Uplink transmission method, wireless communication device and computer program product

Abstract

Disclosed herein is an uplink transmission method, a wireless communication apparatus, and a computer program product. The uplink transmission method includes: receiving a configuration by a wireless communication device from a base station, the configuration indicating a first carrier and a second carrier to the wireless communication device; the wireless communication device supporting transmission of a single-port uplink signal on the first carrier; the wireless communication device supporting transmission of a single-port uplink signal or a dual-port uplink signal on the second carrier; and in response to determining that the carrier on which the previous uplink transmission is located is different from the carrier indicated by scheduling information received from the base station, the wireless communication device switching to the carrier indicated by the scheduling information, wherein no uplink signal is transmitted on the first carrier or the second carrier within a switching time before transmitting a next uplink signal.

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional application of the Chinese patent application with application number "202080082989.9", application date "April 9, 2020", and title "System and method for signal transmission". Technical Field

[0002] The present disclosure relates generally to wireless communications and, more particularly, to systems and methods for signal transmission. Background Art

[0003] The 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP), a standards organization, is currently in the process of specifying a new air interface called 5G New Radio (5G NR) and the Next Generation Packet Core (NG-CN or NGC). 5G NR will have three main components: the 5G Access Network (5G-AN), the 5G Core (NGC), and the User Equipment (UE). To facilitate the implementation of different data services and requirements, the elements of the 5GC (also known as network functions) have been simplified, with some elements being software-based so that they can be adjusted as needed. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The example embodiments disclosed herein are intended to solve problems associated with one or more difficulties present in the prior art, as well as to provide additional features that will become apparent by reference to the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. According to various embodiments, example systems, methods, devices, and computer program products are disclosed herein. However, it should be understood that these embodiments are presented by way of example and not limitation, and it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art who have read this disclosure that various modifications may be made to the disclosed embodiments while remaining within the scope of this disclosure.

[0005] One aspect disclosed herein relates to a method for uplink signal transmission. In some embodiments, the method includes: in response to determining that the wireless communication device is in a first transmission method, the wireless communication device (e.g., Figure 1 In some embodiments, the method includes: in response to determining that the wireless communication device is in the second transmission method, supporting, by the wireless communication device, transmission of the single-port uplink signal or the dual-port uplink signal on the second carrier. In some embodiments, the method includes: determining, by the wireless communication device, based on scheduling information received from the base station, a transmission method to be used for transmitting the uplink signal, the transmission method including the first transmission method or the second transmission method.

[0006] In some embodiments, the method includes determining, by the wireless communication device, a transmission mode of the wireless communication device using a radio resource control (RRC) parameter received from a base station, wherein in response to determining that the RRC parameter indicates that the transmission mode is a first transmission mode, the wireless communication device supports transmitting a single-port uplink signal on a first carrier using a first transmission method.

[0007] In some embodiments, in response to determining that: a previous uplink transmission was transmitted using a first carrier; and based on scheduling information, the wireless communication device determines that a next uplink signal is to be transmitted on a second carrier at a next transmission opportunity, the wireless communication device: switches to a second transmission method; and within a time interval T before transmitting the next uplink signal, does not request to transmit any uplink signal using the first carrier or the second carrier; and in response to determining that: a previous uplink transmission was transmitted using the second carrier; and based on scheduling information, the wireless communication device determines that a next uplink signal is to be transmitted on the first carrier at a next transmission opportunity, the wireless communication device: switches to the first transmission method; and within a time interval T before transmitting the next uplink signal, does not request to transmit any uplink signal using the first carrier or the second carrier.

[0008] In some embodiments, in response to determining that: the wireless communication device is currently using the first transmission method; and based on scheduling information, the wireless communication device determines that the next uplink signal is to be transmitted on the second carrier at the next transmission opportunity, the wireless communication device: switches to the second transmission method; and within a time interval T before transmitting the next uplink signal, does not request to use the first carrier or the second carrier to transmit any uplink signal; and in response to determining that: the wireless communication device is currently using the second transmission method; and based on scheduling information, the wireless communication device determines that the next uplink signal is to be transmitted on the first carrier at the next transmission opportunity, the wireless communication device: switches to the first transmission method; and within a time interval T before transmitting the next uplink signal, does not request to use the first carrier or the second carrier to transmit any uplink signal.

[0009] In some embodiments, in response to determining that: the wireless communication device is currently using the first transmission method; and based on scheduling information, the wireless communication device determines to transmit a dual-port uplink signal on the second carrier at the next transmission opportunity, the wireless communication device: switches to the second transmission method; and within a time interval T before transmitting the dual-port uplink signal, does not request to use the first carrier or the second carrier to transmit any uplink signal; and in response to determining that: the wireless communication device is currently using the second transmission method; and based on scheduling information, the wireless communication device determines to transmit the next uplink signal on the first carrier at the next transmission opportunity, the wireless communication device: switches to the first transmission method; and within a time interval T before transmitting the next uplink signal, does not request to use the first carrier or the second carrier to transmit any uplink signal.

[0010] In some embodiments, in response to determining that: the time interval T corresponds to the first carrier; the wireless communication device is using the first transmission method before the uplink phase; and based on the scheduling information, the wireless communication device determines to transmit the next uplink signal in the uplink phase on the second carrier, the wireless communication device: switches to the second transmission method; and does not request to transmit any uplink signal using the first carrier or the second carrier within the time interval T before the start of the uplink phase; in response to determining that: the time interval T corresponds to the first carrier; the wireless communication device is using the second transmission method before the uplink phase; and based on the scheduling information, the wireless communication device determines to transmit the next uplink signal on the first carrier In the uplink phase, the wireless communication device: switches to the first transmission method; and, within a time interval T before the start of the uplink phase, does not request to transmit any uplink signal using the first carrier or the second carrier; and in response to determining that: the time interval T corresponds to the first carrier; the wireless communication device is using the second transmission method in the uplink phase; and based on the scheduling information, the wireless communication device determines to transmit the next uplink signal after the uplink phase on the first carrier, the wireless communication device: switches to the first transmission method; and, within a time interval T after the end of the uplink phase, does not request to transmit any uplink signal using the first carrier or the second carrier.

[0011] In some embodiments, in response to determining that: the time interval T corresponds to the second carrier; the wireless communication device is using the first transmission method before the uplink phase; and based on the scheduling information, the wireless communication device determines to transmit the next uplink signal on the second carrier in the uplink phase, the wireless communication device: switches to the second transmission method; and does not request to transmit any uplink signal using the first carrier or the second carrier within the time interval T after the start of the uplink phase; in response to determining that: the time interval T corresponds to the second carrier; the wireless communication device is using the second transmission method before the uplink phase; and based on the scheduling information, the wireless communication device determines to transmit the next uplink signal on the first carrier in the uplink phase In the uplink phase, the wireless communication device: switches to the first transmission method; and does not request to transmit any uplink signal using the first carrier or the second carrier within a time interval T after the start of the uplink phase; and in response to determining that: the time interval T corresponds to the second carrier; the wireless communication device is using the second transmission method in the uplink phase; and based on the scheduling information, the wireless communication device determines to transmit the next uplink signal after the uplink phase on the first carrier, the wireless communication device: switches to the first transmission method; and does not request to transmit any uplink signal using the first carrier or the second carrier within a time interval T before the end of the uplink phase.

[0012] In some embodiments, in response to determining that: the time interval T corresponds to the first carrier; the wireless communication device is using the first transmission method before the uplink phase; and based on the scheduling information, the wireless communication device determines to transmit the dual-port uplink signal on the second carrier in the uplink phase, the wireless communication device: switches to the second transmission method; and does not request to use the first carrier or the second carrier to transmit any uplink signal within the time interval T before the start of the uplink phase; in response to determining that: the time interval T corresponds to the first carrier; the wireless communication device is using the second transmission method before the uplink phase; and based on the scheduling information, the wireless communication device determines to transmit the dual-port uplink signal on the first carrier in the uplink phase In the uplink phase, the wireless communication device: switches to the first transmission method; and does not request to transmit any uplink signal using the first carrier or the second carrier before a time interval T before the start of the uplink phase; and in response to determining that: the time interval T corresponds to the first carrier; the wireless communication device is using the second transmission method in the uplink phase; and based on the scheduling information, the wireless communication device determines to transmit the next uplink signal after the uplink phase on the first carrier, the wireless communication device: switches to the first transmission method; and does not request to transmit any uplink signal using the first carrier or the second carrier within a time interval T after the end of the uplink phase.

[0013] In some embodiments, in response to determining that: the time interval T corresponds to the second carrier; the wireless communication device is using the first transmission method before the uplink phase; and based on the scheduling information, the wireless communication device determines to transmit the dual-port uplink signal on the second carrier in the uplink phase, the wireless communication device: switches to the second transmission method; and within the time interval T after the start of the uplink phase, does not request to use the first carrier or the second carrier to transmit any uplink signal; in response to determining that: the time interval T corresponds to the second carrier; the wireless communication device is using the second transmission method before the uplink phase; and based on the scheduling information, the wireless communication device determines to transmit the dual-port uplink signal on the first carrier in the uplink phase In the uplink phase, the wireless communication device: switches to the first transmission method; and does not request to transmit any uplink signal using the first carrier or the second carrier before a time interval T after the start of the uplink phase; and in response to determining that: the time interval T corresponds to the second carrier; the wireless communication device is using the second transmission method in the uplink phase; and based on the scheduling information, the wireless communication device determines to transmit the next uplink signal after the uplink phase on the first carrier, the wireless communication device: switches to the first transmission method; and does not request to transmit any uplink signal using the first carrier or the second carrier within a time interval T before the end of the uplink phase.

[0014] In some embodiments, the wireless communication device does not request to use the first carrier or the second carrier to transmit an uplink signal based on an uplink phase; the length of the uplink phase is a time slot length; the time slot length corresponds to the larger of a first parameter set of an activated bandwidth part (BWP) of the first carrier and a second parameter set of an activated BWP of the second carrier.

[0015] In some embodiments, in response to the wireless communication device switching the transmission method, the radio frequency switching time T is located in the boundary of the time slot or in a flexible symbol of the variable time slot.

[0016] In some embodiments, the wireless communication device is to transmit a first uplink signal using one of a first transmission method and a second transmission method, and is to transmit a second uplink signal using a different one of the first transmission method and the second transmission method; in response to determining that the time interval between the last symbol of the first uplink signal and the first symbol of the second uplink signal is less than the RF switching time T, the wireless communication device does not transmit the second uplink signal.

[0017] In some embodiments, the wireless communication device is to transmit a first uplink signal using one of a first transmission method and a second transmission method, and is to transmit a second uplink signal using a different one of the first transmission method and the second transmission method; in response to determining that: the time interval between the last symbol of the first signal and the first symbol of the second signal is less than the RF switching time T, and the second uplink signal is a terminal-self-transmitted uplink signal, the wireless communication device transmits the second uplink signal.

[0018] Another aspect disclosed herein relates to a method for managing uplink transmissions. In some embodiments, the method includes, while the wireless communication device is transmitting using a first transmission method, receiving, by a base station, a single-port uplink signal on a first carrier from the wireless communication device. In some embodiments, the method includes, while the wireless communication device is transmitting using a second transmission method, receiving, by the base station, a single-port uplink signal or a dual-port uplink signal on a second carrier from the wireless communication device. In some embodiments, the method includes, while the wireless communication device is transmitting using a second transmission method, transmitting, by the base station, scheduling information to the wireless communication device, the scheduling information indicating a transmission method to be used by the wireless communication device to transmit the uplink transmission, the transmission method including the first transmission method or the second transmission method.

[0019] In some embodiments, the method includes transmitting, by a base station, a radio resource control (RRC) parameter to the wireless communication device, the RRC parameter indicating a transmission mode of the wireless communication device. In some embodiments, the transmission mode is a first transmission mode, and the wireless communication device supports transmitting a single-port uplink signal on a first carrier using a first transmission method.

[0020] These and other aspects and embodiments thereof are described in more detail in the drawings, the description, and the claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] Various example embodiments of the present solution are described in detail below with reference to the following figures or drawings. The figures are provided for illustrative purposes only and depict only example embodiments of the present solution to facilitate the reader's understanding of the present solution. Therefore, the figures should not be considered limiting of the breadth, scope, or applicability of the present solution. It should be noted that for clarity and ease of illustration, these figures are not necessarily drawn to scale.

[0022] Figure 1 An example wireless communication network and / or system 100 is illustrated in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure, in which the techniques disclosed herein may be implemented.

