Signal transmission method and related device

Abstract

The embodiment of the invention provides a signal transmission method and a related device, and relates to the technical field of communication, and the method comprises the steps that first communication equipment determines at least one side connection communication signal and a signal structure relation on a time-frequency domain resource, and the time-frequency domain resource comprises one or more continuous time slots and is used for transmitting the at least one side connection communication signal; when the first communication device determines that a filling symbol exists on the time-frequency domain resource based on the signal structure relationship, a filling signal is transmitted to at least one second communication device on the filling symbol; the first communication device and the at least one second communication device are located in the same device group. In the application, when one or more continuous time slot transmission sides are used for connecting the communication signals, the filling signals are transmitted on the filling symbols, continuous channel occupation and sharing of time domain resources are realized, and efficient transmission side connection of the communication signals on the time-frequency domain resources by multiple communication devices in the same device group is facilitated.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of communication technology, and in particular to a signal transmission method and related apparatus. Background Technology

[0002] With the continuous growth of communication traffic, the shortage of licensed spectrum has become increasingly apparent, thus increasing the necessity for the use of unlicensed spectrum. For example, in sidelink (SL) scenarios, communication devices use unlicensed spectrum resources to transmit sidelink location information to other communication devices to achieve sidelink positioning technology.

[0003] Currently, when a target communication device uses spectrum resources on unlicensed spectrum, it needs to perform additional channel access to determine time-frequency domain resources for the transmission of side-connection communication signals; then, it transmits the side-connection communication signals on the determined time-frequency domain resources. At this time, if there is a time interval between adjacent side-connection communication signals that need to be transmitted, or if the adjacent side-connection communication signals are not in the same time slot, other communication devices will perform channel access to occupy the idle time-frequency domain resources determined by the target communication device and perform signal transmission.

[0004] Therefore, how to ensure the continuous use of time and frequency domain resources and further ensure the efficient transmission of side-connection communication signals within the same equipment group is a technical problem that needs to be solved. Summary of the Invention

[0005] This application provides a signal transmission method, apparatus, device, and storage medium to achieve efficient transmission of side-connected communication signals within the same device group.

[0006] In a first aspect, embodiments of this application provide a signal transmission method applied to a first communication device, the method comprising:

[0007] Determine the signal structure relationship of at least one side-connection communication signal in the time-frequency domain resources; the time-frequency domain resources include one or more consecutive time slots and are used to transmit at least one side-connection communication signal;

[0008] Based on the signal structure relationship, a padding signal is transmitted to at least one second communication device on the padding symbol in the time-frequency domain resources; wherein the first communication device and at least one second communication device are located in the same device group.

[0009] Secondly, embodiments of this application provide a signal transmission method applied to a second communication device, the method comprising:

[0010] Receive at least one side-connection communication signal and a fill signal transmitted by a first communication device; wherein the first communication device and the second communication device are located in the same device group;

[0011] Based on at least one side-connected communication signal and a padding signal, determine the time-frequency domain resources used during signal transmission;

[0012] Determine the signal structure relationship of at least one side-connected communication signal in the time-frequency domain resources;

[0013] Based on the signal structure relationship, a padding signal is transmitted to at least one other second communication device and the first communication device on the padding symbol within the time-frequency domain resources.

[0014] Thirdly, embodiments of this application provide a communication device, including at least one processor; and a memory communicatively connected to the at least one processor; wherein the memory stores instructions executable by the at least one processor, the instructions being executed by the at least one processor to enable the at least one processor to perform the signal transmission method provided in embodiments of this application.

[0015] Fourthly, embodiments of this application provide a signal transmission device, the device comprising:

[0016] The first determining module is used to determine the signal structure relationship of at least one side-connection communication signal in the time-frequency domain resources; the time-frequency domain resources include one or more consecutive time slots and are used to transmit at least one side-connection communication signal;

[0017] The first transmission module is used to transmit a padding signal to at least one second communication device in the same device group based on the padding symbol in the time-frequency domain resources, according to the signal structure relationship.

[0018] Fifthly, embodiments of this application provide a signal transmission device, the device comprising:

[0019] A receiving module is used to receive at least one side-connection communication signal and a padding signal transmitted by a first communication device in the same device group;

[0020] The second determining module is used to determine the time-frequency domain resources used during signal transmission based on at least one side-connected communication signal and a padding signal.

[0021] The third determining module is used to determine the signal structure relationship of at least one side-connected communication signal in the time-frequency domain resources;

[0022] The second transmission module is used to transmit a padding signal to at least one other second communication device and the first communication device on padding symbols within the time-frequency domain resources based on signal structure relationships.

[0023] Sixthly, another embodiment of this application also provides a computer storage medium storing a computer program for causing a computer to execute the signal transmission method provided in the embodiments of this application.

[0024] The beneficial effects of this application are as follows:

[0025] In the embodiments of this application, when using one or more consecutive time slots in the time-frequency domain resources to transmit at least one side-connection communication signal, if there are idle padding symbols on the time-frequency domain resources, padding signals are transmitted to at least one second communication device in the same device group on the padding symbols to enhance the signal structure in the corresponding time slots of the time-frequency domain resources. This satisfies the continuous channel occupancy (CO) and occupied channel bandwidth (OCB) requirements of the time-frequency domain resources, efficiently utilizes channel occupancy, avoids re-initiating the channel access process, thereby improving the utilization efficiency of the time-frequency domain resources, so as to realize the efficient transmission of side-connection communication signals by multiple communication devices in the same device group on the time-frequency domain resources.

[0026] Other features and advantages of this application will be set forth in the description which follows, and will be apparent in part from the description, or may be learned by practicing the application. The objectives and other advantages of this application may be realized and obtained by means of the structures particularly pointed out in the written description, claims, and drawings. Attached Figure Description

[0027] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application, the accompanying drawings used in the description of the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the accompanying drawings described below are only some embodiments of this application. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0028] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of an application scenario provided by an embodiment of this application;

[0029] Figure 2 A flowchart of a signal transmission method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0030] Figure 3A This is a schematic diagram illustrating the first method of filling a fill symbol using a copy signal, as provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0031] Figure 3B This is a schematic diagram illustrating a second method of filling a fill symbol using a copy signal, as provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0032] Figure 4A This is a schematic diagram illustrating a third method of filling symbols using a copy signal, as provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0033] Figure 4BThis is a schematic diagram illustrating a fourth method of filling a fill symbol using a copy signal, as provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0034] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the first method of using random noise to fill in symbols, as provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0035] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the fifth method of filling a fill symbol using a copy signal, as provided in the embodiments of this application.

[0036] Figure 7 A schematic diagram illustrating a frequency division multiplexing method using a comb structure for signal transmission, provided as an embodiment of this application;

[0037] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram illustrating a second method of filling symbols with random noise, as provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0038] Figure 9 This application provides a schematic diagram of using a comb signal to fill a fill symbol according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0039] Figure 10A This is a schematic diagram illustrating a sixth method of filling a fill symbol using a copy signal, as provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0040] Figure 10B This is a schematic diagram illustrating the seventh method of filling a fill symbol using a copy signal, as provided in the embodiments of this application.

[0041] Figure 11 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the eighth method of filling a fill symbol using a copy signal, as provided in the embodiments of this application.

[0042] Figure 12 A flowchart of another signal transmission method provided in this application embodiment;

[0043] Figure 13 A structural diagram of a signal transmission device provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0044] Figure 14 This is a structural diagram of another signal transmission device provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0045] Figure 15 This is a structural diagram of an electronic device provided in an embodiment of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0046] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and beneficial effects of this application clearer, the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of this application, and not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of this application, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0047] The following explanations of some terms used in the embodiments of this application are provided to facilitate understanding by those skilled in the art.

[0048] Sidelink, also known as direct link, side connection, or edge connection, refers to a communication method that establishes a direct connection between communication devices. This means that communication between terminal communication devices can be achieved through scheduling and management by network-side equipment, or signals or information can be directly transmitted between the terminals without the involvement of network-side equipment. Sidelink communication can be based on PC5 interfaces in unicast, multicast, or broadcast formats, and is used in scenarios such as device-to-device (D2D) communication, vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication, or emergency rescue applications. Sidelink signals between communication devices can have different functions and names, such as control information, reference signals, and service information.

[0049] PC5 interface: This is a direct communication method for terminal devices when there is no wireless network coverage. For example, in a V2X scenario, it is the interface for direct communication and interaction between the vehicle module and the vehicle, roadside equipment, and people.

[0050] Shared spectrum, also known as unlicensed spectrum, refers to spectrum resources that can be used without authorization from a spectrum management authority, as long as relevant regulations are followed. It features unlicensed sharing and provides best-effort service through spectrum competition, adhering to the principles of fairness in channel access and the coexistence of multiple radio access technologies (RATs).

[0051] A resource pool comprises one or more contiguous or discontinuous resource blocks (RBs) or similar resource units in the frequency domain. A resource pool can occupy a specific frequency band and a specific time period based on time-domain configuration; that is, a resource pool contains time-frequency domain resources to be allocated. The RB sets within a resource pool include a certain number of contiguous RBs. RB sets with the same or different numbers of RBs can be contained in different resource pools. An RB set is also called a frequency unit, a frequency band, a sub-band, or a channel. A guard band may exist between two adjacent RB sets within a resource pool. In some instances, the unlicensed spectrum used for side-connect communication may comprise one or more resource pools, each containing one or more RB sets / channels / frequency bands. Side-connect communication transmitted on multiple channels is also known as multi-channel side-connect communication.

