Cooperative communication method and apparatus, and communication device

Abstract

The invention discloses a cooperative communication method and device and communication equipment, and belongs to the technical field of communication, and the cooperative communication method comprises the steps that first equipment sends first information to at least two pieces of second equipment; wherein the first information is used for indicating at least one of the following items: at least two pieces of second equipment send a first signal; the at least two second devices receive a second signal.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application belongs to the field of communication technologies, and particularly relates to a method, apparatus, and communication device for cooperative communication. Background Art

[0002] With the commercial application of 5G, the expansion of broadband, and the development of artificial intelligence technologies, the related technologies have provided Ambient Internet of Things (AIoT) communication technologies to meet the needs of traditional enterprises and others for business expansion.

[0003] However, limited by factors such as transmission power and two-way path loss, the communication link quality of low-power communication devices of the AIoT type is easily lower than the target communication quality, especially when there is only a single receiving node or signal transmitting node. Therefore, how to improve the communication link quality of AIoT remains a technical problem urgently to be solved in this field. Summary of the Invention

[0004] Embodiments of this application provide a method, apparatus, and communication device for cooperative communication, which can improve the communication link quality of AIoT through cooperative communication.

[0005] In a first aspect, a method for cooperative communication is provided, including: a first device sending first information to at least two second devices; wherein, the first information is used to indicate at least one of the following: at least two of the second devices sending a first signal; at least two of the second devices receiving a second signal.

[0006] In a second aspect, a method for cooperative communication is provided, including: a second device receiving the first information from the first device, wherein the first information is used to indicate at least one of the following: at least two of the second devices sending a first signal; at least two of the second devices receiving a second signal; the second device performing at least one of the following according to the first information: sending the first signal; receiving the second signal.

[0007] In a third aspect, a method for cooperative communication is provided, including: a fourth device receiving first signals sent by at least two second devices, or sending second signals to at least two second devices.

[0008] In a fourth aspect, a device for cooperative communication is provided, including: a transmission module, configured to send first information to at least two second devices; wherein, the first information is used to indicate at least one of the following: at least two of the second devices sending a first signal; at least two of the second devices receiving a second signal.

[0009] In a fifth aspect, a device for cooperative communication is provided, including: a transmission module configured to receive first information from a first device, where the first information is used to indicate at least one of the following: at least two of the second devices send a first signal; at least two of the second devices receive a second signal; the second device performs at least one of the following according to the first information: send the first signal; receive the second signal.

[0010] In a sixth aspect, a device for cooperative communication is provided, including: a transmission module configured to receive a first signal sent by at least two second devices, or send a second signal to at least two second devices.

[0011] In a seventh aspect, a communication device is provided, which includes a processor and a memory. The memory stores a program or instructions that can be run on the processor. When the program or instructions are executed by the processor, the steps of the method described in the first aspect, or the steps of the method described in the second aspect, or the steps of the method described in the third aspect are implemented.

[0012] In an eighth aspect, a communication device is provided, including a processor and a communication interface. The communication interface is coupled to the processor, and the processor is configured to run a program or instructions to implement the steps of the method described in the first aspect, or the steps of the method described in the second aspect, or the steps of the method described in the third aspect.

[0013] In a ninth aspect, a readable storage medium is provided. A program or instructions are stored on the readable storage medium. When the program or instructions are executed by a processor, the steps of the method described in the first aspect, or the steps of the method described in the second aspect, or the steps of the method described in the third aspect are implemented.

[0014] In a tenth aspect, a wireless communication system is provided, including: a first device, a second device, and a fourth device. The first device can be configured to execute the steps of the method described in the first aspect, or the first device can be configured to execute the steps of the method described in the first aspect.

[0015] In an eleventh aspect, a chip is provided. The chip includes a processor and a communication interface. The communication interface is coupled to the processor, and the processor is configured to run a program or instructions to implement the steps of the method described in the first aspect, or the steps of the method described in the second aspect, or the first device can be configured to execute the steps of the method described in the first aspect.

[0016] In a twelfth aspect, a computer program / program product is provided. The computer program / program product is stored in a storage medium, and the program / program product is executed by at least one processor to implement the steps of the... method described in the... aspect.

[0017] In an embodiment of the present application, the first device instructs at least two second devices to send or receive signals. Thus, multiple devices or nodes existing in the cellular network can be effectively utilized to perform cooperative or joint transmission of AIoT signals, achieving full utilization of diversity gain and degrees of freedom gain, improving the quality of the AIoT communication link, and solving the problem of the communication link quality of low-power communication devices of the AIoT type that may be caused by factors such as limited transmission power and two-way path loss when sending or receiving signals through a single node or device. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] Figure 1 is a schematic structural diagram of a wireless communication system provided by an exemplary embodiment of the present application.

[0019] Figure 2 is one of the schematic flowcharts of a cooperative communication method provided by an exemplary embodiment of the present application.

[0020] Figure 3 is the second of the schematic flowcharts of a cooperative communication method provided by an exemplary embodiment of the present application.

[0021] Figure 4 is the third of the schematic flowcharts of a cooperative communication method provided by an exemplary embodiment of the present application.

[0022] Figure 5a is the first of the schematic diagrams of the scenarios of a cooperative communication method provided by an exemplary embodiment of the present application.

[0023] Figure 5b is the second of the schematic diagrams of the scenarios of a cooperative communication method provided by an exemplary embodiment of the present application.

[0024] Figure 5c is the third of the schematic diagrams of the scenarios of a cooperative communication method provided by an exemplary embodiment of the present application.

[0025] Figure 6 is the fourth of the schematic flowcharts of a cooperative communication method provided by an exemplary embodiment of the present application.

[0026] Figure 7 is the fifth of the schematic flowcharts of a cooperative communication method provided by an exemplary embodiment of the present application.

[0027] Figure 8 is the first of the schematic structural diagrams of a cooperative communication device provided by an exemplary embodiment of the present application.

[0028] Figure 9 is the second of the schematic structural diagrams of a cooperative communication device provided by an exemplary embodiment of the present application.

[0029] Figure 10 It is the third schematic structural diagram of a cooperative communication device provided by an exemplary embodiment of the present application.

[0030] Figure 11 It is the schematic structural diagram of a communication device provided by an exemplary embodiment of the present application.

[0031] Figure 12 It is the schematic structural diagram of a terminal provided by an exemplary embodiment of the present application.

[0032] Figure 13 It is the schematic structural diagram of a network-side device provided by an exemplary embodiment of the present application. Detailed implementation manners

[0033] Next, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application will be clearly described with reference to the accompanying drawings in the embodiments of the present application. Obviously, the described embodiments are part of the embodiments of the present application, rather than all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments in the present application, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art belong to the scope of protection of the present application.

[0034] The terms "first", "second", etc. in the present application are used to distinguish similar objects, rather than to describe a specific order or sequence. It should be understood that such terms can be interchanged under appropriate circumstances so that the embodiments of the present application can be implemented in an order other than those illustrated or described herein, and the objects distinguished by "first" and "second" are usually of the same type, and the number of objects is not limited. For example, the first object can be one or multiple. In addition, "or" in the present application means at least one of the connected objects. For example, "A or B" covers three scenarios, namely, Scenario 1: including A and not including B; Scenario 2: including B and not including A; Scenario 3: including both A and B. The character " / " generally indicates an "or" relationship between the associated objects before and after.

[0035] The term "indication" in the present application can be either a direct indication (or an explicit indication) or an indirect indication (or an implicit indication). Among them, a direct indication can be understood as that the sender clearly tells the receiver specific information, operations to be performed, or request results, etc. in the sent indication; an indirect indication can be understood as that the receiver determines the corresponding information according to the indication sent by the sender, or makes a judgment and determines the operations to be performed or request results, etc. according to the judgment result.

[0036] It should be noted that the technology described in the embodiments of this application is not limited to Long Term Evolution (LTE) / LTE-Advanced (LTE-A) systems, and can also be used in other wireless communication systems, such as Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA), Frequency Division Multiple Access (FDMA), Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access (OFDMA), Single-carrier Frequency-Division Multiple Access (SC-FDMA), or other systems. The terms "system" and "network" in the embodiments of this application are often used interchangeably, and the described technology can be used in the systems and radio technologies mentioned above, as well as in other systems and radio technologies. The following description describes the New Radio (NR) system for example purposes, and the NR terminology is used in most of the following descriptions, but these technologies can also be applied to systems other than the NR system, such as the 6th Generation (6G) communication system.

[0037] Figure 1The block diagram of a wireless communication system to which embodiments of the present application can be applied is shown. The wireless communication system includes a terminal 11 and a network-side device 12. Among them, the terminal 11 can be a mobile phone, a tablet personal computer, a laptop computer, a notebook computer, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a handheld computer, a netbook, an ultra-mobile personal computer (UMPC), a mobile internet device (MID), an augmented reality (AR), a virtual reality (VR) device, a robot, a wearable device, a flight vehicle, a vehicle user equipment (VUE), a shipborne device, a pedestrian user equipment (PUE), a smart home (home devices with wireless communication functions, such as refrigerators, TVs, washing machines or furniture, etc.), a game console, a personal computer (PC), a teller machine or a self-service machine, etc. Wearable devices include: smart watches, smart bracelets, smart earphones, smart glasses, smart jewelry (smart bracelets, smart bracelets, smart rings, smart necklaces, smart anklets, smart ankle chains, etc.), smart wristbands, smart clothing, etc. Among them, the vehicle user equipment can also be called a vehicle terminal, a vehicle controller, a vehicle module, a vehicle component, a vehicle chip or a vehicle unit, etc. It should be noted that the specific type of the terminal 11 is not limited in the embodiments of the present application. The network-side device 12 can include an access network device or a core network device. Among them, the access network device can also be called a radio access network (RAN) device, a radio access network function or a radio access network unit. The access network device can include a base station, a wireless local area network (WLAN) access point (AP) or a wireless fidelity (WiFi) node, etc.Among them, the base station can be referred to as Node B (NB), Evolved Node B (eNB), the next generation Node B (gNB), New Radio Node B (NR Node B), access point, Relay Base Station (RBS), Serving Base Station (SBS), Base Transceiver Station (BTS), radio base station, radio transceiver, Basic Service Set (BSS), Extended Service Set (ESS), home Node B (HNB), home evolved Node B, Transmission Reception Point (TRP), or some other suitable term in the art. As long as the same technical effect is achieved, the base station is not limited to specific technical terms. It should be noted that in the embodiments of this application, only the base station in the NR system is taken as an example for introduction, and the specific type of the base station is not limited.

[0038] For ease of understanding, the relevant technical terms mentioned in this application are described herein as follows.

[0039] 1. Backscatter Communication (BSC)

[0040] Backscatter communication refers to the backscatter communication device using the radio frequency signals in other devices or the environment for signal modulation to transmit its own information. Among them, the backscatter communication device may include, but is not limited to, the following types.

[0041] Type A: The backscatter communication device in traditional Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology, generally a tag, belongs to Passive-IoT devices.

[0042] Type B: Semi-passive IoT devices, which have a certain amplification ability for downlink reception or uplink reflection.

[0043] Type C: Devices with active transmission capabilities (active devices). Such devices can send information to a reader without relying on the reflection of incident signals. Of course, the energy of such devices can be sourced from the environment, such as ambient radio frequency (RF) signals, thermal energy, kinetic energy, wind energy, etc. Based on this, the devices corresponding to this Type C can also be referred to as Ambient IoT devices.