[0023] Figure 2A block diagram of an example wireless communication system 200 for transmitting and receiving wireless communication signals (eg, OFDM / OFDMA signals) is illustrated in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0024] Figure 3 A block diagram illustrating example transmission of single-port and / or dual-port uplink signals on carrier 1 and carrier 2 according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0025] Figure 4 A block diagram illustrating example transmission of single-port and / or dual-port uplink signals on carrier 1 and carrier 2 according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0026] Figure 5 A block diagram illustrating example transmission of single-port and / or dual-port uplink signals on carrier 1 and carrier 2, where T corresponds to carrier 1, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0027] Figure 6 A block diagram illustrating example transmission of single-port and / or dual-port uplink signals on carrier 1 and carrier 2, where T corresponds to carrier 2, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0028] Figure 7 A block diagram illustrating example transmission of single-port and / or dual-port uplink signals on carrier 1 and carrier 2, where T corresponds to carrier 1, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0029] Figure 8 A block diagram illustrating example transmission of single-port and / or dual-port uplink signals on carrier 1 and carrier 2, where T corresponds to carrier 2, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0030] Figure 9 A block diagram illustrating example transmission of single-port and / or dual-port uplink signals on carrier 1 and carrier 2 according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0031] Figure 10 is a flow chart depicting a method for uplink signal transmission from the perspective of a wireless communication device according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0032] Figure 11 is a flow chart illustrating a method for managing uplink transmissions from the perspective of a wireless communication node. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0033] Various example embodiments of the present solution are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings to enable one of ordinary skill in the art to make and use the present solution. It will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art, after reading this disclosure, that various changes or modifications may be made to the examples described herein without departing from the scope of the present solution. Therefore, the present solution is not limited to the example embodiments and applications described and illustrated herein. In addition, the specific order and / or hierarchy of steps in the methods disclosed herein are merely example approaches. Based on design preferences, the specific order or hierarchy of steps of the disclosed methods or processes may be rearranged while remaining within the scope of the present solution. Therefore, one of ordinary skill in the art will understand that the methods and techniques disclosed herein present various steps or actions in a sample order, and unless expressly stated otherwise, the present solution is not limited to the specific order or hierarchy presented.

[0034] Throughout this disclosure, the following acronyms are used:

[0035] 3GPP Third Generation Partnership Project

[0036] 5G fifth-generation mobile network

[0037] 5G-AN 5G Access Network

[0038] 5G gNB Next Generation NodeB

[0039] BWP Bandwidth Part

[0040] DCI Downlink Control Information

[0041] DL Downlink or Downlink

[0042] DRX Discontinuous Reception

[0043] E-UTRA Evolved Universal Mobile Telecommunications System Terrestrial RA

[0044] eMBB enhanced mobile broadband

[0045] eNB Evolved NodeB

[0046] ETSI European Telecommunications Standards Institute

[0047] LTE Long Term Evolution

[0048] MAC Media Access Control

[0049] MIMO Multiple Input Multiple Output

[0050] MSC Mobile Switching Center

[0051] NAS Non-Access Stratum

[0052] NR Next-Generation RAN

[0053] OFDM Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing

[0054] OFDMA Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access

[0055] OSI Open Systems Interconnection

[0056] PDCCH Physical Downlink Control Channel

[0057] PDCP Packet Data Convergence Protocol

[0058] PDSCH Physical Downlink Shared Channel

[0059] PUCCH Physical Uplink Control Channel

[0060] PUSCH Physical Uplink Shared Channel

[0061] RA Radio Access

[0062] RF radio frequency

[0063] RLC Radio Link Control

[0064] RRC Radio Resource Control

[0065] SRI SRS resource indicator

[0066] SRS Sounding Reference Signal

[0067] UE User Equipment

[0068] UL Uplink or Uplink

[0069] In some embodiments, a 5G NR environment may include a base station (e.g., Figure 1 BS102 in ), which is a terminal (e.g., Figure 1 The UE 104 in the system configures (e.g., initializes, sets, adjusts, etc.) two carriers, namely carrier 1 and carrier 2. In some embodiments, carrier 1 can be a long term evolution (LTE) carrier or an NR carrier, and carrier 2 can be an NR carrier. In order to fully utilize the multiple input multiple output (MIMO) technology of the NR system, the terminal uses two antenna ports to send a dual-port uplink signal on carrier 2. In some embodiments, sending a dual-port uplink signal on carrier 2 requires the terminal to be configured with two RF chain sets. In addition, the terminal may need one RF chain set to send a single-port uplink signal on carrier 1. If the terminal sends uplink signals on carrier 1 and carrier 2 at the same time, the terminal may need to configure a total of three RF chain sets.

[0070] However, configuring multiple (in this case, three) radio chain sets may result in higher terminal costs for manufacturing 5G NR environments. Therefore, a mechanism is needed to configure the terminal to fully utilize the advantages of MIMO technology on one carrier (e.g., carrier 2) without increasing terminal costs.

[0071] Accordingly, the present disclosure relates to systems and methods for configuring a terminal to fully utilize the advantages of MIMO technology on one carrier (eg, carrier 2) without increasing the cost of the terminal.

[0072] In addition, in the LTE protocol, in some embodiments, the PDCCH can be configured only on the first 3 symbols of each subframe. To further improve the flexibility of the system, the 5G NR protocol removes this restriction, and the PDCCH can be configured anywhere in the time slot. For example, there is a typical design in which the base station configures two parts of the PDCCH in each time slot, with the first part of the PDCCH at the beginning of the time slot, such as on the 1st symbol of the time slot; the second part configures the PDCCH in the middle of the time slot, such as on the 8th symbol of the time slot. Configuring multiple parts of the PDCCH in the time slot can improve system flexibility and reduce service scheduling delays.

[0073] The PDCCH carries DCI, and the NR protocol defines multiple DCIs in different formats. In some embodiments, DCI can be used to indicate terminal status information. In some embodiments, the terminal can determine whether the terminal status needs to be updated based on status information indicated by the base station (such as entering DRX active time, entering the sleep bandwidth part (BWP), etc.).

[0074] However, because the PDCCH in the 5G NR protocol can be configured at any position, the terminal may need to be prepared to update the terminal status at any position where the DCI carrying DCI indicating the terminal status information may be received, which requires the terminal to implement higher complexity. Therefore, a mechanism is needed to reduce the implementation complexity of the terminal while enabling the terminal to meet the flexibility of the 5G NR configuration of the 5G NR system.

[0075] Accordingly, the present disclosure also relates to a system and method for reducing the implementation complexity of a terminal while enabling the terminal to meet the flexibility of the 5G NR configuration of the 5G NR system.

[0076] 1. Mobile communication technology and environment

[0077] Figure 1An example wireless communication network and / or system 100 is illustrated in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure, in which the techniques disclosed herein may be implemented. In the following discussion, the wireless communication network 100 may be any wireless network, such as a cellular network or a narrowband Internet of Things (NB-IoT) network, and is referred to herein as "network 100." Such an example network 100 includes a base station 102 (hereinafter referred to as "BS 102"; also referred to as a wireless communication node) and a user equipment 104 (hereinafter referred to as "UE 104"; also referred to as a wireless communication device) that may communicate with each other via a communication link 110 (e.g., a wireless communication channel), and a cluster of cells 126, 130, 132, 134, 136, 138, and 140 covering a geographic area 101. In Figure 1 1 , BS 102 and UE 104 are contained within the respective geographic boundaries of cell 126. Each of the other cells 130, 132, 134, 136, 138, and 140 may include at least one base station operating within its allocated bandwidth to provide adequate radio coverage to its intended users.

[0078] For example, BS 102 can operate under the allocated channel transmission bandwidth to provide sufficient coverage to UE 104. BS 102 and UE 104 can communicate via downlink radio frames 118 and uplink radio frames 124, respectively. Each radio frame 118 / 124 can be further divided into subframes 120 / 127, which can include data symbols 122 / 128. In the present disclosure, BS 102 and UE 104 are generally described herein as non-limiting examples of "communication nodes" that can practice the methods disclosed herein. According to various embodiments of the present solution, such communication nodes can be capable of wireless and / or wired communication.

[0079] Figure 2 A block diagram of an example wireless communication system 200 for transmitting and receiving wireless communication signals (e.g., OFDM / OFDMA signals) according to some embodiments of the present solution is illustrated. The system 200 may include components and elements configured to support known or conventional operating features that need not be described in detail herein. In one illustrative embodiment, the system 200 may be used in applications such as Figure 1 The data symbols are transmitted (eg, transmitted and received) in the wireless communication environment 100 of the wireless communication environment, as described above.

[0080] System 200 generally includes a base station 202 (hereinafter referred to as "BS 202") and a user equipment 204 (hereinafter referred to as "UE 204"). BS 202 includes a BS (base station) transceiver module 210, a BS antenna 212, a BS processor module 214, a BS memory module 216, and a network communication module 218, each of which is coupled to and interconnected with each other via a data communication bus 220 as needed. UE 204 includes a UE (user equipment) transceiver module 230, a UE antenna 232, a UE memory module 234, and a UE processor module 236, each of which is coupled to and interconnected with each other via a data communication bus 240 as needed. BS 202 communicates with UE 204 via a communication channel 250, which can be any wireless channel or other medium suitable for data transmission as described herein.

[0081] As will be understood by those skilled in the art, the system 200 may also include Figure 2 Any number of modules other than the modules shown. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the various illustrative blocks, modules, circuits, and processing logic described in conjunction with the embodiments disclosed herein can be implemented in hardware, computer-readable software, firmware, or any actual combination thereof. In order to clearly illustrate this interchangeability and compatibility of hardware, firmware, and software, various illustrative components, blocks, modules, circuits, and steps are generally described in terms of their functionality. Whether this functionality is implemented as hardware, firmware, or software can depend on the specific application and the design constraints imposed on the entire system. A technician familiar with the concepts described herein can implement this functionality in an appropriate manner for each specific application, but this implementation decision should not be interpreted as limiting the scope of this disclosure.

[0082] According to some embodiments, the UE transceiver 230 may be referred to herein as an "uplink" transceiver 230 and includes a radio frequency (RF) transmitter and an RF receiver, each including circuitry coupled to an antenna 232. A duplex switch (not shown) may alternately couple the uplink transmitter or receiver to the uplink antenna in a time-duplexed manner. Similarly, according to some embodiments, the BS transceiver 210 may be referred to herein as a "downlink" transceiver 210 and includes a radio frequency (RF) transmitter and an RF receiver, each including circuitry coupled to an antenna 212. The downlink duplex switch may alternately couple the downlink transmitter or receiver to the downlink antenna 212 in a time-division duplexed manner. The operation of the two transceiver modules 210 and 230 may be coordinated in time such that while the downlink transmitter is coupled to the downlink antenna 212, the uplink receiver circuitry is coupled to the uplink antenna 232 for receiving transmissions over the wireless transmission link 250. Conversely, the operation of the two transceiver modules 210 and 230 can be coordinated in time such that while the uplink transmitter is coupled to the uplink antenna 232, the downlink receiver is coupled to the downlink antenna 212 to receive transmissions over the wireless transmission link 250. In some embodiments, there is tight time synchronization with minimal guard times between changes in duplex direction.

[0083] The UE transceiver 230 and the base station transceiver 210 are configured to communicate via a wireless data communication link 250 and to cooperate with appropriately configured RF antenna arrangements 212 / 232 capable of supporting specific wireless communication protocols and modulation schemes. In some illustrative embodiments, the UE transceiver 230 and the base station transceiver 210 are configured to support industry standards such as Long Term Evolution (LTE) and emerging 5G standards. However, it should be understood that the present disclosure is not necessarily limited in application to specific standards and associated protocols. More specifically, the UE transceiver 230 and the base station transceiver 210 can be configured to support alternative or additional wireless data communication protocols, including future standards or variations thereof.

[0084] According to various embodiments, BS202 can be, for example, an evolved Node B (eNB), a serving eNB, a target eNB, a femto station, or a micro station. According to some embodiments, UE 204 can be embodied in various types of user equipment, such as mobile phones, smart phones, personal digital assistants (PDAs), tablet computers, laptop computers, wearable computing devices, etc. Processor modules 214 and 236 can be implemented or realized using a general-purpose processor, content addressable memory, a digital signal processor, an application-specific integrated circuit, a field programmable gate array, any suitable programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof designed to perform the functions described herein. In this way, the processor can be implemented as a microprocessor, a controller, a microcontroller, a state machine, or the like. The processor can also be implemented as a combination of computing devices, for example, a combination of a digital signal processor and a microprocessor, a plurality of microprocessors, one or more microprocessors combined with a digital signal processor core, or any other such configuration.

[0085] Furthermore, the steps of the methods or algorithms described in conjunction with the embodiments disclosed herein may be embodied directly in hardware, firmware, or software modules executed by processor modules 214 and 236, respectively, or any practical combination thereof. Memory modules 216 and 234 may be implemented as RAM memory, flash memory, ROM memory, EPROM memory, EEPROM memory, registers, a hard disk, a removable disk, a CD-ROM, or any other form of storage medium known in the art. In this regard, memory modules 216 and 234 may be coupled to processor modules 210 and 230, respectively, such that processor modules 210 and 230 can read information from and write information to memory modules 216 and 234, respectively. Memory modules 216 and 234 may also be integrated into their respective processor modules 210 and 230. In some embodiments, memory modules 216 and 234 may each include a cache memory for storing temporary variables or other intermediate information during the execution of instructions executed by processor modules 210 and 230, respectively. Memory modules 216 and 234 may also each include non-volatile memory for storing instructions to be executed by processor modules 210 and 230, respectively.

