Communication method and communication device

Abstract

The invention provides a communication method, a communication device and a communication system, which can support flexible change of the number of ports of a reference signal in a scene of dynamic turn-off of an RF channel. A network device sends a reference signal to a terminal on a reference signal resource, the reference signal resource can be used for transmitting reference signals of at most M ports and supporting estimation of channels of at most K ports, and the reference signals are m1 ports of the M ports. The terminal can estimate channels of k1 ports in the K ports according to the reference channel estimation auxiliary information and the reference signal, and then determines and sends the CSI. In the method, m1 is smaller than M, and k1 is smaller than K and larger than or equal to m1. Namely, the terminal can estimate the channels of the majority of ports according to the reference signals of the minority of ports by using the reference channel estimation auxiliary information. Along with the reduction of the number of ports of the reference signal sent by the air interface, the air interface overhead brought by the reference signal is also reduced by considering port multiplexing.

Description

Technical Field

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

[0002] In massive multiple input multiple output (Massive MIMO), a large number of antennas are used to improve wireless capacity and coverage. To send and receive data, obtain system synchronization, and feedback channel state information, the importance of channel estimation becomes more prominent. Channel estimation refers to the process of reconstructing or restoring the received signal to compensate for signal distortion caused by channel fading and noise-induced fading. It uses a known reference signal at both the transmitter and receiver ends to track the time-domain and frequency-domain changes of the channel. This reference signal is also known as a reference signal (RS) or a pilot. Currently, commonly used reference signals include, for example, channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS) for measuring the downlink channel, sounding reference signal (SRS) for measuring the uplink channel, and so on.

[0003] In some scenarios, such as energy-saving scenarios, radio frequency (RF) channels can be dynamically turned off according to service requirements, which requires a large number of supported antenna ports and dynamic changes. However, the current standard does not support dynamic changes in the number of ports with the dynamic turn-off of RF channels under a large number of ports, so it is not flexible enough. Summary of the Invention

[0004] This application provides a communication method and a communication device, aiming to flexibly adjust the number of ports of the reference signal, so as to support dynamic changes in the number of ports with the dynamic turn-off of the RF channel.

[0005] In a first aspect, a communication method is provided. This communication method can be applied to a communication device. The communication device can be, for example, a terminal device, a component configured in the terminal device (such as a chip, a chip system, a processor, etc.), or a logical module or software that can implement all or part of the functions of the terminal device. This application does not make any limitations in this regard.

[0006] Exemplarily, the method includes: receiving a first reference signal on a first reference signal resource for transmitting reference signals of at most M ports, where the reference signals of the M ports support channel estimation of at most K ports, the first reference signal being a reference signal of m1 ports, the m1 ports being from the M ports, m1 < M, M ≤ K, and m1, M, and K being positive integers; determining first channel state information (CSI) according to the first reference signal and first channel estimation auxiliary information, the first CSI corresponding to the channels of k1 ports; where the first channel estimation auxiliary information is determined according to the reference channel estimation auxiliary information corresponding to the first reference signal resource, the reference channel estimation auxiliary information being used to estimate the channels of the K ports according to the channel measurement results of the M ports, the first channel estimation auxiliary information being used to estimate the channels of the k1 ports according to the channel measurement results of the m1 ports, the k1 ports being from the K ports, and k1 being a positive integer greater than or equal to m1 and less than or equal to K; and transmitting the first CSI.

[0007] In summary, the following relationship can be obtained: k1 ≤ K, m1 < M, m1 ≤ k1, and M ≤ K.

[0008] It is not difficult to see that there is a nested relationship between the m1 ports and the M ports, and between the k1 ports and the K ports. This nested relationship can be extended to the relationship between the first channel estimation auxiliary information and the reference channel estimation auxiliary information. Therefore, based on this nested relationship, the first channel estimation auxiliary information can be obtained from the reference channel estimation auxiliary information.

[0009] Based on the above solution, the network device can flexibly select a reference signal of less than M ports for channel estimation based on the first reference signal resource and service requirements. The terminal can obtain the first channel estimation auxiliary information from the reference channel estimation auxiliary information based on the m1 ports corresponding to the received first reference signal, and then estimate the channels of K ports or less than K ports. Thus, it can support flexible changes in the number of ports in the scenario of dynamic RF channel shutdown. Since the number of ports m1 of the first reference signal can be less than M, and M ≤ K, the channels of a large number of ports can be estimated according to the reference signals of a small number of ports. As the number of ports of the reference signal transmitted over the air interface decreases, considering port multiplexing, the overhead of the reference signal over the air interface is also reduced.

[0010] It should be understood that, for the convenience of distinction and description in this application, the reference signal resource is defined as a time-frequency resource to distinguish it from the spatial domain resource (such as a port). In another implementation, the reference signal resource can also be defined as a resource in the three dimensions of time domain, frequency domain, and spatial domain. In this case, the resource for transmitting the first reference signal can be part or all of the first reference signal resource. The above method can also be described as follows:

[0011] Receive a first reference signal on a first resource, where the first resource comes from a first reference signal resource, the first resource includes k1 ports, the first reference signal is a reference signal of m1 ports among the k1 ports, the first reference signal resource includes K ports, the first reference signal resource is used to transmit reference signals of at most M ports, the k1 ports come from the K ports, the m1 ports come from the M ports, and the M ports come from the K ports, k1 is greater than or equal to m1 and less than or equal to K, M is greater than m1 and less than or equal to K, and m1, M, k1, and K are positive integers; determine first channel state information CSI according to the first reference signal and first channel estimation auxiliary information, where the first CSI corresponds to the channels of the k1 ports; where the first channel estimation auxiliary information is determined according to the reference channel estimation auxiliary information corresponding to the first reference signal resource, the reference channel estimation auxiliary information is used to estimate the channels of the K ports according to the channel measurement results of the M ports, and the first channel estimation auxiliary information is used to estimate the channels of the k1 ports according to the channel measurement results of the m1 ports; send the first CSI.

[0012] In this article, for the convenience of understanding and description, without special explanation, the time-frequency resource is simply referred to as a resource.

[0013] Combined with the first aspect, in some possible implementation manners of the first aspect, the method further includes: receiving first information, where the first information is used to indicate one or more of the following for each of the T reference signal resources: resource pattern, port pattern, maximum number of ports supported for channel estimation, and reference channel estimation auxiliary information; where the t-th reference signal resource among the T reference signal resources is used to transmit reference signals of at most M t ports, the reference signal transmitted through the t-th reference signal resource supports channel estimation of a maximum of K t ports, K t is the maximum number of ports supported for channel estimation of the t-th reference signal resource, M t is less than or equal to K tpositive integers, t is a positive integer from 1 to T; the resource pattern of the t-th reference signal resource indicates the mapping relationship between the reference signals of each of the M t ports and time-frequency resources, and the port pattern of the t-th reference signal resource indicates the indices of the M t ports among the K t ports, and the reference channel estimation auxiliary information of the t-th reference signal resource is used to estimate the channels of the K t ports according to the channel measurement results of the M t ports.

[0014] That is to say, the terminal can obtain one or more of the following according to the first information: resource pattern, port pattern, the maximum number of ports supported for channel estimation, and reference channel estimation auxiliary information. Among them, the resource pattern can be used by the terminal to determine the time-frequency position for receiving the first reference signal, the port pattern can be used to determine the indices of the m1 ports of the first reference signal among the M ports, and the reference channel estimation auxiliary information can be used by the terminal to determine the first channel estimation auxiliary information. The reference channel estimation auxiliary information can also be used to determine the maximum number of ports supported for channel estimation of the first reference signal resource.

[0015] The above items can all be configured by the network device, or some of them can be configured by the network device. The terminal determines other items based on the partial items indicated by the network device, or they can all be determined by the terminal itself, such as determined according to prior information. This application does not limit this.

[0016] Further, when the first information is used to indicate the resource pattern and port pattern of each reference signal resource, the indication of the resource pattern and port pattern of the t-th reference signal resource in the first information is the indication of the matrix P t , satisfying: where P port,t represents the port pattern of the t-th reference signal resource, and P RE,t represents the resource pattern of the t-th reference signal resource.

[0017] That is, by indicating the matrix P t , the port pattern and resource pattern can be indicated simultaneously. The matrix P t can be collectively referred to as the pattern.

[0018] Combined with the first aspect, in some possible implementation manners of the first aspect, T is greater than 1, and any two of the T reference signal resources satisfy: the maximum number of ports of the reference signals for transmission is different, and / or, the maximum number of ports supported for channel estimation is different.

[0019] When the maximum number of ports for supported channel estimation is the same, the more the maximum number of ports of the reference signal for transmission, the more accurate the channel estimation; the fewer the maximum number of ports of the reference signal, the more air interface overhead is saved. Therefore, appropriate reference signal resources of the benchmark can be selected according to different service requirements.

[0020] Therefore, by configuring multiple reference signal resources of the benchmark that meet the above conditions, different service requirements can be met.

[0021] Combined with the first aspect, in some possible implementation manners of the first aspect, the method further includes: receiving second information, where the second information is used to indicate an identifier of the first reference signal resource among the T reference signal resources of the benchmark.

[0022] By indicating the identifier of the first reference signal resource, it is convenient for the terminal to determine the reference signal resource actually used for the transmission of the reference signal.

[0023] Combined with the first aspect, in some possible implementation manners of the first aspect, the first CSI is a precoding matrix indicator (PMI) corresponding to the channel of the k1 ports, or the first CSI is a channel estimation result, and the channel estimation result indicates the channel of the k1 ports.

[0024] In this application, the channel estimation result refers to the result obtained by estimating the channel and is used to indicate the channel, such as the channel of the k1 ports here; the PMI is used to indicate the precoding matrix, such as the precoding matrix corresponding to the channel of the k1 ports here. In the following, without special instructions, the channel estimation result and the PMI can be understood with reference to the description here.

[0025] Whether the terminal indicates the PMI or the channel estimation result through the first CSI can be determined by the terminal itself, configured by the network device, or predefined by the protocol. This application does not limit this.

[0026] Combined with the first aspect, in some possible implementation manners of the first aspect, the method further includes: determining first channel estimation auxiliary information from the reference channel estimation auxiliary information corresponding to the first reference signal resource according to the index of the m1 ports in the M ports and the index of the k1 ports in the K ports.

[0027] The indexes of the m1 ports among the M ports, and the indexes of the k1 ports among the K ports are an embodiment of the nested relationship between the m1 ports and the M ports, and between the k1 ports and the K ports as described above. Based on this nested relationship, the terminal can determine the first channel estimation auxiliary information from the reference channel auxiliary information.

[0028] Optionally, the method further includes: receiving third information, where the third information is used to indicate the indexes of the k1 ports among the K ports.

[0029] Based on the indexes indicated by the third information, the terminal can determine the ports of the channels for which channel estimation needs to be performed.

[0030] Optionally, the method further includes: receiving fourth information, where the fourth information is used to indicate the indexes of the m1 ports among the M ports.

[0031] Based on the fourth information, the terminal can obtain the indexes of the m1 ports among the M ports.

[0032] Optionally, the method further includes: receiving fourth information, where the fourth information is used to indicate the extraction rule for extracting the m1 ports from the M ports.

[0033] Based on this extraction rule, the terminal can determine the indexes of the m1 ports among the M ports, and further determine which rows in the reference channel estimation auxiliary information the first channel estimation auxiliary information comes from. In fact, the terminal does not necessarily have to determine the indexes of the m1 ports among the M ports based on this extraction rule. The terminal can directly extract m1 rows from the reference channel estimation auxiliary information according to this extraction rule.

[0034] Combined with the first aspect, in some possible implementation manners of the first aspect, the method further includes: receiving a second reference signal on the first reference signal resource, where the second reference signal is a reference signal of m2 ports, and the m2 ports are from the m1 ports, and m2 is a positive integer less than or equal to m1; determining a second CSI according to the second reference signal and second channel estimation auxiliary information, where the second CSI corresponds to the channels of k2 ports; the second channel estimation auxiliary information is used to estimate the channels of the k2 ports according to the channel measurement results of the m2 ports, the k2 ports are from the k1 ports, and k2 is a positive integer less than or equal to k1 and greater than or equal to m2; sending the second CSI.

[0035] In summary, the following relationship can be obtained: m2 ≤ m1, k2 ≤ k1, and k2 ≥ m2.

[0036] It is not difficult to see that there is also a nested relationship between the m2 ports and the m1 ports, and between the k2 ports and the k1 ports. This nested relationship can be extended to the second channel estimation auxiliary information and the first channel estimation auxiliary information. Therefore, based on this nested relationship, the second channel estimation auxiliary information can be obtained from the first channel estimation auxiliary information. In this way, the computational overhead can be reduced and the execution efficiency can be improved. Also, since there is a nested relationship between the m1 ports and the M ports, and between the k1 ports and the K ports, there is also a nested relationship between the m2 ports and the M ports, and between the k2 ports and the K ports. This nested relationship can be extended to the second channel estimation auxiliary information and the reference channel estimation auxiliary information. Therefore, based on this nested relationship, the second channel estimation auxiliary information can also be obtained from the reference channel estimation auxiliary information. In this way, the terminal does not have to store the first channel estimation auxiliary information, and the storage overhead can be reduced.

[0037] In addition, the network device can reuse the same reference reference signal resource in multiple channel estimations. For example, the first reference reference signal resource can be reused. In this way, the network device does not have to indicate the actually used reference reference signal resource through the second information before each channel estimation, thereby reducing the signaling overhead.

[0038] Combined with the first aspect, in some possible implementation manners of the first aspect, the method further includes: sending the capability information of the terminal, where the capability information is used to indicate one or more of the following: the allowable value of the maximum number of ports supported by the terminal for channel estimation, the number of configured reference reference signal resources supported for each allowable value of the maximum number of ports for channel estimation, whether the terminal supports the extraction rule, whether the terminal pre-stores the reference channel estimation auxiliary information, resource pattern, and port pattern corresponding to each allowable value of the maximum number of ports, or the storage time of each piece of information related to channel estimation supported by the terminal; the extraction rule is used to extract some or all of the ports from multiple ports.

[0039] Among them, each piece of information related to channel estimation includes, for example, but is not limited to, the channel estimation auxiliary information used in each channel estimation, such as the above-mentioned first channel estimation auxiliary information, second channel estimation auxiliary information, etc.

[0040] The terminal can report its capability information to the network device, so that the network device can dynamically configure or adjust the reference reference signal resource that matches the terminal's capability according to the terminal's capability information, thereby successfully completing the channel estimation and obtaining a higher spectral efficiency.

[0041] Second aspect, a communication method is provided, which can be applied to a communication device. The communication device can be, for example, a network device, or a component configured in the network device (such as a chip, a chip system, a processor, etc.), or can also be a logic module or software that can implement all or part of the functions of the network device, etc. This application does not make any limitations in this regard.

[0042] Exemplarily, the method includes: sending a first reference signal on a first reference signal resource for benchmark, where the first reference signal resource for benchmark is used to transmit reference signals of at most M ports, and the reference signals of the M ports support channel estimation of at most K ports at most. The first reference signal is a reference signal of m1 ports, and the m1 ports are from the M ports, m1 is less than M, M is less than or equal to K, and m1, M, and K are positive integers; receiving a first CSI, where the first CSI is obtained based on the first reference signal, and the first CSI corresponds to the channels of k1 ports, and the k1 ports are from the K ports, and k1 is a positive integer greater than or equal to m1 and less than or equal to K.

[0043] In summary, the following relationships can be obtained: k1 ≤ K, m1 < M, m1 ≤ k1, and M ≤ K. For the relationships between the m1 ports and the M ports, the k1 ports and the K ports, and the first channel estimation auxiliary information and the benchmark channel estimation auxiliary information, please refer to the relevant descriptions in the first aspect and will not be elaborated here.

[0044] Based on the above solution, the network device can flexibly select reference signals of M ports or less than M ports for channel estimation based on the reference signal resource for benchmark and service requirements. The terminal can obtain the first channel estimation auxiliary information from the benchmark channel estimation auxiliary information based on the ports of the received reference signals, and then estimate the channels of K ports or less than K ports. Thus, it can support flexible changes in the number of ports in the scenario where the RF channels are dynamically turned off. Since the number of ports m1 of the first reference signal can be less than M, and M is less than or equal to K, the channels of most ports can be estimated based on the reference signals of a small number of ports. As the number of ports of the reference signals transmitted over the air interface decreases, considering port multiplexing, the air interface overhead brought by the reference signals is also reduced.