[0052] The word “exemplary” as used below means “serving as an example, embodiment, or illustration.” Any embodiment illustrated as an “exemplary” need not be construed as superior to or better than other embodiments.

[0053] The terms "first" and "second" used in this document are for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating relative importance or implying the number of technical features indicated. Therefore, features defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more features. In the description of the embodiments of this application, unless otherwise stated, "multiple" means two or more. For example, in the embodiments of this application, the first communication device and the second communication device are communication devices in the same device group. For a communication device, it considers itself as the first communication device, while other communication devices in the group besides itself are the second communication devices. For example, if the same device group includes four communication devices, namely device A, device B, device C, and device D, then device B, device C, and device D are the second communication devices relative to device A, and device A is the first communication device.

[0054] With the continuous increase in communication traffic, the shortage of licensed spectrum has become increasingly apparent, thus increasing the necessity for the use of unlicensed spectrum. For example, in side-connection communication scenarios, the target communication device transmits side-connection communication signals by using unlicensed spectrum resources.

[0055] In related technologies, before a target communication device can transmit communication signals using unlicensed spectrum resources, it must perform channel access (or Listen Before Talk (LBT) process, Channel Clear Assessment (CCA), etc.) to determine whether the channel associated with the spectrum resource is idle. When the target communication device determines the channel is idle, it accesses the unlicensed spectrum and initiates channel occupancy (CO). After obtaining the right to use the channel, it transmits signals on the occupied channel. The channel bandwidth must meet specific occupied channel bandwidth (OCB) requirements, such as a frequency domain occupancy granularity of 20MHz. Channel bandwidth is the frequency range that the channel itself can support; it is a fundamental attribute of the channel and is determined by its physical characteristics and design. Channel occupancy bandwidth is the actual frequency range of the channel occupied by the signal during actual communication. It should be noted that the channel access process has specific access types, such as Type 1, Type 2, Type A, and Type B. Based on the channel access type and congestion status, the channel access process takes a certain amount of time and has a certain probability of failure.

[0056] When a target communication device successfully accesses the channel and transmits signals, to ensure fairness in the use of unlicensed spectrum, it is necessary to monitor the total time (i.e., channel occupancy time, COT) used by the target communication device and other devices sharing the channel to transmit information on that channel. This COT includes not only the actual duration of signal transmission but also the time required for channel access, sending control information, and waiting for confirmation. Upon detecting the COT, a decision is made on whether to stop transmission based on the COT. For example, during this process, it is necessary to ensure that the COT does not exceed the predetermined maximum COT and does not include idle intervals longer than a specified length; otherwise, transmission must be stopped, and the channel access process must be restarted before transmission can continue.

[0057] In a side-connection communication scenario based on unlicensed spectrum, when a target communication device transmits side-connection communication signals on a defined time-frequency domain resource, other communication devices associated with the target device can share the idle time-frequency domain resources defined by the target device for signal transmission. However, these other communication devices need to perform an additional channel access procedure. These other communication devices can be communication devices within the same device group as the target device, or they can be communication devices from different device groups. For example, a first device group broadcasts a first set of messages and receives a second set of messages associated with a second device group. The second device group is associated with a channel occupancy time on a side-connection channel, which is configured for transmitting a reference signal. By using the additional transmission opportunities within the channel occupancy time, a communication device in the first device group triggers reference signal transmission. However, before triggering its reference signal transmission using the additional transmission opportunities within the channel occupancy time, the communication device in the first device group must successfully perform a channel idle assessment.

[0058] It is evident that when the side-connection communication signal is not continuously transmitted within the time-frequency domain resources, the time-frequency domain resources cannot be continuously occupied. Therefore, how to ensure the continuous occupation of time-frequency domain resources and further ensure the efficient transmission of side-connection communication signals within the same equipment group is a technical problem that needs to be solved.

[0059] In view of this, embodiments of this application provide a signal transmission method, apparatus, device, and storage medium, relating to the field of communication technology, and particularly to the field of unlicensed spectrum communication; used to achieve efficient transmission of side-connected communication signals within the same device group.

[0060] In this embodiment, the first communication device first determines the signal structure relationship of at least one side-connection communication signal on the time-frequency domain resources, wherein the time-frequency domain resources include one or more consecutive time slots and are used to transmit at least one side-connection communication signal; then, based on the signal structure relationship, when it is determined that there is a padding symbol on the time-frequency domain resources, a padding signal is transmitted to at least one second communication device in the same device group on the padding symbol, and the side-connection communication signal is transmitted to at least one second communication device in the same device group using the time-frequency domain resources.

[0061] Accordingly, the second communication device receives at least one side-connection communication signal and a padding signal transmitted by the first communication device in the same device group, and determines the time-frequency domain resources used for signal transmission based on the at least one side-connection communication signal and the padding signal. Then, it determines the signal structure relationship of the at least one side-connection communication signal on the time-frequency domain resources. Finally, based on the signal structure relationship, when it is determined that there is a padding symbol on the time-frequency domain resources, it transmits the corresponding padding signal to at least one other second communication device and the first communication device in the same device group on the padding symbol.

[0062] In the embodiments of this application, when using one or more consecutive time slots of time-frequency domain resources to transmit side-connection communication signals from one or more communication devices, when there are idle padding symbols on the time-frequency domain resources, padding signals are transmitted on the padding symbols to enhance the signal structure within the corresponding time slots of the time-frequency domain resources. This satisfies the continuous channel occupancy requirements and channel occupancy bandwidth requirements in the use of time-frequency domain resources, efficiently utilizes channel occupancy, avoids re-initiating the channel access process, and thereby improves the utilization efficiency of time-frequency domain resources, so as to achieve efficient transmission of side-connection communication signals from one or more communication devices on time-frequency domain resources.

[0063] The application scenarios described below are briefly explained. It should be noted that these scenarios are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of this application. In actual implementation, the technical solutions provided by the embodiments of this application can be flexibly applied according to actual needs.

[0064] See Figure 1 , Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of an application scenario provided by an embodiment of this application. The application scenario includes multiple communication devices in the same device group, and these devices can communicate directly without needing to communicate through a communication network.

[0065] Communication equipment: can be, but is not limited to, terminal equipment and roadside equipment; among which, terminal equipment includes, but is not limited to, mobile phones, tablets, laptops, desktop computers, e-book readers, intelligent voice interaction devices, smart home appliances, vehicle terminals and other devices; roadside equipment includes, but is not limited to, traffic lights, cameras, road signs and other intelligent connected road infrastructure that can sense the location, direction and status information of vehicles or pedestrians.

[0066] In this application embodiment, multiple communication devices participating in one or more parallel sessions can form a device group. For example, in a side-connected positioning scenario, multiple communication devices participating in the same one or more parallel positioning sessions can form a device group, also known as a positioning group. This device group includes a target communication device to be located and one or more anchor communication devices assisting in positioning (based on different positioning reference signal (PRS) based positioning technologies). The target communication device can be any communication device with positioning capabilities, such as a terminal; the anchor communication device can be any communication device supporting the target communication device, such as a terminal or a positioning reference unit (PRU). Both the target communication device and the anchor communication device support PRS transmission, measurement, and reporting over the PC5 interface. After the target communication device and one or more anchor communication devices establish PC5 interface connections, the target communication device and one or more communication devices can exchange one or more consecutive signals. These signals can carry side-link service data, side-link reference signals, scheduling service data, the Physical Sidelink Control Channel (PSCCH) for side-link reference signals, and sidelink control information (SCI). The interaction information between the target communication device and the anchor communication devices also includes: Dedicated Resource Pool (DRP) and / or Shared Resource Pool (SRP) configurations, SLPRS pre-configuration, SL PRS resource configuration and measurement reporting configuration, as well as auxiliary information and signaling used for absolute or relative positioning.

[0067] In side-connected positioning scenarios, based on various positioning methods and combined with auxiliary positioning devices (such as roadside units), the target device is located using SLPRS and positioning algorithms. The positioning process can be completed independently without relying on the Network Location Management Function (LMF). Simultaneously, unlicensed spectrum provides abundant spectrum resources for SLPRS transmission, allowing for the transmission of SLPRS that occupies a larger bandwidth, thereby significantly improving the accuracy of side-connected positioning.

[0068] It should be noted that the side-connection positioning scenario is only one feasible scenario. During side-connection communication signal transmission, in addition to the reference signal used for positioning, other types of reference signals can also be transmitted between communication devices within the group.

[0069] To further illustrate the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of this application, the signal transmission method provided in the exemplary implementation of this application will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0070] See Figure 2 , Figure 2 A flowchart of a signal transmission method provided in this application embodiment, applied to a first communication device, includes the following steps:

[0071] In step S200, the first communication device determines the signal structure relationship of at least one side-connection communication signal in the time-frequency domain resources; wherein the time-frequency domain resources include one or more consecutive time slots and are used to transmit at least one side-connection communication signal.