[0086] The network communication module 218 generally represents the hardware, software, firmware, processing logic and / or other components of the base station 202 that enable two-way communication between the BS transceiver 210 and other network components and the communication nodes configured to communicate with the base station 202. For example, the network communication module 218 can be configured to support Internet or WiMAX traffic. In a typical deployment, without limitation, the network communication module 218 provides an 802.3 Ethernet interface so that the base station transceiver 210 can communicate with a computer network based on conventional Ethernet. In this way, the network communication module 218 can include a physical interface for connecting to a computer network (e.g., a mobile switching center (MSC)). As used herein with respect to a specified operation or function, the terms "configured for...", "configured to..." and their variations refer to a device, component, circuit, structure, machine, signal, etc. that is physically constructed, programmed, formatted and / or arranged to perform a specified operation or function.

[0087] The Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) model (referred to herein as the "OSI model") is a concept and logical arrangement that defines network communications used by systems (e.g., wireless communication devices, wireless communication nodes) that are open to interconnection and communication with other systems. The model is broken down into seven subcomponents or layers, each of which represents a conceptual set of services provided to the layers above and below it. The OSI model also defines a logical network and effectively describes computer packet transmission using different layer protocols. The OSI model may also be referred to as a seven-layer OSI model or a seven-layer model. In some embodiments, the first layer may be a physical layer. In some embodiments, the second layer may be a media access control (MAC) layer. In some embodiments, the third layer may be a radio link control (RLC) layer. In some embodiments, the fourth layer may be a packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) layer. In some embodiments, the fifth layer may be a radio resource control (RRC) layer. In some embodiments, the sixth layer may be one of a non-access stratum (NAS) layer or an Internet Protocol (IP) layer, and the seventh layer is another layer.

[0088] 2. Terminals equipped with MIMO technology

[0089] This section of the disclosure describes various configuration cases in which a terminal (e.g., Figure 1 UE 104 in the embodiment can take advantage of MIMO technology on one carrier (e.g., carrier 2) without increasing terminal cost. Any features and / or functions of a configuration case can be combined with any number of features and / or functions of one or more other configuration cases in any order.

[0090] 2.1 Configuration Example 1

[0091] As discussed in more detail below, in some embodiments, an uplink signal transmission method may include: Figure 1 BS102 in the configuration of the terminal (for example, Figure 1 UE 104 in FIG. 1 has two carriers, namely, carrier 1 and carrier 2. In some embodiments, the terminal may support only a single-port uplink signal on carrier 1. In some embodiments, the terminal may support a single-port uplink signal or a dual-port uplink signal on carrier 2. In some embodiments, the terminal may determine an uplink transmission method, namely, the first transmission method or the second transmission method, based on scheduling information from the base station.

[0092] 2.1.1 Example Embodiments

[0093] In some embodiments, a base station (e.g., Figure 1 BS102 in ) can be a terminal (eg, Figure 1 UE 104 in the UE 104 configures (e.g., initializes, sets, adjusts, etc.) two carriers, namely carrier 1 and carrier 2. In some embodiments, carrier 1 can be an LTE carrier or an NR carrier, and carrier 2 can be an NR carrier.

[0094] When carrier 1 is an LTE carrier and carrier 2 is an NR carrier, in some embodiments, the base station can configure the terminal with EN-DC (e.g., E-UTRA NR dual connectivity using MCG of E-UTRA and SCG of NR). In the case where carrier 1 is an NR carrier and carrier 2 is an NR carrier, in some embodiments, the base station can configure the terminal with carrier aggregation (CA) operation.

[0095] In some embodiments, a terminal on carrier 1 may only support sending (e.g., transmitting, delivering, etc.) a single-port uplink signal; in some embodiments, a terminal on carrier 2 may support sending either a single-port uplink signal or a dual-port uplink signal. In some embodiments, a terminal may use one antenna port to send a single-port uplink signal and two antenna ports to send a dual-port uplink signal. For additional details on antenna ports, refer to 3GPP protocol TS 38.211.

[0096] In some embodiments, the uplink signal may include at least one of: a physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH), a physical uplink control channel (PUCCH), a physical random access channel (PRACH), and a sounding reference signal (SRS).

[0097] In some embodiments, the single-port uplink signal may include at least one of the following: PUCCH, PRACH, single-port SRS, PUSCH scheduled in DCI format 0_0, PUSCH, with precoding matrix PUSCH.

[0098] For non-codebook based UL transmission, in some embodiments, a single-port uplink signal may include a PUSCH scheduled by DCI format 0_1 ​​or DCI format 0_2, and the SRI field of the DCI format 0_1 ​​or DCI format 0_2 indicates only one SRS resource.

[0099] For codebook-based UL transmission, in some embodiments, a single-port uplink signal may include a PUSCH scheduled by DCI format 0_1 ​​or DCI format 0_2, and the SRI field of the DCI format 0_1 ​​or DCI format 0_2 indicates a single-port SRS resource.

[0100] In some embodiments, the dual-port uplink signal may include at least one of the following: a PUSCH scheduled in DCI format 0_1, a PUSCH scheduled in DCI format 0_1 ​​or DCI format 0_2 with a precoding matrix other than PUSCH scheduled in DCI format 0_1 ​​or DCI format 0_2 with a precoding matrix other than 0_1.

[0101] For non-codebook based UL transmission, in some embodiments, the dual-port uplink signal may include a PUSCH scheduled by DCI format 0_1 ​​or DCI format 0_2, and in some embodiments, the SRI field of the DCI format 0_1 ​​or DCI format 0_2 may indicate two SRS resources.

[0102] For codebook-based UL transmission, in some embodiments, the dual-port uplink signal may include a PUSCH scheduled by DCI format 0_1 ​​or DCI format 0_2, and in some embodiments, the SRI field of the DCI format 0_1 ​​or DCI format 0_2 may indicate a dual-port SRS resource.

[0103] In some embodiments, the terminal may determine the uplink transmission method, ie, the first transmission method or the second transmission method, according to scheduling information of the base station.

[0104] In some embodiments, the scheduling information may include at least one of the following: DCI (eg, PUSCH scheduling information included in the DCI) and RRC signaling (eg, service request (SR) configuration information carried in the RRC signaling).

[0105] 2.2 Configuration Case 2

[0106] According to Case 1 (as discussed herein), when the terminal uses or is in the first transmission method, in some embodiments, the terminal may support sending a single-port uplink signal on carrier 1. When the terminal uses or is in the second transmission method, in some embodiments, the terminal may support sending a single-port uplink signal or a dual-port uplink signal on carrier 2.

[0107] 2.2.1 Example Embodiments

[0108] In some embodiments, the base station may configure two uplink carriers for the terminal through RRC signaling, namely, carrier 1 and carrier 2. In some embodiments, the terminal may include two transmission methods, namely, a first transmission method and a second transmission method. When the terminal is in the first transmission method, in some embodiments, the terminal may support sending a single-port uplink signal on carrier 1. When the terminal is in the second transmission method, in some embodiments, the terminal may support sending a single-port uplink signal or a dual-port uplink signal on carrier 2.

[0109] Generally speaking, carrier 1 can be a carrier with a lower center frequency, used to ensure uplink coverage of the network. In some embodiments, it is not necessary to support MIMO technology on carrier 1. Therefore, when transmitting uplink signals on carrier 1, only one RF chain set may be required. Carrier 2 can be a carrier with a higher center frequency and a larger bandwidth. In some embodiments, it is used to increase the uplink rate of the network. MIMO technology can be supported on carrier 2. Therefore, when transmitting uplink signals on carrier 2, up to two RF chain sets may be required.

[0110] In some embodiments, a terminal may include a total of two RF chain sets. When the terminal is in the first transmission method, one RF chain set may be reserved for carrier 1 to transmit uplink signals, and another RF chain set may be reserved for carrier 2. The terminal may use the RF chain reserved for carrier 1 to transmit a single-port uplink signal on carrier 1. However, when the terminal is in the first transmission method, the terminal may not be allowed to transmit uplink signals on carrier 2.

[0111] When the terminal is in the second transmission method, two RF chain sets of the terminal may be reserved for carrier 2 to transmit uplink signals. In some embodiments, the terminal may use the RF chains reserved for carrier 2 to transmit single-port uplink signals or dual-port uplink signals on carrier 2.

[0112] Using this implementation, the terminal can determine the transmission method based on which carrier the uplink signal is transmitted on, which helps simplify the terminal implementation. In some embodiments, the specific judgment criteria can be: when the terminal transmits an uplink signal on carrier 1, the terminal is in the first transmission method; and / or when the terminal transmits an uplink signal on carrier 2, the terminal is in the second transmission method.

[0113] 2.3 Configuration Case 3

[0114] According to Case 1 (as discussed herein), when the terminal is in the first transmission method, in some embodiments, the terminal may support sending a single-port uplink signal on carrier 1; the terminal may support sending a single-port uplink signal on carrier 2; and / or the terminal may support simultaneous transmission of a single-port uplink signal on carrier 1 and carrier 2. When the terminal is in the second transmission method, in some embodiments, the terminal may support sending a single-port uplink signal or a dual-port uplink signal on carrier 2.

[0115] 2.3.1 Example Embodiments

[0116] In some embodiments, the base station may configure two uplink carriers for the terminal through RRC signaling, namely carrier 1 and carrier 2. The terminal may include two transmission methods, namely a first transmission method and a second transmission method.

[0117] When the terminal is in the first transmission method: the terminal can support sending a single-port uplink signal on carrier 1; the terminal can support sending a single-port uplink signal on carrier 2; the terminal can support sending a single-port uplink signal on both carrier 1 and carrier 2. When the terminal is in the second transmission method, the terminal can support sending a single-port uplink signal or a dual-port uplink signal on carrier 2.

[0118] Generally speaking, carrier 1 can be a carrier with a lower center frequency, which can be used to ensure uplink coverage of the network. In some embodiments, it is not necessary to support MIMO technology on carrier 1. Therefore, when transmitting uplink signals on carrier 1, only one RF chain set may be required. Carrier 2 can be a carrier with a higher center frequency and a larger bandwidth. It can be used to increase the uplink rate of the network. MIMO technology can be supported on carrier 2. Therefore, when transmitting uplink signals on carrier 2, up to two RF chain sets may be required.

[0119] The terminal may include a total of two RF chain sets. When the terminal is in the first transmission method, in some embodiments, one RF chain set may be reserved for carrier 1 to transmit uplink signals, and in some embodiments, another RF chain set may be reserved for carrier 2. In some embodiments, the terminal may use the RF chain reserved for carrier 1 to transmit a single-port uplink signal on carrier 1. In some embodiments, the terminal may use the RF chain reserved for carrier 2 to transmit a single-port uplink signal on carrier 2. In some embodiments, the terminal may transmit a single-port uplink signal on both carrier 1 and carrier 2 simultaneously. For example, a single-port PUSCH is transmitted on carrier 1, while another single-port PUSCH is transmitted on carrier 2.

[0120] When the terminal is in the second transmission method, two RF chain sets of the terminal may be reserved for carrier 2 to transmit uplink signals. The terminal may use the RF chains reserved for carrier 2 to transmit single-port uplink signals or dual-port uplink signals on carrier 2.

[0121] By using this implementation, the terminal can make maximum use of the radio frequency chain and improve the uplink transmission efficiency of the system.

[0122] 2.4 Configuration Case 4

[0123] According to Case 1 (as discussed herein), the terminal may determine the transmission mode of the terminal, i.e., the first transmission mode or the second transmission mode, by using an RRC parameter sent by the base station. In response to determining that the RRC parameter indicates that the transmission mode is the first transmission mode, the wireless communication device supports transmitting a single-port uplink signal on the first carrier using the first transmission method. In some embodiments, the RRC parameter may be part of the scheduling information. In some embodiments, the transmission mode (as used herein) may be different from the transmission method (as used herein).

[0124] 2.4.1 Example Embodiments

[0125] In some embodiments, the base station may configure one of the first transmission mode and the second transmission mode for the terminal through RRC signaling. When the RRC signaling is configured with the second transmission mode, then in some embodiments, the terminal does not support the simultaneous transmission of a single-port uplink signal on carrier 1 and carrier 2. When the RRC signaling is configured with the first transmission mode, the terminal may support the simultaneous transmission of a single-port uplink signal on carrier 1 and carrier 2.

[0126] In one embodiment, the base station may configure one of the first transmission mode and the second transmission mode for the terminal through RRC signaling. When the RRC signaling is configured for the second transmission mode, the terminal may send a single-port uplink signal on carrier 2 to trigger the terminal to switch the transmission method. When the RRC signaling is configured for the first transmission mode, the single-port uplink signal on carrier 2 does not trigger the terminal to switch the transmission method.

