Communication method and device

Abstract

The invention provides a communication method and device, and relates to the technical field of communication. The method comprises: a network device determines L demodulation reference signal (DMRS) antenna ports from N DMRS antenna ports, the N DMRS antenna ports are used for physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) transmission, and any two DMRS antenna ports in the N DMRS antenna ports perform orthogonal multiplexing through at least one of the following items: time division multiplexing (TDMM), frequency division multiplexing (FDM), or code division multiplexing (CDMM). N is a positive integer greater than or equal to 2, and L is a positive integer less than or equal to N. And the network equipment sends the DMRS of the first PDCCH through the L DMRS antenna ports.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of communication technologies, and in particular, to a communication method and apparatus. Background Art

[0002] With the development of communication technologies, the multi-user multiple-input multiple-output (MU-MIMO) technology has been proposed in a new radio (NR) communication system, that is, multiple terminal devices are allowed to communicate with a network device on the same time-frequency resource, and the multiple terminal devices share the same time-frequency resource through a space division method.

[0003] However, when multiple physical downlink control channels (PDCCHs) use MU-MIMO transmission, the demodulation reference signals (DMRSs) of the multiple PDCCHs may not be guaranteed to be orthogonal, resulting in limited PDCCH demodulation performance and also affecting the PDCCH capacity. Summary of the Invention

[0004] To solve the above technical problems, this application provides a communication method and apparatus, which can improve the PDCCH demodulation performance and capacity. To achieve the above object, this application adopts the following technical solutions:

[0005] In a first aspect, a communication method is provided. This method can be executed by a network device. Without special explanation, the "network device" in this application can refer to the network device itself, or a component in the network device (for example, a processor, a chip, or a chip system, etc.), or can also be a logical module or software that can implement all or part of the functions of the network device. Hereinafter, the description will be made taking the execution entity as the network device as an example. The method includes:

[0006] The network device determines L DMRS antenna ports from N demodulation reference signal DMRS antenna ports, where the N DMRS antenna ports are used for physical downlink control channel PDCCH transmission, and any two of the N DMRS antenna ports are orthogonally multiplexed through at least one of the following: time division multiplexing (TDM), frequency division multiplexing (FDM), or code division multiplexing (CDM). N is a positive integer greater than or equal to 2, and L is a positive integer less than or equal to N. The network device sends the DMRS of the first PDCCH through the L DMRS antenna ports.

[0007] Among them, the TDM between any two DMRS antenna ports means that different DMRS antenna ports are associated with or use different time-domain resources. In this way, the PDCCH DMRSs transmitted on different DMRS antenna ports can use different time-domain resources, thereby ensuring the orthogonality between the DMRSs of different PDCCHs.

[0008] Among them, the FDM between any two DMRS antenna ports means that different DMRS antenna ports are associated with or use different frequency-domain resources. In this way, the PDCCH DMRSs transmitted on different DMRS antenna ports can use different frequency-domain resources, thereby ensuring the orthogonality between the DMRSs of different PDCCHs.

[0009] Among them, the CDM between any two DMRS antenna ports means that different DMRS antenna ports are associated with or use different orthogonal masks OCC. In this way, the PDCCH DMRSs transmitted on different DMRS antenna ports can use different orthogonal masks, thereby ensuring the orthogonality between the DMRSs of different PDCCHs.

[0010] Among them, for the DMRS of the first PDCCH, the network device sends the DMRS of the first PDCCH through the L DMRS antenna ports, including: the network device sends the DMRS of the first PDCCH through at least one of the time-domain resources, frequency-domain resources, or orthogonal mask OCC associated with the L DMRS antenna ports, and the L DMRS antenna ports.

[0011] In addition, the first PDCCH further includes data information. For the data information of the first PDCCH, the network device sends the data information of the first PDCCH through the L DMRS antenna ports, including: the network device sends the data information of the first PDCCH through the L antenna ports, rather than using any one of the time-domain resources, frequency-domain resources, and OCC associated with the L DMRS antenna ports to send the data information of the first PDCCH.

[0012] Optionally, corresponding to L being less than N, the network device may further perform the following operations: the network device determines L' DMRS antenna ports from the N DMRS antenna ports, and any one of the L' DMRS antenna ports is different from any one of the L DMRS antenna ports. L' is a positive integer less than or equal to N. The network device sends the DMRS of the second PDCCH through the L' DMRS antenna ports. The second PDCCH is different from the first PDCCH.

[0013] In this way, since the N DMRS antenna ports can be used for PDCCH transmission and are orthogonal to each other, when different PDCCH DMRSs are transmitted through different DMRS antenna ports among the N DMRS antenna ports, the DMRSs of different PDCCHs are orthogonal to each other. For example, the DMRS of the first PDCCH is orthogonal to the DMRSs of other PDCCHs, which helps to improve the PDCCH demodulation performance and PDCCH capacity and ensure the PDCCH performance.

[0014] In a possible design, when orthogonal multiplexing is performed between any two of the N DMRS antenna ports through the CDM, different frequency-domain orthogonal masks OCCs and / or different time-domain OCCs are associated between any two of the N DMRS antenna ports to make any two of the N DMRS antenna ports orthogonal to each other.

[0015] In a possible design, when orthogonal multiplexing is performed between any two of the N DMRS antenna ports through the CDM and the FDM:

[0016] The N DMRS antenna ports belong to at least two CDM groups, and each of the at least two CDM groups includes a part of the N DMRS antenna ports. Among them, the number of DMRS antenna ports included in different CDM groups among the at least two CDM groups can be the same or different.

[0017] Different frequency-domain OCCs and / or different time-domain OCCs are associated between any two DMRS antenna ports in any one of the at least two CDM groups to make any two DMRS antenna ports within each CDM group orthogonal to each other.

[0018] Different frequency-domain resources are associated between any two of the at least two CDM groups to make any two DMRS antenna ports between different CDM groups orthogonal to each other.

[0019] In a possible design, the transmission resource of the first PDCCH includes a plurality of resource element groups REGs, and each of the plurality of REGs includes M first resource elements REs, and the M first REs are used to carry the DMRS of the PDCCH, where M is a positive integer greater than 3. Among them, each of the plurality of REGs includes 1 orthogonal frequency division multiplexing OFDM symbol in the time domain and 1 resource block RB in the frequency domain.

[0020] For example, M is an even number and M = 4.

[0021] In this way, the N DMRS antenna ports can support associated frequency-domain OCC, avoid excessive DMRS overhead, and ensure DMRS performance.

[0022] In a possible design, the time-domain resources of the first PDCCH include K symbols, where the K symbols include a first symbol and a second symbol. K is a positive integer greater than or equal to 2. The first PDCCH includes the data information of the first PDCCH and the DMRS of the first PDCCH. The data information of the first PDCCH occupies the first symbol, and the DMRS of the first PDCCH occupies the second symbol. That is, the data information of the first PDCCH and the DMRS of the first PDCCH are transmitted in a TDM manner.

[0023] In a possible design, the length of the frequency-domain OCC is 2 or 4, and the length of the time-domain OCC is 2 or 4.

[0024] In a possible design, the value of N includes 2 T or 3*Q, where T and Q are positive integers.

[0025] For example, the value of N includes one of the following: 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 12, or 16.

[0026] In a possible design, the method further includes: the network device sends first information. The first information indicates the L antenna ports. The first information is carried in one of the following: Radio Resource Control (RRC) signaling, System Information Block (SIB), Downlink Control Information (DCI), or Medium Access Control Control Element (MAC CE).

[0027] That is, the network device indicates to the first terminal device: through which (one or more) DMRS antenna ports to detect the first PDCCH, so as to simplify the operation complexity on the terminal device side.

[0028] In a possible design, the first information indicates the L antenna ports, including: the first information indicates that the first terminal device uses the L DMRS antenna ports to detect the first PDCCH in the first Search Space Set (SS set).

[0029] The first SS set is all the SS sets associated with all the Control Resource Sets (CORESETs) of the first terminal device. That is, the network device indicates the DMRS antenna ports at the terminal device granularity through the first information.

[0030] Alternatively, the first SS set is all SS sets associated with all CORESETs on a first bandwidth part (BWP), and the first BWP is one of all BWPs of the first terminal device. That is to say, the network device indicates the DMRS antenna port in terms of BWP granularity through the first information.

[0031] Alternatively, the first SS set is all SS sets associated with a first CORESET, and the first CORESET is one of all CORESETs of the first terminal device. That is to say, the network device indicates the DMRS antenna port in terms of CORESET granularity through the first information.

[0032] Alternatively, the first SS set is one of all SS sets of the first terminal device. That is to say, the network device indicates the DMRS antenna port in terms of SS set granularity through the first information.

[0033] In a possible design, the first information indicates the L antenna ports, including: the first information indicates that the first terminal device uses the L DMRS antenna ports to detect the first PDCCH on all SS sets associated with a first CORESET group, and the first CORESET group is one of all CORESET groups of the first terminal device. That is to say, the network device indicates the DMRS antenna port in terms of CORESET group granularity through the first information.

[0034] In a possible design, the first information indicates the L antenna ports, including: the first information indicates that the first terminal device uses the L DMRS antenna ports to detect the first PDCCH on a first SS set group, and the first SS set group is one of all SS set groups of the first terminal device. That is to say, the network device indicates the DMRS antenna port in terms of SS set group granularity through the first information.

[0035] In a possible design, the DCI corresponds to a first terminal device group, and the first terminal device group includes at least one terminal device. The first information is carried in a first information block of the DCI, and the first information block corresponds to one or more terminal devices in the first terminal device group, and the one or more terminal devices include the first terminal device.

[0036] That is to say, the network device indicates the DMRS antenna port for different terminal devices through the same DCI.

[0037] In a possible design, the L DMRS antenna ports are determined according to the radio network temporary identity (RNTI) of the first terminal device, such as the cell radio network temporary identity (C-RNTI) of the first terminal device.

[0038] For example, L = 1. The numbering of the L DMRS antenna ports satisfies: n RNTI mod N. Where n RNTI represents the value of the RNTI, and mod is the modulo operation.

[0039] In a possible design, the L DMRS antenna ports are determined according to the radio network temporary identity (RNTI) of the first terminal device and the number of the first time unit. For example, the RNTI of the first terminal device may be the C-RNTI.

[0040] For example, L = 1. The numbering of the L DMRS antenna ports satisfies: Y -1 = n RNTI . Where n RNTI represents the value of the RNTI, represents the number of the first time unit, A and D are positive integers, and mod is the modulo operation.

[0041] In a possible design, the L DMRS antenna ports are determined according to the radio network temporary identity (RNTI) of the first terminal device, the number of the first time unit, and the number of the first CORESET. For example, the RNTI of the first terminal device may be the C-RNTI.

[0042] For example, L = 1. The numbering of the L DMRS antenna ports satisfies: Y p,-1 = n RNTI . Where n RNTI represents the value of the RNTI, represents the number of the first time unit, p represents the number of the first CORESET, D is a positive integer, A p is a positive integer determined according to p, and mod is the modulo operation.

[0043] Second aspect, a communication method is provided. This method can be executed by a first terminal device. Without special specification, the "first terminal device" in this application can refer to the first terminal device itself, or a component in the first terminal device (such as a processor, a chip, or a chip system, etc.), or can also be a logic module or software that can implement all or part of the functions of the first terminal device. Hereinafter, the description will be given taking the execution entity as the first terminal device as an example. The method includes: The first terminal device determines L demodulation reference signal DMRS antenna ports, and the L DMRS antenna ports are one or more DMRS antenna ports among N DMRS antenna ports, where the N DMRS antenna ports are used for physical downlink control channel PDCCH transmission, and any two of the N DMRS antenna ports are orthogonally multiplexed by at least one of the following: time division multiplexing TDM, frequency division multiplexing FDM, or code division multiplexing CDM. N is a positive integer greater than or equal to 2, and L is a positive integer less than or equal to N. The first terminal device receives the DMRS of the first PDCCH through the L DMRS antenna ports.

[0044] In a possible design, when any two of the N DMRS antenna ports are orthogonally multiplexed by the CDM, different frequency domain orthogonal masks OCCs and / or different time domain OCCs are associated between any two of the N DMRS antenna ports, so that any two of the above DMRS antenna ports are orthogonal to each other.