[0044] 2.3 Classification and Characteristics of A-IoT Devices in 3GPP

[0045] In the 3GPP R19 A-IoT research, ambient IoT devices are characterized by their energy storage capacity and the ability to generate radio frequency signals for transmission. The A-IoT devices have one of the following energy storage capabilities.

[0046] Storage Capacity 1: No ability to store energy.

[0047] Storage Capacity 2: Energy can be stored up to E1 or E2 joules, where it is possible that E1 = E2.

[0048] Storage Capacity 3: Energy can be stored up to E2 joules.

[0049] Relying on these storage capacities, the corresponding ambient IoT devices are as follows.

[0050] Device A: No energy storage, no independent signal generation / amplification, i.e., backscatter transmission.

[0051] Device B: Has energy storage, no independent signal generation, i.e., backscatter transmission. The use of stored energy can include the amplification of reflected signals.

[0052] Device C: Has energy storage, has independent signal generation, i.e., active radio frequency components for transmission.

[0053] Based on this, the following combines the accompanying drawings and details the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of the present application through some embodiments and their application scenarios.

[0054] As Figure 2 shown, it is a schematic flowchart of a collaborative communication method 200 provided by an exemplary embodiment of the present application. The method 200 can be, but is not limited to, executed by a first device, and can specifically be executed by hardware or software installed in the first device. In this embodiment, the method 200 can at least include the following steps.

[0055] S210, the first device sends first information to at least two second devices.

[0056] Among them, the first device can be understood as the control device in the cooperative communication process, which can be a terminal, a Reader, a Repeater, a Relay, a base station or other network elements, etc., such as a network node responsible for the Low Power Communication (LPC) function or running this function, etc., which is not limited here.

[0057] The second device is a device used for cooperative transmission of the first signal in the cooperative communication process, that is, a cooperative transmission device, or a device used for cooperative reception of the first signal, that is, a cooperative reception device.

[0058] For example, if the second device is used as a cooperative transmission device, then the second device can be a network node or device that transmits control signaling, radio frequency signals, and data, such as a terminal, a Reader, a Repeater, a Relay, a base station, etc. It should be noted that when the second device is not a base station, the signaling interaction between the first device and the second device may need to be completed through the associated base station of the second device, and the signaling interaction between the second device and the target receiving device (i.e., the device that receives the signal sent by the second device) needs to be completed through the associated base station of the second device or through a sidelink. When the second device is a base station and the target receiving device is also a base station, the signaling interaction between the second device and the target receiving device can be completed through a communication interface between base stations such as an X2 interface or an Xn interface.

[0059] Optionally, the target receiving device can be a low-power communication device, such as a passive device without energy storage capabilities, etc. That is, the target receiving device cannot generate radio frequency signals by itself and communicates based on backscatter technology; or the target receiving device is a semi-passive device with certain energy storage capabilities, cannot generate radio frequency signals by itself and communicates based on backscatter technology; or it is a semi-passive or active device with energy storage capabilities, can generate radio frequency signals by itself, does not need to communicate based on backscatter technology, but may need to rely on the radio frequency power supply signal provided by the network side.

[0060] Similarly, if the second device acts as a cooperative receiving device, then the second device can be a network node or device that receives the second signal sent by the low-power communication device, such as a UE, Reader, Repeater, Relay, base station, etc. It should be noted that when the second device is not a base station, the signaling interaction between the first device and the second device may need to be completed through the associated base station of the second device, and the signaling interaction between the second device and the target sending device (i.e., the device that sends the second signal to the second device) may need to be completed through the associated base station of the second device or through sidelink. Or, when the second device is a base station and the target sending device is also a base station, the signaling interaction between the second device and the target sending device can be completed through an interface such as the X2 interface or the Xn interface that can interact signaling between base stations.

[0061] Based on this, considering that in the related art, when performing AIoT communication based on a single network node or device, due to factors such as power limitation and path loss, the quality of AIoT communication is poor. Therefore, this application effectively utilizes multiple devices or nodes existing in the cellular network to send or receive AIoT signals. For example, the first device sends the first information to at least two second devices to instruct the at least two second devices to jointly or cooperatively send or receive AIoT signals, thereby ensuring the quality of AIoT communication.

[0062] For example, in the embodiment, the first information can be used for but not limited to instructing at least one of the following 11)-12).

[0063] 11) At least two of the second devices send the first signal.

[0064] That is to say, when the first signal needs to be sent, the first device can instruct at least two second devices to send the first signal simultaneously. Thus, it is possible to effectively utilize multiple devices existing in the cellular network to perform cooperative or joint transmission of the first signal, achieving full utilization of diversity gain and degrees of freedom gain, improving the quality of the AIoT communication link, and solving the problem of the communication link quality of low-power communication devices such as AIoT in the related art when sending signals through a single node or device, which may be affected by factors such as limited transmission power and two-way path loss.

[0065] Optionally, the first signal can be but not limited to at least one of control signaling, radio frequency carrier, data, etc.

[0066] 12) At least two of the second devices receive the second signal.

[0067] Similar to the foregoing 11), when the reception of the first signal is required, the first device may instruct at least two second devices to simultaneously receive the second signal. Thus, multiple devices existing in the cellular network can be effectively utilized to perform cooperative or joint reception of the first signal, achieving full utilization of diversity gain and degrees of freedom gain, improving the quality of the AIoT communication link, and solving the problem of the communication link quality of low-power communication devices of the AIoT type that may be caused by factors such as limited transmission power and two-way path loss when receiving signals through a single node or device in the related art.

[0068] Optionally, the second signal may be obtained by backscattering a certain AIoT signal received by the target transmitting device based on backscattering technology, or may be a signal independently generated by the target transmitting device. In addition, in this embodiment, the content carried by the second signal may be, but is not limited to, data that the transmitting device needs to send, an acknowledgement (ACK), a negative acknowledgement (NACK), or other control signaling, etc. It can be understood that the target transmitting device is the device that sends the second signal to the second device.

[0069] In one implementation, for the second device mentioned in the context of this application, it can act as a cooperative transmitting device or a cooperative receiving device in different communication processes. Additionally, in one communication process, it can only perform cooperative or joint transmission of signals, or only perform cooperative or joint reception of signals, or can also simultaneously perform cooperative or joint transmission of signals at the receiving end and cooperative or joint reception of signals at the receiving end. This embodiment does not limit this here.

[0070] In this embodiment, the first device can effectively utilize multiple devices or nodes existing in the cellular network to perform cooperative or joint transmission of AIoT signals by instructing at least two second devices to send or receive signals, achieving full utilization of diversity gain and degrees of freedom gain, improving the quality of the AIoT communication link, and solving the problem of the communication link quality of low-power communication devices of the AIoT type that may be caused by factors such as limited transmission power and two-way path loss when sending or receiving signals through a single node or device in the related art.

[0071] As Figure 3 shown, it is a schematic flowchart of a cooperative communication method 300 provided by an exemplary embodiment of this application. The method 300 may, but is not limited to, be executed by a first device, and may specifically be executed by hardware or software installed in the first device. In this embodiment, the method 300 may at least include the following steps.

[0072] S310, the first device sends first information to at least two second devices.

[0073] Wherein, the first information is used to indicate at least one of the following: at least two of the second devices send a first signal; at least two of the second devices receive a second signal.

[0074] It can be understood that the implementation process of the foregoing S310 can refer to the relevant descriptions in the foregoing method embodiment 200, and will not be elaborated herein. Of course, as an alternative implementation manner, for different contents indicated by the first information, the information carried thereby can be different, and the following will separately describe it in combination with implementation manner 1 and implementation manner 2.

[0075] Implementation manner 1

[0076] In the case where the first information is used to indicate that at least two of the second devices send a first signal, the first information may include, but is not limited to, at least one of the following 21)-27).

[0077] 21) A first identifier for identifying the sending device or set of sending devices of the first signal.

[0078] That is, the first identifier may be a device identifier, a device set identifier, etc., whereby the second device can clearly know whether it needs to send the first signal.

[0079] 22) The sending mode of the first signal, where the sending mode is a coherent joint transmission (CJT) mode or a non-coherent joint transmission (NCJT) mode.

[0080] Wherein, through the indication of the sending mode of the first signal, the second device can clearly know the sending mode of the first signal to be sent, improving the reliability of the sending of the first signal.

[0081] In one implementation manner, if the sending mode of the first signal is the coherent joint transmission mode, then the first information may further include at least one of a precoding matrix for the first signal transmission and a phase offset for the first signal transmission.

[0082] Optionally, the precoding matrix and the phase offset may be original values, or predefined or preconfigured index values, which are not limited herein.

[0083] In addition, the precoding matrix or the phase offset can be configured on a per transmitting device basis. That is, in the case where there are multiple transmitting devices for transmitting the first signal, different precoding matrices or phase offsets can be configured or indicated for different transmitting devices, thereby improving the accuracy of the precoding matrix or the phase offset.

[0084] Exemplarily, when the first information includes the transmission mode of the first signal, the precoding matrix, and the phase offset, then the first device may indicate to the second device a key-value pair corresponding to {merging processing device ID, precoding or phase offset index}.

[0085] 23) The content carried by the first signal or the signal type of the first signal.

[0086] Wherein, the content carried by the first signal may be data, signaling, etc. Of course, in one implementation, if the first information includes the content carried by the first signal, then the first information may further include at least one of the signal modulation method, signal coding method, signal modulation order, signal waveform, and sequence generation method of the first signal, so that the second device performs the transmission of the first signal according to one or more of the signal modulation method, signal coding method, signal modulation order, signal waveform, and sequence generation method of the first signal.

[0087] Optionally, the signal modulation method may be, but is not limited to, binary on-off keying (OOK), amplitude shift keying (ASK), frequency shift keying (FSK), phase shift keying (PSK), quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM), etc. The signal waveform may include, but is not limited to, single carrier, multi-carrier, etc., where the multi-carrier may be, but is not limited to, orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM), orthogonal time frequency space (OTFS), discrete Fourier transform-spread orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (DFT-S-OFDM), etc.).

[0088] The signal type of the first signal may also be referred to as the radio frequency carrier type, which may be a sine wave, a chirp waveform, an OFDM signal, etc.

[0089] 24) The first resource, where the first resource is used by the second device to obtain the bearer content of the first signal.

[0090] Wherein, for the case where the bearer content of the first signal is not included in the first information, the first device may indicate, via the first resource, that the second device obtains the bearer content of the first signal based on the first resource.

[0091] That is to say, the first information is only a control signaling for instructing the second device to receive data, such as Downlink Control Information (DCI), and the second device receives the real content on the first resource indicated by the control signaling, that is, the content to be borne by the first signal.

[0092] Optionally, the first resource may include but is not limited to at least one of a time domain resource, a frequency domain resource, a code domain resource, and a beam resource. Wherein, the time domain resource may be but is not limited to a period, a half period, a non-period, a signal length, etc.

[0093] The frequency domain resource may be but is not limited to a bandwidth, a frequency band, a Comb size, etc.

[0094] 25) The second resource, where the second resource is the transmission resource corresponding to the first signal.

[0095] That is, the second device may transmit the first signal on the second resource. Wherein, the second resource may include but is not limited to at least one of a time domain resource, a frequency domain resource, a code domain resource, and a beam resource. Wherein, the time domain resource may be but is not limited to a period, a half period, a non-period, a signal length, etc.