[0127] The first transmission mode can help improve uplink transmission efficiency, while the second transmission mode can help simplify terminal implementation. The base station can flexibly configure the first transmission mode or the second transmission mode for the terminal through RRC signaling, which can help improve network flexibility.

[0128] 2.5 Configuration Case 5

[0129] In the first scenario, where the terminal's last uplink transmission was on carrier 1, if the terminal determines, based on scheduling information from the base station, that it will transmit the next uplink signal on carrier 2 at the next transmission opportunity, then in some embodiments, the terminal does not request to transmit any uplink signal using carrier 1 or carrier 2 for a time interval T before transmitting the next uplink signal. In the second scenario, where the terminal's last uplink transmission was on carrier 2, if the terminal will transmit the next uplink signal on carrier 1 at the next transmission opportunity, then in some embodiments, the terminal does not request to transmit any uplink signal using carrier 1 or carrier 2 for a time interval T before transmitting the next uplink signal. The time interval T is used by the UE to switch transmission methods. For example, if a wireless communication device determines that the previous uplink transmission was transmitted using a first carrier (e.g., carrier 1), and based on scheduling information, the wireless communication device determines to transmit the next uplink signal on a second carrier (e.g., carrier 2) at the next transmission opportunity, the wireless communication device may: switch to the second transmission method; and, for a time interval T before transmitting the next uplink signal, do not request to transmit any uplink signal using the first carrier or the second carrier. As another example, if the wireless communication device determines that the previous uplink transmission was transmitted using the second carrier, and based on the scheduling information, the wireless communication device determines to transmit the next uplink signal at the next transmission opportunity on the first carrier, the wireless communication device can: switch to the first transmission method; and within the time interval T before transmitting the next uplink signal, not request to transmit any uplink signal using the first carrier or the second carrier.

[0130] 2.6 Configuration Case 6

[0131] In a first scenario where a terminal is using a first transmission method, if, based on scheduling information from a base station, the terminal is to transmit an uplink signal on carrier 2 at the next transmission opportunity, then in some embodiments, the terminal does not request to transmit any uplink signal using carrier 1 or carrier 2 for a time interval T before transmitting the next uplink signal. In a second scenario where a terminal is using a second transmission method, if, based on scheduling information from a base station, the terminal is to transmit an uplink signal on carrier 1 at the next transmission opportunity, then in some embodiments, the terminal does not request to transmit any uplink signal using carrier 1 or carrier 2 for a time interval T before transmitting the next uplink signal. The time interval T is used by the UE to switch transmission methods. For example, if a wireless communication device is currently using the first transmission method and, based on scheduling information, the wireless communication device determines to transmit the next uplink signal on a second carrier (e.g., carrier 2) at the next transmission opportunity, the wireless communication device may: switch to the second transmission method; and, for a time interval T before transmitting the next uplink signal, not request to transmit any uplink signal using the first carrier (e.g., carrier 1) or the second carrier. As another example, if the wireless communication device determines that the wireless communication device is currently using the second transmission method, and based on the scheduling information, the wireless communication device determines to transmit the next uplink signal on the first carrier at the next transmission opportunity, the wireless communication device can: switch to the first transmission method; and within the time interval T before transmitting the next uplink signal, not request to use the first carrier or the second carrier to transmit any uplink signal.

[0132] 2.6.1 Example Embodiments

[0133] In some embodiments, the base station may configure two uplink carriers for the terminal through RRC signaling, namely carrier 1 and carrier 2. The terminal may include two transmission methods, namely a first transmission method and a second transmission method.

[0134] In some embodiments, a terminal may include a total of two RF chain sets. When the terminal is in a first transmission method, one RF chain set may be reserved for carrier 1 to transmit uplink signals, and another RF chain set may be reserved for carrier 2. When the terminal is in a second transmission method, both RF chain sets of the terminal may be reserved for carrier 2 to transmit uplink signals. When switching transmission methods, in some embodiments, the terminal's RF chains may need to be switched accordingly. Specifically, when the terminal switches from the first transmission method to the second transmission method, in some embodiments, the terminal may need to switch one RF chain set reserved for carrier 1 to carrier 2. When the terminal switches from the second transmission method to the first transmission method, in some embodiments, the terminal may need to switch the RF chain set reserved for carrier 2 to carrier 1. When switching RF chains, in some embodiments, the terminal may require a certain RF switching time. During this switching time, in some embodiments, the terminal does not request (e.g., refrains from) transmitting uplink signals on carrier 1 and carrier 2. The switching time here may be T, where T ≥ 0.

[0135] Figure 3 A block diagram illustrating example transmission of single-port and / or dual-port uplink signals on carrier 1 and carrier 2 according to some embodiments of the present disclosure is shown. Figure 3 As shown, initially, the terminal may transmit PUCCH on carrier 1 (sometimes referred to as the “first carrier”). Figure 3 The terminal may use one antenna port to transmit the PUCCH. At this time, the terminal may be in the first transmission method, and the terminal may reserve one radio frequency chain for carrier 1 and carrier 2 respectively. The terminal may receive scheduling information from the base station via DCI, and the scheduling information instructs the terminal to transmit the PUSCH on carrier 2 (sometimes referred to as the "second carrier") at the next transmission opportunity. Figure 3 To prepare for transmitting PUSCH1 on carrier 2, the terminal may switch from the first transmission method to the second transmission method, i.e., retaining two RF chain sets for carrier 2. The time T preceding PUSCH1 may be used by the terminal to switch RF chains. During this switching time, in some embodiments, the terminal does not request uplink signals on carriers 1 and 2.

[0136] Thereafter, the terminal may receive scheduling information from the base station via DCI, and the scheduling information instructs the terminal to transmit a PUCCH (denoted as PUCCH2) on carrier 1 at the next transmission opportunity. At this point, the terminal may be in the second transmission method, and both RF chains may be reserved for carrier 2. To prepare for transmitting PUCCH2 on carrier 1, the terminal may switch from the second transmission method to the first transmission method, which involves switching one of the RF chains reserved for carrier 2 to carrier 1. The T time before PUCCH2 is used by the terminal to switch RF chains. During this switching time, in some embodiments, the terminal does not request to transmit uplink signals on carrier 1 and carrier 2.

[0137] Similarly, the terminal may receive scheduling information from the base station via DCI, and the scheduling information instructs the terminal to transmit PUSCH (denoted as PUSCH2) on carrier 2 at the next transmission timing. At this time, the terminal may switch from the first transmission method to the second transmission method.

[0138] Depending on the scheduling information, a single-port uplink signal or a dual-port uplink signal can be transmitted on carrier 2. In this embodiment, in some embodiments, the terminal does not need to determine whether a single-port uplink signal or a dual-port uplink signal is scheduled on carrier 2. As long as the scheduling information instructs the terminal to send an uplink signal on carrier 2, the terminal switches to the second transmission method. This can help simplify the implementation of the terminal.

[0139] 2.7 Configuration Case 7

[0140] In a first scenario where a terminal is using a first transmission method, if, based on scheduling information from a base station, the terminal will transmit a dual-port uplink signal on carrier 2 at the next transmission opportunity, then, during a time interval T before transmitting the dual-port uplink signal, the terminal does not request to transmit any uplink signal using carrier 1 or carrier 2. In a second scenario where a terminal is using a second transmission method, if, based on scheduling information from a base station, the terminal will transmit the next uplink signal on carrier 1 at the next transmission opportunity, then, during a time interval T before transmitting the next uplink signal, the terminal does not request to transmit any uplink signal using carrier 1 or carrier 2. The time interval T is used by the UE to switch transmission methods. For example, if a wireless communication device determines that the wireless communication device is currently using the first transmission method and, based on scheduling information, the wireless communication device determines to transmit a dual-port uplink signal on the second carrier at the next transmission opportunity, the wireless communication device may: switch to the second transmission method; and, during a time interval T before transmitting the dual-port uplink signal, not request to transmit any uplink signal using the first carrier or the second carrier. As another example, if the wireless communication device is currently using the second transmission method and, based on scheduling information, the wireless communication device determines to transmit a next uplink signal on the first carrier at the next transmission opportunity, the wireless communication device may: switch to the first transmission method; and, within a time interval T before transmitting the next uplink signal, not request to transmit any uplink signal using the first carrier or the second carrier.

[0141] 2.7.1 Example Embodiments

[0142] In some embodiments, a terminal may include a total of two RF chain sets. When the terminal is in a first transmission method, one RF chain set may be reserved for carrier 1 to transmit uplink signals, and another RF chain set may be reserved for carrier 2. When the terminal is in a second transmission method, both RF chain sets of the terminal may be reserved for carrier 2 to transmit uplink signals. When switching transmission methods, the terminal's RF chains may need to be switched accordingly. Specifically, when the terminal switches from the first transmission method to the second transmission method, the terminal may need to switch the RF chain set reserved for carrier 1 to carrier 2. When the terminal switches from the second transmission method to the first transmission method, the terminal may need to switch the RF chain set reserved for carrier 2 to carrier 1. Switching RF chains may require a certain switching time. During this switching time, in some embodiments, the terminal does not request to transmit uplink signals on carrier 1 or carrier 2. The switching time may be T, where T ≥ 0. That is, within the time interval t, the terminal does not request to transmit any uplink signals using carrier 1 or carrier 2.

[0143] Figure 4A block diagram illustrating example transmission of single-port and / or dual-port uplink signals on carrier 1 and carrier 2 according to some embodiments of the present disclosure is shown. Figure 4 As shown, at the beginning, the terminal can send PUCCH on carrier 1 ( Figure 4 (shown as PUCCH1 in the figure). The terminal can use one antenna port to send PUCCH1. At this time, the terminal can be in the first transmission method. The terminal can receive scheduling information from the base station via DCI, and the scheduling information instructs the terminal to send a single-port PUSCH (corresponding to PUSCH1 and PUSCH2 respectively) on carrier 1 and carrier 2 at the next transmission opportunity. Since the terminal is in the first transmission method, the terminal can use the RF chains of carrier 1 and carrier 2 to send their corresponding single-port uplink signals, so the terminal can continue to stay in the first transmission method without switching the transmission method.

[0144] The terminal can receive scheduling information from the base station via DCI, and the scheduling information instructs the terminal to send PUSCH on carrier 1 at the next transmission timing ( Figure 4 Similarly, at this time, the terminal may be in the first transmission method and may reserve one RF chain for carrier 1 and carrier 2. The terminal may use the RF chain of carrier 1 to transmit PUSCH 3, so the terminal may continue to stay in the first transmission method without switching the transmission method.

[0145] The terminal can receive scheduling information from the base station via DCI, and the scheduling information instructs the terminal to send a dual-port PUSCH ( Figure 4 (shown as PUSCH4 in the figure). Since the terminal is in the first transmission method, the terminal can reserve RF chain sets for carrier 1 and carrier 2 respectively, and the terminal cannot use only one RF chain set to transmit a dual-port uplink signal (PUSCH4) on carrier 2. Therefore, the terminal can switch from the first transmission method to the second transmission method. That is, the RF chain reserved for carrier 1 can be switched to carrier 2. The time T before PUSCH4 can be used by the terminal to switch RF chains. During this switching time, in some embodiments, the terminal does not request to transmit uplink signals on carrier 1 and carrier 2.

[0146] The terminal can receive scheduling information from the base station via DCI, and the scheduling information instructs the terminal to send a single-port PUSCH (denoted as PUSCH5) on carrier 2 at the next transmission timing. Since the terminal is currently in the second transmission method, the terminal can reserve two RF chain sets for carrier 2. In this case, the terminal can use one of the RF chain sets of carrier 2 to send PUSCH5. In this case, the terminal can remain in the second transmission method without switching the transmission method.

[0147] The terminal may receive scheduling information from the base station via DCI, instructing the terminal to transmit a PUCCH (denoted as PUCCH2) on carrier 1 at the next transmission opportunity. Since the terminal is currently in the second transmission method, both RF chain sets of the terminal may be reserved for carrier 2, and in some embodiments, no RF chain is reserved for carrier 1. The terminal may switch from the second transmission method to the first transmission method. The RF chain set is switched from carrier 2 to carrier 1. The time T before PUCCH2 may be used by the terminal to switch RF chains. During this switching time, in some embodiments, the terminal does not request to transmit uplink signals on carrier 1 or carrier 2.

[0148] 2.8 Configuration Example 8

[0149] When T corresponds to carrier 1 (for example, on carrier 1), in some embodiments, if the terminal is in the first transmission method before the uplink phase, according to the scheduling information of the base station, if the terminal will send an uplink signal on carrier 2 in the uplink phase, then in some embodiments, within the time interval T before the start of the uplink phase, the terminal is not required to send uplink signals on carrier 1 and carrier 2.