[0045] In a possible design, when any two of the N DMRS antenna ports are orthogonally multiplexed by the CDM and the FDM:

[0046] The N DMRS antenna ports belong to at least two CDM groups, and each CDM group in the at least two CDM groups includes a part of the antenna ports among the N DMRS antenna ports. Among them, the number of DMRS antenna ports included in different CDM groups in the at least two CDM groups can be the same or different.

[0047] Different frequency domain OCCs and / or different time domain OCCs are associated between any two of the DMRS antenna ports in any one of the at least two CDM groups, so that any two of the DMRS antenna ports within each CDM group are orthogonal to each other.

[0048] Different frequency domain resources are associated between any two of the at least two CDM groups, so that any two of the DMRS antenna ports between different CDM groups are orthogonal to each other.

[0049] In a possible design, the transmission resources of the first PDCCH include multiple resource element groups (REGs). Each REG in the multiple REGs includes M first resource elements (REs), and the M first REs are used to carry the DMRS of the PDCCH, where M is a positive integer greater than 3. Among them, each REG in the multiple REGs includes 1 orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) symbol in the time domain and 1 resource block (RB) in the frequency domain.

[0050] For example, M is an even number and M = 4.

[0051] In a possible design, the time domain resources of the first PDCCH include K symbols, and the K symbols include a first symbol and a second symbol. K is a positive integer greater than or equal to 2. The first PDCCH includes the data information of the first PDCCH and the DMRS of the first PDCCH. The data information of the first PDCCH occupies the first symbol, and the DMRS of the first PDCCH occupies the second symbol.

[0052] In a possible design, the length of the frequency domain OCC is 2 or 4, and the length of the time domain OCC is 2 or 4.

[0053] In a possible design, the value of N includes 2 T or 3*Q, where T and Q are positive integers.

[0054] For example, the value of N includes one of the following: 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 12, or 16.

[0055] In a possible design, the method further includes: the first terminal device receives first information. Among them, the first information indicates the L antenna ports. The first information is carried in one of the following: radio resource control (RRC) signaling, system information block (SIB), downlink control information (DCI), or medium access control layer control element (MAC CE).

[0056] In a possible design, the first information indicates the L antenna ports, including: the first information indicates that the first terminal device uses the L DMRS antenna ports to detect the first PDCCH on the first search space set (SS set).

[0057] Among them, the first SS set is all the SS sets associated with all the control resource sets (CORESETs) of the first terminal device.

[0058] Or, the first SS set is all the SS sets associated with all the CORESETs on the first bandwidth part (BWP), and the first BWP is one of all the BWPs of the first terminal device.

[0059] Alternatively, the first SS set is all the SS sets associated with the first CORESET, and the first CORESET is one of all the CORESETs of the first terminal device.

[0060] Alternatively, the first SS set is one of all the SS sets of the first terminal device.

[0061] In a possible design, the first information indicates the L antenna ports, including: the first information indicates that the first terminal device uses the L DMRS antenna ports to detect the first PDCCH on all the SS sets associated with the first CORESET group, and the first CORESET group is one of all the CORESET groups of the first terminal device.

[0062] In a possible design, the first information indicates the L antenna ports, including: the first information indicates that the first terminal device uses the L DMRS antenna ports to detect the first PDCCH on the first SS set group, and the first SS set group is one of all the SS set groups of the first terminal device.

[0063] In a possible design, the DCI corresponds to a first terminal device group, and the first terminal device group includes at least one terminal device. The first information is carried in the first information block of the DCI, and the first information block corresponds to one or more terminal devices in the first terminal device group, and the one or more terminal devices include the first terminal device.

[0064] In a possible design, the L DMRS antenna ports are determined according to the radio network temporary identity RNTI of the first terminal device.

[0065] For example, L = 1. The numbers of the L DMRS antenna ports satisfy: n RNTI mod N. Where n RNTI represents the value of the RNTI.

[0066] In a possible design, the L DMRS antenna ports are determined according to the radio network temporary identity RNTI of the first terminal device and the number of the first time unit.

[0067] For example, L = 1. The numbers of the L DMRS antenna ports satisfy: Y -1 = n RNTI Where nRNTI represents the value of the RNTI represents the number of the first time unit, where A and D are positive integers

[0068] In a possible design, the L DMRS antenna ports are determined according to the radio network temporary identity (RNTI) of the first terminal device, the number of the first time unit, and the number of the first CORESET

[0069] For example, L = 1. The numbers of the L DMRS antenna ports satisfy: Y p,-1 = n RNTI . Where n RNTI represents the value of the RNTI represents the number of the first time unit, p represents the number of the first CORESET, D is a positive integer, and A p is a positive integer determined according to p

[0070] Wherein, for the technical effects brought by the second aspect or any one of the design manners in the second aspect, reference may be made to the technical effects brought by different design manners in the first aspect, which will not be elaborated herein

[0071] In a third aspect, a communication device is provided for implementing the above various methods. The communication device includes modules, units, or means corresponding to the implementation of the methods. The modules, units, or means can be implemented by hardware, software, or by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more modules or units corresponding to the functions

[0072] In some possible designs, the communication device may include a processing module and a transceiver module. The processing module can be used to implement the processing functions in any of the above aspects and any possible implementation manners thereof. The transceiver module, which can also be referred to as a transceiver unit, is used to implement the sending and / or receiving functions in any of the above aspects and any possible implementation manners thereof. The transceiver module can be composed of a transceiver circuit, a transceiver, a transceiver, or a communication interface

[0073] In some possible designs, the transceiver module includes a sending module and / or a receiving module, which are respectively used to implement the sending or receiving functions in any of the above aspects and any possible implementation manners thereof

[0074] In a fourth aspect, a communication device is provided, including: a processor and a memory. The processor is coupled to the memory. The memory stores program instructions. When the program instructions stored in the memory are executed by the processor, the communication device executes the methods in any of the above aspects or any possible design in any of the above aspects​

[0075] In a fifth aspect, a communication device is provided, including: a processor; the processor is configured to execute a computer program or instructions to enable the communication device to execute the method described in any aspect or the method in any possible design in any aspect. Optionally, the communication device further includes a memory, which may be coupled to the processor, or the memory may exist independently of the processor. For example, the memory and the processor are two independent modules. The memory may be located outside the communication device or inside the communication device.

[0076] In a sixth aspect, a computer-readable storage medium is provided. The computer-readable storage medium stores a computer program or instructions, and when it is run, enables the method described in any aspect or the method in any possible design in any aspect to be executed.

[0077] In a seventh aspect, a computer program product containing instructions is provided, and when it is run, enables the method described in any aspect or the method in any possible design in any aspect to be executed.

[0078] The communication device provided in any one of the third to seventh aspects may be the network device in the first aspect, or a component included in the network device, such as a chip or a chip system; or, the communication device may be the first terminal device in the second aspect, or a component included in the first terminal device, such as a chip or a chip system. When the device is a chip system, it may be composed of chips or may include chips and other discrete devices.

[0079] It can be understood that when the communication device provided in any one of the third to seventh aspects is a chip, the sending action / function of the communication device can be understood as outputting information, and the receiving action / function of the communication device can be understood as inputting information.

[0080] In an eighth aspect, a communication device is provided for implementing the method described in any aspect or the method in any possible design in any aspect. Optionally, the communication device includes a terminal device, a network device, a chip system or a chip, where the terminal device may be referred to as the first terminal device.

[0081] Among them, for the technical effects brought by any design manner in the third to eighth aspects, reference may be made to the technical effects brought by different design manners in the first aspect, which will not be elaborated here. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0082] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of the architecture of a communication system provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0083] Figure 2A schematic diagram of controlling resource set configuration provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0084] Figure 3a A schematic diagram of time-frequency resource distribution of a PDCCH provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0085] Figure 3b A schematic diagram of time-frequency resource distribution of a control resource set provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0086] Figure 3c Another schematic diagram of time-frequency resource distribution of a control resource set provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0087] Figure 4 A schematic diagram of position distribution of a demodulation reference signal provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0088] Figure 5 A schematic diagram of a flow of a communication method provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0089] Figure 6 Another schematic diagram of position distribution of a demodulation reference signal provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0090] Figure 7 A schematic diagram of distribution of an orthogonal mask provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0091] Figure 8 Another schematic diagram of distribution of an orthogonal mask provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0092] Figure 9 Another schematic diagram of distribution of an orthogonal mask provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0093] Figure 10 Another schematic diagram of distribution of an orthogonal mask provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0094] Figure 11 Another schematic diagram of distribution of an orthogonal mask provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0095] Figure 12 Another schematic diagram of distribution of an orthogonal mask provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0096] Figure 13 Another schematic diagram of distribution of an orthogonal mask provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0097] Figure 14 Another schematic diagram of distribution of an orthogonal mask provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0098] Figure 15 Another schematic diagram of distribution of an orthogonal mask provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0099] Figure 16 Another distribution schematic diagram of orthogonal masks provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0100] Figure 17 Another schematic flowchart of a communication method provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0101] Figure 18 A schematic diagram of information block distribution provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0102] Figure 19 Another schematic flowchart of a communication method provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0103] Figure 20 A schematic structural diagram of a communication device provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0104] Figure 21 Another schematic structural diagram of a communication device provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0105] Figure 22 Another schematic structural diagram of a communication device provided by an embodiment of the present application. Detailed implementation manners

[0106] Next, the technical solutions in the present application will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0107] In the present application, the term "system" can be interchanged with "network". The present application will present various aspects, embodiments or features around a system that may include multiple devices, components, modules, etc. It should be understood and clear that each system may include additional devices, components, modules, etc., and / or may not include all the devices, components, modules, etc. discussed in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. In addition, combinations of these solutions can also be used.

[0108] In addition, in the embodiments of the present application, words such as "exemplarily" and "for example" are used to represent examples, illustrations or explanations. Any embodiment or design solution described as an "example" in the present application should not be construed as being more preferred or having more advantages than other embodiments or design solutions. Exactly speaking, the use of the word "example" is intended to present concepts in a specific manner.

[0109] In the embodiments of the present application, "(of)", "corresponding", and "corresponding" can sometimes be used interchangeably. It should be noted that when not emphasizing their differences, the meanings they express are the same.

[0110] The network architecture and service scenarios described in the embodiments of this application are used to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application, and do not constitute a limitation on the technical solutions provided by the embodiments of this application. As can be known to those of ordinary skill in the art, with the evolution of the network architecture and the emergence of new service scenarios, the technical solutions provided by the embodiments of this application are equally applicable to similar technical problems.

[0111] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the architecture of the communication system 1000 to which the embodiments of this application are applied. As Figure 1 shown, the communication system 1000 includes at least one network device (such as Figure 1 110a and 110b in Figure 1 ), and at least one terminal device (such as

[0112] 120a - 120j in Figure 1 ). Among them, the terminal device can communicate with the network device wirelessly. Optionally, different network devices can communicate with each other. Optionally, different terminal devices can communicate with each other.

[0113] It should be noted that

[0114] is only a schematic diagram. Although not shown, the communication system 1000 may further include other network devices. For example, the communication system 1000 may further include one or more of core network (CN) devices, wireless relay devices, and wireless backhaul devices, which are not specifically limited herein.

[0113] Among them, the network device can be connected to the core network device by wireless or wired means. The core network device and the network device can be independent different physical devices, or the functions of the core network device and the logical functions of the network device can be integrated on the same physical device, or the functions of part of the core network device and part of the network device can be integrated on one physical device. The embodiments of this application do not make specific limitations on this.

