Communication method and communication device

Abstract

Disclosed are a communication method and a communication device, the communication method comprising: sending a first report, the first report comprising beam quality prediction information, the beam quality prediction information indicating at least one prediction result, and one prediction result being a prediction result of one beam at one time. By implementing the application, the terminal equipment can report the prediction result to the network equipment, so that the network equipment can make a decision according to the prediction result, and the decision accuracy and the decision timeliness are improved.

Description

Technical Field

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

[0002] For unicast transmission between network devices and terminal devices, the maximum link gain can be achieved when the transmit and receive beams are aligned. The process of aligning the beams of network devices and terminal devices is called beam management. Beam management includes beam measurement and beam reporting. Beam measurement refers to the terminal device measuring the results of multiple beams. Beam reporting refers to the terminal device selecting and reporting the measurement results of M beams from the multiple measured beams, where M is an integer greater than or equal to 1. Currently, terminal devices report the actual measurement results to network devices. Network devices can only make decisions based on these measurement results; for example, they can only perform beam indication based on measurement results. This obviously imposes significant limitations on the network device's decision-making. Summary of the Invention

[0003] This application provides a communication method and a communication device, which enables a terminal device to report prediction results to a network device, thereby facilitating the network device to make decisions based on the prediction results and improving the accuracy and timeliness of the decisions.

[0004] In a first aspect, embodiments of this application provide a communication method, the method comprising:

[0005] Send a first report, the first report including beam quality prediction information, the beam quality prediction information indicating at least one prediction result, one of the prediction results being a prediction result for a beam at one time.

[0006] Implementing the method of the first aspect, the first report includes beam quality prediction information for indicating at least one prediction result, which facilitates network devices to make decisions based on the prediction results. For example, network devices can perform beam indication, beam switching, etc., based on the prediction results. Since the network devices take the beam prediction results into account when making decisions, the accuracy of the decisions can be improved. Furthermore, since the prediction results can predict the future beam quality, the network devices can know the future beam quality in advance, which can also improve the timeliness of the decisions.

[0007] In one possible implementation, the beam quality prediction information indicates at least one prediction result, including:

[0008] The beam quality prediction information indicates the prediction results at N time points, and the prediction results at each time point include the prediction results of one or more beams that meet the target conditions, where N is a natural number.

[0009] The target conditions include one or more of the following:

[0010] The prediction result meets the first threshold;

[0011] The prediction result belongs to the M best prediction results among all prediction results obtained at the corresponding time, where the value of M is indicated by the network device or is predefined, and M is a natural number.

[0012] By implementing this method, the terminal device can flexibly report prediction results for one or more time periods, and the reported prediction results are the prediction results of the beams that meet the target conditions, thereby reducing the number of reported prediction results and saving costs.

[0013] In one possible implementation, the beam quality prediction information includes a reference prediction result and a first differential prediction result;

[0014] The reference prediction result is one of the at least one prediction results;

[0015] The first difference prediction result is the difference between the first prediction result and the reference prediction result, and the first prediction result is one of the at least one prediction results other than the reference prediction result.

[0016] By implementing this method, prediction results can be reported differentially, thereby saving signaling overhead.

[0017] In one possible implementation, the beam quality prediction information indicates the prediction results of the first beam at at least two times;

[0018] The reference prediction result is the prediction result of the first beam at the reference time, and the first prediction result is the prediction result of the first beam at the non-reference time.

[0019] The reference time and the non-reference time are different times among the at least two times.

[0020] By implementing this method, the prediction results of the same beam at different times can be differentially analyzed, which makes it easier for network devices to quickly recover the prediction results of the same beam at different times.

[0021] In one possible implementation, the beam quality prediction information further includes an index value of the reference time, which is a unique identifier of the reference time among the at least two times.

[0022] By implementing this method, the reference time can be indicated by a unique identifier that is at least two times, which can reduce signaling overhead.

[0023] In one possible implementation, the beam quality prediction information further includes an index value for the reference time and an index value for the non-reference time.

[0024] The index value of the reference time is a unique identifier of the reference time among N times;

[0025] The index value of the non-reference time is a unique identifier of the non-reference time among the N times;

[0026] The N times are all the times used for prediction, and the N times include the at least two times.

[0027] By implementing this method, a unique identifier among N times is used to indicate the reference time and the non-reference time, which makes it easier for network devices to quickly determine the reference time and the non-reference time.

[0028] In one possible implementation, the beam quality prediction information indicates the prediction results of at least two beams at a first time.

[0029] The reference prediction result is the prediction result of the reference beam at the first time, and the first prediction result is the prediction result of the non-reference beam at the first time.

[0030] The reference beam and the non-reference beam are different beams among the at least two beams.

[0031] By implementing this method, the prediction results of different beams at the same time can be differentially analyzed, thereby facilitating network devices to quickly obtain the prediction results of beams at the same time.

[0032] In one possible implementation, the beam quality prediction information further includes an index value of the reference beam, which is a unique identifier of the reference beam among the at least two beams.

[0033] By implementing this method, the reference beam can be identified by a unique identifier among at least two beams that correspond to it at the first moment, which can save costs.

[0034] In one possible implementation, the beam quality prediction information further includes the index value of the reference beam and the index value of the non-reference beam.

[0035] The index value of the reference beam is a unique identifier of the reference beam among the P beams;

[0036] The index value of the non-reference beam is the unique identifier of the non-reference beam among the P beams;

[0037] The P beams are all the beams used for prediction, and the P beams include the at least two beams.

[0038] Implementing this method allows network devices to quickly determine the reference beam and non-reference beam.

[0039] In one possible implementation, the beam quality prediction information further includes a second differential prediction result;

[0040] The second difference prediction result is the difference between the second prediction result and the first prediction result, and the second prediction result is one of the at least one prediction results other than the reference prediction result and the first prediction result.

[0041] Implementing this method, which uses two levels of difference to indicate the prediction results, can further reduce signaling overhead.

[0042] In one possible implementation, the reference prediction result is the prediction result of the first reference beam at a first time, the first prediction result is the prediction result of the second reference beam at a second time, and the second prediction result is the prediction result of the second non-reference beam at the second time.

[0043] The first reference beam is a beam included in the prediction result at the first time, and the second reference beam and the second non-reference beam are different beams included in the prediction result at the second time.

[0044] This method involves differentially analyzing the prediction results of beams at different times, and further differentially analyzing the prediction results of different beams at the same time, thereby reducing signaling overhead.

[0045] In one possible implementation, the beam quality prediction information further includes a third differential prediction result;

[0046] The third differential prediction result is the difference between the third prediction result and the reference prediction result, and the third prediction result is the prediction result of the first non-reference beam at the first time.

[0047] The first non-reference beam and the first reference beam are different beams included in the prediction result at the first time.

[0048] Implementing this method allows for the immediate reporting of prediction results for different beams, saving signaling overhead.

[0049] In one possible implementation, the total amount of prediction information indicated by the beam quality prediction information may be configured by the network device.

[0050] In one possible implementation, the first report further includes time indication information, which is used to indicate the N times.

[0051] Implementing this method allows network devices to determine N time points, thereby recovering the prediction results for each time point.

[0052] In one possible implementation, the time indication information includes first indication information and second indication information. The first indication information indicates the time unit of the first time among the N times, and the second indication information indicates the time unit of the nth time among the N times, where n is an integer greater than 1 and less than or equal to N.

[0053] By implementing this method, the first instruction information can indicate the first time, and the second instruction information can indicate the nth time, i.e., other times, thereby saving costs.

[0054] In one possible implementation, the first indication information includes a time unit index value or a first offset;

[0055] The time unit index value is the index value of the time unit containing the first time among N times;

[0056] The first offset is the offset of the time unit containing the first time among the N times relative to the reference time unit, which is determined based on the time domain resources where the first report is located.

[0057] Implementing this method makes it easier to determine the first time, that is, the starting time of N times.

[0058] In one possible implementation, the second indication information includes a second offset, which is the offset of the time unit where the nth time is located relative to the time unit where the first time is located, or the second offset is the offset of the time unit where the nth time is located relative to the reference time unit, or the second offset is the offset of the time unit where the nth time is located relative to the time unit where the (n-1)th time is located.

[0059] The reference time unit is determined based on the time domain resources where the first report is located.

[0060] By implementing this method, the nth time can be indicated by the offset, saving signaling overhead.

[0061] Secondly, embodiments of this application provide a communication method, the method comprising:

[0062] Receive a first report, the first report including beam quality prediction information, the beam quality prediction information indicating at least one prediction result, one of the prediction results being a prediction result for a beam at one time;

[0063] Beam indication is performed based on the beam quality prediction information.

[0064] In one possible implementation, the beam quality prediction information indicates at least one prediction result, including:

[0065] The beam quality prediction information indicates the prediction results at N time points, and the prediction results at each time point include the prediction results of one or more beams that meet the target conditions, where N is a natural number.

[0066] The target conditions include one or more of the following:

[0067] The prediction result meets the first threshold;

[0068] The prediction result belongs to the M best prediction results among all prediction results obtained at the corresponding time, where the value of M is indicated by the network device or is predefined, and M is a natural number.

[0069] In one possible implementation, the beam quality prediction information includes a reference prediction result and a first differential prediction result;

[0070] The reference prediction result is one of the at least one prediction results;

[0071] The first difference prediction result is the difference between the first prediction result and the reference prediction result, and the first prediction result is one of the at least one prediction results other than the reference prediction result.

[0072] In one possible implementation, the beam quality prediction information indicates the prediction results of the first beam at least at at least two times;

[0073] The reference prediction result is the prediction result of the first beam at the reference time, and the first prediction result is the prediction result of the first beam at the non-reference time.

[0074] The reference time and the non-reference time are different times among the at least two times.

[0075] In one possible implementation, the beam quality prediction information further includes an index value of the reference time, which is a unique identifier of the reference time among the at least two times.