[0045] It should be understood that in this application, for the convenience of distinction and description, the reference signal resource for benchmark is defined as a time-frequency resource to be distinguished from the spatial domain resource (such as a port). In another implementation, the reference signal resource for benchmark can also be defined as a resource in the three dimensions of time domain, frequency domain, and spatial domain. In this case, the resource used to transmit the first reference signal can be part or all of the first reference signal resource for benchmark. The above method can also be expressed as follows:

[0046] A first reference signal is sent on a first resource, where the first resource is from a first basic reference signal resource. The first resource includes k1 ports, and the first reference signal is a reference signal of m1 ports among the k1 ports. The first basic reference signal resource includes K ports and is used to transmit reference signals of at most M ports. The k1 ports are from the K ports, the m1 ports are from the M ports, and the M ports are from the K ports. k1 is greater than or equal to m1 and less than or equal to K, M is greater than m1 and less than or equal to K, and m1, M, k1, and K are positive integers. A first CSI is received, where the first CSI is obtained based on the first reference signal and corresponds to the channels of the k1 ports.

[0047] Combined with the second aspect, in some possible implementation manners of the second aspect, the method further includes: sending first information, where the first information is used to indicate one or more of the following for each of the T basic reference signal resources: resource pattern, maximum number of ports supported for channel estimation, and basic channel estimation assistance information. Wherein, the t-th basic reference signal resource among the T basic reference signal resources is used to transmit reference signals of at most M t ports, and the reference signals of the M t ports support channel estimation of a maximum of K t ports. K t is the maximum number of ports supported for channel estimation by the t-th basic reference signal resource, M t is a positive integer less than or equal to K t , and t is a positive integer from 1 to T. The resource pattern of the t-th basic reference signal resource indicates the mapping relationship between the reference signals of each of the M t ports and time-frequency resources, and the basic channel estimation assistance information of the t-th basic reference signal resource is used to estimate the channels of the K t ports according to the channel measurement results of the M t ports.

[0048] Combined with the second aspect, in some possible implementation manners of the second aspect, when the first information is used to indicate the resource pattern and port pattern of each basic reference signal resource, the indication of the resource pattern and port pattern of the t-th basic reference signal resource by the first information is an indication of a matrix P t , satisfying: Wherein, P port,t represents the port pattern of the t-th basic reference signal resource, and P RE,t represents the resource pattern of the t-th basic reference signal resource.

[0049] In combination with the second aspect, in some possible implementation manners of the second aspect, T is greater than 1, and at least two of the T reference signal resources satisfy: the maximum number of ports for transmitting the reference signal is different, and / or, the maximum number of ports for supporting channel estimation is different.

[0050] In combination with the second aspect, in some possible implementation manners of the second aspect, the method further includes: sending second information, where the second information is used to indicate an identifier of the first reference signal resource among the T reference signal resources.

[0051] In combination with the second aspect, in some possible implementation manners of the second aspect, the first CSI is a PMI corresponding to the channel of the k1 ports, or the first CSI is a channel estimation result, and the channel estimation result indicates the channel of the k1 ports.

[0052] In combination with the second aspect, in some possible implementation manners of the second aspect, the method further includes: sending third information, where the third information is used to indicate an index of the k1 ports among the K ports.

[0053] In combination with the second aspect, in some possible implementation manners of the second aspect, the method further includes: sending fourth information, where the fourth information is used to indicate an index of the m1 ports among the M ports, or a extraction rule for extracting the m1 ports from the M ports.

[0054] In combination with the second aspect, in some possible implementation manners of the second aspect, the method further includes: sending a second reference signal on the first reference signal resource, where the second reference signal is a reference signal of m2 ports, the m2 ports are from the m1 ports, and m2 is a positive integer less than or equal to m1; receiving a second CSI, where the second CSI is obtained based on the second reference signal, and the second CSI corresponds to the channel of k2 ports, the k2 ports are from the k1 ports, and k2 is a positive integer less than or equal to k1 and greater than or equal to m2.

[0055] In combination with the second aspect, in some possible implementation manners of the second aspect, the method further includes: receiving capability information of the terminal, where the capability information is used to indicate one or more of the following: an allowed value of the maximum number of ports for channel estimation supported by the terminal, the number of configured reference signal resources supported for each allowed value of the maximum number of ports for channel estimation, whether the terminal supports a extraction rule, whether the terminal pre-stores reference channel estimation auxiliary information, a resource pattern, and a port pattern corresponding to each allowed value of the maximum number of ports, or the storage time of each piece of channel estimation-related information supported by the terminal; the extraction rule is used to extract some or all of the ports from multiple ports.

[0056] For the content of the possible implementation manners of the second aspect, reference may specifically be made to the relevant descriptions in the first aspect, which will not be elaborated herein.

[0057] In a third aspect, the present application provides a communication device, including modules or units for implementing the methods in the first aspect and any possible implementation manner of the first aspect. Each module or unit can implement the corresponding functions by executing a computer program.

[0058] In a fourth aspect, the present application provides a communication device, including a processor, where the processor is configured to execute the communication method described in the first aspect and any possible implementation manner of the first aspect.

[0059] The device may further include a memory for storing instructions and data. The memory is coupled to the processor, and when the processor executes the instructions stored in the memory, the methods described in the above aspects can be implemented. The device may further include a communication interface for the device to communicate with other devices. Exemplarily, the communication interface may be a transceiver, a circuit, a bus, a module, or other types of communication interfaces.

[0060] Exemplarily, the device in the third aspect or the fourth aspect is a terminal device, or a component in a terminal device, such as a chip, a chip system, a processor, etc.

[0061] In a fifth aspect, the present application provides a chip system, which includes at least one processor for supporting the implementation of the functions involved in the first aspect and any possible implementation manner of the first aspect. For example, for receiving or processing the information involved in the above methods.

[0062] In a possible design, the chip system further includes a memory for storing program instructions and data, and the memory is located inside or outside the processor.

[0063] The chip system may be composed of chips, or may include chips and other discrete devices.

[0064] In a sixth aspect, the present application provides a communication device, including modules or units for implementing the methods in the second aspect and any possible implementation manner of the second aspect. Each module or unit can implement the corresponding functions by executing a computer program.

[0065] In a seventh aspect, the present application provides a communication device, including a processor, where the processor is configured to execute the communication method described in the second aspect and any possible implementation manner of the second aspect.

[0066] The device may further include a memory for storing instructions and data. The memory is coupled to the processor, and when the processor executes the instructions stored in the memory, the methods described in the above aspects can be implemented. The device may further include a communication interface for the device to communicate with other devices. Exemplarily, the communication interface may be a transceiver, a circuit, a bus, a module, or other types of communication interfaces.

[0067] Exemplarily, the device in the sixth aspect or the seventh aspect is a network device, or a component in a network device, such as a chip, a chip system, a processor, etc.

[0068] In an eighth aspect, the present application provides a chip system, which includes at least one processor for supporting the implementation of the functions involved in the above second aspect and any possible implementation manner of the second aspect. For example, receiving or processing the information involved in the above method.

[0069] In a possible design, the chip system further includes a memory for storing program instructions and data, and the memory is located inside or outside the processor.

[0070] The chip system may be composed of chips, or may include chips and other discrete devices.

[0071] In a ninth aspect, the present application provides a computer-readable storage medium, including a computer program, which when run on a computer, enables the computer to implement the methods in the first or second aspect and any possible implementation manner of the first or second aspect.

[0072] In a tenth aspect, the present application provides a computer program product, which includes: a computer program (which may also be referred to as code, or instruction), and when the computer program is run, it enables the computer to execute the methods in the first or second aspect and any possible implementation manner of the first or second aspect.

[0073] In an eleventh aspect, the embodiments of the present application provide a communication system, including the aforementioned terminal and network device.

[0074] The third to eleventh aspects of the present application correspond to the technical solutions of the first and second aspects of the present application. The beneficial effects achieved by each aspect and the corresponding feasible implementation manners are similar and will not be elaborated herein. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0075] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the architecture of a communication system applicable to the communication method provided by the present application;

[0076] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the air interface overhead of CSI-RS changing with the number of ports;

[0077] Figure 3 It is a schematic diagram of the channel estimation auxiliary information provided by the present application;

[0078] Figure 4 It is a schematic flowchart of the communication method provided by the embodiment of the present application;

[0079] Figure 5 It is a schematic diagram of the terminal determining the first channel estimation auxiliary information provided by the embodiment of the present application;

[0080] Figure 6 It is a schematic diagram of the reference channel estimation auxiliary information and the first channel estimation auxiliary information provided by the embodiment of the present application;

[0081] Figure 7 It is a schematic diagram of the channels of m1 ports measured by the terminal and the channels of k1 ports estimated provided by the embodiment of the present application;

[0082] Figure 8 It is a schematic diagram of the channels of m2 ports measured by the terminal and the channels of k2 ports estimated provided by the embodiment of the present application;

[0083] Figure 9 It is a schematic block diagram of the communication device provided by the embodiment of the present application;

[0084] Figure 10 It is another schematic block diagram of the communication device provided by the embodiment of the present application;

[0085] Figure 11 It is a schematic structural diagram of the terminal provided by the embodiment of the present application;

[0086] Figure 12 It is a schematic structural diagram of the network device provided by the embodiment of the present application. Detailed implementation manners

[0087] Next, the technical solutions provided by the present application will be described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0088] For the convenience of understanding the embodiments of the present application, the following points are first explained:

[0089] First, in the present application, indication includes explicit indication (also called direct indication) and implicit indication (also called indirect indication). Among them, explicit indication of information A means including the information A; implicit indication of information A means indicating information A through the correspondence between information A and information B and direct indication of information B. The correspondence between information A and information B can be predefined, pre-stored, pre-burned, or pre-configured; or, it can also mean indicating information A through information B and a preset rule.

[0090] Second, in the present application, information C is used for the determination of information D, which includes both the case where information D is determined only based on information C and the case where information D is determined based on information C and other information. In addition, when information C is used for the determination of information D, there may also be an indirect determination situation. For example, information D is determined based on information E, and information E is determined based on information C.

[0091] Third, in the present application, "at least one" means one or more, and "a plurality" means two or more. "And / or" describes the association relationship of associated objects, indicating that there can be three relationships. For example, A and / or B can represent: A exists alone, A and B exist simultaneously, and B exists alone, where A and B can be singular or plural. The character " / " generally indicates that the associated objects before and after are in an "or" relationship, but it does not exclude the case where the associated objects before and after are in an "and" relationship. The specific meaning can be understood in combination with the context. "At least one of the following" or its similar expressions refer to any combination of these items, including any combination of single item or plural items. For example, at least one of a, b, or c can represent: a, b, c; a and b; a and c; b and c; or a and b and c. Where a, b, and c can be single or multiple.

[0092] Fourth, in the present application, the use of prefix words such as "first" and "second" is only for facilitating the differential description of different things belonging to the same name category, and does not restrict the order, size, or quantity of things. For example, "first information" and "second information" are just different information, and there is no time sequence relationship, size relationship, or priority relationship between them.

[0093] Fifth, "send" and "receive" in the present application represent the direction of signal transmission. For example, "sending information to the terminal" can be understood as the destination of the information being the terminal, which can include direct sending through the air interface, and also include indirect sending through the air interface by other units or modules. "Receiving information from the network device" can be understood as the source of the information being the network device, which can include directly receiving from the network device through the air interface, or can also include indirectly receiving from the network device through the air interface from other units or modules. "Send" can also be understood as the "output" of the chip interface, and "receive" can also be understood as the "input" of the chip interface.

[0094] In other words, sending and receiving can be carried out between devices. For example, between the terminal and the network device; it can also be carried out within the device. For example, sending or receiving between components within the device, between modules, between chips, between software modules, or between hardware modules through buses, traces, or interfaces.

[0095] Sixth, in the embodiments of the present application, "when", "if", and "in case" all refer to the device making corresponding processing under certain objective circumstances, rather than limiting time, and it is not required that the device must have a judgment action when implemented, nor does it mean there are other limitations.

[0096] Seventh, in the present application, words such as "example", "exemplarily", "for example", or "such as" are used to give examples, illustrations, or explanations. Any embodiment or design solution described as "example", "exemplarily", "for example", or "such as" in the present application should not be construed as being more preferred or having more advantages than other embodiments or design solutions. Exactly speaking, the use of words such as "example", "exemplarily", "for example", or "such as" is intended to present relevant concepts in a specific manner.

[0097] Eighth, in this paper, CSI-RS is taken as an example of the reference signal to describe the method provided by the present application, but this should not limit the applicable scenarios of this solution. This solution can also be applicable to other downlink reference signals or uplink reference signals, such as SRS, de-modulation reference signal (DMRS), etc. Those skilled in the art can, based on the same concept, make simple transformations to obtain solutions that apply the solution provided by the present application to other reference signals. For the sake of simplicity, they are not listed one by one here.

[0098] Ninth, for the convenience of description in this paper, various pieces of information are represented by matrices. For example, the channel can be represented by matrix H, the resource pattern can be represented by matrix P RE to represent, the port pattern can be represented by matrix P port to represent, the base station channel estimation auxiliary information can be represented by matrix P + to represent, and so on. Such examples are not listed one by one. It should be understood that the matrix is only a possible mathematical expression of this information and should not impose any limitations on the present application. For example, it can also be represented by vectors, arrays, or other forms, and matrix operations can be correspondingly converted into other forms of operations, such as vector operations, etc. The present application does not make any limitations in this regard.

[0099] Tenth, for the convenience of distinction and description in this paper, time-frequency resources are abbreviated as resources to distinguish them from spatial domain resources (such as ports). For example, the reference signal resource for the reference signal is used to transmit the reference signal of one or more ports. Specifically, it can be said that the time-frequency resources occupied by the reference signal of one or more ports are the reference signal resources for the reference signal. In the following text, without special instructions, the reference signal resources for the reference signal are understood as time-frequency resources.

[0100] In another implementation, resources can also be defined as resources in three dimensions: time domain, frequency domain, and spatial domain. For example, the reference signal resources not only include time-frequency resources but also spatial domain resources. Those skilled in the art can make simple changes based on the method provided in this application to obtain other possible solutions, and all these solutions should fall within the protection scope of this application.

[0101] Eleventh, for the convenience of description in this article, when referring to indexes or identifiers, consecutive numbering can start from 1. For example, T reference signal resources include the first to the T-th reference signal resources. Of course, the specific implementation is not limited to this. For example, consecutive numbering can start from 0. In this case, T reference signal resources include the 0-th to the (T - 1)-th reference signal resources.

[0102] Twelfth, channel estimation refers to the process of reconstructing or restoring the received signal to compensate for signal distortion caused by channel fading and noise-induced fading. It uses the reference signals known at both the transmitter and receiver ends to track the time-domain and frequency-domain changes of the channel. In this article, this reference signal is the reference signal, such as CSI-RS. The transmitter of CSI-RS can be a network device, and the receiver of CSI-RS can be a terminal. For the convenience of description, in the following text, the process from the network device sending the reference signal (such as CSI-RS) to the terminal feeding back CSI based on the received reference signal is recorded as one channel estimation.

[0103] Of course, the reference signal can also be other reference signals, such as SRS. In this case, the transmitter of SRS can be a terminal, and the receiver of SRS can be a network device. The process from the terminal sending the reference signal (such as SRS) to the network device feeding back CSI based on the received reference signal can also be recorded as one channel estimation.

[0104] Thirteenth, this application involves channel estimation results and channel measurement results. Among them, the channel measurement result refers to the channel obtained based on the measurement of the reference signal. For example, based on the measurement of the reference signal of m1 ports, the channels of m1 ports can be obtained; the channel estimation result refers to the channel estimated based on the channel measurement result, usually the channels of more ports. For example, based on the channels of m1 ports (or the channel measurement results), the channels of k1 (k1 ≥ m1) ports are estimated.

[0105] In addition, for the convenience of understanding and description, the content indicated by CSI is distinguished and named through channel measurement results, channel estimation results, and PMI. The difference between channel measurement results and channel estimation results has been described above and will not be elaborated here. PMI is used to indicate the precoding matrix, such as the precoding matrix corresponding to the channels of k1 ports.