[0114] Optionally, the network device is a network-side device with wireless transceiver capabilities. The network device may be a device in a radio access network (RAN) that provides wireless communication capabilities for terminal devices, referred to as a RAN device. The RAN may be an access network in the 3rd generation partnership project (3GPP), for example, a 4G, 5G, or future-oriented 6G network. The RAN may also be an open RAN (O-RAN or ORAN), a cloud radio access network (CRAN), or a communication network of two or more of the above networks. The RAN device may be a base station, an evolved NodeB (eNodeB), a transmission reception point (TRP), a next generation nodeB (gNB) in a 5th generation (5G) mobile communication system, a next generation nodeB in a 6th generation (6G) mobile communication system, a base station in a future mobile communication system, a wireless fidelity (WiFi) system, a long range radio (LoRa) system, or an access node in a vehicle-to-everything (V2X) system. The RAN device may also be a module or unit that performs some of the functions of a base station. For example, it may be a central unit (CU), a distributed unit (DU), or a radio unit (RU). Here, the CU performs the functions of the radio resource control protocol and the packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) of the base station, and may also perform the function of the service data adaptation protocol (SDAP); the DU performs the functions of the radio link control layer and the medium access control (MAC) layer of the base station, and may also perform some or all of the functions of the physical layer. For specific descriptions of the above protocol layers, reference may be made to the relevant technical specifications of the 3rd generation partnership project (3GPP). The CU and DU may be separately provided, or may also be included in the same network element, such as a baseband unit (BBU).The RU may be included in a radio frequency device or a radio frequency unit, such as included in a remote radio unit (RRU), an active antenna unit (AAU), or a remote radio head (RRH). In different systems, the CU, DU, or RU may also have different names, but those skilled in the art can understand their meanings. For example, in the ORAN system, the CU may also be referred to as an O-CU (open CU), the DU may also be referred to as an O-DU, and the RU may also be referred to as an O-RU. Any one of the CU (or CU-CP, CU-UP), DU, and RU in this application may be implemented by a software module, a hardware module, or a combination of a software module and a hardware module. The radio access network device may be a macro base station (such as. Figure 1 110a) in, or may also be a micro base station or an indoor station (such as Figure 1 110b) in, or may also be a relay node or a donor node, etc. The embodiments of this application do not limit the specific technologies and specific device forms adopted by the radio access network device. For ease of description, the network device is used as an abbreviation for the radio access network device, and the base station is used as an example of the radio access network device.

[0115] Optionally, the terminal device accesses the core network through a network device. The terminal device includes a device that provides voice and / or data connectivity to a user. Specifically, it includes a device that provides voice to a user, or a device that provides data connectivity to a user, or a device that provides both voice and data connectivity to a user. For example, it may include a handheld device with wireless connection capabilities, or a processing device connected to a wireless modem. The terminal device can communicate with the core network via a radio access network, exchange voice or data with the RAN, or interact with the RAN for both voice and data. The terminal device may include a user equipment (UE), a wireless terminal device, a mobile terminal device, a D2D terminal device, a V2X terminal device, a machine-to-machine / machine-type communications (M2M / MTC) terminal device, an internet of things (IoT) terminal device, a subscriber unit, a subscriber station, a mobile station, a remote station, an access point (AP), a remote terminal, an access terminal, a user terminal, a user agent, or a user device, etc. For example, it may include a mobile phone (or a "cellular" phone), a computer with a mobile terminal device, a portable, pocket-sized, handheld, or computer-integrated mobile device, etc. For example, personal communication service (PCS) phones, cordless phones, session initiation protocol (SIP) phones, wireless local loop (WLL) stations, personal digital assistant (PDA) devices, etc. It also includes constrained devices, such as devices with low power consumption, or devices with limited storage capacity, or devices with limited computing power, etc. For example, it includes information sensing devices such as barcodes, radio frequency identification (RFID), sensors, global positioning system (GPS), laser scanners, etc.

[0116] Among the various terminal devices introduced above, if they are located on a vehicle (for example, placed inside or installed inside a vehicle), they can all be considered in-vehicle terminal devices. In-vehicle terminal devices are also referred to as on-board units (OBUs) for example.

[0117] In the embodiments of the present application, the terminal device may further include a relay. Or it can be understood that anything capable of data communication with a base station can be regarded as a terminal device.

[0118] In the embodiments of the present application, the device for implementing the functions of the terminal device may be the terminal device itself, or a device capable of supporting the terminal device to implement such functions, such as a chip system, and this device may be installed in the terminal device. In the embodiments of the present application, the chip system may be composed of chips, or may include chips and other discrete devices. In the technical solutions provided by the embodiments of the present application, the case where the device for implementing the functions of the terminal is the terminal device is taken as an example for introduction.

[0119] It should be understood that the network device and the terminal device can be in fixed positions or movable. The network device and the terminal device can be deployed on land, including indoor or outdoor, handheld or in-vehicle; they can also be deployed on water; and can also be deployed on airplanes, balloons, and artificial satellites in the air. The embodiments of the present application do not limit the application scenarios of the network device and the terminal device.

[0120] The roles of the network device and the terminal device can be relative. For example, Figure 1 the helicopter or drone 120i in can be configured as a mobile base station. For the terminal devices 120j accessing the radio access network through 120i, the terminal device 120i is a network device; but for the network device 110a, 120i is a terminal device, that is, the communication between 110a and 120i is through the radio air interface protocol. Of course, the communication between 110a and 120i can also be through the interface protocol between base stations. In this case, relative to 110a, 120i is also a network device. Therefore, the network device and the terminal device can both be uniformly referred to as communication devices. Figure 1 the 110a and 110b in can be called communication devices with network device functions. Figure 1 the 120a - 120j in can be called communication devices with terminal device functions.

[0121] Communication can be carried out between a network device and a terminal device, between network devices, and between terminal devices through licensed spectrum, unlicensed spectrum, or both simultaneously; communication can be carried out through spectrum below 6 gigahertz (GHz), through spectrum above 6 GHz, or by using both spectrum below 6 GHz and spectrum above 6 GHz simultaneously. Embodiments of this application do not limit the spectrum resources used for wireless communication.

[0122] In embodiments of this application, the functions of a network device can also be performed by a module (such as a chip) in the network device or by a control subsystem that includes the functions of the network device. Here, the control subsystem that includes the functions of the network device can be a control center in application scenarios such as smart grids, industrial control, intelligent transportation, and smart cities. The functions of a terminal device can also be performed by a module (such as a chip or a modem) in the terminal device or by a device that includes the functions of the terminal device.

[0123] In embodiments of this application, the network device sends a downlink signal or downlink information to the terminal device, and the downlink information is carried on a downlink channel; the terminal device sends an uplink signal or uplink information to the network device, and the uplink information is carried on an uplink channel. In order to communicate with the network device, the terminal device needs to establish a wireless connection with a cell controlled by the network device. The cell that has established a wireless connection with the terminal device is called the serving cell of the terminal device. When the terminal device communicates with the serving cell, it is also interfered by signals from neighboring cells.

[0124] It should be noted that the solutions in the embodiments of this application can also be applied to other communication systems, and correspondingly, the names can be replaced with the corresponding function names in other communication systems.

[0125] To facilitate understanding of the embodiments of this application, the following briefly explains the terms involved in the embodiments of this application. It should be understood that these explanations are only for facilitating understanding of the embodiments of this application and should not constitute any limitation to this application.

[0126] 1. PDCCH

[0127] Similar to the long term evolution (LTE) communication system, the NR communication system defines that the PDCCH transmits downlink control information (DCI).

[0128] For a terminal device, the terminal device may blindly detect candidate PDCCHs from a network device (such as a base station) in one or more search space sets (SS sets).

[0129] Among them, an SS set can indicate the starting symbol and period of the PDCCH in the time domain. An SS set can be understood as a set of candidate PDCCHs that the terminal device needs to detect. The SS set is divided into a common search space set (CSS set) and a user search space set (USS set).

[0130] For the PDCCH, different from the LTE communication system, the NR communication system introduces the concept of a control resource set (CORESET). Among them, a CORESET can indicate the frequency band occupied by the PDCCH in the frequency domain and the number of symbols occupied by the PDCCH in the time domain. A CORESET can be understood as the time-frequency resources used by the terminal device to detect candidate PDCCHs using one or more SS sets. For example, a CORESET consists of resource blocks (RBs) in the frequency domain and consecutive symbols in the time domain. A CORESET can appear at any time-frequency position in a bandwidth part (BWP) and is semi-statically configured by the network device side through high-layer signaling. Each terminal device can be configured with one or more CORESETs, as Figure 2 shown.

[0131] The time-frequency resources used by a PDCCH are aggregated by one or more control channel elements (CCEs) within a CORESET, as Figure 3a shown. Among them, a CCE can also be referred to as an aggregation level (AL).

[0132] Currently, the PDCCH ALs supported by the NR communication system include 1, 2, 4, 8, and 16. A CCE consists of 6 resource element groups (REGs). Each REG occupies one symbol in the time domain and one RB in the frequency domain. Among them, one RB includes 12 subcarriers in the frequency domain. In other words, each REG includes 12 resource elements (REs).

[0133] For a certain CORESET, there are two ways of mapping CCE to REG: interleaved mapping and non - interleaved mapping. Among them, the non - interleaved mapping is as shown in Figure 3b and the interleaved mapping is as shown in Figure 3c .

[0134] In this application, the symbol can be an orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) symbol, which is the smallest time unit in the time domain of an OFDM system.

[0135] 2. Demodulation Reference Signal (DMRS) of PDCCH

[0136] Generally, during the process of a terminal device processing the received PDCCH, channel estimation is required. For this purpose, the NR communication system introduces the DMRS dedicated to PDCCH, which can be described as: the DMRS of PDCCH, or PDCCH DMRS. The introduction of PDCCH DMRS enables the network device to transmit PDCCH in a beamforming manner. Therefore, the coverage and performance of PDCCH are improved.

[0137] Exemplarily, the DMRS of PDCCH is sent using a pseudo - random sequence. For a certain candidate PDCCH, in a certain REG occupied by this candidate PDCCH, the DMRS of PDCCH is mapped to some of the sub - carriers of this REG, such as the fourth sub - carrier among every four sub - carriers, as shown in Figure 4 . Therefore, the overhead of the DMRS of PDCCH is 1 / 4, that is, there are 3 REs for DMRS transmission in each REG.

[0138] In this application, the RE for carrying DMRS can be denoted as DMRS RE.

[0139] 3. Data Information of PDCCH

[0140] The data information of PDCCH can be understood as the DCI carried by PDCCH, which can be denoted as: PDCCH Data.

[0141] It should be noted that in this application, for a certain PDCCH, it includes two parts, namely the data information of this PDCCH and the DMRS of this PDCCH.

[0142] 4. Antenna Port

[0143] An antenna port is a logical port for signal transmission. One antenna port can correspond to one or more physical antennas. Different antenna ports can correspond to the same physical antenna or different physical antennas. From the perspective of the receiving end, each antenna port corresponds to an independent radio channel. In the 3GPP NR standard, an antenna port is defined as an antenna port for transmitting reference signals, which can be abbreviated as a reference signal antenna port. For example, an antenna port for transmitting DMRS can be abbreviated as a DMRS antenna port (DMRS port).

[0144] It should be noted that in this application, the antenna port always refers to the DMRS antenna port.

[0145] In addition, the antenna port is also abbreviated as the port. For example, the DMRS antenna port can also be abbreviated as the DMRS port.

[0146] 5. Antenna Ports Supported by PDCCH

[0147] Taking the NR communication system as an example, PDCCH only supports a single antenna port, and the port number is 2000. In this way, the DMRS of PDCCH also only supports one antenna port, that is, a single DMRS antenna port.

[0148] Generally, in a multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) transmission scenario, since PDCCH only supports a single antenna port, for a PDCCH transmission, only single-stream transmission is supported.

[0149] In the MU-MIMO transmission scenario of multiple PDCCHs, the network device processes it in a transparent manner for the terminal device, that is: using the same DMRS antenna port to transmit the PDCCHs of multiple terminal devices. In other words, the network device uses the same DMRS antenna port to transmit the PDCCHs of multiple terminal devices on the same time-frequency resource. In this case, it may not be possible to ensure orthogonality between the DMRSs of multiple PDCCHs, resulting in poor demodulation performance of PDCCH. In addition, when the number of cell users is relatively large, there may be a problem of limited PDCCH capacity, affecting the performance of PDCCH.

[0150] In summary, in NR, PDCCH only supports a single antenna port. When multiple PDCCHs use MU-MIMO transmission, since the DMRSs of multiple PDCCHs are transmitted using the same antenna port, it may not be possible to ensure orthogonality between them, resulting in limited PDCCH demodulation performance and also affecting the PDCCH capacity.

[0151] In view of this, this application provides a communication method, which can be applied to Figure 1The system shown. The method includes: a network device determines L DMRS antenna ports from N DMRS antenna ports. Among them, the N DMRS antenna ports are used for PDCCH transmission, and any two of the N DMRS antenna ports are orthogonally multiplexed by at least one of the following: time division multiplexing (TDM), frequency division multiplexing (FDM), or code division multiplexing (CDM). N is a positive integer greater than or equal to 2, and L is a positive integer less than or equal to N. The network device sends the DMRS of the first PDCCH through the L DMRS antenna ports.