[0076] In one possible implementation, the beam quality prediction information further includes an index value for the reference time and an index value for the non-reference time.

[0077] The index value of the reference time is a unique identifier of the reference time among N times;

[0078] The index value of the non-reference time is a unique identifier of the non-reference time among the N times;

[0079] The N times are all the times used for prediction, and the N times include the at least two times.

[0080] In one possible implementation, the beam quality prediction information indicates the prediction results of at least two beams at a first time.

[0081] The reference prediction result is the prediction result of the reference beam at the first time, and the first prediction result is the prediction result of the non-reference beam at the first time.

[0082] The reference beam and the non-reference beam are different beams among the at least two beams.

[0083] In one possible implementation, the beam quality prediction information further includes an index value of the reference beam, which is a unique identifier of the reference beam among the at least two beams.

[0084] In one possible implementation, the beam quality prediction information further includes the index value of the reference beam and the index value of the non-reference beam.

[0085] The index value of the reference beam is a unique identifier of the reference beam among the P beams;

[0086] The index value of the non-reference beam is the unique identifier of the non-reference beam among the P beams;

[0087] The P beams are all the beams used for prediction, and the P beams include the at least two beams.

[0088] In one possible implementation, the beam quality prediction information further includes a second differential prediction result;

[0089] The second difference prediction result is the difference between the second prediction result and the first prediction result, and the second prediction result is one of the at least one prediction results other than the reference prediction result and the first prediction result.

[0090] In one possible implementation, the first report further includes time indication information, which is used to indicate the N times.

[0091] In one possible implementation, the time indication information includes first indication information and second indication information. The first indication information indicates the time unit of the first time among the N times, and the second indication information indicates the time unit of the nth time among the N times, where n is an integer greater than 1 and less than or equal to N.

[0092] In one possible implementation, the first indication information includes a time unit index value or a first offset;

[0093] The time unit index value is the index value of the time unit containing the first time among N times;

[0094] The first offset is the offset of the time unit containing the first time among the N times relative to the reference time unit, which is determined based on the time domain resources where the first report is located.

[0095] In one possible implementation, the second indication information includes a second offset, which is the offset of the time unit where the nth time is located relative to the time unit where the first time is located, or the second offset is the offset of the time unit where the nth time is located relative to the reference time unit, or the second offset is the offset of the time unit where the nth time is located relative to the time unit where the (n-1)th time is located.

[0096] The reference time unit is determined based on the time domain resources where the first report is located.

[0097] Thirdly, embodiments of this application provide a communication device, which includes:

[0098] A transmitting unit is configured to transmit a first report, the first report including beam quality prediction information, the beam quality prediction information indicating at least one prediction result, wherein one of the prediction results is a prediction result for a beam at one time.

[0099] Fourthly, embodiments of this application provide a communication device, which includes:

[0100] A receiving unit is configured to receive a first report, the first report including beam quality prediction information, the beam quality prediction information indicating at least one prediction result, wherein one of the prediction results is a prediction result for a beam at one time.

[0101] A switching unit is used to perform beam indication based on the beam quality prediction information.

[0102] Fifthly, embodiments of this application provide a communication device including a processor and a memory interconnected thereto. The memory is used to store a computer program, and the processor is configured to execute the computer program to perform the method as described in the first aspect or any optional embodiment of the first aspect, or to perform the method as described in the second aspect or any optional embodiment of the second aspect.

[0103] In a sixth aspect, embodiments of this application provide a chip including a processor and an interface, the processor and the interface being coupled; the interface is used to receive and / or output signals, and the processor is used to execute code instructions to perform the method as described in the first aspect or any optional embodiment of the first aspect, or to perform the method as described in the second aspect or any optional embodiment of the second aspect.

[0104] In a seventh aspect, embodiments of this application provide a module device, which includes a communication module, a power module, a storage module, and a chip module, wherein: the power module is used to provide power to the module device; the storage module is used to store data and / or instructions; the communication module communicates with external devices; and the chip module is used to call the data and / or instructions stored in the storage module to execute the method as described in the first aspect or any optional embodiment of the first aspect, or to execute the method as described in the second aspect or any optional embodiment of the second aspect.

[0105] Eighthly, embodiments of this application provide a computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program, the computer program including program instructions that, when executed by a computer, implement the method as described in the first aspect or any optional embodiment of the first aspect, or implement the method as described in the second aspect or any optional embodiment of the second aspect.

[0106] Ninthly, embodiments of this application provide a computer program product, which includes a computer program or computer code, which, when run on a computer, implements the method described in the first aspect or any optional implementation of the first aspect, or implements the method described in the second aspect or any optional implementation of the second aspect.

[0107] In a tenth aspect, embodiments of this application provide a communication system, which includes a terminal device and a network device.

[0108] The beneficial effects of the technical solutions provided in the second to tenth aspects of the embodiments of this application can be referred to the beneficial effects of the technical solutions provided in the first aspect, and will not be repeated here. Attached Figure Description

[0109] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication system provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0110] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure for prediction based on an AI model provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0111] Figure 3 This is a flowchart illustrating a communication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0112] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0113] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of another communication device provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0114] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of another communication device provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0115] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a module device provided in an embodiment of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0116] In this embodiment of the application, unless otherwise stated, the character " / " indicates that the preceding and following objects are in an OR relationship. For example, A / B can represent A or B. "AND / OR" describes the relationship between the associated objects, indicating that three relationships can exist. For example, A AND / OR B can represent: A existing alone, A and B existing simultaneously, and B existing alone.

[0117] It should be noted that the terms "first" and "second" used in the embodiments of this application are used only for distinguishing descriptive purposes and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly indicating the number of technical features indicated, nor should they be construed as indicating or implying order.

[0118] In the embodiments of this application, "at least one" refers to one or more items, and "more than one" refers to two or more items. Furthermore, "at least one of the following" or similar expressions refer to any combination of these items, which may include any combination of a single item or a plurality of items. For example, at least one of A, B, or C can represent: A, B, C, A and B, A and C, B and C, or A, B, and C. Each of A, B, and C can be an element itself or a set containing one or more elements.

[0119] In this application, terms such as "exemplary," "in some embodiments," and "in another embodiment" are used to indicate that something is an example, illustration, or description. Any embodiment or design described as "exemplary" in this application should not be construed as being more preferred or advantageous than other embodiments or designs. Specifically, the use of the term "exemplary" is intended to present the concept in a concrete manner.

[0120] In the embodiments of this application, the terms "of," "corresponding (relevant)," and "corresponding" may sometimes be used interchangeably. It should be noted that, without emphasizing the distinction, their meanings are consistent. Similarly, in the embodiments of this application, "communication" and "transmission" may sometimes be used interchangeably. It should be noted that, without emphasizing the distinction, their meanings are consistent. For example, transmission can include sending and / or receiving, and can be a noun or a verb.

[0121] In this embodiment of the application, "equal to" can be used with "greater than" or "less than", but not simultaneously with both. It should be noted that when "equal to" is used with "greater than", it applies to the technical solution adopted by "greater than"; when "equal to" is used with "less than", it applies to the technical solution adopted by "less than".

[0122] In this embodiment of the application, when it comes to the sorting order of index values, they can be arranged in ascending order or descending order. The index values ​​can be beam index values ​​or time index values.

[0123] Please see Figure 1 , Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a communication system provided in an embodiment of this application. The communication system may include, but is not limited to, one or more network devices and one or more terminal devices, such as... Figure 1 Taking a network device and a terminal device as an example, where, Figure 1 In this context, network devices, such as base stations, and terminal devices, such as mobile phones, can establish wireless links with network devices for communication. Figure 1 The communication system shown includes, but is not limited to, network equipment and terminal equipment, and may also include other communication equipment. Figure 1 The number and form of the devices shown are for illustrative purposes and do not constitute a limitation on the embodiments of this application.

[0124] In this application embodiment, the terminal device is a device with wireless transceiver capabilities, which may be referred to as a terminal, user equipment (UE), mobile station (MS), mobile terminal (MT), access terminal, vehicle-mounted terminal, industrial control terminal, UE unit, UE station, mobile station, remote station, remote terminal, mobile device, wireless communication device, UE agent, or UE device, etc. The terminal device can be fixed or mobile. It should be noted that the terminal device can support at least one wireless communication technology, such as Long Term Evolution (LTE) or New Radio (NR). For example, terminal devices can be mobile phones, tablets, desktop computers, laptops, all-in-one computers, in-vehicle terminals, virtual reality (VR) terminals, augmented reality (AR) terminals, wireless terminals in industrial control, wireless terminals in self-driving, wireless terminals in remote medical surgery, wireless terminals in smart grids, wireless terminals in transportation safety, wireless terminals in smart cities, wireless terminals in smart homes, cellular phones, cordless phones, session initiation protocol (SIP) phones, wireless local loop (WLL) stations, personal digital assistants (PDAs), handheld devices with wireless communication capabilities, computing devices or other processing devices connected to a wireless modem, wearable devices, terminal devices in future mobile communication networks, or terminal devices in future evolved public land mobile networks (PLMNs), etc. In some embodiments of this application, the terminal device may also be a device with transceiver functions, such as a chip system. The chip system may include a chip, and may also include other discrete components.

[0125] In this application embodiment, the network device is a device that provides wireless communication functions for terminal devices, and can also be referred to as an access network device, radio access network (RAN) device, etc. The network device can support at least one wireless communication technology, such as LTE, NR, etc. For example, the network device includes, but is not limited to: next-generation base stations (gNB) in 5th-generation (5G) mobile communication systems, base stations in 6th-generation (6G) mobile communication systems, evolved node B (eNB), radio network controller (RNC), node B (NB), base station controller (BSC), base transceiver station (BTS), home base station (e.g., home-evolved node B, or home node B, HNB), baseband unit (BBU), transmitting and receiving point (TRP), transmitting point (TP), mobile switching center, etc. Network devices can also be wireless controllers, centralized units (CUs), and / or distributed units (DUs) in cloud radio access network (CRAN) scenarios, or they can be relay stations, access points, vehicle-mounted devices, wearable devices, and network devices in future mobile communications or future evolved PLMNs. In some embodiments, network devices can also be means for providing wireless communication capabilities to terminal devices, such as a chip system. For example, a chip system may include chips, and may also include other discrete components.