[0106] The technical solutions provided in this application can be applied to various communication systems, such as: Long Term Evolution (LTE) systems, LTE Frequency Division Duplex (FDD) systems, LTE Time Division Duplex (TDD), Sidelink (SL) communication systems, Universal Mobile Telecommunication System (UMTS), Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX) communication systems, 5th generation (5G) mobile communication systems, or New Radio Access Technology (NR). Among them, the 5G mobile communication system can include Non-Standalone (NSA) and / or Standalone (SA). The technical solutions provided in this application can also be applied to future communication systems, such as 6th generation (6G) mobile communication systems, etc. This application does not make any restrictions in this regard.

[0107] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the architecture of a communication system applicable to the communication method provided in this application. Figure 1 shows a schematic diagram of a possible and non-limiting system architecture. As Figure 1 shown, the communication system 10 includes a Radio Access Network (RAN) 100 and a Core Network (CN) 200. The RAN 100 includes at least one RAN node (such as Figure 1 110a and 110b in Figure 1 , collectively referred to as 110) and at least one terminal (such as Figure 1 120a - 120j in

[0108] The RAN 100 can be a cellular system related to the 3rd generation partnership project (3GPP), such as a 4G or 5G mobile communication system, or an evolved system for the future (such as a 6G mobile communication system). The RAN 100 can also be an open RAN (O-RAN or ORAN), a cloud radio access network (CRAN), or a wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi) system. The RAN 100 can also be a communication system that integrates two or more of the above systems.

[0109] The RAN node 110, sometimes also referred to as an access network device, a RAN entity, or an access node, etc., is a part of the communication system used to assist the terminal in achieving wireless access. Multiple RAN nodes 110 in the communication system 10 can be of the same type or different types. In some scenarios, the roles of the RAN node 110 and the terminal 120 are relative. For example, Figure 1 The network element 120i can be a helicopter or a drone, which can be configured as a mobile base station. For the terminal 120j accessing the RAN 100 through the network element 120i, the network element 120i is a base station; but for the base station 110a, the network element 120i is a terminal. The RAN node 110 and the terminal 120 are sometimes both referred to as communication devices. For example, Figure 1 the network elements 110a and 110b in the figure can be understood as communication devices with base station functions, and the network elements 120a - 120j can be understood as communication devices with terminal functions.

[0110] In a possible scenario, the RAN node can be a base station, an evolved NodeB (eNodeB), an access point (AP), a transmission reception point (TRP), a next generation NodeB (gNB), a next generation base station in a 6G mobile communication system, a base station in a future mobile communication system, or an access node in a Wi-Fi system, etc. The RAN node can be a macro base station (such as Figure 1 110a in the figure), a micro base station, or an indoor station (such as Figure 1110b) in the RAN node, relay node, donor node, or the radio controller in the CRAN scenario. Optionally, the RAN node may also be a server, wearable device, vehicle, or in-vehicle device, etc. For example, the access network device in vehicle to everything (V2X) technology may be a road side unit (RSU).

[0111] In another possible scenario, multiple RAN nodes cooperate to assist the terminal in achieving wireless access, and different RAN nodes respectively implement some functions of the base station. For example, the RAN node may be a central unit (CU), distributed unit (DU), CU-control plane (CP), CU-user plane (UP), or radio unit (RU), etc. The CU and DU may be set separately, or may also be included in the same network element, such as the baseband unit (BBU). The RU may be included in the radio frequency device or radio frequency unit, such as included in the remote radio unit (RRU), active antenna unit (AAU), or remote radio head (RRH).

[0112] In different systems, the CU (or CU-CP and CU-UP), DU, or RU may also have different names, but those skilled in the art can understand their meanings. For example, in the ORAN system, the CU may also be called O-CU (open CU), the DU may also be called O-DU, the CU-CP may also be called O-CU-CP, the CU-UP may also be called O-CU-UP, and the RU may also be called O-RU. For the convenience of description, in this application, the CU, CU-CP, CU-UP, DU, and RU are used as examples for description. Any one of the CU (or CU-CP, CU-UP), DU, and RU in this application may be implemented by a software module, a hardware module, or a combination of a software module and a hardware module.

[0113] A terminal can also be referred to as a terminal device, user equipment (UE), mobile station, mobile terminal, etc. Terminals can be widely applied in various scenarios, such as device-to-device (D2D), vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication, machine-type communication (MTC), Internet of Things (IoT), virtual reality, augmented reality, industrial control, autonomous driving, remote healthcare, smart grid, smart furniture, smart office, smart wearables, smart transportation, smart city, etc. Terminals can be mobile phones, tablets, computers with wireless transceiver functions, wearable devices, vehicles, drones, helicopters, airplanes, ships, robots, robotic arms, smart home devices, etc.

[0114] In the embodiments of this application, the terminal and the network device can be hardware devices, or software functions running on dedicated hardware or software functions running on general hardware. For example, they can be virtualized functions instantiated on a platform (such as a cloud platform), or entities that include dedicated or general hardware devices and software functions. This application does not limit the specific forms of the terminal and the network device.

[0115] Wireless communication systems have evolved and been studied from the first-generation analog communication to 5G NR and existing 6G technologies. In this complex evolution process, high throughput and large connections have always been the core challenges of wireless communication networks. Among various solutions for 5G NR and 6G, the Massive MIMO technology, which can significantly improve system capacity, will still be a key technology to meet the high-rate transmission requirements. This technology utilizes spatial dimension resources. Without increasing the system bandwidth, it enables signals to obtain array gain, multiplexing and diversity gain, and interference cancellation gain in space, doubling the capacity and spectral efficiency of the communication system.

[0116] In Massive MIMO, using a large number of antennas can enhance wireless capacity and coverage. To ensure system performance, both the transmitter and the receiver can perform channel estimation, channel measurement, etc. through reference signals. As the number of antennas increases, the air interface overhead brought by the reference signals also increases sharply.

[0117] Taking CSI-RS as an example, the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3 rdIn Release 15 (R15) of the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) standard, the supported number of CSI-RS ports is {1, 2, 4, 8, 12, 16, 24, 32}, and the mapping relationship between the reference signal of each port and time-frequency resources can be defined through a resource pattern. The CSI-RS of multiple ports can multiplex a group of time-frequency resources through code division, frequency division, or time division. Release 19 has considered extending the number of CSI-RS ports to a maximum of 64 ports. It can be seen that the number of ports is increasing, and the resulting air interface resources are also increasing.

[0118] Figure 2 It is a schematic diagram of the air interface overhead of CSI-RS varying with the number of ports. Figure 2 Assume that the frequency-domain density of CSI-RS is 0.5 RE / port / RB, the time is 10 transmission time intervals (TTIs), the uplink-downlink subframe ratio is 1:4, and the number of UEs is 30. The air interface overhead increases sharply with the increase in the number of CSI-RS ports. As shown in the figure, the air interface overhead when the number of CSI-RS ports is 32 is as follows: cell-specific accounts for 1.2%, UE-specific accounts for 35.7%; when the number of CSI-RS ports increases to 64, the air interface overhead is as follows: cell-specific accounts for 2.4%, UE-specific accounts for 71.4%; when the number of CSI-RS ports increases to 90, the air interface overhead is as follows: cell-specific accounts for 3.3%, UE-specific accounts for 100.4%. It can be seen that if more CSI-RS ports (such as 128 / 256 / 512 / 1024 / ...) are to be achieved, the air interface overhead will increase sharply, and the traditional evolution path is difficult to sustain.

[0119] On the other hand, in some scenarios, such as the energy-saving scenario, the RF channel can be dynamically turned off according to service requirements, which requires a large number of supported antenna ports and dynamic changes. However, the current standard cannot support the dynamic change of the port number with the dynamic turn-off of the RF channel under a large number of ports. Therefore, it is not flexible enough.

[0120] In view of this, the present application provides a method that can flexibly adjust the ports and quantity of reference signals according to requirements. In this method, a benchmark reference signal resource and corresponding channel estimation auxiliary information are defined. The network device can transmit reference signals of a small number (such as at most M ports) through this benchmark reference signal resource, and the terminal can estimate the channels of a large number (such as at most K ports, K≥M) based on this channel estimation auxiliary information. In this way, the network device can flexibly select reference signals of any quantity within M ports based on this benchmark reference signal resource and service requirements for channel estimation, so as to estimate the channels of any quantity within K ports, thereby supporting flexible changes in the port quantity in the scenario of dynamic RF channel shutdown. In addition, since the port quantity of the reference signal can be less than or equal to M ports, that is, it is not limited to M ports, the port quantity can also be reduced according to service requirements, and the air interface resource overhead of the reference signal is also reduced accordingly. Furthermore, since the benchmark reference signal resource is pre-configured, when the network device reduces the port quantity of the reference signal, it does not need to adjust the time-frequency resources for transmitting the reference signal, so there is no need to configure the time-frequency resources for transmitting the reference signal to the terminal every time the reference signal is sent, thus avoiding a large amount of signaling overhead caused by resource configuration.

[0121] The method provided by the present application will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0122] To better understand the method provided by the embodiments of the present application, the terms involved in the present application will be briefly described below.

[0123] 1. Antenna port: It can be abbreviated as port, which is a logical concept. There is no direct correspondence between an antenna port and a physical antenna. An antenna port is usually associated with a reference signal, and its meaning can be understood as a transceiver interface on the channel that the reference signal experiences. For a low-frequency system, an antenna port may correspond to one or more antenna elements, and these elements jointly transmit the reference signal. The receiving end can regard them as a whole without distinguishing these elements. For a high-frequency system, the antenna port may correspond to a beam. Similarly, the receiving end only needs to regard this beam as an interface without distinguishing each element.

[0124] 2. Channel estimation auxiliary information: It can be used to assist channel estimation. In the present application, it can be used to assist the terminal in estimating the channels of a large number of ports based on the reference signals of a small number of ports.

[0125] The channel estimation auxiliary information can be obtained based on the channel. Exemplarily, the channel is denoted as matrix H, and this matrix H can be called a channel matrix. For each receiving port, this channel matrix H includes N TX columns, N TXdenotes the number of transmit ports, i.e., the number of ports of the reference signal. Exemplarily, the dimension of the channel matrix H is N RE ×N TX , N RE denotes the number of resource elements (REs) for transmitting the reference signal. This channel can be obtained based on prior information. For example, it can be a downlink channel obtained by estimating the uplink channel according to uplink-downlink reciprocity, or it can be a channel in a historical period, or it can be a channel predicted by an artificial intelligence (AI) model. This application does not limit this.

[0126] Figure 3 Exemplarily, channel estimation auxiliary information is shown. Exemplarily, the singular value decomposition (SVD) of the channel matrix H is performed to obtain the spatial domain projection matrix V of the channel H , matrix V H has a dimension of R×N TX , that is, it includes N TX column vectors, and each of these column vectors is a spatial domain basis vector corresponding to one port among the N TX ports. This matrix V H is a matrix composed of R row vectors in the right unitary matrix obtained by performing SVD on the channel matrix H, and R is the rank of this channel. However, this application is not limited to this. This matrix V H can also be composed of N TX codewords determined in a predefined codebook according to prior information. Each of these N TX codewords is a spatial domain basis vector corresponding to one port among the N TX ports.

[0127] Obtain a maximum linearly independent group of column vectors from matrix V H . This maximum linearly independent group includes, for example, R column vectors. Considering a certain redundancy, N H (N aug is an integer greater than or equal to R) column vectors can be selected from this matrix V aug . These N aug column vectors contain the above-mentioned R column vectors (i.e., the maximum linearly independent group). Among them, the subscript aug of N aug indicates augmented. Based on the positions of these N aug column vectors in V H , matrix P aug can be obtained, and its dimension is N TX ×N aug , N aug is less than or equal to N TXpositive integers. As shown in the figure, matrix P aug In each row of matrix P, the number of non-zero elements (such as "1") does not exceed 1. In each column of this matrix P aug the number of non-zero elements (such as "1") is 1. This matrix P aug includes N aug non-zero elements (such as "1"), and each non-zero element is located in a column of matrix P aug and other elements are all zero, indicating that N TX relatively important ports are selected from N aug ports to send reference signals. This matrix P aug The positions of the N aug non-zero elements in their respective columns correspond to the positions of the above N aug columns in V H and can be used to indicate the indexes of N aug ports among N TX ports. Therefore, this matrix P aug is also called the port pattern for indicating reference signals.

[0128] From matrix V H and matrix P aug channel estimation auxiliary information P + can be obtained. P + satisfies: (V H P aug ) -1 V H and its dimension is N aug ×N TX . Among them, a column vector in P + is the channel estimation auxiliary sub-information corresponding to one port among N TX ports. Based on this channel estimation auxiliary sub-information, the network device can send reference signals through the N aug spatial domain basis vectors of this maximal linearly independent group corresponding to N aug ports, and the terminal estimates the channels of N + ports based on the channel estimation auxiliary information P aug and the received reference signals from these N TX ports.

[0129] Specifically, the reference signals received by the terminal are the reference signals sent by the network device through N aug ports. Therefore, the reference signals received by the terminal are the reference signals that have experienced the channels corresponding to N aug ports. The terminal can measure the channel H' according to the reference signals, and H' satisfies: H' = H·P aug , and the dimension of H' is N TX×N aug Then, multiply the channel H' by the channel estimation auxiliary information P + to obtain the estimated values of the channels of N TX ports, which satisfy: Satisfy:

[0130] It is not difficult to see that although the number of ports N of the transmitted reference signal aug can be less than or equal to N TX , but since the maximum linearly independent group of V H is calculated to obtain these N aug ports, the remaining ports are related to at least one of these N aug ports. Therefore, the channels of other ports can be estimated based on these N aug ports. And the channel estimation auxiliary information P + satisfies: (V H P aug ), which is like performing a matrix division operation on V -1 . When the terminal performs channel estimation, the channel obtained by measurement (i.e., HP H ) is multiplied by the channel estimation auxiliary information P H to obtain: HP aug (V + P aug ), and then the channel matrix H corresponding to this V H can be obtained, that is, the channels of N aug ports can be reconstructed. -1 V H , from which the channel matrix H corresponding to this V H can be obtained, that is, the channels of N TX ports can be reconstructed.

[0131] It should be understood that the above method for estimating channels based on channel estimation auxiliary information is a channel estimation method based on sparse theory.

[0132] Figure 4 is a schematic flowchart of the communication method provided by an embodiment of the present application. Figure 4 This method is described by taking the interaction between a network device and a terminal as an example. Figure 4 The network device in can also be replaced by components configured in the network device (such as chips, chip systems, processors, etc.), or logical modules or software that can implement all or part of the functions of the network device. The terminal can be replaced by components configured in the terminal (such as chips, chip systems, processors, etc.), or logical modules or software that can implement all or part of the functions of the terminal.

[0133] Figure 4The communication method 400 shown includes steps 401 to 410. Each step in method 400 will be described in detail below.

[0134] In step 401, the network device sends first information to the terminal, and the first information is used to configure T pilot reference signal resources. Correspondingly, the terminal receives the first information from the network device.

[0135] Exemplarily, in a RAN deployed with CU, DU, and RU, the specific implementation of step 401 can be: CU-CP generates the first information and sends the first information to the terminal through DU and RU; in ORAN, the specific implementation of step 401 can be: O-CU-CP generates the first information and sends the first information to the terminal through O-DU and O-RU.

[0136] In this embodiment, T can be a positive integer greater than or equal to 1. In other words, the first information can be used to configure one or more pilot reference signal resources.

[0137] For ease of understanding, the pilot reference signal resources will be introduced below by taking the t-th pilot reference signal resource as an example. It should be understood that the t-th pilot reference signal resource can be one of the above at least one pilot reference signal resource, and t can be any integer from 1 to T. The t-th pilot reference signal resource can be used to transmit reference signals of at most M t ports, that is, the number of ports of the reference signal transmitted through the t-th pilot reference signal resource can be less than or equal to M t . And the reference signals of the M t ports can support channel estimation of at most K t ports, that is, the reference signals of the M t ports can be used to obtain a channel of at most K t ports, or rather, the number of ports of the channel that can be obtained by the reference signals of the M t ports can be less than or equal to K t , or rather, the maximum number of ports of channel estimation supported by the first pilot reference signal is K t .