[0152] In this application, TDM between any two DMRS antenna ports means that different DMRS antenna ports are associated with or use different time domain resources. In this way, the PDCCH DMRS transmitted on different DMRS antenna ports can use different time domain resources, thus ensuring the orthogonality between the DMRS of different PDCCHs.

[0153] In this application, FDM between any two DMRS antenna ports means that different DMRS antenna ports are associated with or use different frequency domain resources. In this way, the PDCCH DMRS transmitted on different DMRS antenna ports can use different frequency domain resources, thus ensuring the orthogonality between the DMRS of different PDCCHs.

[0154] In this application, CDM between any two DMRS antenna ports means that different DMRS antenna ports are associated with or use different orthogonal codes (such as the orthogonal masks described below). In this way, the PDCCH DMRS transmitted on different DMRS antenna ports can use different orthogonal codes, thus ensuring the orthogonality between the DMRS of different PDCCHs.

[0155] In this way, since the N DMRS antenna ports can be used for PDCCH transmission and are orthogonal to each other, when different PDCCH DMRS are transmitted through different DMRS antenna ports among the N DMRS antenna ports, the DMRS of different PDCCHs are orthogonal to each other. For example, the DMRS of the first PDCCH is orthogonal to the DMRS of other PDCCHs, which helps to improve the PDCCH demodulation performance and PDCCH capacity.

[0156] Next, in combination with Figure 5 , the communication method proposed in the embodiments of this application will be introduced in detail.

[0157] The communication method 500 proposed in the embodiments of this application includes the following operations:

[0158] S501. The network device determines L DMRS antenna ports from N DMRS antenna ports.

[0159] Among them, the introduction of the network device is as follows:

[0160] This step can be executed by the network device. Without special instructions, the "network device" in this application can refer to the network device itself, or a component in the network device (such as a processor, a chip, or a chip system, etc.), or can also be a logic module or software that can implement all or part of the functions of the network device.

[0161] Among them, the introduction of the L DMRS antenna ports is as follows:

[0162] L is a positive integer less than or equal to N, that is, the L DMRS antenna ports are one or more of the N DMRS antenna ports.

[0163] Among them, the introduction of the N DMRS antenna ports is as follows:

[0164] N is a positive integer greater than or equal to 2, that is, the N DMRS antenna ports are two or more DMRS antenna ports.

[0165] First, the N DMRS antenna ports are used for PDCCH transmission and can be denoted as PDCCH DMRS antenna ports. That is to say, PDCCH supports multiple antenna ports.

[0166] Second, any two of the N DMRS antenna ports are orthogonally multiplexed through at least one of the following: TDM, FDM, or CDM.

[0167] For example, any two of the N DMRS antenna ports are orthogonally multiplexed through CDM. Another example is that any two of the N DMRS antenna ports are orthogonally multiplexed through CDM and FDM.

[0168] Next, it will be introduced through two implementation manners (the following first implementation manner and second implementation manner):

[0169] The first implementation manner: FDM between the data information of PDCCH and the DMRS of PDCCH.

[0170] First, the DMRS overhead of PDCCH will be introduced:

[0171] In the first embodiment, the transmission resources of the first PDCCH include multiple REGs. Each REG among the multiple REGs includes M first REs, and the M first REs are used to carry the DMRS of the PDCCH, where M is a positive integer greater than 3. Among them, each REG among the multiple REGs includes 1 OFDM symbol in the time domain and 1 RB in the frequency domain. For details, refer to the introduction in the glossary section and will not be elaborated here.

[0172] It should be understood that in this application, each REG includes multiple REs (such as 12 REs). Among the multiple REs, the REs used to carry the PDCCH DMRS are described as: the first REs. For each REG, in addition to the M first REs, other REs may also be included, such as the REs carrying the data information of the PDCCH.

[0173] Since this application considers that the DMRS antenna ports use orthogonal cover codes (OCC) in the frequency domain, and the length of the OCC is generally even, therefore, in this application, the number of REs used to carry the DMRS in one REG is even. Considering the overhead of the DMRS and the performance of the DMRS comprehensively, it is preferred to consider the DMRS overhead as 1 / 3, that is, M = 4. In other words, 4 first REs in each REG are used to carry the DMRS of the PDCCH.

[0174] Take Figure 6 as an example, Figure 6 Figure 1 shows the distribution of the data information and DMRS of the PDCCH on one REG. The REs used to carry the data information are shown as blank squares. The REs used to carry the DMRS are shown as diagonally filled squares.

[0175] It should be understood that M can also be other values, such as M = 6, and this application does not make any restrictions on this.

[0176] It should be noted that the meaning of the OCC is introduced as follows:

[0177] The DMRS of the PDCCH is sent using a pseudo-random sequence. An orthogonal sequence can be further superimposed on the pseudo-random sequence to support multiple orthogonal DMRS antenna ports. The pseudo-random sequence can be called the base sequence, and the orthogonal sequence is called the OCC. Among them, the OCC can also have other descriptions, such as the OCC sequence, and this application does not make any restrictions on this.

[0178] Among them, the OCC includes a time-domain OCC and a frequency-domain OCC. The time-domain OCC can be understood as: using the OCC in the time domain dimension, which can be denoted as TD-OCC, that is, time domain - OCC. The frequency-domain OCC can be understood as: using the OCC in the frequency domain dimension, which can be denoted as FD-OCC, that is, frequency domain - OCC.

[0179] It should be noted that the length of the OCC is introduced as follows:

[0180] For an OCC with a length of 2, it can be understood that this OCC has two elements. For example, the OCC with a length of 2 can be a sequence including those in Table 1:

[0181] Table 1

[0182] Sequence number (n) OCC sequence 1 [+1+1] 2 [+1-1]

[0183] For an OCC with a length of 4, it can be understood that this OCC has four elements. For example, the OCC with a length of 4 can be a sequence including those in Table 2:

[0184] Table 2

[0185]

[0186]

[0187] In this application, a time-domain OCC with a length of 2 can be denoted as: 2-length TD-OCC. A time-domain OCC with a length of 4 can be denoted as: 4-length TD-OCC. A frequency-domain OCC with a length of 2 can be denoted as: 2-length FD-OCC. A frequency-domain OCC with a length of 4 can be denoted as: 4-length FD-OCC.

[0188] In the first embodiment, as the first option (option1): Orthogonal multiplexing is performed through CDM between any two of the N DMRS antenna ports. For example, any two of the N DMRS antenna ports are associated with (or use) different frequency-domain OCCs and / or different time-domain OCCs. In other words, the N DMRS antenna ports are associated with (or use) the same time-frequency resources, and maintain orthogonality by being associated with (or using) different time-domain OCCs and / or different frequency-domain OCCs.

[0189] For example, any two of the N DMRS antenna ports are associated with (or use) different frequency-domain OCCs. According to the length of the associated (or used) frequency-domain OCC, there can be the following examples (i.e., the following Examples 1-2):

[0190] Example 1, associating with a frequency-domain OCC with a length of 2:

[0191] Since there are 4 first REs in a certain REG for carrying DMRS (i.e., 4 DMRS REs), therefore, for the same DMRS antenna port, the first two DMRS REs and the last two DMRS REs are both associated with the same OCC with a length of 2. In this case, a total of 2 DMRS antenna ports are supported, that is, N = 2.

[0192] As Figure 7 shown, Figure 7 each small square in represents a RE. The N DMRS antenna ports are respectively denoted as DMRS antenna port 0 and DMRS antenna port 1. Figure 7 In, DMRS antenna port 0 and DMRS antenna port 1 are associated with different frequency-domain OCCs to maintain orthogonality.

[0193] In Figure 7 , the square where the letter a is located shows the frequency-domain OCC associated with DMRS antenna port 0. Among them, the frequency-domain OCC associated with DMRS antenna port 0 is [+1, +1].

[0194] In Figure 7 , the square where the letter b is located shows the frequency-domain OCC associated with DMRS antenna port 1. Among them, the frequency-domain OCC associated with DMRS antenna port 1 is [+1, -1].

[0195] It should be noted that in Figure 7 , the square where the letter a is located and the square where the letter b is located actually correspond to the same time-frequency resource. For the convenience of introduction, how different DMRS antenna ports perform code division multiplexing in the same time-frequency resource is given.

[0196] Example 2, frequency-domain OCC with an association length of 4:

[0197] Since there are 4 first REs in a certain REG for carrying DMRS (i.e., 4 DMRS REs), therefore, for the same DMRS antenna port, the 4 DMRS REs exactly associate with an OCC with a length of 4, as Figure 8 shown. In this case, a total of 4 DMRS antenna ports are supported, N = 4.

[0198] Specifically, the 4 DMRS antenna ports are respectively denoted as: DMRS antenna port 0 - DMRS antenna port 3. The 4 DMRS antenna ports are associated with different frequency-domain OCCs to maintain orthogonality.

[0199] For example, the frequency-domain OCC associated with DMRS antenna port 0 is [+1, +1, +1, +1]. The frequency-domain OCC associated with DMRS antenna port 1 is [+1, -1, +1, -1]. The frequency-domain OCC associated with DMRS antenna port 2 is [+1, +1, -1, -1]. The frequency-domain OCC associated with DMRS antenna port 3 is [+1, -1, -1, +1].

[0200] It should be understood that for the above Example 1, when the time-domain symbols of the PDCCH are even numbers (such as 2, 4), the above frequency-domain OCC can also be replaced by: time-domain OCC. For the above Example 2, when the time-domain symbol of the PDCCH is an even number (such as 4), the above frequency-domain OCC can also be replaced by: time-domain OCC.

[0201] For another example, any two of the N DMRS antenna ports are orthogonally multiplexed through different frequency-domain OCC and time-domain OCC. According to the length of the associated (or used) frequency-domain OCC, there can be the following implementation manners (that is, the following Examples 3-6):

[0202] Example 3, the frequency-domain OCC with an associated length of 2, and the time-domain OCC with a length of 2:

[0203] Each of the N DMRS antenna ports associates with a time-domain OCC with a length of 2 and a frequency-domain OCC with a length of 2 for weighting processing. In this case, a total of 4 DMRS antenna ports are supported, that is, N = 4. For example, when the time-domain symbol of the PDCCH is 2, the time-domain OCC and frequency-domain OCC associated with different DMRS antenna ports are as Figure 9 shown. For another example, when the time-domain symbol of the PDCCH is 4, the time-domain OCC and frequency-domain OCC associated with different DMRS antenna ports are as Figure 10 shown.

[0204] Specifically, the 4 DMRS antenna ports are respectively denoted as DMRS antenna port 0 - DMRS antenna port 3. The 4 DMRS antenna ports associated with a frequency-domain OCC with a length of 2 and a time-domain OCC with a length of 2 are orthogonal.

[0205] For example, the time-domain OCC associated with DMRS antenna port 0 is [+1, +1], and the frequency-domain OCC associated with DMRS antenna port 0 is [+1, +1]. The time-domain OCC associated with DMRS antenna port 1 is [+1, -1], and the frequency-domain OCC associated with DMRS antenna port 0 is [+1, +1]. The time-domain OCC associated with DMRS antenna port 2 is [+1, +1], and the frequency-domain OCC associated with DMRS antenna port 2 is [+1, -1]. The time-domain OCC associated with DMRS antenna port 3 is [+1, -1], and the frequency-domain OCC associated with DMRS antenna port 3 is [+1, -1].

[0206] Example 4, the frequency-domain OCC with an associated length of 4, and the time-domain OCC with a length of 2:

[0207] Each of the N DMRS antenna ports is weighted with a time-domain OCC of length 2 and a frequency-domain OCC of length 4. In this case, a total of 8 DMRS antenna ports are supported, i.e., N = 8. For example, when the time-domain symbol of the PDCCH is 2, the time-domain OCC and frequency-domain OCC associated with different DMRS antenna ports are as Figure 11 shown. Another example is when the time-domain symbol of the PDCCH is 4, the time-domain OCC and frequency-domain OCC associated with different DMRS antenna ports are as Figure 12 shown.

[0208] Specifically, the 8 DMRS antenna ports are respectively denoted as DMRS antenna port 0 - DMRS antenna port 7. The frequency-domain OCC of length 4 and the time-domain OCC of length 2 associated with the 8 DMRS antenna ports are orthogonal.