[0126] The following explanations of some terms used in the embodiments of this application are provided to facilitate understanding by those skilled in the art.

[0127] 1. Time Unit

[0128] Network devices and terminal devices communicate at the time unit level, or network devices schedule time-domain resources for terminal devices at the time unit level. For example, a time unit can be a radio frame, subframe, slot, mini-slot, or symbol. For instance, a symbol can be an Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) symbol. In NR (Radio Frequency Response), a time unit can be a slot.

[0129] 2. Prediction results are obtained based on AI models.

[0130] like Figure 2 As shown in the embodiments of this application, the measurement results can be input into the AI ​​model for processing, thereby obtaining the prediction results.

[0131] The first implementation involves inputting measurement results from one or more historical time points into an AI model for prediction, yielding predictions for one or more future time points. These measurement and prediction results can be from the same beam or different beams. If they are from the same beam, they can be understood as the beam quality of the same beam at different time points. If they are from different beams, they can be understood as the beam quality of different beams at different time points.

[0132] The second approach involves inputting the measurement results of one portion of the beams into an AI model for prediction, which yields prediction results for another portion of the beams. In other words, the measurement results and the prediction results pertain to different beams. These can be understood as the beam quality of different beams at the same point in time; this same point in time can be a historical point in time or the current point in time.

[0133] Please refer to Figure 3 This is a flowchart illustrating a communication method provided in an embodiment of this application, as shown below. Figure 3 As shown, the communication method of this embodiment includes, but is not limited to, the following steps:

[0134] 301, the terminal device sends the first report. Correspondingly, the network device receives the first report.

[0135] The first report includes beam quality prediction information, which indicates at least one prediction result. For ease of description, subsequent embodiments will refer to this at least one prediction result as Z prediction results, i.e., the terminal device reports Z prediction results. A prediction result is the prediction result of one beam at one time. In the embodiments of this application, a time can refer to a point in time. A point in time can be understood as a time unit, which can be, for example, a time slot or a symbol. A prediction result can be the prediction result of one beam at one time slot or one symbol.

[0136] One implementation involves the time point being a future time point. That is, the terminal device predicts the future time point based on measurement results from historical time points. A predicted result is the prediction result of a beam at a future time point. See the description of the first implementation in point 2 of the terminology explanation. Another implementation involves the time point being either a historical time point or the current time point. For example, if the time point is a historical time point, the terminal device predicts the prediction result of another portion of the beam at that historical time point based on measurement results of a portion of the beam at that historical time point. A predicted result is the prediction result of a beam at that historical time point. Similarly, if the time point is the current time point, the terminal device predicts the prediction result of another portion of the beam at that current time point based on measurement results of a portion of the beam at that current time point. A predicted result is the prediction result of a beam at that current time point. See the description of the second implementation in point 2 of the terminology explanation.

[0137] The prediction results may include one or more of the following: the reference signal receiving power (RSRP) of the beam, the prediction probability of the beam, and the prediction reliability of the beam. The prediction probability of a beam refers to the probability that it belongs to one of the top M predicted beams when making predictions based on an AI model. The prediction reliability of a beam refers to the reliability of the predicted beam quality when making predictions based on an AI model.

[0138] In some implementations, the first report may include not only beam quality prediction information but also measurement results obtained by the terminal device from actual measurements of the reference signal.

[0139] The beam quality prediction information indicates Z prediction results that need to be reported to the network devices. Specifically, these Z prediction results can include prediction results from N time periods, where N is a natural number. Each time period's prediction result can include prediction results for one or more beams that meet the target conditions. That is, the Z prediction results are composed of prediction results for all beams that meet the target conditions across the N time periods. Correspondingly, the beams that meet the target conditions at each time period can be called the beams that need to be reported at that time. The N time periods can be future N time periods, for example, predicting the prediction results for the next N time periods. These N time periods can also be a historical time or the current time. For example, predicting the prediction results for another set of beams at the current time based on the measurement results of one set of beams at the current time, or predicting the prediction results for another set of beams at a historical time based on the measurement results of one set of beams at a historical time.

[0140] For example, the prediction results at each time point include prediction results for one or more beams that satisfy a target condition, which includes one or more of the following:

[0141] 1. The prediction result meets the first threshold. For example, the prediction result meeting the first threshold can mean that the prediction result is greater than or equal to the first threshold. Another example is that the prediction result meeting the first threshold can mean that the prediction result is less than or equal to the first threshold.

[0142] 2. The prediction result belongs to the M best prediction results among all prediction results obtained at the corresponding time. The value of M can be indicated by the network device or predefined, and M is a natural number.

[0143] The following example, using Table 1, illustrates the Z prediction results, taking N=4 as an example, meaning prediction results for 4 time periods. The prediction result for each time period can include the best M beam prediction results from all prediction results obtained for that time period. Taking M=4 as an example, this means the prediction result for each time period includes the best 4 beam prediction results. As shown in Table 1, RSRP1 to RSRP16 are the Z prediction results that need to be reported. Taking the prediction result for time 1 as an example, the best 4 prediction results included in the prediction result for time 1 are beam 1 prediction result RSRP1, beam 2 prediction result RSRP2, beam 6 prediction result RSRP3, and beam 12 prediction result RSRP4. In other words, these 4 beam prediction results are the 4 best prediction results among all beam prediction results for time 1. The prediction results for all beams in time 1 could, for example, be the prediction results for each beam from beam 1 to beam 19 at time 1.

[0144] Beam 1 Beam 2 Beam 5 Beam 6 Beam 8 Beam 9 Beam 12 Beam 17 Beam 19 Time 1 RSRP1 RSRP2 RSRP3 RSRP4 Time 2 RSRP5 RSRP6 RSRP7 RSRP8 Time 3 RSRP9 RSRP10 RSRP11 RSRP12 Time 4 RSRP13 RSRP14 RSRP15 RSRP16

[0145] Table 1

[0146] The terminal device can report the prediction results for the N times through a single report, for example, by indicating the prediction results for the N times through beam quality prediction information in the first report. Alternatively, the terminal device can also report the prediction results for the N times through N separate reports, with the prediction result for one time time reported in one report.

[0147] Reporting N reports requires the network device to allocate N uplink resources, with one uplink resource used to carry one report. Reporting prediction results for N time periods using a single report only requires the network device to configure one uplink resource, and the network device can obtain the prediction results for N time periods earlier.

[0148] The following example uses the beam quality prediction information in the first report indicating the prediction results at N time points, that is, the beam quality prediction information in the first report indicates Z prediction results that need to be reported. The beam quality prediction information may include these Z prediction results, or the beam quality prediction information may indicate these Z prediction results in a differential manner.

[0149] In some implementations, the terminal device can also indicate the global index value of the time and the global index value of the beam corresponding to the Z prediction results, respectively. The global index value of the time is the unique identifier of the time among the N times used for prediction, and the global index value of the beam is the unique identifier of the beam among the P beams used for prediction, where P is a natural number.

[0150] To reduce reporting overhead, the terminal device can indicate the index values ​​of the K beams that need to be reported via a first bitmap. This first bitmap includes P bits, one of which indicates whether one of the P beams will be reported. The P beams are beams used for prediction, and include the K beams that need to be reported. If one of the P beams needs to be reported, the bit corresponding to that beam in the first bitmap is set to 1. This embodiment uses the requirement to report K beams as an example, meaning that K bits out of the P bits need to be set to 1.

[0151] Taking Table 1 as an example, K=9, the first bit map includes 32 bits, that is, there are 32 beams used for prediction. The first bit map used to indicate the K beams that need to be reported in Table 1 can be 11001101100100001010000000000000.

[0152] The terminal device can also send K second-bit bitmaps to the network device. One of these K second-bit bitmaps corresponds to one of the K beams that need to be reported. The second-bit bitmap indicates the index value of the time that the corresponding beam needs to be reported. Each second-bit bitmap includes N bits, one of which indicates whether a time among the N times needs to be reported. If the prediction result of a beam needs to be reported at a certain time, then the bit corresponding to that time in the second-bit bitmap for that beam is set to 1.

[0153] The first bitmap and K second bitmaps can indicate the global index value of the beam and the global index value of the time corresponding to the Z prediction results that need to be reported, and can save reporting overhead.

[0154] The following example illustrates how, if beam quality prediction information includes Z prediction results, the sorting order of these Z prediction results is as follows:

[0155] Example 1: The position of the prediction result at the first time is before the position of the prediction result at the second time. Here, the first time is before the second time. The first time and the second time are two times out of N times. That is to say, among the N times, the earlier the time is, the earlier the position of the prediction result at that time is ranked.

[0156] The prediction results at the first time point include the prediction results of one or more beams that need to be reported at that first time point, and the prediction results at the second time point include the prediction results of one or more beams that need to be reported at that second time point. The prediction results of multiple beams at the same time point can be sorted in ascending or descending order of beam index values.

[0157] Example 2: The predicted position of the first beam precedes the predicted position of the second beam. The index value of the first beam is less than the index value of the second beam. The first and second beams are two beams out of the K beams indicated by the beam quality prediction information. In other words, among the K beams, the smaller the index value of the beam, the earlier the predicted position of that beam is ranked.