[0072] In this embodiment of the application, since it is necessary to determine the signal structure relationship of at least one side-connection communication signal in the time-frequency domain resources, it is necessary to determine the source and transmission method of the side-connection communication signal, as well as the time-frequency domain resources used to transmit at least one side-connection communication signal beforehand.

[0073] The following explains the source and transmission method of the communication signal for the determined side connection.

[0074] In one possible implementation, the side-link communication signal can be a side-link communication signal from a first communication device, or it can be a side-link communication signal from multiple communication devices in the same device group; wherein the device group includes a first communication device and at least one second communication device; the side-link communication signal includes, but is not limited to: a side-link reference signal (SL RS) and a side-link control system signal; wherein the side-link reference signal includes, but is not limited to: a side-link positioning reference signal (SLPRS).

[0075] When the side-connection communication signal comes from the first communication device, the side-connection communication signal is:

[0076] The first communication device transmits one side-connection communication information; or

[0077] The first communication device transmits side-connection communication signals using frequency division multiplexing within the frequency domain units of the time-frequency domain resources; or

[0078] The first communication device transmits side-connection communication signals using a comb-structured frequency division multiplexing method within the frequency domain units of the time-frequency domain resources; or

[0079] The first communication device transmits side-connection communication signals using time-division multiplexing in one or more consecutive time slots.

[0080] When the side-connection communication signal comes from multiple communication devices in the same device group, the side-connection communication signal is:

[0081] A first communication device and at least one second communication device in the same device group synchronously transmit side-connection communication signals on time-frequency domain resources; wherein each communication device transmits one side-connection communication signal on time-frequency domain resources, or each communication device transmits multiple side-connection communication signals on time-frequency domain resources using time-division multiplexing and / or frequency-division multiplexing; the frequency-division multiplexing method includes: frequency-division multiplexing using continuous resource blocks within the frequency domain unit, and frequency-division multiplexing using a comb structure within the frequency domain unit.

[0082] The following explains the source and transmission method of the communication signal for the determined side connection.

[0083] In one possible implementation, the first communication device determines from the side-connection resource pool the time-frequency domain resources to be used when transmitting at least one side-connection communication signal.

[0084] For example, the first communication device determines the time-frequency domain resources used for transmitting at least one side-connection communication signal from the side-connection resource pool based on the scheduling information transmitted by the network-side device through the communication interface (air interface); that is, the network-side device schedules the time-frequency domain resources used by the first communication device to transmit at least one side-connection communication signal through the communication interface, including the allocation of dynamic authorization or configuration authorization (Type 1 or Type 2 configuration authorization) resources scheduled by downlink control information (DCI).

[0085] In another example, communication devices autonomously select time-frequency domain resources for transmitting at least one side-connected communication signal based on a competition method involving sensing or random selection. Specifically, the first communication device determines a target number of frequency domain units in a resource pool on a shared spectrum based on the frequency domain bandwidth of the at least one side-connected communication signal, and determines the time-domain resources corresponding to the target number of frequency domain units based on time-domain configuration; the first communication device determines the time-frequency domain resources based on the target number of frequency domain units and the corresponding time-domain resources.

[0086] In this embodiment of the application, the side connection resource pool includes one or more resource pools of different types, such as the dedicated resource pool (DRP) of SLPRS and / or the shared resource pool (SRP) of SLPRS. The resources in the DRP are used for side connection communication signal transmission, and the resources in the SRP are used for side connection communication signal and service data transmission.

[0087] In another possible implementation, the first communication device determines time-frequency domain resources for transmitting at least one side-connection communication signal based on an indication signal transmitted by the second communication device in the same group of devices.

[0088] For example, a first communication device receives an indication signal transmitted by a second communication device, the indication signal including at least one of the following information: an indication of a side-connection communication signal and a padding signal; based on the indication signal, the first communication device determines the time-frequency domain resources used by the second communication device to transmit the indication signal, and uses the time-frequency domain resources used to transmit the indication signal as the time-frequency domain resources for transmitting at least one side-connection communication signal.

[0089] It should be noted that the time-frequency domain resources used by the second communication device when transmitting indication signals can be determined from the resource pool on the receiving side, or based on indication signals transmitted by other communication devices within the device group. The specific implementation method is the same as that of the first communication device, and will not be repeated here. Furthermore, within the same device group, once one communication device has determined the time-frequency domain resources, other communication devices do not need to determine them. Instead, they share the time-frequency domain resources with other communication devices in the group through time-division multiplexing and / or frequency-division multiplexing. That is, all communication devices in the group can use the time-frequency domain resources to transmit information without having to initiate a channel access process separately or again.

[0090] In this embodiment, after determining the side-connection communication signal and its corresponding transmission method, the occupancy status of the side-connection communication signal on time-frequency domain resources can be determined, i.e., the signal structure relationship of the side-connection communication signal on time-frequency domain resources can be determined. Based on the signal structure relationship, unoccupied padding symbols on time-frequency domain resources can be identified, and to ensure continuous occupancy, padding signals will be transmitted on the padding symbols.

[0091] In step S201, the first communication device transmits a padding signal to at least one second communication device on the padding symbol in the time-frequency domain resource based on the signal structure relationship; wherein the first communication device and at least one second communication device are located in the same device group.

[0092] In practical applications, there are situations where the side-connected communication signal does not fully occupy the time-frequency domain resources. In this case, based on the signal structure relationship, it can be determined that there are idle padding symbols on the time-frequency domain resources. In order to avoid other communication devices occupying the idle padding symbols through channel access, resulting in problems such as inability to occupy continuously and low transmission efficiency, in this embodiment of the application, padding signals are transmitted to at least one second communication device on the padding symbols to occupy the padding symbols and achieve the purpose of continuous channel occupation.

[0093] In one possible implementation, when the first communication device transmits a padding signal to at least one second communication device on a padding symbol, it may also transmit a copy signal in the side-link communication signal; the side-link communication signal is a side-link positioning reference signal (SL PRS) and a side-link control signal transmitted by the first communication device to at least one second communication device using time-frequency domain resources; it may also transmit a preset signal.

[0094] The following section provides a detailed explanation of how to transmit a padding signal to at least one second communication device on a padding symbol, using specific examples.

[0095] Scenario 1: The side-connection communication signal is a side-connection communication signal transmitted by the first communication device in the time-frequency domain resources.

[0096] When the side-connection communication signal is a side-connection communication signal transmitted by the first communication device on the time-frequency domain resources, the occupancy status of each time slot in the time-frequency domain resources of the side-connection communication signal is determined, and based on the occupancy status of each time slot, it is determined whether there are idle filling symbols in the time slot. When it is determined that there are filling symbols, the filling symbols are filled by copying the side-connection communication signal, or by using a preset signal to fill the filling symbols, so as to transmit the copied signal or the preset signal to at least one second communication device on the filling symbols.

[0097] For example, in a side-connection positioning scenario, assuming an SLPRS resource pool is configured to contain P Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) symbols per time slot (e.g., P=14), for a certain time slot in a continuous time slot partitioned by time-domain resources associated with time-frequency domain resources, if not all symbols are used to transmit side-connection communication signals from the first communication device, that is, in addition to Automatic Gain Control (AGC) symbols, one or more GuardPeriod (GP) symbols, PSCCH symbols, and side-connection communication signals, there are N idle filling symbols in the time slot, then the filling symbols will be filled by copying the side-connection communication signals, or by using a preset signal to fill the filling symbols.

[0098] In one possible implementation, when filling symbols by copying side connection communication signals, the side connection communication signals on M symbols are copied into the side connection communication signals; where M is less than or equal to the number of filling symbols N, and M is greater than or equal to 1.

[0099] When replicating the side-connection communication signals on M symbols in a side-connection communication signal, the following method can be used:

[0100] Method 1: In the side-connected communication signals adjacent to the time domain of the filling symbols, copy the side-connected communication signals on the first M symbols.

[0101] For example, see Figure 3A , Figure 3A This is a schematic diagram illustrating the first method of filling a fill symbol using a copy signal, as provided in this application embodiment; from Figure 3A As can be seen from the data, there are two fill symbols after the side connection communication signal in the current time slot. At this time, the signal of the first two symbols in the side connection communication signal will be copied, and the copied signal will be used to fill the fill symbols.

[0102] Another example, see Figure 3B , Figure 3B This is a schematic diagram illustrating a second method of filling symbols using a copy signal, as provided in an embodiment of this application; from Figure 3B As can be seen from the data, if there are two padding symbols before the side connection communication signal in the current time slot, the signal of the first two symbols in the side connection communication signal will be copied, and the copied signal will be used to fill the padding symbols.

[0103] It should be noted that during the filling process, the filling order may or may not be the same as the original signal order being copied. For example, it may be filled in ascending order, or in descending order, or in other pre-configured orders.

[0104] During copying, it is also possible to copy only the signal of the first symbol position in the side connection communication signal, and use the copied signal to repeatedly fill the fill symbol.

[0105] Method 2: In the side-connected communication signals adjacent to the time domain of the filling symbols, copy the side-connected communication signals on the last M symbols.