[0209] For example, the time-domain OCC associated with DMRS antenna port 0 is [+1, +1], and the frequency-domain OCC associated with DMRS antenna port 0 is [+1, +1, +1, +1]. The time-domain OCC associated with DMRS antenna port 1 is [+1, -1], and the frequency-domain OCC associated with DMRS antenna port 1 is [+1, +1, +1, +1]. The time-domain OCC associated with DMRS antenna port 2 is [+1, +1], and the frequency-domain OCC associated with DMRS antenna port 2 is [+1, -1, +1, -1]. The time-domain OCC associated with DMRS antenna port 3 is [+1, -1], and the frequency-domain OCC associated with DMRS antenna port 3 is [+1, -1, +1, -1]. The time-domain OCC associated with DMRS antenna port 4 is [+1, +1], and the frequency-domain OCC associated with DMRS antenna port 4 is [+1, +1, -1, -1]. The time-domain OCC associated with DMRS antenna port 5 is [+1, -1], and the frequency-domain OCC associated with DMRS antenna port 5 is [+1, +1, -1, -1]. The time-domain OCC associated with DMRS antenna port 6 is [+1, +1], and the frequency-domain OCC associated with DMRS antenna port 6 is [+1, -1, -1, +1]. The time-domain OCC associated with DMRS antenna port 7 is [+1, -1], and the frequency-domain OCC associated with DMRS antenna port 7 is [+1, -1, -1, +1].

[0210] Example 5: Associated frequency-domain OCC of length 2 and time-domain OCC of length 4:

[0211] Each of the N DMRS antenna ports is weighted with a frequency-domain OCC of length 2 and a time-domain OCC of length 4. In this case, a total of 8 DMRS antenna ports are supported, i.e., N = 8. For example, when the time-domain symbol of the PDCCH is 4, the frequency-domain OCC and time-domain OCC associated with different DMRS antenna ports are as Figure 13 shown.

[0212] Specifically, the 8 DMRS antenna ports are respectively denoted as DMRS antenna port 0 - DMRS antenna port 7. The time-domain OCC of length 4 and the frequency-domain OCC of length 2 associated with the 8 DMRS antenna ports are orthogonal.

[0213] For example, the frequency-domain OCC associated with DMRS antenna port 0 is [+1, +1], and the time-domain OCC associated with DMRS antenna port 0 is [+1, +1, +1, +1]. The frequency-domain OCC associated with DMRS antenna port 1 is [+1, -1], and the time-domain OCC associated with DMRS antenna port 1 is [+1, +1, +1, +1]. The frequency-domain OCC associated with DMRS antenna port 2 is [+1, +1], and the time-domain OCC associated with DMRS antenna port 2 is [+1, -1, +1, -1]. The frequency-domain OCC associated with DMRS antenna port 3 is [+1, -1], and the time-domain OCC associated with DMRS antenna port 3 is [+1, -1, +1, -1]. The frequency-domain OCC associated with DMRS antenna port 4 is [+1, +1], and the time-domain OCC associated with DMRS antenna port 4 is [+1, +1, -1, -1]. The frequency-domain OCC associated with DMRS antenna port 5 is [+1, -1], and the time-domain OCC associated with DMRS antenna port 5 is [+1, +1, -1, -1]. The frequency-domain OCC associated with DMRS antenna port 6 is [+1, +1], and the time-domain OCC associated with DMRS antenna port 6 is [+1, -1, -1, +1]. The frequency-domain OCC associated with DMRS antenna port 7 is [+1, -1], and the time-domain OCC associated with DMRS antenna port 7 is [+1, -1, -1, +1].

[0214] Example 6, associated frequency-domain OCC of length 4, and time-domain OCC of length 4:

[0215] Each of the N DMRS antenna ports is weighted with a frequency-domain OCC of length 4 and a time-domain OCC of length 4. In this case, a total of 16 DMRS antenna ports are supported, i.e., N = 16. For example, when the time-domain symbol of the PDCCH is 4, the frequency-domain OCC and time-domain OCC associated with different DMRS antenna ports are as Figure 14 shown.

[0216] Specifically, the 16 DMRS antenna ports are respectively denoted as DMRS antenna port 0 - DMRS antenna port 15. The 16 DMRS antenna ports associated with a time-domain OCC of length 4 and a frequency-domain OCC of length 4 are orthogonal to each other.

[0217] In the first embodiment, as the second option (option2): Any two of the N DMRS antenna ports are orthogonally multiplexed by CDM and / or FDM. For example, the N DMRS antenna ports belong to at least two CDM groups, and each CDM group in the at least two CDM groups includes a part of the N DMRS antenna ports. Any two DMRS antenna ports in any one of the at least two CDM groups are associated with different frequency-domain OCCs and / or different time-domain OCCs. The DMRS antenna ports included in any two of the at least two CDM groups are associated with different frequency-domain resources.

[0218] It should be noted that in this application, DMRS antenna ports that occupy the same time-frequency resources and whose associated time-domain OCCs and / or frequency-domain OCCs are orthogonal to each other belong to one CDM group, and DMRS antenna ports that occupy different time-frequency resources belong to different CDM groups. Among them, the number of DMRS antenna ports included in different CDM groups can be the same or different. Next, taking the case where the number of DMRS antenna ports included in different CDM groups is the same as an example for introduction, it should not be construed as a limitation to this application.

[0219] In this application, the 4 DMRS REs in each REG can be divided into 2 CDM groups (CDM group), and each CDM group includes 2 DMRS REs, as Figure 15 shown in the boxes where 'a1' and 'b1' are located.

[0220] Preferably, taking 2 CDM groups as an example, consider maintaining orthogonality between different DMRS antenna ports in the same CDM group by associating different frequency-domain OCCs. Specifically, each CDM group can be associated with a frequency-domain OCC of length 2, as Figure 15 shown in the boxes where 'a2' and 'b2' are located. In this case, each CDM group contains 2 DMRS antenna ports, and the 2 CDM groups support a total of 4 DMRS antenna ports. That is, N = 4.

[0221] Preferably, taking 2 CDM groups as an example, consider maintaining orthogonality between different DMRS antenna ports in the same CDM group by associating different time-domain OCCs. Specifically, when the time-domain symbol of the PDCCH is 2, each CDM group can be associated with a time-domain OCC of length 2, as Figure 15As shown in the boxes where 'a3' and 'b3' are located. In this case, each CDM group contains 2 DMRS antenna ports, and 2 CDM groups support a total of 4 DMRS antenna ports. That is, N = 4.

[0222] Preferably, taking 2 CDM groups as an example, consider maintaining orthogonality between different DMRS antenna ports in the same CDM group by associating different time-domain OCCs and frequency-domain OCCs. Specifically, when the time-domain symbol of the PDCCH is 2, each CDM group can be associated with a time-domain OCC of length 2 and a frequency-domain OCC of length 2, as Figure 15 shown in the boxes where 'a4' and 'b4' are located. In this case, a total of 8 DMRS antenna ports are supported. That is, N = 8.

[0223] It is easy to understand that within each CDM group, for the time-domain OCC and frequency-domain OCC associated with different DMRS antenna ports, reference can be made to the introduction of 'the first option of the first embodiment', which will not be elaborated here.

[0224] Second embodiment, TDM between the data information of the PDCCH and the DMRS of the PDCCH. For example, the time-domain resources of the PDCCH include K symbols, and the K symbols include a first symbol and a second symbol. Among them, the data information of the PDCCH occupies the first symbol, and the DMRS of the PDCCH occupies the second symbol. K is a positive integer greater than or equal to 2.

[0225] Taking Figure 16 as an example, K = 2, the data information of the PDCCH occupies the first symbol, as shown by the blank square. The DMRS of the PDCCH occupies the second symbol, as shown by the filled square. Of course, the DMRS of the PDCCH can also occupy more symbols, such as 2 symbols, 4 symbols, etc., and this application does not make any limitations in this regard.

[0226] In the second embodiment, as the first option (option1): any two of the N DMRS antenna ports are orthogonally multiplexed through CDM. For example, any two of the N DMRS antenna ports are associated with or use different frequency-domain OCCs and / or different time-domain OCCs. In other words, the N DMRS antenna ports occupy the same time-frequency resources and maintain orthogonality by associating different time-domain OCCs and / or different frequency-domain OCCs.

[0227] For example, any two of the N DMRS antenna ports are associated with or use different frequency-domain OCCs. According to the length of the associated frequency-domain OCC, there are the following examples:

[0228] Each DMRS antenna port can be associated with a frequency-domain OCC of length 2, as Figure 16As shown in the box where 'a1' is located. In this case, a total of 2 DMRS antenna ports are supported. That is, N = 2.

[0229] Each DMRS antenna port can be associated with a frequency-domain OCC of length 4, as Figure 16 shown in the box where 'a2' is located. In this case, a total of 4 DMRS antenna ports are supported. That is, N = 4.

[0230] For another example, any two of the N DMRS antenna ports are associated with or use different time-domain OCCs. According to the length of the associated time-domain OCC, the following examples can be obtained:

[0231] When the DMRS time-domain symbols of the PDCCH are even numbers (such as 2, 4), each DMRS antenna port can be associated with a time-domain OCC of length 2. In this case, a total of 2 DMRS antenna ports are supported. That is, N = 2.

[0232] When the DMRS time-domain symbols of the PDCCH are even numbers (such as 4), each DMRS antenna port can be associated with a time-domain OCC of length 4. In this case, a total of 4 DMRS antenna ports are supported. That is, N = 4.

[0233] In the second embodiment, as the second option (option2): Any two of the N DMRS antenna ports are orthogonally multiplexed by CDM and / or FDM. For example, the N DMRS antenna ports belong to at least two CDM groups, and each CDM group in the at least two CDM groups includes a part of the antenna ports among the N DMRS antenna ports. Any two DMRS antenna ports in any one of the at least two CDM groups are associated with or use different frequency-domain OCCs and / or different time-domain OCCs. The DMRS antenna ports included in any two of the at least two CDM groups are associated with different frequency-domain resources.

[0234] Taking 3 CDM groups as an example, the DMRS antenna ports in each CDM group can each include 4 REs. Considering maintaining orthogonality between different DMRS antenna ports in the same CDM group by associating different frequency-domain OCCs. Each CDM group can be associated with a frequency-domain OCC of length 2, as Figure 16 shown in the box where 'b1' is located. In this case, a total of 6 DMRS antenna ports are supported. That is, N = 6.

[0235] Taking 3 CDM groups as an example, the DMRS antenna ports in each CDM group can each include 4 REs. Considering maintaining orthogonality between different DMRS antenna ports in the same CDM group by associating different frequency-domain OCCs. Each CDM group can be associated with a frequency-domain OCC of length 4, as Figure 16In this case, a total of 12 DMRS antenna ports are supported, that is, N=12.

[0236] Taking 2 CDM groups as an example, the DMRS antenna ports in each CDM group can include 6 REs respectively. Consider maintaining the orthogonality between different DMRS antenna ports in the same CDM group by associating different frequency domain OCCs. Each CDM group can be associated with a frequency domain OCC of length 2, such as Figure 16 In this case, a total of 4 DMRS antenna ports are supported, that is, N=4.

[0237] Taking 2 CDM groups as an example, when the DMRS time domain symbol of the PDCCH is an even number (such as 2, 4), each DMRS antenna port can be associated with a time domain OCC of length 2 and a frequency domain OCC of length 2. In this case, a total of 8 DMRS antenna ports are supported, that is, N=8.

[0238] In the second implementation, as a third option (option 3): any two of the N DMRS antenna ports are orthogonally multiplexed by FDM. For example, any two of the N DMRS antenna ports are associated with or use different frequency domain resources. For example, N=3, DMRS antenna port 0 occupies 4 REs, such as the 1st / 2nd / 7th / 8th RE of each REG. DMRS antenna port 1 occupies 4 REs, such as the 3rd / 4th / 9th / 10th RE of each REG. DMRS antenna port 2 occupies 4 REs, such as the 5th / 6th / 11th / 12th RE of each REG.

[0239] It should be understood that the above two implementations (i.e., the above first implementation and the second implementation) are exemplary introductions of N DMRS antenna ports and should not be understood as limitations on the present application. Of course, there may be more combinations, and in different combinations, N may have other values, for example, N may have values ​​including 2 T Or 3*Q, T and Q are positive integers.