[0158] The prediction results for the first beam include the prediction results for one or more times, which are the prediction results that need to be reported. The prediction results for the second beam include the prediction results for one or more times, which are also the prediction results that need to be reported. As shown in Table 1, if the first beam is beam 5 and the second beam is beam 6, then the prediction results for the first beam include the prediction result RSRP5 for beam 5 at time 2, and the prediction results for the second beam include the prediction results RSRP3 for beam 5 at time 1, RSRP6 for beam 6 at time 2, RSRP9 for beam 6 at time 3, and RSRP13 for beam 6 at time 4. The order of the prediction results for the same beam at one or more times can be arranged in ascending or descending order of the time index value.

[0159] The following example illustrates that if the beam quality prediction information indicates the Z prediction results in a differential manner, the beam quality prediction information may include a reference prediction result and a first differential prediction result. The reference prediction result is one of the Z prediction results, and the first differential prediction result is the difference between the first prediction result and the reference prediction result. The first prediction result is one of the Z prediction results other than the reference prediction result. A specific example illustrating the differential method follows:

[0160] Method 1: The reference prediction result is the prediction result of the first beam at the reference time, and the first prediction result is the prediction result of the first beam at the non-reference time.

[0161] The terminal device needs to report Z prediction results, including the prediction results of the first beam at at least two times. For ease of description, these at least two times are represented by m times, meaning the Z prediction results include the prediction results of the first beam at m different times. The reference time and non-reference time are the different times among these m times. The first beam is any one of the K beams that need to be reported; that is, any one of the K beams that need to be reported can be reported using the differential method of the first beam.

[0162] In Method 1, the prediction results of the same beam at different times are differentially analyzed. For example, the reference prediction result can be the largest prediction result among the prediction results of the first beam at m different times. That is, the time corresponding to the largest prediction result of the first beam at m different times is used as the reference time. Alternatively, the reference prediction result can also be the smallest prediction result among the prediction results of the first beam at m different times. That is, the time corresponding to the smallest prediction result of the first beam at m different times is used as the reference time.

[0163] Continuing with Table 1 as an example, if the first beam is beam 19, the Z prediction results include the prediction result RSRP8 for beam 19 at time 2, the prediction result RSRP12 at time 3, and the prediction result RSRP16 at time 4. If RSRP8 is the largest, then the reference prediction result is RSRP8, which is A-RSRP14 in Table 2, and the reference time is time 2.

[0164] The prediction results of the first beam at other non-reference times can be reported as differential prediction results. In the embodiments of this application, the first differential prediction result can be the difference between the first prediction result of the first beam at any other non-reference time and the reference prediction result.

[0165] Continuing with beam 19 in Table 1 as the first beam, for example, the difference between the first prediction result RSRP12 and the reference prediction result RSRP8 of beam 19 at time 3 is taken as the first differential prediction result of beam 19 at time 3, which is represented by D-RSRP15 in Table 2. In Table 2, A-RSRP represents the reference prediction result, and D-RSRP represents the differential prediction result. As shown in Table 2, each of beams 1, 2, 5, 8, and 17 has only one prediction result to be reported, while each of the other beams has at least two prediction results to be reported. The at least two prediction results of the same beam can be reported as the reference prediction result and the differential prediction result.

[0166] Beam 1 Beam 2 Beam 5 Beam 6 Beam 8 Beam 9 Beam 12 Beam 17 Beam 19 Time 1 A-RSRP1 A-RSRP2 D-RSRP5 D-RSRP11 Time 2 A-RSRP3 A-RSRP4 A-RSRP12 A-RSRP14 Time 3 D-RSRP6 A-RSRP9 A-RSRP13 D-RSRP15 Time 4 D-RSRP7 A-RSRP8 D-RSRP10 D-RSRP16

[0167] Table 2

[0168] In some implementations, if the terminal device indicates the global index values ​​of the K beams to be reported, and the global index value of the time to be reported for each beam, for example, by using a first bitmap and K second bitmaps to indicate the global index values ​​of the K beams and the global index value of the time to be reported for each beam, as described in the foregoing embodiments. The beam quality prediction information may also include the local index value of the reference time corresponding to the reference prediction result for each beam. Taking the first beam as an example, the beam quality prediction information may also include the local index value of the reference time corresponding to the reference prediction result for the first beam. The local index value of the reference time is a unique identifier of the reference time among m times. The number of bits occupied by the local index value can be determined based on m. For example, if m is 2, then the local index value of the reference time occupies one bit, thereby saving reporting overhead.

[0169] As shown in Table 3, if the first beam is beam 6 or beam 12, the local index value of the reference time corresponding to the reference prediction result of the first beam is 2; if the first beam is beam 9 or beam 19, the local index value of the reference time corresponding to the reference prediction result of the first beam is 1.

[0170]

[0171]

[0172] Table 3

[0173] In some implementations, if the terminal device does not indicate the global index values ​​of the K beams to be reported, and the global index value of the time to be reported for each beam, the beam quality prediction information needs to include the global index value of the reference time corresponding to the reference prediction result for each beam, and the global index value of the non-reference time corresponding to the first differential prediction result for each beam. The global index value of the reference time is a unique identifier of the reference time among the N times used for prediction, and the global index value of the non-reference time is a unique identifier of the non-reference time among the N times used for prediction.

[0174] Further optionally, the beam quality prediction information may also include a global index value for each of the K beams. The global index value of a beam is a unique identifier for that beam among the P beams used for prediction. For example, the P beams may include the K reported beams and may also include unreported beams.

[0175] The following example illustrates the order of the reference prediction results and at least one first differential prediction result in the first report. The reference prediction result precedes all the first differential prediction results. The order of the at least one first differential prediction result can be based on the index values ​​of the non-reference times corresponding to each first differential prediction result, either from smallest to largest or from largest to smallest. As shown in Table 3, if the first beam is beam 6, then the order of the reference prediction results and the first differential prediction results is: A-RSRP4, D-RSRP5, D-RSRP6, D-RSRP7.

[0176] It is understandable that the prediction results of different beams (including reference prediction results and differential prediction results) can be sorted in ascending or descending order of their index values. For example, as shown in Table 3, the prediction results of each beam are sorted as follows: prediction results of beam 1, prediction results of beam 2, prediction results of beam 5, reference prediction results of beam 6, differential prediction results of beam 6, prediction results of beam 8, reference prediction results of beam 9, differential prediction results of beam 9, reference prediction results of beam 12, differential prediction results of beam 12, prediction results of beam 17, reference prediction results of beam 19, and differential prediction results of beam 19.

[0177] Method 2: The reference prediction result is the prediction result of the reference beam at the first time, and the first prediction result is the prediction result of the non-reference beam at the first time.

[0178] The terminal device needs to report Z prediction results, including the prediction results of at least two beams at the first time. For ease of description, these at least two beams are represented by M beams, meaning the number of beams to be reported at the first time is M. The reference beam and the non-reference beam are different beams among these M beams. The first time is any one of the N times used for prediction; that is, any one of the N times used for prediction can be differentially analyzed using the differential method of the prediction results of the M beams corresponding to the first time.

[0179] Method 2 involves differentiating the prediction results of different beams at the same time. For example, the reference prediction result can be the largest prediction result among the prediction results of M beams at the first time, that is, the beam corresponding to the largest prediction result is used as the reference beam. Alternatively, the reference prediction result can also be the smallest prediction result among the prediction results of M beams at the first time, that is, the beam corresponding to the smallest prediction result is used as the reference beam.

[0180] Continuing with Table 1 as an example, if the first time is time 2, the Z prediction results include the prediction result RSRP5 of beam 5 at time 2, the prediction result RSRP6 of beam 6 at time 2, the prediction result RSRP7 of beam 12 at time 2, and the prediction result RSRP8 of beam 19 at time 2. If RSRP6 is the largest, then the reference prediction result is RSRP6, which is A-RSRP6 in Table 4, and the reference beam is beam 6.

[0181] The prediction results of other non-reference beams at the first time can be reported as differential prediction results. In the embodiments of this application, the first differential prediction result can be the difference between the first prediction result of any other non-reference beam at the first time and the reference prediction result.

[0182] Continuing with Table 1 as an example, the first time point is time 2. The difference between the first prediction result RSRP5 and the reference prediction result RSRP6 of beam 5 at time 2 is taken as the first differential prediction result of beam 5 at time 2, denoted as D-RSRP5 in Table 4. In Table 4, A-RSRP represents the reference prediction result, and D-RSRP represents the differential prediction result. As shown in Table 4, each time point corresponds to one reference prediction result and three first differential prediction results.

[0183] Beam 1 Beam 2 Beam 5 Beam 6 Beam 8 Beam 9 Beam 12 Beam 17 Beam 19 Time 1 D-RSRP1 D-RSRP2 A-RSRP3 D-RSRP4 Time 2 D-RSRP5 A-RSRP6 D-RSRP7 D-RSRP8 Time 3 D-RSRP9 A-RSRP10 D-RSRP11 D-RSRP12 Time 4 A-RSRP13 D-RSRP4 D-RSRP15 D-RSRP16

[0184] Table 4

[0185] In some implementations, if the terminal device indicates the global index values ​​of the K beams to be reported, and the global index value of the time each beam needs to report (e.g., using a first bitmap and K second bitmaps to indicate the global index values ​​of the K beams and the global index value of the time each beam needs to report), the beam quality prediction information may also include the local index value of the reference beam corresponding to the reference prediction result at each time. Taking the first time as an example, the beam quality prediction information also needs to include the local index value of the reference beam corresponding to the reference prediction result at the first time. The local index value of the reference beam is a unique identifier among the M beams to be reported at the first time. The number of bits occupied by the local index value can be determined based on M. For example, if M is 4, then the local index value of the reference time occupies two bits, thereby saving reporting overhead.

[0186] As shown in Table 5, the local index value of the reference beam corresponding to the reference prediction result at time 1 is 3, the local index value of the reference beam corresponding to the reference prediction result at time 2 is 2, the local index value of the reference beam corresponding to the reference prediction result at time 3 is 2, and the local index value of the reference beam corresponding to the reference prediction result at time 4 is 1.