[0138] In summary, it can be seen that each pilot reference signal resource involves two port numbers: the maximum number of ports of the reference signal for transmission (for ease of description, denoted as the maximum number of ports of the reference signal, such as the above M t ) and the maximum number of ports of the estimated channel (for ease of description, denoted as the maximum number of ports of supported channel estimation, or simply, the supported maximum number of ports, such as the above K t) In this application, for each reference signal resource for a reference, the number of ports of the reference signal for transmission may be less than or equal to the maximum number of supported ports, and the number of ports of the estimated channel may be less than or equal to the maximum number of ports of the reference signal.

[0139] It should be noted that the "maximum number of ports of the reference signal" for transmission by the reference signal resource for a reference can be understood as follows: As can be seen from the above description in combination with the channel estimation auxiliary information, the matrix for indicating the port pattern of the reference signal (i.e., the matrix P above aug ) can be determined by the maximal linearly independent group of the spatial domain projection matrix of the channel. The number of non-zero elements in this matrix is denoted as the maximum number of ports of the reference signal for transmission by the above reference signal resource for a reference. Each non-zero element in this matrix is located in a column, and each column corresponds to a port. In other words, the maximum number of ports of the reference signal for transmission by the reference signal resource for a reference can be the number of columns of this matrix. Taking the t-th reference signal resource for a reference as an example, the maximum number of ports of the reference signal for transmission by it is M t , that is, the matrix for indicating the port pattern of the reference signal includes M t columns. It should be understood that this does not mean that the network device can only use M t ports to send the reference signal. The network device can also use more than M t ports to send the reference signal, but the gain brought by this is not large and it may bring air interface overhead, so it is not necessary.

[0140] Correspondingly, the "maximum number of supported ports" of the reference signal for a reference in channel estimation can be the number of rows of the above matrix for indicating the port pattern of the reference signal. If the resource is defined as a resource in three dimensions of time domain, frequency domain and spatial domain, then it can be said that the "maximum number of supported ports" of the reference signal resource for a reference in channel estimation is the number of ports included in the reference signal resource for a reference. Taking the t-th reference signal resource for a reference as an example, the maximum number of ports of the channel estimation supported by it is K t , that is, the t-th reference signal resource for a reference includes K t ports.

[0141] When T is greater than 1, any two of the T reference signal resources for a reference can satisfy: the maximum number of ports of the reference signal for transmission is different, and / or, the maximum number of ports of the channel estimation supported is different.

[0142] For example, the maximum number of ports of the reference signal of the reference signal resource #1 is 100, and the maximum supported number of ports is 1024; the maximum number of ports of the reference signal of the reference signal resource #2 is 200, and the maximum supported number of ports is 1024; the maximum number of ports of the reference signal of the reference signal resource #3 is 50, and the maximum supported number of ports is 256; the maximum number of ports of the reference signal of the reference signal resource #4 is 50, and the maximum supported number of ports is 128; and so on, without further listing.

[0143] It can be seen that the maximum supported number of ports of the reference signal resources #1 and #2 is the same, but the maximum number of ports of the reference signal is different. The reference signal resource #1 is more space-saving in terms of air interface overhead. Since the reference signal resource #2 has a larger number of observation ports for the reference signal, the channel estimation is more accurate. A similar relationship also exists between the reference signal resources #3 and #4, which will not be elaborated here. The network device can select an appropriate reference signal resource according to service requirements for use.

[0144] Optionally, the first information is used to indicate one or more of the following for each of the T reference signal resources: resource pattern, port pattern, and reference channel estimation assistance information.

[0145] Still taking the t-th reference signal resource as an example for illustration below.

[0146] Resource pattern:

[0147] Since the t-th reference signal resource can be used to transmit reference signals of up to M t ports, the resource pattern of the t-th reference signal resource can indicate the mapping relationship between the reference signals of each of the M t ports and time-frequency resources. That is to say, based on this resource pattern, it can be determined to which time-frequency resources (more specifically, to which REs) the reference signals of each port are mapped, so as to facilitate the terminal to receive at the corresponding positions.

[0148] Port pattern:

[0149] Since the t-th reference signal resource can be used to transmit reference signals of up to M t ports, estimate the channels of up to K t ports, and the M t ports are included in the K t ports, so the port pattern can indicate the positions of the M t ports among the K tThe index in the port. It can be understood that through this port pattern, the maximum number of ports of the reference signal for transmission by the t-th reference signal resource and the maximum number of ports supported for channel estimation are implicitly indicated.

[0150] When the first information is used to indicate the resource pattern and the port pattern, a possible implementation is to indicate the resource pattern and the port pattern by indicating the matrix P t where the matrix P t satisfies: P port,t represents the port pattern of the t-th reference signal resource, and P RE,t represents the resource pattern of the t-th reference signal resource.

[0151] The matrix P port,t and P RE,t are described in detail below.

[0152] Exemplarily, the number of REs included in the t-th reference signal resource is N RE,t , the maximum number of supported ports is K t , and for each receiving port, the observable channel is represented as a matrix H RE,t of dimension N t ×K t . The matrix P port,t and P RE,t can be obtained by performing spatial domain processing and time-frequency domain processing on the channel respectively.

[0153] 1) Spatial domain processing:

[0154] The network device can perform spatial domain orthogonal triangle (QR) decomposition based on the channel matrix H t to obtain the matrix P port,t , the dimension of the matrix P port,t is K t ×M t , containing M t non-zero elements, and the other elements are all zero. These M t non-zero elements are located in the M port,t columns of the matrix P t , that is, each non-zero element is located in one column of the matrix P port,t . These M t non-zero elements correspond to M t ports, and the position of each non-zero element in the column where it is located can indicate the index of the corresponding port among the K t ports. This means that M t relatively important ports are selected from the K tA port. For example, if a non-zero element (such as "1") is in the first row of its column, it means that the port corresponding to this non-zero element is K t the first port among the K ports, that is, the index of this port can be determined. It should be understood that this matrix P port,t is equivalent to the matrix P in the above-mentioned introduction of terms related to channel estimation auxiliary information aug is equivalent.

[0155] Right-multiply the channel matrix H t by the matrix P port,t , and the matrix H t ' can be obtained. H t ' = H t ·P port,t . The dimension of this matrix H t ' is N RE,t ×M t , that is, the number of ports is reduced from K t to M t , just like achieving port dimensionality reduction in the spatial domain through precoding.

[0156] 2) Time-frequency domain processing:

[0157] Further perform QR decomposition in the time domain on the transpose of the matrix H t ', and the matrix P RE,t can be obtained. The dimension of the matrix P RE,t is M t ×N’ RE,t , where N’ RE,t is less than N RE,t . This matrix P RE,t contains N’ RE,t non-zero elements, and the other elements are all zero. These N’ RE,t non-zero elements are located in N’ RE,t columns of the matrix P RE,t , that is, each non-zero element is located in a column of the matrix P RE,t . These N’ RE,t non-zero elements correspond to N’ RE,t REs. The position of each non-zero element in its column can indicate the index of the corresponding RE among the N RE,t REs. This means that N’ RE,t relatively important REs are selected from the N RE,t REs. Thus, the resource overhead of the reference signal in the time-frequency domain can be reduced.

[0158] It should be understood that the above describes the matrices P port,t and P RE,t(That is, the process of obtaining the port pattern and resource pattern), but this should not impose any limitation on this application. In the actual processing, the network device can also first perform QR decomposition on the channel matrix H in the time-frequency domain, and then perform QR decomposition in the spatial domain to obtain P t and P port,t and P RE,t to further obtain P t . Alternatively, the network device can also obtain the port pattern and resource pattern through other means, and this application does not make any limitation on this. The network device can obtain the matrix {P t} corresponding to each reference signal resource based on the above process, and indicate it to the terminal through the first information.

[0159] It should also be understood that the indication of the port pattern and resource pattern can also be achieved by indicating the matrices P port,t and P RE,t , rather than necessarily indicating through the matrix P t .

[0160] In another implementation, the network device can also not indicate the resource pattern and port pattern of each reference signal resource through the first information, but let the terminal determine. The terminal can also obtain the matrix {P t} corresponding to each reference signal resource based on the above process, or obtain the matrices {P port,t} and {P RE,t} corresponding to each reference signal resource, or obtain the resource pattern and port pattern corresponding to each reference signal resource; or the terminal can also obtain the historical port pattern and resource pattern of the reference signal resources that occupy the same positions as each reference signal resource, and this application does not make any limitation on this.

[0161] Or, the network device can indicate P port,t or P RE,t to the terminal through the first information, and the terminal determines the other item based on the received first information.

[0162] Reference channel estimation auxiliary information:

[0163] The channel estimation auxiliary information has been introduced in the previous term description. In this embodiment, the reference channel estimation auxiliary information is named only for the convenience of distinguishing from the subsequent first channel estimation auxiliary information and second channel estimation auxiliary information. The reference channel estimation auxiliary information corresponds to the reference signal resource. For the t-th reference signal resource, the corresponding reference channel estimation auxiliary information is used to estimate the channels of K t ports according to the channel measurement results of M t ports. Among them, according to M tEstimation of channel measurement results for K ports t channels of M ports, specifically, it may refer to that the channel measurement result obtained by measuring the reference signal of M ports is M t the channel matrix of M ports, and then based on the channel matrix of M ports and the reference channel estimation auxiliary information, the channel of K ports is reconstructed t ports. Among them, the channel matrix of M ports can also be replaced by other forms, such as the channel vector of M ports, etc. t ports. Among them, the channel matrix of M ports can also be replaced by other forms, such as the channel vector of M ports, etc. t ports. Among them, the channel matrix of M ports can also be replaced by other forms, such as the channel vector of M ports, etc. t ports. Among them, the channel matrix of M ports can also be replaced by other forms, such as the channel vector of M ports, etc. t ports. Among them, the channel matrix of M ports can also be replaced by other forms, such as the channel vector of M ports, etc.

[0164] The network device can indicate the reference channel estimation auxiliary information corresponding to each reference signal resource to the terminal through the first information, or it can also not indicate through the first information. The reference channel estimation auxiliary information corresponding to each reference signal resource can also be determined by the terminal itself. The terminal can also calculate the reference channel estimation auxiliary information corresponding to each reference signal resource based on the method provided in the previous term description. Or, the terminal can also obtain the historical channel estimation auxiliary information of the reference signal resource that occupies the same position as each reference signal resource.

[0165] Maximum number of ports supported for channel estimation: The maximum number of ports of the channel that can be estimated from the reference signal transmitted through this reference signal resource. For example, the maximum number of ports supported for channel estimation by the t-th reference signal resource is K t . That is, the t-th reference signal resource can be used to estimate channels with less than or equal to K t ports.

[0166] Since the dimension of the reference channel estimation auxiliary information is related to the maximum number of ports supported for channel estimation, the number of columns of the reference channel estimation auxiliary information can be the maximum number of ports supported for channel estimation. Therefore, the maximum number of ports supported for channel estimation can be indicated through the reference channel estimation auxiliary information. In other words, the reference channel estimation auxiliary information is a possible form of indicating the maximum number of ports supported for channel estimation.

[0167] It should be understood that the above T reference signal resources can also be predefined. For example, the resource pattern, port pattern, reference channel estimation auxiliary information, etc. of the T reference signal resources are pre-stored before the device leaves the factory, and there is no need for the network device to indicate them to the terminal through the first information. In other words, the above step 401 is an optional step.

[0168] In step 402, the network device sends the first reference signal on the first reference signal resource. Correspondingly, the terminal receives the first reference signal on the first reference signal resource.

[0169] Exemplarily, in a RAN deployed with CU, DU, and RU, the specific implementation of step 402 may be: the CU-CP generates a first reference signal and sends the first reference signal to the terminal through the DU and the RU; in ORAN, the specific implementation of step 402 may be: the O-CU-CP generates a first reference signal and sends the first reference signal to the terminal through the O-DU and the O-RU.

[0170] It should be understood that the first reference signal resource may be any one of the above T reference signal resources, and this application does not limit which reference signal resource the network device selects to transmit the reference signal.

[0171] Since the first resource comes from the first reference signal resource and the maximum number of ports of the reference signal of the first reference signal resource is M, the first resource can be used to transmit reference signals of no more than M ports. In this embodiment, it is assumed that the first resource can be used to transmit reference signals of m1 ports. In other words, the first reference signal transmitted on this first resource is a reference signal of m1 ports, and m1 is a positive integer less than M. It can be understood that these m1 ports come from M ports, or rather, these m1 ports are included in M ports, or rather, these m1 ports are part of M ports.

[0172] In summary, the following relationships can be obtained: k1 ≤ K, m1 < M, m1 ≤ k1, and M ≤ K.

[0173] It should be understood that in this application, for the convenience of distinction and description, the reference signal resource is defined as a time-frequency resource to distinguish it from the spatial domain resource (such as a port). In another implementation manner, the reference signal resource can also be defined as a resource in the three dimensions of time domain, frequency domain, and spatial domain. In this case, the resource used to transmit the first reference signal can be a part of the first reference signal resource. Step 402 can also be expressed as: receiving the first reference signal on the first resource, and the first resource comes from the first reference signal resource. Correspondingly, the terminal receives the first reference signal on the first resource.

[0174] In this article, for the convenience of understanding and description, without special instructions, the time-frequency resource is simply referred to as a resource.

[0175] It can be understood that since the first reference signal resource is one of the above T reference signal resources, the maximum number of ports M corresponding to its reference signal can be one of M1 to M above. T and the maximum number of supported ports K can be one of K1 to K above. TOne of them. Since the following mainly describes this embodiment by taking the reference signal received on the first reference signal resource as an example, for the convenience of description, the subscript used to distinguish the reference signal resources in each parameter is omitted, that is, the channel matrix is H, and the dimension is N RE ×K, the maximum number of ports of the reference signal corresponding to the first reference signal resource is M, the supported maximum number of ports is K, and the number of REs included in the first reference signal resource is N RE .

[0176] Those skilled in the art can understand that the terminal measures the first reference signal transmitted through the first reference signal resource received, and the channel measurement result that can be obtained is as follows: H·P #1 . Where P #1 is a matrix with dimensions K×m1, which can be used to reduce the dimension of the channel from K ports to m1 ports, or in other words, select m1 ports from K ports. This P #1 satisfies: denotes using to perform weighted dimensionality reduction on the matrix P port . Among them, P port is a matrix with dimensions K×M, representing the port pattern, which is used to indicate the indexes of M ports among K ports; is a weighted dimensionality reduction matrix obtained based on the extraction rule, with dimensions M×m1, which is used to reduce the dimension of the first reference signal from M ports to m1 ports, or in other words, select m1 ports from M ports. That is, by right multiplying P port by the number of ports can be reduced from M to m1.

[0177] Among them, the extraction rule for extracting the channel estimation auxiliary information P + can be, for example, obtaining the maximum linearly independent group of the row vectors of P + , or it can also be to arrange the row vectors of P + in descending order of the 2-norm, and extract several rows that reach the preset threshold, etc. The present application does not limit this.

[0178] Optionally, the method further includes: the network device sends second information, and the second information is used to indicate the identifier of the first reference signal resource among the above T reference signal resources. Correspondingly, the terminal receives the second information.

[0179] When T is greater than 1, the reference signal resources can be distinguished by different identifiers. The network device can indicate the identifier of the actually used reference signal resource (such as the first reference signal resource) through the second information. The terminal can determine the first reference signal resource based on the second information, and then receive the first reference signal on the first reference signal resource.

[0180] It can be understood that when T is equal to 1, even if the network device does not indicate the identifier of the one reference signal resource, the terminal can determine the first reference signal resource according to the configuration information. Therefore, the network device does not necessarily need to send the second information.

[0181] In addition, the network device can also indicate the terminal through signaling in the case of switching the reference signal resource, and in the case of not needing to switch the reference signal resource, it can also not indicate additionally through signaling. For example, the resource used by the network device when sending the reference signal last time comes from the first reference signal resource, and the resource required for sending the reference signal next time also comes from the first reference signal resource. At this time, the network device does not necessarily need to send the second information; for another example, the resource used by the network device when sending the reference signal last time comes from the first reference signal resource, and the resource required for sending the reference signal next time comes from the second reference signal resource. At this time, the network device can indicate the identifier of the second reference signal resource through the second information. In this way, unnecessary signaling overhead can be reduced.

[0182] In step 403, the terminal determines the first channel estimation auxiliary information according to the reference channel estimation auxiliary information corresponding to the first reference signal resource.