[0240] For the network device, after determining L DMRS antenna ports, the network device executes S502:

[0241] S502: The network device sends a first PDCCH to the first terminal device through L DMRS antenna ports. Correspondingly, the first terminal device receives the first PDCCH from the network device through the L DMRS antenna ports.

[0242] Among them, the introduction of the first terminal device is as follows:

[0243] This step can be executed by the first terminal device. Without special indication, the "first terminal device" in this application can refer to the first terminal device itself, a component in the first terminal device (such as a processor, a chip, or a chip system, etc.), or a logic module or software that can implement all or part of the functions of the first terminal device.

[0244] Among them, for the L DMRS antenna ports, please refer to the introduction in S501 and will not be elaborated here.

[0245] Among them, the introduction of the first PDCCH is as follows:

[0246] The first PDCCH includes two parts, namely the data information of the first PDCCH and the DMRS of the first PDCCH.

[0247] It should be understood that for the DMRS of the first PDCCH, the network device sends the DMRS of the first PDCCH to the first terminal device through the L DMRS antenna ports, including: the network device sends the DMRS of the first PDCCH to the first terminal device through at least one of the time-domain resources, frequency-domain resources, or OCC associated with the L DMRS antenna ports, and the L DMRS antenna ports.

[0248] For the data information of the first PDCCH, the network device sends the data information of the first PDCCH to the first terminal device through the L DMRS antenna ports, which only means that: the network device sends the data information of the first PDCCH to the first terminal device through the L antenna ports that send the DMRS of the first PDCCH, rather than using any one of the time-domain resources, frequency-domain resources, and OCC associated with the L DMRS antenna ports to send the data information of the first PDCCH to the first terminal device.

[0249] It should be understood that when the network device executes S502, the PDCCH involved in the above two implementation manners (i.e., the first implementation manner and the second implementation manner) can be replaced by: the first PDCCH.

[0250] It is easy to understand that for the first terminal device, as Figure 17 shown, before the first terminal device executes S502, it also executes S503:

[0251] S503. The first terminal device determines the L DMRS antenna ports.

[0252] Among them, for the L DMRS antenna ports, please refer to the introduction in S501 and will not be elaborated here.

[0253] Among them, combining two implementation schemes (the following first implementation scheme and second implementation scheme), S503 is introduced:

[0254] The first implementation: The communication method of this application includes the following steps:

[0255] S503a. The network device sends the first information to the first terminal device. Correspondingly, the first terminal device receives the first information from the network device.

[0256] Among them, the introduction of the first information is as follows:

[0257] The first information indicates the above-mentioned L DMRS antenna ports. For example, the first information includes the port numbers of the above-mentioned L DMRS antenna ports.

[0258] A possible implementation is that the first information indicates the DMRS antenna ports in terms of the terminal device granularity, that is: the first information indicates that the first terminal device uses L DMRS antenna ports to detect the first PDCCH on the first SS set. Among them, the first SS set is all the SS sets associated with all the CORESETs of the first terminal device.

[0259] It can be understood that: all PDCCH transmissions of the first terminal device adopt the above-mentioned L DMRS antenna ports. In other words, the first terminal device uses the above-mentioned L DMRS antenna ports to monitor the PDCCH on any SS set associated with any CORESET configured by itself.

[0260] A possible implementation is that the first information indicates the DMRS antenna ports in terms of the BWP granularity, that is: the first information indicates that the first terminal device uses L DMRS antenna ports to detect the first PDCCH on the second SS set. Among them, the second SS set is all the SS sets associated with all the CORESETs on the first BWP, and the first BWP is one of all the BWPs of the first terminal device.

[0261] It can be understood that: all PDCCH transmissions of the first terminal device on the same BWP (such as the above-mentioned first BWP) adopt the above-mentioned L DMRS antenna ports, and the DMRS antenna ports used for PDCCH transmissions on different BWPs are independently configured, which can be the same or different. In other words, the first terminal device uses the above-mentioned L DMRS antenna ports to monitor the PDCCH on all the SS sets associated with all the CORESET(s) associated with the first BWP.

[0262] A possible implementation manner is that the first information indicates the DMRS antenna ports in terms of the CORESET granularity, that is: the first information indicates that the first terminal device uses L DMRS antenna ports to detect the first PDCCH on the third SS set. Wherein, the third SS set is all the SS sets associated with the first SS set, and the first CORESET is one of all the CORESETs of the first terminal device.

[0263] It can be understood that: for all PDCCH transmissions performed by the first terminal device using the same CORESET, the above-mentioned L DMRS antenna ports are used. For PDCCH transmissions performed on different CORESETs, the DMRS antenna ports are independently configured, and they can be the same or different. In other words, the first terminal device uses the above-mentioned L DMRS antenna ports to monitor the PDCCH on all the SS sets(s) associated with the first CORESET.

[0264] A possible implementation manner is that the first information indicates the DMRS antenna ports in terms of the CORESET group granularity, that is: the first information indicates that the first terminal device uses L DMRS antenna ports to detect the first PDCCH on the fourth SS set. Wherein, the fourth SS set is all the SS sets associated with the first CORESET group, and the first CORESET group is one of all the CORESET groups of the first terminal device, and each CORESET group includes one or more CORESETs.

[0265] It can be understood that: for all PDCCH transmissions performed by the first terminal device using the same CORESET group, the above-mentioned L DMRS antenna ports are used. For PDCCH transmissions performed on different CORESET groups, the DMRS antenna ports are independently configured, and they can be the same or different. In other words, the first terminal device uses the above-mentioned L DMRS antenna ports to monitor the PDCCH on all the SS sets(s) associated with the first CORESET group.

[0266] A possible implementation manner is that the first information indicates the DMRS antenna ports in terms of the SS set granularity, that is: the first information indicates that the first terminal device uses L DMRS antenna ports to detect the first PDCCH on the fifth SS set. Wherein, the fifth SS set is one of all the SS sets of the first terminal device.

[0267] It can be understood that: for all PDCCH transmissions made by the first terminal device using the same SS set (such as the fifth SS set above), the above-mentioned L DMRS antenna ports are used. The DMRS ports used for PDCCH transmissions by the first terminal device on different SS sets are independently configured, and can be the same or different. In other words, the first terminal device monitors PDCCH on the fifth SS set using the above-mentioned L DMRS antenna ports.

[0268] In a possible implementation, the first information indicates the DMRS antenna ports in terms of the SS set group granularity, that is: the first information indicates that the first terminal device uses L DMRS antenna ports to detect the first PDCCH on the first SS set group. Wherein, the first SS set group is one of all SS set groups of the first terminal device. Each SS set group includes one or more SS sets.

[0269] It can be understood that: for all PDCCH transmissions made by the first terminal device using the same SS set group (such as the first SS set group above), the above-mentioned L DMRS antenna ports are used. The DMRS ports used for PDCCH transmissions by the first terminal device on different SS set groups are independently configured, and can be the same or different. In other words, the first terminal device monitors PDCCH on the first SS set group using the above-mentioned L DMRS antenna ports.

[0270] Wherein, the first information can be carried in at least one of the following:

[0271] Radio Resource Control (RRC) signaling, System Information Block (SIB), Media Access Control Control Element (MAC CE), or Downlink Control Information (DCI), etc.

[0272] In a possible implementation, corresponding to the case where the first information is carried in DCI, the DCI corresponds to the first terminal device group. Wherein, the first terminal device group includes at least one terminal device. The first information is carried in the first information block of the DCI, wherein the first information block corresponds to one or more terminal devices in the first terminal device group, and the one or more terminal devices include the first terminal device. Figure 18For example, the DCI carrying the first information may be a terminal device group common DCI, such as UE group common DCI, which is specifically used to indicate the L DMRS antenna ports used by each terminal device in a terminal device group (such as the first terminal device group mentioned above). Exemplarily, the DCI carrying the first information includes X information blocks, and the number of bits occupied by each information block is greater than or equal to 1. Each information block corresponds to one or more terminal devices, so as to indicate the PDCCH DMRS antenna ports of the corresponding terminal devices. X is a positive integer greater than or equal to 1.

[0273] Taking Figure 18 as an example, the first information is carried in the first information block, so as to indicate the above-mentioned L DMRS antenna ports for the first terminal device. For example, when the first PDCCH transmits the second DCI, the first information block of the first DCI indicates the DMRS antenna port used for monitoring the first PDCCH.

[0274] The second implementation manner: The communication method of the present application includes the following steps:

[0275] S503b. The first terminal device determines L DMRS antenna ports according to the second information.

[0276] Among them, in combination with the following three possible implementation manners, the second information is introduced:

[0277] In a possible implementation manner, the second information includes the radio network temporary identity (RNTI) of the first terminal device, such as the cell radio network temporary identity (C-RNTI). That is to say, the above-mentioned L DMRS antenna ports are determined according to the RNTI of the first terminal device.

[0278] For example, when L = 1, the numbering of the L DMRS antenna ports satisfies: n RNTI mod N, where n RNTI represents the value of the RNTI of the first terminal device, and mod is the modulo operation.

[0279] Again, when L>1, the numbering of a certain DMRS antenna port among the L DMRS antenna ports satisfies: n RNTI mod N, where n RNTI represents the value of the RNTI of the first terminal device, and mod is the modulo operation. For example, the above formula (i.e., n RNTI(mod N) defines the number of the first DMRS antenna port among the L DMRS antenna ports, and the numbers of the remaining L-1 DMRS antenna ports increase in sequence. For example, the number of the M-th DMRS antenna port among the L DMRS antenna ports satisfies: (n RNTI mod N + M - 1) mod N.

[0280] In a possible implementation, the second information includes the RNTI of the first terminal device and the number of the first time unit. That is to say, the above-mentioned L DMRS antenna ports are determined according to the RNTI of the first terminal device and the number of the first time unit.

[0281] For example, when L = 1, the numbers of the L DMRS antenna ports satisfy: Y -1 = n RNTI , where n RNTI represents the value of the RNTI of the first terminal device, represents the number of the first time unit, A and D are positive integers, and mod is the modulo operation. Exemplarily, A can take a value from {39827, 39829, 39839}, and D = 65537.

[0282] Again, for example, when L > 1, the number of a certain DMRS antenna port among the L DMRS antenna ports satisfies: Y -1 = n RNTI , where n RNTI represents the value of the RNTI of the first terminal device, represents the number of the first time unit, A and D are positive integers, and mod is the modulo operation. For example, the above formula defines the number of the first DMRS antenna port among the L DMRS antenna ports, and the numbers of the remaining L-1 DMRS antenna ports increase in sequence. For example, the number of the M-th DMRS antenna port among the L DMRS antenna ports satisfies:

[0283] Among them, the first time unit can be understood as: the time unit when the first terminal device detects the first PDCCH. For example, the first terminal device receives the first PDCCH through the above-mentioned L DMRS antenna ports in the first time unit. That is to say, the L DMRS antenna ports are the DMRS antenna ports used by the first terminal device in the first time unit.

[0284] In this way, since the first terminal device uses different time unit numbers at different times, the DMRS antenna ports determined by the first terminal device at different times are also different, thereby reducing the probability of 'DMRS antenna port conflict'.

[0285] In a possible implementation, the second information includes the RNTI of the first terminal device, the number of the first time unit, and the number of the first CORESET. That is, the above-mentioned L DMRS antenna ports are determined according to the RNTI of the first terminal device, the number of the first time unit, and the number of the first CORESET.

[0286] For example, when L = 1, the numbers of the L DMRS antenna ports satisfy: Y p,-1 = n RNTI where n RNTI represents the value of the RNTI of the first terminal device, represents the number of the first time unit, p represents the number of the first CORESET, D is a positive integer, and mod is a modulo operation. D = 65537.

[0287] where A p is a positive integer determined according to p. For example, all the CORESETs of the first terminal device are divided into 3 groups, and the DMRS antenna ports used for PDCCH transmission within each CORESET group are the same. In this case, A p = 39827 for p mod 3 = 0; A p = 39829 for p mod 3 = 1; A p = 39839 for p mod 3 = 2.

[0288] where A p = 39827 for p mod 3 = 0, which can be understood as: when p mod 3 = 0, A p = 39827.

[0289] where A p = 39829 for p mod 3 = 1, which can be understood as: when p mod 3 = 1, A p = 39829.

[0290] where A p = 39839 for p mod 3 = 2, which can be understood as: when p mod 3 = 2, A p = 39839.