[0187]

[0188] Table 5

[0189] In some implementations, if the terminal device does not indicate the global index values ​​of the K beams to be reported, or the global index value of the time each beam needs to report, the beam quality prediction information needs to include the global index value of the reference beam corresponding to the reference prediction result at each time, and the global index value of the non-reference beam corresponding to the first differential prediction result at each time. The global index value of the reference beam is a unique identifier of the reference beam among the P beams used for prediction, and the global index value of the non-reference beam is a unique identifier of the non-reference beam among the P beams used for prediction. As shown in Table 6, each reference prediction result and each first differential prediction result corresponds to a global index value of a beam.

[0190]

[0191]

[0192] Table 6

[0193] The following example illustrates the order of the reference prediction results and at least one first differential prediction result in the first report, corresponding to the first time point. The reference prediction result is placed before all the first differential prediction results. The order of the at least one first differential prediction result can be arranged in ascending or descending order of the index values ​​of the non-reference beams corresponding to each first differential prediction result. As shown in Table 6, if the first time point is time 1, then the order of the reference prediction results and the first differential prediction results is: A-RSRP3, D-RSRP1, D-RSRP2, D-RSRP4.

[0194] It is understandable that the order of prediction results at different times (including reference prediction results and differential prediction results) can be arranged in ascending or descending order of index values ​​at different times.

[0195] Method 3: The reference prediction result is the largest or smallest prediction result among the Z prediction results, and the first prediction result is any prediction result among the Z prediction results other than the reference prediction result.

[0196] In Method 3, all prediction results other than the reference prediction result among the Z prediction results are differentially calculated with the reference prediction result to obtain the differential prediction result.

[0197] The beam quality prediction information can also indicate the reference time and reference beam corresponding to the prediction result. As shown in Table 1, if RSRP6 is the maximum, then the reference time is time 2 and the reference beam is beam 6.

[0198] In some implementations, if the terminal device indicates the global index values ​​of the K beams that need to be reported, and the global index value of the time each beam needs to report, for example, by using a first bitmap and K second bitmaps to indicate the global index values ​​of the K beams and the global index value of the time each beam needs to report. As an example, the beam quality prediction information may also include the global index value of a reference beam and the local index value of a reference time. The global index value of the reference beam is a unique identifier of the reference beam among the P beams used for prediction, and the local index value of the reference time is the index value of the reference time at at least two times, which are at least two times when the reference beam needs to report, i.e., the Z prediction results include the prediction results of the reference beam at these at least two times. As another example, beam quality prediction information may also include a global index value of the reference time and a local index value of the reference beam. The global index value of the reference time is a unique identifier of the reference time among N times, and the local index value of the reference beam is a unique identifier of the reference beam among at least two beams. The at least two beams are the beams that need to be reported corresponding to the reference time. That is, the Z prediction results include the prediction results of the at least two beams at the reference time.

[0199] In other implementations, if the terminal device does not indicate the global index values ​​of the K beams to be reported, and the global index value of the time to be reported for each beam, the beam quality prediction information needs to include the global index value of the reference beam and the global index value of the reference time. Further optionally, the beam quality prediction information also includes the global index value of the time corresponding to each differential prediction result, and the global index value of the beam corresponding to each differential prediction result.

[0200] The following example illustrates that if beam quality prediction information indicates the Z prediction results in a differential manner, this beam quality prediction information may include a reference prediction result, a first differential prediction result, and a second differential prediction result. The reference prediction result is one of the Z prediction results. The first differential prediction result is the difference between the first prediction result and the reference prediction result. The second differential prediction result is the difference between the second prediction result and the first prediction result. The first prediction result and the second prediction result are two different prediction results from the Z prediction results, excluding the reference prediction result. A specific example illustrating the differential method follows:

[0201] Method 1: The reference prediction result is the prediction result of the first reference beam at the first time, the first prediction result is the prediction result of the second reference beam at the second time, and the second prediction result is the prediction result of the second non-reference beam at the second time.

[0202] The first reference beam is the beam that needs to be reported at the first time. The second reference beam and the second non-reference beam are different beams that need to be reported at the second time. The first reference beam and the second reference beam can be the same or different, as can the first reference beam and the second non-reference beam. The first time and the second time are two different times out of N times used for prediction.

[0203] The reference prediction result can be either the largest or the smallest of the Z prediction results. The beam corresponding to this reference prediction result is the first reference beam, and the time corresponding to the reference prediction result is the first time.

[0204] The first prediction result can be the largest prediction result among the prediction results of M beams at the second time. These M beams are the beams that need to be reported at the second time. The beam corresponding to the first prediction result is the second reference beam. The second reference beam performs a difference calculation between the first prediction result and the reference prediction result at the second time to obtain the first differential prediction result.

[0205] Any beam other than the second reference beam among the M beams is the second non-reference beam. The second prediction result of the second non-reference beam at the second time is calculated by difference between the second prediction result and the first prediction result, thus obtaining the second differential prediction result.

[0206] It should be noted that the first difference prediction results and the second difference prediction results for the other times among the N times, excluding the first and second times, can be determined with reference to the second time mentioned above.

[0207] Optionally, the beam quality prediction information also includes a third differential prediction result, which is the difference between the third prediction result and the reference prediction result. The third prediction result is the prediction result of the first non-reference beam at the first time. The first non-reference beam and the first reference beam correspond to the first time, that is, the beam that needs to be reported at the first time.

[0208] The following examples, using Table 7 as an example, illustrate the reference prediction results, the first difference prediction results, the second difference prediction results, and the third difference prediction results. For instance, A-RSRP6 is the largest prediction result among the Z prediction results that need to be reported. In Table 7, D1-RSRP is the first difference prediction result, D2-RSRP is the second difference prediction result, and D3-RSRP is the third difference prediction result.

[0209]

[0210] Table 7

[0211] Method 2: The reference prediction result is the prediction result of the first beam at the first reference time, the first prediction result is the prediction result of the second beam at the second reference time, and the second prediction result is the prediction result of the second beam at the second non-reference time.

[0212] The first and second beams are two different beams from the K beams that need to be reported. The reference prediction result can be the largest prediction result among the Z prediction results, or it can be the smallest prediction result among the Z prediction results. The beam corresponding to the reference prediction result is the first beam, and the time corresponding to the reference prediction result is the first reference time.

[0213] The first prediction result can be the largest prediction result among the prediction results of the second beam at at least two times, and the time corresponding to the first prediction result is the second reference time. The first prediction result is obtained by performing a difference calculation between the first prediction result and the reference prediction result.

[0214] The second non-reference time is any time other than the second reference time among the at least two times that need to be reported corresponding to the second beam. The prediction result of the second beam at the second non-reference time is the second prediction result. The second prediction result is obtained by performing a difference calculation between the second prediction result and the first prediction result.

[0215] Optionally, the beam quality prediction information also includes a third differential prediction result, which is the difference between the third prediction result and the reference prediction result. The third prediction result is the prediction result of the first beam at the first non-reference time. The first non-reference time and the first reference time are the different times that need to be reported for the first beam.

[0216] It should be noted that the first differential prediction results and second differential prediction results for the other beams among the K beams, excluding the first and second beams, can be determined by referring to the second beam mentioned above.

[0217] The following examples illustrate the values ​​of the total number of prediction results Z indicated by the beam quality prediction information in the above embodiments, the number of beams M that need to be reported at each time, and the number of times N used for prediction.

[0218] In one implementation, the value of Z or the value of M can be configured by the network device. Before the network device configures the value of Z or the value of M, the terminal device can send capability information to the network device. This capability information can indicate the maximum number of prediction results that the terminal device can report in a report, or indicate the maximum number of beams to be reported at a given time. The value of Z configured by the network device is less than or equal to the maximum number of prediction results that the terminal device can report in a report as indicated by the capability information, and the value of M configured by the network device is less than or equal to the maximum number of beams to be reported at a given time as indicated by the capability information.

[0219] With the network device configured with a value of Z, the number of beams that need to be reported for a given time period can be determined by the terminal device. The terminal device can indicate the number of beams that need to be reported for each time period in the first report. Each time period corresponds to at least one number of beams that need to be reported.

[0220] When the network device is configured to report a value M of the number of beams to be reported at each time, the terminal device reports M prediction results for each time.

[0221] In another implementation, the value of Z or the value of M can also be determined by the terminal device based on a first threshold. For example, the terminal device determines the number of beams that need to be reported at each time based on the prediction results that satisfy the first threshold at each time. The first threshold can be one or more of the following: a beam quality threshold, a probability threshold, or a confidence threshold. The beam quality threshold can be a threshold used to determine the RSRP of the beams in the prediction results. Satisfying the first threshold can mean that the RSRP is greater than or equal to the beam quality threshold, or it can mean that the RSRP is less than or equal to the beam quality threshold. The probability threshold can be a threshold used to determine the prediction probability of the beams in the prediction results. Satisfying the first threshold can mean that the prediction probability of the beams is greater than or equal to the probability threshold. The confidence threshold can be a threshold used to determine the prediction confidence of the beams in the prediction results. Satisfying the first threshold can mean that the prediction confidence of the beams is greater than or equal to the confidence threshold.

[0222] Optionally, the terminal device sends capability information to the network device. This capability information may indicate the maximum number of prediction results that the terminal device can report in a single report, or the maximum number of beams to be reported at a given time. The network device may configure the maximum number of prediction results that the terminal device can report in a single report, or the maximum number of beams to be reported at a given time, based on the capability information. The maximum number of prediction results that the network device configures in a single report is less than or equal to the maximum number of prediction results indicated by the terminal device's capability information, and the maximum number of beams to be reported at a given time that the network device configures is less than or equal to the maximum number of beams to be reported at a given time, as indicated by the terminal device's capability information.