[0096] The frequency domain resource may be but is not limited to a bandwidth, a frequency band, a Comb size, etc.

[0097] 26) The first power, where the first power is the transmission power corresponding to the first signal. That is, the transmission power used by the second device when transmitting the first signal, so as to avoid the problem of poor communication quality caused by mismatched transmission power.

[0098] 27) The second identifier, which is used to identify the receiving device or set of receiving devices of the first signal.

[0099] Wherein, the second identifier may be a device identifier, or a device set identifier, or may also be a preamble, a synchronization sequence, etc. associated with the device identifier or the device set identifier, so as to be used by the second device to determine to which device or devices to transmit the first signal.

[0100] Of course, for the first information, which specific item among the aforementioned 21)-27) it includes can be implemented by means such as protocol agreement, high-layer configuration, etc., and no limitation is imposed here.

[0101] In this case, for the second device, after currently receiving the first information, it can send the first signal according to the first information.

[0102] In an optional implementation manner, considering that different second devices correspond to different channels, therefore, in order to ensure the transmission quality of the first signal, before the second device sends the first signal, it can also perform a third processing on the first signal and send the processed first signal. Among them, the third processing may include, but is not limited to, Invert Fast Fourier Transformation (IFFT), Fast Fourier Transformation (FFT), adding to a target matrix, subtracting from a target matrix, multiplying with a target matrix, adding to a target value, subtracting from a target value, multiplying with a target matrix, dividing by a target value, performing precoding, performing phase shift, inserting pilot signals, inserting synchronization signals, etc.

[0103] Correspondingly, if the second device performs a third processing on the first signal before sending, then when the target receiving device receives the first signal, it can perform a fourth processing on the received first signal to obtain the content that actually needs to be transmitted. Among them, the fourth processing is the inverse processing of the third processing. For example, if the third processing is FFT, then the fourth processing is IFFT, etc.

[0104] Based on this, the relevant information about the third processing can be determined independently by the second device or indicated by the first information, and no limitation is imposed here.

[0105] Implementation manner 2

[0106] When the first information is used to instruct the at least two second devices to receive a second signal, the first information may include at least one of the following 31)-34).

[0107] 31) A third identifier, used to identify the receiving device or set of receiving devices of the second signal.

[0108] That is, the third identifier may be a device identifier, or a device set identifier, etc., whereby the second device can clearly know whether it needs to receive the second signal.

[0109] 32) The first indication information is used to indicate whether the second device performs or does not perform a first process on the received second signal.

[0110] Wherein, the first process may include but is not limited to at least one of the following 321)-323).

[0111] 321) The second device performs a second process on the received second signal and sends the processing result after the second process to the merging processing device. Wherein, the second process may be but is not limited to FFT, IFFT, addition, subtraction, or multiplication of a target matrix, addition, subtraction, multiplication, or division of a target value, deletion of part of the signal, interception of part of the signal, etc.

[0112] It should be noted that the type of the second process is related to the processing method adopted by the target sending device when sending the second signal. For example, if the target sending device inserts a signal when sending the second signal, then the second process may be interception of part of the signal or deletion of part of the signal, etc., which is not limited here.

[0113] The merging processing device may be one of other cooperative receiving devices except the second device that needs to forward the processing result, or may be other devices except the cooperative receiving devices, such as the device that truly needs to receive the first signal, etc., which is not limited here.

[0114] Wherein, if the merging processing device is not the device that truly needs to receive the first signal, then the merging processing device needs to forward the merged processing result to the device that truly needs to receive the first signal.

[0115] Of course, in one implementation, it may be indicated in the first information which one or which ones of the devices are the merging receiving devices of the processing result.

[0116] 322) The second device forwards the received second signal to the merging processing device.

[0117] Wherein, the merging processing device may be one or more of other second devices except the second device that needs to forward the second signal, or may be other devices except the second device.

[0118] Of course, in one implementation, it may be indicated in the first information which one or which ones of the devices are the receiving devices of the forwarded second signal.

[0119] 323) The second device performs a combining process on the received second signal and third signals from at least one third device to obtain the original signal corresponding to the second signal. Herein, the original signal can be understood as the content that the target sending device truly wants to send through the second signal or the content carried by the second signal.

[0120] Wherein, the third signal includes the second signal received by the third device or the processing result after performing a second process on the received second signal, and the third device is other devices among at least two of the second devices except the second device that performs the combining process. Optionally, the combining process method can adopt but is not limited to a maximal ratio combining (MRC) process method, a method of selecting the strongest signal, etc., and is not limited herein.

[0121] In one implementation, when the first indication information indicates that the second device performs a first process on the received second signal, the second information further includes at least one of the signal processing method, signal processing order, and signal processing parameters corresponding to the first process. For example, the target value, target matrix, operation operator during addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division operations, etc., involved in performing the second process.

[0122] 33) A third resource, where the third resource is the receiving resource of the second signal.

[0123] That is, the second device can receive the second signal on the third resource. Wherein, the third resource can include but is not limited to at least one of time domain resources, frequency domain resources, code domain resources, and beam resources.

[0124] Wherein, the time domain resource can be but is not limited to a period, a half period, a non - period, a signal length, etc.

[0125] The frequency domain resource can be but is not limited to a bandwidth, a frequency band, a Comb size, etc.

[0126] 34) A fourth identifier, used to identify the sending device or set of sending devices of the second signal.

[0127] Wherein, the fourth identifier can be a device identifier, or a device set identifier, or a preamble, a synchronization sequence, etc. associated with the device identifier or device set identifier, so as to be used by the second device to determine which one or those are the target sending devices for sending the first signal.

[0128] Certainly, for the first information, which specific item among the foregoing 31) - 34) is included can be implemented by means such as protocol agreement, high - layer configuration, etc., and is not limited herein.

[0129] Based on the description of the foregoing first information, when the second device receives the second signal, it may perform a first process on the second signal according to at least one of the foregoing 31)-34) in the first information to improve the reception quality, such as increasing the SINR, enhancing the signal strength, reducing the signal interference, etc. Among them, the first process includes at least one of the following 41)-43).

[0130] 41) Perform a second process on the second signal and send the processing result after the second process to the combining processing device.

[0131] 42) Forward the second signal to the combining processing device.

[0132] 43) Perform a combining process on the second signal and the third signals from at least one third device to obtain the original signal corresponding to the second signal, that is, the content carried in the second signal.

[0133] Among them, the third signal includes the second signal received by the third device or the processing result after performing a second process on the received second signal, and the third device is other devices among at least two of the second devices that cooperate in receiving except the second device that performs the combining process.

[0134] In addition, the relevant descriptions of 41)-43) may refer to the descriptions in the foregoing 321)-323). To avoid repetition, they will not be elaborated here.

[0135] It should be noted that when the first information indicates that at least two second devices send or receive the first signal, it may be indicated in a transparent transmission or non-transparent transmission manner. Among them, the transparent transmission can be understood as which other second devices each of the second devices can clearly cooperate or jointly send or receive according to the first information, and the non-transparent transmission can be understood as that each of the second devices only knows that it needs to cooperate or jointly send or receive the first signal according to the first information, but does not know which other second devices are.

[0136] In this embodiment, through further description or design of the content in the first information, it is possible to enable at least two second devices that cooperate in sending or receiving to more accurately and clearly perform signal cooperation in sending and receiving, ensuring the performance of the A-IOT communication system.

[0137] As Figure 4 shown, it is a schematic flowchart of a cooperative communication method 400 provided by an exemplary embodiment of the present application. The method 400 may but is not limited to be executed by a first device, and may specifically be executed by hardware or software installed in the first device. In this embodiment, the method 400 may at least include the following steps.

[0138] S410, the first device obtains third information.

[0139] Wherein, the third information is used for the first device to determine a second device for collaborative transmission or reception of AIOT signals. Based on this, in this embodiment, the third information may be related to at least one of the second device and the fourth device. The fourth device is the receiving device of the first signal, or the fourth device is the transmitting device of the second signal. That is, the third information is related to the transmitting device and receiving device of the first signal, and the receiving device and transmitting device of the second signal.

[0140] Based on this, in this embodiment, there are various ways for the first device to obtain the third information. For example, it can be obtained through information measurement, information request, information notification, etc., or it can be obtained according to the subscription information of the second device or the fourth device, such as requesting from network elements such as Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF) and Policy Control Function (PCF).

[0141] Exemplarily, assuming that the third information is information related to the second device, then the second device may send fourth information to the first device as needed or according to the request of the first device, for the first device to determine at least two collaborative devices when transmitting the first signal or at least two collaborative devices when receiving the second signal.

[0142] Optionally, the fourth information may include at least one of 51)-54).

[0143] 51) The reference signal measurement quantity between the second device and the fourth device.

[0144] For example, the fourth device may send a reference signal to the second device. Correspondingly, the second device receives the reference signal and obtains the reference signal measurement quantity, and then sends the obtained reference signal measurement quantity to the first device.

[0145] Optionally, the reference signal measurement quantity may be, but is not limited to, signal-to-noise and interference ratio (SINR), reference signal received power (RSRP), reference signal received quality (RSRQ), channel quality indicator (CQI), rank indicator (RI), path loss, etc.

[0146] Exemplarily, the first device may preferentially select at least two second devices with the optimal reference signal measurement quantity for cooperative transmission or reception of signals.

[0147] 52) The capability information of the second device, where the capability information of the second device includes at least one of whether the second device supports cooperative communication, the cooperative communication mode supported by the second device, the signal processing method supported by the second device, and whether the second device supports combined processing of multiple signals.

[0148] Among them, the cooperative communication may include at least one of cooperative reception and cooperative transmission. Based on this, if the second device supports cooperative transmission, then the supported cooperative communication mode, such as joint correlated transmission or joint non-coherent transmission, etc., can be reported simultaneously through the fourth information.

[0149] If the second device supports cooperative reception, then the supported signal processing method, such as the signal processing method, arithmetic operator for supported cooperative reception, and whether it can be a device for signal combination or selection, etc., can be uploaded simultaneously through the fourth information.

[0150] Exemplarily, the first device may preferentially select at least two second devices that support cooperative communication, etc., for cooperative transmission or reception of signals.

[0151] 53) The cooperative communication request information sent by the second device. Among them, the cooperative communication request may be at least one of a cooperative reception request information and a cooperative transmission request information.

[0152] Exemplarily, the first device may preferentially select at least two second devices that have sent cooperative communication request information for cooperative transmission or reception of signals.

[0153] 54) The status information of the second device, where the status information of the second device includes at least one of the communication quality or link quality between the second device and the fourth device, the communication quality or link quality between each of the second devices, the power consumption of the second device, the transmission power of the second device, and the temperature status of the second device (such as whether it is overheated, etc.).

[0154] Exemplarily, the first device may preferentially select at least two second devices with the optimal status information for cooperative signal transmission or reception, such as those with the optimal communication quality or link quality, or the minimum transmission power, or no overheating problem in terms of temperature.

[0155] Similarly, assuming that the third information is the relevant information of the fourth device, then the fourth device may send the fifth information to the first device for the first device to determine at least two cooperative devices during the transmission of the first signal or at least two cooperative devices during the reception of the second signal.

[0156] Optionally, the fifth information may include but is not limited to at least one of the following items 61)-66).

[0157] 61) The reference signal measurement between the fourth device and the second device.