[0106] For example, see Figure 4A , Figure 4A This is a schematic diagram illustrating a third method of filling symbols using a copy signal, as provided in an embodiment of this application; from Figure 4A As can be seen from the data, there are two padding symbols after the side connection communication signal in the current time slot. At this time, the signal of the last two symbol positions in the side connection communication signal will be copied, and the copied signal will be used to fill the padding symbols.

[0107] Another example, see Figure 4B , Figure 4BThis is a schematic diagram illustrating a fourth method of filling symbols using a copy signal, as provided in an embodiment of this application; from Figure 4B As can be seen from the data, there are two padding symbols before the side connection communication signal in the current time slot. At this time, the signal at the position of the last two symbols in the side connection communication signal will be copied, and the copied signal will be used to fill the padding symbols.

[0108] It should be noted that during the filling process, the filling order may or may not be the same as the original signal order being copied. For example, it may be filled in ascending order, or in descending order, or in other pre-configured orders.

[0109] During copying, it is also possible to copy only the signal at the last symbol position in the side connection communication signal, and use the copied signal to repeatedly fill the fill symbol.

[0110] Method 3: In the side-connection communication signal, copy the side-connection communication signal on the resource element with the lowest occupied frequency domain.

[0111] For example, in the current time slot, if there is a padding symbol after or before the side connection communication signal, such as two padding symbols, the side connection communication signals on the resource elements with the lowest occupied frequency domain will be copied, and the copied signals will be used to pad the padding symbols. Alternatively, the side connection signal on the resource element with the lowest occupied frequency domain will be copied, and the copied signals will be used to repeatedly pad the padding symbols.

[0112] Method 4: In the side connection communication signal, copy the side connection communication signal on the specified symbol.

[0113] For example, in the current time slot, when there is a padding symbol after or before the side connection communication signal, the side connection communication signal on the specified symbol will be copied, and the padding symbol will be filled using the copied signal, wherein the specified symbol is pre-configured or dynamically indicated.

[0114] In this embodiment, the side-connection communication signal is cyclically shifted on the padding symbol by means of copying the signal, so as to occupy the padding symbol and achieve the purpose of channel occupation.

[0115] In one possible implementation, when using a preset signal to fill in the fill symbol, the preset signal is:

[0116] The target signal covering the frequency domain units within the time-frequency domain resource, the target signal being used to characterize an invalid signal, or the target signal being random noise; for example, see Figure 5 , Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the first method of using random noise to fill in symbols, as provided in an embodiment of this application. Figure 5 In the current time slot, the first communication device transmits a side-connection communication signal within the frequency domain unit of the time-frequency domain resource, and there are two padding symbols after the side-connection communication signal. At this time, the first communication device will use random noise to pad the padding symbols; or

[0117] The specified reference signal covers the frequency domain unit within the time-frequency domain resource. The specified reference signal includes at least one of: demodulation reference signal (DMRS) and channel state information-reference signal (CSI-RS); see examples. Figure 5 This will not be elaborated upon here; or

[0118] Comb signals that cover frequency domain units within the time-frequency domain resources, determined based on the frequency domain structure of interleaved resource blocks; wherein the comb signals include at least one of: random noise, DMRS, and CSI-RS.

[0119] In this embodiment, the comb signal is determined by the interleaved resource blocks used by each frequency domain unit (or RB set) within the target number of side-connected communication signals. For example, within the target number of frequency domain units, each frequency domain unit (or RB set) uses one or more interleaved resource blocks with specific indices to occupy that set. These interleaved resource block indices can be pre-configured within the RB set (e.g., using the lowest frequency domain indices) or dynamically scheduled via SCI. These interleaved resource blocks can be defined as common interleaved resource blocks, and within the target number of frequency domain units, each frequency domain unit set can use common interleaved resource blocks with the same or different indices.

[0120] Scenario 2: The side connection communication signals are multiple side connection communication signals transmitted by the first communication device in the frequency domain unit of the time-frequency domain resource using the frequency division multiplexing method of continuous resource blocks.

[0121] When the side-connection communication signal is a series of side-connection communication signals transmitted by the first communication device in the frequency domain unit of the time-frequency domain resource using the frequency division multiplexing method of continuous resource blocks, the occupancy status of each time slot in the time domain resource of the side-connection communication signal is determined, and based on the occupancy status of each time slot, it is determined whether there are any idle filling symbols in the time slot. When it is determined that there are filling symbols, the filling symbols are filled by copying the side-connection communication signal, or by using a preset signal to fill the filling symbols, so as to transmit the copied signal in the side-connection communication signal or the preset signal to at least one second communication device on the filling symbol.

[0122] In one possible implementation, when filling symbols by copying side-connection communication signals, the side-connection communication signals of M symbols are copied into the side-connection communication signals; where M is less than or equal to the number of fill symbols N, and M is greater than or equal to 1; specifically, it can be done as follows:

[0123] Method 1: In the side-connected communication signals adjacent to the time domain of the filling symbols, copy the side-connected communication signals on the first M symbols;

[0124] Method 2: In the side-connected communication signals adjacent to the time domain of the filling symbols, copy the side-connected communication signals on the last M symbols;

[0125] Method 3: In the side-connection communication signal, copy the side-connection communication signal on the resource element with the lowest occupied frequency domain;

[0126] Method 4: In the side connection communication signal, copy the side connection communication signal on the specified symbol.

[0127] See Figure 6 , Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the fifth method of filling a fill symbol using a copy signal, as provided in the embodiments of this application. Figure 6 Taking the replication of the side-connection communication signals from the first M symbols in the side-connection communication signals adjacent to the time domain of the padding symbols as an example, from... Figure 6 As can be seen from the data, within the current time slot, the first communication device transmits two side-connection communication signals using frequency division multiplexing of continuous resource blocks within the target number of frequency domain units. There are two padding symbols before the side-connection communication signals. At this time, the signals at the positions of the first two symbols in the different side-connection communication signals will be copied, and the copied signals will be used to fill the padding symbols.

[0128] It should be noted that the method of filling the fill symbol using signal replication is similar to that in Case 1. Therefore, based on Case 1, combined with... Figure 6 The content can determine other ways to fill the fill symbol under the second situation, so it will not be repeated here.

[0129] In one possible implementation, when using a preset signal to fill in the fill symbol, the preset signal is:

[0130] The target signal covering the frequency domain units within the time-frequency domain resource; the target signal is used to characterize invalid signals, or the target signal is random noise; or

[0131] A designated reference signal covering a frequency domain cell within a time-frequency domain resource; the designated reference signal includes at least one of DMRS and CSI-RS; or

[0132] Comb signals that cover frequency domain units within the time-frequency domain resources, determined based on the frequency domain structure of interleaved resource blocks; wherein the comb signals include at least one of: random noise, DMRS, and CSI-RS.

[0133] It should be noted that the filling method using preset signals is similar to that in Case 1, so it will not be repeated here.

[0134] Scenario 3: The side connection communication signals are multiple side connection communication signals transmitted by the first communication device in one or more consecutive time slots in the time and frequency domain using time division multiplexing.

[0135] When the side-connection communication signal is a plurality of side-connection communication signals transmitted by the first communication device in a time-division multiplexing manner, the occupancy status of each time slot in the time-domain resources of the time-frequency domain of the side-connection communication signal is determined, and based on the occupancy status of each time slot, it is determined whether there are idle filling symbols in the time slot. When it is determined that there are filling symbols, the filling symbols are filled by copying the side-connection communication signal, or by using a preset signal to fill the filling symbols, so as to transmit the copied signal in the side-connection communication signal or the preset signal to at least one second communication device on the filling symbols.

[0136] In one possible implementation, when filling symbols by copying side-connection communication signals, the side-connection communication signals of M symbols are copied into the side-connection communication signals; where M is less than or equal to the number of fill symbols N, and M is greater than or equal to 1; specifically, it can be done as follows:

[0137] Method 1: In the side-connected communication signals adjacent to the time domain of the filling symbols, copy the side-connected communication signals on the first M symbols;

[0138] Method 2: In the side-connected communication signals adjacent to the time domain of the filling symbols, copy the side-connected communication signals on the last M symbols;

[0139] Method 3: In the side-connection communication signal, copy the side-connection communication signal on the resource element with the lowest occupied frequency domain;

[0140] Method 4: In the side connection communication signal, copy the side connection communication signal on the specified symbol.

[0141] It should be noted that the method of filling the fill symbol using signal replication is similar to the above case one, and will not be repeated here.

[0142] In one possible implementation, when using a preset signal to fill in the fill symbol, the preset signal is:

[0143] The target signal covering the frequency domain units within the time-frequency domain resource; the target signal is used to characterize invalid signals, or the target signal is random noise; or

[0144] A designated reference signal covering a frequency domain cell within a time-frequency domain resource; the designated reference signal includes at least one of DMRS and CSI-RS; or

[0145] Comb signals that cover frequency domain units within the time-frequency domain resources, determined based on the frequency domain structure of interleaved resource blocks; wherein the comb signals include at least one of: random noise, DMRS, and CSI-RS.

[0146] It should be noted that the filling method using preset signals is similar to that in Case 1, so it will not be repeated here.

[0147] Scenario 4: The side-connection communication signals are multiple side-connection communication signals transmitted by the first communication device in the frequency domain unit of the time-frequency domain resource using a comb-structured frequency division multiplexing method. These multiple side-connection communication signals can be a set of side-connection positioning reference signals, or multiple consecutive sets of time-division multiplexed side-connection positioning reference signals.