[0183] As previously mentioned, the reference channel estimation auxiliary information corresponding to the first reference signal resource is used to estimate the channel of K ports according to the channel measurement results of M ports. In this embodiment, m1 ports of the first reference signal come from M ports. It is not difficult to see that there is a nested relationship between the m1 ports and the M ports, and between the k1 ports and the K ports. This nested relationship can be extended to the relationship between the first channel estimation auxiliary information and the reference channel estimation auxiliary information. Therefore, based on this nested relationship, the terminal can determine the channel estimation auxiliary information for obtaining the channel corresponding to the port to be estimated from the reference channel estimation auxiliary information corresponding to the first reference signal resource.

[0184] According to the index of the port corresponding to the channel to be estimated in the K ports and the index of the m1 ports in the M ports, the terminal can determine the first channel estimation auxiliary information from the reference channel estimation auxiliary information.

[0185] Exemplarily, assuming that the channels of k1 ports need to be estimated, the terminal can, according to the indexes of the k1 ports among the K ports, perform column extraction on the reference channel estimation auxiliary information P + to extract the columns corresponding to the k1 ports from the K columns to form a matrix P + (:,{k1}). P + (:,{k1}) represents a matrix obtained by extracting k1 columns from the K columns of the matrix P + and combining them according to the sorting in the matrix P + , and its dimension is M×k1.

[0186] The terminal can, according to the indexes of m1 ports among the M ports, obtain the matrix P sub , whose dimension is m1×M. This matrix P sub includes m1 non-zero elements (such as "1"), and the positions (i.e., column numbers) of the m1 non-zero elements in the M columns can be determined by the indexes of the m1 ports among the M ports. For example, if the indexes of the m1 ports among the M ports are 1 and 3, then this matrix P sub includes two non-zero elements, which are located in the first row and first column and the second row and third column respectively.

[0187] The terminal can obtain the matrix sub based on P This formula means that P sub is used to perform row extraction on P + (:,{k1}), and the obtained matrix after extraction has a dimension of m1×k1. The matrix is also a matrix obtained by extracting m1 row vectors from the M row vectors of the matrix P + (:,{k1}) and combining them according to the sorting in the matrix P + (:,{k1}). It can be understood that the column numbers where the m1 non-zero elements in the matrix P sub are located are also the row numbers of the m1 row vectors in the matrix in the matrix P + (:,{k1}).

[0188] Thus, the first channel estimation auxiliary information can be obtained and satisfies:

[0189] Optionally, the ports of the channels that the terminal needs to estimate can be indicated by the network device or determined by the terminal itself.

[0190] In a possible implementation, the network device can determine the ports of the channel to be estimated and indicate them to the terminal through the third information.

[0191] Optionally, the method further includes: the network device sends the third information to the terminal, and the third information is used to indicate the indexes of k1 ports among K ports. Correspondingly, the terminal receives the third information from the network device.

[0192] In a possible design, the indexes of the k1 ports among the K ports can be indicated by a bitmap of K bits. For example, in the order of the port numbers of the K ports from small to large, they correspond one by one to the K bits in the bitmap, and the value of each bit is used to indicate whether the corresponding port is selected. As an example, assuming that the value of the bit corresponding to the selected port is set to "1" and the value of the bit corresponding to the unselected port is set to "0", K is 12, and k1 is 4, the bitmap can be expressed as "001111000000". This bitmap can be regarded as an explicit indication of the indexes of the k1 ports among the K ports.

[0193] In another possible design, the indexes of the k1 ports among the K ports can also be indicated by the value k1. For example, the network device and the terminal can pre - agree on the rule for selecting the ports of the channel to be estimated from the K ports. This rule can be, for example, to select several ports in the order of the port numbers from small to large. In this case, the network device only needs to indicate the number of ports k1 to be estimated to the terminal, and the terminal can determine the indexes of the k1 ports among the K ports. Therefore, this value k1 can also be regarded as an implicit indication of the indexes of the k1 ports among the K ports.

[0194] It should be understood that the method of indicating the indexes of the k1 ports among the K ports through the third information is not limited to the two examples listed above, and the present application does not limit the specific way of the third information indicating the indexes of the k1 ports among the K ports.

[0195] Optionally, the indexes of the m1 ports among the M ports can be indicated by the network device or determined by the terminal itself.

[0196] In a possible implementation, the network device sends the fourth information to the terminal, and the fourth information is used to indicate the indexes of the m1 ports among the M ports. Correspondingly, the terminal receives the fourth information from the network device.

[0197] That is to say, the network device can determine m1 relatively important ports from the M ports to send reference signals, and indicate these m1 ports to the terminal. The network device can determine m1 relatively important ports from the M ports based on a predefined extraction rule, and indicate the indexes of these m1 ports in the M ports to the terminal. A possible way for the network device to indicate the indexes of m1 ports in the M ports to the terminal is to indicate the matrix P sub to the terminal. For the description of the matrix P sub , refer to the above description of determining the first channel estimation auxiliary information, which will not be elaborated here.

[0198] It should be understood that the specific process of the network device determining m1 ports from the M ports has been described in detail in step 402 above. Refer to the relevant description above, which will not be elaborated here.

[0199] In another possible implementation, the network device sends the fourth information to the terminal, and the fourth information is used to indicate the extraction rule for extracting m1 ports from the M ports. Correspondingly, the terminal receives the fourth information from the network device.

[0200] That is to say, the network device can also hand over the extraction task to the terminal for execution. The network device can indicate to the terminal the specific extraction rule to be based on. The extraction rule can be, for example, arranging in descending order of the 2-norm of the row vectors of the matrix, and extracting the rows that reach a preset threshold, or extracting according to the maximal linearly independent group of the row vectors of the matrix, or other rules. This application does not make any limitation in this regard.

[0201] Exemplarily, the terminal can obtain the matrix P sub based on the extraction rule indicated by the network device. For example, the extraction rule is to extract according to the maximal linearly independent group of the row vectors of P + (:,{k1}). The terminal can calculate the maximal linearly independent group according to the row vectors of P + (:,{k1}) to obtain the matrix P sub .

[0202] The matrix P sub has m1 non-zero elements, and the column numbers where the m1 non-zero elements are located are the indexes of the m1 ports in the M ports.

[0203] It should be understood that the extraction rules exemplified above are only examples. For example, the extraction rule can also be to arrange in descending order of the 2-norm of the row vectors of P + (:,{k1}) and extract several rows that reach a preset threshold. This application includes but is not limited to this.

[0204] It should also be understood that the extraction rule for the terminal to extract m1 row vectors from M row vectors should be the same as the extraction rule for the network device to extract m1 ports from M ports. For example, both can be to obtain a maximally linearly independent set, or both can be to extract in the order of the 2-norm of the vectors from large to small.

[0205] Furthermore, the network device can also determine whether to directly indicate the indexes of the m1 ports in the M ports to the terminal or indicate the extraction rule to the terminal according to the capabilities of the terminal. For example, when the computing power of the terminal is relatively high, the network device can select one of the extraction rules supported by the terminal and give it to the terminal. When the computing power of the terminal is relatively low, the network device can directly indicate the indexes of the m1 ports in the M ports through the fourth information, without handing over the extraction task to the terminal. The reporting of the capability information of the terminal will be described in detail later and will not be elaborated here for the time being.

[0206] For the sake of easy understanding, Figure 5 (a) and (b) in exemplarily show two possible implementation manners of step 403.

[0207] Referring to Figure 5 (a) in, the network device can send the third information to the terminal to indicate the indexes of the k1 ports in the K ports. The network device can extract m1 ports from the M ports by itself according to the extraction rule and send the fourth information to the terminal to indicate the indexes of the m1 ports in the M ports. Based on the third information and the fourth information, the terminal can determine the indexes of the k1 ports in the K ports and the indexes of the m1 ports in the M ports, and then can determine the first channel estimation auxiliary information from the reference channel estimation auxiliary information corresponding to the first reference signal resource accordingly.

[0208] Figure 5 The process shown in (b) in is different from that in Figure 5 (a) in in that the network device indicates the extraction rule to the terminal through the fourth information, and the terminal extracts m1 ports from the M ports. Therefore, the fourth information is used to indicate the extraction rule and not to indicate the indexes of the m1 ports in the M ports. Figure 5 The other steps in (b) in are the same as those in Figure 5 (a) in, and reference can be made to the relevant description above and will not be elaborated here.

[0209] For a better understanding of the relationship between the reference channel estimation auxiliary information and the first channel estimation auxiliary information, Figure 6The reference channel estimation auxiliary information and the first channel estimation auxiliary information are exemplarily shown. As can be seen from the figure, the reference channel estimation auxiliary information can be represented as a matrix with dimensions of M (the maximum number of ports of the reference signal) × K (the maximum number of supported ports), and can be used to estimate the channels of K ports based on the channel measurement results of M ports. It can be understood that the M ports are included in the K ports, that is, the channels of the K ports are estimated based on the channels of some of the K ports. The first channel estimation auxiliary information is k1 columns and m1 rows extracted from the reference channel estimation auxiliary information, that is, the first channel estimation auxiliary information is obtained by column extraction and then row extraction. It is not difficult to see that the k1 columns are extracted from the K columns, so the k1 ports are included in the K ports, the m1 rows are extracted from the M rows, so the m1 ports are included in the M ports, and since the M ports are included in the K ports, the m1 ports are also included in the K ports. Also, since the reference signals of the m1 ports are used to estimate the reference signals of the k1 ports, the m1 ports are further included in the k1 ports.

[0210] In step 404, the terminal determines a first CSI according to the first reference signal and the first channel estimation auxiliary information, and the first CSI corresponds to the channels of k1 ports.

[0211] Where k1 is a positive integer less than or equal to K and greater than or equal to m1.

[0212] In this embodiment, the first CSI can be a PMI corresponding to the channels of k1 ports, or can be a channel estimation result that can indicate the channels corresponding to the k1 ports. The following will be described in detail in combination with these situations.

[0213] Optionally, the first CSI is a channel estimation result, and the channel estimation result indicates the channels of k1 ports.

[0214] That is to say, the terminal obtains the channels corresponding to a larger number of ports (that is, k1 ports) according to the reference signals of the m1 ports received. The terminal can indicate the quantization of the k1 ports through the channel estimation result.

[0215] A possible implementation manner is that the terminal can measure the channels corresponding to the m1 ports according to the reference signals of the m1 ports, and then obtain the channels corresponding to the k1 ports based on the first channel estimation auxiliary information.

[0216] First, the terminal can measure the channels corresponding to the m1 ports according to the reference signals of the m1 ports. The channels can be represented by a channel matrix H', and H' satisfies: H' = H · P #1 This channel matrix H' is the channel matrix corresponding to the m1 ports.

[0217] Thereafter, the terminal obtains a channel matrix corresponding to k1 ports based on the first channel estimation auxiliary information. The process can be expressed by the following formula: where H' is the channel matrix of the m1 ports described above, is the first channel estimation auxiliary information described above. Substituting the expansions of H' and into the above formula, we can obtain:

[0218]

[0219] For ease of understanding, Figure 7 shows the channels of the m1 ports measured by the terminal and the channels of the k1 ports estimated. As Figure 7 shown, the channel matrix of the m1 ports measured by the terminal based on the reference signals of the m1 ports is According to the first channel estimation auxiliary information P sub ·P + (:,{k1}), the channel matrix of the k1 ports can be estimated as

[0220] Another possible implementation is that the terminal can measure the channel matrix corresponding to the m1 ports according to the reference signals of the m1 ports, and then obtain the channel matrix corresponding to the k1 ports through the least square method or interpolation method. Since the least square method and interpolation are both existing technologies, they will not be elaborated here.

[0221] It can be seen that the terminal can estimate the channels of a large number of ports (such as k1 ports) based on the reference signals of a small number of ports (such as m1 ports), and can estimate the channels of any number of ports within the maximum number of ports K supported by the first reference signal resource, that is, the number of ports of the channels that can be estimated can be any integer less than or equal to K.

[0222] Optionally, the first CSI is the PMI corresponding to the channels of the k1 ports.

[0223] The terminal can estimate the channels of the k1 ports by using the method provided above, and then perform SVD on the channel matrix of the k1 ports to obtain a precoding matrix adapted thereto. Then, the precoding matrix is quantized through PMI, for example, by using the codebook feedback method of type I or type II defined in 3GPP technical specification (TS) 38.214 to quantize the precoding matrix. Since the method by which the terminal obtains the precoding matrix according to the channel and the way of quantizing the precoding matrix are both existing technologies, they will not be elaborated here.

[0224] It should be noted that the first channel estimation auxiliary information is used to determine the first CSI. Therefore, in some implementation manners, the above steps 403 and 404 can both be regarded as the process of determining the first CSI. In this article, for the convenience of understanding and description, the determination of the first channel estimation auxiliary information and the determination of the first CSI are separately described.

[0225] In step 405, the terminal sends the first CSI. Correspondingly, the network device receives the first CSI.

[0226] Exemplarily, in a RAN deployed with CU, DU, and RU, the specific implementation of step 405 can be: the RU receives the first CSI and forwards the received first CSI to the DU for processing; in ORAN, the specific implementation of step 405 can be: the O-RU receives the first CSI and forwards the first CSI to the O-DU for processing after partial physical layer processing.

[0227] The terminal can use uplink resources to send the first CSI to the network device. Exemplarily, the first CSI is carried in the uplink control information (UCI).

[0228] The network device can determine the precoding matrix corresponding to the channels of k1 ports based on the received first CSI.

[0229] As shown in step 403, the first CSI determined by the terminal based on the first reference signal can be the PMI corresponding to the channels of k1 ports, or can be the channel estimation result indicating the channels corresponding to k1 ports, or can also be the channel measurement result indicating the channels corresponding to m1 ports. Based on the different contents of the first CSI, the operations of the network device to determine the precoding matrix are also different.

[0230] If the first CSI is the PMI corresponding to the channels of k1 ports, the network device can directly determine the precoding matrix according to the PMI.

[0231] If the first CSI is the channel estimation result indicating the channels of k1 ports, the network device can determine the channels of k1 ports according to the channel estimation result, and can also determine the precoding matrix corresponding to the channels of k1 ports according to the channels.

[0232] If the first CSI is the channel measurement result indicating the channels of m1 ports, the network device can determine the channels of m1 ports according to the channel measurement result, and then combine the channel estimation auxiliary information to determine the channels of k1 ports, and can also determine the precoding matrix corresponding to the channels of k1 ports according to the channels of k1 ports.

[0233] It should be understood that the specific method for determining the corresponding precoding matrix according to the channels of k1 ports can refer to the existing technologies. For example, by performing SVD on the channels of k1 ports, the conjugate transpose of the obtained right unitary matrix can be determined as the precoding matrix, etc. The specific process will not be elaborated here.

[0234] It should be understood that the process in which the network device determines the first channel estimation auxiliary information from the reference channel estimation auxiliary information corresponding to the first reference signal resource, estimates the channels of k1 ports based on the channels of m1 ports and the first channel estimation auxiliary information, and then determines the precoding matrix adapted thereto according to the channels of k1 ports is similar to the implementation processes of the terminal determining the first channel estimation auxiliary information in step 403 and the terminal determining the first CSI in step 404 above. For relevant descriptions, refer to the above, and details will not be repeated.

[0235] It can be understood that if the terminal uses the channel measurement result indicating the channels of m1 ports as the first CSI, the terminal can directly determine the first CSI according to the received first reference signal without having to determine the first channel estimation auxiliary information. Therefore, the network device does not have to indicate the reference channel estimation auxiliary information corresponding to the first reference signal resource to the terminal either.

[0236] Based on the above steps 402 to 405, the network device can obtain the channels of k1 ports. Thus, a channel estimation is completed.

[0237] In the embodiment of the present application, the terminal is pre-configured with a first reference signal resource, and the first reference signal resource can estimate the channels of up to K (K≥M) ports through the reference signals of at most M ports; the network device can select some ports from the M ports to transmit reference signals according to requirements to estimate the channels of some or all of the K ports. In this way, the network device can flexibly select the reference signals of any number of ports within M based on the reference signal resource and service requirements for channel estimation to estimate the channels of any number of ports within K, so as to support flexible changes in the number of ports in the scenario of dynamic RF channel shutdown. Since the number of ports m1 of the first reference signal can be less than M, and M is less than or equal to K, the channels of a large number of ports can be estimated based on the reference signals of a small number of ports. As the number of ports of the reference signals transmitted in the air interface decreases, considering port multiplexing, the air interface overhead brought by the reference signals is also reduced.