[0150] When T corresponds to carrier 1, in some embodiments, if the terminal is in the second transmission method before the uplink phase, according to the scheduling information of the base station, if the terminal will send an uplink signal on carrier 1 during the uplink phase, then within the time interval T before the start of the uplink phase, the terminal does not request to use carrier 1 or carrier 2 to transmit any uplink signal.

[0151] When T corresponds to carrier 1, in some embodiments, if the terminal is in the second transmission method in the uplink phase, according to the scheduling information of the base station, if the terminal will send an uplink signal on carrier 1 after the uplink phase, then in some embodiments, within the time interval T after the end of the uplink phase, the terminal does not request to use carrier 1 or carrier 2 to transmit any uplink signal.

[0152] When T corresponds to carrier 2 (e.g., on carrier 2), in some embodiments, if the terminal is in the first transmission method before the uplink phase, according to the scheduling information of the base station, if the terminal will send an uplink signal on carrier 2 during the uplink phase, then in some embodiments, within a time interval T after the start of the uplink phase, the terminal does not request to use carrier 1 or carrier 2 to transmit any uplink signal.

[0153] When T corresponds to carrier 2, in some embodiments, if the terminal is in the second transmission method before the uplink phase, according to the scheduling information of the base station, if the terminal will send an uplink signal on carrier 1 during the uplink phase, then in some embodiments, within the time interval T after the start of the uplink phase, the terminal does not request to use carrier 1 or carrier 2 to transmit any uplink signal.

[0154] When T corresponds to carrier 2, in some embodiments, if the terminal is in the second transmission method in the uplink phase, according to the scheduling information of the base station, if the terminal will send an uplink signal on carrier 1 after the uplink phase, then in some embodiments, within the time interval T after the end of the uplink phase, the terminal does not request to use carrier 1 or carrier 2 to transmit any uplink signal.

[0155] 2.8.1 Example Embodiments

[0156] In some embodiments, the base station may configure two uplink carriers for the terminal through RRC signaling, namely carrier 1 and carrier 2. The terminal may include two transmission methods, namely a first transmission method and a second transmission method.

[0157] The terminal includes a total of two RF chain sets. When the terminal is in the first transmission method, one RF chain set can be reserved for carrier 1 to send uplink signals, and the other RF chain set can be reserved for carrier 2. When the terminal is in the second transmission method, both RF chain sets of the terminal can be reserved for carrier 2 to send uplink signals. When switching the transmission method, it may be necessary to switch the RF chain of the terminal accordingly. Specifically, when the terminal switches from the first transmission method to the second transmission method, the terminal may need to switch the RF chain set reserved for carrier 1 to carrier 2. When the terminal switches from the second transmission method to the first transmission method, the terminal may need to switch the RF chain set reserved for carrier 2 to carrier 1. When switching the RF chain, the terminal may require a certain switching time. During this switching time, in some embodiments, the terminal does not request to send uplink signals on carrier 1 and carrier 2. The switching time can be T, where T≥0. That is, within the time interval t, the terminal does not request to use carrier 1 or carrier 2 to transmit any uplink signals

[0158] An uplink phase can be defined as consecutive uplink symbols on carrier 2. The uplink phase can be indicated by RRC parameters. By introducing an uplink phase and limiting the location of RF switching, it is possible to ensure that the terminal does not switch transmission methods during the uplink phase, thereby preventing the terminal from frequently switching transmission methods and improving system transmission efficiency.

[0159] In some embodiments, the base station may configure the radio frequency switching time T on carrier 1 or carrier 2 through RRC parameters, or may specify that the radio frequency switching time T is on carrier 2 through a protocol.

[0160] Figure 5 A block diagram illustrating example transmission of single-port and / or dual-port uplink signals on carrier 1 and carrier 2 according to some embodiments of the present disclosure is shown, where T corresponds to carrier 1. Figure 5 As shown, at the beginning, the terminal can send PUCCH on carrier 1 ( Figure 5 1). The terminal may use one antenna port to send PUCCH1. At this time, the terminal is in the first transmission method, and the terminal may reserve one RF chain for carrier 1 and carrier 2 respectively. The terminal may receive scheduling information from the base station via DCI, and the scheduling information instructs the terminal to send PUSCH (denoted as PUSCH1) on carrier 2 in uplink phase 1. In order to prepare to send PUSCH 1 on carrier 2, the terminal may switch from the first transmission method to the second transmission method, that is, the RF chain reserved for carrier 1 may be switched to carrier 2. The time T before uplink phase 1 may be used by the terminal to switch the RF chain. During this switching time, in some embodiments, the terminal does not request to send uplink signals on carrier 1 and carrier 2.

[0161] The terminal may receive scheduling information from the base station via DCI, and the scheduling information instructs the terminal to transmit a PUCCH (denoted as PUCCH2) on carrier 1 after uplink phase 1. At this time, the terminal is in the second transmission method, and both RF chains can be reserved for carrier 2. In order to prepare to transmit PUCCH2 on carrier 1, the terminal may switch from the second transmission method to the first transmission method, which is to switch one of the two RF chain sets reserved for carrier 2 to carrier 1. The time T after uplink phase 1 can be used for the terminal to switch RF chains. During this switching time, in some embodiments, the terminal does not request to transmit uplink signals on carrier 1 and carrier 2.

[0162] Similarly, the terminal may receive scheduling information from the base station via DCI, and the scheduling information instructs the terminal to transmit PUSCH on carrier 2 (denoted as PUSCH2) in uplink phase 2, and the terminal switches from the first transmission method to the second transmission method. The time T before uplink phase 2 can be used by the terminal to switch the radio frequency chain. During this switching time, in some embodiments, the terminal does not request to transmit uplink signals on carrier 1 and carrier 2.

[0163] In this embodiment, the system can limit the radio frequency switching time before or after the uplink phase, which can ensure that the terminal does not switch the transmission method during the uplink phase, thereby avoiding the terminal from frequently switching the transmission method and improving the transmission efficiency of the system.

[0164] Figure 6 A block diagram illustrating example transmission of single-port and / or dual-port uplink signals on carrier 1 and carrier 2, where T corresponds to carrier 2, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. Figure 6 As shown, at the beginning, the terminal can send PUCCH on carrier 1 ( Figure 6 1). The terminal may use one antenna port to send PUCCH. At this time, the terminal is in the first transmission method, and the terminal may reserve one RF chain for carrier 1 and carrier 2 respectively. The terminal may receive scheduling information from the base station via DCI, and instruct the terminal to send PUSCH (denoted as PUSCH1) on carrier 2 in uplink phase 1. In order to prepare to send PUSCH 1 on carrier 2, the terminal may switch from the first transmission method to the second transmission method, that is, the RF chain of carrier 1 is switched to carrier 2. The T time after the start of uplink phase 1 can be used for the terminal to switch the RF chain. During this switching time, in some embodiments, the terminal does not request to send uplink signals on carrier 1 and carrier 2.

[0165] The terminal may receive scheduling information from the base station via DCI, and the scheduling information instructs the terminal to transmit a PUCCH (denoted as PUCCH2) on carrier 1 after uplink phase 1. At this time, the terminal is in the second transmission method, and both RF chain sets can be reserved for carrier 2. In preparation for transmitting PUCCH2 on carrier 1, the terminal may switch from the second transmission method to the first transmission method, which involves switching one of the two RF chain sets of carrier 2 to carrier 1. The time T before the end of uplink phase 1 can be used by the terminal to switch RF chains. During this switching time, in some embodiments, the terminal does not request to transmit uplink signals on carrier 1 and carrier 2.

[0166] Similarly, the terminal may receive scheduling information from the base station via DCI, and the scheduling information instructs the terminal to transmit a PUSCH on carrier 2 (denoted as PUSCH2) in uplink phase 2. To prepare for uplink transmission on carrier 2, the terminal switches from the first transmission method to the second transmission method. The time T after the start of uplink phase 2 can be used by the terminal to switch the radio frequency chain. During this switching time, in some embodiments, the terminal does not request to transmit uplink signals on carrier 1 and carrier 2.

[0167] In this embodiment, the system can limit the radio frequency switching time before or after the uplink phase, which can ensure that the terminal does not switch the transmission method during the uplink phase, thereby avoiding the terminal from frequently switching the transmission method and improving the transmission efficiency of the system.

[0168] 2.9 Configuration Example 9

[0169] When T is on carrier 1, in some embodiments, if the terminal is in the first transmission method before the uplink phase, according to the scheduling information of the base station, if the terminal will send a dual-port uplink signal on carrier 2 during the uplink phase, then in some embodiments, within the time interval T before the start of the uplink phase, the terminal does not request to use the first carrier or the second carrier to transmit any uplink signal.

[0170] When T is on carrier 1, in some embodiments, if the terminal is in the second transmission method before the uplink phase, according to the scheduling information of the base station, if the terminal will send an uplink signal on carrier 1 during the uplink phase, then in some embodiments, within the time interval T before the start of the uplink phase, the terminal is not required to use the first carrier or the second carrier to transmit any uplink signal.

[0171] When T is on carrier 1, in some embodiments, if the terminal is in the second transmission method in the uplink phase, according to the scheduling information of the base station, if the terminal will send an uplink signal on carrier 1 after the uplink phase, then within the time interval T after the end of the uplink phase, the terminal does not request to use the first carrier or the second carrier to transmit any uplink signal.

[0172] When T is on carrier 2, in some embodiments, if the terminal is in the first transmission method before the uplink phase, according to the scheduling information of the base station, if the terminal will send a dual-port uplink signal on carrier 2 during the uplink phase, then within the time interval T after the start of the uplink phase, the terminal does not request to use the first carrier or the second carrier to transmit any uplink signal.

[0173] When T is on carrier 2, in some embodiments, if the terminal is in the second transmission method before the uplink phase, according to the scheduling information of the base station, if the terminal will send an uplink signal on carrier 1 during the uplink phase, then within the time interval T after the start of the uplink phase, the terminal does not request to use the first carrier or the second carrier to transmit any uplink signal.

[0174] When T is on carrier 2, in some embodiments, if the terminal is in the second transmission method in the uplink phase, according to the scheduling information of the base station, if the terminal will send an uplink signal on carrier 1 after the uplink phase, then within the time interval T after the end of the uplink phase, the terminal does not request to use the first carrier or the second carrier to transmit any uplink signal.

[0175] 2.9.1 Example Embodiments

[0176] In some embodiments, the base station may configure two uplink carriers for the terminal through RRC signaling, namely carrier 1 and carrier 2. The terminal may include two transmission methods, namely a first transmission method and a second transmission method.

[0177] The terminal may include a total of two RF chain sets. When the terminal is in the first transmission method, one RF chain set is reserved for carrier 1 to send uplink signals, and another set is reserved for carrier 2. When the terminal is in the second transmission method, both RF chain sets of the terminal are reserved for carrier 2 to send uplink signals. When switching the transmission method, the RF chain of the terminal needs to be switched accordingly. Specifically, when the terminal switches from the first transmission method to the second transmission method, the terminal needs to switch the RF chain set reserved for carrier 1 to carrier 2. When the terminal switches from the second transmission method to the first transmission method, the terminal needs to switch the RF chain set reserved for carrier 2 to carrier 1. When switching the RF chain, the terminal requires a certain switching time. During this switching time, in some embodiments, the terminal does not request to send uplink signals on carrier 1 and carrier 2. The switching time can be T, where T≥0. That is, within the time interval T, the terminal does not request to use the first carrier or the second carrier to transmit any uplink signal

[0178] An uplink phase can be defined as consecutive uplink symbols on carrier 2. The uplink phase can be indicated by RRC parameters. By introducing an uplink phase and limiting the location of RF switching, it is possible to ensure that the terminal does not switch transmission methods during the uplink phase, thereby preventing the terminal from frequently switching transmission methods and improving system transmission efficiency.

[0179] The base station may configure the radio frequency switching time T on carrier 1 or carrier 2 through RRC parameters, or may specify that the radio frequency switching time T is on carrier 2 through a protocol.

[0180] Figure 7 A block diagram illustrating example transmission of single-port and / or dual-port uplink signals on carrier 1 and carrier 2 according to some embodiments of the present disclosure is shown, where T corresponds to carrier 1. Figure 7 As shown, at the beginning, the terminal can send PUCCH on carrier 1 ( Figure 7In the figure, it is shown as PUCCH1). The terminal can use one antenna port to send PUCCH. At this time, the terminal is in the first transmission method, and the terminal can reserve one RF chain for carrier 1 and carrier 2 respectively. The terminal can receive scheduling information from the base station via DCI, and the scheduling information instructs the terminal to send a single-port PUSCH (corresponding to PUSCH1 and PUSCH2 respectively) on carrier 1 and carrier 2 simultaneously in uplink phase 1. The terminal can use the RF chain sets of carrier 1 and carrier 2 to send their corresponding single-port uplink signals. Therefore, the terminal continues to stay in the first transmission method without switching the transmission method, and there is no need to reserve the RF switching time before uplink phase 1.

