

[0211] For the description of the first mapping relationship, please refer to the previous description and will not be repeated here.

[0212] Exemplarily, assume that the first device stores 2000 beams, and the indexes of the 2000 beams are 1 to 2000. In a non-periodic scenario, even if the network device notifies the weight of the first device by indicating the index of the beam, 11 bits of indication are required, and the signaling overhead is large. Since the service range of the first device is limited, among the above 2000 beams, only a very small number of beams (for example, 5 beams, with beam indices of {10, 100, 200, 1000, 1500}) may have limited gain to the terminal, and the quantization bits corresponding to these 5 beams are respectively represented as {00000001010, 00001100100, 00011001000, 01111101000, 10111011100}. The present application re-matches the weights corresponding to this small number of beams to index numbers, for example, the weights of 5 beams correspond to indexes 1 to 5, and the corresponding quantization bits are {001, 010, 011, 100, 101}. In this way, in the third indication information sent by the network device, the index of a weight can be indicated by 3 bits, which greatly reduces the signaling overhead.

[0213] Fig.10 and Fig.11 Schematic diagram of possible devices provided by the embodiments of the present application. These devices can be used to implement the functions of the first device or network device in the above method embodiments, and thus can also achieve the beneficial effects possessed by the above method embodiments.

[0214] Fig.10 is a schematic block diagram of the device provided in the embodiment of the present application. Fig.10 As shown, the device 1000 includes a transceiver module 1010 and a processing module 1020 .

[0215] One possible design is that the device 1000 is used to implement the above Figure 2 or Fig. 9 The function of the first device in the method embodiment shown in FIG. For example, the device 1000 may correspond to Figure 1 The IRS device 120 in FIG.

[0216] Exemplarily, the transceiver module 1010 is used to: receive first indication information, the first indication information indicating a first weight, and indicating parameters of multiple weights determined by the first weight, and the multiple first time-frequency resources do not overlap; the processing module 1020 is used to: determine multiple weights corresponding to the multiple first time-frequency resources based on the first indication information.

[0217] Optionally, the transceiver module 1010 is further used to: receive a first parameter, where the first parameter is used to indicate information included in the first indication information.

[0218] Exemplarily, the transceiver module 1010 is used to: receive third indication information, the third indication information including an index of a third weight, and a third time-frequency resource corresponding to the index of the third weight; the processing module 1020 can be used to: determine the third weight corresponding to the third time-frequency resource based on the third indication information and the first mapping relationship.

[0219] For a more detailed description of the transceiver module 1010 and the processing module 1020, please refer to Figure 2 or Fig. 9 The relevant description in the illustrated embodiment is directly obtained and will not be repeated here.

[0220] Another possible design is that the device 1000 is used to implement the above Figure 2 or Fig. 9 The function of the network device in the method embodiment shown in FIG. For example, the device 1000 may correspond to Figure 1 The network device 110 in.

[0221] Exemplarily, the processing module 1020 is used to: generate first indication information, the first indication information indicates a first weight, and indicates parameters of multiple weights determined by the first weight, the multiple weights correspond to multiple first time-frequency resources, and the multiple first time-frequency resources do not overlap; the transceiver module 1010 is used to: send the first indication information.

[0222] Optionally, the transceiver module 1010 is used to: send a first parameter, where the first parameter is used to indicate information included in the first indication information.

[0223] Exemplarily, the processing module 1020 is used to: generate third indication information according to the beam management result, the third indication information including the index of the third weight and the third time-frequency resource corresponding to the index of the third weight; the transceiver module 1010 is used to: send the third indication information to the first device.

[0224] For a more detailed description of the transceiver module 1010 and the processing module 1020, please refer to Figure 2 or Fig. 9 The relevant description in the illustrated embodiment is directly obtained and will not be repeated here.

[0225] It should be noted that the device 1000 may include a sending module but not a receiving module. Alternatively, the device 1000 may include a receiving module but not a sending module. Specifically, it may depend on whether the above solution executed by the device 1000 includes a sending action and a receiving action. It is understandable that since the device 1000 has a communication function, it can also be called a communication device.

[0226] Fig.11is another schematic block diagram of the device provided in the embodiment of the present application. Fig.11 As shown, the device 1100 includes one or more processors 1110. The processor 1110 may be a general-purpose processor or a dedicated processor, etc. For example, it may be a baseband processor or a central processing unit. The baseband processor may be used to process the communication protocol and communication data, and the central processing unit may be used to control the device (such as the first device, network equipment or chip, etc.), execute the software program, and process the data of the software program.