[0148] See Figure 7 , Figure 7 This application provides a schematic diagram of a frequency division multiplexing (FDM) signal transmission method using a comb-like structure, as illustrated in an embodiment of the present application. Figure 7 It can be seen that the side-connection communication signal adopts a comb structure, with the starting symbol number being 2 and the length being 12 OFDM symbols. Each symbol only uses a portion of the comb resource elements (REs) in the frequency domain, the comb spacing is 4 REs, and the starting symbol offset is 3 REs.

[0149] When the side-connection communication signal is a combination of multiple side-connection communication signals transmitted by the first communication device using a comb-structured frequency division multiplexing method, the occupancy status of each time slot in the time-domain resources of the time-frequency domain of the side-connection communication signal is determined. Based on the occupancy status of each time slot, it is determined whether there are any idle filling symbols in the time slot. If it is determined that there are filling symbols, the filling symbols are filled by copying the side-connection communication signal or by using a preset signal to fill the filling symbols, so as to transmit the copied signal in the side-connection communication signal or the preset signal to at least one second communication device on the filling symbols.

[0150] In one possible implementation, when filling symbols by copying side-connection communication signals, the side-connection communication signals of M symbols are copied into the side-connection communication signals; where M is less than or equal to the number of fill symbols N, and M is greater than or equal to 1; specifically, it can be done as follows:

[0151] Method 1: In the side-connected communication signals adjacent to the time domain of the filling symbols, copy the side-connected communication signals on the first M symbols;

[0152] Method 2: In the side-connected communication signals adjacent to the time domain of the filling symbols, copy the side-connected communication signals on the last M symbols;

[0153] Method 3: In the side-connection communication signal, copy the side-connection communication signal on the resource element with the lowest occupied frequency domain;

[0154] Method 4: In the side connection communication signal, copy the side connection communication signal on the specified symbol.

[0155] It should be noted that the method of filling the fill symbol using signal replication is similar to the above case one, and will not be repeated here.

[0156] In one possible implementation, when using a preset signal to fill in the fill symbol, the preset signal is:

[0157] The target signal covering the frequency domain units within the time-frequency domain resource; the target signal is used to characterize an invalid signal, or the target signal is random noise; for example, see Figure 8 , Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram illustrating a second method of filling symbols with random noise, as provided in an embodiment of this application. Figure 8 Assume that, within the current time slot, the first communication device transmits two side-connection communication signals using a comb-structured frequency division multiplexing method within the frequency domain units of the time-frequency domain resources, and that there are two padding symbols after the side-connection communication signals. In this case, the first communication device will use random noise to fill in the padding symbols; or

[0158] The specified reference signal covering the frequency domain unit within the time-frequency domain resource, wherein the specified reference signal includes at least one of: DMRS and CSI-RS; or

[0159] A comb signal covering frequency domain units within the time-frequency domain resources, determined based on the frequency domain structure of interleaved resource blocks, wherein the comb signal includes at least one of random noise, DMRS, and CSI-RS; for example, see [link to example]. Figure 9 , Figure 9 This application provides a schematic diagram illustrating the use of comb signals to fill symbols in an embodiment of the present application. Figure 9 It is assumed that, within the current time slot, the first communication device transmits two side-connected communication signals using a comb-structured frequency division multiplexing method within the frequency domain unit of the time-frequency domain resource, and there are two padding symbols after the side-connected communication signals. At this time, the first communication device will use the common IRB frequency domain resource to transmit random noise to fill the padding symbols.

[0160] Case 5: The side-connection communication signal is a single side-connection communication signal transmitted by multiple communication devices in the same device group on time-frequency domain resources.

[0161] When the side-connection communication signal is a single side-connection communication signal transmitted by multiple communication devices in the same device group on time-frequency domain resources, the occupancy status of each time slot in the time-frequency domain resources of the side-connection communication signal is determined. Based on the occupancy status of each time slot, it is determined whether there are idle fill symbols within the time slot. If fill symbols are found to exist, the fill symbols are filled by either copying the side-connection communication signal or by using a preset signal. This allows the copied signal from the side-connection communication signal or the preset signal to be transmitted to at least one second communication device on the fill symbols. It should be noted that the principle of Case 5 is the same as that of Case 1 above, and will not be repeated here.

[0162] Case 6: Side connection communication signals are multiple side connection communication signals transmitted by multiple communication devices in the same device group using frequency division multiplexing of continuous resource blocks within the frequency domain unit of the time and frequency domain resources.

[0163] When the side-connection communication signals are multiple side-connection communication signals transmitted by multiple communication devices in the same device group using frequency division multiplexing (FDM) within the frequency domain units of the time-frequency domain resources, the occupancy status of each time slot in the time-frequency domain resources of the side-connection communication signals is determined. Based on the occupancy status of each time slot, it is determined whether there are any idle padding symbols within the time slot. If padding symbols are found to exist, the padding symbols are either filled by copying the side-connection communication signals or by using a preset signal. This allows the copied signal from the side-connection communication signals or the preset signal to be transmitted to at least one second communication device on the padding symbols. It should be noted that the principle of Case Six is ​​the same as that of Case Two above, and will not be repeated here.

[0164] Case 7: Side connection communication signals are multiple side connection communication signals transmitted by multiple communication devices in the same device group using time-division multiplexing in the time-frequency domain resources.

[0165] When the side-connection communication signal is a series of side-connection communication signals transmitted by multiple communication devices in the same device group using time-division multiplexing on time-frequency domain resources, the occupancy status of each time slot in the time-frequency domain resources of the side-connection communication signal is determined. Based on the occupancy status of each time slot, it is determined whether there are any idle filling symbols in the time slot. If it is determined that there are filling symbols, the filling symbols are filled by copying the side-connection communication signal or by using a preset signal to fill the filling symbols, so as to transmit the copied signal in the side-connection communication signal or the preset signal to at least one second communication device on the filling symbols.

[0166] See Figure 10A , Figure 10A This is a schematic diagram illustrating a sixth method of filling a fill symbol using a copy signal, as provided in an embodiment of this application. Figure 10A Taking the example of two communication devices transmitting a side-connection communication signal using time-division multiplexing within the current time slot, and copying the side-connection communication signal from the last M symbols in the side-connection communication signal adjacent to the time domain of the filling symbols; from Figure 10A As can be seen from the data, the current time slot contains two side-connection communication signals from different communication devices (such as the first communication device and the second communication device) based on time division multiplexing, and there are two idle symbols after the side-connection communication signals. At this time, a communication device (such as the first communication device) copies the last two signals of its associated side-connection communication signal and uses the copied signal to fill the filling symbols.

[0167] See Figure 10B , Figure 10B This is a schematic diagram illustrating the seventh method of filling a fill symbol using a copy signal, as provided in the embodiments of this application. Figure 10B Taking the example of two communication devices transmitting a side-connection communication signal using time-division multiplexing within the current time slot, and copying the side-connection communication signal from the last M symbols in the side-connection communication signal adjacent to the time domain of the filling symbols; from Figure 10B As can be seen from the data, the time slot contains two side-connection communication signals, which come from the first communication device and the second communication device respectively. The two side-connection communication signals are transmitted sequentially in the current time slot. At the same time, there is an empty padding symbol after each side-connection communication signal. At this time, the first communication device copies the last symbol of the side-connection communication signal related to it and the last symbol of the side-connection communication signal unrelated to it, and fills the two empty padding symbols respectively.

[0168] It should be noted that the principle of situation seven is the same as that of situation three above, and will not be repeated here.

[0169] Case 8: Side-connection communication signals are multiple side-connection communication signals transmitted by multiple communication devices in the same equipment group using a comb-structured frequency division multiplexing method within the frequency domain units of the time-frequency domain resources.

[0170] When the side-connection communication signal is a series of side-connection communication signals transmitted by multiple communication devices in the same device group using time-division multiplexing on time-frequency domain resources, the occupancy status of each time slot in the time-frequency domain resources of the side-connection communication signal is determined. Based on the occupancy status of each time slot, it is determined whether there are any idle filling symbols in the time slot. If it is determined that there are filling symbols, the filling symbols are filled by copying the side-connection communication signal or by using a preset signal to fill the filling symbols, so as to transmit the copied signal in the side-connection communication signal or the preset signal to at least one second communication device on the filling symbols.

[0171] See Figure 11 , Figure 11 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the eighth method of filling a fill symbol using a copy signal, as provided in the embodiments of this application; from Figure 11 As can be seen from the data, the time slot contains two side-connection communication signals from the first communication device and the second communication device respectively, based on the comb structure frequency division multiplexing, and there are two idle symbols after the side-connection communication signals. At this time, the first communication device copies the last two side-connection communication information of the side-connection communication signal that is unrelated to it, and uses the copied signal to fill the filling symbols.

[0172] It should be noted that the principle of Case 8 is similar to that of Case 4 above, and will not be repeated here.

[0173] Furthermore, the implementation methods of the above-mentioned situations can be combined with each other according to the actual usage.