[0238] In addition, the terminal can be pre-configured with multiple reference signal resources including a first reference signal resource. The maximum number of ports of the reference signals transmitted by different reference signal resources is different, and / or the maximum number of ports supported for channel estimation by different reference signal resources is different. The network device can select a suitable reference signal resource to transmit the reference signal according to the requirements. For example, when the number of ports to be estimated is small, a reference signal resource with a smaller maximum number of ports supported can be selected; when the number of ports to be estimated is small but a higher estimation accuracy is required, a reference signal resource with a smaller maximum number of ports supported and a larger number of ports of the reference signal for transmission can be selected; and so on, which will not be enumerated here. It can be seen that the network device can flexibly select a reference signal resource to transmit the reference signal according to the requirements, so as to meet different service requirements and ensure system performance.

[0239] In this embodiment, the same reference signal resource can be used to transmit the reference signal for two adjacent channel estimations, and the previous channel estimation can also be used as a reference for the next channel estimation. When the network device sends the reference signal next time, it can select the reference signals of some or all ports from the reference signals sent last time for multiplexing. Therefore, the terminal can also reuse the first channel estimation auxiliary information determined by the previous channel estimation to perform the next channel estimation.

[0240] Optionally, the method further includes steps 406 to 409, which are specifically as follows:

[0241] In step 406, the network device sends a second reference signal on the first reference signal resource. Correspondingly, the terminal receives the second reference signal on the first reference signal resource.

[0242] Similar to step 402, in a RAN with CU, DU, and RU deployed, the specific implementation of step 402 can be: CU-CP generates a second reference signal and sends the second reference signal to the terminal through DU and RU; in ORAN, the specific implementation of step 402 can be: O-CU-CP generates a second reference signal and sends the second reference signal to the terminal through O-DU and O-RU.

[0243] The second reference signal is a reference signal of m2 ports, and the m2 ports are from m1 ports, where m2 is a positive integer less than or equal to m1. In other words, the reference signal of the m2 ports is the reference signal corresponding to some or all of the above m1 ports. Or rather, the reference signal of the m2 ports is the multiplexing of the reference signals of some or all ports in the reference signal of the above m1 ports.

[0244] As described in step 402, in this application, for the convenience of distinction and description, the reference signal resource is defined as a time-frequency resource to distinguish it from the spatial domain resource (such as a port). In another implementation, the reference signal resource can also be defined as a resource in the three dimensions of time domain, frequency domain, and spatial domain. In this case, the resource for transmitting the second reference signal can be part or all of the first reference signal resource. Step 406 can also be expressed as: receiving the second reference signal on the second resource, where the second resource comes from the first reference signal resource. Correspondingly, the terminal receives the second reference signal on the second resource.

[0245] It should be understood that although both the first resource and the second resource come from the first reference signal resource, the number of ports they contain may be different, so they are distinguished and named as the first resource and the second resource. In addition, although the number of ports contained in the first resource and the second resource is different, the time-frequency resources can both be determined according to the resource pattern corresponding to the first reference signal resource. Therefore, the mapping relationship between each port and the time-frequency resource remains unchanged. Considering that the ports included in the second resource come from the ports included in the first resource, and the multiplexing of the time-frequency resource by different ports, the time-frequency resources of the first resource and the second resource can be the same.

[0246] In step 407, the terminal determines the second channel estimation auxiliary information according to the first channel estimation auxiliary information.

[0247] This second channel estimation auxiliary information is used to estimate the channels of k2 ports according to the channel measurement results of m2 ports, where m2 is a positive integer less than or equal to m1, and k2 is a positive integer less than or equal to k1 and greater than or equal to m2. In this embodiment, since the m2 ports come from the m1 ports and the k2 ports come from the k1 ports, the second channel estimation auxiliary information can be determined from the first channel estimation auxiliary information.

[0248] In summary, the following relationships can be obtained: m2 ≤ m1, k2 ≤ k1, and k2 ≥ m2. It is not difficult to see that there is also a nested relationship between the m2 ports and the m1 ports, and between the k2 ports and the k1 ports. This nested relationship can be extended to the relationship between the second channel estimation auxiliary information and the first channel estimation auxiliary information. Therefore, based on this nested relationship, the second channel estimation auxiliary information can be obtained from the first channel estimation auxiliary information.

[0249] According to the index of the port corresponding to the channel to be estimated in the k1 ports and the index of the m2 ports in the m1 ports, the terminal can determine the second channel estimation auxiliary information from the first channel estimation auxiliary information.

[0250] Exemplarily, the number of ports corresponding to the channel to be estimated is k2. The terminal can, according to the indexes of the k2 ports among the k1 ports, perform column extraction on the matrix representing the first channel estimation auxiliary information to extract the columns corresponding to the k2 ports from the k1 columns, and form the matrix (P sub ·P + (:,{k1}))(:,{k2}). (P sub ·P + (:,{k1}))(:,{k2}) represents the matrix obtained by extracting k2 columns from the k1 columns of the matrix and combining them according to the sorting of the k1 columns in the matrix , and its dimension is m1×k2.

[0251] The terminal can, according to the indexes of the m2 ports among the m1 ports, obtain the matrix P sub，1→2 , and its dimension is m2×m1. The process by which the terminal obtains the matrix P sub，1→2 from the indexes of the m2 ports among the m1 ports is similar to the process of obtaining the matrix P sub from the indexes of the m1 ports among the M ports in step 403 above. For relevant descriptions, please refer to the above, and details are not repeated here.

[0252] The terminal can obtain the matrix sub，1→2 based on P This formula represents performing row extraction on (P sub，1→2 ·P sub ·P + (:,{k1}))(:,{k2}) using P , and the dimension of the obtained matrix after extraction is m2×k2. The matrix

[0253] is also the matrix obtained by extracting m2 row vectors from the m1 row vectors of the matrix (P sub ·P + ·P(:,{k1}))(:,{k2}) and combining them according to the sorting of the m2 row vectors in the matrix (P Thus, the first channel estimation auxiliary information

[0254]

[0255] The process of determining the second channel estimation auxiliary information from the first channel estimation auxiliary information is similar to the process in step 403 where the terminal determines the first channel estimation auxiliary information from the reference channel estimation auxiliary information. For more specific details, refer to the relevant description in step 403 above, which will not be elaborated here. Among them, the indices of the m2 ports in the m1 ports and the indices of the k2 ports in the k1 ports can be indicated by the network device through signaling, or can be determined by the terminal itself according to the extraction rules indicated by the network device. For specific details, refer to the relevant description in combination with the third information and the fourth information above, which will not be elaborated here.

[0255] Also, since there is a nesting relationship between the m1 ports and the M ports, and between the k1 ports and the K ports, therefore, there is also a nesting relationship between the m2 ports and the M ports, and between the k2 ports and the K ports. This nesting relationship can be extended to the relationship between the second channel estimation auxiliary information and the reference channel estimation auxiliary information. Therefore, based on this nesting relationship, the second channel estimation auxiliary information can also be obtained from the reference channel estimation auxiliary information. The terminal can determine the second channel estimation auxiliary information from the reference channel estimation auxiliary information according to the indices of the k2 ports in the K ports and the indices of the m2 ports in the M ports. The specific process is similar to the process of determining the first channel estimation auxiliary information from the reference channel estimation auxiliary information. For the sake of brevity, it will not be elaborated here.

[0256] In step 408, the terminal determines the second CSI according to the second reference signal and the second channel estimation auxiliary information. This second CSI is used to determine the precoding matrix corresponding to the channel of the k2 ports.

[0257] Similar to the first CSI, this second CSI can be the channel estimation result, which indicates the channel of the k2 ports, or can be the PMI corresponding to the channel of the k2 ports, or can also be the channel measurement result, which indicates the channel of the m2 ports.

[0258] For ease of understanding, Figure 8 shows the channel of the m2 ports measured by the terminal and the channel of the k2 ports estimated. As Figure 8 shown, the channel of the m2 ports measured by the terminal based on the reference signal of the m2 ports is According to the second channel estimation auxiliary information P sub,1→2 ·(P sub ·P + (:,{k1}))(:,{k2}), the channel of the k2 ports can be estimated as

[0259] The process by which the terminal determines the second CSI is similar to the process by which the terminal determines the first CSI according to the first reference signal and the first channel estimation auxiliary information in step 404. For the relevant description, please refer to the foregoing content and will not be elaborated herein.

[0260] In 409, the terminal sends the second CSI to the network device. Correspondingly, the network device receives the second CSI from the terminal.

[0261] Similar to step 405, in a RAN with CU, DU, and RU deployed, the specific implementation of step 409 may be: the RU receives the second CSI and forwards the received second CSI to the DU for processing; in ORAN, the specific implementation of step 409 may be: the O-RU receives the second CSI and forwards the second CSI to the O-DU for processing after partial physical layer processing.

[0262] The specific process of step 409 is similar to that of step 405. For the relevant description of step 405, please refer to the foregoing content and will not be elaborated herein.

[0263] Thus, another channel estimation is completed.

[0264] Since in two adjacent or even more channel estimations, the network device can use the same reference signal resource for transmitting the reference signal, the network device does not have to indicate the transmission resource of the reference signal for each channel estimation, which can save signaling overhead. Moreover, since the ports of the reference signal transmitted in the latter time are a subset of the ports of the reference signal transmitted in the previous time, the terminal can use the previous channel estimation as a reference for the next channel estimation. For example, the first channel estimation auxiliary information determined in the previous channel estimation process can be used to determine the second channel estimation auxiliary information. This reduces the computational complexity and improves the execution efficiency compared with directly determining the second channel estimation auxiliary information from the reference channel estimation auxiliary information.

[0265] Since different terminals may have different configurations, and different configurations may correspond to different capabilities, or computing powers. Therefore, the terminal can report its own capability information to the network device so that the network device can configure a reference signal resource adapted to its capability for the terminal.

[0266] Optionally, the method further includes step 410: the terminal sends capability information to the network device, and the capability information is used to indicate one or more of the following: the allowable value of the maximum number of ports supported by the terminal for channel estimation, the number of reference signal resources supported for configuration for each allowable value of the maximum number of ports for channel estimation, whether the terminal supports the extraction rule, whether the terminal pre-stores the reference channel estimation auxiliary information, port pattern, and resource pattern corresponding to each allowable value of the above maximum number of ports, or the storage time of the relevant information supported for each channel estimation. Correspondingly, the network device receives the capability information from the terminal.

[0267] After the terminal accesses the network device, it can send capability information to the network device so that the network device can configure the reference signal resources according to the capabilities of the terminal. The terminal can also send capability information to the network device when its own state changes, such as when the battery power is low (e.g., below a certain threshold), or when a system version update is performed, etc., so that the network device can determine whether it is necessary to adjust the configuration of the reference signal resources for the terminal. A possible design is that step 410 in this embodiment is executed before step 401.

[0268] The following describes each item in the capability information.

[0269] The allowed value of the maximum number of ports for channel estimation supported by the terminal, that is, the allowed value of the maximum number of ports of the channel that the terminal can estimate. This allowed value can be one or multiple. For example, the capability information can be used to indicate that the allowed values of the maximum number of ports for channel estimation supported by the terminal include {128, 256, 512, 1024}, that is, K in the foregoing can be 128, or 256, or 512, or 1024.

[0270] The number of reference signal resources supported for configuration for each allowed value of the maximum number of ports for channel estimation, that is, for each allowed value, the number of reference signal resources supported by the terminal for configuration. For example, if the capability information indicates that this number is 2, it means that 2 reference signal resources can be configured for each allowed value. Among them, the configuration of each reference signal resource includes the configuration of one or more of the following: resource pattern, port pattern, and reference channel estimation auxiliary information.

[0271] Based on the allowed value of the maximum number of ports for channel estimation supported by the terminal, and the number of reference signal resources supported for configuration for each allowed value of the maximum number of ports for channel estimation, the network device can determine how many reference signal resources to configure for the terminal and which reference signal resources, that is, it can determine the T reference signal resources configured through the first information.

[0272] As an example, the capability information indicates that the allowed values of the maximum number of ports for channel estimation supported by the terminal include {128, 256, 512, 1024}, and 2 reference signal resources are supported for configuration for each allowed value. The network device can configure for the terminal: 2 reference signal resources with a maximum supported port number of 128, 2 reference signal resources with a maximum supported port number of 256, 2 reference signal resources with a maximum supported port number of 512, and 2 reference signal resources with a maximum supported port number of 1024, for a total of 8 reference signal resources.

[0273] Whether the terminal pre-stores reference channel estimation auxiliary information, port patterns, and resource patterns corresponding to each allowable value of the above maximum number of ports helps the network device determine whether it needs to indicate to the terminal the reference channel auxiliary information, port patterns, and resource patterns corresponding to each reference signal resource. If the terminal pre-stores one or more of the reference channel estimation auxiliary information, port patterns, or resource patterns corresponding to each allowable value of the above maximum number of ports, then when the network device configures T reference signal resources for the terminal through the first information, it may not need to indicate the corresponding item. For example, if the terminal pre-stores the reference channel estimation auxiliary information corresponding to each allowable value of the above maximum number of ports, then when the network device configures T reference signal resources for the terminal through the first information, it may indicate the port patterns and resource patterns corresponding to each reference signal resource.

[0274] Whether the terminal supports the extraction rule, that is, whether the terminal can extract some or all of the ports from K ports by itself. Whether the terminal supports the extraction rule can be used by the network device to determine whether the fourth information is used to indicate the extraction rule or the index of k1 ports in K ports.

[0275] The storage time of each piece of channel estimation-related information supported by the terminal, that is, the longest time the terminal can store the relevant information obtained from each channel estimation locally. The channel estimation-related information may include, but is not limited to, channel estimation auxiliary information. By storing the relevant information obtained from each channel estimation, the terminal can use the relevant information of the previous channel estimation to calculate the relevant information required for the next channel estimation. In this way, the foregoing extraction rule can be recursively used to obtain the relevant information required for the next channel estimation.

[0276] By the terminal indicating the capability information to the network device, it is convenient for the network device to configure appropriate reference signal resources for the terminal, and during the channel estimation process, it can combine the computing power of the terminal to arrange the executor and extraction rule of port extraction, thereby facilitating the smooth progress of channel estimation and obtaining a higher spectral efficiency.

[0277] Figures 9 to 12 A schematic block diagram of a possible communication device provided for the embodiments of the present application. These communication devices can be used to implement the functions of the terminal or network device in the above method embodiments, and thus can also achieve the beneficial effects possessed by the above method embodiments. In the embodiments of the present application, the communication device may be the terminal or network device in the method embodiments as shown in Figure 4 or Figure 5 The terminal or network device in the shown method embodiments, or a component (such as a chip, chip system, processor, etc.) configured in the terminal or network device, or a logic module or software capable of implementing part or all of the functions of the terminal or network device.

[0278] As shown in the following, a communication device provided in this application Figure 9 is as follows. The communication device 900 includes a transceiver unit 910 and a processing unit 920.

[0279] In a possible design, the communication device 900 is used to implement the functions of the terminal in the method embodiments shown above Figure 4 or Figure 5 below. For example, the device 900 may correspond to the terminal in Figure 4 or Figure 5 below.

[0280] Exemplarily, the transceiver unit 910 is used to receive a first reference signal on a first reference signal resource for a benchmark. The first reference signal resource for a benchmark is used to transmit reference signals of up to M ports, and the reference signals of the M ports support channel estimation of up to K ports at most. The first reference signal is a reference signal of m1 ports, and the m1 ports are from the M ports, where m1 is less than M, M is less than or equal to K, and m1, M, and K are positive integers. The processing unit 920 is used to determine first channel state information CSI according to the first reference signal, and the first CSI corresponds to the channels of the k1 ports. Among them, the first channel estimation auxiliary information is determined according to the benchmark channel estimation auxiliary information corresponding to the first reference signal resource for a benchmark. The benchmark channel estimation auxiliary information is used to estimate the channels of the K ports according to the channel measurement results of the M ports, and the first channel estimation auxiliary information is used to estimate the channels of k1 ports according to the channel measurement results of the m1 ports. The k1 ports are from the K ports, and k1 is a positive integer greater than or equal to m1 and less than or equal to K. The transceiver unit 910 is also used to send the first CSI.