[0223] The value of Z, indicating the number of prediction results in the beam quality prediction information of the first report sent by the terminal device, is less than or equal to the maximum number of prediction results that the terminal device can report in a single report as configured by the network device. Alternatively, the number of beams reported by the terminal device at each time interval is less than or equal to the maximum number of beams that the network device is configured to report at a given time interval.

[0224] The terminal device can indicate the number of beams that need to be reported for each time period in the first report. The number of beams that need to be reported for each time period is at least 1. If all prediction results for a time period do not meet the first threshold, the best prediction result among all prediction results for that time period can be reported.

[0225] When all prediction results at a given time do not meet the first threshold, the terminal device can report to the network device or trigger the network device to perform other operations, including: model monitoring, model switching, cell switching, fallback mechanism, etc.

[0226] The value of N can be configured by the network device or it can be predefined.

[0227] The following example illustrates time indication information used to indicate N times.

[0228] The time indication information includes first indication information and second indication information. The first indication information is used to indicate the time unit of the first time among N times, and the second indication information indicates the time unit of the nth time among N times, where n is an integer greater than 1 and less than or equal to N.

[0229] The following are examples illustrating the first and second instruction messages:

[0230] The first indication information may include a time unit index value or a first offset. The time unit index value is the index value of the time unit containing the first time. For example, if the time unit is a time slot, the time unit index value can indicate the index value of the time slot containing the first time. The first offset is the offset of the time unit containing the first time relative to a reference time unit. The reference time unit can be determined based on the time domain resources where the first report is located. The time domain resources where the first report is located refer to the time domain resources occupied by the first report. These time domain resources include one or more time units, and the reference time unit can be determined based on these one or more time units. For example, the reference time unit can be the first time unit or the last time unit of the time domain resources where the first report is located.

[0231] The second indication information includes a second offset, which is the offset of the time unit containing the nth time relative to the time unit containing the first time, or the offset of the time unit containing the nth time relative to a reference time unit, or the offset of the time unit containing the nth time relative to the time unit containing the (n-1)th time. For example, the reference time unit can be the first or last time unit of the time domain resource where the first report is located.

[0232] In one implementation, the second indication information may include N-1 second offsets, that is, each time from the 2nd to the Nth time corresponds to a second offset.

[0233] In another implementation, the second indication information may include a second offset, which is the offset of the time unit where the nth time is located relative to the time unit where the (n-1)th time is located. The number of time units between any two adjacent time units is the same, thereby saving overhead.

[0234] In some embodiments, the time indication information may also include the index value of the time unit in which each of the N times is located.

[0235] Please see Figure 4 , Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of a communication device provided in an embodiment of this application. The communication device is applied to a terminal device. For example, the communication device can be a terminal device or a device within the terminal device, such as a chip or chip module within the terminal device, or a device that can be used in conjunction with the terminal device. Figure 4 The communication device 100 shown may include a transmitting unit 110, wherein:

[0236] Transmitting unit 110 is configured to transmit a first report, the first report including beam quality prediction information, the beam quality prediction information indicating at least one prediction result, wherein one of the prediction results is a prediction result for a beam at one time.

[0237] In one possible implementation, the beam quality prediction information indicates at least one prediction result, including:

[0238] The beam quality prediction information indicates the prediction results at N time points, and the prediction results at each time point include the prediction results of one or more beams that meet the target conditions, where N is a natural number.

[0239] The target conditions include one or more of the following:

[0240] The prediction result meets the first threshold;

[0241] The prediction result belongs to the M best prediction results among all prediction results obtained at the corresponding time, where the value of M is indicated by the network device or is predefined, and M is a natural number.

[0242] In one possible implementation, the beam quality prediction information includes a reference prediction result and a first differential prediction result;

[0243] The reference prediction result is one of the at least one prediction results;

[0244] The first difference prediction result is the difference between the first prediction result and the reference prediction result, and the first prediction result is one of the at least one prediction results other than the reference prediction result.

[0245] In one possible implementation, the beam quality prediction information indicates the prediction results of the first beam at least at at least two times;

[0246] The reference prediction result is the prediction result of the first beam at the reference time, and the first prediction result is the prediction result of the first beam at the non-reference time.

[0247] The reference time and the non-reference time are different times among the at least two times.

[0248] In one possible implementation, the beam quality prediction information further includes a local index value of the reference time, which is a unique identifier of the reference time in the at least two times.

[0249] In one possible implementation, the beam quality prediction information further includes a global index value for the reference time and a global index value for the non-reference time.

[0250] The global index value of the reference time is a unique identifier of the reference time among N times;

[0251] The global index value of the non-reference time is the unique identifier of the non-reference time among the N times;

[0252] The N times are all the times used for prediction, and the N times include the at least two times.

[0253] In one possible implementation, the beam quality prediction information indicates the prediction results of at least two beams at a first time.

[0254] The reference prediction result is the prediction result of the reference beam at the first time, and the first prediction result is the prediction result of the non-reference beam at the first time.

[0255] The reference beam and the non-reference beam are different beams among the at least two beams.

[0256] In one possible implementation, the beam quality prediction information further includes a local index value of the reference beam, which is a unique identifier of the reference beam among the at least two beams.

[0257] In one possible implementation, the beam quality prediction information further includes the global index value of the reference beam and the global index value of the non-reference beam.

[0258] The global index value of the reference beam is a unique identifier of the reference beam among the P beams;

[0259] The global index value of the non-reference beam is the unique identifier of the non-reference beam among the P beams;

[0260] The P beams are all the beams used for prediction, and the P beams include the at least two beams, where P is a natural number.

[0261] In one possible implementation, the beam quality prediction information further includes a second differential prediction result;

[0262] The second difference prediction result is the difference between the second prediction result and the first prediction result, and the second prediction result is one of the at least one prediction results other than the reference prediction result and the first prediction result.

[0263] In one possible implementation, the beam quality prediction information further includes time indication information, which is used to indicate the N times.

[0264] In one possible implementation, the time indication information includes first indication information and second indication information. The first indication information indicates the time unit of the first time among the N times, and the second indication information indicates the time unit of the nth time among the N times, where n is an integer greater than 1 and less than or equal to N.

[0265] In one possible implementation, the first indication information includes a time unit index value or a first offset;

[0266] The time unit index value is the index value of the time unit containing the first time among N times;

[0267] The first offset is the offset of the time unit containing the first time among the N times relative to the reference time unit, which is determined based on the time domain resources where the first report is located.

[0268] In one possible implementation, the second indication information includes a second offset, which is the offset of the time unit where the nth time is located relative to the time unit where the first time is located, or the second offset is the offset of the time unit where the nth time is located relative to the reference time unit, or the second offset is the offset of the time unit where the nth time is located relative to the time unit where the (n-1)th time is located.

[0269] The reference time unit is determined based on the time domain resources where the first report is located.

[0270] about Figure 4 For a detailed description of the specific implementation, please refer to the description of the foregoing method implementation, which will not be repeated here.

[0271] Please see Figure 5 , Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of another communication device provided in an embodiment of this application. This communication device is applied to a network device. For example, the communication device can be a network device itself, or a device within a network device, such as a chip or chip module within the network device, or a device that can be used in conjunction with a network device. Figure 5 The communication device 200 shown may include a receiving unit 210 and an indicating unit 220, wherein:

[0272] The receiving unit 210 is used to receive a first report, the first report including beam quality prediction information, the beam quality prediction information indicating at least one prediction result, one of the prediction results being a prediction result for a beam at one time.

[0273] Indication unit 220 is used to indicate the beam based on the beam quality prediction information.

[0274] In one possible implementation, the beam quality prediction information indicates at least one prediction result, including:

[0275] The beam quality prediction information indicates the prediction results at N time points, and the prediction results at each time point include the prediction results of one or more beams that meet the target conditions, where N is a natural number.

[0276] The target conditions include one or more of the following:

[0277] The prediction result meets the first threshold;

[0278] The prediction result belongs to the M best prediction results among all prediction results obtained at the corresponding time, where the value of M is indicated by the network device or is predefined, and M is a natural number.

[0279] In one possible implementation, the beam quality prediction information includes a reference prediction result and a first differential prediction result;

[0280] The reference prediction result is one of the at least one prediction results;

[0281] The first difference prediction result is the difference between the first prediction result and the reference prediction result, and the first prediction result is one of the at least one prediction results other than the reference prediction result.

[0282] In one possible implementation, the beam quality prediction information indicates the prediction results of the first beam at least at at least two times;

[0283] The reference prediction result is the prediction result of the first beam at the reference time, and the first prediction result is the prediction result of the first beam at the non-reference time.

[0284] The reference time and the non-reference time are different times among the at least two times.

[0285] In one possible implementation, the beam quality prediction information further includes a local index value of the reference time, which is a unique identifier of the reference time in the at least two times.

[0286] In one possible implementation, the beam quality prediction information further includes a global index value for the reference time and a global index value for the non-reference time.

[0287] The global index value of the reference time is a unique identifier of the reference time among N times;

[0288] The global index value of the non-reference time is the unique identifier of the non-reference time among the N times;

[0289] The N times are all the times used for prediction, and the N times include the at least two times.

[0290] In one possible implementation, the beam quality prediction information indicates the prediction results of at least two beams at a first time.

[0291] The reference prediction result is the prediction result of the reference beam at the first time, and the first prediction result is the prediction result of the non-reference beam at the first time.

[0292] The reference beam and the non-reference beam are different beams among the at least two beams.

[0293] In one possible implementation, the beam quality prediction information further includes a local index value of the reference beam, which is a unique identifier of the reference beam among the at least two beams.

[0294] In one possible implementation, the beam quality prediction information further includes the global index value of the reference beam and the global index value of the non-reference beam.

[0295] The global index value of the reference beam is a unique identifier of the reference beam among the P beams;

[0296] The global index value of the non-reference beam is the unique identifier of the non-reference beam among the P beams;

[0297] The P beams are all the beams used for prediction, and the P beams include the at least two beams, where P is a natural number.