[0291] Again, for example, when L > 1, the number of a certain DMRS antenna port among the L DMRS antenna ports satisfies: where n RNTI represents the value of the RNTI of the first terminal device, Indicates the number of the first time unit, p indicates the number of the first CORESET, D is a positive integer, and mod is the modulo operation. D = 65537. For example, the above formula defines the number of the first DMRS antenna port among the L DMRS antenna ports, and the numbers of the remaining L - 1 DMRS antenna ports increase sequentially. For example, the number of the Mth DMRS antenna port among the L DMRS antenna ports satisfies:

[0292] Among them, for the first time unit, reference can be made to the introduction in Example 2, which will not be elaborated here.

[0293] Among them, the first CORESET can be understood as: the CORESET used by the first terminal device to detect the first PDCCH. For example, the first terminal device receives the first PDCCH through the above L DMRS antenna ports on the first CORESET. That is to say, the L DMRS antenna ports are the DMRS antenna ports used by the first terminal device on the first CORESET.

[0294] In this way, since the first terminal device uses different time unit numbers at different times, the DMRS antenna ports determined by the first terminal device at different times are also different, and / or since the numbers of different CORESETs are different, when the first terminal device detects the PDCCH on different CORESETs, the determined DMRS antenna ports may also be different, thereby further reducing the probability of 'DMRS antenna port conflict'.

[0295] It should be understood that for Example 3, as a possible replacement, p represents the number of the first SS set, or p represents the number of the first BWP, or p represents the identifier of the first terminal device, etc. This application does not make any limitations in this regard.

[0296] It should be added that DMRS antenna port conflict can be understood as different terminal devices using the same DMRS antenna port to receive the PDCCH. For example, N = 8, n of the first terminal device RNTI = 1, n of the second terminal device RNTI = 9. In this case, the DMRS antenna port determined by the first terminal device based on Example 1 is the same as the DMRS antenna port determined by the second terminal device based on Example 1, which means that a DMRS antenna port conflict occurs.

[0297] In some embodiments, such as in the MU-MIMO transmission scenario, as Figure 19 shown, this application further includes the following steps:

[0298] S511. The network device determines L' DMRS antenna ports from N DMRS antenna ports.

[0299] Among them, for the network device and the N DMRS antenna ports, reference can be made to the description in S501, which will not be elaborated here.

[0300] Among them, any one of the L' DMRS antenna ports is different from any one of the L DMRS antenna ports. L' is a positive integer less than or equal to N.

[0301] S512. The network device sends a second PDCCH to the second terminal device through the L' DMRS antenna ports. Correspondingly, the second terminal device receives the second PDCCH from the network device through the L' DMRS antenna ports.

[0302] Among them, the second PDCCH includes the data information of the second PDCCH and the DMRS of the second PDCCH.

[0303] For example, for the DMRS of the second PDCCH, the network device sends the DMRS of the second PDCCH to the second terminal device through at least one of the time domain resources, frequency domain resources, or OCC associated with the L' DMRS antenna ports, and the L' DMRS antenna ports. For details, reference can be made to the description in S502, which will not be elaborated here.

[0304] For the data information of the second PDCCH, the network device sends the data information of the second PDCCH to the second terminal device through the L' antenna ports that send the DMRS of the second PDCCH, rather than using any one of the time domain resources, frequency domain resources, and OCC associated with the L' DMRS antenna ports to send the data information of the second PDCCH. For details, reference can be made to the description in S502, which will not be elaborated here.

[0305] It should be noted that S511 and S512 are optional steps. For example, when L is less than N, the network device can execute S511 and S512. When L is equal to N, the network device can not execute S511 and S512, which helps to improve the PDCCH demodulation performance.

[0306] It can be understood that in each of the above embodiments, the methods and / or steps implemented by the network device can also be implemented by components (such as a processor, a chip, a chip system, a circuit, a logic module, or software) available for the network device; the methods and / or steps implemented by the terminal device can also be implemented by components (such as a processor, a chip, a chip system, a circuit, a logic module, or software) available for the terminal device. Among them, the chip system can be composed of chips, or the chip system can include chips and other discrete devices.

[0307] It can be understood that, in order to implement the above functions, the communication device includes the corresponding hardware structures and / or software modules for executing each function. Those skilled in the art should easily realize that, combining the units and algorithm steps of each example described in the embodiments disclosed herein, the present application can be implemented in the form of hardware or a combination of hardware and computer software. Whether a certain function is executed in the way of hardware or computer software driving hardware depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Professional technicians can use different methods to implement the described functions for each specific application, but such implementation should not be considered to exceed the scope of the present application.

[0308] Embodiments of the present application can divide the communication device into functional modules according to the above method embodiments. For example, each functional module can be divided corresponding to each function, or two or more functions can be integrated into one processing module. The above integrated module can be implemented in the form of hardware or in the form of a software functional module. It should be noted that the division of modules in the embodiments of the present application is illustrative, only a logical function division, and there can be other division methods in actual implementation.

[0309] Figure 20 FIG. shows a schematic structural diagram of a communication device 2000. The communication device 2000 includes a processing module 2001 and a transceiver module 2002. The communication device 2000 can be used to implement the functions of the above network device or terminal device.

[0310] In some embodiments, the communication device 2000 may further include a storage module ( Figure 20 not shown in the figure), for storing program instructions and data.

[0311] In some embodiments, the transceiver module 2002, which can also be referred to as a transceiver unit, is used to implement the sending and / or receiving functions. The transceiver module 2002 can be composed of a transceiver circuit, a transceiver, a transceiver, or a communication interface.

[0312] In some embodiments, the transceiver module 2002 may include a receiving module and a sending module, which are respectively used to execute the receiving and sending steps performed by the network device or terminal device in the above method embodiments, and / or for other processes supporting the technologies described herein; the processing module 2001 can be used to execute the processing steps (such as determination, etc.) performed by the network device or terminal device in the above method embodiments, and / or for other processes supporting the technologies described herein.

[0313] Among them, all relevant contents of each step involved in the above method embodiments can be cited in the function descriptions of the corresponding functional modules, and will not be elaborated here.

[0314] Optionally, in the present application, the transceiver module receives / sends information, which can also be understood as the processing module receives / sends information through the transceiver module. The processing module receives / sends information through the transceiver module, which can also be understood as: the processing module controls the transceiver module to receive / send information. Or, the processing module sends information through the transceiver module, which can be understood as: the processing module outputs information to the transceiver module, and the transceiver module sends this information; the processing module receives information through the transceiver module, which can be understood as: the transceiver module receives information and inputs this information to the processing module.

[0315] In the present application, the communication device 2000 can be presented in the form of integrating and dividing each functional module. Here, the "module" can refer to a specific application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a circuit, a processor and a memory that execute one or more software or firmware programs, an integrated logic circuit, and / or other devices that can provide the above functions.

[0316] In some embodiments, when Figure 20 the communication device 2000 in is a chip or a chip system, the function / implementation process of the transceiver module 2002 can be implemented through the input / output interface (or communication interface) of the chip or the chip system, and the function / implementation process of the processing module 2001 can be implemented through the processor (or processing circuit) of the chip or the chip system.

[0317] Since the communication device 2000 provided in this embodiment can execute the above method, the technical effects it can obtain can refer to the above method embodiments and will not be elaborated here.

[0318] As a possible product form, the network device or terminal device described in the embodiments of the present application can also be implemented by using the following: one or more field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), programmable logic devices (PLDs), controllers, state machines, gate logics, discrete hardware components, any other suitable circuits, or any combination of circuits capable of executing various functions described throughout the present application.

[0319] As another possible product form, the network device or terminal device described in the embodiments of the present application can be implemented by a general bus architecture. For the sake of illustration, see Figure 21 , Figure 21FIG. 0 is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device 2100 provided by an embodiment of the present application. The communication device 2100 includes a processor 2101 and a transceiver 2102. The communication device 2100 may be a network device, or a chip or a chip system therein; alternatively, the communication device 2100 may be a terminal device, or a chip or a module therein. Figure 21 Only the main components of the communication device 2100 are shown. In addition to the processor 2101 and the transceiver 2102, the communication device 2100 may further include a memory 2103 and an input / output device (not shown in the figure).

[0320] Optionally, the processor 2101 is mainly used to process communication protocols and communication data, control the entire communication device, execute software programs, and process data of software programs. The memory 2103 is mainly used to store software programs and data. The transceiver 2102 may include a radio frequency circuit and an antenna. The radio frequency circuit is mainly used for the conversion between baseband signals and radio frequency signals and the processing of radio frequency signals. The antenna is mainly used to transmit and receive radio frequency signals in the form of electromagnetic waves. The input / output device, such as a touch screen, a display screen, a keyboard, etc., is mainly used to receive data input by the user and output data to the user.

[0321] Optionally, the processor 2101, the transceiver 2102, and the memory 2103 may be connected through a communication bus.

[0322] It should be noted that the memory 2103 may exist independently of the processor 2101, or may be integrated with the processor 2101. The memory 2103 may be located inside the communication device 2100 or outside the communication device 2100, without limitation.

[0323] After the communication device is powered on, the processor 2101 may read the software program in the memory 2103, interpret and execute the instructions of the software program, and process the data of the software program. When data needs to be wirelessly transmitted, the processor 2101 performs baseband processing on the data to be transmitted, outputs a baseband signal to the radio frequency circuit, and the radio frequency circuit performs radio frequency processing on the baseband signal and then transmits the radio frequency signal outward in the form of electromagnetic waves through the antenna. When data is sent to the communication device, the radio frequency circuit receives the radio frequency signal through the antenna, converts the radio frequency signal into a baseband signal, and outputs the baseband signal to the processor 2101. The processor 2101 converts the baseband signal into data and processes the data.

[0324] In another implementation, the radio frequency circuit and the antenna may be provided independently of the processor performing baseband processing. For example, in a distributed scenario, the radio frequency circuit and the antenna may be independent of the communication device and arranged in a remote manner.

[0325] In some embodiments, in terms of hardware implementation, those skilled in the art can conceive that the above communication device 2000 can adopt Figure 21 the form of the communication device 2100 shown.

[0326] As an example, Figure 20 the function / implementation process of the processing module 2001 in Figure 21 can be implemented by the processor 2101 in the communication device 2100 shown calling computer-executable instructions stored in the memory 2103. Figure 20 the function / implementation process of the transceiver module 2002 in Figure 21 can be implemented by the transceiver 2102 in the communication device 2100 shown.

[0327] As another possible product form, the network device or terminal device in the present application can adopt Figure 22 the composition structure shown, or include Figure 22 the components shown. Figure 22 is a schematic diagram of the composition of a communication device 2200 provided by the present application.

[0328] As Figure 22 shown, the communication device 2200 includes at least one processor 2201. Optionally, the communication device further includes a communication interface 2202.

[0329] When the program instructions involved are executed in the at least one processor 2201, the device 2200 can implement the method provided in any of the foregoing embodiments and any possible design therein. Alternatively, the processor 2201 is used to implement the method provided in any of the foregoing embodiments and any possible design therein through logic circuits or by executing code instructions.

[0330] The communication interface 2202 can be used to receive program instructions and transmit them to the processor. Alternatively, the communication interface 2202 can be used for the communication device 2200 to communicate and interact with other communication devices, such as interacting control signaling and / or service data, etc. Exemplarily, the communication interface 2202 can be used to receive signals from other devices outside the communication device 2200 and transmit them to the processor 2201 or send signals from the processor 2201 to other communication devices outside the communication device 2200.

[0331] Optionally, the communication interface 2202 can be a code and / or data read / write interface circuit, or the communication interface 2202 can be a signal transmission interface circuit between a communication processor and a transceiver, or a pin of a chip.

[0332] Optionally, the communication device 2200 may further include at least one memory 2203, which may be used to store the required program instructions and / or data involved.

[0333] It should be noted that the memory 2203 may exist independently of the processor 2201 or may be integrated with the processor 2201. The memory 2203 may be located inside the communication device 2200 or outside the communication device 2200, without limitation.

[0334] Optionally, the communication device 2200 may further include a power supply circuit 2204, which may be used to supply power to the processor 2201. The power supply circuit 2204 may be located within the same chip as the processor 2201 or, alternatively, within another chip outside the chip where the processor 2201 is located.

[0335] Optionally, the communication device 2200 may further include a bus 2205, through which various parts in the communication device 2200 may be interconnected.

[0336] In some embodiments, in terms of hardware implementation, those skilled in the art may conceive that the Figure 20 shown communication device 2000 may adopt the Figure 22 form of the shown communication device 2200.