[0174] In the embodiments of this application, when the filling signal is a copy signal, when the first communication device transmits the filling signal to at least one second communication device, it can use the same or different power as the corresponding original signal for transmission. The transmission power of each copy signal can be the same or different, and the transmission power of the copy signal can be pre-configured or dynamically scheduled.

[0175] Based on scenarios five to eight above, where multiple side-connection communication signals are side-connection communication signals synchronously transmitted on time-frequency domain resources by a first communication device and at least one second communication device in the same device group, before the first communication device transmits the padding signal to at least one second communication device on the padding symbol, it will determine, based on transmission indication information, to use the time-frequency domain resources corresponding to the specific padding symbol to transmit the padding signal to at least one second communication device; wherein, the transmission indication information is pre-configured or dynamically indicated.

[0176] For example, a first communication device receives an SCI sent from another device; wherein the SCI includes a new field for carrying transmission indication information, and the new field replaces a portion of the existing fields in the conventional format of the SCI; or the SCI includes existing fields in the conventional format and a new field carrying transmission indication information.

[0177] In another example, the first communication device receives a Medium Access Control-Control Element (MAC-CE) sent from another device; wherein the MAC-CE includes a new field for carrying transmission indication information, and the new field replaces a portion of the existing fields in the conventional format of the MAC-CE; or the MAC-CE includes existing fields in the conventional format and a new field carrying transmission indication information.

[0178] It should be noted that other devices can be network-side devices or at least one second communication device in the same device group.

[0179] In one possible implementation, if the transmission indication information indicates that the communication device that initiated the channel occupation is responsible for transmitting the padding signal on the time-frequency domain resources corresponding to all padding symbols, then when the first communication device determines that it is the communication device that initiated the channel occupation, it uses the time-frequency domain resources corresponding to all padding symbols to transmit the padding signal to at least one second communication device; that is, the first communication device transmits all padding signals.

[0180] In one possible implementation, if the transmission indication information indicates that the communication device transmitting SCI is responsible for transmitting padding signals on the time-frequency domain resources corresponding to all padding symbols within the time-frequency domain resources, then when the first communication device determines that it is the communication device transmitting SCI, it uses the time-frequency domain resources corresponding to all padding symbols to transmit padding signals to at least one second communication device; that is, the first communication device transmits all padding signals.

[0181] In one possible implementation, if the transmission indication information indicates that at least one communication device whose side connection communication signal is copied transmits a corresponding side connection communication signal on the padding symbol corresponding to its copied side connection communication signal, then the first communication device determines that its transmitted side connection communication signal is copied. Then, the first communication device uses the time-frequency domain resources corresponding to its copied side connection communication signal in the padding symbol to transmit its copied side connection communication signal to at least one second communication device; that is, the communication device that has the signal copied transmits its corresponding copied signal.

[0182] In this embodiment of the application, before performing step S201, it is also necessary to determine the source of the frequency domain unit in the time-frequency domain resource, and based on the source of the frequency domain unit in the time-frequency domain resource and whether there is a padding symbol on the time-frequency domain resource, it is determined whether to transmit a padding signal to at least one second communication device on the padding symbol.

[0183] For example, if the frequency domain unit in the time-frequency domain resource is a resource in the SRP, then when the time-frequency domain resource does not contain service data and it is determined that there is a padding symbol on the time-frequency domain resource, a padding signal is transmitted to at least one second communication device on the padding symbol.

[0184] For example, if the frequency domain unit in the time-frequency domain resource is a resource in the DRP, then when it is determined that there is a padding symbol on the frequency domain unit, a padding signal is transmitted to at least one second communication device on the padding symbol.

[0185] In this application embodiment, another signal transmission method is also provided, applied to a second communication device, see [link to relevant documentation]. Figure 12 , Figure 12 Another signal transmission method flowchart provided in this application embodiment includes the following steps:

[0186] In step S1200, the second communication device receives at least one side-connection communication signal and a fill signal transmitted by the first communication device; wherein the first communication device and the second communication device are located in the same device group;

[0187] Step S1201: The second communication device determines the time-frequency domain resources used for signal transmission based on at least one side-connection communication signal and a padding signal;

[0188] Step S1202: The second communication device determines the signal structure relationship of at least one side-connected communication signal in the time-frequency domain resources;

[0189] In step S1203, the second communication device transmits a padding signal to at least one other second communication device and the first communication device on the padding symbol in the time-frequency domain resource based on the signal structure relationship.

[0190] It should be noted that the second communication device operates in a similar manner to the first communication device. For details on the implementation, please refer to the relevant content of the first communication device mentioned above. It will not be repeated here.

[0191] In the embodiments of this application, when transmitting at least one side-connection communication signal in one or more consecutive time slots of time-frequency domain resources, if there are idle padding symbols on the time-frequency domain resources, padding signals are transmitted to other communication devices in the same device group on the padding symbols to enhance the signal structure in the corresponding time slot of the time-frequency domain resources. This satisfies the continuous channel occupancy requirements and channel occupancy bandwidth requirements of time-frequency domain resources, efficiently utilizes channel occupancy, avoids re-initiating the channel access process, and thus improves the utilization efficiency of time-frequency domain resources. This enables multiple communication devices in the same device group to efficiently transmit side-connection communication signals on time-frequency domain resources.

[0192] Based on the same inventive concept, embodiments of this application provide a signal transmission device, such as... Figure 13 As shown, the signal transmission device 1300 includes:

[0193] The first determining module 1301 is used to determine the signal structure relationship of at least one side-connection communication signal in the time-frequency domain resources; the time-frequency domain resources include one or more consecutive time slots and are used to transmit at least one side-connection communication signal;

[0194] The first transmission module 1302 is used to transmit a padding signal to at least one second communication device in the same device group based on the padding symbol in the time-frequency domain resources, according to the signal structure relationship.

[0195] In one possible implementation, the first transmission module 1302 is specifically used for:

[0196] The transmission side connection communication signal is a copy signal; the side connection communication signal is at least one of the side connection reference signal SLRS and the side connection control signal SCI; or

[0197] Transmit preset signals.

[0198] In one possible implementation, the first transmission module 1302 is specifically used for:

[0199] Transmit the side-connection communication signal on M symbols copied in the side-connection communication signal; where M is less than or equal to the number of padding symbols.

[0200] In one possible implementation, the side-connection communication signals are copied from M symbols, including:

[0201] In at least one side-connected communication signal adjacent to the time domain of the padding symbol, copy the side-connected communication signals from the first M symbols; or

[0202] In at least one side-connected communication signal adjacent to the time domain of the padding symbol, copy the side-connected communication signal from the last M symbols; or

[0203] In side-connection communication signals, the side-connection communication signal on the resource element with the lowest occupied frequency domain is copied; or

[0204] In the side-connection communication signal, copy the side-connection communication signal on the specified symbol.

[0205] In one possible implementation, the first transmission module 1302 is specifically used for:

[0206] The transmission covers the target signal of the frequency domain unit within the time-frequency domain resource; the target signal is used to characterize an invalid signal, or the target signal is random noise; or

[0207] The transmission covers a specified reference signal for a frequency domain cell within the time-frequency domain resource; the specified reference signal includes at least one of: demodulation reference signal DMRS and channel state information reference signal CSI-RS; or

[0208] The transmission is based on the frequency domain structure of interleaved resource blocks, which determines the frequency domain units within the time-frequency domain resources; wherein the comb signal includes at least one of random noise, DMRS, and CSI-RS.

[0209] In one possible implementation, if at least one side-connection communication signal includes multiple side-connection communication signals, then the multiple side-connection communication signals are:

[0210] The first communication device transmits side-connection communication signals using frequency division multiplexing within the frequency domain units of the time-frequency domain resources; or

[0211] The first communication device transmits side-connection communication signals using a comb-structured frequency division multiplexing method within the frequency domain units of the time-frequency domain resources; or

[0212] The first communication device transmits side-connection communication signals using time-division multiplexing in one or more consecutive time slots; or

[0213] Side-connected communication signals synchronously transmitted on time-frequency domain resources by a first communication device and at least one second communication device in the same device group.

[0214] In one possible implementation, if multiple side-connection communication signals are side-connection communication signals synchronously transmitted on time-frequency domain resources by a first communication device and at least one second communication device in the same device group, then the first transmission module 1302 is further configured to:

[0215] Before transmitting the padding signal to at least one second communication device on the padding symbol, based on the transmission indication information, it is determined to use the time-frequency domain resources corresponding to the specified padding symbol to transmit the padding signal to at least one second communication device.

[0216] The transmission indication information is either pre-configured or dynamically indicated.

[0217] In one possible implementation, if the transmission indication information is dynamically indicated, then an SCI sent by another device is received; wherein the SCI includes a new field for carrying the transmission indication information, and the new field replaces some existing fields in the traditional SCI format; or the SCI includes existing fields in the traditional format and a new field carrying the transmission indication information; or

[0218] Receive a Media Access Control-Control Element (MAC-CE) sent by another device; wherein the MAC-CE includes a new field for carrying transmission indication information, and the new field replaces a portion of the existing fields in the conventional format of the MAC-CE; or the MAC-CE includes existing fields in the conventional format and a new field carrying transmission indication information.