[0298] In one possible implementation, the beam quality prediction information further includes a second differential prediction result;

[0299] The second difference prediction result is the difference between the second prediction result and the first prediction result, and the second prediction result is one of the at least one prediction results other than the reference prediction result and the first prediction result.

[0300] In one possible implementation, the beam quality prediction information further includes time indication information, which is used to indicate the N times.

[0301] In one possible implementation, the time indication information includes first indication information and second indication information. The first indication information indicates the time unit of the first time among the N times, and the second indication information indicates the time unit of the nth time among the N times, where n is an integer greater than 1 and less than or equal to N.

[0302] In one possible implementation, the first indication information includes a time unit index value or a first offset;

[0303] The time unit index value is the index value of the time unit containing the first time among N times;

[0304] The first offset is the offset of the time unit containing the first time among the N times relative to the reference time unit, which is determined based on the time domain resources where the first report is located.

[0305] In one possible implementation, the second indication information includes a second offset, which is the offset of the time unit where the nth time is located relative to the time unit where the first time is located, or the second offset is the offset of the time unit where the nth time is located relative to the reference time unit, or the second offset is the offset of the time unit where the nth time is located relative to the time unit where the (n-1)th time is located.

[0306] The reference time unit is determined based on the time domain resources where the first report is located.

[0307] about Figure 5 For a detailed description of the specific implementation, please refer to the description of the foregoing method implementation, which will not be repeated here.

[0308] Please see Figure 6 , Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of a communication device provided in an embodiment of this application, used to implement the functions of a terminal device in the above method embodiments, or to implement the functions of a network device in the above method embodiments. The communication device 300 can be a terminal device or a device for a terminal device. The device for a terminal device can be a chip system or a chip within the terminal device. The communication device can also be a network device or a device for a network device. The device for a network device can be a chip system or a chip within the network device. The chip system can be composed of chips, or it can include chips and other discrete components.

[0309] The communication device 300 includes at least one processor 320 for implementing the data processing functions of the terminal device or network device in the method provided in this application embodiment. The communication device 300 may also include a communication interface 310 for implementing the transmit and receive operations of the terminal device or network device in the method provided in this application embodiment. In this application embodiment, the processor 320 may be a Central Processing Unit (CPU), which may also be other general-purpose processors, digital signal processors (DSPs), application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), or other programmable logic devices, discrete gate or transistor logic devices, discrete hardware components, etc. The general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor or any conventional processor. In this application embodiment, the communication interface 310 may be a transceiver, circuit, bus, module, or other type of communication interface for communicating with other devices via a transmission medium. For example, the communication interface 310 enables the communication device 300 to communicate with other devices. The processor 320 uses the communication interface 310 to send and receive data, and is used to implement the method described in the above method embodiments.

[0310] The communication device 300 may further include at least one memory 330 for storing program instructions and / or data. The memory 330 is coupled to the processor 320. The coupling in this embodiment is an indirect coupling or communication connection between devices, units, or modules, and may be electrical, mechanical, or other forms, used for information exchange between devices, units, or modules. The processor 320 may operate in conjunction with the memory 330. The processor 320 may execute program instructions stored in the memory 330. At least one of the at least one memories may be included in the processor.

[0311] When the communication device 300 is powered on, the processor 320 can read the software program in the memory 330, interpret and execute the instructions of the software program, and process the data of the software program. When it is necessary to transmit data wirelessly, the processor 320 performs baseband processing on the data to be transmitted and outputs the baseband signal to the radio frequency circuit. Figure 6 (Not shown) The radio frequency (RF) circuit processes the baseband signal and then transmits the RF signal outward as electromagnetic waves through the antenna. When data is sent to the communication device 300, the RF circuit receives the RF signal through the antenna, converts the RF signal into a baseband signal, and outputs the baseband signal to the processor 320. The processor 320 converts the baseband signal into data and processes the data.

[0312] In another implementation, the radio frequency circuitry and antenna can be set up independently of the processor 320 that performs baseband processing. For example, in a distributed scenario, the radio frequency circuitry and antenna can be arranged remotely, independent of the device.

[0313] This application embodiment does not limit the specific connection medium between the communication interface 310, processor 320, and memory 330. This application embodiment... Figure 6 The memory 330, processor 320, and communication interface 310 are connected via a bus 340. Figure 6 The connections between other components are shown in bold and are for illustrative purposes only, not as limiting information. The bus can be divided into address bus, data bus, control bus, etc. For ease of illustration, Figure 6 The bus is represented by a single thick line, but this does not mean that there is only one bus or one type of bus.

[0314] When the communication device 300 is specifically used in a terminal device, such as when the communication device 300 is specifically a chip or chip system, the communication interface 310 may output or receive baseband signals. When the communication device 300 is specifically used in a terminal device, the communication interface 310 may output or receive radio frequency signals.

[0315] It should be noted that the device can execute the relevant steps of the terminal device or network device in the foregoing method embodiments. For details, please refer to the implementation methods provided in the above steps, which will not be repeated here.

[0316] For each device or product applied to or integrated into a device, each of its modules can be implemented using hardware such as circuits. Different modules can be located in the same component (e.g., chip, circuit module, etc.) or different components within the terminal device. Alternatively, at least some modules can be implemented using software programs that run on a processor integrated within the terminal device, while the remaining (if any) modules can be implemented using hardware such as circuits.

[0317] The aforementioned memory can be volatile memory or non-volatile memory, or may include both. Non-volatile memory can be read-only memory (ROM), programmable read-only memory (PROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), or flash memory. Volatile memory can be random access memory (RAM), which serves as an external cache. By way of example, but not limitation, many forms of random access memory (RAM) are available, such as static random access memory (SRAM), dynamic random access memory (DRAM), synchronous dynamic random access memory (SDRAM), double data rate synchronous dynamic random access memory (DDR SDRAM), enhanced synchronous dynamic random access memory (ESDRAM), synchronous linked dynamic random access memory (SLDRAM), and direct rambus RAM (DR RAM).

[0318] This application provides a chip. The chip includes a processor, and optionally, a memory. The number of processors and the number of memories can be one or more. The processor can execute the methods shown in the above-described method embodiments and the steps performed in related implementations by reading instructions and data stored in the memory.

[0319] like Figure 7 As shown, Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a module device provided in an embodiment of this application. The module device 400 can perform the relevant steps of the terminal device in the aforementioned method embodiments, or the module device 400 can perform the relevant steps of the network device in the aforementioned method embodiments.

[0320] The module device 400 includes a communication module 410, a power module 420, a storage module 430, and a chip module 440. The power module 420 provides power to the module device; the storage module 430 stores data and / or instructions; the communication module 410 communicates with external devices; and the chip module 440 retrieves the data and / or instructions stored in the storage module 430. Combined with the communication module 410, the method described in the above embodiments and the steps performed in related implementations can be executed.

[0321] This application also provides a computer-readable storage medium. The computer-readable storage medium stores a computer program, which includes program instructions. When an electronic device executes the program instructions, it implements the steps performed by the terminal device in the method described in the above method embodiments, or implements the steps performed by the network device in the method described in the above method embodiments.

[0322] The computer-readable storage medium can be an internal storage unit of the terminal device or network device described in any of the foregoing embodiments, such as a hard disk or memory. The computer-readable storage medium can also be an external storage device of the terminal device or network device, such as a plug-in hard disk, smart media card (SMC), secure digital (SD) card, flash card, etc., equipped on the device. Further, the computer-readable storage medium can include both internal and external storage units of the terminal device or network device. The computer-readable storage medium is used to store the computer program and other programs and data required by the terminal device or network device. The computer-readable storage medium can also be used to temporarily store data that has been output or will be output. The computer-readable storage medium can be any available medium that a computer can access or a data storage device such as a server or data center that includes one or more sets of available media. The available media can be magnetic media (e.g., floppy disk, hard disk, magnetic tape), optical media (e.g., high-density digital video disc (DVD)), or semiconductor media. Semiconductor media can be solid-state drives (SSDs).

[0323] Regarding the modules / units included in the various devices and products described in the above embodiments, they can be software modules / units, hardware modules / units, or a combination of both. For example, for devices and products applied to or integrated into a chip, all modules / units can be implemented using hardware methods such as circuits, or at least some modules / units can be implemented using software programs that run on a processor integrated within the chip, while the remaining (if any) modules / units can be implemented using hardware methods such as circuits. For devices and products applied to or integrated into a chip module, all modules / units can be implemented using hardware methods such as circuits. Different modules / units can be located in the same component (e.g., chip, circuit module, etc.) or different components of the chip module, or at least some modules / units can be implemented using hardware methods such as circuits. The implementation can be done through software programs running on a processor integrated within the chip module. The remaining modules / units (if any) can be implemented using hardware methods such as circuits. For various devices and products applied to or integrated into data acquisition nodes, each module / unit can be implemented using hardware methods such as circuits. Different modules / units can be located in the same component (e.g., chip, circuit module, etc.) or different components within the terminal device. Alternatively, at least some modules / units can be implemented through software programs running on a processor integrated within the data acquisition node, while the remaining modules / units (if any) can be implemented using hardware methods such as circuits.

[0324] The above embodiments can be implemented, in whole or in part, by software, hardware, firmware, or any other combination thereof. When implemented using software, the above embodiments can be implemented, in whole or in part, as a computer program product. The computer program product includes one or more computer instructions or computer programs. When the computer instructions or computer program are loaded or executed on a computer, all or part of the processes or functions described in the embodiments of this application are generated. The computer can be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network, or other programmable device. The computer instructions can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium or transmitted from one computer-readable storage medium to another. For example, the computer instructions can be transmitted from one website, computer, server, or data center to another website, computer, server, or data center via wired or wireless means.