[0158] Among them, the second device may send a reference signal to the fourth device to obtain the reference signal measurement and send it to the first device for the determination or selection of cooperative devices. Optionally, the reference signal measurement may be but is not limited to, such as SINR, RSRP, RSRQ, CQI, RI, path loss, etc.

[0159] In one implementation, when the second device sends a reference signal to the fourth device, it may be sent in different cooperative joint transmission manners, such as reference signal 1 corresponding to the second device set 1, reference signal 2 corresponding to the third set 2, etc. Or, it may be further refined to reference signal 1 corresponding to the second device set 1 and parameter set 1, reference signal 2 corresponding to the second device set 2 and parameter set 2, etc., which is not limited here.

[0160] Exemplarily, for the reference signal measurement, the first device may preferentially select at least two second devices with the optimal reference signal measurement for cooperative signal transmission or reception.

[0161] 62) The historical communication quality of the fourth device. Such as the (Block Error Rate, BLER), Bit Error Ratio (BER), SINR, RSRP, etc. of the data sent by the second device received by the fourth device, and also such as the BLER, BER, SINR, RSRP, etc. of the data sent by the fourth device received by the second device.

[0162] In one implementation, in addition to the fourth device actively reporting the historical communication quality, the first device can also determine the historical communication quality of the fourth device by collecting signaling such as ACK / NACK feedback by the fourth device and based on the collected signaling such as ACK / NACK.

[0163] Exemplarily, for the historical communication quality, the first device can preferentially select at least two second devices with the best historical communication quality for collaborative signal transmission or reception.

[0164] 63) The capability information of the fourth device, where the capability information of the fourth device includes at least one of whether it supports measurement reference signals and whether it supports transmitting (sending or receiving) signals from multiple devices. In one implementation, if the fourth device supports measurement reference signals, then the fifth information may further include what reference signal measurement quantities the fourth device supports, etc.

[0165] Exemplarily, for the capability information of the fourth device, when the first device determines at least two second devices, it can preferentially select devices that support measurement reference signals or support transmitting (sending or receiving) signals from multiple devices as collaborative devices, that is, the second devices.

[0166] 64) The collaborative communication request information sent by the fourth device. Among them, the collaborative communication request information may include at least one of collaborative reception request information and collaborative transmission request information.

[0167] Exemplarily, for the collaborative communication request information, when the first device determines at least two second devices, it can preferentially select the devices that have sent the collaborative communication request information as collaborative devices, that is, the second devices.

[0168] In addition, the collaborative communication request information may also carry information about the collaborative transmission device or collaborative reception device recommended or supported by the fourth device for the first device to refer to when selecting at least two second devices.

[0169] 65) The status information of the fourth device, where the status information of the fourth device includes at least one of the communication quality between the fourth device and the second device, the energy consumption of the fourth device, the transmission power of the fourth device, and the temperature status of the fourth device (such as whether it is overheated, etc.).

[0170] Exemplarily, assume that the status information of the fourth device includes energy consumption or temperature, and its energy consumption or temperature is too high. Then, considering energy consumption and temperature, when the first device selects cooperative devices, it can select as few cooperative devices as possible for signal transmission, such as selecting two second devices, etc.

[0171] 66) The communication requirements of the fourth device, such as reliability requirements, rate requirements, priorities, etc.

[0172] In one implementation, for the communication requirements of the fourth device, in addition to reporting through the five pieces of information, it can also be obtained from the subscription information of the fourth device, such as obtaining it from network elements such as AMF and PCF.

[0173] Exemplarily, if the communication requirements of the fourth device are high reliability, high rate, or high priority, then the first device can preferentially schedule devices closer to the fourth device as the second device to cooperate with the fourth device for signal transmission or reception.

[0174] Based on the foregoing description, in this embodiment, the third information may include but is not limited to at least one of the following 71)-79).

[0175] 71) The reference signal measurement quantity between the second device and the fourth device.

[0176] 72) The historical communication quality of the fourth device.

[0177] 73) The capability information of the fourth device, where the capability information of the fourth device includes at least one of whether it supports measuring reference signals and whether it supports transmitting signals from multiple devices.

[0178] 74) The cooperative communication request information sent by the fourth device.

[0179] 75) The status information of the fourth device, where the status information of the fourth device includes at least one of the communication quality between the fourth device and the second device, the energy consumption of the fourth device, the transmission power of the fourth device, and the temperature status of the fourth device.

[0180] 76) The communication requirements of the fourth device.

[0181] 77) The capability information of the second device, where the capability information of the second device includes at least one of whether it supports cooperative communication, the supported cooperative communication mode, the supported signal processing method, and whether it supports the combined processing of multiple signals;

[0182] 78) The cooperative communication request information sent by the second device;

[0183] 79) The status information of the second device, where the status information of the second device includes at least one of the communication quality between the second device and the fourth device, the communication quality between the second devices, the energy consumption of the second device, the transmission power of the second device, and the temperature status of the second device.

[0184] It can be understood that for 71)-79), reference can be made to the relevant descriptions of the fourth information and the fifth information above. To avoid repetition, it will not be elaborated here.

[0185] S420. Determine the at least two second devices according to the third information.

[0186] Among them, according to different third information, the determination method of the second device may be different.

[0187] For example, if the third information includes the historical communication quality of the fourth device, then at least two second devices with the highest communication quality can be selected.

[0188] For another example, if the third information includes the reference signal measurement quantity between the fourth device and the second device, then the first device can preferentially select at least two second devices with the optimal reference signal measurement quantity for cooperative signal transmission or reception.

[0189] It can be understood that for other information included in the third information, reference can be made to the relevant descriptions of the fourth information and the fifth information above. It will not be elaborated here.

[0190] In addition, for the case where the foregoing third information includes multiple items of the foregoing 71)-79), the second device can be determined by comprehensively considering each piece of information, such as determining the second device based on the weights corresponding to different information, or determining the second device according to the priority order corresponding to different information, etc. This is not limited here.

[0191] It should be noted that at least two second devices determined by the first device based on the third information, or referred to as the second device set, can be used only for the collaborative transmission or reception of a certain fourth device, that is, the determination of the second device set is carried out in terms of the fourth device. For example, when it is necessary to send the first signal to the fourth device set 1, the corresponding second device set 1 forms a collaborative device to jointly send the first signal; for another example, when it is necessary to receive the second signal sent by the fourth device, the corresponding second device set 1 forms a collaborative device to jointly receive the second signal.

[0192] Alternatively, the second device set can also be used only for the collaborative transmission or reception of a certain AIoT signal (such as the first signal or the second signal), that is, the determination of the second device set is carried out in terms of the fourth device. For example, the first device needs to indicate the corresponding second device set for each different AIoT signal to form a collaborative device to jointly send the first signal; for another example, the first device needs to indicate the corresponding second device set for each second signal to form a collaborative device to jointly receive the second signal.

[0193] Or, the second device set is semi-statically defined. Then, the first device can indicate that the second device set takes effect on the specified time / frequency resource. Then, when the first signal needs to be sent on the target resource, the corresponding second device set forms a collaborative device to jointly send the first signal; or when the second signal is sent on the target resource, the corresponding second device set forms a collaborative device to jointly receive the second signal.

[0194] It should be noted that in addition to the determination of the foregoing second device, in order to reduce the problem of large signaling overhead caused by the transfer of intermediate signals between different devices, for the scenario of collaborative reception, the first device can also select a combining processing device according to but not limited to one or more of the foregoing 71)-79). In this embodiment, the combining processing device can be one of the second devices for collaborative transmission, or a device other than the second devices for collaborative transmission, which is not limited herein.

[0195] S430. The first device sends first information to at least two second devices.

[0196] Wherein, the first information is used to indicate at least one of the following: at least two of the second devices send the first signal; at least two of the second devices receive the second signal.

[0197] It can be understood that the implementation process of the foregoing S310 can refer to the relevant descriptions in the foregoing method embodiments 200 or 300. To avoid repetition, it will not be elaborated herein.

[0198] In this embodiment, a method for determining each cooperative device in the cooperative communication process is further provided, so as to improve the signal reception quality or signal transmission quality of the cooperative device while meeting the AIoT communication requirements (such as reliability, transmission rate, etc.), and at the same time, save the overhead on the network side, such as reducing power consumption, reducing signaling processing overhead, etc.

[0199] In addition, the present application can be applied to but not limited to communication systems such as LTE systems, 5G NR systems, NR evolved systems, 6G systems, 6G evolved systems, and IEEE 802.11 systems (such as WiFi systems), Bluetooth systems, LoRa, Zigbee systems, wireless optical communication, backscatter communication, low-power Internet of Things systems, etc.

[0200] It should be noted that the first device, the second device, the merging processing device, the third device, and the fourth device mentioned in the context of the present application are only divided from the network functions. That is, in the present application, each device can be carried by the same or different physical entities. For example, a physical entity can carry the functions corresponding to the first device and a second device, or a physical entity can carry the functions corresponding to the first device and a fourth device, etc., which are not limited here.

[0201] Based on the foregoing description, the method for cooperative communication provided by the present application will be further described by way of examples 1-3 as follows.

[0202] Example 1: Multiple devices cooperate or jointly send the first signal

[0203] S511, as Figure 5a shown, the first device obtains the third information for the selection of at least two second devices, that is, the prior information. The third information can refer to the relevant description in method embodiment 400 above.

[0204] S512, the first device selects at least two second devices for cooperating or jointly sending the first signal to the fourth device according to the third information, or is called the second device set.

[0205] S513, the first device sends the first information, that is, the parameters and content of the first signal, to the determined at least two second devices.

[0206] The first information includes at least one of the following a)-g).

[0207] a) The first identifier for identifying the sending device or the set of sending devices of the first signal;

[0208] b) The sending mode of the first signal, and the sending mode is a coherent joint sending mode or a non-coherent joint sending mode;

[0209] c) The content carried by the first signal or the signal type of the first signal;

[0210] d) A first resource, where the first resource is used by the second device to obtain the content carried by the first signal;

[0211] e) A second resource, where the second resource is the transmission resource corresponding to the first signal;

[0212] f) A first power, where the first power is the transmission power corresponding to the first signal;

[0213] g) A second identifier, which is used to identify the receiving device or set of receiving devices of the first signal.

[0214] S514. For each second device, generate a first signal according to the received first information.

[0215] Optionally, before sending the first signal, the second device may further perform a third process on the content carried by it, such as IFFT, FFT, IFFT, adding or subtracting or multiplying the target matrix, adding or subtracting or multiplying or dividing by the target value, deleting part of the signal, intercepting part of the signal, etc.

[0216] S515. Each of the second devices jointly sends the first signal to the fourth device.

[0217] The implementation processes of the steps in this Example 1 may refer to the relevant descriptions in the foregoing Method Embodiment 200-400 and achieve the same or corresponding technical effects. In addition, this Example 1 may include but is not limited to the foregoing steps, such as it may include more or fewer steps than the foregoing, and no limitation is made here.

[0218] Example 2: Multi-device cooperation or joint reception of a second signal

[0219] S521, as Figure 5b shown, the first device obtains third information for the selection of at least two second devices, that is, prior information.

[0220] S522. The first device selects at least two second devices that cooperate or jointly send the first signal to the fourth device according to the third information, or is called a set of second devices.

[0221] S523. The first device sends first information, that is, the reception parameters of the second signal, etc., to the determined at least two second devices.

[0222] Among them, the first information includes at least one of the following a)-d).