[0227] Optionally, in one design, the processor 1110 may include a program (also referred to as code or instruction), which may be executed on the processor 1110 to enable the apparatus 1100 to perform the method performed by the first apparatus or network device in the above method embodiment. In another possible design, the apparatus 1100 includes a circuit ( Fig.11 (not shown), the circuit is used to implement the function of the first device or network device in the above method embodiment.

[0228] For example, the processor 1110 may be configured to execute computer programs or instructions in the memory to implement Figure 2 or Fig. 9 The steps performed by the first device or network device in the method embodiment shown in any one of the embodiments shown.

[0229] Optionally, the device 1100 may include one or more memories 1120 on which programs (sometimes also referred to as codes or instructions) are stored. The programs can be run on the processor 1110 so that the device 1100 executes the method executed by the first device or network device in the above embodiment.

[0230] Optionally, the processor 1110 and / or the memory 1120 may include an artificial intelligence (AI) module, and the AI ​​module is used to implement AI-related functions. The AI ​​module may be implemented by software, hardware, or a combination of software and hardware. For example, the AI ​​module may include a wireless intelligent controller (RIC) module. For example, the AI ​​module may be a near real-time RIC or a non-real-time RIC.

[0231] Optionally, data may also be stored in the processor 1110 and / or the memory 1120. The processor and the memory may be provided separately or integrated together.

[0232] Optionally, the device 1100 may further include a communication interface 1130. The processor 1110 may also be sometimes referred to as a processing unit, which controls a device (e.g., a first device or a network device). The communication interface 1130 may also be sometimes referred to as a transceiver unit, a transceiver, a transceiver circuit, or a transceiver, etc., which is used to implement the transceiver function of the device.

[0233] Optionally, the device 1100 further includes a communication interface 1130. The processor 1110 and the communication interface 1130 are coupled to each other. It can be understood that the communication interface 1130 can be a transceiver or an input-output interface.

[0234] It can be understood that since the device 1100 has a communication function, it can also be called a communication device.

[0235] When the device 1100 is used to implement Figure 2 or Figure 8 When the method is used, the processor 1110 is used to execute the functions of the above processing unit, and the communication interface 1130 is used to execute the functions of the above transceiver module. Whether the communication interface 1130 is used to send or receive can be determined by whether it is used to perform a sending action or a receiving action in the solution executed by the device 1100.

[0236] When the device 1100 is a chip applied to the first device, the chip implements the function of the first device in the method embodiment. The chip of the first device receives a signal from other modules (such as a radio frequency module or an antenna) in the first device, and the signal can be sent by a network device to the first device.

[0237] When the device 1100 is a chip applied to a network device, the chip implements the functions of the network device in the above method embodiment. The chip of the network device sends a signal to other modules (such as a radio frequency module or an antenna) in the network device, and the signal can be sent by the network device to the first device.

[0238] It can be understood that when the device 1100 is a first device or a network device, the communication interface 1130 can be a transceiver, which can specifically include a transmitter and a receiver, the transmitter is used to send signals, and the receiver is used to receive signals. When the device 1100 is a chip applied to the first device or the network device, the communication interface 1130 can be an input-output circuit, wherein the input circuit can be used for receiving, and the output interface can be used for sending.

[0239] The method provided in the above embodiment 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 may include 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 may be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network or other programmable device. The computer instructions may 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 may be transmitted from one website site, computer, server or data center to another website site, computer, server or data center by wired (e.g., coaxial cable, optical fiber, digital subscriber line (DSL)) or wireless (e.g., infrared, wireless, microwave, etc.) mode. The computer-readable storage medium may be any available medium that a computer can access or a data storage device such as a server or data center that includes one or more available media integrated. The available medium may be a magnetic medium (e.g., a floppy disk, a hard disk, a magnetic disk), an optical medium, or a semiconductor medium (e.g., a solid state disk (SSD)), etc.

[0240] The present application also provides a computer-readable medium on which a computer program is stored. When the computer program is executed by a computer, the steps of any of the above method embodiments are implemented.

[0241] The present application also provides a computer program product, which implements the steps of any of the above method embodiments when executed by a computer.

[0242] Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the units and algorithm steps of each example described in conjunction with the embodiments disclosed herein can be implemented in electronic hardware, or a combination of computer software and electronic hardware. Whether these functions are performed in hardware or software depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Professional and technical personnel can use different methods to implement the described functions for each specific application, but such implementation should not be considered to be beyond the scope of this application.

[0243] Those skilled in the art can clearly understand that, for the convenience and brevity of description, the specific working processes of the systems, devices and units described above can refer to the corresponding processes in the aforementioned method embodiments and will not be repeated here.