[0337] As an example, Figure 20 the function / implementation process of the processing module 2001 in Figure 22 may be implemented by the processor 2201 in the shown communication device 2200 calling the computer execution instructions stored in the memory 2203. Figure 20 the function / implementation process of the transceiver module 2002 in Figure 22 may be implemented by the communication interface 2202 in the shown communication device 2200.

[0338] It should be noted that Figure 22 the shown structure does not constitute a specific limitation on the network device or the terminal device. For example, in some other embodiments of the present application, the network device or the terminal device may include more or fewer components than shown, or combine certain components, or split certain components, or have different component arrangements. The shown components may be implemented in hardware, software, or a combination of software and hardware.

[0339] Optionally, the processor in this application may be a central processing unit (CPU), or the processor may also be other general-purpose processors, digital signal processors (DSPs), application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), or other programmable logic devices, discrete gate or transistor logic devices, or discrete hardware components, etc. The general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor, or the processor may also be any conventional processor, etc.

[0340] Optionally, the memory in this application may be a volatile memory or a non-volatile memory, or may include both volatile and non-volatile memories. Among them, the non-volatile memory may be a read-only memory (ROM), a programmable ROM (PROM), an erasable PROM (EPROM), an electrically erasable PROM (EEPROM), or a flash memory. The volatile memory may be a random access memory (RAM), which is used as an external cache. By way of example but not limitation, many forms of random access memory (RAM) are available, such as static RAM (SRAM), dynamic random access memory (DRAM), synchronous DRAM (SDRAM), double data rate SDRAM (DDR SDRAM), enhanced SDRAM (ESDRAM), synchlink DRAM (SLDRAM), or direct rambus RAM (DRRAM).

[0341] Optionally, the power supply circuit described in the embodiments of this application includes, but is not limited to, at least one of the following: a power supply line, a power supply subsystem, a power management chip, a power consumption management processor, or a power consumption management control circuit.

[0342] In some embodiments, the embodiments of the present application further provide a communication device, which includes a processor for implementing the method in any of the above method embodiments.

[0343] As a possible implementation, the communication device further includes a memory. The memory is used to store necessary computer programs and data. The computer program may include instructions, and the processor may call the instructions stored in the memory in the computer program to instruct the communication device to execute the method in any of the above method embodiments. Of course, the memory may not be in the communication device.

[0344] As another possible implementation, the communication device further includes an interface circuit, which is a code / data read / write interface circuit. The interface circuit is used to receive computer execution instructions (the computer execution instructions are stored in the memory, and may be directly read from the memory or may pass through other devices) and transmit them to the processor.

[0345] As yet another possible implementation, the communication device further includes a communication interface, which is used to communicate with modules outside the communication device.

[0346] It can be understood that the communication device may be a chip or a chip system. When the communication device is a chip system, it may be composed of chips or may include chips and other discrete devices. The embodiments of the present application do not make specific limitations in this regard.

[0347] The present application also provides a computer-readable storage medium, on which a computer program or instructions are stored. When the computer program or instructions are executed by a computer, the functions in any of the above method embodiments are implemented.

[0348] The present application also provides a computer program product, which implements the functions in any of the above method embodiments when executed by a computer.

[0349] Those of ordinary skill in the art can understand that for the convenience and brevity of description, the specific working processes of the systems, devices, and units described above can refer to the corresponding processes in the foregoing method embodiments, and will not be elaborated herein.

[0350] It can be understood that the systems, devices, and methods described in the present application can also be implemented in other ways. For example, the device embodiments described above are merely illustrative. For example, the division of the units is only a logical function division, and there may be other division methods in actual implementation. For example, multiple units or components can be combined or integrated into another system, or some features can be ignored or not executed. Another point is that the displayed or discussed couplings or direct couplings or communication connections to each other may be through some interfaces, and the indirect couplings or communication connections of the devices or units may be in electrical, mechanical, or other forms.

[0351] The unit described as a separation component may or may not be physically separated, that is, it may be located in one place or distributed to multiple network units. The component shown as a unit may or may not be a physical unit. Some or all of the units can be selected according to actual needs to achieve the purpose of the solution of this embodiment.

[0352] In addition, each functional unit in various embodiments of the present application may be integrated in a processing unit, may exist separately as individual physical units, or two or more units may be integrated in one unit.

[0353] In the above embodiments, it can be implemented in whole or in part by software, hardware, firmware, or any combination thereof. When implemented using a software program, it can be implemented in whole or in part in the form of a computer program product. The computer program product includes one or more computer instructions. When the computer program instructions are loaded and executed on a computer, the processes or functions described in the embodiments of the present application are generated in whole or in part. The computer may be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network, or other programmable devices. The computer instructions may be stored in a computer-readable storage medium or transmitted from one computer-readable storage medium to another. For example, the computer instructions may be transmitted from a website, computer, server, or data center to another website, computer, server, or data center by wire (such as coaxial cable, optical fiber, digital subscriber line (DSL)) or wirelessly (such as infrared, wireless, microwave, etc.). The computer-readable storage medium may be any available medium that the computer can access or a data storage device such as a server or data center that contains one or more media integrated therein. The available medium may be a magnetic medium (such as a floppy disk, hard disk, magnetic tape), an optical medium (such as a DVD), or a semiconductor medium (such as a solid state drive (SSD)), etc. In the embodiments of the present application, the computer may include the device described above.

[0354] Although the present application has been described in connection with the various embodiments, however, in the process of implementing the claimed present application, those skilled in the art can understand and realize other variations of the disclosed embodiments by viewing the accompanying drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims. In the claims, the word "comprising" does not exclude other components or steps, and "a" or "an" does not exclude a plurality. A single processor or other unit may implement several functions recited in the claims. Certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims, but this does not mean that these measures cannot be combined to produce good results.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that, it includes: determining L demodulation reference signal (DMRS) antenna ports from N DMRS antenna ports, where the N DMRS antenna ports are used for physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) transmission, and any two of the N DMRS antenna ports are orthogonally multiplexed by at least one of the following: time division multiplexing (TDM), frequency division multiplexing (FDM), or code division multiplexing (CDM); N is a positive integer greater than or equal to 2, and L is a positive integer less than or equal to N; sending the DMRS of the first PDCCH through the L DMRS antenna ports.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, in the case where any two of the N DMRS antenna ports are orthogonally multiplexed by the CDM, different frequency domain orthogonal covers (OCCs) and / or different time domain OCCs are associated between any two of the N DMRS antenna ports.

3. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, in the case where any two of the N DMRS antenna ports are orthogonally multiplexed by the CDM and the FDM, the N DMRS antenna ports belong to at least two CDM groups, and each of the at least two CDM groups includes a part of the N DMRS antenna ports; different frequency domain OCCs and / or different time domain OCCs are associated between any two of the DMRS antenna ports in any one of the at least two CDM groups; different frequency domain resources are associated between any two of the at least two CDM groups.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 - 3, characterized in that, the transmission resource of the first PDCCH includes a plurality of resource element groups (REGs), and each of the plurality of REGs includes M first resource elements (REs), and the M first REs are used to carry the DMRS of the PDCCH, where M is a positive integer greater than 3; wherein, each of the plurality of REGs includes 1 orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) symbol in the time domain and 1 resource block (RB) in the frequency domain.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 - 3, characterized in that, the time domain resource of the first PDCCH includes K symbols, and the K symbols include a first symbol and a second symbol; K is a positive integer greater than or equal to 2; the first PDCCH includes the data information of the first PDCCH and the DMRS of the first PDCCH; the data information of the first PDCCH occupies the first symbol, and the DMRS of the first PDCCH occupies the second symbol.

6. The method according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that, the length of the frequency domain OCC is 2 or 4, and the length of the time domain OCC is 2 or 4.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1 - 6, characterized in that, The value of N includes 2 T or 3*Q, where T and Q are positive integers.

8. The method according to any one of claims 1 - 7, characterized in that, the method further includes: sending a first message; Among them, the first information indicates the L antenna ports; The first information is carried in one of the following: Radio Resource Control (RRC) signaling, System Information Block (SIB), Downlink Control Information (DCI), or Medium Access Control layer Control Element (MAC CE).

9. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that, the first information indicating the L antenna ports includes: the first information indicates that the first terminal device uses the L DMRS antenna ports to detect the first PDCCH on the first Search Space Set (SS set); wherein, the first SS set is all SS sets associated with all Control Resource Sets (CORESETs) of the first terminal device; or, the first SS set is all SS sets associated with all CORESETs on the first Bandwidth Part (BWP), and the first BWP is one of all BWPs of the first terminal device; or, the first SS set is all SS sets associated with the first CORESET, and the first CORESET is one of all CORESETs of the first terminal device; or, the first SS set is one of all SS sets of the first terminal device.

10. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that, the first information indicating the L antenna ports includes: the first information indicates that the first terminal device uses the L DMRS antenna ports to detect the first PDCCH on all SS sets associated with the first CORESET group, and the first CORESET group is one of all CORESET groups of the first terminal device; or, the first information indicates that the first terminal device uses the L DMRS antenna ports to detect the first PDCCH on the first SS set group, and the first SS set group is one of all SS set groups of the first terminal device.

11. The method according to any one of claims 8-10, characterized in that, the DCI corresponds to a first terminal device group, and the first terminal device group includes at least one terminal device; the first information is carried in the first information block of the DCI, and the first information block corresponds to one or more terminal devices in the first terminal device group, and the one or more terminal devices include the first terminal device.

12. The method according to any one of claims 1-7, characterized in that, the L DMRS antenna ports are determined according to the Radio Network Temporary Identity (RNTI) of the first terminal device; or, the L DMRS antenna ports are determined according to the Radio Network Temporary Identity (RNTI) of the first terminal device and the number of the first time unit, or, the L DMRS antenna ports are determined according to the Radio Network Temporary Identity (RNTI) of the first terminal device, the number of the first time unit, and the number of the first CORESET.

13. The method according to claim 12, wherein, L＝1； The numbering of the L DMRS antenna ports satisfies: n RNTI mod N; where n RNTI represents the value of the RNTI; or, The numbers of the L DMRS antenna ports satisfy: Y -1 = n RNTI ; where n RNTI represents the value of the RNTI, represents the number of the first time unit, and A and D are positive integers; or, The numbers of the L DMRS antenna ports satisfy: Y p,-1 = n RNTI ; where n RNTI represents the value of the RNTI, represents the number of the first time unit, p represents the number of the first CORESET, D is a positive integer, and A p is a positive integer determined according to p.

14. The method according to any one of claims 1-13, wherein, the method further comprises: determining L' DMRS antenna ports from the N DMRS antenna ports, any one of the L' DMRS antenna ports being different from any one of the L DMRS antenna ports; L' is a positive integer less than or equal to N; transmitting the DMRS of the second PDCCH through the L' DMRS antenna ports, the second PDCCH being different from the first PDCCH.

15. A communication method, wherein, comprises: determining L demodulation reference signal DMRS antenna ports, the L DMRS antenna ports being one or more of the N DMRS antenna ports, the N DMRS antenna ports being used for physical downlink control channel PDCCH transmission, and any two of the N DMRS antenna ports being orthogonally multiplexed by at least one of the following: time division multiplexing TDM, frequency division multiplexing FDM, or code division multiplexing CDM; N is a positive integer greater than or equal to 2, and L is a positive integer less than or equal to N; receiving the DMRS of the first PDCCH through the L DMRS antenna ports.

16. The method according to claim 15, wherein, the method further comprises: receiving first information; wherein, the first information indicates the L antenna ports; the first information is carried by one of the following: radio resource control RRC signaling, system information block SIB, downlink control information DCI, or medium access control layer control element MAC CE.

17. A communication device, wherein, the communication device is used to implement the method according to any one of claims 1-14.

18. The communication device according to claim 17, wherein, the communication device comprises a network device or a chip.

19. A communication device, wherein, the communication device is used to implement the method according to claim 15 or 16.

20. The communication device according to claim 19, wherein, the communication device comprises a terminal device or a chip.

21. A computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program or instruction, wherein, when the computer program or instruction is executed, the method according to any one of claims 1-14 is implemented, or the method according to claim 15 or 16 is implemented.

22. A computer program product, wherein, when the computer program product is run, the method according to any one of claims 1-14 is executed, or the method according to claim 15 or 16 is executed.

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