[0281] Optionally, the transceiver unit 910 is further used to receive first information, and the first information is used to indicate one or more of the following items for each of the T reference signal resources for a benchmark: resource pattern, port pattern, the maximum number of ports supported for channel estimation, and benchmark channel estimation auxiliary information. Among them, the t-th reference signal resource for a benchmark among the T reference signal resources for a benchmark is used to transmit reference signals of up to M t ports, and the reference signals transmitted through the t-th reference signal resource for a benchmark support channel estimation of up to K t ports at most. K t is the maximum number of ports supported for channel estimation of the t-th reference signal resource for a benchmark, M t is a positive integer less than or equal to K t , and t is a positive integer from 1 to T. The resource pattern of the t-th reference signal resource for a benchmark indicates the M tThe mapping relationship between the reference signals of each port among the ports and the time-frequency resources, and the port pattern of the t-th reference signal resource of the reference indicates the index of the M ports among the K ports. The reference channel estimation auxiliary information of the t-th reference signal resource of the reference is used to estimate the channel of the K ports according to the channel measurement results of the M ports. t Among the K t ports, and the reference channel estimation auxiliary information of the t-th reference signal resource of the reference is used to estimate the channel of the K t ports according to the channel measurement results of the M t ports.

[0282] Optionally, T is greater than 1, and any two of the T reference signal resources of the reference satisfy that the maximum number of ports of the reference signal for transmission is different, and / or the maximum number of ports supported for channel estimation is different.

[0283] Optionally, the transceiver unit 910 is further configured to receive second information, where the second information is used to indicate the identifier of the first reference signal resource among the T reference signal resources of the reference.

[0284] Optionally, the first CSI is a PMI corresponding to the channel of the k1 ports, or the first CSI is a channel estimation result, and the channel estimation result indicates the channel of the k1 ports.

[0285] Optionally, the processing unit 920 is further configured to determine first channel estimation auxiliary information from the reference channel estimation auxiliary information corresponding to the first reference signal resource according to the index of the m1 ports among the M ports and the index of the k1 ports among the K ports.

[0286] Optionally, the transceiver unit 910 is further configured to receive third information, where the third information is used to indicate the index of the k1 ports among the K ports, or the extraction rule for extracting the k1 ports from the K ports.

[0287] Optionally, the transceiver unit 910 is further configured to receive fourth information, where the fourth information is used to indicate the index of the m1 ports among the M ports, or the extraction rule for extracting the m1 ports from the M ports.

[0288] Optionally, the transceiver unit 910 is further configured to receive a second reference signal on the first reference signal resource, where the second reference signal is a reference signal of m2 ports, and the m2 ports are from m1 ports, and m2 is a positive integer less than m1; the processing unit 920 is further configured to determine a second CSI according to the second reference signal and the second channel estimation auxiliary information, where the second CSI corresponds to the channels of k2 ports; the second channel estimation auxiliary information is used to estimate the channels of k2 ports according to the channel measurement results of m2 ports, and the k2 ports are from the k1 ports, and k2 is a positive integer less than or equal to k1 and greater than or equal to m2; the transceiver unit 910 is further configured to send the second CSI.

[0289] Optionally, the transceiver unit 910 is further configured to send the capability information of the terminal, where the capability information is used to indicate one or more of the following: the allowable value of the maximum number of ports supported by the terminal for channel estimation, the number of configured reference signal resources supported for each allowable value of the maximum number of ports for channel estimation, whether the terminal supports the extraction rule, whether the terminal pre-stores the reference channel estimation auxiliary information, resource pattern, and port pattern corresponding to each allowable value of the maximum number of ports, or the storage time of each piece of channel estimation-related information supported by the terminal; the extraction rule is used to extract some or all of the ports from multiple ports.

[0290] For a more detailed description of the above transceiver unit 910 and processing unit 920, reference can be directly made to Figure 4 or Figure 5 the relevant descriptions in the method embodiments shown, which will not be elaborated here.

[0291] Another possible design is that the communication device 900 is used to implement the functions of the network device in the above Figure 4 or Figure 5 shown method embodiments. For example, the device 900 may correspond to the Figure 4 or Figure 5 network device in.

[0292] Exemplarily, the transceiver unit 910 is configured to send a first reference signal on a first reference signal resource, where the first reference signal resource is used to transmit reference signals of at most M ports, and the reference signals of the M ports support channel estimation of at most K ports, the first reference signal is a reference signal of m1 ports, the m1 ports are from the M ports, m1 is less than M, M is less than or equal to K, and m1, M, and K are positive integers; the transceiver unit 910 is further configured to receive a first channel state information CSI, where the first CSI is obtained based on the first reference signal, and the first CSI corresponds to the channels of k1 ports, and the k1 ports are from the K ports, and k1 is a positive integer greater than or equal to m1 and less than or equal to K.

[0293] Optionally, the transceiver unit 910 is further configured to send first information, where the first information is used to indicate one or more of the following for each of the T reference signal resources: resource pattern, port pattern, maximum number of ports supported for channel estimation, and reference channel estimation assistance information; where the t-th reference signal resource among the T reference signal resources is used to transmit reference signals for at most M t ports, and the reference signals transmitted through the t-th reference signal resource support channel estimation for a maximum of K t ports, K t being the maximum number of ports supported for channel estimation by the t-th reference signal resource, and M t being a positive integer less than or equal to K t and t being a positive integer from 1 to T; the resource pattern of the t-th reference signal resource indicates the mapping relationship between the reference signals of each of the M t ports and time-frequency resources, and the reference channel estimation assistance information of the t-th reference signal resource is used to estimate the channels of the K t ports based on the channel measurement results of the M t ports.

[0294] Optionally, T is greater than 1, and at least two of the T reference signal resources satisfy: the maximum number of ports of the reference signals for transmission is different, and / or, the maximum number of ports supported for channel estimation is different.

[0295] Optionally, the transceiver unit 910 is further configured to send second information, where the second information is used to indicate the identity of the first reference signal resource among the T reference signal resources.

[0296] Optionally, the first CSI is a PMI corresponding to the channels of the k1 ports, or the first CSI is a channel estimation result, and the channel estimation result indicates the channels of the k1 ports.

[0297] Optionally, the transceiver unit 910 is further configured to send third information, where the third information is used to indicate the indexes of the k1 ports among the K ports, or the extraction rule for extracting the k1 ports from the K ports.

[0298] Optionally, the transceiver unit 910 is further configured to send fourth information, where the fourth information is used to indicate the indexes of the m1 ports among the M ports, or the extraction rule for extracting the m1 ports from the M ports.

[0299] Optionally, the transceiver unit 910 is further configured to send a second reference signal on the first reference signal resource, where the second reference signal is a reference signal of m2 ports, and the m2 ports are from m1 ports, and m2 is a positive integer less than m1; the transceiver unit 910 is further configured to receive a second CSI, where the second CSI is obtained based on the second reference signal, and the second CSI corresponds to a channel of k2 ports, and the k2 ports are from the k1 ports, and k2 is a positive integer less than or equal to k1 and greater than or equal to m2.

[0300] Optionally, the transceiver unit 910 is further configured to receive capability information of the terminal, where the capability information is used to indicate one or more of the following: the allowed value of the maximum number of ports supported by the terminal for channel estimation, the number of configured reference signal resources supported for each allowed value of the maximum number of ports for channel estimation, whether the terminal supports an extraction rule, whether the terminal pre-stores reference channel estimation auxiliary information, resource patterns, and port patterns corresponding to each allowed value of the maximum number of ports, or the storage time of each piece of channel estimation-related information supported by the terminal; the extraction rule is used to extract some or all of the ports from multiple ports.

[0301] For a more detailed description of the foregoing transceiver unit 910 and processing unit 920, reference can be directly made to Figure 4 or Figure 5 the relevant descriptions in the method embodiments shown, which will not be elaborated here.

[0302] It should be noted that the transceiver unit may also be referred to as a transceiver module, transceiver, transceiver machine, or transceiver device, etc. The processing unit may also be referred to as a processor, processing board, processing module, or processing device, etc. Optionally, the transceiver unit is configured to perform the sending operation and receiving operation on the terminal or network device side in the foregoing method. The device for implementing the receiving function in the communication module may be regarded as the receiving unit, and the device for implementing the sending function in the communication module may be regarded as the sending unit. That is, the transceiver unit includes a receiving unit and a sending unit.

[0303] It should also be noted that in a possible design, the foregoing transceiver unit and / or processing unit may be implemented by a virtual module. For example, the processing unit may be implemented by a software functional unit or a virtual device, and the transceiver unit may be implemented by a software function or a virtual device. In another possible design, the processing unit or the transceiver unit may also be implemented by an entity device. For example, if the device is implemented by a chip / chip circuit, the transceiver unit may be an input / output circuit and / or a communication interface, performing input operations (corresponding to the foregoing receiving operations) and output operations (corresponding to the foregoing sending operations); the processing unit is an integrated processor or microprocessor or integrated circuit.

[0304] In the embodiments of the present application, the division of units is illustrative, merely a logical function division, and there may be other division methods in actual implementation. Additionally, in each example of the embodiments of the present application, each functional module may be integrated in a processor, may exist separately physically, or two or more modules may be integrated in one module. The above integrated modules may be implemented in the form of hardware or in the form of software functional modules.

[0305] Another communication device provided by the present application is as Figure 10 shown. The communication device 1000 includes a processor 1010. The processor 1010 can be used to execute computer programs or instructions in the memory to implement Figure 4 or Figure 5 the steps executed by the terminal or the steps executed by the network device in the method embodiments shown.

[0306] Optionally, the device 1000 further includes a communication interface 1030. The processor 1010 and the communication interface 1030 are coupled to each other. It can be understood that the communication interface 1030 can be a transceiver or an input / output interface. Optionally, the device 1000 further includes an antenna 1040, and the communication interface 1030 can implement the transceiver function of the communication device 1000 through the antenna 1040.

[0307] Optionally, the communication device 1000 may further include a memory 1020, which is used to store the instructions executed by the processor 1010 or store the input data required for the processor 1010 to run the instructions or store the data generated after the processor 1010 runs the instructions.

[0308] When the communication device 1000 is used to implement Figure 4 or Figure 5 the method shown, the processor 1010 is used to execute the functions of the above processing unit, and the communication interface 1030 is used to execute the functions of the above receiving unit and / or sending unit. Whether the communication interface 1030 and the antenna 1040 are used for sending or receiving specifically depends on whether the communication device 1000 executes a sending action or a receiving action in the implemented solution.

[0309] When the above communication device 1000 is a chip applied to a terminal, the chip implements the functions of the terminal in the above method embodiments. The chip of the terminal receives signals from other modules (such as a radio frequency module or an antenna) in the terminal, and the signals can be sent by the network device to the terminal; or, the chip of the terminal sends signals to other modules (such as a radio frequency module or an antenna) in the terminal, and the signals can be sent by the terminal to the network device.

[0310] When the communication device 1000 is a chip applied to a network device, the chip implements the functions of the network device in the above method embodiments. The chip of the network device receives signals from other modules (such as a radio frequency module or an antenna) in the network device, and the signals can be sent by a terminal to the network device; or, the chip of the network device sends signals to other modules (such as a radio frequency module or an antenna) in the network device, and the signals can be sent by the network device to the terminal.

[0311] It can be understood that when the communication device 1000 is a terminal or a network device, the communication interface 1030 can be a transceiver, which specifically includes a transmitter and a receiver. The transmitter is used to send signals, and the receiver is used to receive signals. When the communication device 1000 is a chip applied to a terminal or a network device, the communication interface 1030 can be an input / output circuit, a bus, a module, a pin, or other types of communication interfaces. Among them, the input circuit in the input / output circuit can be used for receiving, and the output interface can be used for sending.

[0312] It should be understood that Figure 10 In the shown communication device 1000, the processor 1010 can correspond to the processing unit 920 in the above communication device 900, and the communication interface 1030 and the antenna 1040 can correspond to the transceiver unit 910 in the above communication device 900.

[0313] It should also be understood that the coupling in the embodiments of the present application is an indirect coupling or communication connection between devices, units, or modules, which can be electrical, mechanical, or other forms, and is used for information interaction between devices, units, or modules. The processor 1010 may operate in cooperation with the memory 1020. In the embodiments of the present application, the specific connection media between the above processor 1010 and the communication interface 1030, the memory 1020, and between the communication interface 1030 and the antenna 1040 are not limited.

[0314] Optionally, the processor 1010, the communication interface 1030, and the memory 1020 are interconnected with each other through a bus. The bus can be a peripheral component interconnect (PCI) bus or an extended industry standard architecture (EISA) bus, etc. The bus can be divided into an address bus, a data bus, a control bus, etc.

[0315] Figure 11 is a schematic structural diagram of a terminal provided by an embodiment of the present application. As Figure 11 shown, the terminal 1100 can be applied to such as Figure 1In the system shown, the functions of the terminal in the above method embodiments are performed. As shown in the figure, the terminal 1100 includes a processor 1101 and a transceiver 1102. Optionally, the terminal 1100 further includes a memory 1103. Among them, the processor 1101, the transceiver 1102, and the memory 1103 can communicate with each other through an internal connection path to transmit control and / or data signals. The memory 1103 is used to store a computer program, and the processor 1101 is used to call and run the computer program from the memory 1103 to control the transceiver 1102 to transmit and receive signals. Optionally, the terminal 1100 may further include an antenna 1104 for transmitting the uplink data or uplink control signaling output by the transceiver 1102 through a wireless signal.

[0316] The above-mentioned processor 1101 and the memory 1103 may be integrated into a processing device. The processor 1101 is used to execute the program code stored in the memory 1103 to implement the above functions. Specifically, the memory 1103 may also be integrated in the processor 1101 or independent of the processor 1101. The processor 1101 may correspond to Figure 9 the processing unit in or Figure 10 the processor in.

[0317] The above-mentioned transceiver 1102 may correspond to Figure 9 the transceiver unit in or Figure 10 the communication interface in, and may also be referred to as a transceiver unit. The transceiver 1102 may include a receiver (or receiver, receiving circuit) and a transmitter (or transmitter, transmitting circuit). Among them, the receiver is used to receive signals, and the transmitter is used to transmit signals.

[0318] It should be understood that Figure 11 the terminal 1100 shown is capable of implementing Figure 4 or Figure 5 each process related to the terminal in the method embodiments shown. The operations and / or functions of each module in the terminal 1100 are respectively for implementing the corresponding processes in the above method embodiments. For details, please refer to the description in the above method embodiments. To avoid repetition, the detailed description is appropriately omitted here.

[0319] The above-mentioned processor 1101 may be used to execute the actions implemented internally by the terminal described in the previous method embodiments, and the transceiver 1102 may be used to execute the actions of the terminal sending to or receiving from the network device described in the previous method embodiments. For details, please refer to the description in the previous method embodiments, and details are not described here again.

[0320] Optionally, the above terminal 1100 may further include a power supply 1105 for supplying power to various devices or circuits in the terminal. In the embodiment of the present application, a rectifier may be connected between the power supply 1105 and the antenna 1104. After the electromagnetic wave signal is received by the antenna 1104 and converted into an alternating current signal, it may be further converted into a direct current signal by the rectifier and then output to the power supply 1105.

[0321] In addition, in order to make the functions of the terminal more complete, the terminal 1100 may further include one or more of an input unit 1106, a display unit 1107, an audio circuit 1108, a camera 1109, and a sensor 1110, etc. The audio circuit may further include a speaker 1108a, a microphone 1108b, etc.

[0322] Figure 12 It is a schematic structural diagram of a network device provided by an example of the present application, for example, it may be a schematic structural diagram of a base station. Figure 12 The shown base station 1200 can be applied to a system such as Figure 1 shown, and execute the functions of the network device in the above method embodiments. As shown in the figure, the base station 1200 may include one or more of the following: one or more (DU+RU) 1210, one or more CUs 1220. The CU 1220 can communicate with the next generation core network (NG core). The DU may include at least one antenna 1211, at least one radio frequency unit 1212, at least one processor 1213, and at least one memory 1214. The DU part is mainly used for the transceiver of radio frequency signals, the conversion between radio frequency signals and baseband signals, and partial baseband processing. The CU 1220 may include at least one processor 1222 and at least one memory 1221. Communication can be carried out between the CU 1220 and the DU through an interface. Among them, the control plane (CP) interface can be Fs-C, such as F1-C, and the user plane (UP) interface can be Fs-U, such as F1-U. The DU and the RU can cooperate to jointly implement the functions of the physical (PHY) layer. One DU can be connected to one or more RUs. The functions of the DU and the RU can be configured in various ways according to the design. For example, the DU is configured to implement baseband functions, and the RU is configured to implement intermediate radio frequency functions. For another example, the DU is configured to implement high-layer functions in the PHY layer, and the RU is configured to implement low-layer functions and radio frequency functions in the PHY layer. The high-layer functions in the PHY layer may include a part of the functions of the PHY layer, and this part of the functions is closer to the MAC layer. The low-layer functions in the PHY layer may include another part of the functions of the PHY layer, and this part of the functions is closer to the intermediate radio frequency side.