[0219] In one possible implementation, the first transmission module 1302 is specifically used for:

[0220] If the transmission indication information indicates that the communication device initiating channel occupancy transmits padding signals on all time-frequency domain resources corresponding to padding symbols, then when the first communication device determines that it is the communication device initiating channel occupancy, it uses all time-frequency domain resources corresponding to padding symbols to transmit padding signals to at least one second communication device; or

[0221] If the transmission indication information indicates that, within the time-frequency domain resources, the communication device transmitting SCI transmits padding signals on all time-frequency domain resources corresponding to padding symbols, then when the first communication device determines itself to be the communication device transmitting SCI, it uses all time-frequency domain resources corresponding to padding symbols to transmit padding signals to at least one second communication device; or

[0222] If the transmission indication information indicates that at least one communication device whose side connection communication signal is copied transmits the corresponding side connection communication signal on the padding symbol corresponding to its copied side connection communication signal, then the first communication device determines that its transmitted side connection communication signal has been copied. Then the first communication device uses the time-frequency domain resources corresponding to its copied side connection communication signal in the padding symbol to transmit its copied side connection communication signal to at least one second communication device.

[0223] In one possible implementation, if the frequency domain unit within the time-frequency domain resource is a resource in the shared resource pool (SRP), then when the time-frequency domain resource does not contain service data and it is determined that a padding symbol exists on the time-frequency domain resource, a padding signal is transmitted to at least one second communication device on the padding symbol; or

[0224] If the frequency domain unit within the time-frequency domain resource is a resource in the Dedicated Resource Pool (DRP), then when it is determined that there is a padding symbol on the time-frequency domain resource, a padding signal is transmitted to at least one second communication device on the padding symbol.

[0225] In one possible implementation, the first determining module 1301 is further configured to:

[0226] Based on the frequency domain bandwidth of at least one side-connected SL communication signal, determine the target number of frequency domain units in the resource pool on the shared spectrum, and determine the time domain resources corresponding to the frequency domain units based on the time domain configuration.

[0227] Based on the target number of frequency domain cells and the corresponding time domain resources, the time-frequency domain resources are determined.

[0228] In one possible implementation, the first determining module 1301 is further configured to:

[0229] Before determining at least one side-connection communication signal and the signal structure relationship in the time-frequency domain resources, an indication signal transmitted by a second communication device is received; the indication signal includes at least information indicating at least one of a side-connection communication signal and a padding signal.

[0230] Based on the resources used by the transmission indication signal, determine the time-frequency domain resources.

[0231] Based on the same inventive concept, embodiments of this application provide a signal transmission device, such as... Figure 14 As shown, the signal transmission device 1400 includes:

[0232] Receiver module 1401 is used to receive at least one side-connection communication signal and a fill signal transmitted by a first communication device in the same device group;

[0233] The second determining module 1402 is used to determine the time-frequency domain resources used during signal transmission based on at least one side-connected communication signal and a padding signal.

[0234] The third determining module 1403 is used to determine the signal structure relationship of at least one side-connected communication signal in the time-frequency domain resources;

[0235] The second transmission module 1404 is used to transmit a padding signal to at least one other second communication device and a first communication device based on the padding symbols within the time-frequency domain resources, according to the signal structure relationship. It should be noted that although several units (or modules) of the apparatus have been mentioned in the above detailed description, this division is merely exemplary and not mandatory. In fact, according to embodiments of this application, the features and functions of two or more units (or modules) described above can be embodied in one unit (or module). Conversely, the features and functions of one unit (or module) described above can be further divided and embodied by multiple units (or modules). Of course, in implementing this application, the functions of each unit (or module) can also be implemented in one or more software or hardware components.

[0236] In this application embodiment, the term "unit" (or "module") refers to a computer program or part of a computer program that has a predetermined function and works with other related parts to achieve a predetermined goal, and can be implemented wholly or partially using software, hardware (such as processing circuitry or memory), or a combination thereof. Similarly, a processor (or multiple processors or memory) can be used to implement one or more modules or units. Furthermore, each module or unit can be part of an overall module or unit that includes the functionality of that module or unit.

[0237] After introducing the signal transmission method and apparatus of exemplary embodiments of this application, another exemplary embodiment of this application, a communication device, will be introduced next.

[0238] Those skilled in the art will understand that aspects of this application can be implemented as systems, methods, or program products. Therefore, aspects of this application can be specifically implemented in the following forms: a completely hardware implementation, a completely software implementation (including firmware, microcode, etc.), or a combination of hardware and software implementations, collectively referred to herein as a "circuit," "module," or "system."

[0239] In one possible implementation, the communication device provided in this application embodiment may include at least one processor and at least one memory. The memory stores program code, which, when executed by the processor, causes the processor to perform any step of the signal transmission method in the various exemplary embodiments of this application.

[0240] See below. Figure 15 This application describes a communication device 150 according to this embodiment. Figure 15 The communication device 150 shown is merely an example and should not impose any limitations on the functionality and scope of use of the embodiments of this application.

[0241] like Figure 15As shown, the components of the communication device 150 may include, but are not limited to: at least one processor 151, at least one memory 152, and a bus 153 connecting different system components (including memory 152 and processor 151).

[0242] Bus 153 represents one or more of several bus structures, including a memory bus or memory controller, peripheral bus, processor, or local bus using any of the various bus structures.

[0243] The memory 152 may include a readable medium in the form of volatile memory, such as random access memory (RAM) 1521 and / or cache memory 1522, and may further include read-only memory (ROM) 1523.

[0244] The memory 152 may also include a program / utility 1525 having a set (at least one) of program modules 1524, including but not limited to: an operating system, one or more application programs, other program modules, and program data, each or some combination of these examples may include an implementation of a network environment.

[0245] The communication device 150 can also communicate with one or more external devices 154 (e.g., keyboard, pointing device, etc.), one or more devices that enable a user to interact with the communication device 150, and / or any device that enables the communication device 150 to communicate with one or more other electronic devices (e.g., router, modem, etc.). This communication can be performed via input / output (I / O) interface 155. Furthermore, the communication device 150 can also communicate with one or more networks (e.g., local area network (LAN), wide area network (WAN), and / or public networks, such as the Internet) via network adapter 156. As shown, network adapter 156 communicates with other modules used in the communication device 150 via bus 153. It should be understood that, although not shown in the figures, other hardware and / or software modules can be used in conjunction with the communication device 150, including but not limited to: microcode, device drivers, redundant processors, external disk drive arrays, RAID systems, tape drives, and data backup storage systems.

[0246] In some possible implementations, aspects of the signal transmission method provided in this application may also be implemented as a program product, which includes a computer program. When the program product is run on a communication device, the computer program is used to cause the communication device to perform the steps of the signal transmission method according to the various exemplary embodiments of this application described above.

[0247] The program product may employ any combination of one or more readable media. A readable medium may be a readable signal medium or a readable storage medium. A readable storage medium may be, for example, but not limited to, an electrical, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor system, apparatus, or device, or any combination thereof. More specific examples (a non-exhaustive list) of readable storage media include: electrical connections having one or more wires, portable disks, hard disks, random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or flash memory), optical fiber, portable compact disk read-only memory (CD-ROM), optical storage devices, magnetic storage devices, or any suitable combination thereof.

[0248] The program product of the embodiments of this application may employ a portable compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM) and include a computer program, and may run on a communication device. However, the program product of this application is not limited thereto. In this document, the readable storage medium may be any tangible medium that contains or stores a program that may be used by or in conjunction with a command execution system, apparatus, or device.

[0249] A readable signal medium may include a data signal propagated in baseband or as part of a carrier wave, carrying a readable computer program. This propagated data signal may take various forms, including but not limited to electromagnetic signals, optical signals, or any suitable combination thereof. A readable signal medium may also be any readable medium other than a readable storage medium, capable of sending, propagating, or transmitting a program for use by or in conjunction with a command execution system, apparatus, or device.

[0250] Computer programs contained on readable media may be transmitted using any suitable medium, including but not limited to wireless, wired, optical fiber, RF, etc., or any suitable combination thereof.

[0251] Those skilled in the art will understand that embodiments of this application can be provided as methods, systems, or computer program products. Therefore, this application can take the form of a completely hardware embodiment, a completely software embodiment, or an embodiment combining software and hardware aspects. Furthermore, this application can take the form of a computer program product embodied on one or more computer-usable storage media (including, but not limited to, disk storage, CD-ROM, optical storage, etc.) containing a computer-usable computer program.

[0252] This application is described with reference to flowchart illustrations and / or block diagrams of methods, apparatus (systems), and computer program products according to embodiments of this application. It will be understood that each block of the flowchart illustrations and / or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in the flowchart illustrations and / or block diagrams, can be implemented by computer program instructions. These computer program instructions can be provided to a processor of a general-purpose computer, special-purpose computer, embedded processor, or other programmable device to produce a machine, such that the instructions, which execute via the processor of the computer or other programmable device, produce a mechanism for implementing the flowchart illustrations. Figure 1 One or more processes and / or boxes Figure 1 A device that specifies a function in one or more boxes.

[0253] These computer program commands may also be stored in a computer-readable storage medium that can direct a computer or other programmable device to function in a particular manner, such that the commands stored in the computer-readable storage medium produce an article of manufacture including command means, which are implemented in a process Figure 1 One or more processes and / or boxes Figure 1 The function is specified in one or more boxes.