[0325] It should be understood that in the various embodiments of this application, the order of the above-mentioned processes does not imply the order of execution. The execution order of each process should be determined by its function and internal logic, and should not constitute any limitation on the implementation process of the embodiments of this application.

[0326] In the several embodiments provided in this application, it should be understood that the disclosed methods, apparatuses, and systems can be implemented in other ways. For example, the apparatus embodiments described above are merely illustrative; for example, the division of units is merely a logical functional division, and other division methods may exist in actual implementation; for example, multiple units or components may be combined or integrated into another system, or some features may be ignored or not executed. Furthermore, the coupling or direct coupling or communication connection shown or discussed may be through some interfaces, and the indirect coupling or communication connection between devices or units may be electrical, mechanical, or other forms.

[0327] The units described as separate components may or may not be physically separate. The components shown as units may or may not be physical units; that is, they may be located in one place or distributed across multiple network units. Some or all of the units can be selected to achieve the purpose of this embodiment according to actual needs.

[0328] Furthermore, the functional units in the various embodiments of the present invention can be integrated into one processing unit, or each unit can be physically comprised separately, or two or more units can be integrated into one unit. The integrated unit described above can be implemented in hardware or in the form of hardware plus software functional units.

[0329] The integrated unit implemented as a software functional unit described above can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. This software functional unit, stored in a storage medium, includes several instructions to cause a computer device (which may be a personal computer, a server, or a gateway node, etc.) to execute some steps of the methods described in the various embodiments of the present invention.

[0330] Those skilled in the art will understand that all or part of the processes in the above embodiments can be implemented by a computer program instructing related hardware. The program can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium, and when executed, it can include the processes of the embodiments of the above methods. The storage medium can be a magnetic disk, optical disk, read-only memory (ROM), or random access memory (RAM), etc.

[0331] The above-disclosed embodiments are merely preferred embodiments of this application and should not be construed as limiting the scope of this application. Those skilled in the art will understand that all or part of the processes for implementing the above embodiments and equivalent variations made in accordance with the claims of this application are still within the scope of this application.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that, include: Send a first report, the first report including beam quality prediction information, the beam quality prediction information indicating at least one prediction result, one of the prediction results being a prediction result for a beam at one time.

2. The method as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The beam quality prediction information indicates at least one prediction result, including: The beam quality prediction information indicates the prediction results at N time points, and the prediction results at each time point include the prediction results of one or more beams that meet the target conditions, where N is a natural number. The target conditions include one or more of the following: The prediction result meets the first threshold; The prediction result belongs to the M best prediction results among all prediction results obtained at the corresponding time, where the value of M is indicated by the network device or is predefined, and M is a natural number.

3. The method as described in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The beam quality prediction information includes a reference prediction result and a first differential prediction result; The reference prediction result is one of the at least one prediction results; The first difference prediction result is the difference between the first prediction result and the reference prediction result, and the first prediction result is one of the at least one prediction results other than the reference prediction result.

4. The method as described in claim 3, characterized in that, The beam quality prediction information indicates the prediction results of the first beam at least at at least two times; The reference prediction result is the prediction result of the first beam at the reference time, and the first prediction result is the prediction result of the first beam at the non-reference time. The reference time and the non-reference time are different times among the at least two times.

5. The method as described in claim 4, characterized in that, The beam quality prediction information also includes a local index value of the reference time, which is a unique identifier of the reference time among the at least two times.

6. The method as described in claim 4, characterized in that, The beam quality prediction information also includes the global index value of the reference time and the global index value of the non-reference time; The global index value of the reference time is a unique identifier of the reference time among N times; The global index value of the non-reference time is the unique identifier of the non-reference time among the N times; The N times are all the times used for prediction, and the N times include the at least two times.

7. The method as described in claim 3, characterized in that, The beam quality prediction information indicates the prediction results of at least two beams at the first moment; The reference prediction result is the prediction result of the reference beam at the first time, and the first prediction result is the prediction result of the non-reference beam at the first time. The reference beam and the non-reference beam are different beams among the at least two beams.

8. The method as described in claim 7, characterized in that, The beam quality prediction information also includes the local index value of the reference beam, which is a unique identifier of the reference beam among the at least two beams.

9. The method as described in claim 7, characterized in that, The beam quality prediction information also includes the global index value of the reference beam and the global index value of the non-reference beam; The global index value of the reference beam is a unique identifier of the reference beam among the P beams; The global index value of the non-reference beam is the unique identifier of the non-reference beam among the P beams; The P beams are all the beams used for prediction, and the P beams include the at least two beams, where P is a natural number.

10. The method as described in claim 3, characterized in that, The beam quality prediction information also includes the second differential prediction result; The second difference prediction result is the difference between the second prediction result and the first prediction result, and the second prediction result is one of the at least one prediction results other than the reference prediction result and the first prediction result.

11. The method as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The beam quality prediction information also includes time indication information, which is used to indicate the N times.

12. The method as described in claim 11, characterized in that, The time indication information includes first indication information and second indication information. The first indication information indicates the time unit of the first time among the N times, and the second indication information indicates the time unit of the nth time among the N times, where n is an integer greater than 1 and less than or equal to N.

13. The method as described in claim 12, characterized in that, The first indication information includes a time unit index value or a first offset; The time unit index value is the index value of the time unit containing the first time among N times; The first offset is the offset of the time unit containing the first time among the N times relative to the reference time unit, which is determined based on the time domain resources where the first report is located.

14. The method as described in claim 12 or 13, characterized in that, The second indication information includes a second offset, which is the offset of the time unit where the nth time is located relative to the time unit where the first time is located, or the second offset is the offset of the time unit where the nth time is located relative to the reference time unit, or the second offset is the offset of the time unit where the nth time is located relative to the time unit where the (n-1)th time is located. The reference time unit is determined based on the time domain resources where the first report is located.

15. A communication method, characterized in that, include: Receive a first report, the first report including beam quality prediction information, the beam quality prediction information indicating at least one prediction result, one of the prediction results being a prediction result for a beam at one time; Beam indication is performed based on the beam quality prediction information.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the beam quality prediction information indicates at least one prediction result, comprising: The beam quality prediction information indicates the prediction results at N time points, and the prediction results at each time point include the prediction results of one or more beams that meet the target conditions, where N is a natural number. The target conditions include one or more of the following: The prediction result meets the first threshold; The prediction result belongs to the M best prediction results among all prediction results obtained at the corresponding time, where the value of M is indicated by the network device or is predefined, and M is a natural number.

17. The method as described in claim 15 or 16, characterized in that, The beam quality prediction information includes a reference prediction result and a first differential prediction result; The reference prediction result is one of the at least one prediction results; The first difference prediction result is the difference between the first prediction result and the reference prediction result, and the first prediction result is one of the at least one prediction results other than the reference prediction result.

18. The method as described in claim 17, characterized in that, The beam quality prediction information indicates the prediction results of the first beam at least at at least two times; The reference prediction result is the prediction result of the first beam at the reference time, and the first prediction result is the prediction result of the first beam at the non-reference time. The reference time and the non-reference time are different times among the at least two times.

19. The method as described in claim 18, characterized in that, The beam quality prediction information also includes a local index value of the reference time, which is a unique identifier of the reference time among the at least two times.

20. The method as described in claim 18, characterized in that, The beam quality prediction information also includes the global index value of the reference time and the global index value of the non-reference time; The global index value of the reference time is a unique identifier of the reference time among N times; The global index value of the non-reference time is the unique identifier of the non-reference time among the N times; The N times are all the times used for prediction, and the N times include the at least two times.

21. The method as described in claim 17, characterized in that, The beam quality prediction information indicates the prediction results of at least two beams at the first moment; The reference prediction result is the prediction result of the reference beam at the first time, and the first prediction result is the prediction result of the non-reference beam at the first time. The reference beam and the non-reference beam are different beams among the at least two beams.

22. The method as described in claim 17, characterized in that, The beam quality prediction information also includes the second differential prediction result; The second difference prediction result is the difference between the second prediction result and the first prediction result, and the second prediction result is one of the at least one prediction results other than the reference prediction result and the first prediction result.

23. The method as described in claim 16, characterized in that, The first report also includes time indication information, which is used to indicate the N times.

24. The method as described in claim 23, characterized in that, The time indication information includes first indication information and second indication information. The first indication information indicates the time unit of the first time among the N times, and the second indication information indicates the time unit of the nth time among the N times, where n is an integer greater than 1 and less than or equal to N.

25. A communication device, characterized in that, include: A transmitting unit is configured to transmit a first report, the first report including beam quality prediction information, the beam quality prediction information indicating at least one prediction result, wherein one of the prediction results is a prediction result for a beam at one time.

26. A communication device, characterized in that, include: A receiving unit is configured to receive a first report, the first report including beam quality prediction information, the beam quality prediction information indicating at least one prediction result, wherein one of the prediction results is a prediction result for a beam at one time. A switching unit is used to perform beam indication based on the beam quality prediction information.

27. A communication device, characterized in that, The communication device includes a processor and a memory, which are interconnected. The memory stores a computer program, which includes program instructions. The processor invokes the program instructions to execute the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 14, or to execute the method as described in any one of claims 15 to 24.

28. A chip, characterized in that, The chip includes a processor and an interface, the processor and the interface being coupled; the interface is used to receive or output signals, and the processor is used to execute code instructions to perform the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 14, or to perform the method as described in any one of claims 15 to 24.

29. A module device, characterized in that, The module device includes a communication module, a power module, a storage module, and a chip module, wherein: The power module is used to provide electrical energy to the module device; The storage module is used to store data and / or instructions; The communication module is used to communicate with external devices; The chip module is used to call the data and / or instructions stored in the storage module, and in conjunction with the communication module, to execute the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 14, or to execute the method as described in any one of claims 15 to 24.

30. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, The computer-readable storage medium stores a computer program, the computer program including program instructions that, when executed by a computer, implement the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 14, or implement the method as described in any one of claims 15 to 24.

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