[0181] The terminal can receive scheduling information from the base station via DCI, and the scheduling information instructs the terminal to send PUSCH (denoted as PUSCH3) on carrier 1 after uplink phase 1. Similarly, at this time, the terminal is in the first transmission method, and the terminal reserves one radio chain for carrier 1 and carrier 2 respectively. The terminal can use the radio chain set of carrier 1 to send PUSCH3, so the terminal continues to stay in the first transmission method without switching the transmission method, which eliminates the need to reserve radio frequency switching time after uplink phase 1.

[0182] The terminal may receive scheduling information from the base station via DCI, and the scheduling information instructs the terminal to send a dual-port PUSCH (denoted as PUSCH4) on carrier 2 in uplink phase 2. Since the terminal is in the first transmission method, the terminal may reserve radio frequency chains for carrier 1 and carrier 2 respectively, and the terminal cannot use the radio frequency chain set on carrier 2 to send a dual-port uplink signal (PUSCH4). Therefore, the terminal may need to switch to the second transmission method, that is, the radio frequency chain set reserved for carrier 1 is switched to carrier 2. The T time before uplink phase 2 can be used by the terminal to switch radio frequency chains. During this switching time, in some embodiments, the terminal does not request to send uplink signals on carrier 1 and carrier 2.

[0183] The terminal can receive scheduling information from the base station via DCI, and the scheduling information instructs the terminal to send a single-port PUSCH (denoted as PUSCH5) on carrier 2 at the next transmission opportunity. Since the terminal is currently in the second transmission method, the terminal can reserve two RF chain sets for carrier 2. In this case, the terminal can use one of the RF chain sets of carrier 2 to send PUSCH5. In this case, the terminal can maintain the second transmission method without switching the transmission method.

[0184] The terminal may receive scheduling information from the base station via DCI, instructing the terminal to transmit a PUCCH (denoted as PUCCH2) on carrier 1 after uplink phase 2. Since the terminal is currently in the second transmission method, the terminal may reserve two RF chain sets for carrier 2, while not reserving a RF chain for carrier 1. The terminal may switch from the second transmission method to the first transmission method. The RF chain set is switched from carrier 2 to carrier 1. The terminal uses the time T after the uplink phase to switch RF chains. During this switching time, in some embodiments, the terminal does not request to transmit uplink signals on carrier 1 or carrier 2.

[0185] Figure 8 A block diagram illustrating example transmission of single-port and / or dual-port uplink signals on carrier 1 and carrier 2, where T corresponds to carrier 2, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. Figure 8 As shown, at the beginning, the terminal can send PUCCH on carrier 1 ( Figure 8 (shown as PUCCH1 in the figure). The terminal can use one antenna port to send PUCCH. At this time, the terminal is in the first transmission method, and the terminal can reserve one radio link for each of carrier 1 and carrier 2. The terminal can receive scheduling information from the base station via DCI, and the scheduling information instructs the terminal to send a single-port PUSCH (corresponding to PUSCH1 and PUSCH2 respectively) on carrier 1 and carrier 2 simultaneously in uplink phase 1. The terminal can use the radio links of carrier 1 and carrier 2 to send their corresponding single-port uplink signals. Therefore, the terminal can continue to stay in the first transmission method without switching the transmission method, and there is no need to reserve the radio frequency switching time after the start of uplink phase 1.

[0186] The terminal can receive scheduling information from the base station via DCI, and the scheduling information instructs the terminal to send PUSCH (denoted as PUSCH3) on carrier 1 after uplink phase 1. Similarly, at this time, the terminal is in the first transmission method, and the terminal reserves one radio chain for carrier 1 and carrier 2 respectively. The terminal can use the radio chain of carrier 1 to send PUSCH3, so the terminal continues to stay in the first transmission method without switching the transmission method, which eliminates the need to reserve radio frequency switching time before the end of uplink phase 1.

[0187] The terminal may receive scheduling information from the base station via DCI, and the scheduling information instructs the terminal to send a dual-port PUSCH (denoted as PUSCH4) on carrier 2 during uplink phase 2. Since the terminal is in the first transmission method, the terminal may reserve radio frequency chains for carrier 1 and carrier 2, and the terminal cannot use the radio frequency chain set on carrier 2 to send a dual-port uplink signal (PUSCH4). Therefore, the terminal may need to switch to the second transmission method, that is, the radio frequency chain reserved for carrier 1 is switched to carrier 2. The time T after the start of uplink phase 2 can be used for the terminal to switch radio frequency chains. During this switching time, in some embodiments, the terminal does not request to send uplink signals on carrier 1 and carrier 2.

[0188] The terminal can receive scheduling information from the base station via DCI, and the scheduling information instructs the terminal to send a single-port PUSCH (denoted as PUSCH5) on carrier 2 at the next transmission opportunity. Since the terminal is currently in the second transmission method, the terminal can reserve two RF chain sets for carrier 2. In this case, the terminal can use one of the RF chain sets of carrier 2 to send PUSCH5. In this case, the terminal can maintain the second transmission method without switching the transmission method.

[0189] The terminal may receive scheduling information from the base station via DCI, instructing the terminal to transmit a PUCCH (denoted as PUCCH2) on carrier 1 after uplink phase 2. Since the terminal is in the second transmission method at this time, the terminal may reserve two RF chain sets for carrier 2, but not reserve a RF chain for carrier 1. The terminal may switch from the second transmission method to the first transmission method. The RF chain set reserved for carrier 2 is switched to carrier 1. The time T before the end of the uplink phase is used for the terminal to switch RF chains. During this switching time, in some embodiments, the terminal does not request to transmit uplink signals on carrier 1 and carrier 2.

[0190] 2.10 Configuration Example 10

[0191] According to Case 1 (as discussed herein), when the base station's scheduling information instructs the terminal to transmit an uplink signal within the radio frequency switching time T, in some embodiments, the terminal does not transmit an uplink signal. In the case where the base station's scheduling information instructs the terminal to transmit an uplink signal within the radio frequency switching time T, in some embodiments, the terminal transmits a portion of the uplink signal after the radio frequency switching time T ends.

[0192] 2.10.1 Example Embodiment

[0193] When a terminal switches transmission methods, a radio frequency switching time of time T is required. During the RF switching time, in some embodiments, the terminal does not request to transmit uplink signals on carrier 1 and carrier 2. However, due to issues such as the design of the base station scheduling algorithm or misalignment of uplink transmission times, in some embodiments, the base station cannot fully guarantee that the terminal will not be instructed to transmit uplink signals during the radio frequency switching time T.

[0194] In the case where the base station's scheduling information instructs the terminal to transmit an uplink signal within the radio frequency switching time T, if most of the uplink signal is within the switching time T, then even if the terminal transmits the uplink signal, in some embodiments, the base station may not be able to successfully receive the uplink signal. In this case, in some embodiments, the terminal does not transmit the uplink signal, that is, the terminal may discard the entire uplink signal.

[0195] In the case where the base station's scheduling information instructs the terminal to transmit an uplink signal within the radio frequency switching time T, if only a small portion of the uplink signal is within the switching time T, the terminal can transmit the uplink signal, and the base station has a certain probability of successfully receiving the uplink signal. In this case, the terminal can transmit part of the uplink signal after the radio frequency switching time T ends, that is, the terminal can discard the uplink signal before the radio frequency switching time T ends.

[0196] In the case where the scheduling information of the base station instructs the terminal to transmit an uplink signal within the radio frequency switching time T, if only a portion of the uplink signal is transmitted, the base station may also receive and use the portion of the uplink signal. In this case, the terminal may transmit the uplink signal after the radio frequency switching time T ends, that is, the terminal may discard the uplink signal before the radio frequency switching time T ends.

[0197] Figure 9 A block diagram illustrating example transmission of single-port and / or dual-port uplink signals on carrier 1 and carrier 2 according to some embodiments of the present disclosure is shown. Figure 9 As shown, during the first radio frequency switching time T, the base station can schedule the terminal to transmit an uplink signal PUSCH on carrier 2. Since most of PUSCH1 occurs during the radio frequency switching time T, in some embodiments, the terminal does not transmit PUSCH. During the second radio frequency switching time T, the base station can schedule the terminal to transmit an uplink signal SRS on carrier 1. Even if the terminal only transmits a portion of the SRS after the switching time T, the base station can still use the portion of the SRS for channel state updates, etc.

[0198] 2.11 Configuration Example 11

[0199] The UL phase is the time slot corresponding to the higher parameter set between the parameter set of the active UL BWP of carrier 1 and the parameter set of the active UL BWP of carrier 2. If the parameter set of the active UL BWP of carrier 1 is 0 and the parameter set of the active UL BWP of carrier 2 is 1, the UL phase is the time slot corresponding to parameter set 1, which is 0.5 ms in the NR system.

[0200] The UL phase may be a time slot corresponding to a higher parameter set between the lowest parameter set of the activated BWP for carrier 1 and the lowest parameter set of the activated BWP for carrier 2. The activated BWP for carrier 1 or carrier 2 may include both the active DL BWP and the active UL BWP for carrier 1 or carrier 2, respectively.

[0201] If the parameter set of the active UL BWP of carrier 1 is 0 and the parameter set of the active DL BWP of carrier 1 is 1, the lowest parameter set of the activated BWP of carrier 1 may be 0. If the parameter set of the active UL BWP of carrier 1 is 1 and the parameter set of the active DL BWP of carrier 1 is 2, the lowest parameter set of the activated BWP of carrier 1 may be 1. In this case, the UL phase may be the timeslot corresponding to parameter set 1, which may be 0.5 ms in an NR system.

[0202] 2.12 Configuration Example 12

[0203] If provided, the UE may configure semi-static TDD mode via higher layer parameters TDD-UL-DL-ConfigurationCommon and TDD-UL-DL-ConfigurationDedicated. If all symbols in a slot are downlink symbols, the slot may be referred to as a downlink slot. If all symbols in a slot are uplink symbols, the slot may be referred to as an uplink slot. If at least one symbol in a slot is a variable symbol, the slot may be referred to as a variable slot.

[0204] For two consecutive time slots, if at least one of the two consecutive time slots is an uplink time slot, the radio frequency switching time may be a duration T before the end of the first time slot or a duration T after the start of the second time slot.

[0205] For a variable time slot, the radio frequency switching time may be a duration T within a variable symbol in the time slot.

[0206] 2.13 Configuration Example 13

[0207] According to Case 1 (as discussed herein), if the terminal wants to send uplink signal 1 with one transmission method and uplink signal 2 with another transmission method, and if the interval between the last symbol of uplink signal 1 and the first symbol of uplink signal 2 is less than the RF switching time T, then in some embodiments, the terminal does not send uplink signal 2.

[0208] 2.14 Configuration Example 14

[0209] According to Case 13 (as discussed herein), if the terminal wants to send uplink signal 1 with one transmission method and uplink signal 2 with another transmission method, and if the interval between the last symbol of uplink signal 1 and the first symbol of uplink signal 2 is less than the RF switching time T, and uplink signal 2 is an uplink signal transmitted autonomously by the terminal, then in some embodiments, the terminal can send uplink signal 2.

[0210] 2.14.1 Example Embodiments

[0211] The base station may configure two uplink carriers for the terminal through RRC signaling, namely, carrier 1 and carrier 2. The terminal may include two transmission methods, namely, a first transmission method and a second transmission method.

[0212] The terminal may include two RF chain sets in total. When the terminal is in the first transmission method, one RF chain set may be reserved for carrier 1 to transmit uplink signals, and another RF chain set may be reserved for carrier 2. When the terminal is in the second transmission method, both RF chain sets of the terminal may be reserved for carrier 2 to transmit uplink signals. In some embodiments, when switching the transmission method, the RF chain of the terminal needs to be switched accordingly. Specifically, when the terminal switches from the first transmission method to the second transmission method, in some embodiments, the terminal needs to switch the RF chain set reserved for carrier 1 to carrier 2. When the terminal switches from the second transmission method to the first transmission method, in some embodiments, the terminal needs to switch the RF chain set reserved for carrier 2 to carrier 1. When switching the RF chains, the terminal may require a certain switching time. During this switching time, in some embodiments, the terminal does not request to transmit uplink signals on carrier 1 and carrier 2. In some embodiments, the switching time may be T, where T≥0.

[0213] Assume that the terminal wants to send uplink signal 1 using the first transmission method and uplink signal 2 using the second transmission method, but the interval between the last symbol of uplink signal 1 and the first symbol of uplink signal 2 is less than the RF switching time T, then the terminal may not have enough time to switch to the second transmission method to send uplink signal 2. At this time, in some embodiments, the terminal does not send uplink signal 2.

[0214] In some embodiments, the terminal needs to process the uplink signal autonomously transmitted by the terminal with a higher priority. The uplink signal autonomously transmitted by the terminal may include at least one of the following signals: PRACH, SRS, and a configured granted PUSCH.