[0223] a) A third identifier, which is used to identify the receiving device or set of receiving devices of the second signal.

[0224] b) First indication information, used to indicate that the second device performs or does not perform a first process on the received second signal.

[0225] c) A third resource, where the third resource is the reception resource of the second signal.

[0226] d) A fourth identifier, used to identify the sending device or set of sending devices of the second signal.

[0227] S524. For each second device, jointly receive the second signal sent by the fourth device according to the first information.

[0228] Among them, at least two of the second devices send the received second signal or the second signal after the second process to one of the second devices or other devices other than the second devices for signal combining, and the device responsible for signal combining obtains the content carried by the second signal. Optionally, signal combining can adopt MRC processing mode, select the strongest signal, etc., which is not limited here.

[0229] It should be noted that according to the types of the second device and the signal combining processing device, the second device forwards the second signal or the signal processing result of the second signal to the signal combining device through an interface between base stations (such as Xn), an interface between UEs (such as Sidelink), or an interface between a UE and a base station (such as Physical Downlink Shared Channel (PDSCH), Physical Uplink Shared Channel (PUSCH), etc.), which is not limited here.

[0230] The implementation processes of the steps in this Example 2 can refer to the relevant descriptions in the foregoing Method Embodiments 200-400 and achieve the same or corresponding technical effects. In addition, this Example 2 may include but is not limited to the foregoing steps, such as it may include more or fewer steps than the foregoing, which is not limited here.

[0231] Example 3: Multiple devices cooperate or jointly send and receive AIoT signals, such as the first signal and the second signal.

[0232] Relative to the scenario in Example 1 for multiple devices to cooperate or jointly send the first signal and the scenario in Example 2 for multiple devices to cooperate or jointly receive the second signal, as Figure 5c shown, in this Example 3, when sending or receiving AIoT signals, a multi-device joint method is adopted to implement.

[0233] It should be noted that for at least two second devices for collaborative or joint transmission, they can be denoted as device set 1, and for at least two second devices for collaborative or joint reception, they can be denoted as device set 2. Then, device set 1 and device set 2 can be associated. For example, the collaborative set includes device set 1 and device set 2. Of course, in one implementation, device set 1 and device set 2 can be the same device set, that is, device set 1 and device set 2 include the same second devices.

[0234] In addition, the transmission parameters and reception parameters of the AIoT signal can be associated. For example, the same precoding, phase shift, beam, etc. are used when receiving and transmitting the AIoT signal.

[0235] It can be understood that the collaborative or joint transmission process for device set 1 can refer to the relevant descriptions in method embodiments 200-400 and example 1 above, and the collaborative or joint reception process for device set 2 can refer to the relevant descriptions in method embodiments 200-400 and example 2 above, and achieve the same or corresponding technical effects, which will not be elaborated here.

[0236] As Figure 6 shown, it is a schematic flowchart of a collaborative communication method 600 provided by an exemplary embodiment of the present application. The method 600 can be, but is not limited to, executed by a first device, and can be specifically executed by hardware or software installed in the first device. In this embodiment, the method 600 can at least include the following steps.

[0237] S610, the first device receives first information from the first device, where the first information is used to indicate at least one of the following: at least two of the first devices send a first signal; at least two of the first devices receive a second signal;

[0238] S620, the first device executes at least one of the following according to the first information: send the first signal; receive the second signal.

[0239] In an alternative implementation, when the first information is used to indicate that the first device sends a first signal, the first information includes at least one of the following: a first identifier for identifying the sending device or sending device set of the first signal; the sending mode of the first signal, where the sending mode is a coherent joint sending mode or a non-coherent joint sending mode; the content carried by the first signal or the signal type of the first signal; a first resource for the first device to obtain the content carried by the first signal; a second resource, which is the sending resource corresponding to the first signal; a first power, which is the sending power corresponding to the first signal; a second identifier for identifying the receiving device or receiving device set of the first signal.

[0240] In an alternative implementation, when the transmission mode of the first signal is the coherent joint transmission mode, the first information further includes at least one of the following: a precoding matrix for transmitting the first signal; a phase offset for transmitting the first signal.

[0241] In an alternative implementation, the precoding matrix or the phase offset is configured on a per-transmitting device basis.

[0242] In an alternative implementation, when the content carried by the first signal is data or signaling, the first information further includes at least one of the signal modulation method, signal coding method, signal modulation order, and signal waveform of the first signal.

[0243] In an alternative implementation, when the first information is used to instruct the first device to receive a second signal, the first information includes at least one of the following: a third identifier for identifying the receiving device or set of receiving devices of the second signal; a first indication information for instructing the first device to perform or not perform a first process on the received second signal; a third resource, where the third resource is the receiving resource of the second signal; a fourth identifier for identifying the transmitting device or set of transmitting devices of the second signal.

[0244] In an alternative implementation, the first resource, the second resource, or the third resource includes at least one of time domain resources, frequency domain resources, code domain resources, and beam resources.

[0245] In an alternative implementation, when the first indication information instructs the first device to perform a first process on the received second signal, the second information further includes at least one of the signal processing method, signal processing order, and signal processing parameters corresponding to the first process.

[0246] In an alternative implementation, the method further includes: the first device performing a first process on the received second signal, where the first process includes at least one of the following: performing a second process on the second signal and sending the processing result after the second process to a combining processing device; forwarding the second signal to the combining processing device; performing a combining process on the second signal and third signals from at least one third device to obtain the original signal corresponding to the second signal; where the third signal includes the second signal received by the third device or the processing result after performing a second process on the received second signal, and the third device is another device among the at least two first devices that cooperate in receiving and that is other than the first device performing the combining process.

[0247] In an alternative implementation, the method further includes: sending fourth information to the first device; wherein the third information is used to determine at least two cooperating devices when the first signal is sent or at least two cooperating devices when the second signal is received.

[0248] In an alternative implementation, the fourth information includes at least one of the following: the measurement of the reference signal between the first device and the fourth device; the capability information of the first device, where the capability information of the first device includes at least one of whether it supports cooperative communication, the supported cooperative communication mode, the supported signal processing method, and whether it supports the combined processing of multiple signals; the cooperative communication request information sent by the first device; the status information of the first device, where the status information of the first device includes at least one of the communication quality between the first device and the fourth device, the communication quality between the first devices, the power consumption of the first device, the transmission power of the first device, and the temperature status of the first device.

[0249] It can be understood that each implementation in Method Embodiment 600 has the same or corresponding technical features as those in the foregoing Method Embodiments 200-400. Therefore, the implementation process of each implementation in Method Embodiment 600 can refer to the relevant descriptions in the foregoing Method Embodiments 200-400 and achieve the same or corresponding technical effects. To avoid repetition, it will not be elaborated here.

[0250] As Figure 7 shown, it is a schematic flowchart of a method 700 for cooperative communication provided by an exemplary embodiment of the present application. The method 700 can be, but is not limited to, executed by a fourth device, and can be specifically executed by hardware or software installed in the fourth device. In this embodiment, the method 700 can at least include the following steps.

[0251] S710, the fourth device receives first signals sent by at least two first devices, or sends second signals to at least two first devices.

[0252] In an alternative implementation, the method further includes: sending fifth information to the first device; wherein the fifth information is used to determine at least two cooperating devices when the first signal is sent or at least two cooperating devices when the second signal is received.

[0253] In an alternative implementation, the fifth information includes at least one of the following: the measurement quantity of the reference signal between the fourth device and the first device; the historical communication quality of the fourth device; the capability information of the fourth device, where the capability information of the fourth device includes at least one of whether it supports measuring the reference signal and whether it supports transmitting signals from multiple devices; the cooperative communication request information sent by the fourth device; the status information of the fourth device, where the status information of the fourth device includes at least one of the communication quality between the fourth device and the first device, the power consumption of the fourth device, the transmission power of the fourth device, and the temperature status of the fourth device; the communication requirements of the fourth device.

[0254] It can be understood that each implementation in method embodiment 700 has the same or corresponding technical features as those in the foregoing method embodiments 200-400. Therefore, the implementation processes of each implementation in method embodiment 700 can refer to the relevant descriptions in the foregoing method embodiments 200-400 and achieve the same or corresponding technical effects. To avoid repetition, they will not be elaborated here.

[0255] For the cooperative communication method provided in the embodiments of the present application, the execution subject can be a cooperative communication device. In the embodiments of the present application, taking the cooperative communication device executing the cooperative communication method as an example, the cooperative communication device provided in the embodiments of the present application is described.

[0256] As Figure 8 shown, it is a schematic structural diagram of a cooperative communication device 800 provided in an embodiment of the present application. The device 800 includes: a transmission module 810, configured to send first information to at least two first devices; where the first information is used to indicate at least one of the following: at least two of the first devices send a first signal; at least two of the first devices receive a second signal.

[0257] In an alternative implementation, when the first information is used to indicate that at least two of the first devices send a first signal, the first information includes at least one of the following: a first identifier, used to identify the sending device or set of sending devices of the first signal; the sending mode of the first signal, where the sending mode is a coherent joint sending mode or a non-coherent joint sending mode; the carried content of the first signal or the signal type of the first signal; a first resource, where the first resource is used by the first device to obtain the carried content of the first signal; a second resource, where the second resource is the sending resource corresponding to the first signal; a first power, where the first power is the sending power corresponding to the first signal; a second identifier, used to identify the receiving device or set of receiving devices of the first signal.

[0258] In an alternative implementation, when the transmission mode of the first signal is the coherent joint transmission mode, the first information further includes at least one of the following: a precoding matrix for transmitting the first signal; a phase offset for transmitting the first signal.

[0259] In an alternative implementation, the precoding matrix or the phase offset is configured on a per-transmission device basis.

[0260] In an alternative implementation, when the content carried by the first signal is data or signaling, the first information further includes at least one of the signal modulation method, signal coding method, signal modulation order, and signal waveform of the first signal.

[0261] In an alternative implementation, when the first information is used to indicate that at least two of the first devices receive a second signal, the first information includes at least one of the following: a third identifier for identifying the receiving device or set of receiving devices of the second signal; a first indication information for indicating whether the first device performs or does not perform a first process on the received second signal; a third resource, where the third resource is the receiving resource of the second signal; a fourth identifier for identifying the transmitting device or set of transmitting devices of the second signal.

[0262] In an alternative implementation, the first resource or the second resource or the third resource includes at least one of a time domain resource, a frequency domain resource, a code domain resource, and a beam resource.

[0263] In an alternative implementation, when the first indication information indicates that the first device performs a first process on the received second signal, the second information further includes at least one of the signal processing method, signal processing order, and signal processing parameters corresponding to the first process.

[0264] In an alternative implementation, the first process includes at least one of the following: performing a second process on the received second signal and sending the processing result after the second process to a combining processing device; forwarding the received second signal to a combining processing device; performing a combining process on the received second signal and a third signal from at least one third device to obtain the original signal corresponding to the second signal; where the third signal includes the second signal received by the third device or the processing result after performing a second process on the received second signal, and the third device is another device among at least two of the first devices other than the first device performing the combining process.

[0265] In an alternative implementation, the transmission module 810 is further configured to obtain third information; the apparatus 800 further includes a determination module, configured to determine the at least two first devices according to the third information; wherein the third information is related to at least one of the first device and the fourth device, and the fourth device is a receiving device of the first signal or the fourth device is a transmitting device of the second signal.