[0244] In the several embodiments provided in the present 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 only schematic. For example, the division of the units is only a logical function division. There may be other division methods in actual implementation, 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.

[0245] The units described as separate components may or may not be physically separated, and the components shown as units may or may not be physical units, that is, they may be located in one place or distributed on multiple network units. Some or all of the units may be selected according to actual needs to achieve the purpose of the solution of this embodiment.

[0246] 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.

[0247] If the functions are implemented in the form of software functional units and sold or used as independent products, they can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. Based on this understanding, the technical solution of the present application can be essentially or partly embodied in the form of a software product that contributes to the prior art. The computer software product is stored in a storage medium and includes several instructions for a computer device (which can be a personal computer, a server, or a network device, etc.) to perform all or part of the steps of the methods described in the various embodiments of the present application. The aforementioned storage media include: various media that can store program codes, such as USB flash drives, mobile hard disks, read-only memories (ROM), random access memories (RAM), magnetic disks or optical disks.

[0248] The above description is only a specific implementation manner of the present application, but the protection scope of the present application is not limited thereto. Any technician familiar with the technical field can easily think of changes or substitutions within the technical scope disclosed in the present application, which should be included in the protection scope of the present application.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that: Applied to a first device, the method comprises: receiving first indication information, the first indication information indicating a first weight and a parameter of a plurality of weights determined by the first weight, the plurality of weights corresponding to a plurality of first time-frequency resources, and the plurality of first time-frequency resources not overlapping; Based on the first indication information, multiple weights corresponding to the multiple first time-frequency resources are determined.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that: The parameters include a validity period of the first weight.

3. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The parameter includes a change in the index of the first weight.

4. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that The parameters also include the number of changes in the index of the first weight.

5. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that The parameters also include a validity period of the first weight.

6. The method according to claim 2 or 5, characterized in that: The parameters also include the number of periods during which the first weight is valid.

7. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that The parameters also include a validity period of each weight in a first weight set, wherein the first weight set includes a first weight and a weight determined based on a change amount of an index of the first weight and a number of changes of the index of the first weight.

8. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that The parameters also include the number of periods during which each weight in the first weight set is valid.

9. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that The first indication information further indicates a second weight, and indicates parameters of a plurality of weights determined by the second weight.

10. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that The method further comprises: A first parameter is received, where the first parameter is used to indicate information included in the first indication information.

11. A communication method, characterized in that: Applied to a network device, the method comprises: Generate first indication information, the first indication information indicating a first weight and a parameter of multiple weights determined by the first weight, the multiple weights corresponding to multiple first time-frequency resources, and the multiple first time-frequency resources do not overlap; Send the first indication information.

12. The method according to claim 11, characterized in that The parameters include a validity period of the first weight.

13. The method according to claim 12, characterized in that The parameter includes a change in the index of the first weight.

14. The method according to claim 13, characterized in that The parameters also include the number of changes in the index of the first weight.

15. The method according to claim 14, characterized in that The parameters also include a validity period of the first weight.

16. The method according to claim 12 or 15, characterized in that The parameters also include the number of periods during which the first weight is valid.

17. The method according to claim 15, characterized in that The parameters also include a validity period of each weight in a first weight set, wherein the first weight set includes a first weight and a weight determined based on a change amount of an index of the first weight and a number of changes of the index of the first weight.

18. The method according to claim 17, characterized in that The parameters also include the number of periods during which each weight in the first weight set is valid.

19. The method according to any one of claims 11 to 18, characterized in that The first indication information further indicates a second weight, and indicates parameters of a plurality of weights determined by the second weight.

20. The method according to any one of claims 11 to 19, characterized in that The method further comprises: A first parameter is sent, where the first parameter is used to indicate information included in the first indication information.

21. A communication device, characterized in that: Comprising modules for implementing the method as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 20.

22. A communication device, characterized in that: The device comprises a processor configured to cause the communication device to implement the method according to any one of claims 1 to 20 by executing a computer program and / or a logic circuit.

23. The device according to claim 22, characterized in that The system also includes a memory for storing a computer program and / or a configuration file of the logic circuit.

24. The device according to claim 22 or 23, characterized in that A communication interface is also included for inputting and / or outputting signals.

25. A computer-readable storage medium having a computer program stored thereon, characterized in that: When the computer program is executed by a processor, the method according to any one of claims 1 to 20 is performed.

26. A computer program product, characterized in that The invention comprises a computer program, and when the computer program is run, the method according to any one of claims 1 to 20 is performed.

27. A communication system, characterized in that: The method comprises a first device and a network device, wherein the first device is used to implement the method according to any one of claims 1 to 10, and the network device is used to implement the method according to any one of claims 11 to 20.

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