[0215] Assume that the terminal wants to transmit uplink signal 1 using the first transmission method and uplink signal 2 using the second transmission method, but the interval between the last symbol of uplink signal 1 and the first symbol of uplink signal 2 is less than the radio frequency switching time T. If uplink signal 2 is a PRACH, the PRACH has a higher priority, and in some embodiments, the terminal transmits uplink signal 2. However, in this case, in some embodiments, the terminal may not necessarily guarantee the transmission of uplink signal 1.

[0216] 2.15 Methods for Implementing Configuration Cases 1-14

[0217] Figure 10 A flow chart depicts a method for uplink signal transmission from the perspective of a wireless communication device according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. Depending on the specific embodiment, additional, fewer, or different operations may be performed in the method. In some embodiments, some or all of the operations of method 1000 may be performed by a wireless communication node (such as, Figure 1 In some operations, some or all of the operations of method 1000 may be performed by a wireless communication device (such as, Figure 1 Each operation may be reordered, added, deleted, or repeated.

[0218] As shown, in some embodiments, method 1000 includes operation 1002: in response to determining that the wireless communication device is in a first transmission method, the wireless communication device supports transmitting a single-port uplink signal on a first carrier. In some embodiments, the method includes operation 1004: in response to determining that the wireless communication device is in a second transmission method, the wireless communication device supports transmitting a single-port uplink signal or a dual-port uplink signal on a second carrier. In some embodiments, the method includes operation 1006: the wireless communication device determines, based on scheduling information received from a base station, a transmission method to be used for transmitting the uplink signal, wherein the transmission method includes the first transmission method or the second transmission method.

[0219] Figure 11is a flow chart depicting a method for managing uplink transmissions from the perspective of a wireless communication node according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. Depending on the specific embodiment, additional, fewer, or different operations may be performed in this method. In some embodiments, some or all of the operations of method 1100 may be performed by a wireless communication node (such as, Figure 1 In some operations, some or all of the operations of method 1100 may be performed by a wireless communication device (such as, Figure 1 Each operation may be reordered, added, deleted, or repeated.

[0220] As shown, in some embodiments, method 1100 includes operation 1102: when the wireless communication device is transmitting using a first transmission method, receiving, by a base station, a single-port uplink signal on a first carrier from the wireless communication device. In some embodiments, the method includes operation 1104: when the wireless communication device is transmitting using a second transmission method, receiving, by the base station, a single-port uplink signal or a dual-port uplink signal on a second carrier from the wireless communication device. In some embodiments, the method includes operation 1106: transmitting, by the base station, to the wireless communication device, scheduling information indicating a transmission method to be used by the wireless communication device to transmit uplink transmissions, wherein the transmission method includes the first transmission method or the second transmission method.

[0221] 3. Reduce terminal configuration complexity

[0222] This section of the disclosure describes methods for reducing the cost of configuring a terminal (e.g., Figure 1 The present invention provides various configuration cases that reduce the implementation complexity of the UE 104 in the 5G NR system while enabling the terminal to meet the flexibility of the 5G NR configuration of the 5G NR system. Any features and / or functions of a configuration case can be combined with any number of features and / or functions of one or more other configuration cases in any order.

[0223] 3.1 Configuration Example 1

[0224] As discussed in greater detail herein, in some embodiments, the transmission method may include: carrying downlink control information (DCI) on a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH), wherein the DCI indicates terminal status information; and / or transmitting the PDCCH by the base station within the first three symbols of a time slot. In some embodiments, the transmission method may include: carrying the DCI, wherein the DCI indicates terminal status information; and / or receiving the PDCCH by the terminal from the base station within the first three symbols of a time slot.

[0225] 3.1.1 Example Embodiments

[0226] In the NR system, in some embodiments, the base station can configure the PDCCH on any symbol of the time slot. The PDCCH can carry DCI, which indicates the terminal status information, and the terminal determines whether to update its own status based on the terminal status information. For the sake of convenience, this disclosure refers to the DCI indicating the terminal status information as status information DCI. If the PDCCH carries the status information DCI and the PDCCH can be configured on any symbol of the time slot, then in some embodiments, the terminal needs to be ready to update the terminal status at any time, which requires a higher implementation complexity of the terminal.

[0227] In some embodiments, terminal implementation complexity can be reduced by limiting the location of the PDCCH carrying state information (DCI). One approach is for the base station to send the PDCCH carrying state information (DCI) within the first three symbols of a timeslot. Another approach is for the terminal to receive the PDCCH carrying state information (DCI) within the first three symbols of a timeslot. This not only reduces terminal implementation complexity while maintaining compatibility with LTE systems, but also ensures that NR terminal design and implementation reuse LTE terminal design to the greatest extent possible.

[0228] 3.2 Configuration Case 2

[0229] According to Case 1 (as discussed herein), the terminal status information (as discussed herein) may include at least one of: energy saving information (e.g., power saving information); secondary cell sleep information (e.g., SCell dormancy information) and bandwidth part (BWP) information.

[0230] 3.2.1 Example Embodiments

[0231] The PDCCH carries DCI, which indicates terminal status information, and the terminal determines whether to update its own status based on the terminal status information. For the convenience of description, we refer to the DCI indicating the terminal status information as status information DCI.

[0232] When the status information indicated by the DCI includes energy-saving information, the terminal can determine whether it needs to update its own energy-saving state, such as entering an energy-saving state or an active state, based on the energy-saving information indicated by the DCI. If a state update is required, the terminal can request the RF module or baseband module to perform a corresponding update. If the DCI carried by the PDCCH indicates energy-saving information, and the PDCCH can be configured on any symbol of the time slot, then in some embodiments, the terminal needs to be ready to update the terminal state at any time, which requires a higher implementation complexity of the terminal.

[0233] When the status information indicated by the DCI includes BWP information, the terminal can determine whether to update its BWP status based on the BWP information indicated by the DCI, such as switching to a dormant BWP or switching from a dormant BWP to a non-dormant BWP. The terminal update status may require the RF module or baseband module to perform corresponding updates. If the DCI carried by the PDCCH indicates BWP information, and the PDCCH can be configured on any symbol in the time slot, then in some embodiments, the terminal needs to be ready to update the terminal status at any time, which requires a higher implementation complexity of the terminal.

[0234] One method involves the base station sending a PDCCH carrying DCI status information within the first three symbols of a timeslot. Another method involves the terminal receiving a PDCCH carrying DCI status information within the first three symbols of a timeslot. Terminal status information includes one of the following: energy saving information, secondary cell sleep information, and BWP information.

[0235] 3.3 Configuration Case 3

[0236] According to Case 2 (as discussed herein), the DCI carried by the PDCCH may be DCI format 2_6 according to Case 2 (as discussed herein).

[0237] 3.2.1 Example Embodiments

[0238] DCI format 2_6 can be used to indicate energy-saving information, and can also be used to indicate secondary cell sleep information. If the DCI carried by the PDCCH is DCI format 2_6, the terminal can receive the PDCCH within the first three symbols of the time slot. In this embodiment, regardless of whether the DCI format 2_6 carried by the PDCCH indicates the terminal update status, the terminal can receive the PDCCH within the first three symbols of the time slot, which helps to further reduce the complexity of the terminal implementation. If the DCI carried by the PDCCH is DCI format 2_6, the base station can send the PDCCH within the first three symbols of the time slot. In this embodiment, regardless of whether the DCI format 2_6 carried by the PDCCH indicates the terminal to update the status, the base station can send the PDCCH within the first three symbols of the time slot, which helps to further reduce the complexity of the terminal implementation.

[0239] 3.4 Configuration Examples

[0240] According to Case 2 (as discussed herein), the DCI carried by the PDCCH may include a Secondary Cell Dormant Indication (SCell Dormant Indication) field according to Case 2 (as discussed herein).

[0241] 3.4.1 Example Embodiments

[0242] DCI format 2_6 can be used to indicate energy-saving information, and can also be used to indicate secondary cell sleep information. The secondary cell sleep indication (SCell sleep indication) field in DCI format 2_6 can be used to indicate secondary cell sleep information. Depending on different RRC configurations, DCI format 2_6 may include the SCell sleep indication field, or may not include the SCell sleep indication field. If the DCI carried by the PDCCH is DCI format 2_6 and the DCI includes the SCell sleep indication field, the terminal can receive the PDCCH within the first three symbols of the time slot. If the DCI carried by the PDCCH is DCI format 2_6 and the DCI includes the secondary cell sleep indication (SCell sleep indication) field, the base station can send the PDCCH within the first three symbols of the time slot.

[0243] DCI format 0_1 ​​can be used to indicate secondary cell sleep information, and the SCell sleep indication field of DCI format 0_1 ​​is used to indicate secondary cell sleep information. Depending on different RRC configurations, DCI format 0_1 ​​may include the SCell sleep indication field, or may not include the SCell sleep indication field. If the DCI carried by the PDCCH is DCI format 0_1 ​​and the DCI includes the SCell sleep indication field, the terminal can receive the PDCCH within the first three symbols of the time slot. If the DCI carried by the PDCCH is DCI format 0_1 ​​and the DCI includes the SCell sleep indication field, the base station can send the PDCCH within the first three symbols of the time slot.

[0244] DCI format 1_1 can be used to indicate secondary cell sleep information, and the secondary cell sleep indication (SCell sleep indication) field in DCI format 1_1 is used to indicate secondary cell sleep information. Depending on different RRC configurations, DCI format 1_1 may include the SCell sleep indication field, or may not include the SCell sleep indication field. If the DCI carried by the PDCCH is DCI format 1_1 and the DCI includes the secondary cell sleep indication (SCell sleep indication) field, the terminal can receive the PDCCH within the first three symbols of the time slot. If the DCI carried by the PDCCH is DCI format 1_1 and the DCI includes the SCell sleep indication field, the base station can send the PDCCH within the first three symbols of the time slot.

[0245] 3.5 Configuration Case 5

[0246] According to Case 4 (as discussed herein), a Secondary Cell Dormant Indication (SCell Dormant Indication) field may be included in the DCI according to Case 4 (as discussed herein) and instruct the terminal to switch the activated BWP on at least one secondary cell.

[0247] 3.5.1 Example Embodiment

[0248] DCI format 2_6 can be used to indicate energy-saving information, and can also be used to indicate secondary cell sleep information. The secondary cell sleep indication (SCell sleep indication) field in DCI format 2_6 can be used to indicate secondary cell sleep information. If the DCI carried by the PDCCH is DCI format 2_6, and the SCell sleep indication field included in the DCI instructs the terminal to switch the activated BWP on at least one secondary cell, the terminal can receive the PDCCH within the first three symbols of the time slot. If the DCI carried by the PDCCH is DCI format 2_6, and the SCell sleep indication field included in the DCI instructs the terminal to switch the activated BWP on at least one secondary cell, the base station can send the PDCCH within the first three symbols of the time slot.

[0249] DCI format 0_1 ​​can be used to indicate secondary cell sleep information, and the SCell Sleep Indication field of DCI format 0_1 ​​is used to indicate secondary cell sleep information. If the DCI carried by the PDCCH is DCI format 0_1, and the SCell Sleep Indication field included in the DCI instructs the terminal to switch the activated BWP on at least one secondary cell, the terminal can receive the PDCCH within the first three symbols of the PDCCH in the time slot. If the DCI carried in the PDCCH is DCI format 0_1, and the SCell Sleep Indication field included in the DCI instructs the terminal to switch the activated BWP on at least one secondary cell, the base station can send the PDCCH within the first three symbols of the time slot.

[0250] DCI format 1_1 can be used to indicate secondary cell sleep information, and the secondary cell sleep indication (SCell sleep indication) field in DCI format 1_1 is used to indicate secondary cell sleep information. If the DCI carried by the PDCCH is DCI format 1_1, and the SCell sleep indication field included in the DCI instructs the terminal to switch the activated BWP on at least one secondary cell, the terminal can receive the PDCCH within the first three symbols of the timestamp. If the DCI carried by the PDCCH is DCI format 1_1, and the SCell sleep indication field included in the DCI instructs the terminal to switch the activated BWP on at least one secondary cell, the base station can send the PDCCH within the first three symbols of the timestamp.

[0251] 3.6 Configuration Case 6

[0252] According to Case 4 (as discussed herein), a Secondary Cell Dormant Indication (SCell Dormant Indication) field may be included in the DCI according to Case 4 (as discussed herein) and may instruct the terminal to switch the activated BWP on at least one secondary cell group.