[0266] In an alternative implementation, the third information includes at least one of the following: a reference signal measurement quantity between the first device and the fourth device; a historical communication quality of the fourth device; capability information of the fourth device, where the capability information of the fourth device includes at least one of whether it supports measuring a reference signal and whether it supports transmitting signals from multiple devices; a cooperative communication request message sent by the fourth device; status information of the fourth device, where the status information of the fourth device includes at least one of a communication quality between the fourth device and the first device, an energy consumption of the fourth device, a transmission power of the fourth device, and a temperature state of the fourth device; a communication requirement of the fourth device; capability information of the first device, where the capability information of the first device includes at least one of whether it supports cooperative communication, a supported cooperative communication mode, a supported signal processing method, and whether it supports combining and processing multiple signals; a cooperative communication request message sent by the first device; status information of the first device, where the status information of the first device includes at least one of a communication quality between the first device and the fourth device, a communication quality between each of the first devices, an energy consumption of the first device, a transmission power of the first device, and a temperature state of the first device.

[0267] As Figure 9 shown, a schematic structural diagram of a cooperative communication apparatus 900 provided by an embodiment of the present application is shown. The apparatus 900 includes: a transmission module 910, configured to receive first information from a first device, where the first information is used to indicate at least one of the following: at least two of the first devices send a first signal; at least two of the first devices receive a second signal; an execution module 920, configured to execute at least one of the following according to the first information: send the first signal; receive the second signal.

[0268] In an alternative implementation, when the first information is used to instruct the first device to send a first signal, the first information includes at least one of the following: a first identifier for identifying the sending device or set of sending devices of the first signal; the sending mode of the first signal, where the sending mode is a coherent joint sending mode or a non - coherent joint sending mode; the content carried by the first signal or the signal type of the first signal; a first resource for the first device to obtain the content carried by the first signal; a second resource, which is the sending resource corresponding to the first signal; a first power, which is the sending power corresponding to the first signal; a second identifier for identifying the receiving device or set of receiving devices of the first signal.

[0269] In an alternative implementation, when the sending mode of the first signal is the coherent joint sending mode, the first information further includes at least one of the following: a precoding matrix for the first signal transmission; a phase offset for the first signal transmission.

[0270] In an alternative implementation, the precoding matrix or the phase offset is configured on a per - single - sending - device basis.

[0271] In an alternative implementation, when the content carried by the first signal is data or signaling, the first information further includes at least one of the signal modulation method, signal coding method, signal modulation order, and signal waveform of the first signal.

[0272] In an alternative implementation, when the first information is used to instruct the first device to receive a second signal, the first information includes at least one of the following: a third identifier for identifying the receiving device or set of receiving devices of the second signal; a first indication information for instructing the first device to perform or not perform a first process on the received second signal; a third resource, which is the receiving resource of the second signal; a fourth identifier for identifying the sending device or set of sending devices of the second signal.

[0273] In an alternative implementation, the first resource or the second resource or the third resource includes at least one of a time - domain resource, a frequency - domain resource, a code - domain resource, and a beam resource.

[0274] In an alternative implementation, when the first indication information instructs the first device to perform a first process on the received second signal, the second information further includes at least one of the signal processing method, signal processing order, and signal processing parameters corresponding to the first process.

[0275] In an alternative implementation, the execution module 920 is further configured to perform a first processing on the received second signal; wherein, the first processing includes at least one of the following: performing a second processing on the second signal and sending the processing result after the second processing to the merging processing device; forwarding the second signal to the merging processing device; performing a merging processing on the second signal and third signals from at least one third device to obtain the original signal corresponding to the second signal; wherein, the third signal includes the second signal received by the third device or the processing result after performing the second processing on the received second signal, and the third device is another device among the at least two first devices that cooperate in receiving except the first device that performs the merging processing.

[0276] In an alternative implementation, the transmission module 910 is further configured to send fourth information to the first device; wherein, the third information is used to determine at least two cooperating devices when the first signal is sent or at least two cooperating devices when the second signal is received.

[0277] In an alternative implementation, the fourth information includes at least one of the following: the reference signal measurement between the first device and the fourth device; the capability information of the first device, and the capability information of the first device includes at least one of whether it supports cooperative communication, the supported cooperative communication mode, the supported signal processing method, and whether it supports the merging processing of multiple signals; the cooperative communication request information sent by the first device; the status information of the first device, and the status information of the first device includes at least one of the communication quality between the first device and the fourth device, the communication quality between the first devices, the energy consumption of the first device, the transmission power of the first device, and the temperature status of the first device.

[0278] As Figure 10 shown, the following is a schematic structural diagram of a cooperative communication device 1000 provided by an embodiment of the present application. The device 1000 includes: a transmission module 1010, configured to receive first signals sent by at least two first devices, or send second signals to at least two first devices.

[0279] In an alternative implementation, the transmission module 1010 is further configured to send fifth information to the first device; wherein, the fifth information is used to determine at least two cooperating devices when the first signal is sent or at least two cooperating devices when the second signal is received.

[0280] In an alternative implementation, the fifth information includes at least one of the following: the measurement amount of the reference signal between the fourth device and the first device; the historical communication quality of the fourth device; the capability information of the fourth device, where the capability information of the fourth device includes at least one of whether it supports measuring the reference signal and whether it supports transmitting signals from multiple devices; the cooperative communication request information sent by the fourth device; the status information of the fourth device, where the status information of the fourth device includes at least one of the communication quality between the fourth device and the first device, the power consumption of the fourth device, the transmission power of the fourth device, and the temperature status of the fourth device; the communication requirements of the fourth device.

[0281] The cooperative communication device 800-1000 in the embodiments of the present application may be an electronic device, such as an electronic device with an operating system, or a component in an electronic device, such as an integrated circuit or a chip. The electronic device may be a terminal or other devices other than the terminal. Exemplarily, the terminal may include, but is not limited to, the types of the above-listed terminal 11, and other devices may be network-side devices, Readers, Repeaters, servers, Network Attached Storage (NAS), etc., which are not specifically limited in the embodiments of the present application.

[0282] The cooperative communication device 800 provided in the embodiments of the present application can implement Figures 2 to 4 each process implemented by the method embodiment of Figure 6 The cooperative communication device 900 can implement Figure 7 each process implemented by the method embodiment of

[0283] As Figure 11 shown, the embodiments of the present application further provide a communication device 1100, including a processor 1101 and a memory 1102. A program or instruction that can run on the processor 1101 is stored on the memory 1102. For example, when the communication device 1100 is a terminal, when the program or instruction is executed by the processor 1101, it implements each step of the above-described communication method embodiment and can achieve the same technical effect. When the communication device 1100 is a network-side device, when the program or instruction is executed by the processor 1101, it implements each step of the above-described communication method embodiment and can achieve the same technical effect. To avoid repetition, it will not be elaborated here.

[0284] The embodiments of the present application further provide a terminal, including a processor and a communication interface, where the communication interface is coupled to the processor, and the processor is configured to run programs or instructions to implement the steps in the method embodiment as shown in Figures 2 - 7 . The terminal embodiment corresponds to the above-mentioned terminal-side method embodiment. Each implementation process and implementation manner of the above method embodiment can be applied to this terminal embodiment, and the same technical effects can be achieved. Specifically, Figure 12 FIG. is a schematic diagram of the hardware structure of a terminal according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0285] The terminal 1200 includes, but is not limited to, at least some components such as a radio frequency unit 1201, a network module 1202, an audio output unit 1203, an input unit 1204, a sensor 1205, a display unit 1206, a user input unit 1207, an interface unit 1208, a memory 1209, and a processor 1210.

[0286] Those skilled in the art can understand that the terminal 1200 may further include a power source (such as a battery) for supplying power to each component. The power source can be logically connected to the processor 1210 through a power management system, so as to implement functions such as management of charging, discharging, and power consumption management through the power management system. Figure 12 The terminal structure shown in does not limit the terminal. The terminal may include more or fewer components than shown in the figure, or combine some components, or have different component arrangements, which will not be elaborated here.

[0287] It should be understood that in the embodiments of the present application, the input unit 1204 may include a graphics processing unit (GPU) 12041 and a microphone 12042. The graphics processor 12041 processes the image data of still pictures or videos obtained by an image capture device (such as a camera) in a video capture mode or an image capture mode. The display unit 1206 may include a display panel 12061, and the display panel 12061 may be configured in the form of a liquid crystal display, an organic light emitting diode, etc. The user input unit 1207 includes at least one of a touch panel 12071 and other input devices 12072. The touch panel 12 071 is also called a touch screen. The touch panel 12071 may include two parts: a touch detection device and a touch controller. The other input devices 12072 may include, but are not limited to, a physical keyboard, function keys (such as volume control keys, switch keys, etc.), a trackball, a mouse, and a joystick, which will not be elaborated here.

[0288] In the embodiments of the present application, after the radio frequency unit 1201 receives downlink data from a network-side device, it can be transmitted to the processor 1210 for processing; in addition, the radio frequency unit 1201 can send uplink data to the network-side device. Generally, the radio frequency unit 1201 includes, but is not limited to, an antenna, an amplifier, a transceiver, a coupler, a low-noise amplifier, a duplexer, etc.

[0289] The memory 1209 can be used to store software programs or instructions and various data. The memory 1209 mainly includes a first storage area for storing programs or instructions and a second storage area for storing data. Among them, the first storage area can store an operating system, applications or instructions required for at least one function (such as a sound playback function, an image playback function, etc.). In addition, the memory 1209 can include a volatile memory or a non-volatile memory. Among them, the non-volatile memory can be a read-only memory (ROM), a programmable read-only memory (PROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), or a flash memory. The volatile memory can be a random access memory (RAM), a static random access memory (SRAM), a dynamic random access memory (DRAM), a synchronous dynamic random access memory (SDRAM), a double data rate synchronous dynamic random access memory (DDR SDRAM), an enhanced synchronous dynamic random access memory (ESDRAM), a synchronous link dynamic random access memory (SLDRAM), and a direct rambus random access memory (DRRAM). The memory 1209 in the embodiments of the present application includes, but is not limited to, these and any other suitable types of memories.

[0290] The processor 1210 can include one or more processing units; optionally, the processor 1210 integrates an application processor and a modem processor. Among them, the application processor mainly processes operations related to the operating system, user interface, and application programs, etc., and the modem processor mainly processes wireless communication signals, such as a baseband processor. It can be understood that the above modem processor may not be integrated into the processor 1210 either.

[0291] Among them, according to the different roles played by the terminal in the cooperative communication process, there can be various implementation manners.

[0292] For example, if the terminal is used as a control device, the radio frequency unit 1201 is configured to send first information to at least two first devices; wherein, the first information is used to indicate at least one of the following: at least two of the first devices send a first signal; at least two of the first devices receive a second signal.

[0293] In an alternative implementation, when the first information is used to indicate that the at least two first devices send a first signal, the first information includes at least one of the following: a first identifier for identifying the sending device or set of sending devices of the first signal; the sending mode of the first signal, where the sending mode is a coherent joint sending mode or a non-coherent joint sending mode; the content carried by the first signal or the signal type of the first signal; a first resource for the first device to obtain the content carried by the first signal; a second resource, which is the sending resource corresponding to the first signal; a first power, which is the sending power corresponding to the first signal; a second identifier for identifying the receiving device or set of receiving devices of the first signal.

[0294] In an alternative implementation, when the sending mode of the first signal is the coherent joint sending mode, the first information further includes at least one of the following: a precoding matrix for sending the first signal; a phase offset for sending the first signal.