[0254] These computer program instructions can also be loaded onto a computer or other programmable device to cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer or other programmable device to produce a computer-implemented process, thereby providing the instructions that execute on the computer or other programmable device for implementing the process. Figure 1 One or more processes and / or boxes Figure 1 The steps that specify the function are in one or more boxes.

[0255] Although preferred embodiments of this application have been described, those skilled in the art, upon learning the basic inventive concept, can make other changes and modifications to these embodiments. Therefore, the appended claims are intended to be interpreted as including the preferred embodiments as well as all changes and modifications falling within the scope of this application.

[0256] Obviously, those skilled in the art can make various modifications and variations to this application without departing from the spirit and scope of this application. Therefore, if such modifications and variations fall within the scope of the claims of this application and their equivalents, this application also intends to include such modifications and variations.

Claims

1. A signal transmission method, characterized in that, Applied to a first communication device, the method includes: Determine the signal structure relationship of at least one side-connected SL communication signal in the time-frequency domain resources; the time-frequency domain resources include one or more consecutive time slots and are used to transmit at least one of the side-connected communication signals; Based on the signal structure relationship, a padding signal is transmitted to at least one second communication device on the padding symbol within the time-frequency domain resource; wherein the first communication device and the at least one second communication device are located in the same device group.

2. The method as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The transmission of the fill signal to at least one second communication device includes: The transmission of the copy signal in the side connection communication signal; the side connection communication signal is at least one of the side connection reference signal SLRS and the side connection control signal SCI; or Transmit preset signals.

3. The method as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The replicated signal in the side connection communication signal transmission includes: The side-connection communication signal is transmitted on M symbols copied in the side-connection communication signal; wherein M is less than or equal to the number of the padding symbols.

4. The method as described in claim 3, characterized in that, In the side-connection communication signal, replicating the side-connection communication signal on M symbols includes: In at least one of the side-connection communication signals adjacent to the time domain of the filling symbol, the side-connection communication signals on the first M symbols are copied; or In at least one of the side-connection communication signals adjacent to the time domain of the filling symbol, the side-connection communication signal on the last M symbols is copied; or In the side-connection communication signals, the side-connection communication signal on the resource element with the lowest occupied frequency domain is copied; or In the side connection communication signal, the side connection communication signal on the specified symbol is copied.

5. The method as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The transmission preset signal includes: Transmit a target signal covering the frequency domain units within the time-frequency domain resources; the target signal is used to characterize an invalid signal, or the target signal is random noise; or Transmit a designated reference signal covering frequency domain units within the time-frequency domain resources; the designated reference signal includes at least one of: demodulation reference signal DMRS and channel state information reference signal CSI-RS; or Transmit a comb signal that covers frequency domain units within the time-frequency domain resources, determined by the frequency domain structure of the interleaved resource blocks; wherein the comb signal includes at least one of random noise, DMRS, and CSI-RS.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1-5, characterized in that, If the at least one side-connection communication signal includes multiple side-connection communication signals, then the multiple side-connection communication signals are: The first communication device transmits side-connection communication signals using frequency division multiplexing (FDM) within the frequency domain units of the time-frequency domain resources; or The first communication device transmits side-connection communication signals using a comb-structured frequency division multiplexing method within the frequency domain units of the time-frequency domain resources; or The first communication device transmits side-connection communication signals in one or more consecutive time slots using time-division multiplexing; or The first communication device and at least one second communication device in the same device group synchronously transmit side-connected communication signals on the time-frequency domain resources.

7. The method as described in claim 6, characterized in that, If the plurality of side-connection communication signals are side-connection communication signals synchronously transmitted on the time-frequency domain resources by the first communication device and at least one second communication device in the same device group, then before transmitting the padding signal to the at least one second communication device, the method further includes: Based on the transmission indication information, determine the time-frequency domain resources corresponding to the specified padding symbol, and transmit the padding signal to at least one second communication device. The transmission indication information is either pre-configured or dynamically indicated.

8. The method as described in claim 7, characterized in that, If the transmission indication information is dynamically indicated, the method further includes: Receive an SCI sent by another device; wherein the SCI includes a new field for carrying the transmission indication information, and the new field replaces a portion of the existing fields in the conventional format of the SCI; or the SCI includes existing fields in the conventional format and a new field carrying the transmission indication information; or Receive a Media Access Control-Control Element (MAC-CE) sent by another device; wherein the MAC-CE includes a new field for carrying the transmission indication information, and the new field replaces a portion of the existing fields in the conventional format of the MAC-CE; or the MAC-CE includes existing fields in the conventional format and a new field carrying the transmission indication information.

9. The method as described in claim 7, characterized in that, The first communication device, based on transmission indication information, determines to use the time-frequency domain resources corresponding to the specified padding symbol to transmit a padding signal to at least one second communication device, including: If the transmission indication information indicates that the communication device initiating channel occupancy transmits the padding signal on all time-frequency domain resources corresponding to the padding symbols, then when the first communication device determines that it is the communication device initiating channel occupancy, it uses all time-frequency domain resources corresponding to the padding symbols to transmit the padding signal to at least one second communication device; or If the transmission indication information indicates that, within the time-frequency domain resources, the communication device transmitting SCI transmits the padding signal on all time-frequency domain resources corresponding to all padding symbols, then when the first communication device determines itself to be the communication device transmitting SCI, it uses all time-frequency domain resources corresponding to all padding symbols to transmit the padding signal to at least one second communication device; or If the transmission indication information indicates that at least one communication device whose side connection communication signal is copied transmits the corresponding side connection communication signal on the padding symbol corresponding to its copied side connection communication signal, then the first communication device determines that its transmitted side connection communication signal is copied. Then the first communication device uses the time-frequency domain resources corresponding to its copied side connection communication signal in the padding symbol to transmit its copied side connection communication signal to at least one second communication device.

10. The method according to any one of claims 1-5, characterized in that, If the frequency domain unit within the time-frequency domain resource is a resource in the shared resource pool (SRP), then the time-frequency domain resource does not contain service data, and when it is determined that there is a padding symbol on the time-frequency domain resource, the padding signal is transmitted to at least one second communication device on the padding symbol. or If the frequency domain unit within the time-frequency domain resource is a resource in the Dedicated Resource Pool (DRP), then when it is determined that there is a padding symbol on the time-frequency domain resource, the padding signal is transmitted to at least one second communication device on the padding symbol.

11. The method according to any one of claims 1-5, characterized in that, Before determining the signal structure relationship of at least one side-connected communication signal in the time-frequency domain resources, the method further includes: Based on the frequency domain bandwidth of at least one side-connected SL communication signal, a target number of frequency domain units are determined in a resource pool on the shared spectrum, and the time domain resources corresponding to the frequency domain units are determined based on the time domain configuration. The time-frequency domain resources are determined based on the target number of frequency domain units and the corresponding time domain resources.

12. The method according to any one of claims 1-5, characterized in that, Before determining the signal structure relationship of at least one side-connected communication signal in the time-frequency domain resources, the method further includes: Receive an indication signal transmitted by the second communication device; the indication signal includes information indicating at least one of a side-connection communication signal and a filling signal; The time-frequency domain resources are determined based on the resources used to transmit the indication signal.

13. A signal transmission method, characterized in that, Applied to a second communication device, the method includes: Receive at least one side-connection communication signal and a fill signal transmitted by a first communication device; wherein the first communication device and the second communication device are located in the same device group; Based on at least one of the side-connection communication signals and the padding signal, determine the time-frequency domain resources used during signal transmission; Determine the signal structure relationship of at least one side-connected communication signal over the time-frequency domain resource; Based on the signal structure relationship, a padding signal is transmitted to at least one other second communication device and the first communication device on the padding symbol within the time-frequency domain resource.

14. A communication device, characterized in that, The method includes at least one processor; and a memory communicatively connected to the at least one processor; wherein the memory stores instructions executable by the at least one processor, the instructions being executed by the at least one processor to enable the at least one processor to perform the method as described in any one of claims 1-12, or to perform the method as described in claim 13.

15. A signal transmission device, characterized in that, The device includes: The first determining module is used to determine the signal structure relationship of at least one side-connection communication signal in the time-frequency domain resources; the time-frequency domain resources include one or more consecutive time slots and are used to transmit at least one of the side-connection communication signals; The first transmission module is used to transmit a padding signal to at least one second communication device in the same device group on the padding symbol within the time-frequency domain resource, based on the signal structure relationship.

16. A signal transmission device, characterized in that, The device includes: A receiving module is used to receive at least one side-connection communication signal and a padding signal transmitted by a first communication device in the same device group; The second determining module is used to determine the time-frequency domain resources used during signal transmission based on at least one of the side-connection communication signals and the padding signal; The third determining module is used to determine the signal structure relationship of at least one side-connected communication signal on the time-frequency domain resource; The second transmission module is used to transmit a padding signal to at least one other second communication device and the first communication device on the padding symbols within the time-frequency domain resources, based on the signal structure relationship.

17. A computer storage medium, characterized in that, The computer storage medium stores a computer program that enables the computer to perform the method as described in any one of claims 1-12, or to perform the method as described in claim 13.

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