[0323] The CU 1220 is mainly used for baseband processing and controlling the base station, etc. The DU and the CU 1220 can be physically set together or physically separated, that is, a distributed base station. The CU 1220 is the control center of the base station and can correspond to Figure 9 the processing unit in Figure 10 or the processor in

[0324] and can also be called a processing unit, mainly used to complete the baseband processing function. For example, the CU 1220 can be used to control the base station to execute the operation process of the access network device in the above method embodiments.

[0325] Specifically, the baseband processing on the CU and the DU can be divided according to the protocol layers of the wireless network. For example, the functions of the packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) layer and above protocol layers are set on the CU, and the protocol layers below PDCP, such as the RLC layer and the MAC layer, etc., are set on the DU. Another example is that the CU implements the functions of the RRC layer and the PDCP layer, and the DU implements the functions of the RLC layer, the MAC layer and the PHY layer.

[0326] In addition, optionally, the base station 1200 may include one or more radio frequency units (RUs), one or more DUs and one or more CUs. Among them, the DU may include at least one processor 1213 and at least one memory 1214, the RU may include at least one antenna 1211 and at least one radio frequency unit 1212, and the CU may include at least one processor 1222 and at least one memory 1221.

[0327] It should be understood thatFigure 12 The shown base station 1200 can implement Figure 4 or Figure 5 each process of the network device involved in the method embodiments shown. The operations and / or functions of each module in the base station 1200 are respectively for implementing the corresponding processes in the above method embodiments. For details, please refer to the descriptions in the above method embodiments. To avoid repetition, the detailed descriptions are appropriately omitted here.

[0328] The above BBU 1220 can be used to execute the actions implemented inside the network device described in the previous method embodiments, and the RRU 12910 can be used to execute the actions of the network device sending to or receiving from the terminal described in the previous method embodiments. For details, please refer to the descriptions in the previous method embodiments and will not be elaborated here.

[0329] It can be understood that the processor in the embodiments of the present application may be a central processing unit (CPU), or may also be other general-purpose processors, digital signal processors (DSPs), application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), or other programmable logic devices, transistor logic devices, hardware components, or any combination thereof. The general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor or any conventional processor.

[0330] The memory in the embodiments of the present application can be a volatile memory or a non-volatile memory, or can include both volatile and non-volatile memories. Among them, the non-volatile memory can be a read-only memory (ROM), a programmable ROM (PROM), an erasable programmable ROM (EPROM), an electrically erasable programmable ROM (EEPROM), or a flash memory. The volatile memory can be a random access memory (RAM), which is used as an external cache. By way of example but not limitation, many forms of RAM are available, such as static RAM (SRAM), dynamic RAM (DRAM), synchronous DRAM (SDRAM), double data rate SDRAM (DDR SDRAM), enhanced SDRAM (ESDRAM), synchlink DRAM (SLDRAM), and direct rambus RAM (DR RAM). It should be noted that the memory of the systems and methods described herein is intended to include but not be limited to these and any other suitable types of memory.

[0331] The present application also provides a communication system, which includes the aforementioned network device and terminal.

[0332] The present application also provides a computer program product, which includes: a computer program (which can also be referred to as code, or instruction), when the computer program is run, enabling the computer to execute the method executed by the terminal or the method executed by the network device in the embodiments as Figure 4 or Figure 5 shown.

[0333] The present application also provides a computer-readable storage medium, which stores a computer program (which can also be referred to as code, or instruction). When the computer program is run, enabling the computer to execute the method executed by the terminal or the method executed by the network device in the embodiments as Figure 4 or Figure 5 shown.

[0334] As used in this specification, terms such as "unit" and "module" can be used to represent computer-related entities, hardware, firmware, combinations of hardware and software, software, or software in execution.

[0335] Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the various illustrative logical blocks and steps described in connection with the embodiments disclosed herein can be implemented in either electronic hardware or a combination of computer software and electronic hardware. Whether these functions are implemented in hardware or software depends upon the particular application and design constraints of the technical solution. A person skilled in the art may use different methods to implement the described functions for each particular application, but such implementation should not be considered to exceed the scope of this application. In several embodiments provided in this application, it should be understood that the disclosed apparatus, device, and method can be implemented in other ways. For example, the apparatus embodiments described above are merely illustrative. For example, the division of the unit is only a logical function division, and there may be other division methods in actual implementation. For example, multiple units or components can be combined or integrated into another system, or some features can be ignored or not executed. Another point is that the couplings or direct couplings or communication connections shown or discussed among each other can be through some interfaces. The indirect couplings or communication connections of the device or unit can be in electrical, mechanical, or other forms.

[0336] The unit described as a separate component may or may not be physically separated, and the component shown as a unit may or may not be a physical unit, that is, it may be located in one place or distributed to multiple network units. Some or all of the units can be selected according to actual needs to achieve the purpose of the solution of this embodiment.

[0337] In addition, in each embodiment of this application, the functional units can be integrated in one processing unit, or each unit can exist physically alone, or two or more units can be integrated in one unit.

[0338] In the above embodiments, the functions of each functional unit can be implemented in whole or in part by software, hardware, firmware, or any combination thereof. When implemented using software, it can be implemented in whole or in part in the form of a computer program product. The computer program product includes one or more computer instructions (programs). When the computer program instructions (programs) are loaded and executed on a computer, the processes or functions described in the embodiments of the present application are generated in whole or in part. The computer can be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network, or other programmable devices. The computer instructions can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium or transmitted from one computer-readable storage medium to another. For example, the computer instructions can be transmitted from one website, computer, server, or data center to another website, computer, server, or data center via wired (such as coaxial cable, optical fiber, digital subscriber line (DSL)) or wireless (such as infrared, wireless, microwave, etc.) means. The computer-readable storage medium can be any available medium that the computer can access or a data storage device such as a server or data center that includes one or more integrated available media. The available medium can be a magnetic medium (such as a floppy disk, hard disk, magnetic tape), an optical medium (such as a digital video disc (DVD)), or a semiconductor medium (such as a solid-state disk (SSD)), etc.

[0339] If this function is implemented in the form of a software functional unit and sold or used as an independent product, it can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. Based on this understanding, the technical solution of the present application, in essence, or the part that contributes to the prior art, or a part of this technical solution, can be embodied in the form of a software product. The computer software product is stored in a storage medium and includes several instructions for causing a computer device (which can be a personal computer, a server, or a network device, etc.) to execute all or part of the steps of the methods in the various embodiments of the present application. The foregoing storage medium includes: various media such as USB flash drives, external hard drives, ROM, RAM, magnetic disks, or optical discs that can store program codes.

[0340] As described above, the above are only the specific embodiments of the present application, but the protection scope of the present application is not limited thereto. Any person skilled in the art can easily think of changes or substitutions within the technical scope disclosed in the present application, and all should be covered by the protection scope of the present application. Therefore, the protection scope of the present application should be subject to the protection scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that, Comprising: Receiving a first reference signal on a first reference signal resource for a basic reference signal, where the first reference signal resource for a basic reference signal is used to transmit reference signals for at most M ports, and the reference signals for the M ports support channel estimation for at most K ports. The first reference signal is a reference signal for m1 ports, where the m1 ports are from the M ports, m1 < M, M ≤ K, and m1, M, and K are positive integers; Determining first channel state information (CSI) according to the first reference signal and first channel estimation auxiliary information, where the first CSI corresponds to the channels of k1 ports; wherein, the first channel estimation auxiliary information is determined according to the basic channel estimation auxiliary information corresponding to the first reference signal resource for a basic reference signal, and the basic channel estimation auxiliary information is used to estimate the channels of the K ports according to the channel measurement results of the M ports, and the first channel estimation auxiliary information is used to estimate the channels of the k1 ports according to the channel measurement results of the m1 ports, where the k1 ports are from the K ports, and k1 is a positive integer greater than or equal to m1 and less than or equal to K; Transmitting the first CSI.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein The first reference signal resource for a basic reference signal is one of T reference signal resources for basic reference signals, Before receiving the first reference signal on the first reference signal resource for a basic reference signal, the method further comprises: Receiving first information, where the first information is used to indicate one or more of the following for each of the T reference signal resources for basic reference signals: resource pattern, port pattern, maximum number of ports supported for channel estimation, and basic channel estimation auxiliary information; Among them, the t-th reference signal resource among the T reference signal resources is used to transmit reference signals of at most M t ports, and the reference signals transmitted through the t-th reference signal resource support channel estimation of up to K t ports. K t is the maximum number of ports for channel estimation supported by the t-th reference signal resource, and M t is a positive integer less than or equal to K t , and t is a positive integer from 1 to T; the resource pattern of the t-th reference signal resource indicates the mapping relationship between the reference signals of each of the M t ports and time-frequency resources, and the port pattern of the t-th reference signal resource indicates the indices of the M t ports among the K t ports. The reference channel estimation auxiliary information of the t-th reference signal resource is used to estimate the channels of the K t ports according to the channel measurement results of the M t ports.

3. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that, T > 1, and any two of the T reference signal resources for basic reference signals satisfy: the maximum number of ports for the transmitted reference signals is different, and / or, the maximum number of ports supported for channel estimation is different.

4. The method according to claim 3, wherein Before receiving the first reference signal on the first reference signal resource for a basic reference signal, the method further comprises: Receiving second information, where the second information is used to indicate the identifier of the first reference signal resource among the T reference signal resources for basic reference signals.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, The first CSI is a precoding matrix indicator (PMI) corresponding to the channels of the k1 ports, or the first CSI is a channel estimation result indicating the channels of the k1 ports.

6. The method according to claim 5, wherein The determining the first channel estimation auxiliary information according to the basic channel estimation auxiliary information corresponding to the first reference signal resource for a basic reference signal includes: Determining the first channel estimation auxiliary information from the basic channel estimation auxiliary information corresponding to the first reference signal resource for a basic reference signal according to the index of the m1 ports among the M ports and the index of the k1 ports among the K ports.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that, The method further comprises: Receiving third information, where the third information is used to indicate the index of the k1 ports among the K ports.

8. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that, The method further comprises: Receiving fourth information, where the fourth information is used to indicate the index of the m1 ports among the M ports or the extraction rule for extracting the m1 ports from the M ports.

9. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that, The method further comprises: Receive a second reference signal on the first reference signal resource, where the second reference signal is a reference signal of m2 ports, and the m2 ports are from the m1 ports, where m2 is a positive integer less than or equal to m1; Determine a second CSI according to the second reference signal and second channel estimation auxiliary information, where the second CSI corresponds to the channels of k2 ports; the second channel estimation auxiliary information is used to estimate the channels of the k2 ports according to the channel measurement results of the m2 ports, and the k2 ports are from the k1 ports, where k2 is a positive integer less than or equal to k1 and greater than or equal to m2; Transmit the second CSI.

10. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that, The method further includes: Transmit the capability information of the terminal, where the capability information is used to indicate one or more of the following: the allowed value of the maximum number of ports supported by the terminal for channel estimation, the number of configured reference signal resources supported for each allowed value of the maximum number of ports for channel estimation, whether the terminal supports the extraction rule, whether the terminal pre-stores the reference channel estimation auxiliary information, resource pattern, and port pattern corresponding to each allowed value of the maximum number of ports, or the storage time of each piece of information related to channel estimation supported by the terminal; the extraction rule is used to extract some or all of the ports from multiple ports.

11. A communication method, characterized in that, Includes: Transmit a first reference signal on a first reference signal resource, where the first reference signal resource is used to transmit reference signals of at most M ports, and the reference signals of the M ports support channel estimation of at most K ports, the first reference signal is a reference signal of m1 ports, and the m1 ports are from the M ports, where m1 is less than M, M is less than or equal to K, and m1, M, and K are positive integers; Receive a first channel state information CSI, where the first CSI is obtained based on the first reference signal, and the first CSI corresponds to the channels of k1 ports, and the k1 ports are from the K ports, where k1 is a positive integer greater than or equal to m1 and less than or equal to K.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein The first reference signal resource is one of T reference signal resources. Before transmitting the first reference signal on the first reference signal resource, the method further includes: Transmit first information, where the first information is used to indicate one or more of the following for each of the T reference signal resources: resource pattern, port pattern, the maximum number of ports supported for channel estimation, and reference channel estimation auxiliary information; Among them, the t-th reference signal resource among the T reference signal resources is used to transmit reference signals of at most M t ports, and the reference signals transmitted through the t-th reference signal resource support channel estimation of up to K t ports. K t is the maximum number of ports for channel estimation supported by the t-th reference signal resource, and M t is a positive integer less than or equal to K t . t is a positive integer from 1 to T. The resource pattern of the t-th reference signal resource indicates the mapping relationship between the reference signals of each of the M t ports and time-frequency resources. The reference channel estimation auxiliary information of the t-th reference signal resource is used to estimate the channels of the K t ports according to the channel measurement results of the M t ports.

13. The method according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that T is greater than 1, and at least two of the T reference signal resources satisfy: the maximum number of ports of the reference signals for transmission is different, and / or, the maximum number of ports supported for channel estimation is different.

14. The method according to claim 13, wherein Before transmitting the first reference signal on the first reference signal resource, the method further includes: Transmit second information, where the second information is used to indicate the identifier of the first reference signal resource among the T reference signal resources.

15. The method according to any one of claims 11 to 14, characterized in that, The first CSI is a precoding matrix indicator (PMI) corresponding to the channels of the k1 ports, or the first CSI is a channel estimation result that indicates the channels of the k1 ports.

16. The method according to any one of claims 11 to 15, characterized in that, The method further includes: transmitting third information, where the third information is used to indicate the indices of the k1 ports among the K ports.

17. The method according to any one of claims 11 to 16, characterized in that, The method further includes: transmitting fourth information, where the fourth information is used to indicate the indices of the m1 ports among the M ports, or the extraction rule for extracting the m1 ports from the M ports.

18. The method according to any one of claims 11 to 17, characterized in that, The method further includes: transmitting a second reference signal on the first reference signal resource, where the second reference signal is a reference signal of m2 ports, and the m2 ports are from the m1 ports, and m2 is a positive integer less than or equal to m1; receiving a second CSI, where the second CSI is obtained based on the second reference signal, and the second CSI corresponds to the channels of k2 ports, and the k2 ports are from the k1 ports, and k2 is a positive integer less than or equal to k1 and greater than or equal to m2.

19. The method according to any one of claims 11 to 18, characterized in that, The method further includes: receiving the capability information of the terminal, where the capability information is used to indicate one or more of the following: the allowable value of the maximum number of ports supported by the terminal for channel estimation, the number of configured reference signal resources supported for each allowable value of the maximum number of ports for channel estimation, whether the terminal supports the extraction rule, whether the terminal pre-stores the reference channel estimation auxiliary information, resource pattern, and port pattern corresponding to each allowable value of the maximum number of ports, or the storage time of each piece of information related to channel estimation supported by the terminal; the extraction rule is used to extract some or all of the ports from multiple ports.

20. A communication device, characterized in that, comprising a module for implementing the method according to any one of claims 1 to 10, or comprising a module for implementing the method according to any one of claims 11 to 19.

21. A communication device, characterized in that, comprising a processor and a communication interface, where the communication interface is used to receive signals from other communication devices outside the communication device and transmit them to the processor, or to send signals from the processor to other communication devices outside the communication device, and the processor is used to implement the method according to any one of claims 1 to 10 through logic circuits or by executing code instructions, or to implement the method according to any one of claims 11 to 19.

22. A computer-readable storage medium having a computer program stored thereon, characterized in that, When the computer program is executed by the processor, the method according to any one of claims 1 to 10 is executed, or the method according to any one of claims 11 to 19 is executed.

23. A computer program product, characterized in that, comprising a computer program, where when the computer program is run, the method according to any one of claims 1 to 10 is executed, or the method according to any one of claims 11 to 19 is executed.

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