[0295] In an alternative implementation, the precoding matrix or the phase offset is configured on a per single sending device basis.

[0296] In an alternative implementation, when the content carried by the first signal is data or signaling, the first information further includes at least one of the signal modulation mode, signal coding mode, signal modulation order, and signal waveform of the first signal.

[0297] In an alternative implementation, when the first information is used to indicate that at least two first devices receive a second signal, the first information includes at least one of the following: a third identifier for identifying the receiving device or set of receiving devices of the second signal; a first indication information for indicating whether the first device performs or does not perform a first process on the received second signal; a third resource, which is the receiving resource of the second signal; a fourth identifier for identifying the sending device or set of sending devices of the second signal.

[0298] In an alternative implementation, the first resource or the second resource or the third resource includes at least one of time domain resources, frequency domain resources, code domain resources, and beam resources.

[0299] In an alternative implementation, when the first indication information indicates that the first device performs a first process on the received second signal, the second information further includes at least one of a signal processing method, a signal processing order, and signal processing parameters corresponding to the first process.

[0300] In an alternative implementation, the first process includes at least one of the following: performing a second process on the received second signal and sending the processing result after the second process to a combining processing device; forwarding the received second signal to the combining processing device; performing a combining process on the received second signal and third signals from at least one third device to obtain the original signal corresponding to the second signal; wherein the third signal includes the second signal received by the third device or the processing result after performing the second process on the received second signal, and the third device is another device among at least two of the first devices other than the first device performing the combining process.

[0301] In an alternative implementation, the radio frequency unit 1201810 is further configured to obtain third information; the processor 1210 is configured to determine the at least two first devices according to the third information; wherein the third information is related to at least one of the first device and the fourth device, and the fourth device is the receiving device of the first signal, or the fourth device is the sending device of the second signal.

[0302] In an alternative implementation, the third information includes at least one of the following: a reference signal measurement amount between the first device and the fourth device; the historical communication quality of the fourth device; the capability information of the fourth device, where the capability information of the fourth device includes at least one of whether it supports measuring a reference signal and whether it supports transmitting signals from multiple devices; a cooperative communication request information sent by the fourth device; the status information of the fourth device, where the status information of the fourth device includes at least one of the communication quality between the fourth device and the first device, the power consumption of the fourth device, the transmission power of the fourth device, and the temperature status of the fourth device; the communication requirement of the fourth device; the capability information of the first device, where the capability information of the first device includes at least one of whether it supports cooperative communication, the supported cooperative communication mode, the supported signal processing method, and whether it supports combining processing of multiple signals; a cooperative communication request information sent by the first device; the status information of the first device, where the status information of the first device includes at least one of the communication quality between the first device and the fourth device, the communication quality between the first devices, the power consumption of the first device, the transmission power of the first device, and the temperature status of the first device.

[0303] For another example, if the terminal serves as a cooperative transmitting device or a cooperative receiving device, it receives first information from a first device, where the first information is used to indicate at least one of the following: at least two of the first devices transmit a first signal; at least two of the first devices receive a second signal; a processor 1210 is configured to perform at least one of the following according to the first information: transmit the first signal; receive the second signal.

[0304] In an alternative implementation, when the first information is used to indicate that the first device transmits the first signal, the first information includes at least one of the following: a first identifier for identifying the transmitting device or set of transmitting devices of the first signal; the transmission mode of the first signal, where the transmission mode is a coherent joint transmission mode or a non - coherent joint transmission mode; the content carried by the first signal or the signal type of the first signal; a first resource for the first device to obtain the content carried by the first signal; a second resource that is the transmission resource corresponding to the first signal; a first power that is the transmission power corresponding to the first signal; a second identifier for identifying the receiving device or set of receiving devices of the first signal.

[0305] In an alternative implementation, when the transmission mode of the first signal is the coherent joint transmission mode, the first information further includes at least one of the following: a precoding matrix for transmitting the first signal; a phase offset for transmitting the first signal.

[0306] In an alternative implementation, the precoding matrix or the phase offset is configured on a per - single - transmitting - device granularity.

[0307] In an alternative implementation, when the content carried by the first signal is data or signaling, the first information further includes at least one of the signal modulation method, signal coding method, signal modulation order, and signal waveform of the first signal.

[0308] In an alternative implementation, when the first information is used to indicate that the first device receives the second signal, the first information includes at least one of the following: a third identifier for identifying the receiving device or set of receiving devices of the second signal; a first indication information for indicating whether the first device performs or does not perform a first process on the received second signal; a third resource that is the receiving resource of the second signal; a fourth identifier for identifying the transmitting device or set of transmitting devices of the second signal.

[0309] In an alternative implementation, the first resource or the second resource or the third resource includes at least one of a time - domain resource, a frequency - domain resource, a code - domain resource, and a beam resource.

[0310] In an alternative implementation, when the first indication information indicates that the first device performs a first process on the received second signal, the second information further includes at least one of a signal processing method, a signal processing order, and signal processing parameters corresponding to the first process.

[0311] In an alternative implementation, the processor 1210 is further configured to perform a first process on the received second signal; wherein the first process includes at least one of the following: performing a second process on the second signal and sending the processing result after the second process to a combining processing device; forwarding the second signal to the combining processing device; performing a combining process on the second signal and third signals from at least one third device to obtain an original signal corresponding to the second signal; wherein the third signal includes the second signal received by the third device or the processing result after performing a second process on the received second signal, and the third device is another device among the at least two first devices that cooperate in receiving except the first device that performs the combining process.

[0312] In an alternative implementation, the radio frequency unit 1201 is further configured to send fourth information to the first device; wherein the third information is used to determine at least two cooperating devices when the first signal is sent or at least two cooperating devices when the second signal is received.

[0313] In an alternative implementation, the fourth information includes at least one of the following: a reference signal measurement between the first device and a fourth device; capability information of the first device, where the capability information of the first device includes at least one of whether it supports cooperative communication, a supported cooperative communication mode, a supported signal processing method, and whether it supports combining processing of multiple signals; cooperative communication request information sent by the first device; status information of the first device, where the status information of the first device includes at least one of communication quality between the first device and the fourth device, communication quality between each of the first devices, power consumption of the first device, transmission power of the first device, and temperature status of the first device.

[0314] For another example, if the terminal is a signal receiving device or a signal transmitting device, then the radio frequency unit 1201 is configured to receive first signals sent by at least two first devices, or send second signals to at least two first devices.

[0315] In an alternative implementation, the radio frequency unit 1201 is further configured to send fifth information to the first device; wherein the fifth information is used to determine at least two cooperating devices when the first signal is sent or at least two cooperating devices when the second signal is received.

[0316] In an alternative implementation, the fifth information includes at least one of the following: the measurement amount of the reference signal between the fourth device and the first device; the historical communication quality of the fourth device; the capability information of the fourth device, where the capability information of the fourth device includes at least one of whether it supports measuring the reference signal and whether it supports transmitting signals from multiple devices; the cooperative communication request information sent by the fourth device; the status information of the fourth device, where the status information of the fourth device includes at least one of the communication quality between the fourth device and the first device, the power consumption of the fourth device, the transmission power of the fourth device, and the temperature status of the fourth device; the communication requirements of the fourth device.

[0317] It can be understood that the implementation processes of the various implementation manners mentioned in this embodiment can refer to the relevant descriptions of Method Embodiments 200-700 and achieve the same or corresponding technical effects. To avoid repetition, they will not be elaborated here.

[0318] The embodiment of the present application further provides a network-side device, including a processor and a communication interface. The communication interface is coupled to the processor. The processor is used to run programs or instructions to implement the steps of the method embodiment shown in FIGS. 200-700. This network-side device embodiment corresponds to the above-mentioned network-side device method embodiment. The various implementation processes and implementation manners of the above method embodiment can all be applied to this network-side device embodiment and can achieve the same technical effects.

[0319] Specifically, the embodiment of the present application further provides a network-side device. As Figure 13 shown, this network-side device 1300 includes: an antenna 1301, a radio frequency device 1302, a baseband device 1303, a processor 1304, and a memory 1305. The antenna 1301 is connected to the radio frequency device 1302. In the uplink direction, the radio frequency device 1302 receives information through the antenna 1301 and sends the received information to the baseband device 1303 for processing. In the downlink direction, the baseband device 1303 processes the information to be sent and sends it to the radio frequency device 1302. The radio frequency device 1302 processes the received information and then sends it out through the antenna 1301.

[0320] The method executed by the network-side device in the above embodiments can be implemented in the baseband device 1303, and the baseband device 1303 includes a baseband processor.

[0321] The baseband device 1303 may, for example, include at least one baseband board, and multiple chips are provided on this baseband board, such as Figure 13As shown, one of the chips, for example, is a baseband processor, which is connected to the memory 1305 through a bus interface to call the program in the memory 1305 and execute the network device operations shown in the above method embodiments.

[0322] The network-side device may further include a network interface 1306, which is, for example, a Common Public Radio Interface (CPRI).

[0323] Specifically, the network-side device 1300 in the embodiments of the present application further includes: instructions or programs stored on the memory 1305 and executable on the processor 1304. The processor 1304 calls the instructions or programs in the memory 1305 to execute Figures 8 - 10 the methods executed by the modules shown, and achieves the same technical effects. To avoid repetition, they will not be elaborated here.

[0324] The embodiments of the present application further provide a readable storage medium, on which programs or instructions are stored. When the programs or instructions are executed by a processor, the various processes of the method embodiments of the above collaborative communication are implemented, and the same technical effects can be achieved. To avoid repetition, they will not be elaborated here.

[0325] Among them, the processor is the processor in the terminal described in the above embodiments. The readable storage medium includes computer-readable storage media, such as computer read-only memory ROM, random access memory RAM, magnetic disks, or optical discs. In some examples, the readable storage medium may be a non-transitory readable storage medium.

[0326] The embodiments of the present application further provide a chip, which includes a processor and a communication interface. The communication interface is coupled to the processor. The processor is used to run programs or instructions to implement the various processes of the method embodiments of the above collaborative communication, and the same technical effects can be achieved. To avoid repetition, they will not be elaborated here.

[0327] It should be understood that the chip mentioned in the embodiments of the present application may also be referred to as a system-on-chip, system chip, chip system, or system-on-chip.

[0328] The embodiments of the present application further provide a computer program / program product, which is stored in a storage medium. The computer program / program product is executed by at least one processor to implement the various processes of the method embodiments of the above collaborative communication, and the same technical effects can be achieved. To avoid repetition, they will not be elaborated here.

[0329] The embodiments of the present application also provide a... system, including: a first device, a first device, and a fourth device. The first device can be used to implement each process of the method embodiments 200 - 400 of the above collaborative communication. The first device can be used to implement each process of the method embodiment 600 of the above collaborative communication. The fourth device can be used to implement each process of the method embodiment 700 of the above collaborative communication, and can achieve the same technical effects. To avoid repetition, it will not be elaborated here.

[0330] It should be noted that in this article, the terms "include", "comprise" or any other variant thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, so that a process, method, article or device including a series of elements not only includes those elements, but also includes other elements not explicitly listed, or also includes elements inherent to such process, method, article or device. Without further limitation, an element defined by the statement "including one..." does not exclude the existence of another identical element in the process, method, article or device including that element. In addition, it should be pointed out that the scope of the methods and devices in the embodiments of the present application is not limited to performing functions in the order shown or discussed, and may also include performing functions in a substantially simultaneous manner or in the reverse order according to the functions involved. For example, the described methods may be performed in an order different from that described, and various steps may be added, omitted or combined. Additionally, the features described with reference to certain examples may be combined in other examples.