[0253] 3.6.1 Example Embodiment

[0254] DCI format 2_6 can be used to indicate energy-saving information, and can also be used to indicate secondary cell sleep information. The secondary cell sleep indication (SCell sleep indication) field in DCI format 2_6 can be used to indicate secondary cell sleep information. Each bit in the SCell sleep indication field can correspond to a secondary cell group, and each secondary cell group includes at least one secondary cell. If the DCI carried by the PDCCH is DCI format 2_6, and the SCell sleep indication field included in the DCI instructs the terminal to switch the activated BWP on at least one secondary cell group, the terminal can receive the PDCCH within the first three symbols of the time slot. If the DCI carried by the PDCCH is DCI format 2_6, and the SCell sleep indication field included in the DCI instructs the terminal to switch the activated BWP on at least one secondary cell group, the base station can send the PDCCH within the first three symbols of the time slot.

[0255] DCI format 0_1 ​​can be used to indicate secondary cell sleep information, and the SCell sleep indication field of DCI format 0_1 ​​is used to indicate secondary cell sleep information. Each bit in the SCell sleep indication field can correspond to a secondary cell group, and each secondary cell group includes at least one secondary cell. If the DCI carried by the PDCCH is DCI format 0_1, and the SCell sleep indication field included in the DCI instructs the terminal to switch the activated BWP on at least one secondary cell group, the terminal can receive the PDCCH within the first three symbols of the time slot. If the DCI carried by the PDCCH is DCI format 0_1, and the SCell sleep indication field included in the DCI instructs the terminal to switch the activated BWP on at least one secondary cell group, the base station can send the PDCCH within the first three symbols of the time slot.

[0256] DCI format 1_1 can be used to indicate secondary cell sleep information, and the secondary cell sleep indication (SCell sleep indication) field in DCI format 1_1 can be used to indicate secondary cell sleep information. Each bit in the SCell sleep indication field can correspond to a secondary cell group, and each secondary cell group includes at least one secondary cell. If the DCI carried in the PDCCH is DCI format 1_1, and the SCell sleep indication field included in the DCI instructs the terminal to switch the activated BWP on at least one secondary cell group, the terminal can receive the PDCCH within the first three symbols of the time slot. If the DCI carried in the PDCCH is DCI format 1_1, and the SCell sleep indication field included in the DCI instructs the terminal to switch the activated BWP on at least one secondary cell group, the base station can send the PDCCH within the first three symbols of the time slot.

[0257] 3.7 Configuration Case 7

[0258] According to Case 2 (as discussed herein), in a case where DCI carried by PDCCH is used to indicate sleep information of a secondary cell (such as Case 2 discussed herein), the DCI may instruct the terminal to switch the activated BWP on at least one secondary cell.

[0259] 3.7.1 Example Embodiments

[0260] In an existing implementation, when DCI format 1_1 satisfies the following two conditions, DCI format 1_1 may be used to indicate secondary cell sleep information.

[0261] Under the first condition, DCI format 1_1 may be scrambled by a cell radio network temporary identifier (C-RNTI) or a modulation and coding scheme (MCS)-C-RNTI.

[0262] Under the second condition, if resourceAllocation = resourceAllocationType0, and all bits of the frequency domain resource allocation field in DCI format 1_1 are equal to 0; or if resourceAllocation = resourceAllocationType1, and all bits of the frequency domain resource allocation field in DCI format 1_1 are equal to 1; or if resourceAllocation = dynamicSwitch, and all bits of the frequency domain resource allocation field in DCI format 1_1 are equal to 0 or 1.

[0263] DCI format 1_1 that meets the above two conditions (for example, the first or second condition) can indicate the sleep information of the secondary cell through the MCS field, NDI field, RV field, HARQ process number field, antenna port field and / or DMRS sequence initialization field.

[0264] If the DCI carried by the PDCCH is DCI format 1_1 and the DCI satisfies the above conditions so that the DCI is used to indicate secondary cell sleep information, if DCI format 1_1 instructs the terminal to switch the activated BWP on at least one secondary cell, the terminal can receive the PDCCH within the first three symbols of the timeslot. If the DCI carried in the PDCCH is DCI format 1_1 and the DCI satisfies the above conditions and the DCI is used to indicate secondary cell sleep information, if DCI format 1_1 instructs the terminal to switch the activated BWP on at least one secondary cell, the base station sends the PDCCH within the first three symbols of the timeslot.

[0265] Although various embodiments of the present solution have been described above, it will be understood that they are presented by way of example only and not by way of limitation. Similarly, various figures may depict example architectures or configurations, which are provided to enable those of ordinary skill in the art to understand the example features and functions of the present solution. However, such persons will understand that the present solution is not limited to the illustrated example architectures or configurations, but may be implemented using a variety of alternative architectures and configurations. In addition, as will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art, one or more features of one embodiment may be combined with one or more features of another embodiment described herein. Therefore, the breadth and scope of the present disclosure should not be limited by any of the above-described illustrative embodiments.

[0266] It should also be understood that any reference to an element herein using designations such as "first," "second," etc., does not generally limit the quantity or order of those elements. Rather, these designations may be used herein as a convenient means of distinguishing between two or more elements or instances of an element. Thus, a reference to a first and a second element does not mean that only two elements are employed, or that the first element must precede the second element in some manner.

[0267] In addition, those skilled in the art will understand that any of a variety of different technologies and techniques may be used to represent information and signals. For example, references to data, instructions, commands, information, signals, bits, and symbols in the above description may be represented by voltages, currents, electromagnetic waves, magnetic fields or particles, light fields or particles, or any combination thereof.

[0268] Those of ordinary skill in the art will also understand that any of the various illustrative logical blocks, modules, processors, devices, circuits, methods, and functions described in conjunction with the aspects disclosed herein may be implemented by electronic hardware (e.g., digital implementation, analog implementation, or a combination thereof), firmware, various forms of program or design code incorporating instructions (for convenience, referred to herein as "software" or "software modules"), or any combination of these technologies. To clearly illustrate this interchangeability of hardware, firmware, and software, various illustrative components, blocks, modules, circuits, and steps have been generally described above in terms of their functionality. Whether such functionality is implemented as hardware, firmware, software, or a combination of these technologies depends on the specific application and the design constraints imposed on the overall system. A skilled person may implement the described functionality in various ways for each specific application, but such implementation decisions do not result in a departure from the scope of this disclosure.

[0269] In addition, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that the various illustrative logic blocks, modules, devices, components, and circuits described herein may be implemented within or performed by an integrated circuit (IC) that includes a general-purpose processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), or other programmable logic device, or any combination thereof. The logic blocks, modules, and circuits may also include antennas and / or transceivers for communicating with various components within a network or within a device. The general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor, but in the alternative, the processor may be any conventional processor, controller, or state machine. The processor may also be implemented as a combination of computing devices for performing the functions described herein, for example, a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, a combination of multiple microprocessors, a combination of one or more microprocessors in conjunction with a DSP core, or a combination of any other suitable configuration.

[0270] If implemented in software, the functionality may be stored as one or more instructions or codes on a computer-readable medium. Thus, the steps of the methods or algorithms disclosed herein may be implemented as software stored on a computer-readable medium. Computer-readable media include both computer storage media and communication media, including any medium that enables a computer program or code to be transferred from one place to another. The storage medium may be any available medium that can be accessed by a computer. By way of example and not limitation, such computer-readable media may include: RAM, ROM, EEPROM, CD-ROM or other optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage device, or any other medium that can be used to store desired program code in the form of instructions or data structures and that can be accessed by a computer.

[0271] In this document, the term "module" as used herein refers to software, firmware, hardware, and any combination of these elements for performing the associated functions described herein. Additionally, for discussion purposes, various modules are described as discrete modules; however, it will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that two or more modules can be combined to form a single module that performs the associated functions according to embodiments of the present solution.

[0272] In addition, memories or other storage devices and communication components may be employed in embodiments of the present solution. It will be understood that, for clarity, the description above has described embodiments of the present solution with reference to different functional units and processors. However, it will be apparent that any suitable distribution of functionality between different functional units, processing logic elements, or domains may be used without departing from the present solution. For example, functionality described as being performed by a separate processing logic element or controller may be performed by the same processing logic element or controller. Therefore, reference to a specific functional unit is merely a reference to suitable means for providing the functionality, rather than an indication of a strict logical or physical structure or organization.

[0273] Various modifications to the embodiments described in this disclosure will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein may be applied to other embodiments without departing from the scope of this disclosure. Therefore, the present disclosure is not intended to be limited to the embodiments shown herein, but should be accorded the widest scope consistent with the novel features and principles disclosed herein, as set forth in the claims below.

Claims

1. A method for transmitting an uplink signal, comprising: A wireless communication device receives a configuration from a base station, wherein the configuration indicates to the wireless communication device a first carrier and a second carrier, wherein the wireless communication device supports transmission of a single-port uplink signal on the first carrier, and wherein the wireless communication device supports transmission of a single-port uplink signal or a dual-port uplink signal on the second carrier; The wireless communication device determines that a carrier on which a previous uplink transmission is located is different from a carrier indicated by scheduling information received from the base station; The wireless communication device switches to the carrier indicated by the scheduling information to transmit a next uplink signal, wherein no uplink signal is transmitted on either the first carrier or the second carrier within a switching time before the next uplink signal is transmitted.

2. The method according to claim 1, comprising: The wireless communication device determines that a previous uplink transmission was transmitted on the first carrier and the scheduling information instructs the wireless communication device to transmit a next uplink signal on the second carrier; The wireless communication device switches to the second carrier to transmit a next uplink signal; During a switching time before the next uplink signal is transmitted, no uplink signal is transmitted on either the first carrier or the second carrier.

3. The method according to claim 1, comprising: the wireless communication device determining that a previous uplink transmission was transmitted on the second carrier and the scheduling information instructs the wireless communication device to transmit a next uplink signal on the first carrier; The wireless communication device switches to the first carrier to transmit a next uplink signal; During a switching time before the next uplink signal is transmitted, no uplink signal is transmitted on either the first carrier or the second carrier.

4. The method according to claim 1, comprising: the wireless communication device determining that a previous uplink transmission was a single-port uplink signal transmitted on the first carrier and the scheduling information instructs the wireless communication device to transmit a dual-port uplink signal on the second carrier; The wireless communication device switches to the second carrier to transmit the dual-port uplink signal; During a switching time before transmitting the dual-port uplink signal, no uplink signal is transmitted on either the first carrier or the second carrier.

5. The method according to claim 1, comprising: the wireless communication device determining that a previous uplink transmission was a dual-port uplink signal transmitted on the second carrier and the scheduling information instructs the wireless communication device to transmit a next uplink signal on the first carrier; The wireless communication device switches to the first carrier to transmit a next uplink signal; During a switching time before the next uplink signal is transmitted, no uplink signal is transmitted on either the first carrier or the second carrier.

6. A wireless communication device comprising: A memory and at least one processor, wherein the at least one processor is configured to read code from the memory and perform the following operations: receiving, via a receiver, a configuration from a base station, wherein the configuration indicates a first carrier and a second carrier to the wireless communication device, wherein the wireless communication device supports transmission of a single-port uplink signal on the first carrier and the wireless communication device supports transmission of a single-port uplink signal or a dual-port uplink signal on the second carrier; determining that a carrier on which a previous uplink transmission is located is different from a carrier indicated by scheduling information received from the base station; Switching to the carrier indicated by the scheduling information to transmit a next uplink signal, wherein no uplink signal is transmitted on either the first carrier or the second carrier within a switching time before the next uplink signal is transmitted.

7. The wireless communication device according to claim 6, wherein: The at least one processor is further configured to: determining that a previous uplink transmission was transmitted on the first carrier and the scheduling information instructs the wireless communication device to transmit a next uplink signal on the second carrier; Switching to the second carrier to transmit a next uplink signal; and not transmitting an uplink signal on either the first carrier or the second carrier within a switching time before transmitting the next uplink signal.

8. The wireless communication device according to claim 6, wherein The at least one processor is further configured to: determining that a previous uplink transmission was transmitted on the second carrier and the scheduling information instructs the wireless communication device to transmit a next uplink signal on the first carrier; Switching to the first carrier to transmit a next uplink signal; and During a switching time before the next uplink signal is transmitted, no uplink signal is transmitted on either the first carrier or the second carrier.

9. The wireless communication device according to claim 6, wherein: The at least one processor is further configured to: determining that a previous uplink transmission was a single-port uplink signal transmitted on the first carrier and that the scheduling information instructs the wireless communication device to transmit a dual-port uplink signal on the second carrier; Switching to the second carrier to transmit the dual-port uplink signal; During a switching time before transmitting the dual-port uplink signal, no uplink signal is transmitted on either the first carrier or the second carrier.

10. The wireless communication device according to claim 6, wherein: The at least one processor is further configured to: determining that a previous uplink transmission was a dual-port uplink signal transmitted on the second carrier and that the scheduling information instructs the wireless communication device to transmit a next uplink signal on the first carrier; Switching to the first carrier to transmit a next uplink signal; During a switching time before the next uplink signal is transmitted, no uplink signal is transmitted on either the first carrier or the second carrier.

11. A computer program product comprising computer-readable program medium code stored thereon, which, when executed by at least one processor, causes the at least one processor to implement the method according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

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