[0331] Through the description of the above embodiments, those skilled in the art can clearly understand that the above-described embodiment methods can be implemented by means of a computer software product plus a necessary general hardware platform, and of course, can also be implemented by hardware. This computer software product is stored in a storage medium (such as ROM, RAM, magnetic disk, optical disk, etc.) and includes several instructions for causing a terminal or a network-side device to execute the methods described in the various embodiments of the present application.

[0332] The above has described the embodiments of the present application in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. However, the present application is not limited to the above specific embodiments. The above specific embodiments are merely illustrative and not restrictive. Under the inspiration of the present application, those of ordinary skill in the art can also make many forms of embodiments without departing from the purpose of the present application and the scope protected by the claims. These embodiments are all within the protection scope of the present application.

Claims

1. A method for cooperative communication, characterized in that, Including: A first device sends first information to at least two second devices; Wherein, the first information is used to indicate at least one of the following: At least two of the second devices send a first signal; At least two of the second devices receive a second signal.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein When the first information is used to indicate that the at least two second devices send a first signal, the first information includes at least one of the following: A first identifier for identifying the sending device or set of sending devices of the first signal; The sending mode of the first signal, the sending mode being a coherent joint sending mode or a non - coherent joint sending mode; The content carried by the first signal or the signal type of the first signal; A first resource, which is used by the second device to obtain the content carried by the first signal; A second resource, which is the sending resource corresponding to the first signal; A first power, which is the sending power corresponding to the first signal; A second identifier for identifying the receiving device or set of receiving devices of the first signal.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein When the sending mode of the first signal is the coherent joint sending mode, the first information further includes at least one of the following: A precoding matrix for sending the first signal; A phase offset for sending the first signal.

4. The method according to claim 3, wherein The precoding matrix or the phase offset is configured in units of a single sending device.

5. The method according to claim 2, wherein When the content carried by the first signal is data or signaling, the first information further includes at least one of the signal modulation method, signal coding method, signal modulation order, and signal waveform of the first signal.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1-5, characterized in that, When the first information is used to indicate that at least two second devices receive a second signal, the first information includes at least one of the following: A third identifier for identifying the receiving device or set of receiving devices of the second signal; A first indication information for indicating whether the second device performs or does not perform a first process on the received second signal; A third resource, which is the receiving resource of the second signal; A fourth identifier for identifying the sending device or set of sending devices of the second signal.

7. The method according to claim 6, wherein The first resource or the second resource or the third resource includes at least one of time - domain resource, frequency - domain resource, code - domain resource, and beam resource.

8. The method according to claim 6, wherein When the first indication information indicates that the second device performs a first process on the received second signal, the second information further includes at least one of the signal processing method, signal processing order, and signal processing parameters corresponding to the first process.

9. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that, The first process includes at least one of the following: Performing a second process on the received second signal and sending the processing result after the second process to a combining processing device; Forwarding the received second signal to a combining processing device; Performing a combining process on the received second signal and a third signal from at least one third device to obtain the original signal corresponding to the second signal; Wherein, the third signal includes the second signal received by the third device or the processing result of the second signal received after performing a second processing, and the third device is other devices among at least two of the second devices except the second device performing the combining process.

10. The method according to any one of claims 1-9, characterized in that, The method further includes: The first device obtains third information; Determine the at least two second devices according to the third information; Wherein, the third information is related to at least one of the second device and the fourth device, and the fourth device is the receiving device of the first signal, or the fourth device is the sending device of the second signal.

11. The method according to claim 10, characterized in that The third information includes at least one of the following: The reference signal measurement quantity between the second device and the fourth device; The historical communication quality of the fourth device; The capability information of the fourth device, and the capability information of the fourth device includes at least one of whether it supports measuring the reference signal and whether it supports transmitting signals from multiple devices; The cooperative communication request information sent by the fourth device; The status information of the fourth device, and the status information of the fourth device includes at least one of the communication quality between the fourth device and the second device, the energy consumption of the fourth device, the transmission power of the fourth device, and the temperature status of the fourth device; The communication requirement of the fourth device; The capability information of the second device, and the capability information of the second device includes at least one of whether it supports cooperative communication, the supported cooperative communication mode, the supported signal processing method, and whether it supports the combining process of multiple signals; The cooperative communication request information sent by the second device; The status information of the second device, and the status information of the second device includes at least one of the communication quality between the second device and the fourth device, the communication quality between the second devices, the energy consumption of the second device, the transmission power of the second device, and the temperature status of the second device.

12. A method for cooperative communication, characterized in that, Includes: The second device receives first information from the first device, wherein the first information is used to indicate at least one of the following: At least two of the second devices send a first signal; At least two of the second devices receive a second signal; The second device performs at least one of the following according to the first information: Send the first signal; Receive the second signal.

13. The method according to claim 12, wherein In the case where the first information is used to indicate that the second device sends the first signal, the first information includes at least one of the following: A first identifier for identifying the sending device or set of sending devices of the first signal; The sending mode of the first signal, and the sending mode is a coherent joint sending mode or a non - coherent joint sending mode; The carried content of the first signal or the signal type of the first signal; A first resource for the second device to obtain the carried content of the first signal; A second resource, and the second resource is the sending resource corresponding to the first signal; A first power, and the first power is the sending power corresponding to the first signal; A second identifier for identifying the receiving device or set of receiving devices of the first signal.

14. The method according to claim 13, characterized in that, When the transmission mode of the first signal is the coherent joint transmission mode, the first information further includes at least one of the following: The precoding matrix for the transmission of the first signal; The phase offset for the transmission of the first signal.

15. The method according to claim 14, characterized in that, The precoding matrix or the phase offset is configured on a per-transmitting device granularity.

16. The method according to claim 13, wherein When the content carried by the first signal is data or signaling, the first information further includes at least one of the signal modulation method, signal coding method, signal modulation order, and signal waveform of the first signal.

17. The method according to any one of claims 12-16, characterized in that, When the first information is used to instruct the second device to receive a second signal, the first information includes at least one of the following: A third identifier for identifying the receiving device or set of receiving devices of the second signal; First indication information for instructing the second device to perform or not perform a first process on the received second signal; A third resource, where the third resource is the receiving resource of the second signal; A fourth identifier for identifying the transmitting device or set of transmitting devices of the second signal.

18. The method according to claim 17, wherein The first resource, the second resource, or the third resource includes at least one of time domain resources, frequency domain resources, code domain resources, and beam resources.

19. The method according to claim 17, wherein When the first indication information instructs the second device to perform a first process on the received second signal, the second information further includes at least one of the signal processing method, signal processing order, and signal processing parameters corresponding to the first process.

20. The method according to claim 19, wherein The method further includes: The second device performs a first process on the received second signal, where the first process includes at least one of the following: Performing a second process on the second signal and sending the processing result after the second process to a combining processing device; Forwarding the second signal to a combining processing device; Performing a combining process on the second signal and third signals from at least one third device to obtain the original signal corresponding to the second signal; where the third signal includes the second signal received by the third device or the processing result after performing a second process on the received second signal, and the third device is another device other than the second device that performs the combining process among at least two second devices that cooperate in receiving.

21. The method according to any one of claims 12 - 20, characterized in that, The method further includes: Sending fourth information to the first device; where the third information is used to determine at least two cooperating devices when the first signal is transmitted or at least two cooperating devices when the second signal is received.

22. The method according to claim 21, wherein The fourth information includes at least one of the following: The reference signal measurement between the second device and a fourth device; The capability information of the second device, where the capability information of the second device includes at least one of whether it supports cooperative communication, the supported cooperative communication mode, the supported signal processing method, and whether it supports the combining process of multiple signals; The cooperative communication request information sent by the second device. The status information of the second device, where the status information of the second device includes at least one of the communication quality between the second device and the fourth device, the communication quality between the second devices, the energy consumption of the second device, the transmission power of the second device, and the temperature status of the second device.

23. A method for cooperative communication, characterized in that, including: The fourth device receives the first signals sent by at least two second devices, or sends the second signals to at least two second devices.

24. The method according to claim 23, wherein The method further includes: Sending fifth information to the first device; wherein, the fifth information is used to determine at least two cooperative devices when the first signal is sent or at least two cooperative devices when the second signal is received.

25. The method according to claim 24, wherein The fifth information includes at least one of the following: The reference signal measurement quantity between the fourth device and the second device; The historical communication quality of the fourth device; The capability information of the fourth device, where the capability information of the fourth device includes at least one of whether it supports measuring reference signals and whether it supports transmitting signals from multiple devices; The cooperative communication request information sent by the fourth device; The status information of the fourth device, where the status information of the fourth device includes at least one of the communication quality between the fourth device and the second device, the energy consumption of the fourth device, the transmission power of the fourth device, and the temperature status of the fourth device; The communication requirements of the fourth device.

26. A device for cooperative communication, characterized in that, including: A transmission module, configured to send first information to at least two second devices; wherein, the first information is used to indicate at least one of the following: At least two of the second devices send the first signal; At least two of the second devices receive the second signal.

27. The device according to claim 26, wherein The transmission module is further configured to: obtain third information; The apparatus further includes: a determination module, configured to determine the at least two second devices according to the third information; wherein, the third information is related to at least one of the second device and the fourth device, and the fourth device is the receiving device of the first signal or the fourth device is the sending device of the second signal.

28. A device for cooperative communication, characterized in that, including: A transmission module, configured to receive first information from the first device, where the first information is used to indicate at least one of the following: At least two second devices send the first signal; At least two second devices receive the second signal; An execution module, configured to perform at least one of the following according to the first information: Send the first signal; Receive the second signal.

29. The device according to claim 28, wherein The apparatus further includes: A processing module, configured to perform a first processing on the received second signal; wherein, the first processing includes at least one of the following: Perform a second processing on the second signal and send the processing result after the second processing to the merging processing device; Forward the second signal to the merging processing device; Perform a merging processing on the second signal and the third signals from at least one third device to obtain the original signal corresponding to the second signal; Among them, the third signal includes the second signal received by the third device or the processing result after performing a second processing on the received second signal, and the third device is another device among at least two of the second devices that cooperate in receiving, excluding the second device that performs the combining process.

30. The device according to claim 28 or 29, characterized in that, The transmission module is further configured to send fourth information to the first device; Among them, the third information is used to determine at least two cooperating devices when the first signal is sent or at least two cooperating devices when the second signal is received.

31. A device for cooperative communication, characterized in that, Comprising: A transmission module, configured to receive a first signal sent by at least two second devices, or send a second signal to at least two second devices.

32. A communication device, characterized in that, Comprising a processor and a memory, the memory stores a program or instruction that can run on the processor, and when the program or instruction is executed by the processor, it implements the steps of the method according to any one of claims 1 to 11, or implements the steps of the method according to any one of claims 12 to 22, or implements the steps of the method according to any one of claims 23 to 25.

33. A readable storage medium, characterized in that, A program or instruction is stored on the readable storage medium, and when the program or instruction is executed by a processor, it implements the steps of the method according to any one of claims 1 to 11, or implements the steps of the method according to any one of claims 12 to 22, or implements the steps of the method according to any one of claims 23 to 25.

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